Birmingham’s City TV goes into administration

Without even having the chance to broadcast any programming, City TV, the local TV channel for Birmingham, has had to go into administration. One of a number of channels around the UK to be awarded a licence to provide local-centric digital TV programmes, the channel, also known as BLTV would have served 1.2 million households in the Birmingham area.

BLTV had until November to start broadcasting but weren’t able to secure sufficient finance so had no access to studio premises or the appropriate equipment.

Matt Ingram, joint administrator, said: “BLTV was awarded the licence for Birmingham local television following a lengthy competitive process, overseen by Ofcom.

“Unfortunately, it would appear that despite having demonstrated a comprehensive programming proposal, the company was unable to secure the necessary funding to get the project off the ground, having been awarded the licence.”

Ingram also said that they are aware of “considerable interest from a number of local television operators in continuing with the Birmingham area opportunity and we are already engaging with them, and Ofcom, to secure a successful transfer of the licence.”