The deal is part of Ofcom’s wider plan to allow bids to run local TV services in 21 UK locations, which also include Manchester, Belfast and Edinburgh.
DBS Law is behind Bham TV, which will launch in October if successful in its application to Ofcom. The channel will broadcast 16 hours of local programming a week, much of which will be live from studios in the city.

Front man

According to DBS, the schedule will include ‘everything from news to sport, cookery and the arts’.
The London-based Law Gazette reported that a weekly legal programme will also be broadcast. This will include both professional coverage -- including interviews with opinion-formers -- and a consumer-focused element prompting discussion on topical issues. Rob Bhol, managing director of DBS, will host the show.
Richard O’Brien, head of public relations at DBS, is leading the consortium, which also includes media worker Devi Das, criminal lawyer Prejal Shah, and Stewart Lawley, who runs production company Eko7.com.

Connecting with communities

Ms Shah described the intention of the news station as creating ‘connections across the diverse communities, sharing experiences, knowledge and culture, to enrich the lives of the whole population’.
Among Bham TV’s rivals are YourTV, which is backed by renowned broadcasters Gary Newbon and Mike Owen, and City TV, whose bid is led by former Birmingham city council public relations officer Debra Davis and city businessman Derek Inman. The successful application will be announced in the autumn.