Birmingham City TV channel with 'no studio premises or broadcast equipment' enters administration
Birmingham’s ‘City TV’, the first of Jeremy Hunt’s local TV networks, has gone into administration without having broadcast a single show.
The broadcaster, which received its local TV licence from Ofcom in November 2012, yesterday appointed administrators Duff & Phelps to find a buyer.
‘City TV’, a service which would have reached two million households, in its two years of operation had “no studio premises or broadcast equipment” - despite it being the first local TV station to launch as part of Hunt's regional TV scheme.
The administrators have contacted other media outlets offering the broadcasting licence as a “business opportunity”.
The email reads: “The joint administrators are seeking expressions of interest from parties interested in acquiring the licence and who believe that they are likely to obtain the consent of Ofcom for any transfer.”
Debra Davis, director, of BLTV said: "It is with great regret that BLTV, City8, has gone into administration. There were plans being negotiated to rescue the company but, as I understand, creditors rejected early conversations in favour of proceeding with their application.
“There are a number of factors which led to this. But we need to look ahead. I am confident that administrators will work towards a solution and I have offered them my support as the Company director.”
She added: “Jeremy Hunt, former secretary of state for the department for culture, media and sport, had an ambition to bring truly local television to the UK. I am saddened that we couldn't help deliver that vision but it is one that I believe would make a game-changing difference to a lot of communities and local interests."
Ofcom awarded similar local TV 30 licences to Glasgow, Grimsby, Nottingham, Norwich and London broadcasters, with Brighton due to launch later this month.
This comes after another local TV station ‘London Live asked Ofcom if it could cut broadcasting hours during peak times to maximise advertising revenues through long form content.