Dear Editor, Last week you published a letter by Michael Bradley, of Solihull, about the closure of BBC Television Centre as an opportunity for Birmingham’s creative and marketing sector to fill the void.

City TV Broadcasting will be doing just that. Over two years ago our team began looking at opportunities to develop local TV in the city. Last year our Washington USA board member Jacques de Suze advised the Nicholas Schott committee on the future of local TV in the UK. The committee had been set up by Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Jacques de Suze was a key figure who developed the highly successful Citytv brand in Toronto and internationally.

At last we had an ally! Jeremy Hunt has an ambitious plan to change broadcasting regulations to make local television commercially viable.

City TV Broadcasting developed a comprehensive business plan, and expressed an interest in the local broadcasting licence to be awarded in 2012.

We participated in the first round table discussion with the Secretary of State here in Birmingham and continue to discuss local television issues with DCMS in London.

We will profile the city in its news and current affairs programming; brag about the Birmingham’s world class entertainment, and market the very many opportunities the city has to offer. The plan proposes up to 50 jobs in front of and behind the cameras in the areas of design, production, journalism, back office, marketing and sales. It will support the creative sector and will open its doors to media students and diverse audiences.

There is no shortage of stories to tell – stories audiences well beyond Birmingham would watch. Our satellite transmissions will reach across the UK and into Europe and we have already established links with sister cities globally.

Debra Davis

Director, City TV Broadcasting