Sikh Channel bids for new B’ham channel

DS Bal, the owner of the Sikh Channel has joined up with four other parties to form a consortium as a bid for the new local government-led digital TV licence in Birmingham.

Richard O�۪Brien – head of Public Relations at Bal’s legal firm DBS Law is another member of the consortium.
It also includes media worker Devi Das; film-maker Stewart Lawley, who runs production company Eko7.com, and criminal lawyer Prejal Shah.

The channel touted as Bham TV has been put forward to Ofcom. If successful, Bham TV will provide 16 hours of local programming with news, sport, cookery and arts available to viewers in the city.

Talking to the Birmingham Mail, Shah said, “Our mission is to show all that is Birmingham to everyone in the city. We want to create connections across the diverse communities, sharing experiences, knowledge and culture, to enrich the lives of the whole population. We will offer programmes with local content and news broadcasting live from our studios in the city.”

Bham TV’s rivals include YourTV, backed by broadcasting veterans Gary Newbon and Mike Owen, and City TV, whose team includes former Birmingham City Council public relations executive Debra Davis and city business figure Derek Inman.

The government has earmarked 20 local TV stations across the UK for launch next year.