A Sikh community broadcasting channel is part of the latest consortium bidding to run a new TV station in Birmingham.
The Aston-based Sikh Channel, owned by Davinder Singh Bal, is part of the Bham TV group bidding for the new Government-backed television licence.
If Bham TV’s bid is accepted by regulator Ofcom, 16 hours of local programming, taking in everything from news to sport, cookery and the arts, will be available to city viewers.
Richard O’Brien, head of public relations at Birmingham city centre-based legal firm DBS Law, which is also owned by Bal, is another member part 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.
Ms 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.
"Birmingham is bursting with potential; it needs a local channel to show just what it’s got.
"National TV programmers based in London ignore what goes on in the second city. Bham TV will put that right."
She said the channel would give a platform for groups campaigning for change, and among the ideas are local history and family entertainment programmes.
The consortium’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.
Birmingham is among 20 sites earmarked for a city-based TV station.
Winning applications will be announced in the autumn and the first new stations are planned to be up and running by next year.
