Channel 4 has named Birmingham as one of its candidates to become the broadcaster's new headquarters.
Birmingham and Coventry made it to the shortlist of potential new homes for the national broadcaster.
It means the West Midlands proceeds to the next stage of the contest to choose the site of Channel 4's planned National HQ.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “This was the first hurdle we needed to overcome in order to secure the new national HQ for Channel 4 and now we can focus on enhancing our bid further"
The West Midlands bid included both Coventry and Birmingham as potential sites. The region's leaders, including Mr Street, will make a presentation to Channel 4 managers in June, and the broadcaster's final decision will be announced in October.
But the West Midlands faces stiff competition, with Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Greater Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool also on the shortlist.
Channel 4 is to open a “national headquarters” to operate alongside its existing headquarters in London, and two smaller hubs.
If the West Midlands fails in its bid to host the headquarters then it could potentially host one of the hubs instead.
Channel 4 says 300 jobs will be moved out of London. The national headquarters will include a state-of-the-art studio that will be used to produce Channel 4 programmes and events as well as live broadcasts.
There will also be a new digital production unit to create short digital content targeted at young audiences.
Channel 4 News also plans to co-anchor from outside its existing London studio every night, opening a newsroom in a city outside London.
And the broadcaster will increase the amount it spends commissioning programmes made outside London by £250m.
This is expected to support up to 3,000 additional production jobs.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), which is chaired by the Mayor, drew up a bid focusing on potential sites in Birmingham and Coventry, highlighting the strengths of the West Midlands under the slogan of "Get Closer".
Mr Street said: "Both Birmingham and Coventry offer powerful arguments to Channel 4 in terms of location, talent and the youth and diversity of the population and I am pleased this has been recognised.
"Now the hard work really starts as we begin negotiations in earnest to develop the most compelling case possible to the broadcaster.”
Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "We welcome the news that Birmingham’s bid to become the new home of Channel 4 has been shortlisted.
"Birmingham is a perfect fit for this move and we look forward to working with Channel 4 to showcase in even greater detail what we have to offer here in the heart of the UK.
"We have the digital skills, creative talent and energy needed to make the move a huge success and, with one of the youngest and most diverse populations in Europe, Birmingham is the natural choice for Channel 4."
Cities that were shortlisted will make a presentation to Channel 4 managers in June.
A decision on the site of the new national headquarters, and the two smaller "hubs", is expected on October 1.
All the cities shortlisted to host the HQ could potentially host a hub instead.
And Brighton, Newcastle & Gateshead, Belfast, Nottingham, Sheffield and Stoke-on-Trent have also been shortlisted as potential hub locations - but they are not in the running to become Channel 4's National HQ.
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight and Citzen’s Khan star Adil Ray have backed the West Midlands bid, which is supported by the region's arts and cultural organisations, local authorities and MPs.
