David Holdsworth (Head of Regional & Local Programmes) and Anita Bhalla (Head of Political & Community Affairs) gave an informative presentation on the brand spanking new "BBC Local TV" on the 27th February.

The conference room at the BBC Mailbox was filled to capacity with RTS members, guests and a very contingent of students.

There are 6 areas in the West Midland area which have a pilot local TV service – Birmingham; Black Country; Coventry & Warwickshire; Hereford & Worcester; Shropshire; and Staffordshire. Each of these areas carries a ten minute rolling news service contained within an hourly loop. There is a target of a 24 hour refresh of the material within this loop.

Access can be obtained via either the internet or Sky.

There has been an investment in technology and staffing, based on existing local radio services. There are 40 to 50 people on contract for the whole scheme, with video journalists at each station. A budget of £3m has been allocated for the pilot.

There has been intense lobbying from the local print media who have expressed concern that this new service would badly affect their client base causing a circulation drop.

Technically material is obtained on low cost equipment, the Z1 camcorder bears the brunt of picture acquisition. Stories recorded for "Local TV" have been so successful, carrying important news stories they have been carried by the regional broadcast news programme "Midlands Today."

The pilot is expected to be completed by August of 2006. If deemed a success by the BBC other parts of the country may have their own local TV service on the same principles by March 2007.

The belief at this moment is that the scheme is very successful and holds great hope for future development. Some extra 400 journalism jobs may be created should this pilot be given the go-ahead.