England’s second city is finally set to get its own television channel.

Big Centre TV, which will cover Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull, will commence broadcasting at 6pm on Saturday 28 February.

The announcement comes almost six months after City TV, which originally won the right to broadcast in Birmingham, collapsed into administration.

Jennifer Meierhans, former chief reporter on the Shropshire Star’s Shrewsbury edition, pictured left, has been named as one of the new channel’s senior news producers along with Birmingham-based broadcaster Marverine Cole.

Former Central TV sports broadcaster Bob Hall has been named as head of news and sport.

The station is co-owned by former ATV presenter Mike Prince and ex-teacher Chris Perry, with its first broadcasting coming from a school in Walsall.

Said Chris: “We are extremely fortunate to partner with Walsall Studio School, which has some of the best people, production and broadcast facilities.

“As a professional media company we have big ambitions and these can only be met through having access to outstanding facilities and talent, which is exactly what Walsall Studio School will provide.”

The channel will air seven days a week in the area on Freeview Channel Eight, with programmes also available online.