Welcome to the Campaign for Regional Broadcasting Midlands

The Campaign for Regional Broadcasting Midlands is a community grassroots campaign that aims to  promote the Midlands as a place to create and make television, radio & film. There has been a gradual migration away from the region by the major broadcasters and as a result, this important, diverse and highly populated region is now virtually absent from the airwaves.

2024: If you agree that the BBC should increase its TV and Radio production expenditure in the Midlands,

please sign this petition today.

 

See us on the weather map!  

 

Regional broadcasting in the UK is unbalanced. Programme making expenditure is not distributed equitably around the country and not all regions are represented fairly.

Looking for the Midlands in peak time? You'll find us on the weather map. On the radio? We are mostly silent.

 

 

The region that cannot speak its name

 

We don't understand why this highly populated, economically important region, with its richly diverse culture, at the centre of the country's transport infrastructure and so close to virtually everywhere, home to the largest UK regional conurbation and many more medium sized cities - is so ignored by the London based media establishment.

 

 

To be or, not to be

 

If Shakespeare (or a budding writer) was living in Warwickshire today, they would still need to turn to London if they wanted a TV or radio commission for a new play. That is of course, if they were to be discovered in Warwickshire in the first place. This is a tragedy. 

 

 Anyone might think the broadcasters are ashamed of us!

 

  • The BBC and ITV no longer operate any network TV studios in the region
  • Pebble Mill is long gone
  • ITV and BBC feature no peak time regular programme making whatsoever from the region

 

Other broadcasters fare only a little better when it comes to spending money with independent producers in the Midlands or representing it at a national level.

 

Why such a blatent disregard for certain regional audiences? 

 

A region of firsts

 

The Midlands was at the very heart of the broadcasting nation with the first regional BBC radio station, the first regional BBC television transmitter and the first regional ITV station.

 

However, years of continual cutbacks to facilities, jobs and commissioning have led to a situation which is now unjust and inequitable. We would like to see a genuine broadcasting devolution. 

 

We know that many people, ranging from licence fee payers through to business leaders, MPs and council leaders from across the region, increasingly share these concerns.

 

If you have a passion for the Midlands please sign our BBC petition. Click here for details.

 

Email your support or follow us on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).