Channel 4 has shortlisted Liverpool in the search for its new headquarters.
The city’s bid, launched by Brookside creator Phil Redmond last year, will be considered for the broadcaster’s potential new home.
Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow and Manchester are also in the running for what will be Channel 4’s biggest structural change in its 35-year history.
A site visit will take place in late June with a final decision made in October.
Mayor Joe Anderson said: “I’m delighted Channel 4 has recognised the strength and quality of our #4ForLiverpool bid and has shortlisted the city for its new home.
“The bid has been a great team effort and I want to thank everyone who has supported the city to date.
“This is a hotly contested bidding competition and to reach this next stage in the process demonstrates Liverpool’s pulling power as a location that offers businesses and their employees a great work/life balance.
“There are exciting plans afoot to cement Liverpool’s position at the cutting edge of the creative sector and Channel 4 has a huge role to play in that story.
“Now that they are coming to visit, I’ve no doubt they will be wowed by what the city has to offer and how they can help shape it.”
Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor for the Liverpool City Region, added: “This is a massive vote of confidence for what the Liverpool city region is doing to bolster our creative economy.
“Everyone knows our city region has an incredible pool of talent of writers, actors, directors and technicians and Channel 4’s potential relocation here would put rocket boosters on our plans to establish the area as a beacon for the next generation of story tellers, film makers and set designers.”