|
Frank "SuperFrank" Copsidas
Founder & Board Chair of the LPTV Broadcasters Association
| | |
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Yesterday I had the honor of speaking at the CCBE (Central Canada Broadcast Engineers) 75th Anniversary conference in Toronto on 5G Broadcast.
As I travel the world talking about 5G Broadcast, one thing is crystal clear: this is our future. Those worried that the mobile carriers are about to swallow broadcast whole? They’re usually the ones who don’t see what’s coming—and stand to lose the most.
| | | |
As I’ve been preaching for the last three years, the key word is convergence. Satellite, mobile, broadcasting, SideLink, and a host of other platforms are coming together to bring their best to the communication sphere. We’re no longer stuck in single-track deployments. Technology is uniting the strongest parts of all our worlds.
Will we lose control of broadcasting? Only if we fear it instead of owning it. Positive forward action is the only strategy that works. Wishing the world would just stay the same isn’t a plan—it’s a Disney movie. We live in reality, not a theme park. Take the opportunities that let us serve our communities better, or risk being left behind while the rest of the industry keeps moving.
And speaking of trick or treat… Charlie Ergen’s HC2 just stunned the LPTV world by filing 235 applications for new construction permits. Wow. See the Full List Here. Five hundred total stations is now on the radar!
As promised, we’ve added a new section to our website for MEMBERS ONLY listing recent LPTV station sales. The numbers are fascinating—ranging from 11 cents to $1.75 per pop. Click Here to See the Report
Our monthly podcast viewership on YouTube continues to blow our minds. This month we crossed 12,000 views and are now over 1,000 subscribers. November’s episode goes back to the basics of owning an LPTV station (Part One).
Hope your Halloween is full of fun, joy, and spooky smiles!
SuperFrank
| | |
Sinclair Asks Yet Again
Sinclair has once more urged the FCC to accelerate a mandatory sunset of ATSC 1.0 and force a nationwide transition to ATSC 3.0. In response, the LPTV Broadcasters Association filed comments reminding the Commission that the NAB itself excluded LPTV and translators from any such mandate. LPTVBA continues to oppose any required transition for LPTV, Class A, or translator stations, supporting instead the right of each licensee to choose the standard (ATSC 1.0, ATSC 3.0, 5G Broadcast, or otherwise) that best serves its community. LPTV will keep serving the 85–90% of television viewers still relying on ATSC 1.0 receivers.
Click Here to Read Sinclair's Ex-Parte
Click Here to Read the LPTVBA Letter to the FCC in Response
| | REMINDER: ETRS Form One is Due Today | | |
FEMA and the FCC will conduct a nationwide EAS test on at 2:20 p.m. ET on November 17, 2026. All EAS Participant stations must air the test.
Subject to the caveat below for certain LPTV stations, all EAS Participant stations must file three reports in the FCC’s EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS):
- ETRS Form One is due TODAY, OCTOBER 30
- ETRS Form Two is due within 48 hours of the test, by 2:20 p.m. ET on November 19, 2026.
- ETRS Form Three is due by January 4, 2027.
As a reminder, LPTV stations are considered EAS Participants and must air the Nationwide Test. However, TV translator stations and LPTV stations operating as translators (i.e., stations rebroadcasting the programming of another station in its entirety) are NOT required to file ETRS reports.
For additional details about the test and filing ETRS reports, please refer to the FCC’s Public Notice.
Davina Sashkin (She/Her/Hers)
Wilkinson, Barker, Knauer, LLP
Partner
| | |
November Podcast Drops Sunday Morning
Licensed to Thrill: So You Want to Own a TV Station? — Part 1
While thousands run the NYC Marathon this Sunday, we suggest a less exhausting activity! Grab your coffee, put your feet up, and join SuperFrank and Bill for Licensed to Thrill! Ever thought about owning a TV station? Discover the good, the bad, and the FCC of LPTV ownership!
| | | |
NEW! Stations Deals Report
We're excited to introduce our new LPTV Station Deals Report, available exclusively to LPTVBA members!
This chart tracks recent LPTV station transactions filed with the FCC, including call signs, markets, buyers, sellers, purchase prices, coverage populations, and cost per person reached.
Our first report covers September 1 – October 28, 2026, offering a valuable snapshot of station activity across the country.
| | |
NEW! Classifieds Page
Our Members-Only Classifieds page is a complimentary benefit that allows LPTVBA members to share opportunities, products, and services with our community of industry professionals.
To submit your listing, simply provide:
- Image: A square JPG featuring your logo, call letters, or other relevant image. Don't have one? We'll create it for you!
- Description: 75–100 words describing your listing.
- Contact Information: Name, email, phone number, or preferred method of contact.
| | UPDATE YOUR PROFILE!
Share more information with members in our community - what sectors you're in, are you buying or selling? Let us know! | | |
FREE CERT FOR MEMBERS
SiliconDust & the ATSC 3.0 Certificate Authority (ATSC3CA) is offering a free certificate to our members!
| | |
GRANTS
Are you an LPTV broadcaster, station owner, or industry professional?
Learn about possibilities for your communities.
| |
JOIN US!
We are THE association for the LPTV, Class A, and independent full-power television station business community in the USA. Members include station owners, brokers, legal, consulting, technology, and engineering community.
LPTV Broadcasting Association’s mission is to promote industry collaboration and opportunities - to provide a one source platform for insights, issues, and standards that enable the LPTV industry to thrive. Advisory services include station brokerage, maximizing station value, subchannel leasing, and resource connections.
We provide representation for our members with legislators and policy makers in an increasingly complex security-focused communications landscape.
| Thank you to our 2026 LPTVBA Annual Sponsors! | | | | |
