Mike Gravino, managing director of the Next Gen TV Coalition, died May 30, succumbing to pancreatic cancer after entering hospice care.

Gravino, a champion of low-power television who advocated for the rights of the LPTV community in Washington, D.C., was influential in winning $150 million in repack funding for low-power operators.

In April 2019, Gravino announced the LPTV Spectrum Rights Coalition, founded six years earlier, would be called the Next Gen TV Coalition, with a new mission set on “leveling the playing field” for independently owned and operated TV broadcast licensees. In March 2018 he formed Airwaves USA, an LPTV brokerage. 

Industry lobbyist Preston Padden tweeted May 29 that Gravino had entered a Washington-area hospice. 

Amy Brown, former executive director of SpectrumEvolution.org, in a LinkedIn post said Gravino died May 30 and noted he had “fought hard for our industry and people.”

“This one man gave so much for so many for years and we are better for it,” said John Terrill, president of the National Translator Association, adding that Gravino’s dedication to the LPTV industry “earned the respect of many, whether they agreed with him or not.”

Gravino drew praise from FCC Chairman Ajit Pai as a strong advocate “with an endearing charm” for the LPTV community, and FCC Commissioner Michael O’Reilly, who called him a “powerful force.” 

Doug Thompson, a regional sales manager at Hitachi Kokusai Electric Comark, said Gravino “did what he thought was best for LPTV, and he worked tirelessly and often against the odds.”

WASHINGTON—The LPTV Spectrum Rights Coalition has informed the Federal Communications Commission about the efforts of Class-A and LPTV stations to inform the public about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and Commissioners Michael O’Rielly, Brendan Carr, Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks lays out nearly 20 examples of how Class-A and LPTV networks and stations have responded to the crisis.

“From national networks serving the LPTV community, to ethnic networks and the local stations serving both urban and rural areas, these small businesses are stepping up to be a key critical source of trusted local information and news about the pandemic,” said the letter, which was penned by coalition director Michael Gravino.

Nationwide networks mentioned in the letter include the 3ABN faith network, which reaches a potential 100 million people with its 175 Class-A and LPTV stations; NewsNet, a national news network serving many Class-A and LPTV affiliates reaching as many as 59 million viewers; and DiyaTV, a national southeast Asian network airing in Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Atlanta, Orlando, Fla., and Bakersfield, Calif., reaching a potential 20 million viewers.

The coverage approach of these networks ranges from producing additional live programming about the pandemic, airing conversations with physicians and pastors and delivering breaking news daily to coverage of local nonprofits, interviews with the president of India and carrying President Donald Trump’s daily COVID-19 press briefing. 

The letter also pointed to the efforts of individual Class-A stations, like WLFT-CD in Baton Rouge, La., and WNCE in Albany, N.Y., as well as the steps many LPTV operators are taking, such as WHCQ-LD in Cleveland, Miss., which is covering county supervisor meetings in their entirety during which various officials offer updates on the status of the virus locally, and WXWZ-LD in Guayama, Puerto Rico, a hyperlocal Spanish-language stations airing locally produced public service announcements.

In the letter, Gravino asked the agency to acknowledge the efforts of Class-A and LPTV stations to address the pandemic. 

“Many [of the LPTV licensees] have turned over hours and hours of time to serve the local information needs of the community,” Gravino said in the letter. “And the owners and staff keep coming into work to make sure the station is operating.”

PLUS: Pai Praises Broadcasters' Efforts During Coronavirus

The coalition separately communicated to its members today that it cannot count on NAB to represent the interests of LPTV stations to secure a part of a $5 billion to $10 billion media buy by the federal government being sought to assist local media during the economic downturn stemming from the pandemic.

In the coalition’s newsletter, Gravino said “…we will have to do this lobbying of Congress on our own.” He urged the coalition’s membership to provide financial support for the effort.

WASHINGTON—The LPTV Spectrum Rights Coalition has announced it is cancelling its annual event at the 2020 NAB Show in Las Vegas, citing coronavirus (COVID-19) as its primary reason.

Prior to making its decision, the coalition surveyed its members and general newsletter readers. The results showed that 64.7% of respondents were no longer planning to attend the NAB Show, with 47% saying it was not best for them to attend because of the coronavirus. 

The coalition also sought information on the ages of respondents, as coronavirus is supposed to be more dangerous to older individuals. The survey showed that 80% of respondents were over 51 years old and 50% were over 60.

In addition, 71% of respondents said they would welcome receiving the information that was going to be presented at the event in alternative ways. The coalition says it is currently exploring possible alternatives to replace the canceled event.

The LPTV Spectrum Rights Coalition event was scheduled to take place April 19 at the Convention Center Westgate Hotel.

The 2020 NAB Show is still scheduled to occur as planned.

“The coalition understands that the NAB needs to make its own decision for this economically important event to them,” the LPTV Spectrum Right Coalition’s statement read. “But when the CDC urgently is recommending against travel for those 60 and above, and not to attend events larger than 10, and when the FCC chair cancels a major event just 20 blocks from the FCC office, the NAB needs to be more responsible in the matter. Not many, if any, LPTV licensees can book a private jet to the NAB Show.”

TVT is keeping track of all the latest news involving the coronavirus’ impact on the 2020 NAB Show. 

LAS VEGAS—As the repacking process continues, the LPTV Spectrum Rights Coalition used its annual LPTV Rally at the NAB Show to announce a change in name and mission.

The coalition will now be known as the Next Gen TV Coalition, with its new mission aimed at “leveling the playing field” for independently owned and operated broadcast television licensees. A station’s power level is no longer an issue, as in addition to the thousands of Class A, LPTV, civic and noncom TV translator groups that made up the coalition can now be joined by full power stations that need additional spectrum in their coverage areas to implement Next Gen TV.

“With our licensed spectrum rights now firmly secured by $150 million in Congressional funding for auction and repacking of displacement stations; and with more than two years of clear sailing ahead with a known and already approved process; and further and most importantly with highly favorable Next Gen TV rules to flash cut to the new ATSC 3.0 service, our industry needs to now be hyper-focused on the future next gen TV standard,” said Mike Gravino, the coalition director, during the rally.

Gravino continues that the coalition will go from a defensive positioning to one that leans toward the future, and into the world of Next Gen TV.

“For the past six years we have had to band together to protect the spectrum we agreed to homestead and farm for the Federal government, and now the industry can now finally reorient itself to once again be the leading edge of innovation and community service,” Gravino said.