Someone You Should Know : Frank Copsidas, the LPTV Broadcasters Association

Posted on December 16, 2022 in ATSC News

“SuperFrank” Copsidas, a native Manhattanite, has quite the storied background. Along with his high school friend Eric Shawn (Fox News), they produced and co-hosted the first serious attempt at programming on Manhattan Cable TV, “Election ’74: Manhattan.”

Frank then went on to work for “WCBS, NewsRadio 88” in operations followed by a stint on WBTV-TV, the nation’s first financial news network. During this period, Frank was also the youngest member of the Board of Directors of the NY Chapter of the American Red Cross having founded a youth program that gave first aid at rallies, protests, and public gatherings in New York, in addition to working Disaster Services in the South Bronx (in the years the Bronx was burning), relocating families displaced from their homes.

Frank then switched directions and started a school bus company in Manhattan, “SuperTrans,” which he grew from 3 small vans to 270 owned and operated vehicles. By the time Frank sold the transportation business in 1994, he also branched out to real estate development, owning a restaurant, an airline business, and one of his life passions, radio.

Working with WSKS in Milledgeville, GA, Frank co-hosted the morning show while building out what would become the 23^rdAlternative Radio station in the US in Augusta, GA, “Channel Z.”

With “Channel Z” in Augusta on the air, Frank expanded to what was to become his favorite market, Springfield, MO. With a strong sense of community involvement, the group of four stations in Springfield, started the “Dare to Care” campaign, and had a 74% share of the listening audience in the 12-34 demographic. KCHZ-FM, Kansas City, was the next station followed by a second Kansas City station, KFME-FM.

In 2000, with the lack of independent national sales organizations, Frank partnered with Susquehanna Radio which then did the sales for KFME, Frank’s last radio station. The partnership thrived until Susquehanna bought out the station which ended Frank’s radio career.

During his radio days, Frank became involved with the bands the stations promoted and landed in Artist Management. Growing up with a lead soprano mother who performed with the Met, he was well suited for the job. With offices in New York, Florida, London, and Bangkok, Frank and his team managed artists including James Brown, Curt Smith (Tears for Fears), Babel Gilberto, BellX1, Doveman and two of the leading artists in Russia. Frank also worked with the Rev. Al Sharpton for three years as an advisor.

In 2015, Frank decided to dive into the world of Local Power TV (LPTV) with WRNT-LP and WTXX-LP, in which he would eventually spin off to HC2. He continued with WCRN and moved it to Boston. Frank currently has ten LPTV stations in his group.

During his days in LPTV, he befriended Mike Gravino, as did many people. Mike was the soul of LPTV. After Mike’s passing, various people said they would continue his legacy, but after two years, no one had. It was at that point Frank decided to start and fund the LPTV Broadcasters Association in August 2021.

Over the last 16 months, the LPTV Broadcasters Association has grown to over 130 members, showing the need for such an organization. With staff consisting of an Executive Director and a Membership Director, the Association under the guidance of a board, has become a registered lobbyist in Congress and communicates with the FCC on a regular basis on what is happening in the world of LPTV. At its core, LPTV Broadcasters Association remains committed to helping its members achieve the goals of LPTV.

Frank firmly believes that ATSC 3.0 is the future of LPTV; the key that will bring extraordinary value to the stations. He has been hands-on in developing ATSC 3.0 encoders/gateways at a reasonable cost for LPTV. Using WCRN Boston as a building block, Frank and his team are working on establishing a template for LPTV stations to be able to roll out ATSC 3.0, not only for video but with an income producing data side as well. As a serial entrepreneur, Frank has a vision that is crystal clear for the bright future of LPTV to serve the public in new and exciting ways in ATSC 3.0.

As for the origin of the name “SuperFrank,” his answer: “I leave that to your imagination! LOL!”

Posted in ATSC News