LPTV Coalition Seeking Local Media Funding in Next COVID-19 Bill
The LPTV Spectrum Rights Coalition urged supporters Thursday to contact members of Congress to support putting funding in the next major COVID-19 legislative package for local media outlets, including low-power TV stations and Class A broadcasters. NAB and other media…
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groups urge lawmakers to include language in future legislation making broadcasters and other local outlets eligible for the Small Business Administration-administered Paycheck Protection Program (see 2004090066). A stop-gap measure to add $310 billion in PPP funding (HR-266), which the House passed 388-5 Thursday, “does not include local media funding, LPTV emailed members. “The focus now is to shift to the next” measure, so it advised to contact one's members of Congress “and let them know how you are helping out” amid the pandemic. “Most all indie Class-A and LPTV already qualify” for PPP funding, unlike NAB member stations, LPTV said. “Since NAB does not rep us we need to keep representing ourselves in this process.” The American Television Alliance, which opposes NAB’s PPP request (see 2004160063), believes “there is nothing in” the program “that prohibits a small business broadcaster from participating, and ATVA would never advocate against” those broadcasters’ “eligibility for relief,” a spokesperson said. “However, a majority of ‘local’ stations are owned by parent media conglomerates and they should not get a special deal.”