1940
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
March 21, 1949: Grant Gravitt Sr., age 15, operates the audio board for the first television signal transmitted in Florida. He is hired at Miami station WTVJ and serves as a top-tier audio engineer until 1965, when he focuses on running Tel-Air Interests.
OUR HERITAGE
Tel-Air is a revived legacy, rooted in over 60 years of excellence in film and television. Based in Hollywood, Florida, our company re-emerges with a renewed vision after a meaningful hiatus. Guided by strong family values and a passion for storytelling, we blend tradition with innovation. Welcome to the new era of Tel-Air — where creativity and legacy meet.
OUR HERITAGE
Tel-Air is a revived legacy, rooted in over 60 years of excellence in film and television. Based in Hollywood, Florida, our company re-emerges with a renewed vision after a meaningful hiatus. Guided by strong family values and a passion for storytelling, we blend tradition with innovation. Welcome to the new era of Tel-Air — where creativity and legacy meet.
1950
TELEVISION´S GOLDEN ERA
The Golden Era of television is good to Grant Sr. as he is head of audio for such iconic programs as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Arthur Godfrey Show, The Jackie Gleason Show, The Wilco Comedy Hour, and the Ted Mack Amateur Hour. Grant Sr. also has a production agreement with Pan American Records and travels to South America and the Caribbean, recording the hit songs of the day for Pan American Airlines. Tel-Air Interests opens its doors for business in 1958.
1960
A DECADE OF EXPANSION
The era begins with Tel-Air Interests signing with their two longest-running clients: The Miss Universe Organization (56 years) and Gulfstream Park (51 years). Tel-Air is officially incorporated in 1962. In 1964, Grant Sr. mixes audio for The Beatles’ second appearance on the famous Ed Sullivan Show, originating from Miami Beach. In 1966, Tel-Air Interests moves into its longtime home, Criteria Recording Studios, and focuses on audio for theatrical films. American Films International becomes their first and biggest client. In 1969, Tel-Air Interests begins producing sales films for Sears Roebuck with such legends as Ted Williams, Jesse Owens and Wilma Rudolph.
1970
A DECADE OF ICONS
The decade started with filming the "Queen of Soul," Aretha Franklin, for Atlantic Records, and ended with filming The Bee Gees' number one hit, "Too Much Heaven," for RSO Records. Miss Universe became the top-viewed show of the year, and Tel- Air Interests worked on the first full-color international broadcast. The Commercial division produced classic national spots, such as "The Timex Takes a Licking Campaign" with Lolita the Killer whale and the American Tourister Luggage Silverback Gorilla spot, both recognized by Ad Age as some of the most iconic commercial spots of all time. The Miss Florida USA Pageant became a Tel-Air Interests property and was telecast until 2017.
1980
OWNING THE NARRATIVE
Tel-Air Interests begins developing its own content with the ABC Documentary "Jockey," hosted by William Conrad, and Grant Sr. wins his first Emmy Award with his first film. The commercial division produces Gulfstream Park and Breeders' Cup spots featuring stars such as Tony Curtis, Joe Namath and Larry King. In our film studio, we record the audio for Don Bluth's animated classics "All Dogs Go to Heaven" and "Fievel Goes West." Tel-Air Interests produces the Ronnie Zamora Murder Trial, which is the first televised murder trial broadcast on television. Our most ambitious production was the month-long concert series and national syndicated special, "Spring Break Reunion," featuring Frankie Avalon and Connie Stevens. The series becomes a hit, leading to "Spring Break Reunion Part Two."
1990
A NEW ERA OF LEADERSHIP
The decade begins with a 10-year contract with SportsChannel America to produce live and taped programming for Gulfstream Park as well as other parimutuels in South Florida. The Miss Florida Teen USA Pageant began its 26-year run of television syndication with a prime-time debut in 1990. The Miss Florida USA broadcast earns its first Emmy nomination and is now aired worldwide in over 80 countries. In 1997, Grant Sr. is awarded the prestigious Silver Circle Award by the National Association of Television Arts & Sciences. In 1998, Grant Gravitt Jr. purchases the company and becomes the second President in the company's history. Tel-Air Interests sells its share of Criteria Studios and develops the Hollywood Production Center, a 20,000-square-foot full-service film and recording campus in Hollywood, Florida. The decade ends with the signing of a $6 million production commitment from Warner Bros. Publications to serve as the video production arm of their education division.
2000
A NEW WAVE OF MEDIA
The decade begins with the Grand Opening of The Hollywood Production Center, featuring its lead tenants, Warner Bros. and the Public Broadcasting Service. The first project at HPC's new production studio was the Warner Bros. Instructional Video featuring Santana's "Supernatural" album. The Miss Florida USA broadcast is the first television show to utilize text messaging; soon after, American Idol would follow suit and use the same technology. Tel-Air's live performance film with legendary guitarist Albert Lee would be entered into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. The Miss Florida USA Channel on YouTube is launched in 2006, becoming one of the first branded television shows to embrace the new media outlet. The Hollywood Production Center reaches its peak, housing 85% of all film production in Broward County.
2010
LEGACY IN TRANSITION
The decade begins with Tel-Air producing one of the first webinar webcasts out of Criteria Recording Studios for Sennheiser Microphones, featuring Saturday Night Fever Record producer Karl Richardson. The Miss Florida USA and Miss Florida Teen USA broadcasts leave the FOX network after 26 years and begin airing on ABC, but the run ends in 2017 after 39 years. Grant Sr. passes away in 2011 and Tel-Air assumes ownership of the Hollywood Production Center. The decade ends early with the sale of HPC in 2017 and Grant Jr.'s retirement to pursue a professional golf career.
2020
THE REBIRTH OF TEL-AIR
The rebirth of Tel-Air Interests in 2023, with Grant Jr. and Tiffany Terrell launching Tel Air 2.0. Tel-Air's first film production, "Cafetine de Buenos Aires," is nominated for a 2023 Suncoast Emmy in the Short Film category. Tel-Air produces its first-ever U.S. Senate Election media campaign for Democrat Stanley Campbell during his 2024 election bid. Tel-Air Films is launched as a nonprofit production arm of Tel-Air Interests to produce television shows and feature films that are inspirational, motivational, educational, and historical. The nonprofit will support projects that tell the stories of underrepresented filmmakers.
1940s
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
March 21, 1949: Grant Gravitt Sr., age 15, operates the audio board for the first television signal transmitted in Florida. He is hired at Miami station WTVJ and serves as a top-tier audio engineer until 1965, when he focuses on running Tel-Air Interests
1950s
TELEVISION´S GOLDEN ERA
The Golden Era of television is good to Grant Sr. as he is head of audio for such iconic programs as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Arthur Godfrey Show, The Jackie Gleason Show, The Wilco Comedy Hour, and the Ted Mack Amateur Hour. Grant Sr. also has a production agreement with Pan American Records and travels to South America and the Caribbean, recording the hit songs of the day for Pan American Airlines. Tel-Air Interests opens its doors for business in 1958.
1960s
A DECADE OF EXPANSION
The era begins with Tel-Air signing with their two longest-running clients: The Miss Universe Organization (56 years) and Gulfstream Park (51 years). Tel Air is officially incorporated in 1962. In 1964, Grant Sr. mixes audio for The Beatles’ second appearance on the famous Ed Sullivan Show, originating from Miami Beach. In 1966, Tel-Air Interests moves into its longtime home, Criteria Recording Studios, and focuses on audio for theatrical films. American Films International becomes their first and biggest client. In 1969, Tel-Air begins producing sales films for Sears Roebuck with such legends as Ted Williams, Jesse Owens and Wilma Rudolph.
1970s
A DECADE OF ICONS
The decade started with filming the "Queen of Soul," Aretha Franklin, for Atlantic Records, and ended with filming The Bee Gees' number one hit, "Too Much Heaven," for RSO Records. Miss Universe became the top-viewed show of the year, and Tel-Air worked on the first full-color international broadcast. The Commercial division produced classic national spots, such as "The Timex Takes a Licking Campaign" with Lolita the Killer whale and the American Tourister Luggage Silverback Gorilla spot, both recognized by Ad Age as some of the most iconic commercial spots of all time. The Miss Florida USA Pageant became a Tel-Air property and was telecast until 2017.
1980s
OWNING THE NARRATIVE
Tel-Air begins developing its own content with the ABC Documentary "Jockey," hosted by William Conrad, and Grant Sr. wins his first Emmy Award with his first film. The commercial division produces Gulfstream Park and Breeders' Cup spots featuring stars such as Tony Curtis, Joe Namath and Larry King. In our film studio, we record the audio for Don Bluth's animated classics "All Dogs Go to Heaven" and "Fievel Goes West." Tel-Air produces the Ronnie Zamora Murder Trial, which is the first televised murder trial broadcast on television. Our most ambitious production was the month-long concert series and national syndicated special, "Spring Break Reunion," featuring Frankie Avalon and Connie Stevens. The series becomes a hit, leading to "Spring Break Reunion Part Two."
1990s
A NEW ERA OF LEADERSHIP
The decade begins with a 10-year contract with SportsChannel America to produce live and taped programming for Gulfstream Park as well as other parimutuels in South Florida. The Miss Florida Teen USA Pageant began its 26-year run of television syndication with a prime-time debut in 1990. The Miss Florida USA broadcast earns its first Emmy nomination and is now aired worldwide in over 80 countries. In 1997, Grant Sr. is awarded the prestigious Silver Circle Award by the National Association of Television Arts & Sciences. In 1998, Grant Gravitt Jr. purchases the company and becomes the second President in the company's history. Tel-Air Interests sells its share of Criteria Studios and develops the Hollywood Production Center, a 20,000-square-foot full-service film and recording campus in Hollywood, Florida. The decade ends with the signing of a $6 million production commitment from Warner Bros. Publications to serve as the video production arm of their education division.
2000s
A NEW WAVE OF MEDIA
The decade begins with the Grand Opening of The Hollywood Production Center, featuring its lead tenants, Warner Bros. and the Public Broadcasting Service. The first project at HPC's new production studio was the Warner Bros. Instructional Video featuring Santana's "Supernatural" album. The Miss Florida USA broadcast is the first television show to utilize text messaging; soon after, American Idol would follow suit and use the same technology. Tel-Air's live performance film with legendary guitarist Albert Lee would be entered into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. The Miss Florida USA Channel on YouTube is launched in 2006, becoming one of the first branded television shows to embrace the new media outlet. The Hollywood Production Center reaches its peak, housing 85% of all film production in Broward County.
2010s
LEGACY IN TRANSITION
The decade begins with Tel-Air producing one of the first webinar webcasts out of Criteria Recording Studios for Sennheiser Microphones, featuring Saturday Night Fever Record producer Karl Richardson. The Miss Florida USA and Miss Florida Teen USA broadcasts leave the FOX network after 26 years and begin airing on ABC, but the run ends in 2017 after 39 years. Grant Sr. passes away in 2011 and Tel Air assumes ownership of the Hollywood Production Center. The decade ends early with the sale of HPC in 2017 and Grant Jr.'s retirement to pursue a professional golf career
2020s
THE REBIRTH OF TEL-AIR
The rebirth of Tel-Air Interests in 2023, with Grant Jr. and Tiffany Terrell launching Tel Air 2.0. Tel-Air's first film production, "Cafetine de Buenos Aires," is nominated for a 2023 Suncoast Emmy in the Short Film category. Tel-Air produces its first-ever U.S. Senate Election media campaign for Democrat Stanley Campbell during his 2024 election bid. Tel-Air Films is launched as a nonprofit production arm of Tel-Air Interests to produce television shows and feature films that are inspirational, motivational, educational, and historical. The nonprofit will support projects that tell the stories of underrepresented filmmakers
