E W Scripps Co
NASDAQ:SSP
E W Scripps Co
The E.W.Scripps Co. engages in the television and newspaper publishing. The company is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio and currently employs 5,600 full-time employees. The firm segments include Local Media and Scripps Networks. Its Local Media segment includes its 61 local broadcast stations and their related digital operations. Its television station group includes approximately 18 ABC affiliates, 11 NBC affiliates, nine CBS affiliates and four FOX affiliates. The company also has approximately 12 CW affiliates - four on full power stations and eight on multicast; five independent stations and 10 additional low power stations. In its Scripps Networks division, it operates over nine news and entertainment networks, namely, ION, Bounce, Court TV, Defy TV, Grit, ION Mystery, Laff, Newsy and TrueReal. The firm serves audiences and businesses in its Local Media division through a portfolio of local television stations and their associated digital media products. The company also operates an investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, District of Columbia (D.C.)
The E.W.Scripps Co. engages in the television and newspaper publishing. The company is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio and currently employs 5,600 full-time employees. The firm segments include Local Media and Scripps Networks. Its Local Media segment includes its 61 local broadcast stations and their related digital operations. Its television station group includes approximately 18 ABC affiliates, 11 NBC affiliates, nine CBS affiliates and four FOX affiliates. The company also has approximately 12 CW affiliates - four on full power stations and eight on multicast; five independent stations and 10 additional low power stations. In its Scripps Networks division, it operates over nine news and entertainment networks, namely, ION, Bounce, Court TV, Defy TV, Grit, ION Mystery, Laff, Newsy and TrueReal. The firm serves audiences and businesses in its Local Media division through a portfolio of local television stations and their associated digital media products. The company also operates an investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, District of Columbia (D.C.)
Expectations Met: E.W. Scripps delivered third quarter results that met or exceeded expectations across nearly every reporting line, driven by its sports strategy and expense controls.
Asset Sales: The company announced the sale of two TV stations for $123 million at premium EBITDA multiples, generating significant cash inflow for debt reduction.
Debt Reduction: Scripps refinanced debt and paid off its revolving credit facility ahead of schedule, improving its net leverage ratio to 4.6x from 6x in the prior year.
Local Media Trends: Local Media revenue fell 27% due to lower political ad spending, but core advertising was up nearly 2% and is guided to be up about 10% in Q4, bolstered by sports partnerships.
CTV and Sports Growth: Connected TV revenue rose 41% year-over-year and now represents 20% of networks viewing; sports deals continue to attract premium ad rates and significant advertiser interest.
Expense Management: Operating costs declined in both Local Media and Networks divisions, supporting improved margins and sustained efficiency efforts.
2026 Outlook: Management expressed optimism for 2026, citing strong political ad potential, expanding sports assets, and continued CTV growth.
