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olivLaw · US equity research

The E.W. Scripps Company SSP

Television Broadcasting Stations · SIC 4833 · Vertical: Television Broadcasting Stations (SIC 4833)

2.88USD+7.06% · 1 dayClose 04 Nov 2026

The E.W. Scripps Company operates a network of more than 60 local television stations affiliated with ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX, along with national news and entertainment networks. In the second quarter of 2026 the company reported revenue of 490 million USD, in a context of pressure on linear advertising and internal operational transformation.

The AI analysis may be outdated: new filings came after its sources (see the «AI analysis» section).

At the close of 04 Nov 2026, The E.W. Scripps Company (SSP) stock was 2.88 USD (+7.06% on the day), with dividend yield 6.94%, beta 1.32, 52-week range 1.54–5.16 USD. Latest reported quarter (Q2 2026): revenue of 490.4 m USD (−9.2% YoY), net income of -1.2 bn USD, diluted EPS -12.68 USD.

Data as of · AI analysis dated · Source: SEC filings and closing prices, computed by olivLaw.

Market cap
unavailable
P/E (TTM)
unavailable
Diluted EPS TTM -13.75 · TTM to 30 Jun 2026
E/P (TTM)
-477.47%
TTM to 30 Jun 2026
Dividend yield
6.94%
DPS 12m 0.20
Beta (2y)
1.32
Volatility (1y) 88%
52-week range
1.545.16

Price history

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Technical reading

RSI (14)
57.9
strong (55–70)
Bollinger (20, 2)
2.08 – 3.11
in the upper half of the band · %B 0.77 · band width 39.8%
SMA 50 / 200
2.86 / 3.40
mixed trend
MACD (12, 26, 9)
-0.06 / -0.12
MACD above signal

Indicators describe past prices; on their own they do not predict direction. On our history the RSI ≤ 40 filter added no return (see the signals methodology).

Performance

CompanyS&P 500vs S&P 500Vertical median
1 month+5.9%−1.1%+7.0 pp—
3 months+0.3%−0.5%+0.8 pp—
6 months−41.6%+4.4%−46.0 pp—
Year to date−27.8%+12.3%−40.1 pp—
1 year+76.5%+13.5%+62.9 pp−1.9%
3 years−46.8%+76.4%−123.2 pp+21.1%
5 years−82.1%+63.7%−145.8 pp—
Max drawdown (1y)
−61.0%
20 Apr 2026 → 27 Oct 2026
Max drawdown (5y)
−94.0%
02 Mar 2022 → 10 Mar 2025
Compound annual growth (5y)
−29.1%
S&P 500 +10.4%

Price returns, dividends excluded.

Quarterly results

Latest quarter: Q2 2026 · 30 Jun 2026

Revenue
490.4 m USD
−9.2% YoY
Net income
-1.2 bn USD
unavailable YoY
Diluted EPS
-12.68
unavailable YoY
net / operating
-234.8% / -236.0%

Quarterly margins

Quarterly statements · USD

Fiscal yearQ3 '24Q4 '24Q1 '25Q2 '25Q3 '25Q4 '25Q1 '26Q2 '26
Revenue646.3 m728.4 m524.4 m540.1 m525.9 m560.3 m516.9 m490.4 m
Cost of revenue317.5 m347.6 m317.2 m313.7 m311.3 m332.4 m310.8 m294.1 m
SG&A154.8 m154.2 m137.2 m143.4 m137.4 m145.0 m145.8 m147.1 m
Operating income121.8 m191.6 m27.5 m76.6 m37.6 m42.3 m24.8 m-1.2 bn
Depreciation & amortisation38.9 m39.2 m38.5 m37.2 m37.2 m38.0 m35.3 m35.1 m
Interest expense54.4 m48.9 m43.8 m58.7 m59.2 m59.3 m57.0 m54.1 m
Pre-tax income67.9 m133.2 m-16.5 m-25.1 m-37.2 m-40.7 m-4.4 m-1.2 bn
Income tax20.2 m37.8 m-13.0 m10.9 m-4.2 m-12.2 m-2.7 m-57.0 m
Net income47.8 m95.4 m-3.5 m-36.0 m-33.0 m-28.5 m-1.8 m-1.2 bn
Diluted EPS0.371.09 ≈-0.22-0.59-0.55-0.32 ≈-0.20-12.68
Operating cash flow140.6 m ≈153.3 m-3.3 m-10.5 m ≈21.8 m ≈45.1 m3.5 m13.6 m ≈
Capex13.2 m ≈6.4 m5.1 m12.2 m ≈15.4 m ≈13.9 m3.2 m16.5 m ≈

≈ derived quarter (cumulative difference / share-days average)

E/P over time

E/P = trailing-12-month diluted EPS / price at quarter end. E/P is the inverse of P/E and stays defined when earnings are negative.

Fiscal years

Fiscal year20182019202020212022202320242025
Revenue1.2 bn1.4 bn1.9 bn2.3 bn2.5 bn2.3 bn2.5 bn2.2 bn
Revenue YoY+32.0%+16.8%+37.4%+22.9%+7.4%−6.5%+9.5%−14.3%
Net income19.7 m-18.4 m269.3 m122.7 m195.9 m-947.8 m146.2 m-100.9 m
Net income YoYunavailable−193.1%unavailable−54.4%+59.6%−583.8%unavailable−169.0%
Diluted EPS0.24-0.233.210.811.62-11.841.01-1.87
Diluted EPS YoYunavailable−195.8%unavailable−74.8%+100.0%−830.9%unavailable−285.1%
net %1.7%-1.4%14.5%5.4%8.0%-41.3%5.8%-4.7%
Free cash flow93.8 m-88.4 m232.4 m176.3 m265.6 m52.0 m300.4 m6.5 m

Reported results vs expectations

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Balance sheet & financial health

Fiscal year 2025 · 31 Dec 2025

Cash
27.9 m USD
Financial debt
2.6 bn USD
Net debt
2.6 bn USD
Equity
1.2 bn USD
Total assets
5.0 bn USD
Debt / equity
2.08x
Current ratio
1.65x
ROE
-7.9%
ROA
-2.0%
FCF margin
0.3%

Financial statements (source on every figure)

Revenue and net income (USD)

Margins

Income statement · USD

Revenue
2023
2.3 bn
2024
2.5 bn
2025
2.2 bn

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Cost of revenue
2023
1.3 bn
2024
1.3 bn
2025
1.3 bn

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Gross profit
2023
1.0 bn ≈
2024
1.2 bn ≈
2025
876.1 m ≈

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026derived

SG&A
2023
614.8 m
2024
606.2 m
2025
563.0 m

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Operating income
2023
-753.2 m
2024
412.5 m
2025
184.0 m

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Depreciation & amortisation
2023
155.1 m
2024
155.2 m
2025
150.8 m

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

EBITDA
2023
-598.1 m ≈
2024
567.7 m ≈
2025
334.8 m ≈

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026derived

Interest expense
2023
213.5 m
2024
210.3 m
2025
221.0 m

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Pre-tax income
2023
-967.5 m
2024
210.0 m
2025
-119.5 m

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Income tax
2023
-19.7 m
2024
63.8 m
2025
-18.6 m

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Net income
2023
-947.8 m
2024
146.2 m
2025
-100.9 m

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Diluted EPS
2023
-11.84
2024
1.01
2025
-1.87

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Weighted average diluted shares
2023
84.3 m
2024
86.1 m
2025
88.0 m

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Dividend per share
2023
—
2024
—
2025
—

SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2021verified

Balance sheet · USD

Cash
2023
35.3 m
2024
23.9 m
2025
27.9 m

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Receivables
2023
610.5 m
2024
568.2 m
2025
569.3 m

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Current assets
2023
676.1 m
2024
630.0 m
2025
747.4 m

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Property, plant & equipment, net
2023
—
2024
—
2025
—

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2022verified

Goodwill
2023
2.0 bn
2024
2.0 bn
2025
1.9 bn

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Intangibles (excl. goodwill)
2023
1.7 bn
2024
1.6 bn
2025
1.5 bn

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Total assets
2023
5.4 bn
2024
5.2 bn
2025
5.0 bn

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Accounts payable
2023
76.4 m
2024
100.7 m
2025
63.4 m

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Short-term debt
2023
15.6 m
2024
15.6 m
2025
8.9 m

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Long-term debt
2023
2.9 bn
2024
2.6 bn
2025
2.6 bn

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Current liabilities
2023
477.8 m
2024
482.4 m
2025
453.6 m

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Equity
2023
1.2 bn
2024
1.3 bn
2025
1.2 bn †

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Cash flow · USD

Operating cash flow
2023
111.6 m
2024
365.7 m
2025
53.1 m

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Capex
2023
59.6 m
2024
65.3 m
2025
46.6 m

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Free cash flow
2023
52.0 m ≈
2024
300.4 m ≈
2025
6.5 m ≈

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026derived

Investing cash flow
2023
-60.6 m
2024
-26.5 m
2025
-12.1 m

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Financing cash flow
2023
-33.7 m
2024
-350.6 m
2025
-36.9 m

SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2026verified

Dividends paid
2023
48.0 m
2024
—
2025
—

SEC (XBRL)· 23 Feb 2024verified

Share repurchases
2023
—
2024
—
2025
—

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2022verified

Computed indicators

Growth

Revenue growth (YoY)
-14.3%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Revenue CAGR 3Y
-4.3%
computed by olivLawFY 2022 → FY 2025
Revenue CAGR 5Y
3.0%
computed by olivLawFY 2020 → FY 2025
EBIT growth (YoY)
-55.4%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Net income growth (YoY)
-169.0%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Net income CAGR 3Y
unavailable
the base of the ratio is not positive
Net income CAGR 5Y
unavailable
the base of the ratio is not positive
EPS growth (YoY)
-285.1%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
EPS CAGR 3Y
unavailable
the base of the ratio is not positive
EPS CAGR 5Y
unavailable
the base of the ratio is not positive
FCF growth (YoY)
-97.8%
computed by olivLawFY 2025

Profitability

Gross margin
40.4%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026
EBITDA margin
-43.3%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026
EBIT margin
-50.3%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026
Net margin
-58.0%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026
FCF margin
1.7%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026

Returns

ROE
-174.7%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026 · balance sheet at 30 Jun 2026
ROA
-27.8%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026 · balance sheet at 30 Jun 2026
ROIC
-27.4%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026 · balance sheet at 30 Jun 2026
ROCE
-32.9%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026 · balance sheet at 30 Jun 2026
Payout ratio (EPS)
unavailable
input data missing
Payout ratio (FCF)
unavailable
input data missing

Balance sheet

Net debt
2.5 bn USD
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 30 Jun 2026
Net debt / EBITDA
unavailable
insufficient data
Debt / equity
24.8x
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 30 Jun 2026
Interest coverage
-4.6x
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026

Liquidity

Current ratio
1.3x
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 30 Jun 2026
Quick ratio
unavailable
input data missing
Cash ratio
0.0x
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 30 Jun 2026

Cash

Operating cash flow
84.1 m USD
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026
Capital expenditure
49.0 m USD
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026
Free cash flow
35.0 m USD
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026
FCF conversion
unavailable
insufficient data
Cash conversion
unavailable
insufficient data

Efficiency

Days sales outstanding
94 days
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026 · balance sheet at 30 Jun 2026
Days inventory outstanding
unavailable
input data missing
Days payables outstanding
19 days
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026 · balance sheet at 30 Jun 2026
Cash conversion cycle
unavailable
input data missing

Market and valuation

Market capitalisation
unavailable
input data missing
Enterprise value
unavailable
input data missing
Market cap / net income TTM
unavailable
input data missing
P/E (TTM)
unavailable
insufficient data
Earnings yield
-477.5%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026
P/B
unavailable
input data missing
P/S
unavailable
input data missing
EV/EBITDA
unavailable
input data missing
EV/EBIT
unavailable
input data missing
EV/Sales
unavailable
input data missing
P/FCF
unavailable
input data missing
FCF yield
unavailable
input data missing
Dividend yield
6.9%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026
Shareholder yield (distributions)
unavailable
input data missing

1 indicators that do not apply to the sector.

Valuation

olivLaw classification

Insufficient data
What is missing
  • indicators available: 5 of at least 6
  • score weight coverage: 35.4% of at least 60%

A scoring methodology on indicators and valuation, not investment advice.

Closing price

2.88 USD

04 Nov 2026Source: olivLaw, closing series

Market cap: unavailable

Key indicators

Market capitalisation
unavailable
input data missing
P/E (TTM)
unavailable
insufficient data
P/B
unavailable
input data missing
EV/EBITDA
unavailable
input data missing
ROE
-174.7%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026 · balance sheet at 30 Jun 2026
Net margin
-58.0%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026
Revenue growth (YoY)
-14.3%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Dividend yield
6.9%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026

Coverage and freshness

33/37 reporting lines present
Latest full fiscal year: 2025
Latest reported period: 30 Jun 2026
Latest balance sheet date: 30 Jun 2026
Source: SEC (XBRL)published 07 Aug 2026
verified 2349derived 137

Score by group

35% · Insufficient data

Estimated value range

Low
2.63
USD per share
Mid
3.01
USD per share
High
3.53
USD per share
Price: 2.88 USD
The price is within the range
Potential to the central value: 4.7% (value / price − 1)
Margin of safety: 4.5% (1 − price / value)
Agreement between methods: single method · 1 methods used · 1 independent bases

The combined range = the median of the valid methods' low, central and high values; it is not a probability interval and does not cover every result. Envelope of all methods: 2.63 – 3.53 USD.

Valuation assumptions are editorial choices, not measured; beta is not measured.

Method ranges (USD per share)

— — Mid · ▏ Price

Valuation methods

  • DCF (discounted cash flow)unavailable · input data missing
  • Peers: EV/EBITDAunavailable · input data missing
  • Peers: P/Eunavailable · the base of the ratio is not positive
  • Dividend discount (DDM)2.63 – 3.53 (Mid 3.01)
Multiple comparisons use the SIC vertical: Television Broadcasting Stations (SIC 4833)

Classification (SIC) comparables group by industry code, not by economic activity; the direct group is an editorial selection by activity. Members' multiples are on their own trailing twelve months, at their own latest close.

Assumptions (illustrative, editorial)

Risk-free rate
4.3%
Equity risk premium
5.0%
Beta (default)
1.00
Cost of equity
9.3%
Terminal growth
2.5%

Factor scorecard

Insufficient data

Minimum-evidence gate: indicators available: 5 of at least 6; score weight coverage: 35.4% of at least 60%

FactorValueScoreWeight used
ROIC · Quality-27.4%0 (vs peers)29%
Net margin · Quality-58.0%0 (vs peers)18%
FCF conversion · Qualityunavailableunavailable—
Revenue CAGR 3Y · Growth-4.3%0 (on a fixed band)24%
EPS CAGR 3Y · Growthunavailableunavailable—
Net debt / EBITDA · Balance sheetunavailableunavailable—
Interest coverage · Balance sheet-4.6x0 (on a fixed band)18%
Current ratio · Balance sheet1.3x45 (on a fixed band)12%
P/E (TTM) · Valuationunavailableunavailable—
EV/EBITDA · Valuationunavailableunavailable—
FCF yield · Valuationunavailableunavailable—
Shareholder yield (distributions) · Returnsunavailableunavailable—
Payout ratio (FCF) · Returnsunavailableunavailable—

Factors without a value were dropped; the remaining weights were renormalised.

Score groups

  • Balance sheet18/100 · 2/3 factors with a value
  • Growth· partial0/100 · 1/2 factors with a value
  • Quality0/100 · 2/3 factors with a value
  • Returns· partialunavailable · 0/2 factors with a value
  • Valuation· partialunavailable · 0/3 factors with a value

A «partial» group is computed from under half of its weight or from one factor: it is not a full assessment of the group.

Memo

THE E.W. SCRIPPS COMPANY (SSP). Latest full fiscal year: 2025; data up to 2026-06-30.

Figures computed from the financial statements: revenue 2.2 bn USD in 2025; YoY growth -14.3%; net margin -58.0%; ROE -174.7%.

The estimated value range is 2.63–3.53 USD per share (median of 1 methods, agreement: single method); assumptions are illustrative. Against the central value of 3.01 USD, the price of 2.88 USD leaves a potential of 4.7% (value / price − 1) and a margin of safety of 4.5% (1 − price / value). The range is the median of the methods' low, central and high values, not a probability interval.

Insufficient data for a verdict (indicators available: 5 of at least 6; score weight coverage: 35.4% of at least 60%).

Text generated deterministically from the figures shown; no language model. Not investment advice.

What supports the thesis

No signal among the computed factors. That is not an absence of risk: factors without data were not assessed, and business risks (margins, inventory, demand) are in the source-based analysis.

What contradicts it

  • ROIC: -27.4%
  • Net margin: -58.0%
  • Revenue CAGR 3Y: -4.3%
  • Interest coverage: -4.6x

Not assessed (insufficient data or a ratio without meaning): FCF conversion, EPS CAGR 3Y, Net debt / EBITDA, P/E (TTM), EV/EBITDA, FCF yield, Shareholder yield (distributions), Payout ratio (FCF).

Versus the vertical median

Television Broadcasting Stations (SIC 4833) · same industry (4-digit SIC) · compared with 11 companies

Multiples and returns vs the median

P/E
—
vertical median 23.5x
EV/EBITDA
—
vertical median —
P/S
—
vertical median —
P/B
—
vertical median 0.9x
ROE
-174.7%
vertical median 6.9%
below median (−2,638.1%)
Net margin
-58.0%
vertical median 3.0%
below median (−2,020.1%)
EBIT margin
-50.3%
vertical median 8.6%
below median (−683.5%)
Revenue YoY
-14.3%
vertical median -5.3%
below median
Net debt/EBITDA
—
vertical median 2.9x
Dividend yield
6.9%
vertical median 4.0%
above median (+72.8%)

Price rebased to 100 (monthly, 5 years)

Companies in the vertical

Market capP/EROENet marginRevenue YoY1A / 3A
PSKYSkydance Corp10.5 bn———−1.5%unavailable / unavailable
NXSTNexstar Media Group, Inc.5.7 bn34.08.3%3.2%−8.5%−4% / +30%
FOXFox Corporation6213.016.8%11.6%+5.1%+6% / +123%
SBGISinclair, Inc.—10.225.4%2.8%−10.7%−11% / +12%
SSPThe E.w. Scripps Company——-174.7%-58.0%−14.3%+76% / −47%
NMAXNewsmax Inc.——-5.8%-3.2%+10.7%−2% / unavailable
FWONALiberty Media Corporation——5.4%9.4%+22.7%+4% / +59%
GTNGray Media, Inc.——-1.2%-0.8%−15.1%+1% / −36%
TVGrupo Televisa, S.A.B.——-7.5%-13.3%−6.0%−15% / −29%
FENGPhoenix New Media Limited——15.4%30.2%−15.8%−34% / −5%
EVCEntravision Communications Corporation—710.64.8%0.6%+22.6%+162% / +83%
VSNTVersant Media Group, Inc.——9.0%11.1%−5.3%unavailable / unavailable

1- and 3-year price returns: for SSP from daily closes (the same as the performance table), for the other companies from month-end closes.

olivLaw engine forecast

The world engine ran after the company's latest material disclosure. Probabilities are of TOUCHING a level within the horizon (not closing there) and sit next to the random walk (p_rw), the no-information benchmark.

The engine has no published run for this company yet.

Valuation scenarios (editable assumptions)

Illustrative scenarios

Scenarios are not available. input data missing

AI analysis

AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.

Possibly outdated: the newest document it read is from 07 Aug 2026; since then the company filed 8-K (28 Oct 2026 · results).

In brief

The E.W. Scripps Company operates a network of more than 60 local television stations affiliated with ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX, along with national news and entertainment networks. In the second quarter of 2026 the company reported revenue of 490 million USD, in a context of pressure on linear advertising and internal operational transformation.

SWOT

Strengths

  • An extensive network of local stations affiliated with the major networks, reaching a significant share of US households 1.
  • Participation in national news and entertainment brands that give access to audiences without a subscription 1.
  • Ability to run local events and sports rights, which strengthens relationships with local advertisers 2.

Weaknesses

  • High total debt and accumulated unpaid preferred dividends limit financial flexibility 2.
  • Dependence on linear advertising, which declines as audiences move to streaming 12.
  • A large goodwill impairment in Scripps Networks reflects weaker prospects for that segment 2.

Opportunities

  • Growth in local sports rights and new partnerships such as those with NBA and NHL teams 2.
  • The EdgeBeam Wireless project could open new revenue from data delivery over the ATSC 3.0 standard 1.
  • Station consolidation through acquisitions and swaps could improve efficiency in local operations 12.

Threats

  • Declining linear audiences and migration of advertising to digital platforms could reduce revenue further 1.
  • FCC licence renewals and regulatory changes could affect station operations 1.
  • Changes in audience measurement methodology could reduce the attractiveness of OTA audiences to advertisers 12.

Risks

  • Dependence on advertisinghigh

    Most revenue comes from advertising, which is sensitive to economic cycles and declining linear audiences 1.

  • Retransmission riskhigh

    If retransmission agreements are not renewed at comparable rates, distribution revenue could decline 12.

  • Goodwill impairmentmedium

    The impairment in the second quarter of 2026 shows that the value of Scripps Networks assets could be reassessed again if the market does not improve 2.

  • Debt and preferred dividendshigh

    Total debt and unpaid preferred dividends limit the ability to pay common dividends and may constrain strategic options 2.

  • FCC regulationmedium

    Changes to FCC rules on licences and retransmission could affect station operations and revenue 1.

Investment thesis

What would need to be true (bull case)

  • If the transformation programme delivers the promised savings, Local Media margins could stay stable even as linear advertising declines 2.
  • Political revenue in election years and new sports contracts could partly offset pressure on national advertising 2.
  • The network of stations affiliated with the major networks could remain a valuable infrastructure for local audiences 2.

What would break the thesis

  • If linear audiences keep falling, national advertising revenue could stay under pressure over the long term 12.
  • The debt burden and unpaid preferred dividends could limit the company's ability to invest in its transformation 2.
  • Losing retransmission agreements or blackouts during negotiations could significantly reduce distribution revenue 2.

What to watch

  • Progress of the transformation programme and annual cost savingsQ3 2026
  • Outcome of the remaining 2026 retransmission negotiations2026
  • Development of political revenue against the 225-250 million USD target2026
  • Scripps Networks revenue trend after the Court TV saleQ3 2026

Products, market & competition

AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.

Possibly outdated: the newest document it read is from 07 Aug 2026; since then the company filed 8-K (28 Oct 2026 · results).

The business

Scripps defines its business through two main segments: Local Media, which includes local stations and related digital operations, and Scripps Networks, which covers Scripps News, Court TV and the ION, Bounce, Grit, Laff and other brands 1. Local Media revenue comes from core advertising, political advertising and distribution fees paid by cable and satellite operators 1. The company also stewards the Scripps National Spelling Bee and provides the Tablo device for free channel reception 1.

Segments

Local Media

In the second quarter of 2026 the Local Media segment reported revenue of 317 million USD, down 5.4% from the prior-year quarter, while distribution revenue fell with the blackout periods in negotiations with Comcast and DirecTV 2. Political advertising reached a second-quarter record of 28 million USD, and the company expects full-year 2026 local political revenue of 225-250 million USD 2.

Scripps Networks

Scripps Networks revenue fell 16% in the second quarter of 2026 to 172 million USD, reflecting the sale of Court TV, a weak national advertising market and the shift of advertising to streaming 2. The company recorded a non-cash goodwill and intangible asset impairment of 1.1 billion USD for this segment 2.

Market context

Linear television advertising is under pressure as audiences migrate to streaming and content is increasingly fragmented, according to the risks the company lists 1. Political advertising revenue varies strongly between election and non-election years, so results across years are uneven 12. The distribution market depends on the number of paid video subscribers, which has been declining over time 1.

Competitive position

  • Nexstar Media GroupNXST

    Partner in the EdgeBeam Wireless joint venture and a direct competitor in local television markets 1.

  • SinclairSBGI

    Partner in EdgeBeam Wireless and an operator of local stations competing for advertising and distribution 1.

  • Gray Media

    Partner in EdgeBeam Wireless and counterparty in the station swap across five markets, with comparable local operations 12.

  • Streaming platforms and cable networks

    They draw the advertising and audiences that could otherwise go to Scripps networks, named as a structural pressure in the company's report 12.

News & filings

In the press

No news in our archive over the last 180 days.

SEC filings

Sources

  1. [1] Form 10-K, fiscal year ended 2025-12-31 · SEC / The E.W. Scripps Company · 27 Feb 2026
  2. [2] Form 8-K, results release (exhibit 99.1) · SEC / The E.W. Scripps Company · 07 Aug 2026

Figures computed by olivLaw from SEC filings and closing prices; the qualitative analysis is AI-generated from cited sources. Not investment advice.

The E.W. Scripps Company (SSP): stock, results, valuation and forecast · olivLaw