E. W. Scripps Company Class A (SSP)

In November 2025, Sinclair Inc. acquired an 8.2% stake in SSP's Class A non-voting shares. The Q4 2025 earnings call revealed that EPS missed consensus, and the company reported a negative net margin and return on equity, alongside a heavy debt-to-equity ratio. Core advertising for the Local Media division was up 12% in Q4 2025, while Connected TV revenue for Scripps Networks was up nearly 10% year-over-year. Strategic moves included the sale of the Court TV network to Law&Crime and the acquisition of ABC affiliate WTVQ in Lexington, Kentucky. The company launched the Scripps Sports Network streaming channel and partnered with the PWHL to nationally televise games in the U.S. The sale of WRTV in Indianapolis to Circle City Broadcasting was completed. Insider buying by CEO Adam Symson and director Charles L. Barmonde signaled leadership confidence. Scripps Sports partnered with the Nashville Predators for NHL games. The company's stock price increased by 81.36% from April 8, 2025, to April 8, 2026. Scripps is reacquiring 23 ION-affiliated TV stations. The company is actively pursuing a strategic transformation focused on EBITDA growth, debt reduction, and expanding its presence in sports and connected television advertising.

Demand for The E.W. Scripps Co.'s products and services exhibits seasonality, largely influenced by political advertising cycles. The absence of political advertising in Q4 2025 led to a decrease in Local Media revenue. The company anticipates that a robust midterm election cycle will contribute to a reduction in its net leverage ratio by the end of 2026. Advertiser demand is also expected to strengthen later in the year, supported by premium inventory such as women's sports.

The E.W. Scripps Co. is an American media enterprise operating in the Communication Services sector, specifically within the Broadcasting and Media industry. The company operates local television stations and national news and entertainment networks. It manages national news outlets like Scripps News and entertainment brands such as ION, Bounce, Grit, Laff, ION Mystery, Defy TV, and TrueReal. Scripps Sports distributes professional and collegiate sports programming, and the company is also the steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

The E.W. Scripps Co. is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, and operates across the United States. It owns and operates more than 60 television stations in over 40 markets, reaching approximately 25% of the nation's television households.

The E.W. Scripps Co. has a long-standing reputation rooted in its motto, symbolized by its lighthouse logo. It is recognized for its role in local broadcasting and public service journalism, and its stewardship of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Shareholder activism, notably from Mario Gabelli, has influenced the company's brand reputation.

The E.W. Scripps Co. has a mix of institutional and individual owners, including BlackRock, Inc., Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc, Vanguard Group Inc, Dimensional Fund Advisors Lp, Penn Capital Management Co Inc, Gamco Investors, Inc. Et Al, Wittenberg Investment Management, Inc., D. E. Shaw & Co., Inc., New York State Common Retirement Fund, and Geode Capital Management, Llc. Prominent individual owners include Mary Peirce and John H. Burlingame. The Scripps family also retains significant influence over the company through voting agreements.