E. W. Scripps Company Class A (SSP)

Over the past six months, The E.W. Scripps Co. stock has experienced several notable events. As of May 8, 2026, the stock price was around $4.53, representing an increase of 13.5% since January 1, 2026. The company reported a Q1 2026 GAAP loss of $0.20 per share, beating analysts' consensus estimates. Management is executing a transformation plan targeting $125 million to $150 million in annualized EBITDA improvement by 2028. The company has been actively optimizing its balance sheet, with recent station sales generating $123 million in gross proceeds used for debt reduction. Sinclair Inc.'s takeover proposal was rejected by Scripps' board. Scripps announced an agreement to sell its Court TV network to Law&Crime.

Demand for The E.W. Scripps Co.'s products and services exhibits seasonality, primarily driven by advertising cycles. Political advertising revenue is a significant seasonal factor. Live sports events contribute to core advertising growth. Q4 typically brings in seasonal healthcare ad dollars. The Scripps Networks segment can face a softer market due to macroeconomic conditions impacting direct-response advertising.

The E.W. Scripps Co. is a diversified media enterprise in the United States, focusing on local television broadcasting and national news and entertainment networks. The company operates in the Communication Services sector, specifically in the Broadcasting industry, and is segmented into Local Media and Scripps Networks. The Local Media segment comprises over 60 local broadcast television stations providing local content. The Scripps Networks segment includes national news outlets and entertainment brands reaching nearly every U.S. television household. Scripps Sports serves professional and college sports leagues. The company also manages the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

The E.W. Scripps Co. has a significant geographic footprint across the United States, operating more than 60 local television stations in over 40 markets, reaching approximately 25% of the nation's television households. Its national networks also reach nearly every American household.

The E.W. Scripps Co. maintains a positive brand reputation through its commitment to journalism and educational initiatives. The Scripps National Spelling Bee inspires curiosity and celebrates academic achievement. The Scripps Howard Awards recognize high-impact reporting and journalistic excellence. The company emphasizes quality, objective local journalism across its stations. Scripps News and local stations have received multiple awards recognizing their commitment to journalism. An unexpected Nielsen methodology change indirectly affected reputation with advertisers.

The E.W. Scripps Co. has a dual-class share structure that allows the Scripps family to retain control. Major institutional owners include BlackRock, Inc., Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc., and Vanguard Group Inc. Significant individual owners include Mary Peirce and John H. Burlingame. Berkshire Hathaway also holds a strategic preferred equity investment.