E.W. Scripps Launches Transformation Plan for Growth
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 11 2026
0mins
Should l Buy SSP?
Source: CNBC
- Transformation Goals: E.W. Scripps aims to achieve annual enterprise EBITDA growth of $125 million to $150 million by 2028 through technology-driven cost savings and revenue growth measures, intending to enhance overall operational efficiency.
- Technology Utilization: The company plans to leverage artificial intelligence to optimize news gathering processes, alleviating administrative burdens on journalists, thereby allowing them to focus more on reporting and improving news quality and responsiveness.
- Financial Outlook: Scripps expects its financial performance in 2026 to be bolstered by significant events such as midterm elections and the Winter Olympics, further solidifying its advertising revenue in the local broadcast market.
- Industry Challenges: In the face of challenges within the traditional broadcasting sector, Scripps rejected a merger proposal from Sinclair, emphasizing sustainable growth through smaller transactions and internal restructuring, demonstrating a commitment to innovation in a competitive market.
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Analyst Views on SSP
Wall Street analysts forecast SSP stock price to rise
3 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 4.940
Low
3.00
Averages
7.00
High
10.00
Current: 4.940
Low
3.00
Averages
7.00
High
10.00
About SSP
The E.W. Scripps Company is a diverse media enterprise that serves audiences and businesses through a portfolio of more than 60 local television stations in more than 40 markets and national news and entertainment networks. Its Local Media segment includes more than 60 local television stations and their related digital operations. Its television station group includes approximately 25% of the nation’s television households and includes 18 ABC affiliates, 11 NBC affiliates, nine CBS affiliates and four FOX affiliates. It also has seven CW affiliates-four on full power stations and three on multicast; seven independent stations and 10 additional low power stations. Its Scripps Networks segment includes national news outlets Scripps News and Court TV, as well as entertainment brands ION, Bounce, Defy TV, Grit, ION Mystery and Laff. The networks reach nearly every United States television home through free over-the-air broadcast, cable/satellite, connected TV, and digital distribution.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Strategic Partnership Launch: Scripps Sports has entered into a multi-year exclusive partnership with PBR, the global leader in bull riding, to broadcast Premier Women's Rodeo (PWR) on ION and Grit starting May 2026, providing a powerful national platform expected to attract a large audience.
- Expanded Event Coverage: In 2027, ION and Grit will air a minimum of 18 hours of women's rodeo programming across 16 broadcasts, significantly increasing visibility for women's rodeo and driving audience growth and commercial opportunities in the sector.
- Significant Market Potential: PWR, as a new brand in women's rodeo, aims to become a leader in the market, leveraging the success of the Women's Rodeo Championships to attract more sponsors and investments, thereby promoting the professional development of female athletes.
- Enhanced Audience Engagement: Brian Lawlor, president of Scripps Sports, stated that this partnership not only elevates the status of women's sports but also engages a new generation of viewers through compelling storytelling, further solidifying ION's leadership position in women's sports.
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- Conference Call Timing: The company's senior management will hold a conference call on May 8 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the earnings report and answer analyst questions, enhancing interaction and transparency with investors.
- Participation Method: Participants must register in advance to obtain the live webcast link and dial-in information, ensuring all stakeholders can smoothly access key information and improve information accessibility.
- Media and Investor Contacts: Media contact Becca McCarter and investor contact Carolyn Micheli provide direct contact information for further inquiries, reflecting the company's commitment to transparent communication.
See More
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- Media Rights Agreement: The Nashville Predators have established a multi-year media rights deal with E.W. Scripps Company, starting in the 2026-27 NHL season, providing free local broadcasts that significantly enhance the team's visibility and fan engagement across Middle Tennessee and beyond.
- Comprehensive Broadcast Plan: Scripps will produce and distribute all local preseason, regular season, and first-round playoff games, along with 30-minute live pre-game and post-game shows, ensuring fans receive extensive coverage and analysis of the games.
- Emerging Streaming Experience: The Predators and Scripps will introduce a direct-to-consumer livestreaming experience, allowing fans to watch games throughout the local broadcast territory, further strengthening the connection between the team and its supporters.
- Regional Coverage Expansion: Scripps plans to partner with other broadcasters to distribute the full season of Predators games across a five-state viewing territory, including Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia, ensuring a wider audience can enjoy the games and enhancing the team's market impact.
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Nashville Predators Announcement: The Nashville Predators have announced a multi-year media rights agreement.
Effective Season: This agreement will take effect starting the 2026-27 season.
See More
"Q1's 5 Major Insider Purchases: Should You Buy, Sell, or Hold in Q2?"
Insider Buying Trends: In Q1 2026, insiders showed strong confidence by purchasing stocks, particularly in E.W. Scripps, which had the most insider buying activity, indicating a positive outlook for the company's performance.
Institutional Support: Institutions are also actively buying stocks, owning nearly 70% of E.W. Scripps, which provides a solid support base, while analysts remain cautious with mixed ratings and sentiment.
Market Sentiment and Analyst Ratings: Despite increased coverage and a generally firm sentiment, analysts have mixed reviews, with some rating stocks as a hold, while others see potential upside, particularly in sectors like service property trusts.
Catalysts for Growth: Key catalysts for growth in various stocks include international expansion, improvements in cash flow, and advancements in technology, which could enhance performance as the year progresses.
See More
Regional Sports Networks Face Shutdown Crisis
- Regional Sports Network Crisis: Main Street Sports' regional networks for MLB, NBA, and NHL are nearing shutdown due to ongoing cord-cutting, jeopardizing the future of local sports broadcasts even as live sports continue to attract high TV ratings.
- MLB Takes Over Distribution: As the 2026 MLB season begins, MLB announced it would take over media distribution for 14 teams, a direct response to the impending wind-down of Main Street Sports, highlighting the rapid decline of traditional sports network models.
- Financial Struggles Intensify: Main Street Sports emerged from bankruptcy protection in late 2024 but faced another liquidity crunch when MLB rights payments were due, despite previously touting subscriber growth as recently as last spring.
- Industry Transformation Challenges: With the collapse of the RSN model, many teams are shifting to direct-to-consumer streaming apps, which are costly for fans, and advertising revenue is insufficient to support MLB, indicating significant structural challenges for the industry.
See More
Scripps Partners with PBR for Women's Rodeo Broadcast
- Strategic Partnership Launch: Scripps Sports has entered into a multi-year exclusive partnership with PBR, the global leader in bull riding, to broadcast Premier Women's Rodeo (PWR) on ION and Grit starting May 2026, providing a powerful national platform expected to attract a large audience.
- Expanded Event Coverage: In 2027, ION and Grit will air a minimum of 18 hours of women's rodeo programming across 16 broadcasts, significantly increasing visibility for women's rodeo and driving audience growth and commercial opportunities in the sector.
- Significant Market Potential: PWR, as a new brand in women's rodeo, aims to become a leader in the market, leveraging the success of the Women's Rodeo Championships to attract more sponsors and investments, thereby promoting the professional development of female athletes.
- Enhanced Audience Engagement: Brian Lawlor, president of Scripps Sports, stated that this partnership not only elevates the status of women's sports but also engages a new generation of viewers through compelling storytelling, further solidifying ION's leadership position in women's sports.
See More
E.W. Scripps Company to Report Q1 2026 Results
- Earnings Release Schedule: E.W. Scripps Company will report its Q1 2026 results after market close on May 7, providing investors with the latest financial performance and operational data to assess future growth potential.
- Conference Call Timing: The company's senior management will hold a conference call on May 8 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the earnings report and answer analyst questions, enhancing interaction and transparency with investors.
- Participation Method: Participants must register in advance to obtain the live webcast link and dial-in information, ensuring all stakeholders can smoothly access key information and improve information accessibility.
- Media and Investor Contacts: Media contact Becca McCarter and investor contact Carolyn Micheli provide direct contact information for further inquiries, reflecting the company's commitment to transparent communication.
See More
Nashville Predators and Scripps Forge Landmark Media Rights Deal
- Media Rights Agreement: The Nashville Predators have established a multi-year media rights deal with E.W. Scripps Company, starting in the 2026-27 NHL season, providing free local broadcasts that significantly enhance the team's visibility and fan engagement across Middle Tennessee and beyond.
- Comprehensive Broadcast Plan: Scripps will produce and distribute all local preseason, regular season, and first-round playoff games, along with 30-minute live pre-game and post-game shows, ensuring fans receive extensive coverage and analysis of the games.
- Emerging Streaming Experience: The Predators and Scripps will introduce a direct-to-consumer livestreaming experience, allowing fans to watch games throughout the local broadcast territory, further strengthening the connection between the team and its supporters.
- Regional Coverage Expansion: Scripps plans to partner with other broadcasters to distribute the full season of Predators games across a five-state viewing territory, including Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia, ensuring a wider audience can enjoy the games and enhancing the team's market impact.
See More
SCRIPPS SPORTS AND NASHVILLE PREDATORS SIGN MULTI-YEAR MEDIA RIGHTS DEAL BEGINNING IN 2026-27 SEASON
Nashville Predators Announcement: The Nashville Predators have announced a multi-year media rights agreement.
Effective Season: This agreement will take effect starting the 2026-27 season.
See More
"Q1's 5 Major Insider Purchases: Should You Buy, Sell, or Hold in Q2?"
Insider Buying Trends: In Q1 2026, insiders showed strong confidence by purchasing stocks, particularly in E.W. Scripps, which had the most insider buying activity, indicating a positive outlook for the company's performance.
Institutional Support: Institutions are also actively buying stocks, owning nearly 70% of E.W. Scripps, which provides a solid support base, while analysts remain cautious with mixed ratings and sentiment.
Market Sentiment and Analyst Ratings: Despite increased coverage and a generally firm sentiment, analysts have mixed reviews, with some rating stocks as a hold, while others see potential upside, particularly in sectors like service property trusts.
Catalysts for Growth: Key catalysts for growth in various stocks include international expansion, improvements in cash flow, and advancements in technology, which could enhance performance as the year progresses.
See More
Regional Sports Networks Face Shutdown Crisis
- Regional Sports Network Crisis: Main Street Sports' regional networks for MLB, NBA, and NHL are nearing shutdown due to ongoing cord-cutting, jeopardizing the future of local sports broadcasts even as live sports continue to attract high TV ratings.
- MLB Takes Over Distribution: As the 2026 MLB season begins, MLB announced it would take over media distribution for 14 teams, a direct response to the impending wind-down of Main Street Sports, highlighting the rapid decline of traditional sports network models.
- Financial Struggles Intensify: Main Street Sports emerged from bankruptcy protection in late 2024 but faced another liquidity crunch when MLB rights payments were due, despite previously touting subscriber growth as recently as last spring.
- Industry Transformation Challenges: With the collapse of the RSN model, many teams are shifting to direct-to-consumer streaming apps, which are costly for fans, and advertising revenue is insufficient to support MLB, indicating significant structural challenges for the industry.
See More
