E.W. Scripps Signs TV Rights Deal with Detroit Pistons
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 13 2026
0mins
E.W. Scripps- Scripps Sports announced a new local media television rights agreement with the Detroit Pistons beginning with the 2026-27 NBA season. The move returns Pistons basketball to free, over-the-air television for fans throughout Detroit, metro Detroit and the state of Michigan. Per team policy, terms of the partnership were not disclosed. Under the agreement, WMYD TV20 Detroit, owned and operated by E.W. Scripps, will become the official local broadcast home of the Detroit Pistons. TV20 Detroit will produce and air all locally available pre-season and regular season games. The agreement marks the Pistons' return to a primarily local broadcast television home for the first time since 2005. The agreement also includes a weekly, half-hour Pistons show.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy SSP?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
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: 3.500
Low
3.00
Averages
7.00
High
10.00
Current: 3.500
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.
14-Year-Old Shrey Parikh Wins 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee Championship
- Champion's Performance: 14-year-old Shrey Parikh from California showcased exceptional skill by spelling 32 out of 35 words correctly in 90 seconds during the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee, breaking the previous record of 29 words set by Bruhat Soma in 2024, highlighting his remarkable linguistic ability and composure under pressure.
- Intense Showdown: Parikh defeated Ishaan Gupta from New Jersey, who correctly spelled 25 out of 29 words, in a thrilling final that demonstrated the competitors' determination and mastery of language, captivating the audience and judges alike.
- Substantial Rewards: As the champion, Parikh received a $50,000 cash prize, a commemorative medal, and the Scripps Cup, along with additional prizes from various sponsors, which further motivates young scholars to pursue excellence in their studies and language skills.
- Historical Legacy: The event took place at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., with 247 participants, underscoring the Scripps National Spelling Bee's status as one of the longest-running educational programs in the U.S., inspiring countless young individuals to explore the joy of language and learning.
See More
E.W. Scripps Completes Local TV Station Swap with Gray Media
- Market Expansion: E.W. Scripps has completed a local TV station swap with Gray Media across five mid-sized and small markets, acquiring KKTV (CBS) in Colorado Springs and KMVT (CBS) in Twin Falls, thereby enhancing its market presence in these regions.
- Strategic Significance: This transaction not only expands Scripps' market share in Colorado Springs and Twin Falls but also establishes a new footprint in Grand Junction, demonstrating the company's commitment to local news service.
- Economic Durability: Scripps' President and CEO Adam Symson stated that greater depth in these markets will help sustain high-quality local news, emergency alerts, and weather coverage, thereby strengthening community connections.
- Asset Exchange: The swap involves an even exchange of comparable assets with no cash consideration, indicating the company's flexibility and strategic approach in resource allocation to ensure strong influence in local markets.
See More
2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee Returns to Washington, D.C.
- Competitor Count: The 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee will take place from May 26-28 at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., featuring 247 spellers, with 169 making their debut, highlighting the event's broad appeal and engagement.
- Diverse Backgrounds: Contestants range in age from 9 to 15 and hail from all 50 states and D.C., along with 13 competitors from countries like The Bahamas and Canada, showcasing the event's international reach and diversity.
- Historical Significance of Venue: This year's competition marks the first return to Constitution Hall in over a decade, being only the 10th venue in the Bee's 101-year history, symbolizing a return to tradition and providing a historic stage for participants.
- Media Coverage and Broadcast: The semifinals and finals will be broadcast on multiple platforms including ION, with the semifinals airing on May 27 from 8-10 p.m. ET and the finals in primetime on May 28, enhancing visibility and audience engagement for the event.
See More
E.W. Scripps Company Q1 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Financial Performance Boost: E.W. Scripps reported $331 million in Local Media revenue for Q1, a 5.8% increase, demonstrating strong momentum in advertising revenue growth, particularly with a 7% rise linked to live sports advertising.
- Strategic Transformation Progress: The company has made significant strides in executing its comprehensive transformation strategy, reducing net leverage to 3.9x, indicating improved financial structure that will support future growth, with management expecting to see financial benefits in the second half of the year.
- New Network Launch: The launch of the Scripps Sports Network opens new market opportunities in the streaming space, although the Networks division is projected to see a decline of about 10% in revenue for Q2; however, management remains optimistic about future growth potential, especially with a 26% increase in connected TV revenue.
- Market Challenge Response: Despite facing challenges from macroeconomic conditions and changes in Nielsen measurement methodologies, management maintains its expectations for overall revenue growth in 2026, forecasting low single-digit growth in gross distribution revenue for the year, reflecting the company's resilience in uncertain market environments.
See More
E.W. Scripps Q1 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Earnings Beat: E.W. Scripps reported a Q1 GAAP EPS of -$0.20, surpassing expectations by $0.25, indicating the company's resilience in challenging conditions, which may bolster investor confidence.
- Revenue Decline: The operating revenue for Q1 was $516.87 million, reflecting a 1.4% year-over-year decline, yet it met market expectations, suggesting the company is maintaining stability in a competitive media landscape.
- Strong Cash Position: As of March 31, the company had $84 million in cash and cash equivalents, which reflects proceeds from the sale of WRTV, enhancing liquidity and financial flexibility for future operations.
- Strategic Asset Disposal: The sale of WRTV not only provided cash flow but also potentially funds future investments and expansions, demonstrating the company's strategic approach to optimizing its asset portfolio.
See More
Mina Kimes to Host 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee Semifinals and Finals
- Host Announcement: Mina Kimes will host the semifinals and finals of the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee on May 27 and 28, leveraging her experience as a three-time school spelling bee champion to engage a broader audience with this iconic competition.
- Production Company Transformation: Under Michael Davies' leadership, Embassy Row aims to bring a refreshed broadcast vision to the Spelling Bee, focusing on modern presentation techniques that enhance the stakes and viewer experience, thereby attracting a wider audience base.
- Historical Legacy: Since its inception in 1925, the Spelling Bee has become America's longest-running educational competition, with the E.W. Scripps Company serving as its steward, committed to promoting literacy and learning through this platform, thereby solidifying its influence in the educational sector.
- Broadcast Schedule: The semifinals will be broadcast live on ION from 8-10 PM ET on May 27, with the finals following on May 28 at the same time, expected to reach 128 million households, further enhancing the event's visibility and participation.
See More
14-Year-Old Shrey Parikh Wins 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee Championship
- Champion's Performance: 14-year-old Shrey Parikh from California showcased exceptional skill by spelling 32 out of 35 words correctly in 90 seconds during the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee, breaking the previous record of 29 words set by Bruhat Soma in 2024, highlighting his remarkable linguistic ability and composure under pressure.
- Intense Showdown: Parikh defeated Ishaan Gupta from New Jersey, who correctly spelled 25 out of 29 words, in a thrilling final that demonstrated the competitors' determination and mastery of language, captivating the audience and judges alike.
- Substantial Rewards: As the champion, Parikh received a $50,000 cash prize, a commemorative medal, and the Scripps Cup, along with additional prizes from various sponsors, which further motivates young scholars to pursue excellence in their studies and language skills.
- Historical Legacy: The event took place at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., with 247 participants, underscoring the Scripps National Spelling Bee's status as one of the longest-running educational programs in the U.S., inspiring countless young individuals to explore the joy of language and learning.
See More
E.W. Scripps Completes Local TV Station Swap with Gray Media
- Market Expansion: E.W. Scripps has completed a local TV station swap with Gray Media across five mid-sized and small markets, acquiring KKTV (CBS) in Colorado Springs and KMVT (CBS) in Twin Falls, thereby enhancing its market presence in these regions.
- Strategic Significance: This transaction not only expands Scripps' market share in Colorado Springs and Twin Falls but also establishes a new footprint in Grand Junction, demonstrating the company's commitment to local news service.
- Economic Durability: Scripps' President and CEO Adam Symson stated that greater depth in these markets will help sustain high-quality local news, emergency alerts, and weather coverage, thereby strengthening community connections.
- Asset Exchange: The swap involves an even exchange of comparable assets with no cash consideration, indicating the company's flexibility and strategic approach in resource allocation to ensure strong influence in local markets.
See More
2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee Returns to Washington, D.C.
- Competitor Count: The 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee will take place from May 26-28 at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., featuring 247 spellers, with 169 making their debut, highlighting the event's broad appeal and engagement.
- Diverse Backgrounds: Contestants range in age from 9 to 15 and hail from all 50 states and D.C., along with 13 competitors from countries like The Bahamas and Canada, showcasing the event's international reach and diversity.
- Historical Significance of Venue: This year's competition marks the first return to Constitution Hall in over a decade, being only the 10th venue in the Bee's 101-year history, symbolizing a return to tradition and providing a historic stage for participants.
- Media Coverage and Broadcast: The semifinals and finals will be broadcast on multiple platforms including ION, with the semifinals airing on May 27 from 8-10 p.m. ET and the finals in primetime on May 28, enhancing visibility and audience engagement for the event.
See More
E.W. Scripps Company Q1 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Financial Performance Boost: E.W. Scripps reported $331 million in Local Media revenue for Q1, a 5.8% increase, demonstrating strong momentum in advertising revenue growth, particularly with a 7% rise linked to live sports advertising.
- Strategic Transformation Progress: The company has made significant strides in executing its comprehensive transformation strategy, reducing net leverage to 3.9x, indicating improved financial structure that will support future growth, with management expecting to see financial benefits in the second half of the year.
- New Network Launch: The launch of the Scripps Sports Network opens new market opportunities in the streaming space, although the Networks division is projected to see a decline of about 10% in revenue for Q2; however, management remains optimistic about future growth potential, especially with a 26% increase in connected TV revenue.
- Market Challenge Response: Despite facing challenges from macroeconomic conditions and changes in Nielsen measurement methodologies, management maintains its expectations for overall revenue growth in 2026, forecasting low single-digit growth in gross distribution revenue for the year, reflecting the company's resilience in uncertain market environments.
See More
E.W. Scripps Q1 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Earnings Beat: E.W. Scripps reported a Q1 GAAP EPS of -$0.20, surpassing expectations by $0.25, indicating the company's resilience in challenging conditions, which may bolster investor confidence.
- Revenue Decline: The operating revenue for Q1 was $516.87 million, reflecting a 1.4% year-over-year decline, yet it met market expectations, suggesting the company is maintaining stability in a competitive media landscape.
- Strong Cash Position: As of March 31, the company had $84 million in cash and cash equivalents, which reflects proceeds from the sale of WRTV, enhancing liquidity and financial flexibility for future operations.
- Strategic Asset Disposal: The sale of WRTV not only provided cash flow but also potentially funds future investments and expansions, demonstrating the company's strategic approach to optimizing its asset portfolio.
See More
Mina Kimes to Host 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee Semifinals and Finals
- Host Announcement: Mina Kimes will host the semifinals and finals of the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee on May 27 and 28, leveraging her experience as a three-time school spelling bee champion to engage a broader audience with this iconic competition.
- Production Company Transformation: Under Michael Davies' leadership, Embassy Row aims to bring a refreshed broadcast vision to the Spelling Bee, focusing on modern presentation techniques that enhance the stakes and viewer experience, thereby attracting a wider audience base.
- Historical Legacy: Since its inception in 1925, the Spelling Bee has become America's longest-running educational competition, with the E.W. Scripps Company serving as its steward, committed to promoting literacy and learning through this platform, thereby solidifying its influence in the educational sector.
- Broadcast Schedule: The semifinals will be broadcast live on ION from 8-10 PM ET on May 27, with the finals following on May 28 at the same time, expected to reach 128 million households, further enhancing the event's visibility and participation.
See More
