The E.W. Scripps Company (SSP) Market Cap
The E.W. Scripps Company has a market capitalization of $583.1M.
Financials based on reported quarter end 2025-12-31
Price: $4.94
▲ 0.16 (3.35%)
Market Cap: 583.05M
NASDAQ · time unavailable
CEO: Adam Symson
Sector: Communication Services
Industry: Broadcasting
IPO Date: 1988-06-30
Website: https://www.scripps.com
The E.W. Scripps Company (SSP) - Company Information
Market Cap: 583.05M · Sector: Communication Services
The E.W. Scripps Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a media enterprise through a portfolio of local and national media brands. The company operates through Local Media, Scripps Network, and Other segments. The Local Media segment operates broadcast television stations, which produce news, information, and entertainment content, as well as its related digital operations. This segment also runs network, syndicated, and original programming. The Scripps Network segment comprises of national television networks. The Network operates through over-the-air broadcast, cable/satellite, connected TV, and digital distribution. In addition, the company provides content and services through the internet, smartphones, and tablets. Further, the company provides Newsy, a national news network, which provides politics, entertainment, science, and technology news; and Scripps National Spelling Bee, an investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C. Additionally, the company offers ION, a national broadcast television network that delivers popular crime and justice procedural programming through over-the-air broadcast and pay TV platforms. It serves audiences and businesses. The E.W. Scripps Company operates through a network of 61 television stations. The company was founded in 1878 and is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Analyst Sentiment
Based on 5 ratings
Analyst 1Y Forecast: $3.08
Average target (based on 1 sources)
Consensus Price Target
Low
$4
Median
$4
High
$4
Average
$4
Downside: -21.1%
Price & Moving Averages
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So What? Management is projecting a clear earnings re-acceleration path anchored by a quantified enterprise EBITDA transformation: $125M–$150M by 2028 (with $20M–$30M additive in-year 2026 and $60M–$75M annualized run-rate by 2027). The operational story is simultaneously tactical and financial: Scripps Networks delivered nearly +700 bps margin expansion in 2025 (vs a 400–600 bps guide), and near-term margin accretion is supported by reacquiring 23 ION-affiliated stations (~$54M) and the Court TV monetization/CTV spectrum benefits. However, the Q&A pressure centered on execution risk—especially AI-driven workflow changes and the potential for revenue disruption or employee friction—without management offering a quantified mitigation beyond confidence and bottoms-up engagement/upskilling. Analysts also probed political visibility; management’s confidence leaned on race coverage and CTV competitive participation, not explicit dollar revenue. Net: optimistic outlook, but validation will depend on whether core advertising strength and election-driven demand offset any transformation-induced disruption.
Growth Catalysts
- Live sports strategy driving local core advertising growth (incl. NHL deal growth and Tampa Bay Lightning new contract)
- Connected TV revenue momentum (Q4 connected TV up nearly 10% YoY; up 30% for full year)
- Midterm election spending tailwind (record midterm election cycle expected to boost back half of 2026 local revenue)
- Scripps Sports expansion and existing local sports markets showing continued Q4 growth (Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, South Florida)
Business Development
- Reacquire 23 TV stations affiliated with ION: aggregate purchase price ~ $54 million; FCC waivers sought; expect removal of affiliate fees after close (improves segment margins/profit)
- Sale of Court TV to Law&Crime (founded/run by ABC News Chief Legal Analyst Dan Abrams): closed Feb 9; no regulatory approval required
- Station swaps progressing with Gray plus sales of WFTX (Fort Myers) and WRTV (Indianapolis): gross proceeds $123 million; Fort Myers expected to close in coming weeks; Indianapolis soon after pending FCC approval
- Gray Stations transaction expected to close in coming months (optimistic timing)
- Announced acquisition of >20 stations from INYO (fold into networks portfolio; described as increasing segment profit margins)
Financial Highlights
- Local Media Q4 revenue: $360M, down 30% YoY due to absence of political advertising; core advertising up 12% YoY; largest services category up 19%; gambling up 32%
- Local Media Q4 expenses: down ~1% YoY
- Local Media segment profit: $50M vs $199M in prior-year political cycle
- Local Media Q1 guidance: revenue up low to mid-single digits; core advertising up mid-single-digit range; expenses up low single digits (and stated that backing out Lightning, expenses are down)
- Local Media distribution Q1: implied by full-year guidance—gross revenue low single-digit growth; net distribution revenue low teens % growth (attributed to top-line growth and declining affiliate fees)
- Scripps Networks Q4 revenue: $199M, down <8% YoY; ahead of guidance/market
- Scripps Networks Q4 connected TV: up nearly 10% YoY; up 30% for full year
- Scripps Networks Q4 expenses: down 13% YoY (lower employee-related + operational reductions)
- Scripps Networks segment profit: $64M; segment margin: 32%
- Scripps Networks Q1 guidance: revenue down high single-digit range; expenses down low single digits
- Q4 EPS loss per share: -$0.51; included $19.5M noncash charge for held-for-sale Court TV assets; $2.4M restructuring; $2.4M loss on extinguishment of debt; preferred dividend reduced EPS by $0.18 even when not paid
- Enterprise transformation plan (announced Feb 11): grow enterprise EBITDA by $125M to $150M by 2028; expected in-year impact $20M to $30M in 2026; annualized run rate $60M to $75M by 2027; benefits expected to show in 2H 2026
- 2025 Scripps Networks margin performance: guided 400–600 bps expansion over 2024; delivered nearly 700 bps
- Full-year 2026 below-the-line cash guidance: cash interest $180M–$190M; cash taxes $15M–$20M; capex $60M–$70M; D&A $140M–$150M; pension minimum contribution $4.5M; Q4 shared services/corporate expected Q1 increase to ~$27M (from $22M) due to medical claims/insurance premium increases
- Balance sheet snapshot (Dec 31): cash & equivalents $28M; net debt $2.3B; no revolver borrowings; paid down $55M on B2 term loan; net leverage 4.8x
Capital Funding
- Paid down $55M on B2 term loan during the quarter
- No borrowings outstanding on revolving credit facilities as of Dec 31
- Stated priority: reducing debt and leverage ratios; expect meaningful net leverage reduction by end of 2026 via plan execution + accretive M&A + midterm election EBITDA + paydown
Strategy & Ops
- Transformation plan Feb 11 includes cost savings + revenue initiatives plus increased use of technology/AI/automation
- Previously launched (summer prior to plan): consolidated/centralized every technology, engineering, and IT function to enhance efficiency (precursor to AI/automation transformation)
- Employee enablement risk management discussed: upskilling employees for automation/AI; leaders emphasized communication with 'candor and compassion' and bottoms-up planning (not purely top-down)
Market Outlook
- Q1 Local Media: revenue up low to mid-single digits; core advertising up mid-single-digit range; expenses up low single digits
- Q1 Scripps Networks: revenue down high single-digit range; expenses down low single digits
- Q2/Q3 political advertising visibility (qualitative, not spend $): portfolio includes 16 governors’ races (7 highly competitive), 6 states with 26 U.S. congressional house races expected pretty competitive; U.S. Senate competitive races include Kentucky special election to replace Mitch McConnell and Ohio special election to replace JD Vance
- Political spend distribution expectation: broadcast projected ~51% of total political spend; Scripps also competes via CTV inventory (noted political activity on CTV in January concentrated in TX, KY, NC, IL)
- Q2/Q3 guidance for political is framed as visibility via race calendar rather than explicit dollar guidance
Risks & Headwinds
- Political cycle comparability risk: Local Media Q4 revenue down 30% YoY due solely to absence of political advertising revenue vs prior-year cycle; segment profit compressed ($50M vs $199M)
- Held-for-sale accounting headwind: $19.5M noncash charge tied to Court TV assets increased Q4 loss
- Preferred dividend drag: reduced Q4 EPS by $0.18 even without cash payment
- Operational execution risk in transformation: analyst asked about employee disruption ('spook sometimes a little bit') and revenue impact; management emphasized employee engagement/upskilling rather than providing any quantified downside buffer
- Category mix risk in early-year advertising demand: home services-type categories noted as 'a little bit weaker right now' (Q1) despite services/home-services weakness; automotive showed relative strength
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Note: This summary was synthesized by AI from the SSP Q4 2025 earnings transcript. Financial data is complex; please verify all metrics against official SEC filings before making investment decisions.
Fundamentals Overview
📊 AI Financial Analysis
Powered by StockMarketInfo"For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, SSP reported revenue of $560.3M. However, the company experienced a net loss of $28.5M, resulting in a negative EPS of $0.51. The total assets stand at $5.0B against total liabilities of $3.8B, which highlights a healthy equity position of $1.2B. Despite having zero operating cash flow and capital expenditures, the company paid dividends amounting to $16.4M since 2020—although, these dividends came from prior accumulated earnings, rather than current profits. The share price as of December 31, 2025, is $3.46, with a 1-year price change of 9.15%. While there was a 20.98% increase over the last six months, there's been a year-to-date decline of 12.41%. Overall, investor sentiment looks cautiously optimistic as the company aims to improve its profitability metrics while managing a significant debt load."
Revenue Growth
Moderate revenue at $560.3M but no growth indicators available from previous periods.
Profitability
Negative net income and EPS indicate profitability challenges.
Cash Flow Quality
No operating cash flow or free cash flow reported.
Leverage & Balance Sheet
Healthy equity position relative to total liabilities but high net debt.
Shareholder Returns
Past dividend payments exist but under current loss conditions.
Analyst Sentiment & Valuation
Current share price shows slight appreciation but mixed analyst outlook.
Disclaimer:This analysis is AI-generated for informational purposes only. Accuracy is not guaranteed and this does not constitute financial advice.