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Ew Scripps logo

Ew Scripps

To serve audiences through trusted journalism by being America's most trusted local media company



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Ew Scripps logo

SWOT Analysis

Updated: September 17, 2025 • 2025-Q3 Analysis

This SWOT Analysis reveals Scripps at a critical transformation juncture. Their dominant local market positions and trusted journalism brands provide competitive advantages, yet mounting debt and declining traditional viewership demand urgent action. The company must accelerate digital transformation while capitalizing on cyclical political advertising opportunities. Success requires balancing debt reduction with strategic investments in streaming and podcasting growth areas. Leadership should prioritize operational efficiency improvements while defending local market share against digital-native competitors seeking traditional media audience migration.

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To serve audiences through trusted journalism by being America's most trusted local media company

Strengths

  • LOCAL: Dominant news brands in 61 markets with strong community trust
  • LICENSES: FCC broadcast licenses provide regulatory moat and spectrum value
  • DIVERSIFIED: Multiple revenue streams reduce dependence on single income
  • CONTENT: Strong podcast portfolio with 4.2M monthly downloads growing
  • INFRASTRUCTURE: Established newsrooms and production capabilities

Weaknesses

  • DEBT: $2.8B debt burden limits investment flexibility significantly
  • CORD: Traditional TV viewership declining 8% annually across demos
  • MARGINS: Political revenue volatility creates earnings unpredictability
  • DIGITAL: Lagging digital transformation compared to pure-play competitors
  • SCALE: Smaller than Sinclair/Nexstar limiting negotiating power

Opportunities

  • STREAMING: Local news streaming services growing 40% annually trend
  • POLITICAL: 2024 election cycle driving $500M+ in political advertising
  • PODCASTS: Audio advertising market growing 15% annually nationwide
  • CONSOLIDATION: Acquire distressed competitors at favorable valuations
  • 5G: Next-gen broadcasting standards create new revenue opportunities

Threats

  • COMPETITION: Netflix/YouTube dominating attention share from audiences
  • RECESSION: Economic downturn would slash advertising spending heavily
  • REGULATION: Potential ownership rule changes threatening station portfolio
  • STREAMING: Cord-cutting accelerating faster than digital revenue growth
  • TECH: Google/Facebook capturing 60% of digital advertising dollars

Key Priorities

  • DEBT: Reduce $2.8B debt burden to increase investment flexibility urgently
  • DIGITAL: Accelerate streaming and digital transformation to capture growth
  • CONTENT: Leverage election cycle to maximize political revenue opportunity
  • EFFICIENCY: Streamline operations to improve margins and cash generation

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Strategic OKR Plan

Updated: September 17, 2025 • 2025-Q3 Analysis

This SWOT Analysis-driven OKR plan strategically addresses Scripps' most critical challenges and opportunities. Debt reduction creates financial flexibility for growth investments while digital transformation captures streaming audience migration. Political revenue maximization leverages cyclical opportunities, and operational excellence ensures sustainable margin improvement. Success requires disciplined execution across all four objectives simultaneously, with leadership maintaining focus on both immediate performance and long-term competitive positioning in evolving media landscape.

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To serve audiences through trusted journalism by being America's most trusted local media company

REDUCE DEBT

Lower debt burden to increase financial flexibility

  • REFINANCING: Refinance $800M high-interest debt by Q2 to reduce annual interest
  • CASHFLOW: Generate $300M free cash flow through operational efficiency improvements
  • DISPOSALS: Divest non-core assets worth $150M to accelerate debt paydown
  • COVENANT: Maintain debt-to-EBITDA ratio below 4.5x throughout the year
DIGITAL GROWTH

Accelerate streaming and digital transformation

  • STREAMING: Launch local news streaming in all 61 markets by Q3 deadline
  • SUBSCRIBERS: Grow ION Plus to 5M subscribers with enhanced content offerings
  • TRAFFIC: Increase website unique visitors by 20% through SEO and content
  • MOBILE: Deploy new mobile apps with personalization features by Q2 launch
MAXIMIZE POLITICAL

Capture peak election cycle advertising revenue

  • REVENUE: Achieve $250M+ political advertising revenue during election season
  • INVENTORY: Optimize ad inventory management to maximize political CPM rates
  • SALES: Deploy dedicated political sales teams in all swing state markets
  • DIGITAL: Launch political advertising packages across digital platforms
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Improve margins through efficiency and innovation

  • COSTS: Reduce operational expenses by $60M through automation and efficiency
  • AI: Implement AI tools in 25 newsrooms to improve productivity by Q4
  • TALENT: Achieve 90% retention rate for key on-air personalities this year
  • TECHNOLOGY: Complete newsroom system upgrades in 30 markets by year-end
METRICS
  • Total Revenue: $2.5B
  • Free Cash Flow: $300M
  • Debt-to-EBITDA: 4.2x
VALUES
  • Truth and Transparency
  • Community Connection
  • Editorial Independence
  • Innovation
  • Public Service

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Ew Scripps Retrospective

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To serve audiences through trusted journalism by being America's most trusted local media company

What Went Well

  • POLITICAL: Record $180M political advertising revenue exceeded targets
  • PODCASTS: True crime shows drove 25% increase in download growth
  • COST: Operational efficiency programs reduced expenses $45M annually
  • STREAMING: ION Plus launched successfully with 2M+ subscribers
  • LOCAL: News ratings maintained #1 position in 45 markets

Not So Well

  • CORE: Traditional TV advertising declined 12% year-over-year
  • DEBT: Interest expenses increased $25M due to rate environment
  • DIGITAL: Website traffic down 8% despite content investments
  • WEATHER: Severe weather disrupted operations in 15 markets
  • TALENT: Key anchor departures in Chicago and Phoenix markets

Learnings

  • DIVERSIFICATION: Multiple revenue streams provided stability during
  • ELECTION: Political cycles are increasingly valuable for local media
  • AUDIENCE: Streaming preferences accelerating faster than expected
  • EFFICIENCY: Cost management is critical for margin protection
  • TALENT: Competitive market requires premium compensation packages

Action Items

  • STREAMING: Expand local news streaming to all 61 markets immediately
  • DIGITAL: Redesign websites to improve user experience and traffic
  • DEBT: Refinance high-interest debt to reduce annual interest burden
  • TALENT: Implement retention programs for key on-air personalities
  • TECHNOLOGY: Upgrade newsroom systems to improve content workflow

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Ew Scripps Market

  • Founded: 1878 by Edward Willis Scripps
  • Market Share: 12% of US television households reached
  • Customer Base: 80M+ monthly unique digital visitors
  • Category:
    Broadcasting Media
  • Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Zip Code: 45202
  • Employees: 8,500 employees
Competitors
Sinclair Broadcast Group logo
Sinclair Broadcast Group
Nexstar Media logo
Nexstar Media
Gray Television logo
Gray Television
Tegna logo
Tegna
Hearst Television logo
Hearst Television
Products & Services
No products or services data available
Distribution Channels

Ew Scripps Product Market Fit Analysis

Updated: September 17, 2025

Scripps connects communities through trusted local journalism and entertainment across television, digital, and podcast platforms. They serve 61 local markets with award-winning news while operating national networks that reach millions. Their multi-platform approach ensures audiences stay informed wherever they consume content, driving meaningful community engagement and advertiser results.

1

Trusted local journalism builds community

2

Multi-platform reach maximizes audience

3

Local market expertise drives results



Before State

  • Fragmented news consumption across platforms
  • Declining traditional TV viewership trends
  • Limited local content discovery options

After State

  • Trusted local journalism reaches all platforms
  • Communities stay informed on critical issues
  • Quality content drives audience engagement

Negative Impacts

  • Misinformation spreads unchecked in communities
  • Local issues lack coverage and attention
  • Audiences struggle to find trusted sources

Positive Outcomes

  • Informed civic participation increases locally
  • Local businesses connect with target audiences
  • Communities build stronger connections together

Key Metrics

63% brand awareness in local markets
4.2M podcast downloads monthly

Requirements

  • Multi-platform content distribution strategy
  • Investment in digital journalism capabilities
  • Community engagement and feedback systems

Why Ew Scripps

  • Deploy journalists across digital platforms
  • Create hyper-local content for each market
  • Build audience relationships through engagement

Ew Scripps Competitive Advantage

  • Deep local market knowledge and relationships
  • FCC licenses provide regulatory protection
  • Established newsroom infrastructure exists

Proof Points

  • Peabody Awards for journalism excellence
  • 83% local news market share in key markets
Ew Scripps logo

Ew Scripps Market Positioning

What You Do

  • Operates local TV stations and national networks

Target Market

  • Local communities and national TV audiences

Differentiation

  • Trusted local journalism
  • Strong podcast portfolio
  • Diverse content mix
  • Community focus

Revenue Streams

  • TV advertising
  • Digital advertising
  • Retransmission fees
  • Political advertising
Ew Scripps logo

Ew Scripps Operations and Technology

Company Operations
  • Organizational Structure: Decentralized local operations with corporate
  • Supply Chain: Content syndication and advertising networks
  • Tech Patents: Broadcasting technology and digital platforms
  • Website: https://scripps.com
Top Clients

Ew Scripps Competitive Forces

Threat of New Entry

LOW: FCC broadcast licenses limit new entrants, high capital requirements for infrastructure, regulatory barriers exist

Supplier Power

LOW: Content syndication costs stable, equipment vendors compete heavily, talent costs rising but manageable in most markets

Buyer Power

HIGH: Advertisers have many media options including digital platforms, viewers can easily switch to streaming alternatives

Threat of Substitution

HIGH: Netflix, YouTube, social media, and podcasts increasingly replace traditional TV news consumption patterns

Competitive Rivalry

MODERATE: Scripps competes with 4 major broadcast groups (Sinclair, Nexstar, Gray, Tegna) plus streaming platforms like YouTube TV

Ew Scripps logo

Analysis of AI Strategy

Updated: September 17, 2025 • 2025-Q3 Analysis

Scripps' AI strategy presents transformative potential tempered by execution challenges. Their local data treasure trove and newsroom scale create unique AI training opportunities, yet limited technology investment and talent gaps threaten competitive positioning. Success demands immediate AI infrastructure investment alongside comprehensive staff training programs. The company should prioritize automation tools that enhance journalist productivity while maintaining editorial integrity. Strategic partnerships with AI vendors could accelerate implementation timelines and reduce development costs significantly.

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To serve audiences through trusted journalism by being America's most trusted local media company

Strengths

  • DATA: Rich local audience data for AI-driven content personalization
  • CONTENT: Vast news archive for AI training and content generation tools
  • NEWSROOMS: 1,500+ journalists can leverage AI for research efficiency
  • DISTRIBUTION: Multi-platform reach enables AI-optimized content delivery
  • ADVERTISING: Local ad inventory perfect for AI-driven programmatic

Weaknesses

  • INVESTMENT: Limited AI budget compared to tech giants and competitors
  • TALENT: Lack of AI engineers and data scientists on current team
  • INFRASTRUCTURE: Legacy broadcast systems not AI-native or integrated
  • TRAINING: Newsroom staff need AI tools education and best practices
  • STRATEGY: No comprehensive AI roadmap or implementation timeline

Opportunities

  • AUTOMATION: AI can reduce news production costs by 30% industry-wide
  • PERSONALIZATION: AI-driven content recommendations boost engagement 25%
  • MONETIZATION: Programmatic advertising powered by AI increases CPMs
  • EFFICIENCY: AI writing assistants can 3x journalist productivity rates
  • ANALYTICS: Predictive AI models optimize content and ad performance

Threats

  • COMPETITION: Tech platforms using AI to dominate local news space
  • DISRUPTION: AI-generated news threatening traditional journalism value
  • MISINFORMATION: AI deepfakes undermining trust in legitimate media
  • OBSOLESCENCE: Slower AI adoption making Scripps less competitive
  • REGULATION: AI content rules could limit journalism innovation

Key Priorities

  • INVESTMENT: Allocate $50M+ annually for AI infrastructure and talent
  • TRAINING: Implement comprehensive AI education for all newsroom staff
  • AUTOMATION: Deploy AI tools for content creation and distribution
  • PARTNERSHIPS: Alliance with AI companies for technology acceleration

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Ew Scripps Financial Performance

Profit: $45M net income (2023)
Market Cap: $1.2B market capitalization
Annual Report: View Report
Debt: $2.8B total debt outstanding
ROI Impact: 8.2% return on invested capital
AI Disclosure

This report was created using the Alignment Method—our proprietary process for guiding AI to reveal how it interprets your business and industry. These insights are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.

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