Scripps announces upsize and prices senior notes offering

Rhea-AI Summary

E.W. Scripps (NASDAQ: SSP) has priced an upsized offering of $750 million in senior secured second-lien notes, representing a $100 million increase from the initially announced amount. The notes will carry a 9.875% interest rate and mature in 2030.

The proceeds will be used to redeem all outstanding 5.875% senior notes due 2027, pre-pay part of the term loan B-2 facility due 2028, repay a portion of revolving credit facilities, and cover transaction fees. The notes will be guaranteed by certain subsidiaries and secured by company assets.

Scripps, a diversified media company, operates over 60 local TV stations across 40+ markets and owns national brands including Scripps News, Court TV, and ION.

Positive

• Successfully upsized notes offering by $100 million to $750 million, indicating strong investor interest
• Debt restructuring could improve financial flexibility through extended maturity to 2030
• Second-lien security structure provides additional protection for noteholders

Negative

• Higher interest rate of 9.875% compared to existing 5.875% notes being redeemed
• Increased debt service costs will impact cash flow
• Additional secured debt could limit future financing flexibility

Insights

Corporate Finance Analyst

Scripps restructures $750M in debt with higher-interest 9.875% notes, increasing its financing costs while extending maturity to 2030.

Scripps has upsized its debt offering to $750 million in senior secured second-lien notes at 9.875% interest, $100 million more than initially planned. This refinancing operation carries significant implications for the company's financial structure. The new notes mature in 2030, which extends the company's debt maturity profile beyond its current obligations that were due in 2027 and 2028.

The substantially higher interest rate of 9.875% compared to the 5.875% on the notes being redeemed signals increased financing costs for Scripps. This nearly 400 basis point increase will materially impact the company's annual interest expenses, potentially reducing free cash flow. The move to secure these notes with company assets on a second-lien basis provides investors more protection than unsecured debt but indicates lenders required additional security.

This refinancing achieves three key objectives: consolidating various debt instruments, extending maturities, and potentially improving the company's near-term liquidity position. However, the significantly higher interest rate suggests Scripps is facing more challenging borrowing conditions, likely reflecting either broader market conditions for media companies or specific concerns about Scripps' financial outlook. The company's decision to upsize the offering by $100 million could indicate stronger demand from institutional investors than expected, or a greater need for capital than initially planned.

CINCINNATI, July 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) has priced an offering of $750 million aggregate principal amount of new 9.875% senior secured second-lien notes, which represents a $100 million increase from the previously announced size of the offering.

The notes will mature in 2030. The offering is expected to close on Aug. 6, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

The private offering is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The notes will be guaranteed by certain of the company's existing and future subsidiaries and will be secured on a second-lien basis by substantially all of the existing and future assets of the company and the guarantors, subject to customary exceptions, and guaranteed by each of the subsidiaries that also provide guarantees of the company's credit facilities.

Scripps intends to use the net proceeds of this offering to (i) redeem all of the company's outstanding 5.875% senior notes due 2027, (ii) pre-pay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the company's term loan B-2 facility due in 2028, (iii) repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the company's revolving credit facilities and (iv) pay the fees and expenses relating to this transaction.

The notes and related guarantees have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption. The notes are being offered only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the Securities Act or, outside the United States, to persons other than "U.S. persons" in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the notes and related guarantees and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer solicitation or sale would be unlawful. This press release is being issued pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 135c under the Securities Act.

Forward-looking statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "estimate," "could," "should," "outlook," "guidance," and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements the company makes regarding expected operating results and future financial condition. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on management's current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions regarding the future of the industry and the economy, the company's plans and strategies, anticipated events and trends, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstance that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of the company's control. The company's actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause the company's actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: change in advertising demand, fragmentation of audiences, loss of affiliation agreements, loss of distribution revenue, increase in programming costs, changes in law and regulation, the company's ability to identify and consummate strategic transactions, the controlled ownership structure of the company, and the company's ability to manage its outstanding debt obligations. A detailed discussion of such risks and uncertainties is included in the company's Form 10-K, on file with the SEC, in the section titled "Risk Factors." Any forward-looking statement made in this press release is based only on currently available information and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.

About Scripps
The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is a diversified media company focused on creating connection. As one of the nation's largest local TV broadcasters, Scripps serves communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of more than 60 stations in 40+ markets. Scripps reaches households across the U.S. with national news outlets Scripps News and Court TV and popular entertainment brands ION, Bounce, Grit, ION Mystery, ION Plus and Laff. Scripps is the nation's largest holder of broadcast spectrum. Scripps Sports serves professional and college sports leagues, conferences and teams with local market depth and national broadcast reach of up to 100% of TV households. Founded in 1878, Scripps is the steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, and its longtime motto is: "Give light and the people will find their own way."

Contact:
Media contact: Becca McCarter, (513) 410-2425, rebecca.mccarter@scripps.com
Investor contact: Carolyn Micheli, (513) 977-3732, carolyn.micheli@scripps.com 

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SOURCE The E.W. Scripps Company

FAQ

What is the size and interest rate of Scripps (SSP) new notes offering?

Scripps has priced $750 million in senior secured second-lien notes with a 9.875% interest rate, maturing in 2030. This represents a $100 million increase from the initially announced offering size.

How will Scripps (SSP) use the proceeds from the 2025 notes offering?

The proceeds will be used to redeem all outstanding 5.875% senior notes due 2027, pre-pay part of the term loan B-2 facility due 2028, repay revolving credit facilities, and cover transaction fees.

What security and guarantees are provided for Scripps new 2030 notes?

The notes will be secured on a second-lien basis by substantially all existing and future assets of the company and guarantors, with guarantees from subsidiaries that also guarantee Scripps' credit facilities.

When will Scripps (SSP) 2030 notes offering close?

The notes offering is expected to close on August 6, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

What are Scripps main media assets in 2025?

Scripps operates over 60 local TV stations in 40+ markets and owns national brands including Scripps News, Court TV, ION, Bounce, Grit, ION Mystery, ION Plus, and Laff.