Scripps completes station swap with Gray Media
Sentiment and the balance of points
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Rhea-AI Summary
The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) completed a local TV station swap with Gray Media across five mid-sized and small markets, expanding Scripps’ presence in the Mountain West.
Scripps gains stations in Colorado Springs, Grand Junction and Twin Falls, while divesting stations in Lansing and Lafayette in an even, no-cash asset exchange.
Positive
- Expanded Mountain West footprint in Colorado Springs, Grand Junction and Twin Falls markets
- Greater depth in existing Colorado Springs and Twin Falls markets where Scripps already operates stations
- Entry into new Grand Junction, Colorado market with NBC and ABC affiliates
- Even exchange of comparable assets with no cash consideration required
Negative
- Divestiture of WSYM (Fox) in Lansing, Michigan reduces presence in that market
- Divestiture of KATC (ABC) in Lafayette, Louisiana removes Scripps exposure to that market
Details
News Market Reaction – SSP
On May 15, the day this news came out, SSP closed 4.25% below the previous close.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the May 15 session.
Key Figures
- Markets in swap
- 5 markets
- Local TV station swap across mid-sized and small markets
Historical Context
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Return of Scripps National Spelling Bee to Washington, D.C. with 247 participants.
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New local TV media rights agreement with the Detroit Pistons via Scripps Sports.
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Q1 loss to shareholders alongside higher leverage and mixed segment trends.
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Appointment of Mina Kimes as host of the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
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Multi-year exclusive U.S. broadcast partnership for Premier Women’s Rodeo on ION and Grit.
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
CINCINNATI, May 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) has completed its local TV station swap with Gray Media across five mid-sized and small markets, expanding Scripps’ presence in the Mountain West.
Under the terms of the agreement, which was originally announced in July 2025:
- Gray Media has acquired Scripps’ WSYM (Fox) in Lansing, Michigan, and KATC (ABC) in Lafayette, Louisiana.
- Scripps has acquired Gray’s KKTV (CBS) in Colorado Springs, Colorado; KKCO (NBC) and KJCT-LP (ABC) in Grand Junction, Colorado; and KMVT (CBS) and KSVT-LD (Fox) in Twin Falls, Idaho.
The transaction expands Scripps’ presence in Colorado Springs and Twin Falls – markets where the company already operates trusted local stations – and establishes a new footprint in Grand Junction.
“Greater depth in these markets creates the economic durability to sustain our public service commitment: high-quality local news, emergency alerts, weather coverage and local sports that keep people informed, engaged and connected to their communities,” said Adam Symson, Scripps’ president and CEO. “We see scale and localism as complementary, and strategic transactions like this help ensure our stations remain strong, trusted voices for the communities that depend on us.”
The swap involves an even exchange of comparable assets with no cash consideration exchanged between the companies.
Investor contact: Jason Combs, The E.W. Scripps Company, (513) 977-3981, jason.combs@scripps.com
Media contact: Becca McCarter, The E.W. Scripps Company, (513) 410-2425, rebecca.mccarter@scripps.com
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 about 60 stations in 40 markets. Scripps reaches households across the U.S. with national news outlet Scripps News 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
Scripps in the news Scripps press releases
FAQ
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