Top Broadcast Stock to Buy Now? Spark Ranks 6 Streaming Contenders

Cord-cutting rewrote the rules — and now both old-school broadcasters and digital upstarts are racing to define what’s next. From streaming mergers to high-stakes turnarounds, the landscape is crowded with bold bets, big losses, and a few breakout stories. We ran six major media stocks through TipRanks’ AI-powered analyst, Spark, to find out which one is worth a spot in your portfolio— and which might not make the cut.

fuboTV

fuboTV (FUBO) is the riskiest but arguably most exciting player in the lineup. Its recent combination with Hulu + Live TV positions it as a credible contender in the virtual MVPD space, especially after settling litigation and banking $220 million in the process. Spark scores it a 69 — the highest in the group — citing impressive subscriber gains, EBITDA progress, and its first free cash flow–positive quarter.

However, it’s not all touchdowns. Advertising revenue is declining, subscriber guidance for Q2 is weak, and the loss of content deals, such as Univision, hurts. There’s promise in the skinny bundles and interactive ads, but execution risk remains high. For now, Spark calls it “Neutral,” but bullish investors may find a compelling turnaround story.

TEGNA

TEGNA (TGNA) represents the steady hand of traditional broadcasting. With a solid dividend, high free cash flow, and a strategic push into local sports rights, it’s playing the long game. Spark gives it a score of 68, just behind fuboTV, reflecting its cost discipline and shareholder-friendly moves.

The downside? Advertising headwinds and a tough national ad market are weighing on growth. Revenue and EBITDA fell in Q1, and guidance for Q2 doesn’t promise much better. Still, for income investors, TEGNA might be the most dependable pick in the pack.

Gray Television

Gray (GTN) is a classic case of valuation appeal versus operational struggle. Spark scores it a 67, noting the company’s cost control, market dominance, and strong political ad performance. Debt reduction has been aggressive, and Q1 revenue beat guidance.

But core ad revenue is declining, EBITDA is down nearly 20% year-over-year, and macroeconomic pressure — especially in automotive ads — clouds the outlook. The company’s content studio is gaining steam, but investors are still waiting for proof that it can offset the broader softness.

CuriosityStream

CuriosityStream (C$URI) may be the smallest, but it’s making big strides. Spark gives it a 66, with major credit for its debt-free balance sheet, 300% stock rally year-to-date, and its first-ever positive net income. Subscription softness is offset by a growing licensing business and a doubled dividend, reflecting newfound confidence.

However, total revenue remains modest, and the company faces pressure to sustain growth without overspending. Spark is optimistic but cautious — a high-risk, high-reward pick with momentum.

E.W. Scripps

E.W. Scripps (SSP) scores a 66 from Spark, but its fundamentals are wobblier than the rating suggests. Debt is heavy, local media revenue is down nearly 8%, and Scripps’ “Other” segment continues to lose money. On the bright side, it just completed a $1.5B refinancing, and its connected TV revenue surged 42%, helped by growing demand for women’s sports.

The core business remains under pressure, but there’s a potential digital pivot underway. For now, Spark flags volatility — this isn’t a defensive play, but one for turnaround speculators.

iHeartMedia

iHeartMedia (IHRT) is the weakest link in the lineup. With a Spark score of 34, it faces significant challenges, including negative equity, a $1.27 billion net loss last year, and declining revenue in its core Multi-Platform and Services segments. Digital is growing, particularly podcasts, but it’s not enough to offset the drag from legacy radio.

The company is slashing costs and leaning into programmatic ads, but Spark sees too many red flags. Until the balance sheet improves, investors may want to tune out.

Final Verdict

Top Pick: fuboTV
While risky, fuboTV has the most upside. Spark sees progress in profitability, real subscriber traction, and a transformative merger with Hulu. If execution holds, it could leapfrog traditional rivals.

Stock to Avoid: iHeartMedia
Heavy losses, high debt, and shrinking legacy segments make IHRT the most troubled name on the list — even Spark’s low score of 34 may be generous.