E. W. Scripps Company Class A (SSP)
NASDAQ:SSP
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E. W. Scripps Company Class A
(NASDAQ:SSP)
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Rating:45Neutral
Price Target:
$3.50
▼(-29.15% Downside)
Action:Reiterated
Date:05/16/26
SSP scores low primarily due to deteriorating financial performance (shrinking revenue and net losses with only modest positive free cash flow) and weak technicals (price below key moving averages with negative MACD). The earnings call provides some offset via stronger Local Media/CTV execution and balance-sheet actions, but valuation remains challenged given losses and no dividend support.
Positive Factors
Local Media Strength
Consistent Local Media ad growth and a materially higher segment profit show durable cash generation from local stations. Local news and sports are sticky advertiser inventory, supporting steady operating cash flow and margin resilience even if national ad cycles weaken.
Negative Factors
Shrinking Revenue & Net Losses
Sustained revenue declines and negative net margins erode scale economics and limit reinvestment capacity. Persistent top-line contraction makes it harder to cover fixed content and distribution costs, pressuring long-term free cash flow and the ability to delever without structural revenue recovery.
Read all positive and negative factors
Positive Factors
Negative Factors
Local Media Strength
Consistent Local Media ad growth and a materially higher segment profit show durable cash generation from local stations. Local news and sports are sticky advertiser inventory, supporting steady operating cash flow and margin resilience even if national ad cycles weaken.
Read all positive factors
E. W. Scripps Company Class A (SSP) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)
Market Cap
$310.32M
Dividend YieldN/A
Average Volume (3M)1.37M
Price to Earnings (P/E)―
Beta (1Y)0.05
Revenue Growth-13.33%
EPS Growth-299.71%
CountryUS
Employees5,000
SectorCommunication Services
Sector Strength97
IndustryBroadcasting
Share Statistics
EPS (TTM)-1.85
Shares Outstanding79,608,100
10 Day Avg. Volume2,338,594
30 Day Avg. Volume1,371,311
Financial Highlights & Ratios
PEG Ratio0.01
Price to Book (P/B)0.28
Price to Sales (P/S)0.16
P/FCF Ratio53.84
Enterprise Value/Market Cap9.62
Enterprise Value/Revenue1.39
Enterprise Value/Gross Profit4.34
Enterprise Value/Ebitda13.95
Forecast
1Y Price Target
$7.57Price Target Upside53.17% Upside
Rating ConsensusModerate Buy
Number of Analyst Covering3
EPS Forecast (FY)0.47
Revenue Forecast (FY)$2.24B
E. W. Scripps Company Class A Business Overview & Revenue Model
Company Description
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...
How the Company Makes Money
Scripps primarily makes money by selling advertising and related services across its television and audio platforms. The largest revenue streams generally include: (1) Local broadcast advertising: selling ad inventory on its local TV stations duri...
E. W. Scripps Company Class A Earnings Call Summary
Earnings Call Date:May 07, 2026
(Q1-2026)
| % Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Jul 31, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call highlights meaningful operational progress: strong Local Media performance (core advertising +7%), substantial CTV growth (+26%), successful sports strategy and streaming launch, active asset monetization ($123M proceeds), and measurable debt reduction and leverage improvement to 3.9x. At the same time, Scripps Networks faces a significant near-term revenue and profit decline (Q1 networks down 9.5%; Q2 guide down ~10%) driven by macro weakness and a disruptive Nielsen methodology change, plus corporate cost pressures and remaining leverage. Management presented a credible transformation plan with clear EBITDA targets and disclosed paydown activity and liquidity actions. Overall, positive execution and balance-sheet progress offset material near-term network advertising headwinds, leaving the company positioned to improve results in the back half if markets and measurement normalize.Positive Updates
Improved Leverage and Balance Sheet Actions
Net leverage improved to 3.9x (per credit agreement). Paid down >$60M of term loans year-to-date (including $10.2M B-2, $20.4M B-3 and an additional ~$30M B-2 post-quarter). Entered agreement to extend revolver maturity to July 7, 2029 with $200M commitments.
Negative Updates
Networks Revenue and Profit Decline
Scripps Networks revenue was $174M in Q1, down 9.5% YoY on an adjusted basis. Networks segment profit declined to $47.5M from $66.8M year-over-year (≈28.9% decline). Company guides Networks revenue down ~10% for Q2.
Read all updates
Q1-2026 Updates
Positive
Negative
Improved Leverage and Balance Sheet Actions
Net leverage improved to 3.9x (per credit agreement). Paid down >$60M of term loans year-to-date (including $10.2M B-2, $20.4M B-3 and an additional ~$30M B-2 post-quarter). Entered agreement to extend revolver maturity to July 7, 2029 with $200M commitments.
Read all positive updates
Company Guidance
Management guided Q2 and full‑year expectations with a number of specific metrics: Local Media Q1 revenue was $331M (+5.8%), core advertising +7%, distribution +2%, expenses +2.4% and segment profit $44M vs $32M a year ago, and for Q2 Local Media revenue is expected up low single digits, core advertising down low single digits, gross distribution to be impacted by the Comcast impasse (full‑year gross distribution growth still guided to low single digits, net distribution now guided to low double digits) and Q2 Local expenses flat to 2025; Scripps Networks Q1 revenue was $174M (‑9.5%), CTV revenue +26%, expenses $126M (+1%) and segment profit $47.5M vs $66.8M, with Q2 Networks revenue guided down ~10% and Q2 expenses up low single digits (management expects second‑half margins to be higher and to return the Networks to a ~30% margin over time); corporate Other loss was $6M with shared services ~$26.6M (Q2 ~$27M); company A‑/Q1 EPS was a $0.20 loss (including a $30M gain that reduced the loss by $0.25 and a preferred dividend drag of $0.18); balance sheet items include cash $84M, net debt $2.2B, net leverage 3.9x (LQ8 EBITDA $568M), $20M drawn on the revolver (extended to 7/7/2029 with $200M commitments), and >$60M of term‑loan paydowns YTD; transformation targets remain $125M–$150M of enterprise EBITDA improvement with in‑year impact of $20M–$30M, an annualized run‑rate of ~$75M next year and estimated $40M–$50M cost‑to‑achieve.E. W. Scripps Company Class A Financial Statement Overview
Summary
Income Statement
37
Negative
Balance Sheet
54
Neutral
Cash Flow
48
Neutral
| Breakdown | TTM | Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 | Dec 2023 | Dec 2022 | Dec 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Income Statement | ||||||
| Total Revenue | 2.14B | 2.15B | 2.51B | 2.29B | 2.45B | 2.28B |
| Gross Profit | 688.72M | 725.24M | 1.19B | 1.01B | 1.22B | 1.18B |
| EBITDA | 214.04M | -49.37M | 575.55M | -598.89M | 598.03M | 514.17M |
| Net Income | -99.21M | -100.88M | 146.22M | -947.78M | 195.90M | 122.71M |
Balance Sheet | ||||||
| Total Assets | 4.92B | 5.01B | 5.20B | 5.41B | 6.43B | 6.66B |
| Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments | 95.03M | 27.92M | 23.85M | 35.32M | 18.03M | 66.22M |
| Total Debt | 2.68B | 2.73B | 2.69B | 3.05B | 3.01B | 3.26B |
| Total Liabilities | 3.67B | 3.76B | 3.88B | 4.25B | 4.30B | 4.69B |
| Stockholders Equity | 1.25B | 1.25B | 1.32B | 1.16B | 2.13B | 1.97B |
Cash Flow | ||||||
| Free Cash Flow | 15.24M | 6.52M | 300.42M | 51.98M | 265.63M | 175.83M |
| Operating Cash Flow | 59.91M | 53.10M | 365.68M | 111.60M | 311.42M | 237.00M |
| Investing Cash Flow | 116.98M | -12.13M | -26.54M | -60.61M | -66.39M | -2.46B |
| Financing Cash Flow | -105.82M | -36.90M | -350.61M | -33.71M | -327.48M | 693.48M |
E. W. Scripps Company Class A Technical Analysis
Negative
4.94
Price Trends
4.06
Negative
3.88
Negative
3.55
Negative
Market Momentum
-0.27
Positive
37.46
Neutral
56.36
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For SSP, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 4.94 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 3.87, above the 50-day MA of 4.06, and above the 200-day MA of 3.55, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.27 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 37.46 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 56.36 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for SSP.
E. W. Scripps Company Class A Risk Analysis
E. W. Scripps Company Class A disclosed 19 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. E. W. Scripps Company Class A reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks
E. W. Scripps Company Class A Peers Comparison
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (60)
Name | Overall Rating | Market Cap | P/E Ratio | ROE | Dividend Yield | Revenue Growth | EPS Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
61 Neutral | $835.72M | -46.15 | -25.09% | 6.56% | 45.98% | 82.18% | |
60 Neutral | $48.67B | 4.58 | -11.27% | 4.14% | 2.83% | -41.78% | |
52 Neutral | $60.33M | -6.60 | -5.57% | 8.81% | -4.10% | -343.54% | |
52 Neutral | $644.93M | -2.34 | 15.76% | ― | 2.06% | 77.93% | |
49 Neutral | $26.91M | -0.14 | -206.44% | ― | -14.99% | -1938.45% | |
45 Neutral | $310.32M | -3.07 | -7.87% | ― | -13.33% | -299.71% | |
45 Neutral | $440.11M | -4.05 | -3.43% | 6.45% | -14.49% | -164.07% |
* Communication Services Sector Average
SSP
E. W. Scripps Company Class A
3.39
1.16
52.02%
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234.08%
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9.08
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4.01
0.40
11.02%
SGA
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9.48
-1.71
-15.30%
IHRT
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E. W. Scripps Company Class A Corporate Events
Business Operations and StrategyM&A Transactions
Scripps Expands Mountain West Footprint With Station Swap
Positive
May 15, 2026
On May 15, 2026, The E.W. Scripps Company completed a previously announced local TV station swap with Gray Media across five mid-sized and small markets, expanding its footprint in the Mountain West. Under the even, cashless asset exchange, Scripp...
Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
E.W. Scripps Extends Revolving Credit Facility Maturities
Positive
May 6, 2026
On April 30, 2026, The E.W. Scripps Company amended its credit agreement to extend the maturity of a substantial portion of its revolving credit facility, previously set to expire on July 7, 2027. Under the revised terms, the company now maintains...
Financial DisclosuresM&A TransactionsRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Scripps Finalizes WRTV Station Sale to Circle City
Neutral
Apr 1, 2026
On March 31, 2026, The E. W. Scripps Company closed the sale of its WRTV television station to Circle City Broadcasting for $83 million in cash, a transaction the company views as immaterial at the operating level but which qualifies as a “s...
Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board ChangesFinancial DisclosuresM&A Transactions
Scripps Extends CEO Contract Amid Transformation and Expansion
Neutral
Feb 26, 2026
On Feb. 24, 2026, Scripps signed a new employment agreement with President and CEO Adam Symson running initially through Dec. 31, 2029, featuring higher guaranteed pay, a large one-time $10 million performance-based cash award tied to enterprise E...
Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Disclaimer
This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.