| Valuation method | Value, $ | Upside, % |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial intelligence (AI) | 50.70 | 1642 |
| Intrinsic value (DCF) | 0.20 | -93 |
| Graham-Dodd Method | 0.94 | -68 |
| Graham Formula | 29.20 | 903 |
The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is a diversified media enterprise with a 145-year legacy, operating a portfolio of local and national media brands. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Scripps operates through two primary segments: Local Media and Scripps Network. The Local Media segment includes 61 broadcast television stations delivering news, entertainment, and digital content, while the Scripps Network segment features national networks like ION and Newsy, distributed via broadcast, cable, and digital platforms. Scripps is known for its strong local news presence and popular crime procedural programming on ION, as well as educational initiatives like the Scripps National Spelling Bee. With a focus on multiplatform distribution, the company serves audiences and advertisers across traditional and digital media. As cord-cutting trends reshape the broadcasting industry, Scripps is adapting through connected TV and digital expansion, positioning itself in the competitive Communication Services sector.
The E.W. Scripps Company presents a mixed investment profile. On the positive side, its diversified media portfolio, strong local news footprint, and ownership of ION—a top-rated free broadcast network—provide stable revenue streams. The company’s shift toward digital and connected TV platforms aligns with industry trends. However, high total debt ($2.69B) relative to its market cap ($188.6M) raises liquidity concerns, and the absence of dividends may deter income-focused investors. Broadcasting remains a challenged industry due to advertising volatility and cord-cutting, though Scripps’ over-the-air networks like ION benefit from being free-to-view. Investors should weigh its established market position against sector headwinds and leverage risks.
Scripps competes in the fragmented broadcasting sector by leveraging its dual strengths in local media and national networks. Its Local Media segment benefits from entrenched relationships in 61 markets, where it produces high-margin local news—a defensible advantage against national digital competitors. The Scripps Network segment’s crown jewel, ION, holds a unique position as a free broadcast network focused on crime procedurals, competing with basic cable networks like A&E (owned by Hearst/Disney) while avoiding affiliate fees. Newsy, its ad-supported streaming news service, differentiates itself with a non-partisan approach in a crowded digital news landscape dominated by Fox News Digital and CNN. However, Scripps lacks the scale of media conglomerates like Nexstar or Paramount Global, limiting content investment power. Its reliance on advertising (85% of revenue) makes it vulnerable to economic cycles compared to peers with subscription models. The company’s competitive edge lies in its hybrid local-national footprint and cost-efficient content (e.g., acquired procedural dramas on ION), but it trails in original production and streaming scale.