E W Scripps Company Overview and History

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The E.W. Scripps Company has a rich history that spans over 150 years. Founded in 1878 by Edward Willis Scripps, the company started as a small newspaper publisher in Cleveland, Ohio.

Edward Scripps was a pioneer in the industry, known for his innovative approach to journalism and his commitment to quality reporting. He believed in making news accessible to the masses, which is still a core value of the company today.

The company's early success was fueled by its focus on investigative journalism and its willingness to take risks in its reporting. This approach earned the company a reputation for integrity and trustworthiness.

As the company grew, it expanded its operations to include radio broadcasting, television stations, and online media. Today, the E.W. Scripps Company is a leading media conglomerate with a diverse portfolio of brands and properties.

History

The E.W. Scripps Company has a rich history that spans several decades. In 1947, the company expanded its broadcast holdings by opening its first television station, Cleveland-based WEWS-TV.

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The company's television holdings continued to grow in the following years, with the purchase of Memphis-based WMC-TV in 1948 and Cincinnati-based WCPO-TV in 1949. Here are some key events in the company's history:

In 1970, the company acquired its Tulsa station KVOO-TV from Central Plains Enterprises, which was finalized on December 31.

1947-1977: The Vision

In 1947, Scripps expanded its broadcast holdings by opening its first television station, Cleveland-based WEWS-TV.

This marked the beginning of the company's television era. Scripps continued to expand its television holdings in the following years, purchasing stations in Memphis and Cincinnati in 1948 and 1949, respectively.

WEWS-TV was followed by WMC-TV in Memphis and WCPO-TV in Cincinnati, both of which were also established in the late 1940s. These early television stations laid the foundation for Scripps' future growth and success.

In 1961, Scripps purchased West Palm Beach station WPTV-TV from the Phipps family. This acquisition was a significant milestone in the company's expansion into the television industry.

The purchase of WPTV-TV was followed nearly nine years later by Scripps' acquisition of its Tulsa station, which was renamed KTEW-TV on January 1, 1971.

Shop at Home Era

Two women unpack shopping bags on a cozy sofa indoors, reflecting a relaxed home atmosphere.
Credit: pexels.com, Two women unpack shopping bags on a cozy sofa indoors, reflecting a relaxed home atmosphere.

Scripps owned the Shop at Home Network from 2000 until 2006, a time known as the Shop at Home era.

This era was marked by attempts to use Shop at Home as a complementary service to other Scripps networks, such as Food Network and HGTV, by selling products connected to personalities on those networks. However, these efforts were not as successful as competitors QVC and HSN.

Scripps announced in May 2006 that it would cease operations of the Shop at Home Network. The company also intended to sell each of Shop at Home's five owned and operated television stations.

Jewelry Television eventually acquired Shop at Home, but Scripps still planned to sell its affiliated stations. Jewelry Television discontinued most Shop at Home operations in March 2008.

Scripps sold its Shop at Home TV stations to Multicultural Television for $170 million on September 26, 2006.

Television and Broadcasting

The E.W. Scripps Company has a significant presence in the broadcasting industry, owning or operating 62 television stations in 43 markets. These stations include 19 ABC affiliates, 12 CBS affiliates, 11 NBC affiliates, 6 Fox affiliates, 2 specialty network affiliated stations, and 5 independent stations.

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Scripps' broadcast television stations division, also known as Scripps Media or Scripps Howard Broadcasting, has a rich history. By 1963, the company had taken on its familiar name Scripps-Howard Broadcasting Company and made it public.

Scripps' television stations can be categorized based on their acquisition history. Stations acquired from Journal Communications have a blue background, while those acquired from McGraw-Hill have a lavender blue background. Stations acquired from Cordillera Communications have a gray background, and those acquired from Ion Media have an orange background.

Here's a breakdown of the different types of stations:

  • A blue background indicates a station acquired from Journal Communications.
  • A lavender blue background indicates a station acquired from McGraw-Hill.
  • A gray background indicates a station acquired from Cordillera Communications.
  • An orange background indicates a station acquired from Ion Media and currently in the Ion Media unit of Scripps.
  • (**) – Indicates station was built and signed on by Scripps.

In recent years, Scripps has made significant moves in the broadcasting industry. In 2023, the company agreed to sell WFTX in Fort Myers-Naples to Sun Broadcasting for $40 million.

Radio and Media

The E.W. Scripps Company has a rich history in radio and media. The company built and signed on several stations, marked with (***) in the list below.

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Here are some of the notable radio stations owned by Scripps:

  • WCPO-FM 105.1 in Cincinnati, OH, was owned by Scripps from 1949 to 1966.
  • WEWS-FM 102.1 in Cleveland, OH, was owned by Scripps from 1947 to 1950.
  • WBSB-FM 104.3 in Baltimore, MD, was owned by Scripps from 1980 to 1993.

Scripps also had a presence in other cities, including Boise, ID, and Phoenix, AZ.

Organization

The E.W. Scripps Company has a well-organized structure that enables efficient operations. The company's organizational design allows for effective decision-making and resource allocation.

At the top of the organization is the Board of Directors, which oversees the company's overall strategy and direction. The Board is comprised of experienced professionals with diverse backgrounds and expertise.

The company's leadership team, including the CEO and other senior executives, report directly to the Board of Directors. This structure ensures that the company's vision and goals are aligned with the Board's expectations.

Locations

Our organization has a physical presence at two main locations.

The primary location is situated at 312 Walnut Street, 2800 Scripps Center, Cincinnati, OH 45202, US.

If you're planning to visit, you can get directions to our primary location.

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Executive Committee

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The Executive Committee of The E.W. Scripps Company is responsible for making key decisions and overseeing the company's operations. The committee is led by Adam Symson, who has been serving as the CEO since 2017.

Adam Symson, the CEO, is 49 years old and has been with the company since August 7, 2017. He is joined by other senior executives who bring their expertise to the table.

Jason Combs serves as the Director of Finance/CFO and has been in the role since January 6, 2021. He is 48 years old.

Bryan Dunbar is the Chief Tech/Sci/R&D Officer and has been with the company since April 30, 2012. He is 46 years old and has a strong background in technology.

Mark Koors is the Compliance Officer and has been with the company since February 3, 2010. He is 61 years old and has extensive experience in compliance.

Carolyn Micheli is the Investor Relations Contact and has been with the company since May 24, 2013. She is 56 years old and plays a key role in communicating with investors.

Here is a list of the Executive Committee members:

Board of Directors Composition

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The Board of Directors is responsible for making strategic decisions for the company. The E.W. Scripps Company has a diverse group of directors who bring their expertise to the table.

John Hayden has been a director since 2007 and is currently 67 years old. Kim Williams has been the Chairman since May 2, 2021, and is 69 years old. Adam Symson and Charles Barmonde are both 49 years old and have been directors since - and 2015, respectively.

The board also includes Kelly Conlin, who is 65 years old and has been a director since April 30, 2013. Marcellus Alexander is 73 years old and has been a director since August 5, 2019. Burton Jablin and Leigh Radford are both 65 and 60 years old, respectively, and have been directors since May 1, 2022. Monica Holcomb is 50 years old and has been a director since December 31, 2022. Raymundo Granado is the youngest director at 45 years old and also joined in 2022.

Here is a list of the Board of Directors members:

Industry and Market

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The E. W. Scripps Company operates within the consumer cyclicals sector, which is a key industry for the company.

The company's focus is on cyclical consumer services, which include media and publishing.

Media and publishing are significant areas of focus for the company, with broadcasting being a crucial part of its operations.

Television broadcasting is a specific area within broadcasting, and it's a vital component of the company's business.

Here's a breakdown of the company's industry and market focus:

News and Events

The E.W. Scripps Company has been making headlines with its recent announcements.

In 2020, the company acquired Triton Digital, a leading digital audio technology and services provider.

This strategic move aims to enhance Scripps' digital presence and expand its reach in the growing digital audio market.

The acquisition has already shown positive results, with Scripps' digital revenue increasing significantly.

Related reading: Scripps News

2008–Present: Today

In 2008, the iPhone was released, revolutionizing the smartphone market with its multi-touch interface and mobile app store.

Landscape Photography of the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier
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This was a game-changer, making it possible for users to access a wide range of apps and services on the go.

The iPhone's impact was felt across various industries, from technology to entertainment.

The rise of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter in the late 2000s enabled people to connect with each other and share information like never before.

As a result, online communities began to form around shared interests and passions.

The increasing use of social media also led to the rise of online news and information sources.

In 2010, the iPad was released, offering a new way for people to consume digital content on a larger screen.

This device was particularly popular for reading e-books and browsing the web.

The growing popularity of online shopping led to the rise of e-commerce platforms like Amazon.

In 2011, the Arab Spring protests began, using social media to organize and mobilize people in the Middle East.

This marked a significant shift in the way people used technology to effect change.

The rise of online streaming services like Netflix in the early 2010s changed the way people consumed entertainment.

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In 2015, the Apple Watch was released, marking the beginning of the wearable technology era.

This device allowed users to track their fitness and health metrics with ease.

The increasing use of mobile devices led to the rise of mobile payments and contactless transactions.

In 2017, the WannaCry ransomware attack highlighted the importance of cybersecurity in the digital age.

This attack affected over 200,000 computers worldwide, causing significant disruption.

The growing reliance on digital technology has also led to concerns about online privacy and data protection.

In response, many companies have implemented stricter data protection policies and regulations.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated the shift to remote work and online learning.

This led to a significant increase in the use of video conferencing tools like Zoom.

The pandemic also highlighted the importance of digital health and wellness services.

Today, people rely on their devices for almost every aspect of their lives, from communication to entertainment.

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Folding News Cuts 200 Jobs, Stock Rises 15%

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E.W. Scripps Co. is shutting down its Scripps News over-the-air channel, effective November 15.

This move will result in the elimination of at least 200 jobs.

Scripps News president Kate O’Brian is leaving the company.

The company's stock jumped 15% in midday trading Friday.

Scripps stock is down 72% this year from a 52-week high of $9.25 a share in January.

The decision was made due to the company's financial struggles, with Scripps News' current financial position being a major factor.

Scripps CEO Adam Symson said that despite the efforts of their sales teams, the prospects for revenue growth haven't materialized.

Many brands and agencies have decided to avoid advertising around national news due to the polarized nature of the country.

About 50 Scripps News staff members will remain to report for its local stations.

Scripps News will continue to operate on streaming and digital platforms with weekday live coverage from a Washington, D.C.-based core reporting team.

The shutdown is considered a business decision, not a reflection on the quality of the news organization's work.

For your interest: Scripps Networks Interactive

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ew Scripps a good company to work for?

Based on 627 anonymous reviews, employees rate The E.W. Scripps Company 3.1 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor, indicating a mixed experience. To learn more about the pros and cons of working at E.W. Scripps, read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor.

Percy Cole

Senior Writer

Percy Cole is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting informative and engaging content. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for simplifying complex topics, Percy has established himself as a trusted voice in the insurance industry. Their expertise spans a range of article categories, including malpractice insurance and professional liability insurance for students.

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