Scripps Networks
E.W. Scripps Company operates 54 local broadcast TV stations across 36 U.S. markets, the ION network, and the Scripps Sports Network FAST streaming channel, monetizing through advertising, carriage fees, and sports broadcast rights.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1848
- HeadquartersKnoxville, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Scripps Networks does
E.W. Scripps Company (referenced in the input as Scripps Networks) is a U.S. television broadcasting company headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, operating 54 local broadcast television stations across 36 markets, the ION network, and a newly launched free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel called Scripps Sports Network. The company generates revenue from three primary streams: television advertising across broadcast and streaming platforms, carriage fees from cable, satellite, and streaming distributors, and licensing/broadcast rights fees from sports media properties. Its core technology stack consists of broadcast television infrastructure, FAST streaming distribution, and participation in the OpenAP consortium's standardized cross-publisher advertising API for audience-based buying and outcomes measurement.
Scripps has repositioned its portfolio around live sports content, with broadcast rights for the WNBA (as one of seven partners in a $3.1 billion, 11-year deal), the Nashville Predators (NHL), the Professional Women's Hockey League, the National Women's Soccer League, and Major League Volleyball. The company operates under hybrid segmentation spanning sports viewers (free over-the-air and FAST distribution), national advertisers (via OpenAP), and local TV audiences across its station footprint. Recent strategic moves include station divestitures (WRTV Indianapolis, Fort Myers station for $123M) to fund acquisitions (WTVQ Lexington for $15.8M) and the planned $54M re-acquisition of ION-affiliated stations from INYO Broadcast Holdings. The company is also subject to a takeover effort by Sinclair Broadcast Group, which acquired an 8.2% stake in November 2025. The E.W. Scripps Company is publicly traded on NASDAQ under ticker SSP; the input data contains legacy references to Scripps Networks Interactive (NASDAQ: SNI), the lifestyle media entity that was delisted following its acquisition.
Scripps Networks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Scripps Networks
- Legal name
- The E.W. Scripps Company
- Website
- https://scrippsnetworksinteractive.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1848
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- E.W. Scripps Company operates 54 local broadcast TV stations across 36 U.S. markets, the ION network, and the Scripps Sports Network FAST streaming channel, monetizing through advertising, carriage fees, and sports broadcast rights.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Scripps Networks industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Broadcast Television
- NAICS
- Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5162), Spectator Sports (7112)
- SIC
- Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Cable & Other Pay Television Services (4841)
- akta.pro primary industry
- National Sports Broadcast Networks (MPABAAAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sports Live Streaming Platforms (MPACACAF), Sports Cable Networks (MPABAFAD)
Keywords
Where Scripps Networks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Knoxville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Scripps Networks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Advertising Revenue: Primary revenue stream from TV advertising across broadcast stations, ION network, and streaming platforms. Nielsen data shows Scripps holds 1.6% of TV usage share.
- Broadcast Rights Fees: Revenue from sports media rights deals including WNBA broadcast rights ($3.1B total deal with Scripps/Ion portion), NHL games, and other sports properties.
- Carriage Fees: Fees received from cable, satellite, and streaming distributors for carriage of channels including ION and local stations. Subject to ongoing carriage negotiations with providers like DirecTV.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Scripps Networks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Scripps Networks operates a multi-platform television broadcasting portfolio consisting of local broadcast stations across 36 U.S. markets, the ION network carrying sports broadcast rights (WNBA), and the newly launched Scripps Sports Network free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel focused on live sports. The company also produces and broadcasts the Scripps National Spelling Bee competition and participates in industry-wide advertising infrastructure through the OpenAP partnership for cross-publisher audience buying and outcomes measurement.
Product overview
Scripps Networks operates as part of the E.W. Scripps Company, offering a multi-platform broadcasting portfolio consisting of local television stations across 36 U.S. markets, the Ion Television network with sports broadcast rights (WNBA), the newly launched Scripps Sports Network free streaming channel, and the Scripps National Spelling Bee competition. The company participates in an OpenAP partnership for unified advertising infrastructure across nine major U.S. television publishers. The portfolio is undergoing strategic restructuring with ongoing station sales and acquisitions to optimize the local television footprint.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Scripps Sports Network Free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel focused on live sports, streaming 100+ live events annually including Professional Women's Hockey League, National Women's Soccer League, and Major League Volleyball games, along with 100+ hours of WNBA content, with State Farm as founding advertising partner.
- Local Television Stations Owned and operated local broadcast television stations across 36 U.S. markets including Las Vegas, Miami, Detroit, and Tampa-St. Petersburg, delivering local news, sports, weather, and community programming over-the-air and via cable/satellite distributors.
- Ion Television Sports Broadcasting (WNBA Rights) ION Television network broadcasts WNBA games as part of a $3.1 billion, 11-year media rights agreement with seven broadcast partners, with Scripps carrying 216 of 330 nationally televised regular-season games in 2026.
- Scripps National Spelling Bee Annual spelling competition featuring 200+ spellers from all 50 U.S. states, U.S. territories, and other countries, broadcast as a flagship Scripps programming property with the 98th annual bee held May 26-28 at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.
Quantifiable outcome
- WNBA viewership averaging 1.2 million viewers per game, outpacing NHL's 760,000 average
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Scripps Networks
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Scripps Networks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Scripps Networks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- OpenAPcoreNine major U.S. TV publishers including Scripps Networks partnered with OpenAP to create unified advertising infrastructure for audience buying across linear TV and streaming platforms. The initiative introduces standardized cross-publisher conversion API and new campaign workflows to connect first-party outcome data with campaign exposure data through a single integration point. Publishers began phased pilot with select advertisers, agencies, and attribution providers.
- WNBAflagshipScripps (Ion) is one of seven broadcast partners in expanded WNBA media rights deal worth $3.1 billion over 11 years, up from original $2.2 billion. The deal averages $281 million annually with Scripps broadcasting WNBA games as part of record 216 nationally televised games in 2026 season.
- Nashville PredatorscoreNashville Predators signed multi-year media rights agreement with Scripps Sports to provide over-the-air access to all preseason, regular season, and first-round playoff games not exclusively earmarked for national broadcasts. Starting next season, fans can watch games free on WTVF NewsChannel 5 and The Spot - Nashville 28, with additional availability via cable, satellite, and streaming.
- State FarmflagshipState Farm signed as the founding advertising partner for Scripps Sports Network, the new free ad-supported streaming television channel launching March 24. The partnership supports Scripps' growing presence in women's sports and the rapidly expanding FAST streaming market, with State Farm gaining exclusive founding partner status.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Scripps Networks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Scripps Networks social profiles
Digital presenceScripps Networks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Scripps Networks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Scripps Networks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Scripps Networks M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A9 records
Investments13 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Scripps Networks
What does Scripps Networks do?
Scripps Networks operates a multi-platform television broadcasting portfolio consisting of local broadcast stations across 36 U.S. markets, the ION network carrying sports broadcast rights (WNBA), and the newly launched Scripps Sports Network free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel focused on live sports. The company also produces and broadcasts the Scripps National Spelling Bee competition and participates in industry-wide advertising infrastructure through the OpenAP partnership for cross-publisher audience buying and outcomes measurement.
Is Scripps Networks a public or private company?
Scripps Networks is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Scripps Networks founded?
Scripps Networks was founded in 1848. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Scripps Networks based?
Scripps Networks is headquartered in Knoxville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Scripps Networks make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Advertising Revenue is the primary driver. The others are broadcast Rights Fees and carriage Fees.
Does Scripps Networks have an API?
Yes. OpenAP partnership established with nine major U.S. television publishers including Scripps Networks to create a unified advertising infrastructure for audience buying across linear TV and streaming platforms. The initiative introduces a standardized cross-publisher conversion API and new campaign workflows designed to connect first-party outcome data with campaign exposure data through a single integration point.
What industry is Scripps Networks in?
Scripps Networks's product category is Broadcast Television. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABAAAC, National Sports Broadcast Networks, with a secondary code of MPACACAF, Sports Live Streaming Platforms. Its NAICS code is 516120 and its SIC code is 4833.