The E.W. Scripps company has decided to wind down the 24/7 national news coverage on Scripps News on Nov. 15 and end the over-the-air broadcast feed of Scripps News, citing lower than expected advertising revenue. The move will results in more than 200 job losses. 

It will, however, continue to stream the Scripps News on digital and streaming platforms. 

In an internal email sent to employees on Sept. 27, Adam Symson, president and CEO of The E.W. Scripps Company, said that “after Nov. 15, we will be winding down Scripps News’ 24/7 national news programming.”

“Scripps News will no longer broadcast over the air, although it will remain on streaming and digital platforms with weekday live coverage from the field,” he wrote in the email obtained by TV Tech. “A core reporting team, based primarily in Washington, D.C., also will serve Scripps’ local stations’ news operations with national and international journalism. As a result of these changes, we expect to eliminate more than 200 jobs.”

Symson called the news “difficult and painful” and said “our plans are still developing, but as rumors have spread this week, we felt we owed it to you to tell you what we could as soon as possible.”

“Over the last two years, Scripps News’ live anchored coverage and documentary programming have grown its linear television audience, but the prospects for the necessary revenue growth haven’t materialized, despite our sales teams’ efforts,” Symson added. “Scripps News’ current financial position is what has led me to the decision to scale back our approach to 24-hour news and over-the-air coverage.”

“Amidst an already difficult linear television advertising marketplace, many brands and agencies have decided that advertising around national news is just too risky for them given the polarized nature of this country, no matter the accolades and credentials a news organization like Scripps receives for its objectivity. I vehemently disagree, but it is hurting Scripps News, along with every other national linear and digital news outlet,” he noted. 

Symson stressed that the decision “is not the end of Scripps News as an important part of our company. We expect approximately 50 Scripps News staff members will remain to report for our local news audiences and produce the streaming and digital content, all under the Scripps News brand. We will prioritize field reporting, our strong political coverage, investigative reporting and our digital and social media presence. This company has a long history of national reporting for local audiences, and Scripps News will continue to connect our viewers to the important events and ideas outside of their communities.”

“I want to be clear that this move in no way reflects disappointment with Scripps News’ work,” he also stressed. “I am very proud of the news organization that Scripps President of News Kate O’Brian and the Scripps News team have built over the past several years. The investigative work, the documentaries, the long-form storytelling, the talent, the daily content did not take a back seat to anyone. The commitment to journalism and the dedication to excellence by the entire team has been unwavering.”

NEW YORK and CINCINNATI—The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and The E.W. Scripps Company have signed a multi-year agreement to televise games on Friday nights during the regular season on ION.

The agreement makes the WNBA the first sports property to air on ION and is part of a company-wide effort to expand its sports operations.  In December, Scripps launched a new sports division. 

As part of the deal, ION will air “WNBA Friday Night Spotlight on ION,” which will feature WNBA games during two windows on Friday nights over 15 weeks from May 26 to Sept. 8. 

The Friday night schedule and windows, details of which will be announced at a later date, will include games that will be available nationally as well as games made available on a regional basis.

“The WNBA is thrilled to partner with Scripps to expand the league’s media horizon and reach basketball fans in greater numbers,” said WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “Access to watch WNBA games is in high demand, and Scripps’ dedicated Friday night lineup of WNBA games on ION will become much desired appointment viewing for WNBA fans.”

“The WNBA Friday Night Spotlight on ION brings women’s professional basketball the broadest possible reach with the consistency that fans, players, teams and the league deserve,” said Adam Symson, Scripps president and CEO. “Scripps is fully committed to serving and growing the number of American women’s basketball fans who value the athleticism, professionalism and excitement the WNBA brings into their living rooms.”

To promote the games, ION said it will produce an extensive promotional effort to drive awareness and tune-in for the new Friday primetime franchise. Bounce, Scripps News and Scripps’ other popular national networks will help with cross-marketing and promotion. Scripps also will use its local TV stations to promote the “WNBA Friday Night Spotlight on ION” throughout the season.

“Scripps Sports was established to help leagues and teams extend their reach and connect with audiences through new distribution channels,” said Brian Lawlor, president of Scripps Sports. “We are pleased the WNBA sees the ION network as an opportunity to showcase its games with a weekly nationwide franchise designed to increase visibility and fandom for this sport. Women’s sports merits a national broadcast network that ensures every American TV household can watch these amazing athletes and their gripping game play.”

CINCINNATI—The board of directors of The E.W. Scripps Company has approved a new contract for Scripps President and CEO Adam P. Symson that runs through Dec. 31, 2027.

The new agreement replaces a three-year contract that began Jan. 1, 2020.

Symson assumed the president and CEO role in August 2017. Since that time, he has engineered the acquisition of ION Media and the creation of a new operating division made up of nine national broadcast networks. He sold the radio station group as well as the Stitcher and Triton businesses and launched company initiatives to expand its NextGen TV/ATSC 3.0 opportunity, its connected television distribution and the number of U.S. TV households using digital antennas.

“Adam’s vision and leadership have continually delivered shareholder value through forward-looking strategies that have transformed the company’s financial profile and positioned it for further growth and success,” said Kim Williams, chair of the board. “He is widely respected nationally as an accomplished media executive and a proponent of the First Amendment protections of free press and free speech, and he has fostered a mission-based, performance-focused and inclusive workplace culture. We appreciate Adam’s leadership, and we are pleased to be extending his tenure leading the company.”

Symson pocketed $7.353 million in total compensation for 2021.

WASHINGTON—The National Association of Broadcasters has announced the trio of recipients for its TV and Radio Engineering Achievement Awards and Digital Leadership Award. Dr. Richard Chernock, chief science officer at Triveni Digital, has earned the 2016 NAB Television Engineering Achievement Award, while Andrew Laird, former vice president and chief technology officer at Journal Broadcast Group, will receive the 2016 NAB Radio Engineering Achievement Award. Adam Symson, senior vice president and chief digital officer at The E.W. Scripps Company has been named the recipient of the 2016 Digital Leadership Award.

Dr. Richard Chernock

Chernock currently serves as chairman of the Advanced Television Systems Committee Technology Group on ATSC 3.0. He has published papers and made a number of presentations on the new standard at conferences. He also previously oversaw the development of DTV standard enhancements, including ATSC Mobile and ATSC 2.0.

Laird is recently retired, but had worked in the radio industry since the 1960s. Laird helped evaluate and standardize digital AM and FM broadcasting through his work with the National Radio Systems Committee.

Symson oversees strategy and execution of Scripp’s portfolio of Web, mobile and OTT business. He reportedly helped launch a membership-based service on a local TV station website, and Scripp’s acquisitions of podcasting company Midroll Media and OTT video news service Newsy.

The trio will receive their awards at the annual NAB Technology Luncheon on April 20 during the 2016 NAB Show in Las Vegas.