Business
Scripps launches Scripps Sports division to further its sports programming initiatives
CINCINNATI, Dec. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The E.W. Scripps Company (Nasdaq: SSP) is launching a new Scripps Sports division to further leverage its local
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[{"type":"text","content":"CINCINNATI, Dec. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The E.W. Scripps Company (Nasdaq: SSP) is launching a new Scripps Sports division to further leverage its local market depth and national broadcast reach for partnerships with sports leagues, conferences and teams. Brian Lawlor, who has led the company's Local Media division since 2009, will assume the role of president of the new division.\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \nAlready with one of the nation's largest local television portfolios, Scripps' acquisition of ION Media last year positions it with unparalleled national reach through over-the-air broadcast, pay TV and connected TV. At the same time, changes in the television landscape and in the sports marketplace open opportunities for new models to partner on live sports distribution.\n\"There is no better way to reach every generation of sports fan than through live broadcast television,\" said Adam Symson, Scripps' president and CEO. \"Scripps is working with the leagues and teams that recognize the role our assets can play in increasing reach and visibility for audience engagement.\n\"In addition, Brian Lawlor is a highly regarded broadcast executive who has transformed our local media business – building the division from 10 TV stations in 2009 to 61 today. For the last year, he has already been leading the Scripps sports plan, bringing the same commitment to entrepreneurship and creativity for the company.\"\nIn addition to the market depth of 61 local stations, ION boasts the fifth-largest national broadcast viewership and reaches 100% of U.S. television households through broadcast, cable/satellite and connected TV platforms. It can run localized, regionalized and national programming since Scripps controls all operations.\n\"Sports is one of the most important content genres in television, with its consistently large and dedicated audiences,\" Lawlor said. \"But the sports viewing marketplace has become extremely fragmented. Cable subscriptions are down, and regional sports networks are challenged, keeping fans from watching their home teams. Between our vast number of local stations and ION, a national network that can be customized in many markets, we believe Scripps is positioned to widely showcase leagues and players that are currently limited by aging distribution deals.\"\nBroadcasting sports rights is nothing new to Scripps...