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Dec 31, 2019

Scripps Q4 2019 Earnings Report

Scripps met revenue expectations, driven by growth in both Local and National Media divisions, and benefited from recent acquisitions.

Key Takeaways

The E.W. Scripps Company reported Q4 2019 operating results with total revenue of $444 million, a 21% increase compared to Q4 2018. Income from continuing operations attributable to Scripps was $10.7 million, or 13 cents per share.

Scripps has delivered financial results that have met or exceeded expectations for the last nine consecutive quarters.

Scripps completed strategic television station acquisitions that position it as the fourth-largest independent local broadcaster.

Local Media division core advertising revenue, on an adjusted combined basis, rose nearly 5% in the fourth quarter over Q4 2018.

National Media division revenue neared the $400 million threshold for 2019 as it builds to well over $500 million in revenue in 2021.

Total Revenue
$444M
Previous year: $368M
+20.7%
EPS
$0.13
Previous year: $0.56
-76.8%
Political Revenue
$15M
Retransmission Revenue
$111M
Previous year: $77.9M
+42.6%
Core Advertising Revenue
$199M
Previous year: $119M
+66.8%
Gross Profit
$72.2M
Previous year: $92.2M
-21.7%
Cash and Equivalents
$33M
Previous year: $107M
-69.2%
Free Cash Flow
-$57.7M
Previous year: $53.1M
-208.6%
Total Assets
$3.56B
Previous year: $2.13B
+67.2%

Scripps

Scripps

Scripps Revenue by Segment

Forward Guidance

Scripps provided financial guidance for Q1 2020, with comparisons to the same periods of 2019.

Positive Outlook

  • Local Media revenue (pro forma) Up low teens
  • National Media revenue Between $105-$110 million

Challenges Ahead

  • Local Media expense (pro forma) Up low teens
  • National Media expense About $100 million
  • Shared services and corporate About $19 million
  • Interest expense About $25 million
  • Pension expense About $3 million

Revenue & Expenses

Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income