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fool.comAUG 1410 min read$SSP

Scripps (SSP) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

E.W. Scripps (SSP) reported Q2 2026 revenue of $490.4 million, down 9.2%, and a net loss per share of $12.68, driven by a $1.1 billion non-cash Networks impairment and $35.8 million restructuring costs. Adjusted EBITDA fell to $55.2 million. Management targeted $100 million run-rate savings by end-2026 and $125-$150 million enterprise EBITDA growth by 2028.

Original reporting
fool.com
Published Aug 14, 2026, 6:30 AM UTC
Analysis
alphai AI DeskAI-generated
Added to alphai Aug 14, 2026, 7:24 AM UTC. Informational, not investment advice.
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Scripps (SSP) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript — source image
Source · fool.com
Decision brief

The 30-second read

$SSPBearishMed
01

Why it matters

The disclosed impairment, restructuring costs, and blackout-related revenue loss are likely to weigh on sentiment, but management’s updated savings target and 3Q local media revenue guidance tied to political advertising provide a tradable counterpoint.

02

Market read

This is a quantified earnings and guidance update for SSP, with multiple disclosed drivers (impairment, blackout revenue, political ad ranges, and cost-savings targets) that can shift near-term positioning.

03

What to watch

The transcript emphasizes Nielsen measurement changes and blackout disputes; traders may underweight how quickly those operational issues can normalize versus the one-time impairment and restructuring charges.

Relevance 8/10Novelty 8/10Timing: pre-market today, Aug. 14, 2026 (Q2 call transcript with updated targets and guidance)

Background

E.W. Scripps held its Q2 2026 earnings call, focusing on Networks division impairment, Local Media revenue declines from distribution blackouts, and an accelerated transformation plan.

Company-level read

Ticker impact

$SSPBearishMedium confidence
Context

Scripps reported a Q2 2026 net loss per share of $12.68 tied to a $1.1B Networks impairment and $35.8M restructuring costs.

Expected impact

Near-term bias likely negative-to-neutral as impairment and blackout-driven revenue declines dominate, while 3Q political revenue and run-rate savings provide partial support.

Evidence & confidence

The article discloses multiple quantified headwinds (impairment, adjusted EBITDA decline, blackout revenue impact, local distribution revenue down) plus quantified offsets (run-rate savings target, 3Q local media revenue guidance up ~20%, political revenue range).

Market effects

Sector

Highlights ongoing structural pressure in national linear advertising and the measurement-methodology risk for broadcast networks, while streaming/CTV growth is cited as a partial offset.

Regional

Local media segment remains sensitive to pay-TV carriage disputes and political advertising timing, which can swing quarterly results for station groups.

Global

Limited direct global relevance; the key read-through is US broadcast media economics and ad-market cyclicality.

Counterpoint

What could challenge this read

If political advertising and CTV growth continue to outpace linear declines, the accelerated $100M run-rate savings target could stabilize margins faster than the impairment suggests.

Key entities

  • company
    E.W. Scripps Company

    Reported Q2 2026 results with a large non-cash Networks impairment, blackout-driven revenue impacts, and updated transformation targets.

  • executive
    Adam Symson

    CEO who attributed results to Nielsen measurement methodology changes, linear viewing declines, and pay-TV blackouts.

  • executive
    Jason Combs

    CFO who discussed Local Media core advertising weakness and provided guidance details.

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