GlobeNewswire·Mar 31, 2026, 4:15 PM ET

Scripps completes sale of WRTV in Indianapolis to Circle City Broadcasting

The E.W. Scripps Company sold WRTV, its ABC-affiliated station in Indianapolis, to Circle City Broadcasting for $83 million on March 31, 2026.
This transaction follows the recent $40 million sale of WFTX, its Fox-affiliated station in Fort Myers, Florida, to Sun Broadcasting.
The two combined sales generated $123 million in cash proceeds for debt paydown & the purchase of 23 ION-affiliated stations.
Scripps divested 23 ION stations to INYO Broadcast Holdings to comply with FCC ownership rules following its January 2021 ION acquisition.
The current aggregate purchase price for the INYO stations is approximately $54 million, pending deal close timing.
Scripps will seek FCC waivers regarding the INYO divestitures if ownership rules remain in effect.
Ownership of the INYO stations would immediately increase Scripps Networks division segment profit & margin while supporting new local programming opportunities.
Scripps has an agreement to swap stations in five markets with Gray Television to strengthen its position in key Mountain West markets.
The Gray Television swap transaction is currently under federal regulator review & requires relief from current TV station ownership rules.