Scripps completes sale of WFTX in Fort Myers-Naples to Sun Broadcasting
CINCINNATI, March 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) closed today on the sale of WFTX, its Fox-affiliated station in Fort Myers, Florida, to Sun Broadcasting for $40 million.
Scripps intends to use cash from the sale to pay down debt and strengthen its balance sheet, Scripps President and CEO Adam Symson said.
The completion of the WFTX sale is part of a series of recent transactions by Scripps to optimize its local television portfolio. In October, the company announced an agreement to sell WRTV, its ABC-affiliated station in Indianapolis, to Circle City Broadcasting for $83 million. That sale has received FCC approval and is expected to close in the coming weeks. Last July, Scripps announced it had agreed to swap stations in five mid-sized and small markets with Gray Media. That transaction, which requires relief from current television station ownership rules, is now in front of federal regulators for review.
Investor contact: Carolyn Micheli, The E.W. Scripps Company, (513) 977-3732, carolyn.micheli@scripps.com
Media contact: Becca McCarter, The E.W. Scripps Company, (513) 410-2425, rebecca.mccarter@scripps.com
About Scripps
The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is a diversified media company focused on creating connection. As one of the nation’s largest local TV broadcasters, Scripps serves communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of more than 60 stations in 40+ markets. Scripps reaches households across the U.S. with national news outlet Scripps News and popular entertainment brands ION, ION Plus, ION Mystery, Bounce, Grit and Laff. Scripps is the nation’s largest holder of broadcast spectrum. Scripps Sports serves professional and college sports leagues, conferences and teams with local market depth and national broadcast reach of up to 100% of TV households. Founded in 1878, Scripps is the steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, and its longtime motto is: “Give light and the people will find their own way.”
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