Scripps reports Q4 2023 financial results
- None.
- Loss attributable to shareholders was $268 million or $3.17 per share in Q4 2023.
- Scripps Networks' revenue was down 7%, leading to a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $266 million.
- Total company revenue decreased by 9.6% in Q4 2023 compared to the prior year.
- Political revenue dropped significantly from $106 million to $16.4 million in Q4 2023.
- Loss attributable to shareholders for the full year 2023 was $998 million or $11.84 per share, mainly due to a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $952 million for Scripps Networks.
Insights
The E.W. Scripps Company's announcement of a $616 million revenue for Q4 2023, juxtaposed with a significant loss of $268 million, or $3.17 per share, is a critical point of analysis. The substantial non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $266 million, primarily in the Scripps Networks segment, indicates a valuation adjustment due to a slower recovery in the national television advertising market. Such impairments often reflect a change in the company's future cash flow expectations and can impact investor perception of the company's growth prospects.
Restructuring costs, while contributing to short-term losses, are indicative of the company's efforts to streamline operations and achieve cost savings. The projected $40 million in annualized savings by mid-2024 could improve operating margins and is a key factor for future performance evaluation. Additionally, the increase in distribution revenue by 22% in Q4 and the positive trend in Local Media core advertising revenue, albeit modest at 1%, suggest potential areas of resilience in Scripps' business model.
However, the overall decrease in total revenue compared to the prior year and the significant loss per share raise questions about the company's ability to manage debt, which stands at $3 billion. The amendment of the credit facility to increase borrowing capacity and the decision to not declare dividends as a measure to improve liquidity and accelerate deleveraging are strategic financial decisions that stakeholders should monitor closely for their effectiveness in improving the company's financial health.
The strategic move by Scripps to secure media rights with the National Women's Soccer League, positioning itself alongside notable distributors like CBS, ESPN and Amazon, reflects an effort to diversify and strengthen its sports broadcasting portfolio. This, combined with the second season of broadcasting the Women's National Basketball Association, could attract a significant audience and advertising revenue, contributing positively to the company's long-term growth.
The decline in Scripps Networks' revenue by 7% is concerning, yet the better-than-expected performance in connected TV and direct response revenue offers a silver lining. The company's adaptation to changing media consumption patterns, such as the growth in connected TV revenue by 33% and the launch of ION on Pluto TV, is crucial in the current media landscape dominated by streaming services and cord-cutting trends.
Despite the current challenges, Scripps' focus on datacasting business models and the expectation of generating revenue from this new venture in the current year demonstrate forward-thinking and potential new revenue streams. The company's vision of combining connected TV services with free, over-the-air viewing to cater to consumer preferences for live sports, news and entertainment events could carve out a niche in the increasingly fragmented media market.
Understanding the implications of Scripps' Q4 performance requires a deep dive into the advertising market trends. The company's report of improved advertising marketplace conditions at the local level is a positive signal, especially given the strength in auto, home improvement and services. However, the national advertising market's slower recovery, as evidenced by the goodwill impairment, suggests that Scripps' national networks may continue to face headwinds.
The 1% increase in Local Media core advertising revenue, driven by new NHL deals, is modest but signifies a potential growth area, especially if the company can leverage these deals to add at least 3 percentage points to core advertising in 2024. The company's proactive measures, such as restructuring and cost-saving initiatives, are designed to improve short-term operating performance and financial footing, which are critical for investor confidence.
Investors should also note the cyclical nature of political revenue, which was significantly lower in 2023 compared to the election year of 2022. This cyclical volatility is an industry norm and should be factored into revenue projections for future periods. The emphasis on a mixed media landscape strategy and datacasting ventures could provide new growth avenues, but the success of these initiatives remains to be seen and should be monitored for their contribution to revenue diversification.
Business notes:
- Scripps Sports is part of a historic media rights agreement with the National Women's Soccer League and will nationally broadcast 50 games on Saturday nights in a weekly double-header on ION. Scripps is joining CBS, ESPN and Amazon as exclusive
U.S. distributors of NWSL soccer for four seasons beginning in March. Scripps also begins season two with the Women's National Basketball Association Friday nights on ION in May. - Fourth-quarter Local Media core advertising revenue came in up
1% from the prior year, driven in part by incremental revenue from two new National Hockey League deals that launched in the quarter. The company expects advertising revenue related to the two NHL deals will add at least 3 percentage points to core advertising in 2024. - Scripps Networks' fourth-quarter revenue was down
7% , exceeding guidance because of better-than-expected connected TV, general market and direct response revenue. - Restructuring charges for the fourth quarter were just over
$9 million $40 million - A slower than previously anticipated recovery in the national television advertising market and related impact to the financial outlook for Scripps Networks led the company to record a
$266 million
From Scripps President and CEO Adam Symson:
"Our fourth-quarter results reflect improvement in the advertising marketplace, both at the core local level and nationally. In Local Media, we saw our five top categories end the quarter higher than Q4 2022, with particular strength in auto, home improvement and services. Distribution revenue from cable, satellite and virtual providers was up
"In the Scripps Networks segment, our better-than-expected Q4 results came from the build-back of direct response advertising on our linear streams, aligned with lower inflation and positive consumer spending trends. In addition, we continue to meaningfully grow our networks' connected TV revenue and distribution, including launching ION on Pluto. Fourth-quarter CTV revenue was up
"These positive trends in Local Media and Scripps Networks have continued into the first quarter. Our top four local core categories – services, auto, retail and home improvement – are all up in February. On the networks side, the weak upfront season last year left us with less of a revenue foundation than usual for the first quarter. However, direct response advertising has held steady in Q1, and connected TV revenue is building and on track to grow more than
"Our advertising revenue results and large distribution ecosystem, combined with our cost-savings initiatives, lay the groundwork for short-term operating performance improvement and firm financial footing as we execute on strategies for future growth. We are planning for a near-term media landscape where consumers combine a variety of connected TV services with free, over-the-air viewing that best serves their desire to watch live sports, news and television entertainment events. We also are moving aggressively ahead with datacasting business models and expect to take in first dollars this year. We are carving out a valuable and durable niche in the chaos around us."
Operating results
Total fourth-quarter company revenue was
Loss attributable to the shareholders of Scripps was
Fourth-quarter 2023 results by segment compared to prior-period amounts:
Local Media
Revenue was
- Core advertising revenue increased
1% to$166 million - Political revenue was
$16.4 million $106 million - Distribution revenue increased
22% to$196 million
Segment expenses increased
Segment profit was
Scripps Networks
Revenue was
Segment profit was
Financial condition
On Dec. 31, cash and cash equivalents totaled
During 2023, we made mandatory principal payments of
On July 31, the company amended its credit facility to increase our revolver borrowing capacity by
Preferred stock dividends paid in 2023 were
Year-to-date operating results
The following comparisons are to the period ending Dec. 31, 2023:
Total 2023 company revenue was
Costs and expenses for segments, shared services and corporate of
Loss attributable to the shareholders of Scripps was
Looking ahead
Comparisons for our segments are to the same period in 2023.
First-quarter 2024 | ||
Local Media revenue | Up low teens percent | |
Local Media expense | Up about | |
Scripps Networks revenue | Flat to down low-single-digit percent | |
Scripps Networks expense | Down low-single-digit percent | |
Shared services and corporate | About | |
Full-year 2024 | ||
Interest paid | ||
Capital expenditures | ||
Taxes paid | ||
Depreciation and amortization |
Conference call
The senior management of The E.W. Scripps Company will discuss the company's quarterly results during a telephone conference call at 9:30 a.m. Eastern today. To access the live webcast, visit http://ir.scripps.com and find the link under "upcoming events."
To access the conference call by telephone, dial (844) 867-6169 (
A replay line will be open from 12:30 p.m. Eastern time Feb. 23 until midnight March 24. The domestic number to access the replay is (866) 207-1041 and the international number is (402) 970-0847. The access code for both numbers is 4751031.
A replay of the conference call will be archived and available online for an extended period of time following the call. To access the audio replay, visit http://ir.scripps.com/ approximately four hours after the call, and the link can be found on that page under "audio/video links."
Forward-looking statements
This document contains certain forward-looking statements related to the company's businesses that are based on management's current expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties, including changes in advertising demand and other economic conditions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this document and should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. A detailed discussion of principal risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in the company's Form 10-K, on file with the SEC, in the section titled "Risk Factors." The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date such statements are made.
Media contact: Michael Perry, The E.W. Scripps Company, (513) 259-4718, michael.perry@scripps.com
Investor contact: Carolyn Micheli, The E.W. Scripps Company, (513) 977-3732, carolyn.micheli@scripps.com
About Scripps
The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is a diversified media company focused on creating a better-informed world. 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
THE E.W. SCRIPPS COMPANY | ||||||||
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS | ||||||||
Three Months Ended | Years Ended December 31, | |||||||
(in thousands, except per share data) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
Operating revenues | $ 615,769 | $ 680,941 | $ 2,292,912 | $ 2,453,215 | ||||
Segment, shared services and corporate expenses | (502,585) | (476,565) | (1,898,093) | (1,856,930) | ||||
Acquisition and related integration costs | — | — | — | (1,642) | ||||
Restructuring costs | (9,404) | — | (38,612) | — | ||||
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets | (39,346) | (40,104) | (155,105) | (160,433) | ||||
Impairment of goodwill | (266,000) | — | (952,000) | — | ||||
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment | (24) | (215) | (2,344) | (5,866) | ||||
Operating expenses | (817,359) | (516,884) | (3,046,154) | (2,024,871) | ||||
Operating income (loss) | (201,590) | 164,057 | (753,242) | 428,344 | ||||
Interest expense | (55,483) | (46,703) | (213,512) | (161,130) | ||||
Gain on extinguishment of debt | — | 7,355 | — | 8,589 | ||||
Defined benefit pension plan income | 131 | 605 | 650 | 2,613 | ||||
Miscellaneous, net | (1,538) | (3,222) | (1,407) | (1,953) | ||||
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes | (258,480) | 122,092 | (967,511) | 276,463 | ||||
Benefit (provision) for income taxes | 2,718 | (36,543) | 19,727 | (80,561) | ||||
Net income (loss) | (255,762) | 85,549 | (947,784) | 195,902 | ||||
Preferred stock dividends | (12,576) | (12,576) | (50,305) | (50,305) | ||||
Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. | $ (268,338) | $ 72,973 | $ (998,089) | $ 145,597 | ||||
Net income (loss) per diluted share of common stock attributable | $ (3.17) | $ 0.84 | $ (11.84) | $ 1.62 | ||||
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding | 84,574 | 84,792 | 84,266 | 87,346 | ||||
See notes to results of operations. | ||||||||
Notes to Results of Operations
1. SEGMENT INFORMATION
We determine our business segments based upon our management and internal reporting structure, as well as the basis that our chief operating decision maker makes resource allocation decisions.
Our Local Media segment includes more than 60 local television stations and their related digital operations. It is comprised of 18 ABC affiliates, 11 NBC affiliates, nine CBS affiliates and four FOX affiliates. We also have seven CW affiliates - four on full power stations and three on multicast; seven independent stations and 10 additional low power stations. Our Local Media segment earns revenue primarily from the sale of advertising to local, national and political advertisers and retransmission fees received from cable operators, telecommunication companies, satellite carriers and over-the-top virtual MVPDs.
Our Scripps Networks segment includes national news outlets Scripps News and Court TV as well as popular entertainment brands ION, Bounce, Defy TV, Grit, ION Mystery and Laff. The Scripps Networks reach nearly every
Our respective business segment results reflect the impact of intercompany carriage agreements between our local broadcast television stations and our national networks. We also allocate a portion of certain corporate costs and expenses, including accounting, human resources, employee benefit and information technology to our business segments. These intercompany agreements and allocations are generally amounts agreed upon by management, which may differ from an arms-length amount.
The other segment caption aggregates our operating segments that are too small to report separately. Costs for centrally provided services and certain corporate costs that are not allocated to the business segments are included in shared services and corporate costs. These unallocated corporate costs would also include the costs associated with being a public company. Corporate assets are primarily cash and cash equivalents, property and equipment primarily used for corporate purposes and deferred income taxes.
Our chief operating decision maker evaluates the operating performance of our business segments and makes decisions about the allocation of resources to our business segments using a measure called segment profit. Segment profit excludes interest, defined benefit pension plan amounts, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, divested operating units, restructuring activities, investment results and certain other items that are included in net income (loss) determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in
Information regarding our business segments is as follows:
Three Months Ended | Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | Change | 2023 | 2022 | Change | ||||||
Segment operating revenues: | ||||||||||||
Local Media | $ 381,027 | $ 433,439 | (12.1) % | $ 1,398,230 | $ 1,494,357 | (6.4) % | ||||||
Scripps Networks | 230,139 | 247,844 | (7.1) % | 893,234 | 961,242 | (7.1) % | ||||||
Other | 9,248 | 3,990 | 19,397 | 14,628 | 32.6 % | |||||||
Intersegment eliminations | (4,645) | (4,332) | 7.2 % | (17,949) | (17,012) | 5.5 % | ||||||
Total operating revenues | $ 615,769 | $ 680,941 | (9.6) % | $ 2,292,912 | $ 2,453,215 | (6.5) % | ||||||
Segment profit (loss): | ||||||||||||
Local Media | $ 85,714 | $ 151,627 | (43.5) % | $ 287,439 | $ 386,369 | (25.6) % | ||||||
Scripps Networks | 64,255 | 79,979 | (19.7) % | 225,785 | 310,336 | (27.2) % | ||||||
Other | (12,377) | (5,887) | (26,451) | (18,140) | 45.8 % | |||||||
Shared services and corporate | (24,408) | (21,343) | 14.4 % | (91,954) | (82,280) | 11.8 % | ||||||
Acquisition and related integration costs | — | — | — | (1,642) | ||||||||
Restructuring costs | (9,404) | — | (38,612) | — | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization of intangible | (39,346) | (40,104) | (155,105) | (160,433) | ||||||||
Impairment of goodwill | (266,000) | — | (952,000) | — | ||||||||
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property | (24) | (215) | (2,344) | (5,866) | ||||||||
Interest expense | (55,483) | (46,703) | (213,512) | (161,130) | ||||||||
Gain on extinguishment of debt | — | 7,355 | — | 8,589 | ||||||||
Defined benefit pension plan income | 131 | 605 | 650 | 2,613 | ||||||||
Miscellaneous, net | (1,538) | (3,222) | (1,407) | (1,953) | ||||||||
Income (loss) from operations before income | $ (258,480) | $ 122,092 | $ (967,511) | $ 276,463 | ||||||||
Operating results for our Local Media segment were as follows:
Three Months Ended | Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | Change | 2023 | 2022 | Change | ||||||
Segment operating revenues: | ||||||||||||
Core advertising | $ 165,767 | $ 164,188 | 1.0 % | $ 598,824 | $ 626,095 | (4.4) % | ||||||
Political | 16,412 | 105,559 | (84.5) % | 32,913 | 198,519 | (83.4) % | ||||||
Distribution | 195,780 | 160,049 | 22.3 % | 752,329 | 655,499 | 14.8 % | ||||||
Other | 3,068 | 3,643 | (15.8) % | 14,164 | 14,244 | (0.6) % | ||||||
Total operating revenues | 381,027 | 433,439 | (12.1) % | 1,398,230 | 1,494,357 | (6.4) % | ||||||
Segment costs and expenses: | ||||||||||||
Employee compensation and benefits | 110,168 | 109,529 | 0.6 % | 435,916 | 425,840 | 2.4 % | ||||||
Programming | 132,829 | 120,279 | 10.4 % | 493,578 | 481,712 | 2.5 % | ||||||
Other expenses | 52,316 | 52,004 | 0.6 % | 181,297 | 200,436 | (9.5) % | ||||||
Total costs and expenses | 295,313 | 281,812 | 4.8 % | 1,110,791 | 1,107,988 | 0.3 % | ||||||
Segment profit | $ 85,714 | $ 151,627 | (43.5) % | $ 287,439 | $ 386,369 | (25.6) % | ||||||
Operating results for Scripps Networks segment were as follows:
Three Months Ended | Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | Change | 2023 | 2022 | Change | ||||||
Total operating revenues | $ 230,139 | $ 247,844 | (7.1) % | $ 893,234 | $ 961,242 | (7.1) % | ||||||
Segment costs and expenses: | ||||||||||||
Employee compensation and benefits | 30,286 | 30,533 | (0.8) % | 124,669 | 120,202 | 3.7 % | ||||||
Programming | 91,141 | 88,495 | 3.0 % | 360,684 | 342,835 | 5.2 % | ||||||
Other expenses | 44,457 | 48,837 | (9.0) % | 182,096 | 187,869 | (3.1) % | ||||||
Total costs and expenses | 165,884 | 167,865 | (1.2) % | 667,449 | 650,906 | 2.5 % | ||||||
Segment profit | $ 64,255 | $ 79,979 | (19.7) % | $ 225,785 | $ 310,336 | (27.2) % | ||||||
2. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As of December 31, | ||||
(in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | ||
ASSETS | ||||
Current assets: | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 35,319 | $ 18,027 | ||
Other current assets | 640,774 | 625,914 | ||
Total current assets | 676,093 | 643,941 | ||
Investments | 23,265 | 23,144 | ||
Property and equipment | 455,255 | 458,600 | ||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 99,194 | 117,869 | ||
Goodwill | 1,968,574 | 2,920,574 | ||
Other intangible assets | 1,727,178 | 1,821,254 | ||
Programming | 449,943 | 427,962 | ||
Miscellaneous | 10,618 | 17,661 | ||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ 5,410,120 | $ 6,431,005 | ||
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | ||||
Current liabilities: | ||||
Accounts payable | $ 76,383 | $ 82,710 | ||
Unearned revenue | 12,181 | 18,183 | ||
Current portion of long-term debt | 15,612 | 18,612 | ||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 373,643 | 365,500 | ||
Total current liabilities | 477,819 | 485,005 | ||
Long-term debt (less current portion) | 2,896,824 | 2,853,793 | ||
Other liabilities (less current portion) | 879,294 | 961,382 | ||
Total equity | 1,156,183 | 2,130,825 | ||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | $ 5,410,120 | $ 6,431,005 | ||
3. EARNINGS PER SHARE ("EPS")
Unvested awards of share-based payments with non-forfeitable rights to receive dividends or dividend equivalents, such as our RSUs, are considered participating securities for purposes of calculating EPS. Under the two-class method, we allocate a portion of net income to these participating securities and therefore exclude that income from the calculation of EPS for common stock. We do not allocate losses to the participating securities.
The following table presents information about basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding:
Three Months Ended | Years Ended December 31, | |||||||
(in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share) | ||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ (255,762) | $ 85,549 | $ (947,784) | $ 195,902 | ||||
Less income allocated to RSUs | — | (1,924) | — | (3,662) | ||||
Less preferred stock dividends | (12,576) | (12,576) | (50,305) | (50,305) | ||||
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share | $ (268,338) | $ 71,049 | $ (998,089) | $ 141,935 | ||||
Denominator | ||||||||
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding | 84,574 | 83,455 | 84,266 | 83,220 | ||||
Effect of dilutive securities | — | 1,337 | — | 4,126 | ||||
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding | 84,574 | 84,792 | 84,266 | 87,346 | ||||
4. NON-GAAP INFORMATION
In addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, this earnings release discusses free cash flow, a non-GAAP performance measure that management and the company's Board of Directors uses to evaluate the performance of the business. We also believe that the non-GAAP measure provides useful information to investors by allowing them to view our business through the eyes of management and is a measure that is frequently used by industry analysts, investors and lenders as a measure of valuation for broadcast companies.
Free cash flow is calculated as non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below), plus reimbursements received from the FCC for repack expenditures, less capital expenditures, preferred stock dividends, interest payments, income taxes paid (refunded) and mandatory contributions to defined retirement plans.
Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax, plus income tax expense (benefit), interest expense, losses (gains) on extinguishment of debt, defined benefit pension plan expense (income), share-based compensation costs, depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, impairment of goodwill, loss (gain) on business and asset disposals, acquisition and integration costs, restructuring charges and certain other miscellaneous items.
A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the comparable financial measure in accordance with GAAP is as follows:
Three Months Ended | Years Ended December 31, | |||||||
(in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
Net income (loss) | $ (255,762) | $ 85,549 | $ (947,784) | $ 195,902 | ||||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | (2,718) | 36,543 | (19,727) | 80,561 | ||||
Interest expense | 55,483 | 46,703 | 213,512 | 161,130 | ||||
Gain on extinguishment of debt | — | (7,355) | — | (8,589) | ||||
Defined benefit pension plan income | (131) | (605) | (650) | (2,613) | ||||
Share-based compensation costs | 4,423 | 3,811 | 20,490 | 21,596 | ||||
Depreciation | 15,435 | 15,421 | 60,725 | 61,943 | ||||
Amortization of intangible assets | 23,911 | 24,683 | 94,380 | 98,490 | ||||
Impairment of goodwill | 266,000 | — | 952,000 | — | ||||
Losses (gains), net on disposal of property and equipment | 24 | 215 | 2,344 | 5,866 | ||||
Acquisition and related integration costs | — | — | — | 1,642 | ||||
Restructuring costs | 9,404 | — | 38,612 | — | ||||
Miscellaneous, net | 1,538 | 3,222 | 1,407 | 1,953 | ||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 117,607 | 208,187 | 415,309 | 617,881 | ||||
Capital expenditures | (20,550) | (9,822) | (62,503) | (43,901) | ||||
Proceeds from FCC Repack | — | 20 | — | 2,670 | ||||
Preferred stock dividends | (12,000) | (12,000) | (48,000) | (48,000) | ||||
Interest paid | (34,462) | (27,008) | (195,832) | (150,796) | ||||
Income taxes paid, net of tax indemnification reimbursements | (5,189) | (5,066) | (31,121) | (61,573) | ||||
Mandatory contributions to defined retirement plans | (277) | (788) | (1,161) | (1,541) | ||||
Free cash flow | $ 45,129 | $ 153,523 | $ 76,692 | $ 314,740 | ||||
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SOURCE The E.W. Scripps Company
FAQ
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