10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2018

OR

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from  to

Commission File Number 0-16914

THE E.W. SCRIPPS COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ohio (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	31-1223339 (IRS Employer Identification Number)
312 Walnut Street Cincinnati, Ohio (Address of principal executive offices)	45202 (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (513) 977-3000
Not applicable (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company “in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer þ	Accelerated filer o	Emerging growth company o
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No þ

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. As of June 30, 2018, there were 70,028,926 of the registrant’s Class A Common shares, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding and 11,932,722 of the registrant’s Common Voting shares, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding.

Index to The E.W. Scripps Company Quarterly Report

on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2018

Item No.	Page
PART I - Financial Information
1. Financial Statements	3
2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	3
3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	3
4. Controls and Procedures	3
PART II - Other Information
1. Legal Proceedings	3
1A. Risk Factors	3
2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	3
3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities	3
4. Mine Safety Disclosures	3
5. Other Information	3
6. Exhibits	4
Signatures	5

2

PART I

As used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the terms “Scripps,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” may, depending on the context, refer to The E.W. Scripps Company, to one or more of its consolidated subsidiary companies, or to all of them taken as a whole.

Item 1. Financial Statements

The information required by this item is filed as part of this Form 10-Q. See Index to Financial Information at page F-1 of this Form 10-Q.

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The information required by this item is filed as part of this Form 10-Q. See Index to Financial Information at page F-1 of this Form 10-Q.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The information required by this item is filed as part of this Form 10-Q. See Index to Financial Information at page F-1 of this Form 10-Q.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The information required by this item is filed as part of this Form 10-Q. See Index to Financial Information at page F-1 of this Form 10-Q.

PART II

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, such as defamation actions and governmental proceedings primarily relating to renewal of broadcast licenses, none of which is expected to result in material loss.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A. Risk Factors in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

There were no sales of unregistered equity securities during the quarter ended June 30, 2018.

In November 2016, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program of up to $100 million of our Class A Common shares. The authorization currently expires on March 1, 2020. There were no purchases of Class A Common shares made during the quarter ended June 30, 2018. At June 30, 2018, $78.2 million remained under the authorization.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

There were no defaults upon senior securities during the quarter ended June 30, 2018.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

Item 5. Other Information

None.

3

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit Number	Exhibit Description
31(a)	Section 302 Certifications
31(b)	Section 302 Certifications
32(a)	Section 906 Certifications
32(b)	Section 906 Certifications
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document (furnished herewith)
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (furnished herewith)
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (furnished herewith)
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (furnished herewith)
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (furnished herewith)
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (furnished herewith)

4

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	THE E.W. SCRIPPS COMPANY
Dated: August 3, 2018	By:	/s/ Douglas F. Lyons
		Douglas F. Lyons
		Senior Vice President, Controller and Treasurer
		(Principal Accounting Officer)

5

The E.W. Scripps Company

Index to Financial Information (Unaudited)

Item	Page
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	F-2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations	F-3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	F-4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	F-5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity	F-6
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	F-7
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	F-20
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	F-30
Controls and Procedures	F-31

F-1

The E.W. Scripps Company

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share data)	As of   June 30,   2018			As of   December 31,   2017
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	125,719		$	148,699
Accounts receivable (less allowances— $2,156 and $1,949)	250,728			245,365
Programming	55,067			53,468
Miscellaneous	27,038			21,998
Assets held for sale — current	111,004			136,004
Total current assets	569,556			605,534
Investments	7,351			7,699
Property and equipment	218,628			209,995
Goodwill	755,949			755,949
Other intangible assets	416,915			425,975
Programming (less current portion)	82,889			85,269
Deferred income taxes	17,524			20,076
Miscellaneous	21,113			19,051
Total Assets	$	2,089,925		$	2,129,548
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	32,402		$	23,647
Unearned revenue	7,544			7,353
Current portion of long-term debt	5,656			5,656
Accrued liabilities:
Employee compensation and benefits	35,258			41,939
Programming liability	50,481			58,176
Miscellaneous	39,977			44,396
Other current liabilities	9,923			10,085
Liabilities held for sale — current	20,131			19,536
Total current liabilities	201,372			210,788
Long-term debt (less current portion)	686,659			687,619
Other liabilities (less current portion)	290,030			293,656
Equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par — authorized: 25,000,000 shares; none outstanding	—			—
Common stock, $.01 par:
Class A — authorized: 240,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 70,028,926 and 69,699,105 shares	700			697
Voting — authorized: 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 11,932,722 and 11,932,722 shares	119			119
Total	819			816
Additional paid-in capital	1,131,499			1,129,020
Accumulated deficit	(119,012		)	(90,061		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	(101,442		)	(102,922		)
Total The E.W. Scripps Company shareholders' equity	911,864			936,853
Noncontrolling interest	—			632
Total equity	911,864			937,485
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	2,089,925		$	2,129,548

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-2

The E.W. Scripps Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended   June 30,						Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2018			2017			2018			2017
Operating Revenues:
Advertising	$	194,176		$	137,502		$	363,313		$	257,398
Retransmission and carriage	74,658			66,059			145,718			132,270
Other	14,561			12,681			28,555			25,049
Total operating revenues	283,395			216,242			537,586			414,717
Costs and Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	95,071			87,990			193,560			182,915
Programming	84,427			49,178			167,790			97,901
Other expenses	63,782			46,927			116,805			87,693
Restructuring costs	2,330			—			6,137			—
Total costs and expenses	245,610			184,095			484,292			368,509
Depreciation, Amortization, and (Gains) Losses:
Depreciation	7,890			8,550			15,989			16,941
Amortization of intangible assets	7,492			5,231			14,813			10,701
(Gains) losses, net on disposal of property and equipment	(66		)	15			651			62
Net depreciation, amortization, and (gains) losses	15,316			13,796			31,453			27,704
Operating income	22,469			18,351			21,841			18,504
Interest expense	(9,279		)	(8,248		)	(18,038		)	(12,443		)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(1,389		)	(3,467		)	(2,777		)	(6,934		)
Miscellaneous, net	(156		)	5,103			11			4,224
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	11,645			11,739			1,037			3,351
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	2,983			4,884			952			(771		)
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	8,662			6,855			85			4,122
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(2,942		)	1,690			(21,446		)	2,484
Net income (loss)	5,720			8,545			(21,361		)	6,606
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(632		)	—
Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	5,720		$	8,545		$	(20,729	)	$	6,606
Net income (loss) per basic share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:
Income from continuing operations	$	0.10		$	0.08		$	0.01		$	0.05
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(0.04		)	0.02			(0.26		)	0.03
Net income (loss) per basic share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	0.06		$	0.10		$	(0.25	)	$	0.08
Net income (loss) per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:
Income from continuing operations	$	0.10		$	0.08		$	0.01		$	0.05
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(0.04		)	0.02			(0.26		)	0.03
Net income (loss) per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	0.06		$	0.10		$	(0.25	)	$	0.08

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-3

The E.W. Scripps Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended   June 30,					Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018		2017			2018			2017
Net income (loss)	$	5,720	$	8,545		$	(21,361	)	$	6,606
Changes in defined benefit pension plans, net of tax of $249, $433, $497, and $866	740		695			1,480			1,390
Other	—		(16		)	—			(32		)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	6,460		9,224			(19,881		)	7,964
Less comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—		—			(632		)	—
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	6,460	$	9,224		$	(19,249	)	$	7,964

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-4

The E.W. Scripps Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

	Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018			2017
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$	(21,361	)	$	6,606
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(21,446		)	2,484
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	85			4,122
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	30,802			27,642
(Gain)/loss on sale of property and equipment	651			62
Programming assets and liabilities	(6,237		)	3,681
Deferred income taxes	2,055			(51		)
Stock and deferred compensation plans	8,128			10,877
Pension expense, net of contributions	(5,559		)	202
Other changes in certain working capital accounts, net	(10,075		)	(20,147		)
Miscellaneous, net	(2,233		)	(3,392		)
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations	17,617			22,996
Net cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations	4,939			5,999
Net operating activities	22,556			28,995
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of intangibles	(5,754		)	—
Additions to property and equipment	(25,992		)	(8,741		)
Purchase of investments	(79		)	(834		)
Proceeds from FCC repack	400			—
Miscellaneous, net	2,259			3,627
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations	(29,166		)	(5,948		)
Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations	(685		)	(547		)
Net investing activities	(29,851		)	(6,495		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	—			400,000
Payments on long-term debt	(1,500		)	(389,542		)
Deferred financing costs	—			(7,558		)
Dividends paid	(8,222		)	—
Repurchase of Class A Common shares	(4,409		)	(6,257		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,857			1,461
Tax payments related to shares withheld for RSU vesting	(1,900		)	(3,340		)
Miscellaneous, net	(1,511		)	(1,967		)
Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations	(15,685		)	(7,203		)
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(22,980		)	15,297
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Beginning of year	148,699			134,352
End of period	$	125,719		$	149,649
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Interest paid	$	16,482		$	4,855
Income taxes paid	$	700		$	776
Non-cash investing information
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable	$	205		$	493

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-5

The E.W. Scripps Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited)

(in thousands)	Common Stock			Additional Paid-in Capital			Accumulated Deficit			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Equity
As of December 31, 2016	$	819		$	1,132,540		$	(94,077	)	$	(93,347	)	$	—		$	945,935
Comprehensive income	—			—			6,606			1,358			—			7,964
Repurchase of 321,891 Class A Common shares	(3		)	(5,008		)	(1,246		)	—			—			(6,257		)
Compensation plans: 525,392 net shares issued *	5			7,759			—			—			—			7,764
Minority interest contribution to venture	—			—			—			—			2,143			2,143
As of June 30, 2017	$	821		$	1,135,291		$	(88,717	)	$	(91,989	)	$	2,143		$	957,549
As of December 31, 2017	$	816		$	1,129,020		$	(90,061	)	$	(102,922	)	$	632		$	937,485
Comprehensive income (loss)	—			—			(20,729		)	1,480			(632		)	(19,881		)
Cash dividend: declared and paid - $0.10 per share	—			—			(8,222		)	—			—			(8,222		)
Repurchase of 285,201 Class A Common shares	(3		)	(4,406		)	—			—			—			(4,409		)
Compensation plans: 615,022 net shares issued *	6			6,885			—			—			—			6,891
As of June 30, 2018	$	819		$	1,131,499		$	(119,012	)	$	(101,442	)	$	—		$	911,864

* Net of tax payments related to shares withheld for vested RSUs of $1,900 in 2018 and $3,340 in 2017.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-6

The E.W. Scripps Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

As used in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the terms “Scripps,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” may, depending on the context, refer to The E.W. Scripps Company, to one or more of its consolidated subsidiary companies, or to all of them taken as a whole.

Basis of Presentation — The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. The interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto included in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In management's opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods have been made.

Results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for future interim periods or for the full year.

Nature of Operations — We are a diverse media enterprise, serving audiences and businesses through a portfolio of local and national media brands. All of our media businesses provide content and advertising services via digital platforms, including the Internet, smartphones and tablets. Our media businesses are organized into the following reportable business segments: Local Media, National Media and Other. Additional information for our business segments is presented in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, we began the process to divest our radio business. As such, we have classified the radio segment as held for sale in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and reported its results as discontinued operations in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. For additional information on our radio business, see Note 16.

Use of Estimates — Preparing financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make a variety of decisions that affect the reported amounts and the related disclosures. Such decisions include the selection of accounting principles that reflect the economic substance of the underlying transactions and the assumptions on which to base accounting estimates. In reaching such decisions, we apply judgment based on our understanding and analysis of the relevant circumstances, including our historical experience, actuarial studies and other assumptions.

Our financial statements include estimates and assumptions used in accounting for our defined benefit pension plans; the periods over which long-lived assets are depreciated or amortized; the fair value of long-lived assets, goodwill and indefinite lived assets; the liability for uncertain tax positions and valuation allowances against deferred income tax assets; the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations; and self-insured risks.

While we re-evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis, actual results could differ from those estimated at the time of preparation of the financial statements.

Nature of Products and Services — The following is a description of principal activities from which we generate revenue.

Core Advertising—Core advertising is comprised of sales to local and national customers. The advertising includes a combination of broadcast air time, as well as digital advertising. Pricing of advertising time is based on audience size and share, the demographic of our audiences and the demand for our limited inventory of commercial time. Advertising time is sold through a combination of local sales staff and national sales representative firms. Digital revenues are primarily generated from the sale of advertising to local and national customers on our local television websites, smartphone apps, tablet apps and other platforms.

Political Advertising— Political advertising is generally sold through our Washington D.C. sales office. Advertising is sold to presidential, gubernatorial, Senate and House of Representative candidates, as well as for state and local issues. It is also sold to political action groups (PACs) or other advocacy groups.

Retransmission Revenues — We earn revenue from retransmission consent agreements with multi-channel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”) in our markets. The MVPDs are cable operators and satellite carriers who pay us to offer our programming to their customers. We also receive fees from over-the-top virtual MVPDs such as YouTubeTV, DirectTV Now

F-7

and Sony Vue. The fees we receive are typically based on the number of subscribers in our local market and the contracted rate per subscriber.

Other Products and Services —We derive revenue from sponsorships and community events through our Local Media segment. Our National Media segment offers subscription services for access to premium content to its customers. Our podcast business acts as a sales and marketing representative and earns commission for its work.

Refer to Note 12. Segment Information for further information, including revenue by significant product and service offering.

Revenue Recognition — Revenue is measured based on the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for promised goods or services provided to customers, and excludes any amounts collected on behalf of third parties. Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised products or services to customers.

Advertising revenue is recognized, net of agency commissions, over time primarily as ads are aired or impressions are delivered and any contracted audience guarantees are met. We apply the practical expedient to recognize revenue at the amount we have the right to invoice, which corresponds directly to the value a customer has received relative to our performance. For advertising sold based on audience guarantees, audience deficiency may result in an obligation to deliver additional advertisements to the customer. To the extent that we do not satisfy contracted audience ratings, we record deferred revenue until such time that the audience guarantee has been satisfied.

Retransmission revenues are considered licenses of functional intellectual property and are recognized at the point in time the content is transferred to the customer. MVPDs report their subscriber numbers to us generally on a 30- to 90-day lag. Prior to receiving the MVPD reporting, we record revenue based on estimates of the number of subscribers, utilizing historical levels and trends of subscribers for each MVPD.

Refer to Note 2. Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards for further information on the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard.

Contract Balances — Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. We record a receivable when revenue is recognized prior to invoicing, or unearned revenue when revenue is recognized subsequent to invoicing.

Payment terms may vary by contract type, although our terms generally include a requirement of payment within 30 to 90 days. In instances where the timing of revenue recognition differs from the timing of invoicing, we have determined our contracts do not include a significant financing component. The primary purpose of our invoicing terms is to provide customers with simplified and predictable ways of purchasing our products and services, not to receive financing from our customers.

The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects our best estimate of probable losses inherent in the accounts receivable balance. We determine the allowance based on known troubled accounts, historical experience and other currently available evidence. Allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $2.2 million at June 30, 2018 and $1.9 millionDecember 31, 2017.

We record unearned revenue when cash payments are received in advance of our performance. We generally require amounts payable under advertising contracts with political advertising customers to be paid in advance. Unearned revenue totaled $7.5 million at June 30, 2018 and is expected to be recognized within revenue over the next 12 months. Unearned revenue totaled $7.4 million at December 31, 2017.

Assets Recognized from the Costs to Obtain a Contract with a Customer — We recognize an asset for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if we expect the benefit of those costs to be longer than one year. We apply and use the practical expedient in the revenue guidance to expense costs as incurred for costs to obtain a contract when the amortization period is one year or less. This expedient applies to advertising sales commissions since advertising contracts are short-term in nature. In addition, we also may provide inducement payments to secure carriage agreements with distributors of our content. These inducement payments are capitalized and amortized to expense over the term of the distribution contract. Capitalized costs to obtain a contract with a customer totaled $10.3 million at June 30, 2018 and $8.0 million at December 31, 2017 and are included within miscellaneous assets of our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of these costs totaled $0.3 million for the year-to-date period of 2018.

Use of Other Practical Expedients — For our arrangements that have an original duration of one year or less, we use the practical expedient applicable to such arrangements and do not consider the time value of money. In addition, we do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) contracts for which we recognize revenue at the amount to which we have the right to invoice for services performed.

F-8

Share-Based Compensation — We have a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which is described more fully in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Plan provides for the award of incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (RSUs) and unrestricted Class A Common shares and performance units to key employees and non-employee directors.

Share-based compensation costs totaled $2.9 million for the second quarter of 2018 and 2017. Year-to-date share-based compensation costs totaled $6.3 million and $8.7 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) —Unvested awards of share-based payments with 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   June 30,						Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2018			2017
Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share)
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	$	8,662		$	6,855		$	85		$	4,122
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			632			—
Less income allocated to RSUs	(153		)	(93		)	(13		)	(60		)
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	8,509		$	6,762		$	704		$	4,062
Denominator
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	81,824			82,302			81,535			82,191
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options held by employees and directors	28			163			69			198
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	81,852			82,465			81,604			82,389

2. Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards — In August 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. This new guidance was issued with the objective of reducing diversity in practice around eight specific types of cash flows. The new guidance was effective for us January 1, 2018 and did not have an impact on our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. This guidance primarily affects the accounting for equity method investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. The new standard was effective for us on January 1, 2018 and did not have an impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued a new standard related to revenue recognition. Under this standard, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The standard creates a five-step process that requires entities to exercise judgment when considering the terms of the contract(s) and all relevant facts and circumstances. In addition, the standard requires expanded footnote disclosure.

We adopted this standard on January 1, 2018, using the full retrospective method. Regarding our advertising contracts, which comprised 65% of 2017 operating revenues, the contracts are short-term in nature with transaction price consideration agreed upon in advance. Revenue on broadcast advertising spots continue to be recognized when commercials are aired. Online advertising revenue earned through the display of digital advertisements across various digital platforms typically take the form of an impression-based contract, fixed fee time-based contract or transaction-based contract. Revenue continues to be recognized evenly over the contract term for fixed fee contracts where a minimum number of impressions or click-throughs is not guaranteed. Revenue is recognized as the service is delivered for impression and transaction-based contracts.

F-9

Retransmission revenue, which comprised 30% of 2017 operating revenues, is recognized under the licensing of intellectual property guidance in the standard, which did not result in a change to our previous revenue recognition.

The only identified impacts of the standard were to record certain revenue transactions on a gross basis that were previously recorded on a net basis and to no longer recognize barter revenue and expense related to syndicated programming.

Adoption of this standard on January 1, 2018 using the full retrospective method required us to adjust certain previously reported results. The following tables present the impact of adoption of the standard on our condensed consolidated statements of operations:

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
(in thousands)	As Previously Reported		Adjustments for Adoption of New Revenue Standard			As Adjusted
Operating Revenues:
Advertising	$	137,716	$	(214	)	$	137,502
Retransmission and carriage	66,059		—			66,059
Other	9,974		2,707			12,681
Total operating revenues	213,749		2,493			216,242
Costs and Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	87,990		—			87,990
Programming	46,685		2,493			49,178
Other expenses	46,927		—			46,927
Total costs and expenses	$	181,602	$	2,493		$	184,095

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
(in thousands)	As Previously Reported		Adjustments for Adoption of New Revenue Standard			As Adjusted
Operating Revenues:
Advertising	$	257,827	$	(429	)	$	257,398
Retransmission and carriage	132,270		—			132,270
Other	19,981		5,068			25,049
Total operating revenues	410,078		4,639			414,717
Costs and Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	182,915		—			182,915
Programming	93,262		4,639			97,901
Other expenses	87,693		—			87,693
Total costs and expenses	$	363,870	$	4,639		$	368,509

Adoption of the new revenue recognition standard had no impact on our condensed consolidated balance sheets, condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), condensed consolidated statements of cash flows or condensed consolidated statements of equity.

In February 2018, the FASB issued new guidance that permits companies to reclassify the disproportionate tax effect in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") caused by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. We have adopted this guidance as of December 31, 2017. The impact of the adoption was to reclassify $19.4 million of tax effects related to our defined benefits plans from AOCI to retained earnings.

F-10

Recently Issued Accounting Standards — In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and other instruments, entities will be required to use a new forward-looking “expected loss” model that will replace today’s “incurred loss” model, which generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, entities will measure credit losses in a manner similar to current practice, except that the losses will be recognized as an allowance. The guidance is effective in 2020 with early adoption permitted in 2019. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements, as well as the timing of adoption.

In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the accounting for leases. Under this guidance, lessees will be required to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. In March 2018, the FASB approved amendments to create an optional transition method. The amendments provide an option to implement the new leasing standard through a cumulative-effect adjustment in the period of adoption without having to restate the comparative periods presented. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements, but expect a significant increase in the assets and liabilities recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

3. Acquisitions

Katz

On October 2, 2017, we acquired the Katz networks for $292 million, which is net of a 5.33% noncontrolling interest we owned prior to the acquisition date. Katz owns and operates four national television networks — Bounce, Grit, Escape and Laff. The acquisition was funded through the issuance of a new term loan B. Katz is included as part of our National Media segment.

Pending the finalization of asset valuations, the following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed:

(in thousands)
Assets:
Cash	$	21,372
Accounts receivable	44,306
Current portion of programming	47,120
Intangible assets	32,300
Goodwill	209,572
Programming (less current portion)	74,998
Other assets	1,395
Total assets acquired	431,063
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	29,339
Current portion of programming liabilities	46,376
Programming liabilities	53,036
Net purchase price	$	302,312

Of the $32 million allocated to intangible assets, $8 million was assigned to trade names with a life of 10 years and $24 million was assigned to advertiser relationships with a life of 5 years.

The goodwill of $210 million arises from being able to enter into the market for established over-the-air networks. The goodwill was allocated to our National Media segment. We treated the transaction as an asset acquisition for income tax purposes with a step-up in the assets acquired. The goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes.

F-11

Pro forma results of operations

Pro forma results of operations, assuming the Katz acquisition had taken place at the beginning of 2017, are presented in the following table. The pro forma information includes the historical results of operations of Scripps and Katz, as well as adjustments for additional depreciation and amortization of the assets acquired and additional interest expense related to the financing of the transaction. The pro forma information does not include efficiencies, cost reductions or synergies expected to result from the acquisition. The unaudited pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of the period.

	Three Months Ended   June 30,		Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)	2017		2017
Operating revenues	$	254,342	$	487,630
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	7,864		5,326
Income per share from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:
Basic	$	0.10	$	0.06
Diluted	0.10		0.06

4. Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits

Income from continuing operations includes the following:

2018 - In the second quarter, costs associated with our previously announced restructuring totaled $2.3 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2018 these restructuring costs totaled $6.1 million.

2017 - In the second quarter, we sold our newspaper syndication business, resulting in a gain of $3.0 million.

In the second quarter, there was a $2.5 million reduction to the Midroll earn out provision resulting in other income.

5. Income Taxes

We file a consolidated federal income tax return, consolidated unitary tax returns in certain states and other separate state income tax returns for our subsidiary companies.

The income tax provision for interim periods is generally determined based upon the expected effective income tax rate for the full year and the tax rate applicable to certain discrete transactions in the interim period. To determine the annual effective income tax rate, we must estimate both the total income (loss) before income tax for the full year and the jurisdictions in which that income (loss) is subject to tax. The actual effective income tax rate for the full year may differ from these estimates if income (loss) before income tax is greater than or less than what was estimated or if the allocation of income (loss) to jurisdictions in which it is taxed is different from the estimated allocations. We review and adjust our estimated effective income tax rate for the full year each quarter based upon our most recent estimates of income (loss) before income tax for the full year and the jurisdictions in which we expect that income will be taxed.

The effective income tax rate for the six months ended June 30,2018 and 2017 was 92% and (23)%, respectively. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"). The Tax Act significantly revises the future ongoing U.S. corporate income tax by, among other things, lowering U.S. corporate income tax rates. The U.S. federal statutory rate was 21% in the second quarter 2018 and 35% in the second quarter 2017, impacting the comparability of the income tax provision between those periods. We made a preliminary estimate of the impact of the Tax Act on our deferred taxes in our 2017 consolidated financial statements. There were no changes to that provisional estimate during the second quarter of 2018.

Other differences between our effective income tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory rate are the impact of state taxes, non-deductible expenses, release of reserves for uncertain tax positions and excess tax benefits or expense on share-based compensation ($0.7 million expense and $2.4 million benefit in 2018 and 2017, respectively).

F-12

Deferred tax assets totaled $17.5 million at June 30, 2018, which includes the tax effect of state net operating loss carryforwards. We recognize state net operating loss carryforwards as deferred tax assets, subject to valuation allowances. At each balance sheet date, we estimate the amount of carryforwards that are not expected to be used prior to expiration of the carryforward period. The tax effect of the carryforwards that are not expected to be used prior to their expiration is included in the valuation allowance.

6. Restricted Cash

At June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, our cash and cash equivalents included $5.1 million held in a restricted cash account on deposit with our insurance carrier. This account serves as collateral, in place of an irrevocable stand-by letter of credit, to provide financial assurance that we will fulfill our obligations with respect to cash requirements associated with our workers' compensation self-insurance. This cash is to remain on deposit with the carrier until all claims have been paid or we provide a letter of credit in lieu of the cash deposit.

7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	Local Media			National Media			Total
Gross balance as of December 31, 2017	$	708,133		$	315,133		$	1,023,266
Accumulated impairment losses	(216,914		)	(50,403		)	(267,317		)
Net balance as of December 31, 2017	$	491,219		$	264,730		$	755,949
Gross balance as of June 30, 2018	$	708,133		$	315,133		$	1,023,266
Accumulated impairment losses	(216,914		)	(50,403		)	(267,317		)
Net balance as of June 30, 2018	$	491,219		$	264,730		$	755,949

Other intangible assets consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	As of   June 30,   2018			As of   December 31,   2017
Amortizable intangible assets:
Carrying amount:
Television network affiliation relationships	$	248,444		$	248,444
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	69,500			69,500
Other	42,823			37,069
Total carrying amount	360,767			355,013
Accumulated amortization:
Television network affiliation relationships	(55,830		)	(49,639		)
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	(28,255		)	(26,345		)
Other	(16,982		)	(10,269		)
Total accumulated amortization	(101,067		)	(86,253		)
Net amortizable intangible assets	259,700			268,760
Indefinite-lived intangible assets — FCC licenses	157,215			157,215
Total other intangible assets	$	416,915		$	425,975

Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for each of the next five years is $13.8 million for the remainder of 2018, $27.5 million in 2019, $26.3 million in 2020, $23.9 million in 2021, $20.8 million in 2022, $15.8 million in 2023 and $131.6 million in later years.

F-13

8. Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	As of   June 30,   2018			As of   December 31,   2017
Variable rate credit facility	$	—		$	—
Senior unsecured notes	400,000			400,000
Term loan B	297,750			299,250
Unsecured subordinated notes	2,656			2,656
Total outstanding principal	700,406			701,906
Less: Debt issuance costs	(8,091		)	(8,631		)
Less: Current portion	(5,656		)	(5,656		)
Net carrying value of long-term debt	$	686,659		$	687,619
Fair value of long-term debt *	$	679,425		$	703,572

* Fair value of the Senior Notes and the term loan B were estimated based on quoted private market transactions and are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the unsecured subordinated notes is determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis using current market interest rates of comparable instruments and is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Senior Unsecured Notes

On April 28, 2017, we issued $400 million of senior unsecured notes ("the Senior Notes"), which bear interest at a rate of 5.125% per annum and mature on May 15, 2025. The proceeds of the Senior Notes were used to repay our term loan B, for the payment of the related issuance costs and for general corporate purposes. The Senior Notes were priced at 100% of par value and interest is payable semi-annually on May 15 and November 15. Prior to May 15, 2020, we may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time, or from time to time, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption, plus a “make-whole” premium, as set forth in the Senior Notes indenture. In addition, on or prior to May 15, 2020, we may redeem up to 40% of the Senior Notes, using proceeds of equity offerings. If we sell certain of our assets or have a change of control, the holders of the Senior Notes may require us to repurchase some or all of the notes. The Senior Notes are also guaranteed by us and the majority of our subsidiaries. The Senior Notes contain covenants with which we must comply that are typical for borrowing transactions of this nature. 

We incurred approximately $7.0 million of deferred financing costs in connection with the issuance of the Senior Notes, which are being amortized over the life of the Senior Notes. Additionally, we wrote off $2.4 million of deferred financing costs associated with our old term loan B to interest expense in the second quarter of 2017.

Term Loan B

On October 2, 2017, we issued a $300 million term loan B which matures in October 2024. We amended term loan B on April 4, 2018, reducing the interest rate by 25 basis points. Following the amendment, interest is payable on term loan B at a rate based on LIBOR, plus a fixed margin of 2.00%. Interest will reduce to a rate of LIBOR plus a fixed margin of 1.75% if the company’s total net leverage, as defined by the amended agreement, is below 2.75. Term loan B requires annual principal payments of $3 million.

Our Financing Agreement also includes a provision that in certain circumstances we must use a portion of excess cash flow to repay debt. As of June 30, 2018, we were not required to make any additional principal payments for excess cash flow.

Under a previous financing agreement, we had a $400 million term loan B that matured in November 2020. We repaid the term loan B in 2017 with the proceeds of our Senior Notes.

As of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the interest rate on the term loan B was 4.09% and 3.82%, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on the term loan B was 3.97% for the six months ended June 30,2018.

Revolving Credit Facility

On April 28, 2017, we amended and restated our $100 million revolving credit facility ("Revolving Credit Facility"), increasing its capacity to $125 million and extending the maturity to April 2022. Interest is payable on the Revolving Credit Facility at rates based on LIBOR, plus a margin based on our leverage ratio, ranging from 1.75% to 2.50%.

The Revolving Credit Facility includes maintaining a net leverage ratio when we have outstanding borrowings on the facility, as well as other restrictions on payments (dividends and share repurchases). Additionally, we can make acquisitions as long as the pro forma net leverage ratio is less than 5.5 to 1.0.

We granted the lenders pledges of our equity interests in our subsidiaries and security interests in substantially all other personal property including cash, accounts receivables, and equipment.

Commitment fees of 0.30% to 0.50% per annum, based on our leverage ratio, of the total unused commitment are payable under the Revolving Credit Facility.

Unsecured Subordinated Notes

The unsecured subordinated promissory notes bear interest at a rate of 7.25% per annum, payable quarterly. The remaining principal payment of $2.7 million will be paid in the third quarter of 2018.

9. Other Liabilities

Other liabilities consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	As of   June 30,   2018		As of   December 31,   2017
Employee compensation and benefits	$	20,424	$	18,520
Programming liability	55,318		54,641
Liability for pension benefits	200,843		207,406
Liabilities for uncertain tax positions	676		644
Other	12,769		12,445
Other liabilities (less current portion)	$	290,030	$	293,656

10. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The following table presents additional information about the change in certain working capital accounts:

	Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018			2017
Accounts receivable	$	(5,363	)	$	(9,086	)
Other current assets	(5,040		)	(8,939		)
Accounts payable	8,836			(3,905		)
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	(4,812		)	(3,406		)
Other accrued liabilities	(4,484		)	6,764
Other, net	788			(1,575		)
Total	$	(10,075	)	$	(20,147	)

11. Employee Benefit Plans

We sponsor two noncontributory defined benefit pension plans, as well as two non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans ("SERPs"). Both of the defined benefit pension plans and the SERPs have frozen the accrual of future benefits.

F-14

We sponsor a defined contribution plan covering substantially all non-union and certain union employees. We match a portion of employees' voluntary contributions to this plan.

The components of the employee benefit plans expense consisted of the following:

	Three Months Ended   June 30,						Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2018			2017
Interest cost	$	5,925		$	6,486		$	11,850		$	12,971
Expected return on plan assets, net of expenses	(5,733		)	(4,360		)	(11,465		)	(8,720		)
Amortization of actuarial loss	920			1,084			1,841			2,168
Total for defined benefit pension plans	1,112			3,210			2,226			6,419
Multi-employer plans	44			59			91			133
SERPs	277			257			551			515
Defined contribution plan	1,978			1,957			4,771			4,861
Net periodic benefit cost	3,411			5,483			7,639			11,928
Allocated to discontinued operations	(174		)	(177		)	(377		)	(368		)
Net periodic benefit cost — continuing operations	$	3,237		$	5,306		$	7,262		$	11,560

We contributed $1.7 million to fund current benefit payments for our SERPs and $6.6 million for our defined benefit pension plans during the six months ended June 30, 2018. During the remainder of 2018, we anticipate contributing an additional $4.8 million to fund the SERPs' benefit payments and an additional $10.8 million to fund our qualified defined benefit pension plans.

12. Segment Information

We determine our business segments based upon our management and internal reporting structures, as well as the basis that our chief operating decision maker makes resource allocation decisions.

Effective December 31, 2017, we realigned our businesses into a new internal organization and began reporting to reflect this new structure. Under the new structure, we have the following reportable segments: Local Media, National Media and Other. We have recast the operating results for all periods to reflect this change.

Our Local Media segment includes our local broadcast stations and their related digital operations. It is comprised of fifteen ABC affiliates, five NBC affiliates, two FOX affiliates and two CBS affiliates. We also have two MyTV affiliates, one CW affiliate, one independent station and three Azteca America Spanish-language affiliates. 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, telecommunications companies and satellite carriers. We also receive retransmission fees from over-the-top virtual MVPDs such as YouTubeTV, DirectTV Now and Sony Vue.

Our National Media segment includes our collection of national brands. Our national brands include Katz, Midroll, Newsy and other national brands. These operations earn revenue primarily through the sale of advertising.

We allocate a portion of certain corporate costs and expenses, including information technology, certain employee benefits and shared services, to our business segments. The allocations are generally amounts agreed upon by management, which may differ from an arms-length amount. Corporate assets are primarily cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, 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 expense, 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 the United States of America.

F-15

Information regarding our business segments is as follows:

	Three Months Ended   June 30,						Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2018			2017
Segment operating revenues:
Local Media	$	213,248		$	201,430		$	405,307		$	388,494
National Media	68,226			13,016			128,947			22,703
Other	1,921			1,796			3,332			3,520
Total operating revenues	$	283,395		$	216,242		$	537,586		$	414,717
Segment profit (loss):
Local Media	$	53,368		$	48,736		$	84,987		$	81,087
National Media	2,037			(3,596		)	4,072			(7,553		)
Other	(1,643		)	(1,658		)	(1,894		)	(1,409		)
Shared services and corporate	(13,647		)	(11,335		)	(27,734		)	(25,917		)
Restructuring costs	(2,330		)	—			(6,137		)	—
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(15,382		)	(13,781		)	(30,802		)	(27,642		)
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment	66			(15		)	(651		)	(62		)
Interest expense	(9,279		)	(8,248		)	(18,038		)	(12,443		)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(1,389		)	(3,467		)	(2,777		)	(6,934		)
Miscellaneous, net	(156		)	5,103			11			4,224
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	11,645		$	11,739		$	1,037		$	3,351
Depreciation:
Local Media	$	7,331		$	8,002		$	14,887		$	15,837
National Media	134			15			230			22
Other	38			59			76			126
Shared services and corporate	387			474			796			956
Total depreciation	$	7,890		$	8,550		$	15,989		$	16,941
Amortization of intangibles:
Local Media	$	3,705		$	3,632		$	7,410		$	7,586
National Media	3,448			1,260			6,726			2,438
Shared services and corporate	339			339			677			677
Total amortization of intangibles	$	7,492		$	5,231		$	14,813		$	10,701
Additions to property and equipment:
Local Media	$	10,613		$	4,855		$	20,113		$	8,802
National Media	4,051			186			5,725			197
Shared services and corporate	13			22			73			121
Total additions to property and equipment	$	14,677		$	5,063		$	25,911		$	9,120

F-16

A disaggregation of the principal activities from which we generate revenue is as follows:

	Three Months Ended   June 30,				Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018		2017		2018		2017
Operating revenues:
Core advertising	$	179,294	$	134,977	$	345,847	$	253,832
Political advertising	14,882		2,525		17,466		3,566
Retransmission and carriage	74,658		66,059		145,718		132,270
Other	14,561		12,681		28,555		25,049
Total operating revenues	$	283,395	$	216,242	$	537,586	$	414,717

13. Capital Stock

Capital Stock — We have two classes of common shares, Common Voting shares and Class A Common shares. The Class A Common shares are only entitled to vote on the election of the greater of three or one-third of the directors and other matters as required by Ohio law.

Share Repurchase Plan — Shares may be repurchased from time to time at management's discretion. In November 2016, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program of up to $100 million of our Class A Common shares. The authorization currently expires on March 1, 2020. Shares can be repurchased under the authorization via open market purchase or privately negotiated transactions, including accelerated stock repurchase transactions, block trades, or pursuant to trades intending to comply with rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, we repurchased $6.3 million of shares at prices ranging from $16.82 to $23.01 and for the six months ended June 30, 2018, we repurchased $4.4 million of shares at prices ranging from $13.29 to $16.86 per share. At June 30, 2018, $78.2 million remained under this authorization.

14. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") by component, including items reclassified out of AOCI, were as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
(in thousands)	Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other		Total
Beginning balance, March 31, 2018	$	(102,215	)	$	33	$	(102,182	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss:
Actuarial gain (loss), net of tax of $249 (a)	740			—		740
Net current-period other comprehensive income	740			—		740
Ending balance, June 30, 2018	$	(101,475	)	$	33	$	(101,442	)

F-17

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
(in thousands)	Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other			Total
Beginning balance, March 31, 2017	$	(92,981	)	$	313		$	(92,668	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			—			—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss:
Actuarial gain (loss), net of tax of $423 (a)	695			(16		)	679
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	695			(16		)	679
Ending balance, June 30, 2017	$	(92,286	)	$	297		$	(91,989	)

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
(in thousands)	Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other		Total
Beginning balance, December 31, 2017	$	(102,955	)	$	33	$	(102,922	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss:
Actuarial gain (loss), net of tax of $497 (a)	1,480			—		1,480
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	1,480			—		1,480
Ending balance, June 30, 2018	$	(101,475	)	$	33	$	(101,442	)

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
(in thousands)	Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other			Total
Beginning balance, December 31, 2016	$	(93,676	)	$	329		$	(93,347	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			—			—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss:
Actuarial gain (loss), net of tax of $846 (a)	1,390			(32		)	1,358
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	1,390			(32		)	1,358
Ending balance, June 30, 2017	$	(92,286	)	$	297		$	(91,989	)

^(a) Actuarial gain (loss) is included in defined benefit pension plan expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations

15. Noncontrolling Interest

A noncontrolling owner holds a 30% interest in our venture to develop, produce and air our lifestyle daytime talk show. In April 2017, on the formation of the venture, the noncontrolling owner made a $2.1 million non-cash contribution to the venture. The contribution included the rights to the show concept, contractual rights with the show's talent, as well as other pre-production items.

16. Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations

Radio Divestiture

In the fourth quarter of 2017, we began the process to divest our radio business. Our radio business consists of 34 radio stations in eight markets. We have classified the radio segment as held for sale in our condensed consolidated balance sheets and reported its results as discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

F-18

Operating results of our discontinued radio operations were as follows:

	Three Months Ended   June 30,						Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2018			2017
Operating revenues	$	17,386		$	17,784		$	30,685		$	32,213
Total costs and expenses	(13,421		)	(14,163		)	(24,937		)	(26,353		)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	—			(868		)	—			(1,731		)
Impairment of goodwill	(5,900		)	—			(25,900		)	—
Other, net	(9		)	(211		)	(157		)	(251		)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	(1,944		)	2,542			(20,309		)	3,878
Provision for income taxes	998			852			1,137			1,394
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	(2,942	)	$	1,690		$	(21,446	)	$	2,484

During the first quarter of 2018, we recorded a $20 million non-cash impairment charge to write-down the goodwill of our radio business to fair value. For the second quarter of 2018, operating results of our discontinued radio operations include a $5.9 million charge to adjust the carrying value of our radio business assets to sale prices agreed to with buyers for our Tulsa and Milwaukee stations and estimated values of the remaining stations.

The following table presents a summary of the radio assets held for sale included in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

(in thousands)	As of   June 30,   2018		As of   December 31,   2017
Assets:
Total current assets	$	13,206	$	12,891
Property and equipment	36,055		35,470
Goodwill and intangible assets	61,562		87,462
Other assets	181		181
Total assets included in the disposal group	111,004		136,004
Liabilities:
Total current liabilities	3,841		3,248
Deferred income taxes	16,290		16,288
Other liabilities	—		—
Total liabilities included in the disposal group	20,131		19,536
Net assets included in the disposal group	$	90,873	$	116,468

On June 22, 2018, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell our five Tulsa, OK radio stations for $12.5 million. The transaction is subject to, among other things, FCC approval and other customary closing conditions, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018.

We also entered into a Local Marketing Agreement (“LMA”) on June 22, 2018 with the acquirer of the Tulsa radio stations. Under the terms of this agreement, the acquiring entity will pay us a monthly LMA fee and will also reimburse us for certain station expenses, as defined in the agreement, in exchange for the right to program and sell advertising from the stations' inventory of broadcast time. The LMA became effective on July 30, 2018.

In the third quarter of 2018, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell our two Milwaukee, WI radio stations for $16.0 million. The transaction is subject to, among other things, FCC approval and other customary closing conditions, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018.

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. You should read this discussion in conjunction with those financial statements.

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 section titled “Risk Factors.” The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date the statement is made.

Executive Overview

The E.W. Scripps Company (“Scripps”) is a diverse media enterprise, serving audiences and businesses through a portfolio of local and national media brands. Our Local Media division is one of the nation’s largest independent TV station ownership groups, with 33 television stations in 24 markets and a reach of nearly one in five U.S. television households. We have affiliations with all of the “Big Four” television networks. In our National Media division, we operate national media brands including podcast industry-leader Midroll, next-generation national news network Newsy, and four over-the-air multicast networks called the Katz networks. We also operate an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and serve as the longtime steward of one of the nation's largest, most successful and longest-running educational programs, the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

At the end of 2017, we began a comprehensive restructuring of our local and national media brands to position the Company for improved performance and continued growth. We began a deep analysis of our operating divisions and corporate cost structure, our non-core assets and the opportunities for our national content brands. We are committed to improving operating performance in our local media business, supporting the growth ahead with our national media businesses and serving our audiences with news and information across all media platforms.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, we began the process to sell our radio station group. Our radio business consists of 34 radio stations in eight markets. To date in 2018, we have entered into definitive agreements for the sale of 7 radio stations in our Tulsa, OK and Milwaukee, WI markets. These transactions are subject to, among other things, FCC approval and other customary closing conditions, and are expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018. We expect to finalize definitive agreements for the remaining 27 stations in the third quarter of 2018.

During the first quarter of 2018, the Board of Directors approved the initiation of a regular quarterly dividend. In both the first and second quarter of 2018, there was a 5 cent per share dividend paid to shareholders on record as of March 1, 2018 and June 15, 2018, respectively. Dividends paid totaled $4.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and $8.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018. We currently expect that quarterly cash dividends will continue to be paid in the future. Future dividends are, however, subject to our earnings, financial condition and capital requirements.

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Results of Operations

The trends and underlying economic conditions affecting the operating performance and future prospects differ for each of our business segments. Accordingly, you should read the following discussion of our consolidated results of operations in conjunction with the discussion of the operating performance of our business segments that follows.

Consolidated Results of Operations

Consolidated results of operations were as follows:

	Three Months Ended   June 30,								Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018			Change		2017			2018			Change		2017
Operating revenues	$	283,395		31.1	%	$	216,242		$	537,586		29.6	%	$	414,717
Employee compensation and benefits	(95,071		)	8.0	%	(87,990		)	(193,560		)	5.8	%	(182,915		)
Programming	(84,427		)	71.7	%	(49,178		)	(167,790		)	71.4	%	(97,901		)
Other expenses	(63,782		)	35.9	%	(46,927		)	(116,805		)	33.2	%	(87,693		)
Restructuring costs	(2,330		)			—			(6,137		)			—
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(15,382		)			(13,781		)	(30,802		)			(27,642		)
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment	66					(15		)	(651		)			(62		)
Operating income	22,469					18,351			21,841					18,504
Interest expense	(9,279		)			(8,248		)	(18,038		)			(12,443		)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(1,389		)			(3,467		)	(2,777		)			(6,934		)
Miscellaneous, net	(156		)			5,103			11					4,224
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	11,645					11,739			1,037					3,351
(Provision) benefit for income taxes	(2,983		)			(4,884		)	(952		)			771
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	8,662					6,855			85					4,122
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(2,942		)			1,690			(21,446		)			2,484
Net income (loss)	5,720					8,545			(21,361		)			6,606
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—					—			(632		)			—
Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	5,720				$	8,545		$	(20,729	)			$	6,606

In the fourth quarter of 2017, we began the process to divest our radio business. We have classified the radio segment as held for sale in our condensed consolidated balance sheets and reported its results as discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Katz was acquired on October 2, 2017. The inclusion of operating results from this business for the periods subsequent to the acquisition impacts the comparability of our consolidated and segment operating results.

Operating revenues increased 31.1% for the second quarter of 2018 and 29.6% for the first half of 2018. Higher retransmission and political revenues in our Local Media group and the inclusion of Katz revenues within our National Media group contributed to the year-over-year revenue increases. Revenues from Katz were $47.0 million in the second quarter of 2018 and $89.6 million for the first half of 2018.

Employee compensation and benefits increased 8.0% for the second quarter of 2018 and 5.8% for the first half of 2018, primarily driven by the expansion of our National Media group, including the addition of Katz. This increase was partially offset by employee cost savings attributed to restructuring activities initiated in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Programming expense increased 71.7% for the second quarter of 2018 and 71.4% for the first half of 2018, primarily due to higher network affiliation fees reflecting contractual rate increases, the costs of producing our original programming show,

F-21

Pickler & Ben, as well as additional programming costs from Katz, which were $23.1 million in the second quarter of 2018 and $45.1 million in the first half of 2018.

Other expenses increased 35.9% for the second quarter of 2018 and 33.2% for the first half of 2018. The inclusion of Katz in 2018 contributed $9.7 million of the increase in other expenses for the second quarter of 2018 and $17.6 million of the increase for the first half of 2018. Increases in marketing and promotion costs for our national brands, Newsy and Midroll, also contributed to the increase in other expenses in the second quarter and year-to-date periods of 2018.

Depreciation and amortization of intangibles increased primarily as a result of the Katz acquisition.

Restructuring costs of $2.3 million for the second quarter of 2018 and $6.1 million for the first half of 2018 reflect severance, outside consulting fees and other costs associated with our previously announced changes in management and operating structure.

Interest expense increased for the second quarter and year-to-date periods of 2018, primarily due to the new debt issued to finance the Katz acquisition and the higher interest rate on the senior secured notes that were issued in April 2017. Interest expense for the respective periods of 2017 includes a $2.4 million write-off of loan fees associated with the refinancing of our term loan B in the second quarter 2017.

Miscellaneous, net for the second quarter and year-to-date periods of 2017 includes a $3.0 million gain from the sale of our newspaper syndication business and other income of $2.5 million resulting from an adjustment to the purchase price earn out for Midroll.

The effective income tax rate was 92% and (23)% for the six months ended June 30,2018 and 2017, respectively. The enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017 lowered the U.S. corporate income tax rate. The U.S. federal statutory rate was 21% in the second quarter of 2018 and 35% in the second quarter of 2017, impacting the comparability of the income tax provision between those periods. Other differences between our effective income tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory rate are the impact of state taxes, non-deductible expenses, release of reserves for uncertain tax positions and excess tax benefits or expense on share-based compensation ($0.7 million expense and $2.4 million benefit in 2018 and 2017, respectively).

Business Segment Results — As discussed in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, our chief operating decision maker evaluates the operating performance of our business segments using a measure called segment profit. Segment profit excludes interest, defined benefit pension plan expense, 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 the United States of America.

Items excluded from segment profit generally result from decisions made in prior periods or from decisions made by corporate executives rather than the managers of the business segments. Depreciation and amortization charges are the result of decisions made in prior periods regarding the allocation of resources and are, therefore, excluded from the measure. Generally, our corporate executives make financing, tax structure and divestiture decisions. Excluding these items from measurement of our business segment performance enables us to evaluate business segment operating performance based upon current economic conditions and decisions made by the managers of those business segments in the current period.

We allocate a portion of certain corporate costs and expenses, including information technology, certain employee benefits and shared services to our business segments. The allocations are generally amounts agreed upon by management, which may differ from an arms-length amount. Corporate assets are primarily cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, property and equipment primarily used for corporate purposes and deferred income taxes.

Effective December 31, 2017, we realigned our businesses into a new internal organization and began reporting to reflect this new structure. Under the new structure we have the following reportable segments: Local Media, National Media and Other. We have recast operating results for all periods to reflect this change.

F-22

Information regarding the operating performance of our business segments and a reconciliation of such information to the condensed consolidated financial statements is as follows:

	Three Months Ended   June 30,								Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018			Change		2017			2018			Change		2017
Segment operating revenues:
Local Media	$	213,248		5.9	%	$	201,430		$	405,307		4.3	%	$	388,494
National Media	68,226					13,016			128,947					22,703
Other	1,921			7.0	%	1,796			3,332			(5.3	)%	3,520
Total operating revenues	$	283,395		31.1	%	$	216,242		$	537,586		29.6	%	$	414,717
Segment profit (loss):
Local Media	$	53,368		9.5	%	$	48,736		$	84,987		4.8	%	$	81,087
National Media	2,037					(3,596		)	4,072					(7,553		)
Other	(1,643		)	(0.9	)%	(1,658		)	(1,894		)	34.4	%	(1,409		)
Shared services and corporate	(13,647		)	20.4	%	(11,335		)	(27,734		)	7.0	%	(25,917		)
Restructuring costs	(2,330		)			—			(6,137		)			—
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(15,382		)			(13,781		)	(30,802		)			(27,642		)
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment	66					(15		)	(651		)			(62		)
Interest expense	(9,279		)			(8,248		)	(18,038		)			(12,443		)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(1,389		)			(3,467		)	(2,777		)			(6,934		)
Miscellaneous, net	(156		)			5,103			11					4,224
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	11,645				$	11,739		$	1,037				$	3,351

F-23

Local Media — Our Local Media segment includes our local broadcast stations and their related digital operations. It is comprised of fifteen ABC affiliates, five NBC affiliates, two FOX affiliates and two CBS affiliates. We also have two MyTV affiliates, one CW affiliate, one independent station and three Azteca America Spanish-language affiliates. 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, telecommunications companies and satellite carriers. We also receive retransmission fees from over-the-top virtual MVPDs such as YouTubeTV, DirectTV Now and Sony Vue.

National television networks offer affiliates a variety of programs and sell the majority of advertising within those programs. In addition to network programs, we broadcast internally produced local and national programs, syndicated programs, sporting events and other programs of interest in each station's market. News is the primary focus of our locally produced programming.

The operating performance of our Local Media group is most affected by local and national economic conditions, particularly conditions within the automotive, services and retail categories, and by the volume of advertising purchased by campaigns for elective office and political issues. The demand for political advertising is significantly higher in the third and fourth quarters of even-numbered years.

Operating results for our Local Media segment were as follows:

	Three Months Ended   June 30,						Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018		Change		2017		2018		Change		2017
Segment operating revenues:
Core advertising	$	121,315	(6.1	)%	$	129,164	$	237,325	(3.1	)%	$	244,897
Political	14,882				2,525		17,466				3,566
Retransmission	74,006		12.0	%	66,059		144,797		9.5	%	132,270
Other	3,045		(17.3	)%	3,682		5,719		(26.3	)%	7,761
Total operating revenues	213,248		5.9	%	201,430		405,307		4.3	%	388,494
Segment costs and expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	71,388		0.7	%	70,891		145,570		0.8	%	144,344
Programming	53,343		19.5	%	44,624		106,488		18.9	%	89,559
Other expenses	35,149		(5.5	)%	37,179		68,262		(7.1	)%	73,504
Total costs and expenses	159,880		4.7	%	152,694		320,320		4.2	%	307,407
Segment profit	$	53,368	9.5	%	$	48,736	$	84,987	4.8	%	$	81,087

Revenues

Total Local Media revenues increased 5.9% for the second quarter of 2018 and 4.3% for the first half of 2018. Higher retransmission revenues and higher political advertising from an even year election cycle contributed to the increase in revenues. The increase in retransmission revenues was primarily attributed to contractual rate increases. In the second quarter and year-to-date periods of 2018, political advertising revenues were $14.9 million and $17.5 million, respectively, leading to some displacement of core advertising revenues, which declined 6.1% for the second quarter of 2018 and 3.1% for the year-to-date period of 2018 compared with the respective periods in 2017. Improvement in our services, retail, media and home improvement categories was offset by weakness in our auto, food and communications categories. Following the acquisition of Katz on October 2, 2017, we no longer receive carriage fees from the Katz networks, which primarily represents the decrease in other revenues for the second quarter and year-to-date periods of 2018.

Costs and expenses

Employee compensation and benefits were relatively flat for both the second quarter and year-to-date periods of 2018 compared with 2017.

Programming expense increased 19.5% for the second quarter of 2018 and 18.9% for the year-to-date period of 2018 compared with 2017 due to higher network affiliation fees as well as the costs of producing our original programming show, Pickler & Ben. Network affiliation fees increased $5.9 million for the second quarter of 2018 and $11.5 million for the year-to-date period of 2018 compared with the respective periods in 2017. Network affiliation fees have been increasing industry-wide

F-24

due to higher rates on renewals, as well as contractual rate increases, and we expect that they may continue to increase over the next several years.

Lower marketing and promotion costs contributed to the decrease in other expenses for both the second quarter and year-to-date periods of 2018 compared with 2017.

National Media — Our National Media segment is comprised of the operations of our national media businesses, including over-the-air networks, Katz; our podcast business Midroll; next-generation national news network Newsy; and other national brands. Our National Media group earns revenue primarily through the sale of advertising.

Operating results for our National Media segment were as follows:

	Three Months Ended   June 30,						Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018		Change	2017			2018		Change	2017
Segment operating revenues:
Katz	$	46,997		$	—		$	89,647		$	—
Midroll	9,970			7,402			20,955			13,915
Newsy	6,006			3,136			9,663			4,338
Other	5,253			2,478			8,682			4,450
Total operating revenues	68,226			13,016			128,947			22,703
Segment costs and expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	13,675			6,643			26,394			13,148
Programming	31,084			4,554			61,302			8,342
Other expenses	21,430			5,415			37,179			8,766
Total costs and expenses	66,189			16,612			124,875			30,256
Segment profit (loss)	$	2,037		$	(3,596	)	$	4,072		$	(7,553	)

Katz was acquired on October 2, 2017. The inclusion of operating results from this business for the periods subsequent to the acquisition impacts the comparability of our National Media segment operating results.

Revenues

National Media revenues increased $55.2 million for the second quarter of 2018 and $106.2 million for the first half of 2018. Excluding the results of Katz, revenues increased $8.2 million for the second quarter of 2018 and $16.6 million for the first half of 2018, primarily driven by increased revenues from Midroll and Newsy. Increases in Midroll's revenues reflect advertising growth from existing podcasts as well as the addition of new titles to its portfolio of podcasts. Newsy's revenues increased primarily from the growth of advertising on over-the-top platforms as well as revenues from its expansion into cable in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Costs and expenses

Employee compensation and benefits doubled for the second quarter and year-to-date periods of 2018 due to the impact of Katz, as well as the hiring of personnel to support the growth of our National Media businesses.

Programming expense includes the amortization of programming for Katz, podcast production costs and other programming costs. The increase in programming expense for the second quarter and year-to-date periods of 2018 is primarily due to the inclusion of Katz's programming costs and additional programming costs for our podcast business. Programming costs for Katz were $23.1 million for the second quarter of 2018 and $45.1 million for the first half of 2018.

Other expenses of $21.4 million in the second quarter of 2018 and $37.2 million in the first half of 2018 include $9.7 million and $17.6 million, respectively, attributable to Katz. The remaining increase in other expenses for the second quarter and year-to-date periods of 2018 is primarily attributed to marketing and promotion costs incurred for our national brands.

F-25

Shared services and corporate

We centrally provide certain services to our business segments. Such services include accounting, tax, cash management, procurement, human resources, employee benefits and information technology. The business segments are allocated costs for such services at amounts agreed upon by management. Such allocated costs may differ from amounts that might be negotiated at arms-length. Costs for such services that are not allocated to the business segments are included in shared services and corporate costs. Shared services and corporate also includes unallocated corporate costs, such as costs associated with being a public company. During 2018, we incurred $3.3 million in costs related to our proxy contest.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary source of liquidity is our available cash and borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility.

Operating activities

Cash flows from operating activities for the six months endedJune 30 are as follows:

	Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018			2017
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	$	85		$	4,122
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	30,802			27,642
(Gain)/loss on sale of property and equipment	651			62
Programming assets and liabilities	(6,237		)	3,681
Deferred income taxes	2,055			(51		)
Stock and deferred compensation plans	8,128			10,877
Pension expense, net of contributions	(5,559		)	202
Other changes in certain working capital accounts, net	(10,075		)	(20,147		)
Miscellaneous, net	(2,233		)	(3,392		)
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations	17,617			22,996
Net cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations	4,939			5,999
Net operating activities	$	22,556		$	28,995

The $5.4 million decrease in cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was primarily attributed to the year-over-year net cash impact from increased programming investment of $9.9 million, $5.8 million of cash outlay related to our previously discussed restructuring initiatives and $11.6 million of higher interest payments year-over-year. These items were partially offset by a $13.2 million increase in segment profit year-over-year, as well as changes in working capital accounts.

F-26

Investing activities

Cash flows from investing activities for the six months endedJune 30 are as follows:

	Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018			2017
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of intangibles	$	(5,754	)	$	—
Additions to property and equipment	(25,992		)	(8,741		)
Purchase of investments	(79		)	(834		)
Proceeds from FCC repack	400			—
Miscellaneous, net	2,259			3,627
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations	(29,166		)	(5,948		)
Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations	(685		)	(547		)
Net investing activities	$	(29,851	)	$	(6,495	)

In 2018 and 2017, we used $29 million and $6 million, respectively, in cash for investing activities from continuing operations. The majority of the increase was attributed to $3.9 million of cash expended to acquire cable and satellite carriage rights for Newsy, as well as an increase in capital expenditures of $17.3 million. A significant portion of the increase in capital expenditures is attributed to $9.7 million of capital expenditures incurred in 2018 related to the FCC repacking process. Additionally, National Media's capital expenditures increased $5.5 million as a result of the expansion of our national brands.

Congress authorized the FCC to conduct so-called “incentive auctions” to auction and re-purpose broadcast television spectrum for mobile broadband use. In the repacking process associated with the auction, the FCC has reassigned some stations to new post-auction channels. We do not expect reassignment to new channels to have a material impact on our stations' broadcast signals as viewed in their markets. We received letters from the FCC in February 2017, notifying us that 17 of our stations have been assigned to new channels. The legislation authorizing the incentive auction and repack provides the FCC with up to a $2.75 billion fund to reimburse reasonable costs incurred by stations that are reassigned to new channels in the repack. We expect the FCC fund will be sufficient to cover the costs we would expect to incur for the repack and that our only potential funding risks would be limited to any disagreements with the FCC over reimbursement of expenditures incurred. Reimbursements provided by the FCC are recognized as the cash is received.

We expect to spend approximately $55 million through the end of 2020, of which, $12.6 million has been spent to date and approximately $10 million is expected to be incurred over the remaining periods of 2018.

Financing activities

Cash flows from financing activities for the six months endedJune 30 are as follows:

	Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018			2017
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	$	—		$	400,000
Payments on long-term debt	(1,500		)	(389,542		)
Deferred financing costs	—			(7,558		)
Dividends paid	(8,222		)	—
Repurchase of Class A Common shares	(4,409		)	(6,257		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,857			1,461
Tax payments related to shares withheld for RSU vesting	(1,900		)	(3,340		)
Miscellaneous, net	(1,511		)	(1,967		)
Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations	$	(15,685	)	$	(7,203	)

In 2018 and 2017, we used $16 million and $7 million in cash for financing activities from continuing operations, respectively. The primary factors impacting our cash flows from financing activities are described below.

F-27

Our current share repurchase program allows the purchase of up to $100 million of our Class A Common shares through March 1, 2020. Shares can be repurchased under the authorization via open market purchase or privately negotiated transactions, including accelerated stock repurchase transactions, block trades, or pursuant to trades intending to comply with rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We repurchased $4.4 million of shares during the first six months of 2018 and $6.3 million of shares during the first six months of 2017. At June 30, 2018, $78.2 million remains available for repurchase under our share repurchase program.

In the first and second quarter of 2018, we initiated and paid a 5 cent per share dividend to shareholders on record as of March 1, 2018 and June 15, 2018, respectively. Total dividend payments to shareholders of our common stock for the six months ended June 30, 2018 were $8.2 million. We currently expect that quarterly cash dividends will continue to be paid in the future. Future dividends are, however, subject to our earnings, financial condition and capital requirements.

In 2018, we received $1.9 millionof proceeds from the exercise ofemployee stock options compared with $1.5 million in 2017. We have not issued any stock options since 2008.

On April 28, 2017, we issued $400 million of senior unsecured notes ("the Senior Notes"), which bear interest at a rate of 5.125% per annum and mature on May 15, 2025. The proceeds of the Senior Notes were used to repay our term loan B, for the payment of the related issuance costs and for general corporate purposes.

On April 28, 2017, we also amended and restated our $100 million revolving credit facility ("Revolving Credit Facility"), increasing its capacity to $125 million and extending the maturity to April 2022. Interest is payable on the Revolving Credit Facility at rates based on LIBOR, plus a margin based on our leverage ratio ranging from 1.75% to 2.50%. There were no borrowings under the revolving credit agreement in any of the periods presented. The revolving credit agreement includes certain financial covenants which we were in compliance with at June 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017.

On October 2, 2017, we issued a $300 million term loan B which matures in October 2024. We amended term loan B on April 4, 2018, reducing the interest rate by 25 basis points. Following the amendment, interest is payable on term loan B at a rate based on LIBOR, plus a fixed margin of 2.00%. Interest will reduce to a rate of LIBOR plus a fixed margin of 1.75% if the company’s total net leverage, as defined by the amended agreement, is below 2.75. Term loan B requires annual principal payments of $3 million.

Our financing agreement includes the maintenance of a net leverage ratio if we borrow more than 20% on the Revolving Credit Facility. The term loan B requires that if we borrow additional amounts or make a permitted acquisition that we cannot exceed a stipulated net leverage ratio on a pro forma basis at the date of the transaction. We were in compliance with all financial covenants in the financing agreement at June 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017.

Our financing agreement also includes a provision that in certain circumstances we must use a portion of excess cash flow, as defined, to repay debt. As of June 30, 2018, we were not required to make additional principal payments for excess cash flow.

Other

We expect to contribute approximately $15.6 million during the remainder of 2018 to fund our defined benefit pension plans and our SERPs in order to meet our funding requirements under the provisions of the Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004 and the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

We expect that our cash, cash from operating activities and available borrowing capacity will be sufficient to meet our operating and capital needs over the next 12 months.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

There have been no material changes to the off-balance sheet arrangements disclosed in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

F-28

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires us to make a variety of decisions that affect reported amounts and related disclosures, including the selection of appropriate accounting principles and the assumptions on which to base accounting estimates. In reaching such decisions, we apply judgment based on our understanding and analysis of the relevant circumstances, including our historical experience, actuarial studies and other assumptions. We are committed to incorporating accounting principles, assumptions and estimates that promote the representational faithfulness, verifiability, neutrality and transparency of the accounting information included in the financial statements.

Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K describes the significant accounting policies we have selected for use in the preparation of our financial statements and related disclosures. An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made and if different estimates that reasonably could have been used or changes in estimates that are likely to occur could materially change the financial statements. We believe the accounting for acquisitions, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, income taxes and pension plans to be our most critical accounting policies and estimates. A detailed description of these accounting policies is included in the Critical Accounting Policies section of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Recent Accounting Guidance

Refer to Note 2 – Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q) for further discussion.

F-29

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Earnings and cash flow can be affected by, among other things, economic conditions and interest rate changes. We are also exposed to changes in the market value of our investments.

Our objectives in managing interest rate risk are to limit the impact of interest rate changes on our earnings and cash flows and to reduce overall borrowing costs.

The following table presents additional information about market-risk-sensitive financial instruments:

	As of June 30, 2018				As of December 31, 2017
(in thousands)	Cost Basis		Fair Value		Cost Basis		Fair Value
Financial instruments subject to interest rate risk:
Variable rate credit facility	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Senior unsecured notes	400,000		379,500		400,000		400,000
Term loan B	297,750		297,378		299,250		300,935
Unsecured subordinated notes	2,656		2,547		2,656		2,637
Long-term debt, including current portion	$	700,406	$	679,425	$	701,906	$	703,572
Financial instruments subject to market value risk:
Investments held at cost	$	4,212	(a)		$	4,603	(a)
(a) Includes securities that do not trade in public markets so the securities do not have readily determinable fair values. We estimate that the fair value of these securities approximates their carrying value. There can be no assurance that we would realize the carrying value upon sale of the securities.

F-30

Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Scripps management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

1. pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

2. provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors of the Company; and

3. provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error, collusion and the improper overriding of controls by management. Accordingly, even effective internal control can only provide reasonable but not absolute assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control may vary over time.

The effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) was evaluated as of the date of the financial statements. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision of and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

There were no changes to the Company's internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting. We implemented internal controls to ensure we adequately evaluated our contracts and properly assessed the impact of the new accounting standard related to revenue recognition on our financial statements to facilitate its adoption on January 1, 2018. There were no significant changes to our internal controls over financial reporting due to the adoption of the new standard. We acquired the Katz networks on October 2, 2017 and have excluded this business from management's reporting on internal control over financial reporting, as permitted by SEC guidance, for the quarter ended June 30, 2018. Katz has total assets of approximately $428 million, or 20% of our total assets as of June 30, 2018 and revenues of $90 million, or 17% of our total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2018.

F-31

EX-31.A

Exhibit 31.A

Section 302 Certifications

Certification

I, Adam P. Symson, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of The E.W. Scripps Company;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 3, 2018

BY: /s/ Adam P. Symson

Adam P. Symson

President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.B

Exhibit 31.B

Section 302 Certifications

Certification

I, Lisa A. Knutson, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of The E.W. Scripps Company;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 3, 2018

BY: /s/ Lisa A. Knutson

Lisa A. Knutson

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer  

EX-32.A

Exhibit 32.A

Section 906 Certifications

Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Of 2002

I, Adam P. Symson, President and Chief Executive Officer of The E.W. Scripps Company (the “Company”), hereby certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the period ended June 30, 2018 (the “Report”), which this certification accompanies, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

BY: /s/     Adam P. Symson

Adam P. Symson

President and Chief Executive Officer

August 3, 2018

EX-32.B

Exhibit 32.B

Section 906 Certifications

Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Of 2002

I, Lisa A. Knutson, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The E.W. Scripps Company (the “Company”), hereby certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the period ended June 30, 2018 (the “Report”), which this certification accompanies, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

BY: /s/     Lisa A. Knutson

Lisa A. Knutson

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

August 3, 2018

XML

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018 shares
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	E.W. SCRIPPS Co
Entity Central Index Key	0000832428
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Common stock, Class A
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	70,028,926
Voting common stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	11,932,722

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 125,719	$ 148,699
Accounts receivable (less allowances— $2,156 and $1,949)	250,728	245,365
Programming	55,067	53,468
Miscellaneous	27,038	21,998
Assets held for sale — current	111,004	136,004
Total current assets	569,556	605,534
Investments	7,351	7,699
Property and equipment	218,628	209,995
Goodwill	755,949	755,949
Other intangible assets	416,915	425,975
Programming (less current portion)	82,889	85,269
Deferred income taxes	17,524	20,076
Miscellaneous	21,113	19,051
Total Assets	2,089,925	2,129,548
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	32,402	23,647
Unearned revenue	7,544	7,353
Current portion of long-term debt	5,656	5,656
Accrued liabilities:
Employee compensation and benefits	35,258	41,939
Programming liability	50,481	58,176
Miscellaneous	39,977	44,396
Other current liabilities	9,923	10,085
Liabilities held for sale — current	20,131	19,536
Total current liabilities	201,372	210,788
Long-term debt (less current portion)	686,659	687,619
Other liabilities (less current portion)	290,030	293,656
Equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par — authorized: 25,000,000 shares; none outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $.01 par: Class A - authorized: 240,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 70,028,926 and 69,699,105 shares; Voting - authorized: 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 11,932,722 and 11,932,722 shares	819	816
Additional paid-in capital	1,131,499	1,129,020
Accumulated deficit	(119,012)	(90,061)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	(101,442)	(102,922)
Total The E.W. Scripps Company shareholders' equity	911,864	936,853
Noncontrolling interest	0	632
Total equity	911,864	937,485
Total Liabilities and Equity	2,089,925	2,129,548
Common stock, Class A
Equity:
Common stock, $.01 par: Class A - authorized: 240,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 70,028,926 and 69,699,105 shares; Voting - authorized: 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 11,932,722 and 11,932,722 shares	700	697
Voting common stock
Equity:
Common stock, $.01 par: Class A - authorized: 240,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 70,028,926 and 69,699,105 shares; Voting - authorized: 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 11,932,722 and 11,932,722 shares	$ 119	$ 119

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 2,156	$ 1,949
Preferred stock, par value (USD per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	25,000,000	25,000,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (USD per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, Class A
Common stock, shares authorized	240,000,000	240,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	70,028,926	69,699,105
Common stock, shares outstanding	70,028,926	69,699,105
Voting common stock
Common stock, shares authorized	60,000,000	60,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	11,932,722	11,932,722
Common stock, shares outstanding	11,932,722	11,932,722

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Operating Revenues:
Advertising	$ 194,176	$ 137,502	$ 363,313	$ 257,398
Retransmission and carriage	74,658	66,059	145,718	132,270
Other	14,561	12,681	28,555	25,049
Total operating revenues	283,395	216,242	537,586	414,717
Costs and Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	95,071	87,990	193,560	182,915
Programming	84,427	49,178	167,790	97,901
Other expenses	63,782	46,927	116,805	87,693
Restructuring costs	2,330	0	6,137	0
Total costs and expenses	245,610	184,095	484,292	368,509
Depreciation, Amortization, and (Gains) Losses:
Depreciation	7,890	8,550	15,989	16,941
Amortization of intangible assets	7,492	5,231	14,813	10,701
(Gains) losses, net on disposal of property and equipment	(66)	15	651	62
Net depreciation, amortization, and (gains) losses	15,316	13,796	31,453	27,704
Operating income	22,469	18,351	21,841	18,504
Interest expense	9,279	8,248	18,038	12,443
Defined benefit pension plan expense	1,389	3,467	2,777	6,934
Miscellaneous, net	(156)	5,103	11	4,224
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	11,645	11,739	1,037	3,351
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	2,983	4,884	952	(771)
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	8,662	6,855	85	4,122
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(2,942)	1,690	(21,446)	2,484
Net income (loss)	5,720	8,545	(21,361)	6,606
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	(632)	0
Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ 5,720	$ 8,545	$ (20,729)	$ 6,606
Net income (loss) per basic share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:
Income from continuing operations	$ 0.10	$ 0.08	$ 0.01	$ 0.05
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(0.04)	0.02	(0.26)	0.03
Net income (loss) per basic share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	0.06	0.10	(0.25)	0.08
Net income (loss) per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:
Income from continuing operations	0.10	0.08	0.01	0.05
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(0.04)	0.02	(0.26)	0.03
Net income (loss) per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ 0.06	$ 0.10	$ (0.25)	$ 0.08

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 5,720	$ 8,545	$ (21,361)	$ 6,606
Changes in defined benefit pension plans, net of tax of $249, $433, $497, and $866	740	695	1,480	1,390
Other	0	(16)	0	(32)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	6,460	9,224	(19,881)	7,964
Less comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	632	0
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ 6,460	$ 9,224	$ (19,249)	$ 7,964

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Changes in defined benefit pension plans, tax amount	$ 249	$ 433	$ 497	$ 866

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (21,361)	$ 6,606
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(21,446)	2,484
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	85	4,122
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	30,802	27,642
(Gain)/loss on sale of property and equipment	651	62
Programming assets and liabilities	(6,237)	3,681
Deferred income taxes	2,055	(51)
Stock and deferred compensation plans	8,128	10,877
Pension expense, net of contributions	(5,559)	202
Other changes in certain working capital accounts, net	(10,075)	(20,147)
Miscellaneous, net	(2,233)	(3,392)
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations	17,617	22,996
Net cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations	4,939	5,999
Net operating activities	22,556	28,995
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of intangibles	(5,754)	0
Additions to property and equipment	(25,992)	(8,741)
Purchase of investments	(79)	(834)
Proceeds from FCC repack	400	0
Miscellaneous, net	2,259	3,627
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations	(29,166)	(5,948)
Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations	(685)	(547)
Net investing activities	(29,851)	(6,495)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	400,000
Payments on long-term debt	(1,500)	(389,542)
Deferred financing costs	0	(7,558)
Dividends paid	(8,222)	0
Repurchase of Class A Common shares	(4,409)	(6,257)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,857	1,461
Tax payments related to shares withheld for RSU vesting	(1,900)	(3,340)
Miscellaneous, net	(1,511)	(1,967)
Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations	(15,685)	(7,203)
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(22,980)	15,297
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Beginning of year	148,699	134,352
End of period	125,719	149,649
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Interest paid	16,482	4,855
Income taxes paid	700	776
Non-cash investing information
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable	$ 205	$ 493

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling Interest
Equity, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2016			$ 819	$ 1,132,540	$ (94,077)	$ (93,347)
Equity, Noncontrolling Interest, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2016							$ 0
Total Equity, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2016		$ 945,935
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income (loss)		7,964			6,606	1,358	0
Repurchase Class A Common shares: 285,201 in 2018 and 321,891 in 2017		(6,257)	(3)	(5,008)	(1,246)
Compensation plans: 615,022 net shares issued in 2018 and 525,392 in 2017	[1]	7,764	5	7,759
Contributions Joint Venture, Noncontrolling Interest		2,143					2,143
Equity, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2017			821	1,135,291	(88,717)	(91,989)
Equity, Noncontrolling Interest, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2017							2,143
Total Equity, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2017		957,549
Equity, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017		936,853	816	1,129,020	(90,061)	(102,922)
Equity, Noncontrolling Interest, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017		632					632
Total Equity, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017		937,485
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income (loss)		(19,881)			(20,729)	1,480	(632)
Cash dividend: declared and paid - $0.10 per share		(8,222)			(8,222)
Repurchase Class A Common shares: 285,201 in 2018 and 321,891 in 2017		(4,409)	(3)	(4,406)	0
Compensation plans: 615,022 net shares issued in 2018 and 525,392 in 2017	[1]	6,891	6	6,885
Equity, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2018		911,864	$ 819	$ 1,131,499	$ (119,012)	$ (101,442)
Equity, Noncontrolling Interest, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2018		0					$ 0
Total Equity, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2018		$ 911,864

[1] Net of tax payments related to shares withheld for vested RSUs of $1,900 in 2018 and $3,340 in 2017.

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Shares issued on compensation plans	615,022	525,392
Repurchase of Class A Common shares	285,201	321,891
Tax payments related to shares withheld for vested stock and RSUs	$ 1,900	$ 3,340
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.10
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	$ 0.10

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

As used in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the terms “Scripps,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” may, depending on the context, refer to The E.W. Scripps Company, to one or more of its consolidated subsidiary companies, or to all of them taken as a whole.

Basis of Presentation — The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. The interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto included in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In management's opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods have been made.

Results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for future interim periods or for the full year.

Nature of Operations — We are a diverse media enterprise, serving audiences and businesses through a portfolio of local and national media brands. All of our media businesses provide content and advertising services via digital platforms, including the Internet, smartphones and tablets. Our media businesses are organized into the following reportable business segments: Local Media, National Media and Other. Additional information for our business segments is presented in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, we began the process to divest our radio business. As such, we have classified the radio segment as held for sale in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and reported its results as discontinued operations in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. For additional information on our radio business, see Note 16.

Use of Estimates — Preparing financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make a variety of decisions that affect the reported amounts and the related disclosures. Such decisions include the selection of accounting principles that reflect the economic substance of the underlying transactions and the assumptions on which to base accounting estimates. In reaching such decisions, we apply judgment based on our understanding and analysis of the relevant circumstances, including our historical experience, actuarial studies and other assumptions.

Our financial statements include estimates and assumptions used in accounting for our defined benefit pension plans; the periods over which long-lived assets are depreciated or amortized; the fair value of long-lived assets, goodwill and indefinite lived assets; the liability for uncertain tax positions and valuation allowances against deferred income tax assets; the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations; and self-insured risks.

While we re-evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis, actual results could differ from those estimated at the time of preparation of the financial statements.

Nature of Products and Services — The following is a description of principal activities from which we generate revenue.

Core Advertising—Core advertising is comprised of sales to local and national customers. The advertising includes a combination of broadcast air time, as well as digital advertising. Pricing of advertising time is based on audience size and share, the demographic of our audiences and the demand for our limited inventory of commercial time. Advertising time is sold through a combination of local sales staff and national sales representative firms. Digital revenues are primarily generated from the sale of advertising to local and national customers on our local television websites, smartphone apps, tablet apps and other platforms.

Political Advertising— Political advertising is generally sold through our Washington D.C. sales office. Advertising is sold to presidential, gubernatorial, Senate and House of Representative candidates, as well as for state and local issues. It is also sold to political action groups (PACs) or other advocacy groups.

Retransmission Revenues — We earn revenue from retransmission consent agreements with multi-channel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”) in our markets. The MVPDs are cable operators and satellite carriers who pay us to offer our programming to their customers. We also receive fees from over-the-top virtual MVPDs such as YouTubeTV, DirectTV Now and Sony Vue. The fees we receive are typically based on the number of subscribers in our local market and the contracted rate per subscriber.

Other Products and Services —We derive revenue from sponsorships and community events through our Local Media segment. Our National Media segment offers subscription services for access to premium content to its customers. Our podcast business acts as a sales and marketing representative and earns commission for its work.

Refer to Note 12. Segment Information for further information, including revenue by significant product and service offering.

Revenue Recognition — Revenue is measured based on the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for promised goods or services provided to customers, and excludes any amounts collected on behalf of third parties. Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised products or services to customers.

Advertising revenue is recognized, net of agency commissions, over time primarily as ads are aired or impressions are delivered and any contracted audience guarantees are met. We apply the practical expedient to recognize revenue at the amount we have the right to invoice, which corresponds directly to the value a customer has received relative to our performance. For advertising sold based on audience guarantees, audience deficiency may result in an obligation to deliver additional advertisements to the customer. To the extent that we do not satisfy contracted audience ratings, we record deferred revenue until such time that the audience guarantee has been satisfied.

Retransmission revenues are considered licenses of functional intellectual property and are recognized at the point in time the content is transferred to the customer. MVPDs report their subscriber numbers to us generally on a 30- to 90-day lag. Prior to receiving the MVPD reporting, we record revenue based on estimates of the number of subscribers, utilizing historical levels and trends of subscribers for each MVPD.

Refer to Note 2. Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards for further information on the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard.

Contract Balances — Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. We record a receivable when revenue is recognized prior to invoicing, or unearned revenue when revenue is recognized subsequent to invoicing.

Payment terms may vary by contract type, although our terms generally include a requirement of payment within 30 to 90 days. In instances where the timing of revenue recognition differs from the timing of invoicing, we have determined our contracts do not include a significant financing component. The primary purpose of our invoicing terms is to provide customers with simplified and predictable ways of purchasing our products and services, not to receive financing from our customers.

The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects our best estimate of probable losses inherent in the accounts receivable balance. We determine the allowance based on known troubled accounts, historical experience and other currently available evidence. Allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $2.2 million at June 30, 2018 and $1.9 millionDecember 31, 2017.

We record unearned revenue when cash payments are received in advance of our performance. We generally require amounts payable under advertising contracts with political advertising customers to be paid in advance. Unearned revenue totaled $7.5 million at June 30, 2018 and is expected to be recognized within revenue over the next 12 months. Unearned revenue totaled $7.4 million at December 31, 2017.

Assets Recognized from the Costs to Obtain a Contract with a Customer — We recognize an asset for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if we expect the benefit of those costs to be longer than one year. We apply and use the practical expedient in the revenue guidance to expense costs as incurred for costs to obtain a contract when the amortization period is one year or less. This expedient applies to advertising sales commissions since advertising contracts are short-term in nature. In addition, we also may provide inducement payments to secure carriage agreements with distributors of our content. These inducement payments are capitalized and amortized to expense over the term of the distribution contract. Capitalized costs to obtain a contract with a customer totaled $10.3 million at June 30, 2018 and $8.0 million at December 31, 2017 and are included within miscellaneous assets of our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of these costs totaled $0.3 million for the year-to-date period of 2018.

Use of Other Practical Expedients — For our arrangements that have an original duration of one year or less, we use the practical expedient applicable to such arrangements and do not consider the time value of money. In addition, we do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) contracts for which we recognize revenue at the amount to which we have the right to invoice for services performed.

Share-Based Compensation — We have a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which is described more fully in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Plan provides for the award of incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (RSUs) and unrestricted Class A Common shares and performance units to key employees and non-employee directors.

Share-based compensation costs totaled $2.9 million for the second quarter of 2018 and 2017. Year-to-date share-based compensation costs totaled $6.3 million and $8.7 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) —Unvested awards of share-based payments with 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   June 30,						Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2018			2017
Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share)
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	$	8,662		$	6,855		$	85		$	4,122
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			632			—
Less income allocated to RSUs	(153		)	(93		)	(13		)	(60		)
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	8,509		$	6,762		$	704		$	4,062
Denominator
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	81,824			82,302			81,535			82,191
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options held by employees and directors	28			163			69			198
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	81,852			82,465			81,604			82,389

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Recently Adopted Standards and Issued Accounting Standards (Notes)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Recently Adopted Standards and Issued Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards — In August 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. This new guidance was issued with the objective of reducing diversity in practice around eight specific types of cash flows. The new guidance was effective for us January 1, 2018 and did not have an impact on our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. This guidance primarily affects the accounting for equity method investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. The new standard was effective for us on January 1, 2018 and did not have an impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued a new standard related to revenue recognition. Under this standard, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The standard creates a five-step process that requires entities to exercise judgment when considering the terms of the contract(s) and all relevant facts and circumstances. In addition, the standard requires expanded footnote disclosure.

We adopted this standard on January 1, 2018, using the full retrospective method. Regarding our advertising contracts, which comprised 65% of 2017 operating revenues, the contracts are short-term in nature with transaction price consideration agreed upon in advance. Revenue on broadcast advertising spots continue to be recognized when commercials are aired. Online advertising revenue earned through the display of digital advertisements across various digital platforms typically take the form of an impression-based contract, fixed fee time-based contract or transaction-based contract. Revenue continues to be recognized evenly over the contract term for fixed fee contracts where a minimum number of impressions or click-throughs is not guaranteed. Revenue is recognized as the service is delivered for impression and transaction-based contracts. Retransmission revenue, which comprised 30% of 2017 operating revenues, is recognized under the licensing of intellectual property guidance in the standard, which did not result in a change to our previous revenue recognition.

The only identified impacts of the standard were to record certain revenue transactions on a gross basis that were previously recorded on a net basis and to no longer recognize barter revenue and expense related to syndicated programming.

Adoption of this standard on January 1, 2018 using the full retrospective method required us to adjust certain previously reported results. The following tables present the impact of adoption of the standard on our condensed consolidated statements of operations:

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
(in thousands)	As Previously Reported		Adjustments for Adoption of New Revenue Standard			As Adjusted
Operating Revenues:
Advertising	$	137,716	$	(214	)	$	137,502
Retransmission and carriage	66,059		—			66,059
Other	9,974		2,707			12,681
Total operating revenues	213,749		2,493			216,242
Costs and Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	87,990		—			87,990
Programming	46,685		2,493			49,178
Other expenses	46,927		—			46,927
Total costs and expenses	$	181,602	$	2,493		$	184,095

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
(in thousands)	As Previously Reported		Adjustments for Adoption of New Revenue Standard			As Adjusted
Operating Revenues:
Advertising	$	257,827	$	(429	)	$	257,398
Retransmission and carriage	132,270		—			132,270
Other	19,981		5,068			25,049
Total operating revenues	410,078		4,639			414,717
Costs and Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	182,915		—			182,915
Programming	93,262		4,639			97,901
Other expenses	87,693		—			87,693
Total costs and expenses	$	363,870	$	4,639		$	368,509

Adoption of the new revenue recognition standard had no impact on our condensed consolidated balance sheets, condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), condensed consolidated statements of cash flows or condensed consolidated statements of equity.

In February 2018, the FASB issued new guidance that permits companies to reclassify the disproportionate tax effect in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") caused by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. We have adopted this guidance as of December 31, 2017. The impact of the adoption was to reclassify $19.4 million of tax effects related to our defined benefits plans from AOCI to retained earnings.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards — In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and other instruments, entities will be required to use a new forward-looking “expected loss” model that will replace today’s “incurred loss” model, which generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, entities will measure credit losses in a manner similar to current practice, except that the losses will be recognized as an allowance. The guidance is effective in 2020 with early adoption permitted in 2019. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements, as well as the timing of adoption.

In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the accounting for leases. Under this guidance, lessees will be required to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. In March 2018, the FASB approved amendments to create an optional transition method. The amendments provide an option to implement the new leasing standard through a cumulative-effect adjustment in the period of adoption without having to restate the comparative periods presented. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements, but expect a significant increase in the assets and liabilities recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

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Acquisitions

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Acquisitions

Acquisitions

Katz

On October 2, 2017, we acquired the Katz networks for $292 million, which is net of a 5.33% noncontrolling interest we owned prior to the acquisition date. Katz owns and operates four national television networks — Bounce, Grit, Escape and Laff. The acquisition was funded through the issuance of a new term loan B. Katz is included as part of our National Media segment.

Pending the finalization of asset valuations, the following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed:

(in thousands)
Assets:
Cash	$	21,372
Accounts receivable	44,306
Current portion of programming	47,120
Intangible assets	32,300
Goodwill	209,572
Programming (less current portion)	74,998
Other assets	1,395
Total assets acquired	431,063
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	29,339
Current portion of programming liabilities	46,376
Programming liabilities	53,036
Net purchase price	$	302,312

Of the $32 million allocated to intangible assets, $8 million was assigned to trade names with a life of 10 years and $24 million was assigned to advertiser relationships with a life of 5 years.

The goodwill of $210 million arises from being able to enter into the market for established over-the-air networks. The goodwill was allocated to our National Media segment. We treated the transaction as an asset acquisition for income tax purposes with a step-up in the assets acquired. The goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes.

Pro forma results of operations

Pro forma results of operations, assuming the Katz acquisition had taken place at the beginning of 2017, are presented in the following table. The pro forma information includes the historical results of operations of Scripps and Katz, as well as adjustments for additional depreciation and amortization of the assets acquired and additional interest expense related to the financing of the transaction. The pro forma information does not include efficiencies, cost reductions or synergies expected to result from the acquisition. The unaudited pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of the period.

	Three Months Ended   June 30,		Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)	2017		2017
Operating revenues	$	254,342	$	487,630
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	7,864		5,326
Income per share from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:
Basic	$	0.10	$	0.06
Diluted	0.10		0.06

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Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits

Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits

Income from continuing operations includes the following:

2018 - In the second quarter, costs associated with our previously announced restructuring totaled $2.3 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2018 these restructuring costs totaled $6.1 million.

2017 - In the second quarter, we sold our newspaper syndication business, resulting in a gain of $3.0 million.

In the second quarter, there was a $2.5 million reduction to the Midroll earn out provision resulting in other income.

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Income Taxes

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

We file a consolidated federal income tax return, consolidated unitary tax returns in certain states and other separate state income tax returns for our subsidiary companies.

The income tax provision for interim periods is generally determined based upon the expected effective income tax rate for the full year and the tax rate applicable to certain discrete transactions in the interim period. To determine the annual effective income tax rate, we must estimate both the total income (loss) before income tax for the full year and the jurisdictions in which that income (loss) is subject to tax. The actual effective income tax rate for the full year may differ from these estimates if income (loss) before income tax is greater than or less than what was estimated or if the allocation of income (loss) to jurisdictions in which it is taxed is different from the estimated allocations. We review and adjust our estimated effective income tax rate for the full year each quarter based upon our most recent estimates of income (loss) before income tax for the full year and the jurisdictions in which we expect that income will be taxed.

The effective income tax rate for the six months ended June 30,2018 and 2017 was 92% and (23)%, respectively. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"). The Tax Act significantly revises the future ongoing U.S. corporate income tax by, among other things, lowering U.S. corporate income tax rates. The U.S. federal statutory rate was 21% in the second quarter 2018 and 35% in the second quarter 2017, impacting the comparability of the income tax provision between those periods. We made a preliminary estimate of the impact of the Tax Act on our deferred taxes in our 2017 consolidated financial statements. There were no changes to that provisional estimate during the second quarter of 2018.

Other differences between our effective income tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory rate are the impact of state taxes, non-deductible expenses, release of reserves for uncertain tax positions and excess tax benefits or expense on share-based compensation ($0.7 million expense and $2.4 million benefit in 2018 and 2017, respectively).

Deferred tax assets totaled $17.5 million at June 30, 2018, which includes the tax effect of state net operating loss carryforwards. We recognize state net operating loss carryforwards as deferred tax assets, subject to valuation allowances. At each balance sheet date, we estimate the amount of carryforwards that are not expected to be used prior to expiration of the carryforward period. The tax effect of the carryforwards that are not expected to be used prior to their expiration is included in the valuation allowance.

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Restricted Cash

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash

At June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, our cash and cash equivalents included $5.1 million held in a restricted cash account on deposit with our insurance carrier. This account serves as collateral, in place of an irrevocable stand-by letter of credit, to provide financial assurance that we will fulfill our obligations with respect to cash requirements associated with our workers' compensation self-insurance. This cash is to remain on deposit with the carrier until all claims have been paid or we provide a letter of credit in lieu of the cash deposit.

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	Local Media			National Media			Total
Gross balance as of December 31, 2017	$	708,133		$	315,133		$	1,023,266
Accumulated impairment losses	(216,914		)	(50,403		)	(267,317		)
Net balance as of December 31, 2017	$	491,219		$	264,730		$	755,949
Gross balance as of June 30, 2018	$	708,133		$	315,133		$	1,023,266
Accumulated impairment losses	(216,914		)	(50,403		)	(267,317		)
Net balance as of June 30, 2018	$	491,219		$	264,730		$	755,949

Other intangible assets consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	As of   June 30,   2018			As of   December 31,   2017
Amortizable intangible assets:
Carrying amount:
Television network affiliation relationships	$	248,444		$	248,444
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	69,500			69,500
Other	42,823			37,069
Total carrying amount	360,767			355,013
Accumulated amortization:
Television network affiliation relationships	(55,830		)	(49,639		)
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	(28,255		)	(26,345		)
Other	(16,982		)	(10,269		)
Total accumulated amortization	(101,067		)	(86,253		)
Net amortizable intangible assets	259,700			268,760
Indefinite-lived intangible assets — FCC licenses	157,215			157,215
Total other intangible assets	$	416,915		$	425,975

Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for each of the next five years is $13.8 million for the remainder of 2018, $27.5 million in 2019, $26.3 million in 2020, $23.9 million in 2021, $20.8 million in 2022, $15.8 million in 2023 and $131.6 million in later years.

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Long-Term Debt

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	As of   June 30,   2018			As of   December 31,   2017
Variable rate credit facility	$	—		$	—
Senior unsecured notes	400,000			400,000
Term loan B	297,750			299,250
Unsecured subordinated notes	2,656			2,656
Total outstanding principal	700,406			701,906
Less: Debt issuance costs	(8,091		)	(8,631		)
Less: Current portion	(5,656		)	(5,656		)
Net carrying value of long-term debt	$	686,659		$	687,619
Fair value of long-term debt *	$	679,425		$	703,572

* Fair value of the Senior Notes and the term loan B were estimated based on quoted private market transactions and are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the unsecured subordinated notes is determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis using current market interest rates of comparable instruments and is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Senior Unsecured Notes

On April 28, 2017, we issued $400 million of senior unsecured notes ("the Senior Notes"), which bear interest at a rate of 5.125% per annum and mature on May 15, 2025. The proceeds of the Senior Notes were used to repay our term loan B, for the payment of the related issuance costs and for general corporate purposes. The Senior Notes were priced at 100% of par value and interest is payable semi-annually on May 15 and November 15. Prior to May 15, 2020, we may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time, or from time to time, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption, plus a “make-whole” premium, as set forth in the Senior Notes indenture. In addition, on or prior to May 15, 2020, we may redeem up to 40% of the Senior Notes, using proceeds of equity offerings. If we sell certain of our assets or have a change of control, the holders of the Senior Notes may require us to repurchase some or all of the notes. The Senior Notes are also guaranteed by us and the majority of our subsidiaries. The Senior Notes contain covenants with which we must comply that are typical for borrowing transactions of this nature. 

We incurred approximately $7.0 million of deferred financing costs in connection with the issuance of the Senior Notes, which are being amortized over the life of the Senior Notes. Additionally, we wrote off $2.4 million of deferred financing costs associated with our old term loan B to interest expense in the second quarter of 2017.

Term Loan B

On October 2, 2017, we issued a $300 million term loan B which matures in October 2024. We amended term loan B on April 4, 2018, reducing the interest rate by 25 basis points. Following the amendment, interest is payable on term loan B at a rate based on LIBOR, plus a fixed margin of 2.00%. Interest will reduce to a rate of LIBOR plus a fixed margin of 1.75% if the company’s total net leverage, as defined by the amended agreement, is below 2.75. Term loan B requires annual principal payments of $3 million.

Our Financing Agreement also includes a provision that in certain circumstances we must use a portion of excess cash flow to repay debt. As of June 30, 2018, we were not required to make any additional principal payments for excess cash flow.

Under a previous financing agreement, we had a $400 million term loan B that matured in November 2020. We repaid the term loan B in 2017 with the proceeds of our Senior Notes.

As of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the interest rate on the term loan B was 4.09% and 3.82%, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on the term loan B was 3.97% for the six months ended June 30,2018.

Revolving Credit Facility

On April 28, 2017, we amended and restated our $100 million revolving credit facility ("Revolving Credit Facility"), increasing its capacity to $125 million and extending the maturity to April 2022. Interest is payable on the Revolving Credit Facility at rates based on LIBOR, plus a margin based on our leverage ratio, ranging from 1.75% to 2.50%.

The Revolving Credit Facility includes maintaining a net leverage ratio when we have outstanding borrowings on the facility, as well as other restrictions on payments (dividends and share repurchases). Additionally, we can make acquisitions as long as the pro forma net leverage ratio is less than 5.5 to 1.0.

We granted the lenders pledges of our equity interests in our subsidiaries and security interests in substantially all other personal property including cash, accounts receivables, and equipment.

Commitment fees of 0.30% to 0.50% per annum, based on our leverage ratio, of the total unused commitment are payable under the Revolving Credit Facility.

Unsecured Subordinated Notes

The unsecured subordinated promissory notes bear interest at a rate of 7.25% per annum, payable quarterly. The remaining principal payment of $2.7 million will be paid in the third quarter of 2018.

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Other Liabilities

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]

Other Liabilities

Other Liabilities

Other liabilities consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	As of   June 30,   2018		As of   December 31,   2017
Employee compensation and benefits	$	20,424	$	18,520
Programming liability	55,318		54,641
Liability for pension benefits	200,843		207,406
Liabilities for uncertain tax positions	676		644
Other	12,769		12,445
Other liabilities (less current portion)	$	290,030	$	293,656

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Supplemental Cash Flow Information

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The following table presents additional information about the change in certain working capital accounts:

	Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018			2017
Accounts receivable	$	(5,363	)	$	(9,086	)
Other current assets	(5,040		)	(8,939		)
Accounts payable	8,836			(3,905		)
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	(4,812		)	(3,406		)
Other accrued liabilities	(4,484		)	6,764
Other, net	788			(1,575		)
Total	$	(10,075	)	$	(20,147	)

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Employee Benefit Plans

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans

We sponsor two noncontributory defined benefit pension plans, as well as two non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans ("SERPs"). Both of the defined benefit pension plans and the SERPs have frozen the accrual of future benefits.

We sponsor a defined contribution plan covering substantially all non-union and certain union employees. We match a portion of employees' voluntary contributions to this plan.

The components of the employee benefit plans expense consisted of the following:

	Three Months Ended   June 30,						Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2018			2017
Interest cost	$	5,925		$	6,486		$	11,850		$	12,971
Expected return on plan assets, net of expenses	(5,733		)	(4,360		)	(11,465		)	(8,720		)
Amortization of actuarial loss	920			1,084			1,841			2,168
Total for defined benefit pension plans	1,112			3,210			2,226			6,419
Multi-employer plans	44			59			91			133
SERPs	277			257			551			515
Defined contribution plan	1,978			1,957			4,771			4,861
Net periodic benefit cost	3,411			5,483			7,639			11,928
Allocated to discontinued operations	(174		)	(177		)	(377		)	(368		)
Net periodic benefit cost — continuing operations	$	3,237		$	5,306		$	7,262		$	11,560

We contributed $1.7 million to fund current benefit payments for our SERPs and $6.6 million for our defined benefit pension plans during the six months ended June 30, 2018. During the remainder of 2018, we anticipate contributing an additional $4.8 million to fund the SERPs' benefit payments and an additional $10.8 million to fund our qualified defined benefit pension plans.

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Segment Information

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

Segment Information

We determine our business segments based upon our management and internal reporting structures, as well as the basis that our chief operating decision maker makes resource allocation decisions.

Effective December 31, 2017, we realigned our businesses into a new internal organization and began reporting to reflect this new structure. Under the new structure, we have the following reportable segments: Local Media, National Media and Other. We have recast the operating results for all periods to reflect this change.

Our Local Media segment includes our local broadcast stations and their related digital operations. It is comprised of fifteen ABC affiliates, five NBC affiliates, two FOX affiliates and two CBS affiliates. We also have two MyTV affiliates, one CW affiliate, one independent station and three Azteca America Spanish-language affiliates. 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, telecommunications companies and satellite carriers. We also receive retransmission fees from over-the-top virtual MVPDs such as YouTubeTV, DirectTV Now and Sony Vue.

Our National Media segment includes our collection of national brands. Our national brands include Katz, Midroll, Newsy and other national brands. These operations earn revenue primarily through the sale of advertising.

We allocate a portion of certain corporate costs and expenses, including information technology, certain employee benefits and shared services, to our business segments. The allocations are generally amounts agreed upon by management, which may differ from an arms-length amount. Corporate assets are primarily cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, 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 expense, 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 the United States of America.

Information regarding our business segments is as follows:

	Three Months Ended   June 30,						Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2018			2017
Segment operating revenues:
Local Media	$	213,248		$	201,430		$	405,307		$	388,494
National Media	68,226			13,016			128,947			22,703
Other	1,921			1,796			3,332			3,520
Total operating revenues	$	283,395		$	216,242		$	537,586		$	414,717
Segment profit (loss):
Local Media	$	53,368		$	48,736		$	84,987		$	81,087
National Media	2,037			(3,596		)	4,072			(7,553		)
Other	(1,643		)	(1,658		)	(1,894		)	(1,409		)
Shared services and corporate	(13,647		)	(11,335		)	(27,734		)	(25,917		)
Restructuring costs	(2,330		)	—			(6,137		)	—
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(15,382		)	(13,781		)	(30,802		)	(27,642		)
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment	66			(15		)	(651		)	(62		)
Interest expense	(9,279		)	(8,248		)	(18,038		)	(12,443		)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(1,389		)	(3,467		)	(2,777		)	(6,934		)
Miscellaneous, net	(156		)	5,103			11			4,224
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	11,645		$	11,739		$	1,037		$	3,351
Depreciation:
Local Media	$	7,331		$	8,002		$	14,887		$	15,837
National Media	134			15			230			22
Other	38			59			76			126
Shared services and corporate	387			474			796			956
Total depreciation	$	7,890		$	8,550		$	15,989		$	16,941
Amortization of intangibles:
Local Media	$	3,705		$	3,632		$	7,410		$	7,586
National Media	3,448			1,260			6,726			2,438
Shared services and corporate	339			339			677			677
Total amortization of intangibles	$	7,492		$	5,231		$	14,813		$	10,701
Additions to property and equipment:
Local Media	$	10,613		$	4,855		$	20,113		$	8,802
National Media	4,051			186			5,725			197
Shared services and corporate	13			22			73			121
Total additions to property and equipment	$	14,677		$	5,063		$	25,911		$	9,120

A disaggregation of the principal activities from which we generate revenue is as follows:

	Three Months Ended   June 30,				Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018		2017		2018		2017
Operating revenues:
Core advertising	$	179,294	$	134,977	$	345,847	$	253,832
Political advertising	14,882		2,525		17,466		3,566
Retransmission and carriage	74,658		66,059		145,718		132,270
Other	14,561		12,681		28,555		25,049
Total operating revenues	$	283,395	$	216,242	$	537,586	$	414,717

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Capital Stock

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Equity [Abstract]

Capital Stock

Capital Stock

Capital Stock — We have two classes of common shares, Common Voting shares and Class A Common shares. The Class A Common shares are only entitled to vote on the election of the greater of three or one-third of the directors and other matters as required by Ohio law.

Share Repurchase Plan — Shares may be repurchased from time to time at management's discretion. In November 2016, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program of up to $100 million of our Class A Common shares. The authorization currently expires on March 1, 2020. Shares can be repurchased under the authorization via open market purchase or privately negotiated transactions, including accelerated stock repurchase transactions, block trades, or pursuant to trades intending to comply with rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, we repurchased $6.3 million of shares at prices ranging from $16.82 to $23.01 and for the six months ended June 30, 2018, we repurchased $4.4 million of shares at prices ranging from $13.29 to $16.86 per share. At June 30, 2018, $78.2 million remained under this authorization.

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") by component, including items reclassified out of AOCI, were as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
(in thousands)	Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other		Total
Beginning balance, March 31, 2018	$	(102,215	)	$	33	$	(102,182	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss:
Actuarial gain (loss), net of tax of $249 (a)	740			—		740
Net current-period other comprehensive income	740			—		740
Ending balance, June 30, 2018	$	(101,475	)	$	33	$	(101,442	)

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
(in thousands)	Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other			Total
Beginning balance, March 31, 2017	$	(92,981	)	$	313		$	(92,668	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			—			—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss:
Actuarial gain (loss), net of tax of $423 (a)	695			(16		)	679
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	695			(16		)	679
Ending balance, June 30, 2017	$	(92,286	)	$	297		$	(91,989	)

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
(in thousands)	Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other		Total
Beginning balance, December 31, 2017	$	(102,955	)	$	33	$	(102,922	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss:
Actuarial gain (loss), net of tax of $497 (a)	1,480			—		1,480
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	1,480			—		1,480
Ending balance, June 30, 2018	$	(101,475	)	$	33	$	(101,442	)

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
(in thousands)	Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other			Total
Beginning balance, December 31, 2016	$	(93,676	)	$	329		$	(93,347	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			—			—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss:
Actuarial gain (loss), net of tax of $846 (a)	1,390			(32		)	1,358
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	1,390			(32		)	1,358
Ending balance, June 30, 2017	$	(92,286	)	$	297		$	(91,989	)

^(a) Actuarial gain (loss) is included in defined benefit pension plan expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations

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Noncontrolling Interest

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling Interest

A noncontrolling owner holds a 30% interest in our venture to develop, produce and air our lifestyle daytime talk show. In April 2017, on the formation of the venture, the noncontrolling owner made a $2.1 million non-cash contribution to the venture. The contribution included the rights to the show concept, contractual rights with the show's talent, as well as other pre-production items.

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Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations

Radio Divestiture

In the fourth quarter of 2017, we began the process to divest our radio business. Our radio business consists of 34 radio stations in eight markets. We have classified the radio segment as held for sale in our condensed consolidated balance sheets and reported its results as discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Operating results of our discontinued radio operations were as follows:

	Three Months Ended   June 30,						Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2018			2017
Operating revenues	$	17,386		$	17,784		$	30,685		$	32,213
Total costs and expenses	(13,421		)	(14,163		)	(24,937		)	(26,353		)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	—			(868		)	—			(1,731		)
Impairment of goodwill	(5,900		)	—			(25,900		)	—
Other, net	(9		)	(211		)	(157		)	(251		)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	(1,944		)	2,542			(20,309		)	3,878
Provision for income taxes	998			852			1,137			1,394
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	(2,942	)	$	1,690		$	(21,446	)	$	2,484

During the first quarter of 2018, we recorded a $20 million non-cash impairment charge to write-down the goodwill of our radio business to fair value. For the second quarter of 2018, operating results of our discontinued radio operations include a $5.9 million charge to adjust the carrying value of our radio business assets to sale prices agreed to with buyers for our Tulsa and Milwaukee stations and estimated values of the remaining stations.

The following table presents a summary of the radio assets held for sale included in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

(in thousands)	As of   June 30,   2018		As of   December 31,   2017
Assets:
Total current assets	$	13,206	$	12,891
Property and equipment	36,055		35,470
Goodwill and intangible assets	61,562		87,462
Other assets	181		181
Total assets included in the disposal group	111,004		136,004
Liabilities:
Total current liabilities	3,841		3,248
Deferred income taxes	16,290		16,288
Other liabilities	—		—
Total liabilities included in the disposal group	20,131		19,536
Net assets included in the disposal group	$	90,873	$	116,468

On June 22, 2018, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell our five Tulsa, OK radio stations for $12.5 million. The transaction is subject to, among other things, FCC approval and other customary closing conditions, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018.

We also entered into a Local Marketing Agreement (“LMA”) on June 22, 2018 with the acquirer of the Tulsa radio stations. Under the terms of this agreement, the acquiring entity will pay us a monthly LMA fee and will also reimburse us for certain station expenses, as defined in the agreement, in exchange for the right to program and sell advertising from the stations' inventory of broadcast time. The LMA became effective on July 30, 2018.

In the third quarter of 2018, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell our two Milwaukee, WI radio stations for $16.0 million. The transaction is subject to, among other things, FCC approval and other customary closing conditions, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation — The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. The interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto included in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In management's opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods have been made.

Results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for future interim periods or for the full year.

Nature of Operations

Nature of Operations — We are a diverse media enterprise, serving audiences and businesses through a portfolio of local and national media brands. All of our media businesses provide content and advertising services via digital platforms, including the Internet, smartphones and tablets. Our media businesses are organized into the following reportable business segments: Local Media, National Media and Other. Additional information for our business segments is presented in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, we began the process to divest our radio business. As such, we have classified the radio segment as held for sale in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and reported its results as discontinued operations in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. For additional information on our radio business, see Note 16.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates — Preparing financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make a variety of decisions that affect the reported amounts and the related disclosures. Such decisions include the selection of accounting principles that reflect the economic substance of the underlying transactions and the assumptions on which to base accounting estimates. In reaching such decisions, we apply judgment based on our understanding and analysis of the relevant circumstances, including our historical experience, actuarial studies and other assumptions.

Our financial statements include estimates and assumptions used in accounting for our defined benefit pension plans; the periods over which long-lived assets are depreciated or amortized; the fair value of long-lived assets, goodwill and indefinite lived assets; the liability for uncertain tax positions and valuation allowances against deferred income tax assets; the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations; and self-insured risks.

While we re-evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis, actual results could differ from those estimated at the time of preparation of the financial statements.

Nature of Products and Services

Nature of Products and Services — The following is a description of principal activities from which we generate revenue.

Core Advertising—Core advertising is comprised of sales to local and national customers. The advertising includes a combination of broadcast air time, as well as digital advertising. Pricing of advertising time is based on audience size and share, the demographic of our audiences and the demand for our limited inventory of commercial time. Advertising time is sold through a combination of local sales staff and national sales representative firms. Digital revenues are primarily generated from the sale of advertising to local and national customers on our local television websites, smartphone apps, tablet apps and other platforms.

Political Advertising— Political advertising is generally sold through our Washington D.C. sales office. Advertising is sold to presidential, gubernatorial, Senate and House of Representative candidates, as well as for state and local issues. It is also sold to political action groups (PACs) or other advocacy groups.

Retransmission Revenues — We earn revenue from retransmission consent agreements with multi-channel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”) in our markets. The MVPDs are cable operators and satellite carriers who pay us to offer our programming to their customers. We also receive fees from over-the-top virtual MVPDs such as YouTubeTV, DirectTV Now and Sony Vue. The fees we receive are typically based on the number of subscribers in our local market and the contracted rate per subscriber.

Other Products and Services —We derive revenue from sponsorships and community events through our Local Media segment. Our National Media segment offers subscription services for access to premium content to its customers. Our podcast business acts as a sales and marketing representative and earns commission for its work.

Refer to Note 12. Segment Information for further information, including revenue by significant product and service offering.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition — Revenue is measured based on the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for promised goods or services provided to customers, and excludes any amounts collected on behalf of third parties. Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised products or services to customers.

Advertising revenue is recognized, net of agency commissions, over time primarily as ads are aired or impressions are delivered and any contracted audience guarantees are met. We apply the practical expedient to recognize revenue at the amount we have the right to invoice, which corresponds directly to the value a customer has received relative to our performance. For advertising sold based on audience guarantees, audience deficiency may result in an obligation to deliver additional advertisements to the customer. To the extent that we do not satisfy contracted audience ratings, we record deferred revenue until such time that the audience guarantee has been satisfied.

Retransmission revenues are considered licenses of functional intellectual property and are recognized at the point in time the content is transferred to the customer. MVPDs report their subscriber numbers to us generally on a 30- to 90-day lag. Prior to receiving the MVPD reporting, we record revenue based on estimates of the number of subscribers, utilizing historical levels and trends of subscribers for each MVPD.

Refer to Note 2. Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards for further information on the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard.

Contract Balances

Contract Balances — Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. We record a receivable when revenue is recognized prior to invoicing, or unearned revenue when revenue is recognized subsequent to invoicing.

Payment terms may vary by contract type, although our terms generally include a requirement of payment within 30 to 90 days. In instances where the timing of revenue recognition differs from the timing of invoicing, we have determined our contracts do not include a significant financing component. The primary purpose of our invoicing terms is to provide customers with simplified and predictable ways of purchasing our products and services, not to receive financing from our customers.

The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects our best estimate of probable losses inherent in the accounts receivable balance. We determine the allowance based on known troubled accounts, historical experience and other currently available evidence. Allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $2.2 million at June 30, 2018 and $1.9 millionDecember 31, 2017.

We record unearned revenue when cash payments are received in advance of our performance. We generally require amounts payable under advertising contracts with political advertising customers to be paid in advance. Unearned revenue totaled $7.5 million at June 30, 2018 and is expected to be recognized within revenue over the next 12 months. Unearned revenue totaled $7.4 million at December 31, 2017.

Assets Recognized from the Costs to Obtain a Contract with a Customer

Assets Recognized from the Costs to Obtain a Contract with a Customer — We recognize an asset for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if we expect the benefit of those costs to be longer than one year. We apply and use the practical expedient in the revenue guidance to expense costs as incurred for costs to obtain a contract when the amortization period is one year or less. This expedient applies to advertising sales commissions since advertising contracts are short-term in nature. In addition, we also may provide inducement payments to secure carriage agreements with distributors of our content. These inducement payments are capitalized and amortized to expense over the term of the distribution contract. Capitalized costs to obtain a contract with a customer totaled $10.3 million at June 30, 2018 and $8.0 million at December 31, 2017 and are included within miscellaneous assets of our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of these costs totaled $0.3 million for the year-to-date period of 2018.

Use of Other Practical Expedients

Use of Other Practical Expedients — For our arrangements that have an original duration of one year or less, we use the practical expedient applicable to such arrangements and do not consider the time value of money. In addition, we do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) contracts for which we recognize revenue at the amount to which we have the right to invoice for services performed.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation — We have a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which is described more fully in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Plan provides for the award of incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (RSUs) and unrestricted Class A Common shares and performance units to key employees and non-employee directors.

Share-based compensation costs totaled $2.9 million for the second quarter of 2018 and 2017. Year-to-date share-based compensation costs totaled $6.3 million and $8.7 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Earnings Per Share (EPS)

Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) —Unvested awards of share-based payments with 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.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Components of basic and diluted weighted-average shares

The following table presents information about basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding:

	Three Months Ended   June 30,						Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2018			2017
Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share)
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	$	8,662		$	6,855		$	85		$	4,122
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			632			—
Less income allocated to RSUs	(153		)	(93		)	(13		)	(60		)
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	8,509		$	6,762		$	704		$	4,062
Denominator
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	81,824			82,302			81,535			82,191
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options held by employees and directors	28			163			69			198
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	81,852			82,465			81,604			82,389

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Recently Adopted Standards and Issued Accounting Standards (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Impact of the Adoption of New Accounting Standards

The following tables present the impact of adoption of the standard on our condensed consolidated statements of operations:

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
(in thousands)	As Previously Reported		Adjustments for Adoption of New Revenue Standard			As Adjusted
Operating Revenues:
Advertising	$	137,716	$	(214	)	$	137,502
Retransmission and carriage	66,059		—			66,059
Other	9,974		2,707			12,681
Total operating revenues	213,749		2,493			216,242
Costs and Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	87,990		—			87,990
Programming	46,685		2,493			49,178
Other expenses	46,927		—			46,927
Total costs and expenses	$	181,602	$	2,493		$	184,095

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
(in thousands)	As Previously Reported		Adjustments for Adoption of New Revenue Standard			As Adjusted
Operating Revenues:
Advertising	$	257,827	$	(429	)	$	257,398
Retransmission and carriage	132,270		—			132,270
Other	19,981		5,068			25,049
Total operating revenues	410,078		4,639			414,717
Costs and Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	182,915		—			182,915
Programming	93,262		4,639			97,901
Other expenses	87,693		—			87,693
Total costs and expenses	$	363,870	$	4,639		$	368,509

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Acquisitions (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Schedule of Preliminary Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

Pending the finalization of asset valuations, the following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed:

(in thousands)
Assets:
Cash	$	21,372
Accounts receivable	44,306
Current portion of programming	47,120
Intangible assets	32,300
Goodwill	209,572
Programming (less current portion)	74,998
Other assets	1,395
Total assets acquired	431,063
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	29,339
Current portion of programming liabilities	46,376
Programming liabilities	53,036
Net purchase price	$	302,312

Schedule of Pro Forma Information

Pro forma results of operations, assuming the Katz acquisition had taken place at the beginning of 2017, are presented in the following table. The pro forma information includes the historical results of operations of Scripps and Katz, as well as adjustments for additional depreciation and amortization of the assets acquired and additional interest expense related to the financing of the transaction. The pro forma information does not include efficiencies, cost reductions or synergies expected to result from the acquisition. The unaudited pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of the period.

	Three Months Ended   June 30,		Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)	2017		2017
Operating revenues	$	254,342	$	487,630
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	7,864		5,326
Income per share from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:
Basic	$	0.10	$	0.06
Diluted	0.10		0.06

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Goodwill

Goodwill consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	Local Media			National Media			Total
Gross balance as of December 31, 2017	$	708,133		$	315,133		$	1,023,266
Accumulated impairment losses	(216,914		)	(50,403		)	(267,317		)
Net balance as of December 31, 2017	$	491,219		$	264,730		$	755,949
Gross balance as of June 30, 2018	$	708,133		$	315,133		$	1,023,266
Accumulated impairment losses	(216,914		)	(50,403		)	(267,317		)
Net balance as of June 30, 2018	$	491,219		$	264,730		$	755,949

Summary of other finite-lived intangible assets

Other intangible assets consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	As of   June 30,   2018			As of   December 31,   2017
Amortizable intangible assets:
Carrying amount:
Television network affiliation relationships	$	248,444		$	248,444
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	69,500			69,500
Other	42,823			37,069
Total carrying amount	360,767			355,013
Accumulated amortization:
Television network affiliation relationships	(55,830		)	(49,639		)
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	(28,255		)	(26,345		)
Other	(16,982		)	(10,269		)
Total accumulated amortization	(101,067		)	(86,253		)
Net amortizable intangible assets	259,700			268,760
Indefinite-lived intangible assets — FCC licenses	157,215			157,215
Total other intangible assets	$	416,915		$	425,975

Summary of other indefinite-lived intangible assets

Other intangible assets consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	As of   June 30,   2018			As of   December 31,   2017
Amortizable intangible assets:
Carrying amount:
Television network affiliation relationships	$	248,444		$	248,444
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	69,500			69,500
Other	42,823			37,069
Total carrying amount	360,767			355,013
Accumulated amortization:
Television network affiliation relationships	(55,830		)	(49,639		)
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	(28,255		)	(26,345		)
Other	(16,982		)	(10,269		)
Total accumulated amortization	(101,067		)	(86,253		)
Net amortizable intangible assets	259,700			268,760
Indefinite-lived intangible assets — FCC licenses	157,215			157,215
Total other intangible assets	$	416,915		$	425,975

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Long-Term Debt (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Components of Long-term debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	As of   June 30,   2018			As of   December 31,   2017
Variable rate credit facility	$	—		$	—
Senior unsecured notes	400,000			400,000
Term loan B	297,750			299,250
Unsecured subordinated notes	2,656			2,656
Total outstanding principal	700,406			701,906
Less: Debt issuance costs	(8,091		)	(8,631		)
Less: Current portion	(5,656		)	(5,656		)
Net carrying value of long-term debt	$	686,659		$	687,619
Fair value of long-term debt *	$	679,425		$	703,572

* Fair value of the Senior Notes and the term loan B were estimated based on quoted private market transactions and are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the unsecured subordinated notes is determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis using current market interest rates of comparable instruments and is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

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Other Liabilities (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]

Other liabilities

Other liabilities consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	As of   June 30,   2018		As of   December 31,   2017
Employee compensation and benefits	$	20,424	$	18,520
Programming liability	55,318		54,641
Liability for pension benefits	200,843		207,406
Liabilities for uncertain tax positions	676		644
Other	12,769		12,445
Other liabilities (less current portion)	$	290,030	$	293,656

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Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Change in certain working capital accounts

The following table presents additional information about the change in certain working capital accounts:

	Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018			2017
Accounts receivable	$	(5,363	)	$	(9,086	)
Other current assets	(5,040		)	(8,939		)
Accounts payable	8,836			(3,905		)
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	(4,812		)	(3,406		)
Other accrued liabilities	(4,484		)	6,764
Other, net	788			(1,575		)
Total	$	(10,075	)	$	(20,147	)

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Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Components of benefit expense

The components of the employee benefit plans expense consisted of the following:

	Three Months Ended   June 30,						Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2018			2017
Interest cost	$	5,925		$	6,486		$	11,850		$	12,971
Expected return on plan assets, net of expenses	(5,733		)	(4,360		)	(11,465		)	(8,720		)
Amortization of actuarial loss	920			1,084			1,841			2,168
Total for defined benefit pension plans	1,112			3,210			2,226			6,419
Multi-employer plans	44			59			91			133
SERPs	277			257			551			515
Defined contribution plan	1,978			1,957			4,771			4,861
Net periodic benefit cost	3,411			5,483			7,639			11,928
Allocated to discontinued operations	(174		)	(177		)	(377		)	(368		)
Net periodic benefit cost — continuing operations	$	3,237		$	5,306		$	7,262		$	11,560

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Segment Information (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Information regarding business segments

Information regarding our business segments is as follows:

	Three Months Ended   June 30,						Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2018			2017
Segment operating revenues:
Local Media	$	213,248		$	201,430		$	405,307		$	388,494
National Media	68,226			13,016			128,947			22,703
Other	1,921			1,796			3,332			3,520
Total operating revenues	$	283,395		$	216,242		$	537,586		$	414,717
Segment profit (loss):
Local Media	$	53,368		$	48,736		$	84,987		$	81,087
National Media	2,037			(3,596		)	4,072			(7,553		)
Other	(1,643		)	(1,658		)	(1,894		)	(1,409		)
Shared services and corporate	(13,647		)	(11,335		)	(27,734		)	(25,917		)
Restructuring costs	(2,330		)	—			(6,137		)	—
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(15,382		)	(13,781		)	(30,802		)	(27,642		)
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment	66			(15		)	(651		)	(62		)
Interest expense	(9,279		)	(8,248		)	(18,038		)	(12,443		)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(1,389		)	(3,467		)	(2,777		)	(6,934		)
Miscellaneous, net	(156		)	5,103			11			4,224
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	11,645		$	11,739		$	1,037		$	3,351
Depreciation:
Local Media	$	7,331		$	8,002		$	14,887		$	15,837
National Media	134			15			230			22
Other	38			59			76			126
Shared services and corporate	387			474			796			956
Total depreciation	$	7,890		$	8,550		$	15,989		$	16,941
Amortization of intangibles:
Local Media	$	3,705		$	3,632		$	7,410		$	7,586
National Media	3,448			1,260			6,726			2,438
Shared services and corporate	339			339			677			677
Total amortization of intangibles	$	7,492		$	5,231		$	14,813		$	10,701
Additions to property and equipment:
Local Media	$	10,613		$	4,855		$	20,113		$	8,802
National Media	4,051			186			5,725			197
Shared services and corporate	13			22			73			121
Total additions to property and equipment	$	14,677		$	5,063		$	25,911		$	9,120

Disaggregation of Principal Revenue Generating Activities

A disaggregation of the principal activities from which we generate revenue is as follows:

	Three Months Ended   June 30,				Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018		2017		2018		2017
Operating revenues:
Core advertising	$	179,294	$	134,977	$	345,847	$	253,832
Political advertising	14,882		2,525		17,466		3,566
Retransmission and carriage	74,658		66,059		145,718		132,270
Other	14,561		12,681		28,555		25,049
Total operating revenues	$	283,395	$	216,242	$	537,586	$	414,717

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") by component, including items reclassified out of AOCI, were as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
(in thousands)	Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other		Total
Beginning balance, March 31, 2018	$	(102,215	)	$	33	$	(102,182	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss:
Actuarial gain (loss), net of tax of $249 (a)	740			—		740
Net current-period other comprehensive income	740			—		740
Ending balance, June 30, 2018	$	(101,475	)	$	33	$	(101,442	)

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
(in thousands)	Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other			Total
Beginning balance, March 31, 2017	$	(92,981	)	$	313		$	(92,668	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			—			—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss:
Actuarial gain (loss), net of tax of $423 (a)	695			(16		)	679
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	695			(16		)	679
Ending balance, June 30, 2017	$	(92,286	)	$	297		$	(91,989	)

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
(in thousands)	Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other		Total
Beginning balance, December 31, 2017	$	(102,955	)	$	33	$	(102,922	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss:
Actuarial gain (loss), net of tax of $497 (a)	1,480			—		1,480
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	1,480			—		1,480
Ending balance, June 30, 2018	$	(101,475	)	$	33	$	(101,442	)

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
(in thousands)	Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other			Total
Beginning balance, December 31, 2016	$	(93,676	)	$	329		$	(93,347	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			—			—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss:
Actuarial gain (loss), net of tax of $846 (a)	1,390			(32		)	1,358
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	1,390			(32		)	1,358
Ending balance, June 30, 2017	$	(92,286	)	$	297		$	(91,989	)

^(a) Actuarial gain (loss) is included in defined benefit pension plan expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations

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Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Summary of discontinued operations and assets held for sale

Operating results of our discontinued radio operations were as follows:

	Three Months Ended   June 30,						Six Months Ended   June 30,
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2018			2017
Operating revenues	$	17,386		$	17,784		$	30,685		$	32,213
Total costs and expenses	(13,421		)	(14,163		)	(24,937		)	(26,353		)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	—			(868		)	—			(1,731		)
Impairment of goodwill	(5,900		)	—			(25,900		)	—
Other, net	(9		)	(211		)	(157		)	(251		)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	(1,944		)	2,542			(20,309		)	3,878
Provision for income taxes	998			852			1,137			1,394
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	(2,942	)	$	1,690		$	(21,446	)	$	2,484

The following table presents a summary of the radio assets held for sale included in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

(in thousands)	As of   June 30,   2018		As of   December 31,   2017
Assets:
Total current assets	$	13,206	$	12,891
Property and equipment	36,055		35,470
Goodwill and intangible assets	61,562		87,462
Other assets	181		181
Total assets included in the disposal group	111,004		136,004
Liabilities:
Total current liabilities	3,841		3,248
Deferred income taxes	16,290		16,288
Other liabilities	—		—
Total liabilities included in the disposal group	20,131		19,536
Net assets included in the disposal group	$	90,873	$	116,468

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 2,156		$ 2,156		$ 1,949
Unearned revenue	7,544		7,544		7,353
Capitalized customer acquisition costs	10,300		10,300		$ 8,000
Amortization of customer acquisition costs			300
Share-based compensation costs	$ 2,900	$ 2,900	$ 6,300	$ 8,700

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share)
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	$ 8,662	$ 6,855	$ 85	$ 4,122
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	(632)	0
Less income allocated to RSUs	(153)	(93)	(13)	(60)
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ 8,509	$ 6,762	$ 704	$ 4,062
Denominator
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	81,824	82,302	81,535	82,191
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options held by employees and directors	28	163	69	198
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	81,852	82,465	81,604	82,389

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Recently Adopted Standards and Issued Accounting Standards (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Advertising		$ 194,176	$ 137,502	$ 363,313	$ 257,398
Retransmission and carriage		74,658	66,059	145,718	132,270
Other		14,561	12,681	28,555	25,049
Total operating revenues		283,395	216,242	537,586	414,717
Employee compensation and benefits		95,071	87,990	193,560	182,915
Programming		84,427	49,178	167,790	97,901
Other expenses		63,782	46,927	116,805	87,693
Operating Costs and Expenses		$ 245,610	184,095	$ 484,292	368,509
Accounting Standards Update 2018-02 | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Tax effects reclassified related to defined benefits plans						$ 19,400
Customer Concentration Risk | Advertising Contracts
Concentration risk	65.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Retransmission Revenue
Concentration risk	30.00%
As Previously Reported
Advertising			137,716		257,827
Retransmission and carriage			66,059		132,270
Other			9,974		19,981
Total operating revenues			213,749		410,078
Employee compensation and benefits			87,990		182,915
Programming			46,685		93,262
Other expenses			46,927		87,693
Operating Costs and Expenses			181,602		363,870
Adjustments for Adoption of New Revenue Standard | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Advertising			(214)		(429)
Retransmission and carriage			0		0
Other			2,707		5,068
Total operating revenues			2,493		4,639
Employee compensation and benefits			0		0
Programming			2,493		4,639
Other expenses			0		0
Operating Costs and Expenses			$ 2,493		$ 4,639

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Acquisitions (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 02, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current portion of programming				$ 55,067	$ 53,468
Goodwill				755,949	755,949
Programming (less current portion)				82,889	85,269
Current portion of programming liabilities				50,481	58,176
Programming liabilities				$ 55,318	$ 54,641
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Abstract]
Operating revenues		$ 254,342	$ 487,630
Income from continuing operations, net of tax		$ 7,864	$ 5,326
Earnings Per Share, Pro Forma [Abstract]
Basic (in USD per share)		$ 0.10	$ 0.06
Diluted (in USD per share)		$ 0.10	$ 0.06
Katz Broadcasting
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, purchase price	$ 292,000
Noncontrolling interest owned	5.33%
Cash	$ 21,372
Accounts receivable	44,306
Current portion of programming	47,120
Intangible assets	32,300
Goodwill	209,572
Programming (less current portion)	74,998
Other assets	1,395
Total assets acquired	431,063
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	29,339
Current portion of programming liabilities	46,376
Programming liabilities	53,036
Net purchase price	302,312
Katz Broadcasting | Trade Names
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 8,000
Intangible asset, estimated amortization period	10 years
Katz Broadcasting | Advertiser Relationship
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 24,000
Intangible asset, estimated amortization period	5 years

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Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs	$ 2,330	$ 0	$ 6,137	$ 0
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations | Newspaper Syndication
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Gain on disposal		3,000
Midroll
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reduction in earn out provision		$ 2,500

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Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate	92.00%	(23.00%)
U.S. Federal statutory rate	21.00%	35.00%
Excess tax benefits on share-based compensation	$ 700	$ 2,400
Deferred tax assets	$ 17,524		$ 20,076

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Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current	$ 5.1	$ 5.1

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	$ 1,023,266
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(267,317)
Goodwill net, beginning balance	755,949
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	1,023,266
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(267,317)
Goodwill net, ending balance	755,949
Local Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	708,133
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(216,914)
Goodwill net, beginning balance	491,219
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	708,133
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(216,914)
Goodwill net, ending balance	491,219
National Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	315,133
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(50,403)
Goodwill net, beginning balance	264,730
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	315,133
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(50,403)
Goodwill net, ending balance	$ 264,730

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of other intangible assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Carrying amount:
Total carrying amount	$ 360,767	$ 355,013
Accumulated amortization:
Total accumulated amortization	(101,067)	(86,253)
Net amortizable intangible assets	259,700	268,760
Total other intangible assets	416,915	425,975
Indefinite-lived intangible assets - FCC licenses
Accumulated amortization:
Indefinite-lived intangible assets — FCC licenses	157,215	157,215
Television network affiliation relationships
Carrying amount:
Total carrying amount	248,444	248,444
Accumulated amortization:
Total accumulated amortization	(55,830)	(49,639)
Customer lists and advertiser relationships
Carrying amount:
Total carrying amount	69,500	69,500
Accumulated amortization:
Total accumulated amortization	(28,255)	(26,345)
Other
Carrying amount:
Total carrying amount	42,823	37,069
Accumulated amortization:
Total accumulated amortization	$ (16,982)	$ (10,269)

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Remainder of Fiscal Year	$ 13.8
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months	27.5
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	26.3
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	23.9
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	20.8
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	15.8
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, after Year Five	$ 131.6

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Long-Term Debt - Components of Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Components of Long-term debt
Total outstanding principal		$ 700,406	$ 701,906
Less: Debt issuance costs		(8,091)	(8,631)
Less: Current portion		(5,656)	(5,656)
Long-term debt (less current portion)		686,659	687,619
Fair value of long-term debt	[1]	679,425	703,572
Senior unsecured notes
Components of Long-term debt
Total outstanding principal		400,000	400,000
Unsecured subordinated notes
Components of Long-term debt
Total outstanding principal		2,656	2,656
Variable rate credit facility | Revolving credit facility
Components of Long-term debt
Total outstanding principal		0	0
Term Loan B, Maturing 2024
Components of Long-term debt
Total outstanding principal		$ 297,750	$ 299,250

[1] Fair value of the Senior Notes and the term loan B were estimated based on quoted private market transactions and are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the unsecured subordinated notes is determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis using current market interest rates of comparable instruments and is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

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Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Details)				3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2018	Oct. 02, 2017 USD ($)	Apr. 28, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issuance costs					$ 8,091,000	$ 8,631,000
Unsecured subordinated notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt stated rate					7.25%
Unsecured subordinated notes payable periodic payment					$ 2,700,000
Senior 5.125% Unsecured Notes, Due 2025 | Senior unsecured notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issued			$ 400,000,000
Debt stated rate			5.125%
Debt issuance price as percentage of par			100.00%
Debt issuance costs			$ 7,000,000
Senior 5.125% Unsecured Notes, Due 2025 | Senior unsecured notes | Redemption Period One
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt redemption price			100.00%
Senior 5.125% Unsecured Notes, Due 2025 | Senior unsecured notes | Redemption Period Two
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt redemption price			40.00%
Term Loan B, Maturing 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Write off of deferred financing costs				$ 2,400,000
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount						$ 400,000,000
Term Loan B, Maturing 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issued		$ 300,000,000
Interest rate reduction	25.00%
Net leverage ratio requirement		2.75
Variable interest rate					4.09%	3.82%
Weighted average interest rate					3.97%
Unsecured subordinated notes payable periodic payment		$ 3,000,000
Term Loan B, Maturing 2024 | Minimum | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
LIBOR plus margin range		2.00%
Term Loan B, Maturing 2024 | Maximum | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
LIBOR plus margin range		1.75%
Revolving credit facility, variable rate | Revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit and term loan agreement			$ 100,000,000
Amended and restated revolving credit facility | Revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit and term loan agreement			$ 125,000,000
Net leverage ratio requirement					5.5
Amended and restated revolving credit facility | Revolving credit facility | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of commitment fees of total unused commitment under revolving credit facility					0.30%
Amended and restated revolving credit facility | Revolving credit facility | Minimum | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
LIBOR plus margin range					1.75%
Amended and restated revolving credit facility | Revolving credit facility | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of commitment fees of total unused commitment under revolving credit facility					0.50%
Amended and restated revolving credit facility | Revolving credit facility | Maximum | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
LIBOR plus margin range					2.50%

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Other Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Other liabilities
Employee compensation and benefits	$ 20,424	$ 18,520
Programming liability	55,318	54,641
Liability for pension benefits	200,843	207,406
Liabilities for uncertain tax positions	676	644
Other	12,769	12,445
Other liabilities (less current portion)	$ 290,030	$ 293,656

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Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Other Changes in Certain Working Capital Accounts, Net
Accounts receivable	$ (5,363)	$ (9,086)
Other current assets	(5,040)	(8,939)
Accounts payable	8,836	(3,905)
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	(4,812)	(3,406)
Other accrued liabilities	(4,484)	6,764
Other, net	788	(1,575)
Total	$ (10,075)	$ (20,147)

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Employee Benefit Plans - Components of Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 3,411	$ 5,483	$ 7,639	$ 11,928
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense, Discontinued Operations	174	177	377	368
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense, Continuing Operations	3,237	5,306	7,262	11,560
Defined contribution plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost	1,978	1,957	4,771	4,861
Multi-employer plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost	44	59	91	133
Defined benefit plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Interest cost	5,925	6,486	11,850	12,971
Expected return on plan assets, net of expenses	(5,733)	(4,360)	(11,465)	(8,720)
Amortization of actuarial loss	920	1,084	1,841	2,168
Total for defined benefit pension plans	1,112	3,210	2,226	6,419
SERPs
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 277	$ 257	$ 551	$ 515

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Employee Benefit Plans - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($) plan
SERPs
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of non-qualified defined benefit plan | plan	2
Contributions to benefit plan	$ 1.7
Estimated future contributions	$ 4.8
Defined benefit plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of non-qualified defined benefit plan | plan	2
Contributions to benefit plan	$ 6.6
Estimated future contributions	$ 10.8

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Segment Information - Narrative (Details) - Local Media	Jun. 30, 2018 affiliate
ABC affiliates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of affiliates	15
NBC affiliates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of affiliates	5
FOX affiliates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of affiliates	2
CBS affiliates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of affiliates	2
My TV Affiliates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of affiliates	2
CW affiliate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of affiliates	1
Independent station
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of affiliates	1
Azteca America affiliates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of affiliates	3

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Segment Information - Schedule of Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Information regarding business segments
Total operating revenues	$ 283,395	$ 216,242	$ 537,586	$ 414,717
Segment profit (loss)	22,469	18,351	21,841	18,504
Restructuring costs	(2,330)	0	(6,137)	0
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(15,382)	(13,781)	(30,802)	(27,642)
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment	66	(15)	(651)	(62)
Interest expense	(9,279)	(8,248)	(18,038)	(12,443)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(1,389)	(3,467)	(2,777)	(6,934)
Miscellaneous, net	(156)	5,103	11	4,224
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	11,645	11,739	1,037	3,351
Depreciation:
Total depreciation	7,890	8,550	15,989	16,941
Amortization of intangibles:
Total amortization of intangibles	7,492	5,231	14,813	10,701
Additions to property and equipment:
Total additions to property and equipment	14,677	5,063	25,911	9,120
Local Media
Information regarding business segments
Total operating revenues	213,248	201,430	405,307	388,494
Segment profit (loss)	53,368	48,736	84,987	81,087
Depreciation:
Total depreciation	7,331	8,002	14,887	15,837
Amortization of intangibles:
Total amortization of intangibles	3,705	3,632	7,410	7,586
Additions to property and equipment:
Total additions to property and equipment	10,613	4,855	20,113	8,802
National Media
Information regarding business segments
Total operating revenues	68,226	13,016	128,947	22,703
Segment profit (loss)	2,037	(3,596)	4,072	(7,553)
Depreciation:
Total depreciation	134	15	230	22
Amortization of intangibles:
Total amortization of intangibles	3,448	1,260	6,726	2,438
Additions to property and equipment:
Total additions to property and equipment	4,051	186	5,725	197
Other
Information regarding business segments
Total operating revenues	1,921	1,796	3,332	3,520
Segment profit (loss)	(1,643)	(1,658)	(1,894)	(1,409)
Depreciation:
Total depreciation	38	59	76	126
Shared services and corporate
Information regarding business segments
Segment profit (loss)	(13,647)	(11,335)	(27,734)	(25,917)
Depreciation:
Total depreciation	387	474	796	956
Amortization of intangibles:
Total amortization of intangibles	339	339	677	677
Additions to property and equipment:
Total additions to property and equipment	$ 13	$ 22	$ 73	$ 121

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Segment Information - Disaggregation of Revenue Generating Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	$ 283,395	$ 216,242	$ 537,586	$ 414,717
Core advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	179,294	134,977	345,847	253,832
Political advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	14,882	2,525	17,466	3,566
Retransmission and carriage
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	74,658	66,059	145,718	132,270
Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	$ 14,561	$ 12,681	$ 28,555	$ 25,049

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Capital Stock (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($) director common_share $ / shares	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares	Nov. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Classes of common shares | common_share	2
Stock repurchased during period, value	$ 4,409,000	$ 6,257,000
Minimum
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Minimum number of directors up for election to entitle shareholders to vote | director	0.3333
Maximum
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Minimum number of directors up for election to entitle shareholders to vote | director	3
Common stock, Class A
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount			$ 100,000,000
Stock repurchased during period, value	$ 4,400,000	$ 6,300,000
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized amount	$ 78,200,000
Common stock, Class A | Minimum
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchased during period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 13.29	$ 16.82
Common stock, Class A | Maximum
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchased during period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 16.86	$ 23.01

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		$ (102,182)	$ (92,668)	$ (102,922)	$ (93,347)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		0	0	0	0
Actuarial gain (loss), net of tax	[1]	740
Ending balance		(101,442)	(91,989)	(101,442)	(91,989)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Actuarial gain (loss), net of tax	[1]	740	679	1,480	1,358
Net current-period other comprehensive income		740	679	1,480	1,358
Defined Benefit Pension Items
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		(102,215)	(92,981)	(102,955)	(93,676)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		0	0	0	0
Ending balance		(101,475)	(92,286)	(101,475)	(92,286)
Defined Benefit Pension Items | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Actuarial gain (loss), net of tax	[1]		695	1,480	1,390
Net current-period other comprehensive income		740	695	1,480	1,390
Actuarial gain (loss) tax amount		249	423	497	846
Other
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		33	313	33	329
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		0	0	0	0
Ending balance		33	297	33	297
Other | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Actuarial gain (loss), net of tax	[1]	0	(16)	0	(32)
Net current-period other comprehensive income		$ 0	$ (16)	$ 0	$ (32)

[1] Actuarial gain (loss) is included in defined benefit pension plan expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations

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Noncontrolling Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Apr. 30, 2017
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Ownership in joint venture by noncontrolling owners	30.00%
Non-cash contribution to joint venture by noncontrolling owner		$ 2.1

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Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Details) - Held-for-sale $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Aug. 03, 2018 USD ($) radio_station	Jun. 22, 2018 USD ($) radio_station	Dec. 31, 2017 radio_station
Radio Segment
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of radio stations | radio_station								34
Impairment of goodwill | $	$ 5,900	$ 20,000	$ 0	$ 25,900	$ 0
Radio Stations, Tulsa
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of radio stations contracted to sell | radio_station							5
Expected proceeds from divestiture | $							$ 12,500
Subsequent Event | Radio Stations, Milwaukee
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of radio stations contracted to sell | radio_station						2
Expected proceeds from divestiture | $						$ 16,000

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Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations - Operating Results of Discontinued Operations (Details) - Radio Segment - Held-for-sale - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 17,386		$ 17,784	$ 30,685	$ 32,213
Total costs and expenses	(13,421)		(14,163)	(24,937)	(26,353)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	0		(868)	0	(1,731)
Impairment of goodwill	(5,900)	$ (20,000)	0	(25,900)	0
Other, net	(9)		(211)	(157)	(251)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	(1,944)		2,542	(20,309)	3,878
Provision for income taxes	998		852	1,137	1,394
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ (2,942)		$ 1,690	$ (21,446)	$ 2,484

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Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations - Summary of Assets Held For Sale (Details) - Radio Segment - Held-for-sale - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets:
Total current assets	$ 13,206	$ 12,891
Property and equipment	36,055	35,470
Goodwill and intangible assets	61,562	87,462
Other assets	181	181
Total assets included in the disposal group	111,004	136,004
Liabilities:
Total current liabilities	3,841	3,248
Deferred income taxes	16,290	16,288
Other liabilities	0	0
Total liabilities included in the disposal group	20,131	19,536
Net assets included in the disposal group	$ 90,873	$ 116,468