Broadcast station owners want to consolidate. They're struggling to get deals to the finish line

There's a frenzy of merger and acquisition activity in the media industry as cord-cutting has upended the economics. Broadcast station owners like Nexstar and Sinclair want in on the action.

CNBC • Dec 2, 2025

Scripps adopts limited-duration shareholder rights plan

CINCINNATI, Nov. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The E.W. Scripps Company's (NASDAQ: SSP) board of directors has approved the adoption of a limited-duration shareholder rights plan following the public disclosure of an unsolicited, non-binding acquisition proposal for the company.

GlobeNewsWire • Nov 26, 2025

Scripps Confirms Unsolicited Sinclair Bid

Scripps said it will carefully review and evaluate the proposal.

WSJ • Nov 24, 2025

Sinclair offers to buy E.W. Scripps in bid to expand broadcast TV reach

U.S. broadcaster Sinclair has offered to buy E.W. Scripps in a cash-and-stock deal that values its smaller rival at $538 million, as cord-cutting and competition from streaming services lead to consolidation in the media industry.

Reuters • Nov 24, 2025

Sinclair acquires stake in Scripps in a push to merge

Sinclair acquired a roughly 8% position in Scripps, it disclosed Monday. The broadcast stations owner has been undergoing a strategic review of its business and holding discussions with potential merger partners.

CNBC • Nov 17, 2025

Broadcaster Sinclair builds stake in rival Scripps, presses for merger

U.S. broadcaster Sinclair on Monday disclosed an 8.2% stake in smaller rival E.W. Scripps and said it has been in talks for months about a deal that would combine the companies.

Reuters • Nov 17, 2025

Sinclair Takes Stake in E.W. Scripps to Push Takeover Deal

Sinclair believes scale is increasingly necessary in the broadcast TV industry and bought up the stake to pressure Scripps to strike a deal.

WSJ • Nov 17, 2025

Sinclair makes a move for Scripps as Trump's deregulation push makes previously unthinkable deals possible

The FCC has moved to loosen restrictions on local TV ownership, and remove caps on how many TV stations one company can own, which could pave the way for a Sinclair-Scripps merger

Market Watch • Nov 17, 2025

Scripps responds to Sinclair share purchase

CINCINNATI, Nov. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Sinclair Inc. (NASDAQ: SBGI) disclosed that it has acquired approximately 8.2% of the outstanding class A (non-voting) shares of The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP).

GlobeNewsWire • Nov 17, 2025

E.W. Scripps Stock Skyrockets 40% on Sinclair Stake. What Could Happen Next.

Sinclair is eyeing a takeover of its local media rival, but Scripps may not be ready to sell just yet.

Barrons • Nov 17, 2025