The E.W. Scripps Company (SSP) 10-Q 8 Nov 19 2019 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019shares
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	0-16914
Entity Registrant Name	THE E.W. SCRIPPS COMPANY
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	OH
Entity Tax Identification Number	31-1223339
Entity Address, Address Line One	312 Walnut Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Cincinnati
Entity Address, State or Province	OH
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	45202
City Area Code	513
Local Phone Number	977-3000
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	SSP
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000832428
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Common stock, Class A
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	68,981,874
Voting common stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	11,932,722

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 86,507	$ 107,114
Accounts receivable (less allowances— $2,924 and $4,371)	333,725	281,330
Programming	48,260	34,432
FCC repack receivable	28,531	19,242
Miscellaneous	37,219	28,899
Total current assets	534,242	471,017
Investments	8,395	7,162
Property and equipment	375,942	237,927
Right-of-use assets	128,117	0
Goodwill	1,323,312	834,013
Other intangible assets	1,021,025	478,953
Programming (less current portion)	89,799	75,333
Deferred income taxes	8,457	9,141
Miscellaneous	17,202	16,515
Total Assets	3,506,491	2,130,061
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	43,295	26,919
Unearned revenue	8,948	11,459
Current portion of long-term debt	10,650	3,000
Accrued liabilities:
Employee compensation and benefits	39,636	44,929
Programming liability	65,819	40,301
Miscellaneous	55,564	46,112
Other current liabilities	20,336	25,339
Total current liabilities	244,248	198,059
Long-term debt (less current portion)	1,925,566	685,764
Deferred income taxes	21,041	25,531
Operating lease liabilities	120,327	0
Other liabilities (less current portion)	301,535	294,542
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; 68,981,874 and 68,736,867 shares; Voting - authorized: 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 11,932,722 and 11,932,722 shares	809	807
Additional paid-in capital	1,114,239	1,106,984
Accumulated deficit	(127,612)	(86,229)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	(93,828)	(95,397)
Total The E.W. Scripps Company shareholders' equity	893,608	926,165
Noncontrolling interest	166	0
Total equity	893,774	926,165
Total Liabilities and Equity	3,506,491	2,130,061
Common stock, Class A
Equity:
Common stock, $.01 par: Class A - authorized: 240,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 68,981,874 and 68,736,867 shares; Voting - authorized: 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 11,932,722 and 11,932,722 shares	690	688
Voting common stock
Equity:
Common stock, $.01 par: Class A - authorized: 240,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 68,981,874 and 68,736,867 shares; Voting - authorized: 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 11,932,722 and 11,932,722 shares	$ 119	$ 119

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 2,900	$ 4,400
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	68,981,874	68,736,867
Common stock, shares outstanding	68,981,874	68,736,867
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

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Operating Revenues:
Total operating revenues		$ 349,777	$ 302,726	$ 979,435	$ 840,312
Costs and Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits		124,667	96,129	350,472	289,689
Programming		113,998	90,832	314,863	258,622
Other expenses		71,621	59,148	205,788	175,953
Acquisition and related integration costs		16,736	332	23,004	332
Restructuring costs		27	863	1,922	7,000
Total costs and expenses		327,049	247,304	896,049	731,596
Depreciation, Amortization, and (Gains) Losses:
Depreciation		10,020	8,627	28,990	24,616
Amortization of intangible assets		12,221	6,971	31,280	21,784
(Gains) losses, net on disposal of property and equipment		(11)	(501)	306	150
Net depreciation, amortization, and (gains) losses		22,230	15,097	60,576	46,550
Operating income		498	40,325	22,810	62,166
Interest expense		(26,537)	(9,003)	(53,476)	(27,041)
Defined benefit pension plan expense		(2,071)	(3,529)	(5,207)	(6,306)
Miscellaneous, net		2,042	(546)	1,611	(535)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		(26,068)	27,247	(34,262)	28,284
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(4,305)	7,208	(5,319)	8,160
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax		(21,763)	20,039	(28,943)	20,124
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		0	(908)	0	(22,354)
Net income (loss)		(21,763)	19,131	(28,943)	(2,230)
Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest		166	0	166	(632)
Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company		$ (21,929)	$ 19,131	$ (29,109)	$ (1,598)
Net income (loss) per basic share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:
Income (loss) from continuing operations		$ (0.27)	$ 0.24	$ (0.36)	$ 0.25
Loss from discontinued operations		0	(0.01)	0	(0.27)
Net income (loss) per basic share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:	[1]	(0.27)	0.23	(0.36)	(0.02)
Net income (loss) per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:
Income (loss) from continuing operations		(0.27)	0.24	(0.36)	0.25
Loss from discontinued operations		0	(0.01)	0	(0.27)
Income (loss) per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	[1]	$ (0.27)	$ 0.23	$ (0.36)	$ (0.02)
Advertising
Operating Revenues:
Total operating revenues		$ 220,018	$ 205,605	$ 606,861	$ 568,918
Retransmission and carriage
Operating Revenues:
Total operating revenues		97,128	79,673	277,736	225,391
Other
Operating Revenues:
Total operating revenues		$ 32,631	$ 17,448	$ 94,838	$ 46,003
[1]	Net income (loss) per share amounts may not foot since each is calculated independently.

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (21,763)	$ 19,131	$ (28,943)	$ (2,230)
Changes in defined benefit pension plans, net of tax of $218, $777, $528, and $1,274	648	2,316	1,569	3,796
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(21,115)	21,447	(27,374)	1,566
Less comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(166)	0	(166)	632
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ (21,281)	$ 21,447	$ (27,540)	$ 2,198

Condensed Consolidated Statem_3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Changes in defined benefit pension plans, tax amount	$ 218	$ 777	$ 528	$ 1,274

Condensed Consolidated Statem_4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss	$ (28,943)	$ (2,230)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(22,354)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(28,943)	20,124
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	60,270	46,400
(Gain)/loss on sale of property and equipment	306	150
Programming assets and liabilities	7,649	(10,775)
Deferred income taxes	(5,284)	3,072
Stock and deferred compensation plans	11,524	10,128
Pension expense, net of contributions	(9,630)	(13,261)
Other changes in certain working capital accounts, net	(33,977)	10,240
Miscellaneous, net	9,092	(1,168)
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations	11,007	64,910
Net cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations	0	8,878
Net operating activities	11,007	73,788
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	1,190,631	0
Acquisition of intangible assets	(24,475)	(7,229)
Additions to property and equipment	(41,775)	(39,279)
Purchase of investments	(1,453)	(79)
Proceeds from FCC repack	3,965	946
Miscellaneous, net	(41)	2,307
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations	(1,254,410)	(43,334)
Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations	0	(1,044)
Net investing activities	(1,254,410)	(44,378)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	1,281,175	0
Payments on long-term debt	(6,075)	(4,906)
Deferred financing costs	(31,295)	0
Dividends paid	(12,274)	(12,362)
Repurchase of Class A Common shares	(584)	(30,270)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	1,857
Tax payments related to shares withheld for RSU vesting	(3,716)	(2,520)
Miscellaneous, net	(4,437)	(165)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations	1,222,794	(48,366)
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	2	0
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(20,607)	(18,956)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Beginning of year	107,114	148,699
End of period	86,507	129,743
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Interest paid	41,965	19,683
Income taxes paid	11,878	934
Non-cash investing information
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable	$ 1,587	$ 698

Condensed Consolidated Statem_5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (AOCI)	Noncontrolling Interest
Equity, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017			$ 816	$ 1,129,020	$ (90,061)	$ (102,922)
Equity, Noncontrolling Interest, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017							$ 632
Total Equity, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017		$ 937,485
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income (loss)		1,566			(1,598)	3,796	(632)
Cash dividend declared and paid		(12,362)			(12,362)
Repurchase of Class A Common shares		(30,270)	(17)	(30,253)	0
Compensation plans	[1]	9,233	7	9,226
Equity, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2018			806	1,107,993	(104,021)	(99,126)
Equity, Noncontrolling Interest, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2018							0
Total Equity, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2018		905,652
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Tax payments related to shares withheld for vested stock and RSUs		2,520
Equity, beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2018			819	1,131,499	(119,012)	(101,442)
Equity, Noncontrolling Interest, beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2018							0
Total Equity, beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2018		911,864
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income (loss)		21,447			19,131	2,316
Cash dividend declared and paid		(4,140)			(4,140)
Repurchase of Class A Common shares		(25,861)	(14)	(25,847)	0
Compensation plans	[2]	2,342	1	2,341
Equity, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2018			806	1,107,993	(104,021)	(99,126)
Equity, Noncontrolling Interest, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2018							0
Total Equity, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2018		905,652
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Tax payments related to shares withheld for vested stock and RSUs		620
Equity, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018		926,165	807	1,106,984	(86,229)	(95,397)
Equity, Noncontrolling Interest, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018		0					0
Total Equity, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018		926,165
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income (loss)		(27,374)			(29,109)	1,569	166
Cash dividend declared and paid		(12,274)			(12,274)
Repurchase of Class A Common shares		(584)	(2)	(582)	0
Compensation plans	[3]	7,841	4	7,837
Equity, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019		893,608	809	1,114,239	(127,612)	(93,828)
Equity, Noncontrolling Interest, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019		166					166
Total Equity, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019		893,774
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Tax payments related to shares withheld for vested stock and RSUs		3,716
Equity, beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2019			809	1,111,849	(101,529)	(94,476)
Equity, Noncontrolling Interest, beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2019							0
Total Equity, beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2019		916,653
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income (loss)		(21,115)			(21,929)	648	166
Cash dividend declared and paid		(4,154)			(4,154)
Compensation plans	[4]	2,390	0	2,390
Equity, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019		893,608	$ 809	$ 1,114,239	$ (127,612)	$ (93,828)
Equity, Noncontrolling Interest, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019		166					$ 166
Total Equity, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019		893,774
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Tax payments related to shares withheld for vested stock and RSUs		$ 16
[1]	Net of tax payments related to shares withheld for vested RSUs of $2,520 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 .
[2]	Net of tax payments related to shares withheld for vested RSUs of $620 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 . Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands, except per share data) Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) ("AOCI") Noncontrolling Interest Total Equity As of December 31, 2018 $ 807 $ 1,106,984 $ (86,229 ) $ (95,397 ) $ — $ 926,165 Comprehensive income (loss) — — (29,109 ) 1,569 166 (27,374 ) Cash dividend: declared and paid - $0.15 per share — — (12,274 ) — — (12,274 ) Repurchase of 180,541 Class A Common shares (2 ) (582 ) — — — (584 ) Compensation plans: 425,548 net shares issued * 4 7,837 — — — 7,841 As of September 30, 2019 $ 809 $ 1,114,239 $ (127,612 ) $ (93,828 ) $ 166 $ 893,774
[3]	Net of tax payments related to shares withheld for vested RSUs of $3,716 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 .
[4]	Net of tax payments related to shares withheld for vested RSUs of $16 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 .

Condensed Consolidated Statem_6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Shares issued on compensation plans	41,612	116,392	425,548	731,414
Repurchase of Class A Common shares	0	1,405,535	180,541	1,690,736
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.15	$ 0.15
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.15	$ 0.15

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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 2018 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. Principles of Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities (VIEs) for which we are the primary beneficiary. We are the primary beneficiary of a VIE when we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that would be significant to the VIE. Noncontrolling interest represents an owner’s share of the equity in certain of our consolidated entities. All intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in entities over which we have significant influence but not control are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Income from equity method investments represents our proportionate share of net income generated by equity method investees. 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. 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 Triton business earns revenue from monthly fees charged to audio publishers for converting their content into digital audio streams and inserting digital advertising into those audio streams and providing statistical measurement information about their listening audience. Our podcast business acts as a sales and marketing representative and earns commission for its work. Refer to Note 13 . 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 — 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 — 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. Other — Revenues generated by our Triton business are recognized on a ratable basis over the contract term as the monthly service is provided to the customer. Transaction Price Allocated to Remaining Performance Obligations — As of September 30, 2019 , we had an aggregate transaction price of $85.9 million allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations related to contracts within our Triton business. We expect to recognize revenue on 86% of these remaining performance obligations over the next 24 months and the remainder thereafter. We did not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations on any other contracts with customers because they are either (i) contracts with an original expected term of one year or less, (ii) contracts for which the sales- or usage-based royalty exception was applied, or (iii) contracts for which we recognize revenue at the amount to which we have the right to invoice for services performed. 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. The allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $2.9 million at September 30, 2019 and $4.4 million at December 31, 2018 . 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 $8.9 million at September 30, 2019 and is expected to be recognized within revenue over the next 12 months. Unearned revenue totaled $11.5 million at December 31, 2018 . We recorded $10.0 million of revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 that was included in unearned revenue at December 31, 2018 . Leases — We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, other current liabilities and operating lease liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As the implicit rate is not readily determinable for most of our leases, we use our incremental borrowing rate when determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate represents an estimate of the interest rate we would incur at lease commencement to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over the term of the lease. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any payments made at or before commencement and is reduced by any lease incentives. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Share-Based Compensation — We have a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which is described more fully in our 2018 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 $2.0 million and $2.6 million for the third quarter of 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Year-to-date share-based compensation costs totaled $10.6 million and $8.9 million in 2019 and 2018, 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 Nine Months Ended (in thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share) Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax $ (21,763 ) $ 20,039 $ (28,943 ) $ 20,124 (Income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (166 ) — (166 ) 632 Less income allocated to RSUs — (316 ) — (338 ) Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company $ (21,929 ) $ 19,723 $ (29,109 ) $ 20,418 Denominator Basic weighted-average shares outstanding 80,877 81,452 80,791 81,606 Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options and restricted stock units — 632 — 491 Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding 80,877 82,084 80,791 82,097 For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, we incurred a net loss and the inclusion of RSUs would have been anti-dilutive. Accordingly, the diluted EPS calculation for the 2019 periods excludes the effect from 1.4 million of outstanding RSUs as of September 30, 2019 .

Recently Adopted Standards and

Recently Adopted Standards and Issued Accounting Standards (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Recently Adopted Standards and Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards Recently Adopted Accounting Standards — In August 2018, the SEC issued a final rule that amended certain of its disclosure requirements that were redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated or superseded. In addition, the amendments expanded the disclosure requirements on the analysis of shareholders' equity for interim financial statements. Under the amendments, an analysis of changes in each caption of shareholders' equity presented in the balance sheet must be provided in a note or separate statement. The analysis should present a reconciliation of the beginning balance to the ending balance of each period for which a statement of comprehensive income is required to be filed. The first interim period this rule was effective for our condensed consolidated financial statements was June 30, 2019. As such, we have provided condensed consolidated statements of equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new guidance on the accounting for leases. Under this guidance, lessees are required to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases at the commencement date. In July 2018, the FASB approved amendments to create an optional transition method. The amendments provided an option to implement the new leasing standard through a cumulative-effect adjustment to opening retained earnings in the period of adoption without having to restate the comparative periods presented. We adopted the standard on January 1, 2019 using this optional transition method that does not restate the comparative prior periods. The new guidance provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. We elected the transition package of three practical expedients permitted within the standard, which eliminates the requirements to reassess prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. We did not elect the hindsight practical expedient, which permits the use of hindsight when determining lease term and impairment of right-of-use assets. We have utilized the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components. Further, we elected a short-term lease exception policy, permitting us to not apply the recognition requirements of this standard to short-term leases (i.e. leases with terms of 12 months or less). Implementation of the standard resulted in the recognition of $46.6 million of right-of-use assets and $50.3 million of lease liabilities, which included the impact of prepaid and deferred rent and lease incentives, on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. No cumulative-effect adjustment was recognized as the amount was not material, and adoption of the standard had no impact on our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Recently Issued Accounting Standards — In March 2019, the FASB issued new guidance to align the accounting for the costs of producing films and episodic television series in response to changes in production and distribution models in the media and entertainment industry. The new guidance amends the capitalization, amortization, impairment, presentation and disclosure requirements for entities that produce and own content, and also aligns the impairment guidance for licensed content to the owned content fair value model. This guidance applies to broadcasters and entities that produce and distribute films and episodic television series through both traditional mediums and digital mediums. It is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements, as well as the timing of adoption. In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance to address a customer's accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement ("CCA") that is a service contract. The new guidance aligns the accounting for costs incurred to implement a CCA that is a service arrangement with the guidance on capitalizing costs associated with developing or obtaining internal-use software. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements, as well as the timing of adoption. In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance to add, remove and clarify annual disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The guidance is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020 with early adoption permitted, and it should be applied on a retrospective basis. We believe the main impact of this guidance will be to no longer disclose the amount in accumulated other comprehensive income that is expected to be recognized as part of net periodic benefit cost over the next year. Additionally, we will have to add a narrative description for any significant gains and losses affecting the benefit obligation for the period. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our disclosures as well as the timing of adoption. 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, specifically as it relates to our allowances for accounts receivable, which we don’t anticipate having a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosure as of the adoption date.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions Television Stations Acquisitions On September 19, 2019, we closed on the previously announced acquisition of eight television stations in seven markets from the Nexstar Media Group, Inc. ("Nexstar") transaction with Tribune Media Company ("Tribune"). Cash consideration for the transaction totaled $582 million . Seven of the stations were operated by Tribune, and its subsidiaries, and one was operated by Nexstar. Nexstar was required to divest these stations in order to complete its acquisition of Tribune. The purchase price and other related costs associated with the transaction were financed from a combination of incremental term loan B proceeds and a portion of the $500 million of senior unsecured notes issued on July 26, 2019. From the acquisition date of September 19, 2019 through September 30, 2019 , revenue from the Nexstar-Tribune stations was $9.8 million . On May 1, 2019, we acquired 15 television stations in 10 markets from Cordillera Communications, LLC ("Cordillera"), for $521 million in cash, plus a working capital adjustment of $23.9 million . We financed the acquisition with a $765 million term loan B, of which $240 million was segregated into a separate account for financing a portion of the Nexstar transaction. From the acquisition date of May 1, 2019 through September 30, 2019 , revenue from the Cordillera stations was $64.8 million . Effective January 1, 2019, we acquired television stations owned by Raycom Media ("Raycom") — Waco, Texas ABC affiliate KXXV/KRHD and Tallahassee, Florida ABC affiliate WTXL — for $55 million in cash. These stations were being divested as part of Gray Television's acquisition of Raycom. From the acquisition date of January 1, 2019 through September 30, 2019 , revenue from the Raycom stations was $17.6 million . The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the Raycom, Cordillera and Nexstar-Tribune assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the closing dates. (in thousands) Raycom Cordillera Nexstar- Tribune Total Accounts receivable $ — $ 26,264 $ — $ 26,264 Other current assets — 986 3,541 4,527 Property and equipment 11,721 53,671 59,373 124,765 Operating lease right-of-use assets 296 4,667 82,447 87,410 Goodwill 18,349 253,735 212,065 484,149 Indefinite-lived intangible assets - FCC licenses 6,800 26,500 144,900 178,200 Amortizable intangible assets: Television network affiliation relationships 17,400 168,700 157,000 343,100 Advertiser relationships 700 5,900 7,300 13,900 Other intangible assets — 13,000 — 13,000 Accounts payable — (15 ) — (15 ) Accrued expenses — (3,835 ) (1,635 ) (5,470 ) Other current liabilities — (280 ) (2,867 ) (3,147 ) Operating lease liabilities (296 ) (4,387 ) (79,766 ) (84,449 ) Net purchase price $ 54,970 $ 544,906 $ 582,358 $ 1,182,234 Of the value allocated to amortizable intangible assets, television network affiliation relationships have an estimated amortization period of 20 years, advertiser relationships have estimated amortization periods of 5 - 10 years and the value allocated to a shared services agreement has an estimated amortization period of 20 years. The goodwill of $484 million arising from the transactions consists largely of synergies, economies of scale and other benefits of a larger broadcast footprint. We allocated the goodwill to our Local Media segment. We treated the transactions as asset acquisitions for income tax purposes resulting in a step-up in the assets acquired. The goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes. Omny Studio On June 10, 2019, we completed the acquisition of Omny Studio ("Omny") for a cash purchase price of $8.5 million . Omny is a Melbourne, Australia-based podcasting software-as-a-service company operating as a part of Triton in our National Media segment. Omny is an audio-on-demand platform built specifically for professional audio publishers. The platform enables audio publishers to seamlessly record, edit, distribute, monetize and analyze podcast content; replace static ads with dynamically inserted, highly targeted ads; and automates key aspects of campaign management, such as industry separation, frequency capping and volume normalization. The preliminary purchase price allocation assigned $5.2 million to goodwill, $3.8 million to a developed technology intangible asset and the remainder was allocated to various working capital and deferred tax liability accounts. The developed technology intangible asset has an estimated amortization period of 10 years. The goodwill arising from the transaction consists largely of the fact that the addition of Omny's podcast and on-demand audio publishing platform to Triton's portfolio of streaming, advertising and measurement technologies provides audio publishers around the world with a full-stack enterprise solution to increase reach and revenue. Triton On November 30, 2018, we acquired Triton Digital Canada, Inc. ("Triton") for total cash consideration of $160 million . Assets acquired in the transaction included approximately $10.5 million of cash. The transaction was funded with cash on hand at time of closing. Triton is a leading global digital audio infrastructure and audience measurement services company. Triton's infrastructure and ad-serving solutions deliver live and on-demand audio streams and insert advertisements into those streams. Triton's data and measurement service is recognized as the currency by which publishers sell digital audio advertising. The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the Triton assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the closing date. (in thousands) Cash $ 10,515 Accounts receivable 8,879 Other current assets 679 Property and equipment 705 Goodwill 83,876 Other intangible assets 75,000 Accounts payable (1,881 ) Accrued expenses (2,964 ) Other current liabilities (19 ) Deferred tax liability (14,577 ) Net purchase price $ 160,213 Of the $75 million allocated to intangible assets, $39 million was assigned to various developed technologies for audience measurement, content delivery and advertising with lives ranging from 8 - 12 years, $31 million was assigned to customer relationships with a life of 12 years and $5 million was assigned to trade names with a life of 10 years. The goodwill of $84 million arises from being able to capitalize on the growth of the streaming audio industry and further improve our position in the global digital audio marketplace. The goodwill is allocated to our National Media segment. The transaction is accounted for as a stock acquisition which applies carryover tax basis to the assets and liabilities acquired. The goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes. Pro forma results of operations Pro forma results of operations, assuming the Cordillera and Nexstar-Tribune acquisitions had taken place at the beginning of 2018, are presented in the following table. The pro forma results do not include Raycom, Omny Studio or Triton, as the impact of these acquisitions, individually or in the aggregate, is not material to prior year results of operations. The pro forma information includes the historical results of operations of Scripps, Cordillera and Nexstar-Tribune, as well as adjustments for additional depreciation and amortization of the assets acquired, additional interest expense related to the financing of the transaction and other transactional adjustments. The pro forma results exclude the $19.9 million of transaction related costs that were expensed in conjunction with the acquisitions and do not include efficiencies, cost reductions or synergies expected to result from the acquisitions. The unaudited pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the acquisitions been completed at the beginning of the period. Nine Months Ended (in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited) 2019 2018 Operating revenues $ 1,200,529 $ 1,146,019 Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company (43,981 ) (4,517 ) Income (loss) per share from operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company: Basic $ (0.54 ) $ (0.06 ) Diluted (0.54 ) (0.06 )

Asset Write-Downs and Other Cha

Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits	Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits Income (loss) from continuing operations includes the following: 2019 - Acquisition and related integration costs of $16.7 million in the third quarter of 2019 and $23.0 million in the first nine months of 2019 reflect investment banking and legal fees incurred to complete the current year acquisitions, as well as professional service costs incurred to integrate Triton and the Raycom, Cordillera and Nexstar-Tribune television stations. 2018 - In the third quarter of 2018 , costs associated with our previously announced restructuring totaled $0.9 million . For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , these restructuring costs totaled $7.0 million . Acquisition and related integration costs of $0.3 million

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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 nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 was 16% and 29% , respectively. Other differences between our effective income tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory rate are the impact of state taxes, foreign taxes, non-deductible expenses, changes in reserves for uncertain tax positions and excess tax benefits or expense on share-based compensation ( $0.8 million benefit and $1.0 million expense in 2019 and 2018, respectively). Deferred tax assets totaled $8.5 million at September 30, 2019 , 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.

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash At December 31, 2018 , our cash and cash equivalents included $5.1 million held in a restricted cash account on deposit with our insurance carrier. This account served 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 was 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. At September 30, 2019 , no

Leases

Leases	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	Leases We have operating leases for office space, data centers and certain equipment. Our leases have remaining lease terms of 1 year to 20 years, some of which may include options to extend the leases for up to 5 years, and some of which may include options to terminate the leases within 1 year. Operating lease costs recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2019 totaled $4.3 million , including short-term lease costs of $0.1 million . Year-to-date September 30, 2019 costs totaled $11.3 million , including short-term lease costs of $0.2 million . Other information related to our operating leases was as follows: (in thousands, except lease term and discount rate) As of Balance Sheet Information Right-of-use assets $ 128,117 Other current liabilities 12,779 Operating lease liabilities 120,327 Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Operating leases 12.30 years Weighted Average Discount Rate Operating leases 5.3 % (in thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Nine Months Ended Supplemental Cash Flows Information Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities $ 4,222 $ 11,268 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations 2,188 3,330 Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as of September 30, 2019 were as follows: (in thousands) Operating Leases Remainder of 2019 $ 5,278 2020 18,098 2021 12,495 2022 15,691 2023 15,786 Thereafter 116,867 Total future minimum lease payments 184,215 Less: Imputed interest (51,109 ) Total $ 133,106 Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as of December 31, 2018 (1) were as follows: (in thousands) Operating Leases 2019 $ 11,197 2020 9,195 2021 6,545 2022 6,352 2023 11,412 Thereafter 15,311 Total future minimum lease payments $ 60,012 (1) Amounts included for comparability and accounted for in accordance with ASC 840, "Leases".

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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, 2018 $ 708,133 $ 393,197 $ 1,101,330 Accumulated impairment losses (216,914 ) (50,403 ) (267,317 ) Net balance as of December 31, 2018 491,219 342,794 834,013 Television station acquisitions 484,149 — 484,149 Omny acquisition — 5,150 5,150 Balance as of September 30, 2019 $ 975,368 $ 347,944 $ 1,323,312 Gross balance as of September 30, 2019 $ 1,192,282 $ 398,347 $ 1,590,629 Accumulated impairment losses (216,914 ) (50,403 ) (267,317 ) Net balance as of September 30, 2019 $ 975,368 $ 347,944 $ 1,323,312 Other intangible assets consisted of the following: (in thousands) As of As of Amortizable intangible assets: Carrying amount: Television network affiliation relationships $ 591,544 $ 248,444 Customer lists and advertiser relationships 112,332 100,500 Other 108,767 88,393 Total carrying amount 812,643 437,337 Accumulated amortization: Television network affiliation relationships (75,472 ) (62,020 ) Customer lists and advertiser relationships (45,195 ) (36,380 ) Other (25,566 ) (17,199 ) Total accumulated amortization (146,233 ) (115,599 ) Net amortizable intangible assets 666,410 321,738 Indefinite-lived intangible assets — FCC licenses 354,615 157,215 Total other intangible assets $ 1,021,025 $ 478,953 On April 4, 2019, we acquired assets from an independent station in Stuart, Florida, for $23.6 million in cash. The value attributed to the acquired FCC license totaled $19.2 million and $4.1 million of value was attributed to an other intangible asset. Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for each of the next five years is $14.9 million for the remainder of 2019 , $55.9 million in 2020 , $53.1 million in 2021 , $48.3 million in 2022 , $43.3 million in 2023 , $41.5 million in 2024 and $409.4 million in later years.

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-Term Debt Long-term debt consisted of the following: (in thousands) As of As of Revolving credit facility $ 20,000 $ — Senior unsecured notes, due in 2025 400,000 400,000 Senior unsecured notes, due in 2027 500,000 — Term loan B 294,000 296,250 Term loan B-1 761,175 — Total outstanding principal 1,975,175 696,250 Less: Debt issuance costs and issuance discounts (38,959 ) (7,486 ) Less: Current portion (10,650 ) (3,000 ) Net carrying value of long-term debt $ 1,925,566 $ 685,764 Fair value of long-term debt * $ 1,985,788 $ 662,844 * Fair values of the 2025 and 2027 Senior Notes are estimated based on quoted private market transactions and are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of the term loans are based on observable estimates provided by third party financial professionals, and as such, are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. 2025 Senior Unsecured Notes Our $400 million senior unsecured notes ("the 2025 Senior Notes") bear interest at a rate of 5.125% per annum and mature on May 15, 2025 . Interest is payable semi-annually on May 15 and November 15 of each year. Prior to May 15, 2020, we may redeem the 2025 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 2025 Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption, plus a “make-whole” premium, as set forth in the 2025 Senior Notes indenture. In addition, on or prior to May 15, 2020 , we may redeem up to 40% of the 2025 Senior Notes, using proceeds of equity offerings. If we sell certain of our assets or have a change of control, the holders of the 2025 Senior Notes may require us to repurchase some or all of the notes. The 2025 Senior Notes are also guaranteed by us and the majority of our subsidiaries. The 2025 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 2025 Senior Notes, which are being amortized over the life of the notes. 2027 Senior Unsecured Notes On July 26, 2019, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Scripps Escrow, Inc. ("Scripps Escrow"), issued $500 million of senior unsecured notes, which bear interest at a rate of 5.875% per annum and mature on July 15, 2027 ("the 2027 Senior Notes"). The 2027 Senior Notes were released from Escrow on September 19, 2019 upon closing the acquisition of eight television stations from Nexstar. A portion of the proceeds from these 2027 Senior Notes and the incremental term loan B-1 proceeds were used to finance these stations acquired from Nexstar. The 2027 Senior Notes were priced at 100% of par value and interest is payable semi-annually on July 15 and January 15, commencing on January 15, 2020. Prior to July 15, 2022, we may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2027 Senior Notes at a redemption price of 105.875% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. We may also redeem some or all of the notes before 2022 at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. If we sell certain of our assets or have a change of control, the holders of the 2027 Senior Notes may require us to repurchase some or all of the notes. The 2027 Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by certain of our existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries. The 2027 Senior Notes contain covenants with which we must comply that are typical for borrowing transactions of this nature. There are no registration rights associated with the 2027 Senior Notes. We incurred approximately $10.7 million of deferred financing costs in connection with the issuance of the 2027 Senior Notes, which are being amortized over the life of the notes. Term Loan B Our $300 million term loan B matures in October 2024. We amended the 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 September 30, 2019 , we were not required to make any additional principal payments for excess cash flow. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the interest rate on the term loan B was 4.04% and 4.34% , respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on the term loan B was 4.25% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 . Term Loan B-1 On May 1, 2019, we entered into a Fourth Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement ("Fourth Amendment"). Under the Fourth Amendment, we issued a $765 million term loan B ("term loan B-1") that matures in May 2026 with interest payable at rates based on LIBOR, plus a fixed margin of 2.75% . Term loan B-1 requires annual principal payments of $7.7 million . Deferred financing costs and original issuance discount totaled approximately $23.0 million with term loan B-1, which are being amortized over the life of the loan. Of the $765 million raised under the term loan B-1, $525 million of the proceeds were used to fund the Cordillera acquisition and pay related fees and expenses, which closed on May 1, 2019. The remaining proceeds financed a portion of the acquisition of eight broadcast television stations from the Nexstar transaction with Tribune Media Company, which closed on September 19, 2019. As of September 30, 2019 , the interest rate on the term loan B-1 was 4.79% . The weighted-average interest rate on the term loan B-1 was 5.00% for the months it was outstanding during 2019. Revolving Credit Facility We have a $210 million revolving credit facility ("Revolving Credit Facility") that expires in 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% . As of September 30, 2019 , we had $ 20 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility with an interest rate of 4.29% . The weighted-average interest rate over the period during which we had a drawn revolver balance was 4.33% . 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. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $6.0 million and $0.1 million

Other Liabilities

Other Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	Other Liabilities Other liabilities consisted of the following: (in thousands) As of As of Employee compensation and benefits $ 20,730 $ 19,775 Deferred FCC repack income 32,938 20,620 Programming liability 50,262 43,825 Liability for pension benefits 186,768 198,444 Liabilities for uncertain tax positions 776 811 Other 10,061 11,067 Other liabilities (less current portion) $ 301,535 $ 294,542

Supplemental Cash Flow Informat

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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: Nine Months Ended (in thousands) 2019 2018 Accounts receivable $ (22,567 ) $ (9,317 ) Other current assets (7,508 ) (5,219 ) Accounts payable 15,156 14,154 Accrued employee compensation and benefits (5,119 ) (6,320 ) Other accrued liabilities 6,583 6,322 Unearned revenue (2,511 ) 10,339 Other, net (18,011 ) 281 Total $ (33,977 ) $ 10,240

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Employee Benefit Plans We sponsor a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan and non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans ("SERPs"). The accrual for future benefits has been frozen in our defined benefit pension plan and SERPs. 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 Nine Months Ended (in thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Interest cost $ 5,865 $ 5,962 $ 17,465 $ 17,812 Expected return on plan assets, net of expenses (4,865 ) (5,734 ) (14,981 ) (17,199 ) Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service cost 823 1,026 1,967 2,867 Total for defined benefit pension plans 1,823 1,254 4,451 3,480 Multi-employer plans 4 50 103 141 SERPs 248 2,275 756 2,826 Defined contribution plan 2,743 2,137 7,433 6,908 Net periodic benefit cost 4,818 5,716 12,743 13,355 Allocated to discontinued operations — (132 ) — (509 ) Net periodic benefit cost — continuing operations $ 4,818 $ 5,584 $ 12,743 $ 12,846 We contributed $0.9 million to fund current benefit payments for our SERPs and $13.8 million for our defined benefit pension plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 . During the remainder of 2019 , we anticipate contributing an additional $0.3 million to fund the SERPs' benefit payments and an additional $4.8 million to fund our qualified defined benefit pension plan. In the third quarter of 2018, we recognized a $2.0 million

Segment Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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 on which our chief operating decision maker makes resource-allocation decisions. We report our financial performance based on the following segments: Local Media, National Media, Other. Our Local Media segment includes our local broadcast stations and their related digital operations. It is comprised of eighteen ABC affiliates, eleven NBC affiliates, nine CBS affiliates, four FOX affiliates, two MyNetworkTV affiliates, five CW affiliate, two independent stations and nine additional low power stations. Our Local Media segment earns revenue primarily from the sale of advertising to local, national and political advertisers and retransmission fees received from cable operators, 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, Stitcher and its advertising network Midroll Media (Midroll), Newsy, Triton 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. 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 Nine Months Ended (in thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Segment operating revenues: Local Media $ 252,392 $ 230,734 $ 692,494 $ 636,041 National Media 97,205 71,761 283,028 200,708 Other 180 231 3,913 3,563 Total operating revenues $ 349,777 $ 302,726 $ 979,435 $ 840,312 Segment profit (loss): Local Media $ 49,678 $ 67,416 $ 138,180 $ 152,403 National Media 5,250 2,838 16,764 6,910 Other (1,270 ) (1,267 ) (3,188 ) (3,161 ) Shared services and corporate (14,167 ) (12,370 ) (43,444 ) (40,104 ) Acquisition and related integration costs (16,736 ) (332 ) (23,004 ) (332 ) Restructuring costs (27 ) (863 ) (1,922 ) (7,000 ) Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets (22,241 ) (15,598 ) (60,270 ) (46,400 ) Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment 11 501 (306 ) (150 ) Interest expense (26,537 ) (9,003 ) (53,476 ) (27,041 ) Defined benefit pension plan expense (2,071 ) (3,529 ) (5,207 ) (6,306 ) Miscellaneous, net 2,042 (546 ) 1,611 (535 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes $ (26,068 ) $ 27,247 $ (34,262 ) $ 28,284 Depreciation: Local Media $ 8,197 $ 8,004 $ 24,179 $ 22,891 National Media 1,420 273 3,622 503 Other 43 37 120 113 Shared services and corporate 360 313 1,069 1,109 Total depreciation $ 10,020 $ 8,627 $ 28,990 $ 24,616 Amortization of intangible assets: Local Media $ 7,438 $ 3,706 $ 16,864 $ 11,116 National Media 4,445 2,927 13,401 9,653 Shared services and corporate 338 338 1,015 1,015 Total amortization of intangible assets $ 12,221 $ 6,971 $ 31,280 $ 21,784 Additions to property and equipment: Local Media $ 8,460 $ 8,156 $ 30,351 $ 28,269 National Media 2,184 5,625 10,820 11,350 Other 308 — 518 — Shared services and corporate 374 — 980 73 Total additions to property and equipment $ 11,326 $ 13,781 $ 42,669 $ 39,692 A disaggregation of the principal activities from which we generate revenue is as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Operating revenues: Core advertising $ 214,981 $ 165,587 $ 598,828 $ 511,434 Political 5,037 40,018 8,033 57,484 Retransmission and carriage 97,128 79,673 277,736 225,391 Other 32,631 17,448 94,838 46,003 Total operating revenues $ 349,777 $ 302,726 $ 979,435 $ 840,312

Capital Stock

Capital Stock	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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 purchases 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. As part of the share repurchase plan, during 2018 the Company entered into an Accelerated Share Repurchase ("ASR") agreement with JP Morgan to repurchase $25 million of the Company’s common stock. Under the ASR agreement, the Company paid $25 million to JP Morgan and received an initial delivery of 1.3 million shares in the third quarter of 2018, which represented 80% of the total shares the Company expected to receive based on the market price at the time of the initial delivery. The transaction was accounted for as an equity transaction. The par value of shares received was recorded as a reduction to common stock with the remainder recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital or retained earnings. Upon initial receipt of the shares, there was an immediate reduction in the weighted average common shares calculation for basic and diluted earnings per share. Upon final settlement of the ASR agreement in February 2019, the Company received additional deliveries totaling 147,164 shares of its common stock based on a weighted average cost per share of $ 16.70 over the term of the ASR agreement. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019 , we repurchased $0.6 million of shares at prices ranging from $15.54 to $18.72 per share. Excluding the shares repurchased under the ASR, during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , we repurchased $5.3 million of shares at prices ranging from $13.29 to $16.86 per share. At September 30, 2019 , $49.7 million

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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 September 30, 2019 (in thousands) Defined Benefit Pension Items Other Total Beginning balance, June 30, 2019 $ (94,444 ) $ (32 ) $ (94,476 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications — — — Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax of $218 (a) 648 — 648 Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 648 — 648 Ending balance, September 30, 2019 $ (93,796 ) $ (32 ) $ (93,828 ) Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) Defined Benefit Pension Items Other Total Beginning balance, June 30, 2018 $ (101,475 ) $ 33 $ (101,442 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications — — — Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax of $777 (a) 2,316 — 2,316 Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 2,316 — 2,316 Ending balance, September 30, 2018 $ (99,159 ) $ 33 $ (99,126 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 (in thousands) Defined Benefit Pension Items Other Total Beginning balance, December 31, 2018 $ (95,365 ) $ (32 ) $ (95,397 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications — — — Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax of $528 (a) 1,569 — 1,569 Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 1,569 — 1,569 Ending balance, September 30, 2019 $ (93,796 ) $ (32 ) $ (93,828 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) Defined Benefit Pension Items Other Total Beginning balance, December 31, 2017 $ (102,955 ) $ 33 $ (102,922 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications — — — Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax of $1,274 (a) 3,796 — 3,796 Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 3,796 — 3,796 Ending balance, September 30, 2018 $ (99,159 ) $ 33 $ (99,126 ) (a) Actuarial gain (loss) is included in defined benefit pension plan expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations

Assets Held for Sale and Discon

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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 consisted of 34 radio stations in eight markets. We closed on the sale of our Tulsa radio stations on October 1, 2018, closed on the sales of our Milwaukee, Knoxville, Omaha, Springfield and Wichita radio stations on November 1, 2018 and closed on the sales of our Boise and Tucson radio stations on December 12, 2018. Operating results of our discontinued radio operations were as follows: (in thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Nine months ended September 30, 2018 Operating revenues $ 13,456 $ 44,141 Total costs and expenses (14,511 ) (39,448 ) Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets — (25,900 ) Other, net — (157 ) Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes (1,055 ) (21,364 ) Provision (benefit) for income taxes (147 ) 990 Net loss from discontinued operations $ (908 ) $ (22,354 ) During the year-to-date period of 2018, we recorded $25.9 million of non-cash impairment charges to write-down the goodwill of our radio business to fair value.

Summary of Significant Accoun_2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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 2018 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.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities (VIEs) for which we are the primary beneficiary. We are the primary beneficiary of a VIE when we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that would be significant to the VIE. Noncontrolling interest represents an owner’s share of the equity in certain of our consolidated entities. All intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in entities over which we have significant influence but not control are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Income from equity method investments represents our proportionate share of net income generated by equity method investees.
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.
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 Triton business earns revenue from monthly fees charged to audio publishers for converting their content into digital audio streams and inserting digital advertising into those audio streams and providing statistical measurement information about their listening audience. Our podcast business acts as a sales and marketing representative and earns commission for its work. Refer to Note 13 . Segment Information for further information, including revenue by significant product and service offering.
Revenue Recognition and 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. The allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $2.9 million at September 30, 2019 and $4.4 million at December 31, 2018 . 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 $8.9 million at September 30, 2019 and is expected to be recognized within revenue over the next 12 months. Unearned revenue totaled $11.5 million at December 31, 2018 . We recorded $10.0 million of revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 that was included in unearned revenue at December 31, 2018 . 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 — 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 — 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. Other — Revenues generated by our Triton business are recognized on a ratable basis over the contract term as the monthly service is provided to the customer.
Transaction Price Allocated to Remaining Performance Obligations	Transaction Price Allocated to Remaining Performance Obligations — As of September 30, 2019 , we had an aggregate transaction price of $85.9 million allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations related to contracts within our Triton business. We expect to recognize revenue on 86% of these remaining performance obligations over the next 24 months and the remainder thereafter. We did not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations on any other contracts with customers because they are either (i) contracts with an original expected term of one year or less, (ii) contracts for which the sales- or usage-based royalty exception was applied, or (iii) contracts for which we recognize revenue at the amount to which we have the right to invoice for services performed.
Leases	Leases — We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, other current liabilities and operating lease liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As the implicit rate is not readily determinable for most of our leases, we use our incremental borrowing rate when determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate represents an estimate of the interest rate we would incur at lease commencement to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over the term of the lease. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any payments made at or before commencement and is reduced by any lease incentives. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation — We have a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which is described more fully in our 2018 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 $2.0 million and $2.6 million for the third quarter of 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Year-to-date share-based compensation costs totaled $10.6 million and $8.9 million in 2019 and 2018, 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.

Summary of Significant Accoun_3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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 Nine Months Ended (in thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share) Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax $ (21,763 ) $ 20,039 $ (28,943 ) $ 20,124 (Income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (166 ) — (166 ) 632 Less income allocated to RSUs — (316 ) — (338 ) Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company $ (21,929 ) $ 19,723 $ (29,109 ) $ 20,418 Denominator Basic weighted-average shares outstanding 80,877 81,452 80,791 81,606 Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options and restricted stock units — 632 — 491 Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding 80,877 82,084 80,791 82,097

Acquisitions (Tables)

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Preliminary Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the Triton assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the closing date. (in thousands) Cash $ 10,515 Accounts receivable 8,879 Other current assets 679 Property and equipment 705 Goodwill 83,876 Other intangible assets 75,000 Accounts payable (1,881 ) Accrued expenses (2,964 ) Other current liabilities (19 ) Deferred tax liability (14,577 ) Net purchase price $ 160,213 The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the Raycom, Cordillera and Nexstar-Tribune assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the closing dates. (in thousands) Raycom Cordillera Nexstar- Tribune Total Accounts receivable $ — $ 26,264 $ — $ 26,264 Other current assets — 986 3,541 4,527 Property and equipment 11,721 53,671 59,373 124,765 Operating lease right-of-use assets 296 4,667 82,447 87,410 Goodwill 18,349 253,735 212,065 484,149 Indefinite-lived intangible assets - FCC licenses 6,800 26,500 144,900 178,200 Amortizable intangible assets: Television network affiliation relationships 17,400 168,700 157,000 343,100 Advertiser relationships 700 5,900 7,300 13,900 Other intangible assets — 13,000 — 13,000 Accounts payable — (15 ) — (15 ) Accrued expenses — (3,835 ) (1,635 ) (5,470 ) Other current liabilities — (280 ) (2,867 ) (3,147 ) Operating lease liabilities (296 ) (4,387 ) (79,766 ) (84,449 ) Net purchase price $ 54,970 $ 544,906 $ 582,358 $ 1,182,234
Schedule of Pro Forma Information	Pro forma results of operations, assuming the Cordillera and Nexstar-Tribune acquisitions had taken place at the beginning of 2018, are presented in the following table. The pro forma results do not include Raycom, Omny Studio or Triton, as the impact of these acquisitions, individually or in the aggregate, is not material to prior year results of operations. The pro forma information includes the historical results of operations of Scripps, Cordillera and Nexstar-Tribune, as well as adjustments for additional depreciation and amortization of the assets acquired, additional interest expense related to the financing of the transaction and other transactional adjustments. The pro forma results exclude the $19.9 million of transaction related costs that were expensed in conjunction with the acquisitions and do not include efficiencies, cost reductions or synergies expected to result from the acquisitions. The unaudited pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the acquisitions been completed at the beginning of the period. Nine Months Ended (in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited) 2019 2018 Operating revenues $ 1,200,529 $ 1,146,019 Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company (43,981 ) (4,517 ) Income (loss) per share from operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company: Basic $ (0.54 ) $ (0.06 ) Diluted (0.54 ) (0.06 )

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of Information Related to Operating Leases	Other information related to our operating leases was as follows: (in thousands, except lease term and discount rate) As of Balance Sheet Information Right-of-use assets $ 128,117 Other current liabilities 12,779 Operating lease liabilities 120,327 Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Operating leases 12.30 years Weighted Average Discount Rate Operating leases 5.3 %
Schedule of Lease Cost Information	(in thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Nine Months Ended Supplemental Cash Flows Information Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities $ 4,222 $ 11,268 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations 2,188 3,330
Schedule of Minimum Lease Payments Under Non-Cancellable Operating Leases	Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as of September 30, 2019 were as follows: (in thousands) Operating Leases Remainder of 2019 $ 5,278 2020 18,098 2021 12,495 2022 15,691 2023 15,786 Thereafter 116,867 Total future minimum lease payments 184,215 Less: Imputed interest (51,109 ) Total $ 133,106
Schedule of Future Minimum Payments Prior to 842	Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as of December 31, 2018 (1) were as follows: (in thousands) Operating Leases 2019 $ 11,197 2020 9,195 2021 6,545 2022 6,352 2023 11,412 Thereafter 15,311 Total future minimum lease payments $ 60,012 (1) Amounts included for comparability and accounted for in accordance with ASC 840, "Leases".

Goodwill and Other Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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, 2018 $ 708,133 $ 393,197 $ 1,101,330 Accumulated impairment losses (216,914 ) (50,403 ) (267,317 ) Net balance as of December 31, 2018 491,219 342,794 834,013 Television station acquisitions 484,149 — 484,149 Omny acquisition — 5,150 5,150 Balance as of September 30, 2019 $ 975,368 $ 347,944 $ 1,323,312 Gross balance as of September 30, 2019 $ 1,192,282 $ 398,347 $ 1,590,629 Accumulated impairment losses (216,914 ) (50,403 ) (267,317 ) Net balance as of September 30, 2019 $ 975,368 $ 347,944 $ 1,323,312
Summary of other finite-lived intangible assets	Other intangible assets consisted of the following: (in thousands) As of As of Amortizable intangible assets: Carrying amount: Television network affiliation relationships $ 591,544 $ 248,444 Customer lists and advertiser relationships 112,332 100,500 Other 108,767 88,393 Total carrying amount 812,643 437,337 Accumulated amortization: Television network affiliation relationships (75,472 ) (62,020 ) Customer lists and advertiser relationships (45,195 ) (36,380 ) Other (25,566 ) (17,199 ) Total accumulated amortization (146,233 ) (115,599 ) Net amortizable intangible assets 666,410 321,738 Indefinite-lived intangible assets — FCC licenses 354,615 157,215 Total other intangible assets $ 1,021,025 $ 478,953
Summary of other indefinite-lived intangible assets	Other intangible assets consisted of the following: (in thousands) As of As of Amortizable intangible assets: Carrying amount: Television network affiliation relationships $ 591,544 $ 248,444 Customer lists and advertiser relationships 112,332 100,500 Other 108,767 88,393 Total carrying amount 812,643 437,337 Accumulated amortization: Television network affiliation relationships (75,472 ) (62,020 ) Customer lists and advertiser relationships (45,195 ) (36,380 ) Other (25,566 ) (17,199 ) Total accumulated amortization (146,233 ) (115,599 ) Net amortizable intangible assets 666,410 321,738 Indefinite-lived intangible assets — FCC licenses 354,615 157,215 Total other intangible assets $ 1,021,025 $ 478,953

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Long-term debt	Long-term debt consisted of the following: (in thousands) As of As of Revolving credit facility $ 20,000 $ — Senior unsecured notes, due in 2025 400,000 400,000 Senior unsecured notes, due in 2027 500,000 — Term loan B 294,000 296,250 Term loan B-1 761,175 — Total outstanding principal 1,975,175 696,250 Less: Debt issuance costs and issuance discounts (38,959 ) (7,486 ) Less: Current portion (10,650 ) (3,000 ) Net carrying value of long-term debt $ 1,925,566 $ 685,764 Fair value of long-term debt * $ 1,985,788 $ 662,844 * Fair values of the 2025 and 2027 Senior Notes are estimated based on quoted private market transactions and are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of the term loans are based on observable estimates provided by third party financial professionals, and as such, are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Other Liabilities (Tables)

Other Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Other liabilities	Other liabilities consisted of the following: (in thousands) As of As of Employee compensation and benefits $ 20,730 $ 19,775 Deferred FCC repack income 32,938 20,620 Programming liability 50,262 43,825 Liability for pension benefits 186,768 198,444 Liabilities for uncertain tax positions 776 811 Other 10,061 11,067 Other liabilities (less current portion) $ 301,535 $ 294,542

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform_2

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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: Nine Months Ended (in thousands) 2019 2018 Accounts receivable $ (22,567 ) $ (9,317 ) Other current assets (7,508 ) (5,219 ) Accounts payable 15,156 14,154 Accrued employee compensation and benefits (5,119 ) (6,320 ) Other accrued liabilities 6,583 6,322 Unearned revenue (2,511 ) 10,339 Other, net (18,011 ) 281 Total $ (33,977 ) $ 10,240

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Components of benefit expense	The components of the employee benefit plans expense consisted of the following: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Interest cost $ 5,865 $ 5,962 $ 17,465 $ 17,812 Expected return on plan assets, net of expenses (4,865 ) (5,734 ) (14,981 ) (17,199 ) Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service cost 823 1,026 1,967 2,867 Total for defined benefit pension plans 1,823 1,254 4,451 3,480 Multi-employer plans 4 50 103 141 SERPs 248 2,275 756 2,826 Defined contribution plan 2,743 2,137 7,433 6,908 Net periodic benefit cost 4,818 5,716 12,743 13,355 Allocated to discontinued operations — (132 ) — (509 ) Net periodic benefit cost — continuing operations $ 4,818 $ 5,584 $ 12,743 $ 12,846

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Information regarding business segments	Information regarding our business segments is as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Segment operating revenues: Local Media $ 252,392 $ 230,734 $ 692,494 $ 636,041 National Media 97,205 71,761 283,028 200,708 Other 180 231 3,913 3,563 Total operating revenues $ 349,777 $ 302,726 $ 979,435 $ 840,312 Segment profit (loss): Local Media $ 49,678 $ 67,416 $ 138,180 $ 152,403 National Media 5,250 2,838 16,764 6,910 Other (1,270 ) (1,267 ) (3,188 ) (3,161 ) Shared services and corporate (14,167 ) (12,370 ) (43,444 ) (40,104 ) Acquisition and related integration costs (16,736 ) (332 ) (23,004 ) (332 ) Restructuring costs (27 ) (863 ) (1,922 ) (7,000 ) Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets (22,241 ) (15,598 ) (60,270 ) (46,400 ) Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment 11 501 (306 ) (150 ) Interest expense (26,537 ) (9,003 ) (53,476 ) (27,041 ) Defined benefit pension plan expense (2,071 ) (3,529 ) (5,207 ) (6,306 ) Miscellaneous, net 2,042 (546 ) 1,611 (535 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes $ (26,068 ) $ 27,247 $ (34,262 ) $ 28,284 Depreciation: Local Media $ 8,197 $ 8,004 $ 24,179 $ 22,891 National Media 1,420 273 3,622 503 Other 43 37 120 113 Shared services and corporate 360 313 1,069 1,109 Total depreciation $ 10,020 $ 8,627 $ 28,990 $ 24,616 Amortization of intangible assets: Local Media $ 7,438 $ 3,706 $ 16,864 $ 11,116 National Media 4,445 2,927 13,401 9,653 Shared services and corporate 338 338 1,015 1,015 Total amortization of intangible assets $ 12,221 $ 6,971 $ 31,280 $ 21,784 Additions to property and equipment: Local Media $ 8,460 $ 8,156 $ 30,351 $ 28,269 National Media 2,184 5,625 10,820 11,350 Other 308 — 518 — Shared services and corporate 374 — 980 73 Total additions to property and equipment $ 11,326 $ 13,781 $ 42,669 $ 39,692
Disaggregation of Principal Revenue Generating Activities	A disaggregation of the principal activities from which we generate revenue is as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Operating revenues: Core advertising $ 214,981 $ 165,587 $ 598,828 $ 511,434 Political 5,037 40,018 8,033 57,484 Retransmission and carriage 97,128 79,673 277,736 225,391 Other 32,631 17,448 94,838 46,003 Total operating revenues $ 349,777 $ 302,726 $ 979,435 $ 840,312

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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 September 30, 2019 (in thousands) Defined Benefit Pension Items Other Total Beginning balance, June 30, 2019 $ (94,444 ) $ (32 ) $ (94,476 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications — — — Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax of $218 (a) 648 — 648 Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 648 — 648 Ending balance, September 30, 2019 $ (93,796 ) $ (32 ) $ (93,828 ) Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) Defined Benefit Pension Items Other Total Beginning balance, June 30, 2018 $ (101,475 ) $ 33 $ (101,442 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications — — — Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax of $777 (a) 2,316 — 2,316 Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 2,316 — 2,316 Ending balance, September 30, 2018 $ (99,159 ) $ 33 $ (99,126 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 (in thousands) Defined Benefit Pension Items Other Total Beginning balance, December 31, 2018 $ (95,365 ) $ (32 ) $ (95,397 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications — — — Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax of $528 (a) 1,569 — 1,569 Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 1,569 — 1,569 Ending balance, September 30, 2019 $ (93,796 ) $ (32 ) $ (93,828 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) Defined Benefit Pension Items Other Total Beginning balance, December 31, 2017 $ (102,955 ) $ 33 $ (102,922 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications — — — Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax of $1,274 (a) 3,796 — 3,796 Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 3,796 — 3,796 Ending balance, September 30, 2018 $ (99,159 ) $ 33 $ (99,126 ) (a) Actuarial gain (loss) is included in defined benefit pension plan expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations

Assets Held for Sale and Disc_2

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Summary of discontinued operations	Operating results of our discontinued radio operations were as follows: (in thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Nine months ended September 30, 2018 Operating revenues $ 13,456 $ 44,141 Total costs and expenses (14,511 ) (39,448 ) Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets — (25,900 ) Other, net — (157 ) Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes (1,055 ) (21,364 ) Provision (benefit) for income taxes (147 ) 990 Net loss from discontinued operations $ (908 ) $ (22,354 )

Summary of Significant Accoun_4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands, shares in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Unsatisfied performance obligation	$ 85,900		$ 85,900
Amount of remaining performance obligation	86.00%		86.00%
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 2,900		$ 2,900		$ 4,400
Unearned revenue	8,948		8,948		$ 11,459
Prior year unearned revenue recognized in period			10,000
Share-based compensation costs	$ 2,000	$ 2,600	$ 10,600	$ 8,900
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of Earnings Per Share, amount			1.4

Summary of Significant Accoun_5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	$ (21,763)	$ 20,039	$ (28,943)	$ 20,124
Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	166	0	166	(632)
Income allocated to RSUs	0	316	0	338
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ (21,929)	$ 19,723	$ (29,109)	$ 20,418
Denominator
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	80,877	81,452	80,791	81,606
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and restricted stock units	0	632	0	491
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	80,877	82,084	80,791	82,097

Recently Adopted Standards an_2

Recently Adopted Standards and Issued Accounting Standards (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Right-of-use assets	$ 128,117	$ 46,600	$ 0
Total	$ 133,106	$ 50,300

Acquisitions - Acquisition Info

Acquisitions - Acquisition Information (Details)	Sep. 19, 2019USD ($)television_station	Jun. 10, 2019USD ($)	May 01, 2019USD ($)television_station	Jan. 01, 2019USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill						$ 1,323,312,000	$ 834,013,000
Indefinite-lived intangible assets - FCC licenses						354,615,000	$ 157,215,000
Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired | television_station	8
Business acquisition, purchase price	$ 582,000,000
Revenue of acquiree since acquisition date						9,800,000
Other current assets	3,541,000
Property and equipment	59,373,000
Right-of-use assets	82,447,000
Goodwill	212,065,000
Accrued expenses	(1,635,000)
Other current liabilities	(2,867,000)
Operating lease liabilities	(79,766,000)
Net purchase price	582,358,000
Cordillera Communications, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired | television_station			15
Business acquisition, purchase price			$ 521,000,000
Net working capital adjustment used in combination			23,900,000
Revenue of acquiree since acquisition date						64,800,000
Accounts receivable			26,264,000
Other current assets			986,000
Property and equipment			53,671,000
Right-of-use assets			4,667,000
Goodwill			253,735,000
Accounts payable			(15,000)
Accrued expenses			(3,835,000)
Other current liabilities			(280,000)
Operating lease liabilities			(4,387,000)
Net purchase price			544,906,000
Cordillera Communications, LLC and Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Transaction related costs						19,900,000
Raycom Media, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, purchase price				$ 55,000,000
Revenue of acquiree since acquisition date						17,600,000
Property and equipment				11,721,000
Right-of-use assets				296,000
Goodwill				18,349,000
Operating lease liabilities				(296,000)
Net purchase price				54,970,000
Raycom Media, Inc., Cordillera Communications, LLC And Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Accounts receivable						26,264,000
Other current assets						4,527,000
Property and equipment						124,765,000
Right-of-use assets						87,410,000
Goodwill						484,149,000
Accounts payable						(15,000)
Accrued expenses						(5,470,000)
Other current liabilities						(3,147,000)
Operating lease liabilities						(84,449,000)
Net purchase price						1,182,234,000
Raycom Media, Inc. And Cordillera Communications, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill						484,000,000
Omny Studio
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, purchase price		$ 8,500,000
Goodwill		5,200,000
Triton Digital Canada, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, purchase price					$ 160,000,000
Cash					10,515,000
Accounts receivable					8,879,000
Other current assets					679,000
Property and equipment					705,000
Goodwill					83,876,000
Other intangible assets					75,000,000
Accounts payable					(1,881,000)
Accrued expenses					(2,964,000)
Other current liabilities					(19,000)
Deferred tax liability					(14,577,000)
Net purchase price					160,213,000
Television network affiliation relationships | Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other intangible assets	157,000,000
Television network affiliation relationships | Cordillera Communications, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other intangible assets			168,700,000
Television network affiliation relationships | Raycom Media, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other intangible assets				17,400,000
Television network affiliation relationships | Raycom Media, Inc., Cordillera Communications, LLC And Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other intangible assets						$ 343,100,000
Television network affiliation relationships | Raycom Media, Inc. And Cordillera Communications, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible asset, estimated amortization period						20 years
Advertiser relationships | Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other intangible assets	7,300,000
Advertiser relationships | Cordillera Communications, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other intangible assets			5,900,000
Advertiser relationships | Raycom Media, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other intangible assets				700,000
Advertiser relationships | Raycom Media, Inc., Cordillera Communications, LLC And Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other intangible assets						$ 13,900,000
Advertiser relationships | Raycom Media, Inc. And Cordillera Communications, LLC | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible asset, estimated amortization period						5 years
Advertiser relationships | Raycom Media, Inc. And Cordillera Communications, LLC | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible asset, estimated amortization period						10 years
Shared Service Agreements | Cordillera Communications, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other intangible assets			$ 13,000,000
Intangible asset, estimated amortization period			20 years
Shared Service Agreements | Raycom Media, Inc., Cordillera Communications, LLC And Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other intangible assets						$ 13,000,000
Developed Technology Rights | Omny Studio
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other intangible assets		$ 3,800,000
Intangible asset, estimated amortization period		10 years
Developed Technology Rights | Triton Digital Canada, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other intangible assets					$ 39,000,000
Developed Technology Rights | Triton Digital Canada, Inc. | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible asset, estimated amortization period					8 years
Developed Technology Rights | Triton Digital Canada, Inc. | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible asset, estimated amortization period					12 years
Customer Relationships | Triton Digital Canada, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other intangible assets					$ 31,000,000
Intangible asset, estimated amortization period					12 years
Trade Names | Triton Digital Canada, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other intangible assets					$ 5,000,000
Intangible asset, estimated amortization period					10 years
Indefinite-lived intangible assets - FCC licenses | Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets - FCC licenses	$ 144,900,000
Indefinite-lived intangible assets - FCC licenses | Cordillera Communications, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets - FCC licenses			$ 26,500,000
Indefinite-lived intangible assets - FCC licenses | Raycom Media, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets - FCC licenses				$ 6,800,000
Indefinite-lived intangible assets - FCC licenses | Raycom Media, Inc., Cordillera Communications, LLC And Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets - FCC licenses						$ 178,200,000
Term Loan B, Maturing 2026 | Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of debt			240,000,000
Term Loan B, Maturing 2026 | Cordillera Communications, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of debt			525,000,000
Term Loan B, Maturing 2026 | Cordillera Communications, LLC and Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Debt face value			$ 765,000,000

Acquisitions - Pro Forma Inform

Acquisitions - Pro Forma Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 1,200,529	$ 1,146,019
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ (43,981)	$ (4,517)
Income (loss) per share from operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company, basic	$ (0.54)	$ (0.06)
Income (loss) per share from operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company, diluted	$ (0.54)	$ (0.06)

Asset Write-Downs and Other C_2

Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Acquisition and related integration costs	$ 16,736	$ 332	$ 23,004	$ 332
Restructuring costs	$ 27	$ 863	$ 1,922	$ 7,000

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate	16.00%	29.00%
Excess tax benefits on share-based compensation	$ 800
Excess tax expense on share-based compensation		$ 1,000
Deferred tax assets	$ 8,457		$ 9,141

Restricted Cash (Details)

Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current	$ 0	$ 5.1

Leases - Additional Information

Leases - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Option to extend leases	5 years	5 years
Option to terminate leases		1 year
Operating lease costs	$ 4.3	$ 11.3
Short-term lease costs	$ 0.1	$ 0.2
Minimum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Remaining lease terms	1 year	1 year
Maximum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Remaining lease terms	20 years	20 years

Leases - Information Related to

Leases - Information Related to Operating Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Leases [Abstract]
Right-of-use assets	$ 128,117	$ 46,600	$ 0
Other current liabilities	12,779
Operating lease liabilities	$ 120,327		$ 0
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term	12 years 3 months 18 days
Weighted Average Discount Rate	5.30%

Leases - Lease Cost Information

Leases - Lease Cost Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities	$ 4,222	$ 11,268
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations	$ 2,188	$ 3,330

Leases - Minimum Lease Payments

Leases - Minimum Lease Payments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Remainder of 2019	$ 5,278
2020	18,098
2021	12,495
2022	15,691
2023	15,786
Thereafter	116,867
Total future minimum lease payments	184,215
Less: Imputed interest	(51,109)
Total	$ 133,106	$ 50,300

Leases - Future Minimum Lease P

Leases - Future Minimum Lease Payments Prior to 842 (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
2019	$ 11,197
2020	9,195
2021	6,545
2022	6,352
2023	11,412
Thereafter	15,311
Total future minimum lease payments	$ 60,012

Goodwill and Other Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	$ 1,101,330
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(267,317)
Goodwill net, beginning balance	834,013
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	1,590,629
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(267,317)
Goodwill net, ending balance	1,323,312
Raycom Media, Inc., Cordillera Communications, LLC And Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	484,149
Goodwill net, ending balance	484,149
Omny Studio
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	5,150
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	1,192,282
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(216,914)
Goodwill net, ending balance	975,368
Local Media | Raycom Media, Inc., Cordillera Communications, LLC And Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	484,149
National Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	393,197
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(50,403)
Goodwill net, beginning balance	342,794
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	398,347
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(50,403)
Goodwill net, ending balance	347,944
National Media | Omny Studio
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$ 5,150

Goodwill and Other Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of other intangible assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Carrying amount:
Total carrying amount	$ 812,643	$ 437,337
Accumulated amortization:
Total accumulated amortization	(146,233)	(115,599)
Net amortizable intangible assets	666,410	321,738
Indefinite-lived intangible assets — FCC licenses	354,615	157,215
Total other intangible assets	1,021,025	478,953
Television network affiliation relationships
Carrying amount:
Total carrying amount	591,544	248,444
Accumulated amortization:
Total accumulated amortization	(75,472)	(62,020)
Customer lists and advertiser relationships
Carrying amount:
Total carrying amount	112,332	100,500
Accumulated amortization:
Total accumulated amortization	(45,195)	(36,380)
Other
Carrying amount:
Total carrying amount	108,767	88,393
Accumulated amortization:
Total accumulated amortization	$ (25,566)	$ (17,199)

Goodwill and Other Intangible_5

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 04, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Acquisition of intangible assets		$ 24,475	$ 7,229
Indefinite-lived intangible assets - FCC licenses		354,615		$ 157,215
Value of finite-lived intangible assets		812,643		437,337
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Remainder of Fiscal Year		14,900
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year One		55,900
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two		53,100
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three		48,300
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four		43,300
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five		41,500
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, after Year Five		409,400
Independent Station in Florida
Acquisition of intangible assets	$ 23,600
Indefinite-lived intangible assets - FCC licenses | Independent Station in Florida
Indefinite-lived intangible assets - FCC licenses	19,200
Other intangible asset
Value of finite-lived intangible assets		$ 108,767		$ 88,393
Other intangible asset | Independent Station in Florida
Value of finite-lived intangible assets	$ 4,100

Long-Term Debt - Components of

Long-Term Debt - Components of Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2019	May 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Apr. 28, 2017
Components of Long-term debt
Total outstanding principal		$ 1,975,175		$ 696,250
Less: Debt issuance costs and issuance discounts		(38,959)		(7,486)
Less: Current portion		(10,650)		(3,000)
Long-term debt (less current portion)		1,925,566		685,764
Fair value of long-term debt	[1]	1,985,788		662,844
2025 Senior Notes | Senior unsecured notes, due in 2025
Components of Long-term debt
Total outstanding principal		400,000		400,000
Less: Debt issuance costs and issuance discounts					$ (7,000)
Senior Unsecured Notes, Due 2027 | Senior unsecured notes, due in 2025
Components of Long-term debt
Total outstanding principal		500,000		0
Term Loan B, Maturing 2024
Components of Long-term debt
Total outstanding principal		294,000		296,250
Term Loan B, Maturing 2026
Components of Long-term debt
Total outstanding principal		761,175		0
Less: Debt issuance costs and issuance discounts			$ (23,000)
Revolving credit facility | Amended and restated revolving credit facility
Components of Long-term debt
Total outstanding principal		$ 20,000		$ 0
[1]	Fair values of the 2025 and 2027 Senior Notes are estimated based on quoted private market transactions and are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of the term loans are based on observable estimates provided by third party financial professionals, and as such, are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Det

Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Details)	Sep. 19, 2019television_station	Jul. 26, 2019USD ($)	May 01, 2019USD ($)television_station	Apr. 04, 2018	Oct. 02, 2017USD ($)	Apr. 28, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issuance costs							$ 38,959,000	$ 7,486,000
Total outstanding principal							1,975,175,000	696,250,000
2025 Senior Notes | Senior unsecured notes, due in 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face value						$ 400,000,000
Debt stated rate						5.125%
Debt issuance costs						$ 7,000,000
Total outstanding principal							400,000,000	400,000,000
2025 Senior Notes | Senior unsecured notes, due in 2025 | Redemption Period One
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt redemption price						100.00%
2025 Senior Notes | Senior unsecured notes, due in 2025 | Redemption Period Two
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt redemption price						40.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes, Due 2027 | Senior unsecured notes, due in 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total outstanding principal							$ 500,000,000	$ 0
Senior Unsecured Notes, Due 2027 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face value		$ 500,000,000
Debt stated rate		5.875%
Issuance price of debt		100.00%
Redemption as a percent of principal		40.00%
Debt issuance costs		$ 10,700,000
Senior Unsecured Notes, Due 2027 | Senior Notes | Redemption Period One
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt redemption price		105.875%
Senior Unsecured Notes, Due 2027 | Senior Notes | Redemption Period Two
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt redemption price		100.00%
Term Loan B, Maturing 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face value					$ 300,000,000
Interest rate reduction				25.00%
Net leverage ratio requirement					2.75
Annual principal payments					$ 3,000,000
Variable interest rate							4.04%	4.34%
Weighted average interest rate							4.25%
Total outstanding principal							$ 294,000,000	$ 296,250,000
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%
Term Loan B, Maturing 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issuance costs			$ 23,000,000
Annual principal payments			$ 7,700,000
Variable interest rate							4.79%
Weighted average interest rate							5.00%
Total outstanding principal							$ 761,175,000	0
Term Loan B, Maturing 2026 | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
LIBOR plus margin range			2.75%
Amended and restated revolving credit facility | Revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net leverage ratio requirement							5.5
Variable interest rate							4.29%
Weighted average interest rate							4.33%
Revolving credit and term loan agreement						$ 210,000,000
Total outstanding principal							$ 20,000,000	0
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%
Amended and restated revolving credit facility | Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of credit outstanding							$ 6,000,000	$ 100,000
Cordillera Communications, LLC and Nexstar Media Group, Inc. | Term Loan B, Maturing 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face value			$ 765,000,000
Cordillera Communications, LLC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired | television_station			15
Cordillera Communications, LLC | Term Loan B, Maturing 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of debt			$ 525,000,000
Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired | television_station	8
Nexstar Media Group, Inc. | Senior Unsecured Notes, Due 2027 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of debt		$ 500,000,000
Nexstar Media Group, Inc. | Term Loan B, Maturing 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of debt			$ 240,000,000

Other Liabilities (Details)

Other Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Other liabilities
Employee compensation and benefits	$ 20,730	$ 19,775
Deferred FCC repack income	32,938	20,620
Programming liability	50,262	43,825
Liability for pension benefits	186,768	198,444
Liabilities for uncertain tax positions	776	811
Other	10,061	11,067
Other liabilities (less current portion)	$ 301,535	$ 294,542

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform_3

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Other Changes in Certain Working Capital Accounts, Net
Accounts receivable	$ (22,567)	$ (9,317)
Other current assets	(7,508)	(5,219)
Accounts payable	15,156	14,154
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	(5,119)	(6,320)
Other accrued liabilities	6,583	6,322
Unearned revenue	(2,511)	10,339
Other, net	(18,011)	281
Total	$ (33,977)	$ 10,240

Employee Benefit Plans - Compon

Employee Benefit Plans - Components of Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 4,818	$ 5,716	$ 12,743	$ 13,355
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense, Discontinued Operations	0	132	0	509
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense, Continuing Operations	4,818	5,584	12,743	12,846
Defined contribution plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost	2,743	2,137	7,433	6,908
Multi-employer plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost	4	50	103	141
Defined benefit plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Interest cost	5,865	5,962	17,465	17,812
Expected return on plan assets, net of expenses	(4,865)	(5,734)	(14,981)	(17,199)
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service cost	823	1,026	1,967	2,867
Total for defined benefit pension plans	1,823	1,254	4,451	3,480
SERPs
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 248	$ 2,275	$ 756	$ 2,826

Employee Benefit Plans - Narrat

Employee Benefit Plans - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019
SERPs
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contributions to benefit plan		$ 0.9
Estimated future contributions		0.3
SERP settlement charge	$ 2
Defined benefit plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contributions to benefit plan		13.8
Estimated future contributions		$ 4.8

Segment Information - Narrative

Segment Information - Narrative (Details)	Sep. 30, 2019affiliatelow_power_station
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of low power stations operated | low_power_station	9
Local Media | ABC affiliates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of affiliates	18
Local Media | NBC affiliates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of affiliates	11
Local Media | CBS affiliates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of affiliates	9
Local Media | FOX affiliates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of affiliates	4
Local Media | My TV Affiliates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of affiliates	2
Local Media | CW affiliate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of affiliates	5
Local Media | Independent station
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of affiliates	2

Segment Information - Schedule

Segment Information - Schedule of Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Information regarding business segments
Total operating revenues	$ 349,777	$ 302,726	$ 979,435	$ 840,312
Segment profit (loss)	498	40,325	22,810	62,166
Acquisition and related integration costs	(16,736)	(332)	(23,004)	(332)
Restructuring costs	(27)	(863)	(1,922)	(7,000)
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets	(22,241)	(15,598)	(60,270)	(46,400)
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment	11	501	(306)	(150)
Interest expense	(26,537)	(9,003)	(53,476)	(27,041)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(2,071)	(3,529)	(5,207)	(6,306)
Miscellaneous, net	2,042	(546)	1,611	(535)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(26,068)	27,247	(34,262)	28,284
Depreciation:
Total depreciation	10,020	8,627	28,990	24,616
Amortization of intangible assets:
Total amortization of intangible assets	12,221	6,971	31,280	21,784
Additions to property and equipment:
Total additions to property and equipment	11,326	13,781	42,669	39,692
Local Media
Information regarding business segments
Total operating revenues	252,392	230,734	692,494	636,041
Segment profit (loss)	49,678	67,416	138,180	152,403
Depreciation:
Total depreciation	8,197	8,004	24,179	22,891
Amortization of intangible assets:
Total amortization of intangible assets	7,438	3,706	16,864	11,116
Additions to property and equipment:
Total additions to property and equipment	8,460	8,156	30,351	28,269
National Media
Information regarding business segments
Total operating revenues	97,205	71,761	283,028	200,708
Segment profit (loss)	5,250	2,838	16,764	6,910
Depreciation:
Total depreciation	1,420	273	3,622	503
Amortization of intangible assets:
Total amortization of intangible assets	4,445	2,927	13,401	9,653
Additions to property and equipment:
Total additions to property and equipment	2,184	5,625	10,820	11,350
Other
Information regarding business segments
Total operating revenues	180	231	3,913	3,563
Segment profit (loss)	(1,270)	(1,267)	(3,188)	(3,161)
Depreciation:
Total depreciation	43	37	120	113
Additions to property and equipment:
Total additions to property and equipment	308	0	518	0
Shared services and corporate
Information regarding business segments
Segment profit (loss)	(14,167)	(12,370)	(43,444)	(40,104)
Depreciation:
Total depreciation	360	313	1,069	1,109
Amortization of intangible assets:
Total amortization of intangible assets	338	338	1,015	1,015
Additions to property and equipment:
Total additions to property and equipment	$ 374	$ 0	$ 980	$ 73

Segment Information - Disaggreg

Segment Information - Disaggregation of Revenue Generating Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	$ 349,777	$ 302,726	$ 979,435	$ 840,312
Core advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	214,981	165,587	598,828	511,434
Political
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	5,037	40,018	8,033	57,484
Retransmission and carriage
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	97,128	79,673	277,736	225,391
Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	$ 32,631	$ 17,448	$ 94,838	$ 46,003

Capital Stock (Details)

Capital Stock (Details)	Feb. 25, 2019$ / sharesshares	Nov. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)shares	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)directorcommon_share$ / shares	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)$ / shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Classes of common shares | common_share				2
Accelerated share repurchase program, agreement to repurchase		$ 25,000,000
Accelerated share repurchases, payment			$ 25,000,000		$ 25,000,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares | shares	147,164		1,300,000
Accelerated Share Repurchase Program, Amount Of Shares Repurchased, Percent					80.00%
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share | $ / shares	$ 16.70
Stock repurchased during period, value			$ 25,861,000	$ 584,000	$ 30,270,000
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				$ 600,000	$ 5,300,000
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized amount				$ 49,700,000
Common stock, Class A | Minimum
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchased during period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares				$ 15.54	$ 13.29
Common stock, Class A | Maximum
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchased during period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares				$ 18.72	$ 16.86

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ (94,476)	$ (101,442)	$ (95,397)	$ (102,922)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	0	0	0	0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax	(648)	(2,316)	(1,569)	(3,796)
Net current-period other comprehensive income	648	2,316	1,569	3,796
Ending balance	(93,828)	(99,126)	(93,828)	(99,126)
Defined Benefit Pension Items
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(94,444)	(101,475)	(95,365)	(102,955)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	0	0	0	0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax	(648)	(2,316)	(1,569)	(3,796)
Net current-period other comprehensive income	648	2,316	1,569	3,796
Ending balance	(93,796)	(99,159)	(93,796)	(99,159)
Actuarial gain (loss) tax amount	218	777	528	1,274
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Other Category
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(32)	33	(32)	33
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	0	0	0	0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax	0	0	0	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Ending balance	$ (32)	$ 33	$ (32)	$ 33

Assets Held for Sale and Disc_3

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Details) - Radio Segment - Disposed of by sale $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018radio_station
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 | $	$ 0	$ 25,900

Assets Held for Sale and Disc_4

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations - Operating Results of Discontinued Operations (Details) - Radio Segment - Disposed of by sale - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 13,456	$ 44,141
Total costs and expenses	(14,511)	(39,448)
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets	0	(25,900)
Other, net	0	(157)
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes	(1,055)	(21,364)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(147)	990
Net loss from discontinued operations	$ (908)	$ (22,354)