The FCC is moving forward with a pleading cycle in which it is seeking comment from interested parties as to whether or not The E.W. Scripps Co. may move forward with the acquisition of 23 television station from INYO Broadcast Licenses — a deal that would reverse the sale of those properties to INYO by Scripps in order to meet local ownership rules that are expected to evaporate altogether.
In mid-December 2020, with the $2.65 billion merger between ION Media and The E.W. Scripps Co. winded its way toward completion, 23 television stations were earmarked for sale in order to adhere to the FCC’s national television household ownership reach limit.
Now, with likely rule “modernization” thanks to the return of President Trump to the White House and the leadership of FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, Scripps in late February disclosed that it wants to reacquire the properties — assuming it can secure Commission waivers ahead of any rule change.
The stations were sold with an important proviso, one that allows Scripps to reacquire the properties.
That’s exactly what Scripps seeks, with the following properties involved:
Crux to making this deal happen is the creation of a series of “triopoly” markets, where three full-power TV stations would be owned by Scripps.
The impacted markets are as follows:
- Phoenix: KNXV-TV, KASW-TV and KPPX-TV, licensed to Tolleson, Ariz.
- Detroit: WXYZ-TV and WMYD-TV and WPXD-TV, licensed to Ann Arbor, Mich.
- Denver: KMGH-TV and KPXC-TV and KCDO-TV in Sterling, Colo.
- Cleveland-Akron: WEWS-TV in Cleveland, WDLI-TV in Canton and WVPX-TV in Akron, Ohio
- Kansas City: KSHB-TV and KPXE-TV in Kansas City and KMCI-TV in Lawrence, Ks.
- West Palm Beach: WPTV-TV in West Palm Beach, WHDT-TV in Stuart, and WPXP-TV in Lake Worth, Fla.
- Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News: WTKR-TV and WPXV-TV in Norfolk and WGNT-TV in Portsmouth, Va.
- Lexington, Ky.: WLEX-TV and WTVQ-DT in Lexington and WUPX-TV in Richmond, Ky.
As a waiver was granted to Circle City Broadcasting allowing it to own three full-power TV stations in Indianapolis, the likelihood Scripps will win waivers is high.
Furthermore, post-transaction, Scripps would serve 40.29% of the national audience, and, therefore, a waiver of the National TV Multiple Ownership Rule is requested.
As matter must be open to public input, the creation of MB Docket No. 26-85 has come to fruition with the following pleading cycle:
Petition to Deny Date: May 18, 2026
Opposition Date: June 2, 2026
Reply Date: June 12, 2026
