10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014

OR

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

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number 0-16914

THE E. W. SCRIPPS COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. As of September 30, 2014, there were 44,692,345 of the registrant’s Class A Common shares, $.01 par value per share, outstanding and 11,932,722 of the registrant’s Common Voting shares, $.01 par value per share, outstanding.

Index to The E. W. Scripps Company Report

on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2014

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

2

PART I

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

Item 1. Financial Statements

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

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

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

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

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

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

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

PART II

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, such as defamation actions and governmental

proceedings, primarily relating to renewal of broadcast licenses, none of which is expected to result in material loss.

Members of the Board of Directors of Journal Communications, Inc. ("Journal"), and the parties to the Master Transaction Agreement, including Journal and Scripps, are defendants in a class action lawsuit filed in Circuit Court, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin (Howard Goldfinger v. Journal Communications, Inc., et al.). The plaintiff in this lawsuit alleges that the directors of Journal breached their fiduciary duties to Journal shareholders in connection with the transactions and that the other parties to the lawsuit aided and abetted such alleged breaches of fiduciary duty. The plaintiff alleges that the directors of Journal breached their fiduciary duties by, among other things, (i) agreeing to enter into the Master Transaction Agreement for inadequate consideration, (ii) having certain conflicts of interest, (iii) not negotiating a “collar” mechanism on the share exchange ratio, and (iv) agreeing to certain deal protection provisions, such as a termination fee, a “no-shop” provision, and a “matching rights” provision. The plaintiff also challenges the qualifications of Journal's financial advisor, Methuselah Advisors LLC ("Methuselah"), and asserts that Methuselah has a conflict because the founder and managing partner of Methuselah, who is the lead investment banker at Methuselah for Journal in this transaction, was employed by Lazard Freres & Co. LLC (“Lazard”) prior to 2010 as a managing partner and group co-head, where he had responsibility for Lazard’s relationship with Scripps.

The outcome of this lawsuit is uncertain and cannot be predicted. An adverse judgment for monetary damages could have a material adverse effect on the operations and liquidity of Journal or Scripps. An adverse judgment granting permanent injunctive relief could indefinitely enjoin completion of the transactions. Journal and Scripps believe the allegations of the plaintiff’s complaint are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against the claims alleged in this lawsuit. On August 29, 2014, the defendants filed motions asking the Circuit Court to dismiss this lawsuit. On October 20, 2014, the Circuit Court held a hearing and stated it would issue a ruling on such motions on or about November 11, 2014.

3

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, except that the following risk factor has been added.

Scripps faces cybersecurity and similar risks, which could result in the disclosure of confidential information, disruption of its operations, damage to its brands and reputation, legal exposure and financial losses.

Security breaches, computer malware or other “cyber attacks” could harm Scripps’ business by disrupting its delivery of services, jeopardizing Scripps’ confidential information and that of its vendors and clients, and damaging its reputation. Scripps’ operations are expected to routinely involve receiving, storing, processing and transmitting sensitive information. Although Scripps monitors its security measures regularly and believes it is not in a key target industry, any unauthorized intrusion, malicious software infiltration, theft of data, network disruption, denial of service, or similar act by any party could disrupt the integrity, continuity, and security of Scripps’ systems or the systems of its clients or vendors. These events could create financial liability, regulatory sanction, or a loss of confidence in our ability to protect information, and adversely affect our revenue by causing the loss of current or potential clients.

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

There were no sales of unregistered equity securities during the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

Our board of directors authorized a repurchase program in November 2012 of up to $100 million of our Class A Common shares. We have repurchased a total of $95 million of shares under this authorization. An additional $5 million of shares may be repurchased pursuant to this authorization which expires December 31, 2014.

In May 2014, our board of directors authorized a new repurchase program of up to $100 million of our Class A Common shares through December 2016. No shares have been repurchased under this program as of September 30, 2014.

Based on the terms of the Master Transaction Agreement with Journal Communications, we are precluded from repurchasing shares prior to closing the transactions.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

There were no defaults upon senior securities during the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

Item 5. Other Information

None.

Item 6. Exhibits

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

4

Signatures

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

	THE E. W. SCRIPPS COMPANY
Dated: November 7, 2014	By:	/s/ Douglas F. Lyons
		Douglas F. Lyons
		Vice President and Controller
		(Principal Accounting Officer)

5

The E. W. Scripps Company

Index to Financial Information

Item	Page
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	F-2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations	F-3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss	F-4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	F-5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity	F-6
Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	F-7
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	F-23
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	F-37
Controls and Procedures	F-38

F-1

The E. W. Scripps Company

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share data)	As of   September 30,   2014			As of   December 31,   2013
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	124,369		$	221,255
Restricted cash	6,810			8,210
Accounts and notes receivable (less allowances - $1,806 and $2,027)	125,096			139,703
Inventory	7,495			6,543
Deferred income taxes	11,510			17,861
Income taxes receivable	6,200			436
Miscellaneous	8,400			8,046
Total current assets	289,880			402,054
Investments	16,765			16,567
Property, plant and equipment	348,979			353,797
Goodwill	106,423			27,966
Other intangible assets	192,172			137,862
Deferred income taxes	7,890			8,733
Miscellaneous	16,334			19,151
Total Assets	$	978,443		$	966,130
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	16,719		$	16,529
Customer deposits and unearned revenue	34,058			28,633
Current portion of long-term debt	2,000			2,000
Accrued liabilities:
Employee compensation and benefits	36,802			26,986
Miscellaneous	33,908			28,930
Other current liabilities	13,173			10,043
Total current liabilities	136,660			113,121
Long-term debt (less current portion)	196,500			198,000
Other liabilities (less current portion)	108,432			107,272
Equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par — authorized: 25,000,000 shares; none outstanding	—			—
Common stock, $.01 par:
Class A — authorized: 240,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 44,692,345 and 44,094,501 shares	447			441
Voting — authorized: 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 11,932,722 and 11,932,722 shares	119			119
Total	566			560
Additional paid-in capital	511,064			509,243
Retained earnings	102,976			116,893
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes:
Unrealized loss on derivatives	(541		)	(718		)
Pension liability adjustments	(78,876		)	(80,205		)
Total The E.W. Scripps Company shareholders’ equity	535,189			545,773
Noncontrolling interest	1,662			1,964
Total equity	536,851			547,737
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	978,443		$	966,130

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-2

The E. W. Scripps Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2014			2013			2014			2013
Operating Revenues:
Advertising	$	154,030		$	141,139		$	458,055		$	446,391
Subscriptions	28,738			28,184			90,736			86,751
Retransmission	15,235			10,403			40,409			31,345
Other	9,597			9,809			34,140			31,554
Total operating revenues	207,600			189,535			623,340			596,041
Costs and Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	103,425			95,581			308,242			292,409
Programs and program licenses	16,181			14,318			42,951			40,332
Newsprint, press supplies and other printing costs	10,122			10,614			33,206			34,965
Newspaper distribution	11,492			11,623			35,046			35,837
Other expenses	46,760			49,502			150,727			149,629
Defined benefit pension plan expense	1,670			2,490			8,525			7,028
Acquisition and related integration costs	5,049			—			9,408			—
Separation and restructuring costs	—			1,290			—			3,691
Total costs and expenses	194,699			185,418			588,105			563,891
Depreciation, Amortization, and (Gains) Losses:
Depreciation	10,925			10,360			30,431			30,497
Amortization of intangible assets	2,270			1,736			6,088			5,187
(Gains) losses, net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	(2,951		)	177			(2,861		)	140
Net depreciation, amortization, and (gains) losses	10,244			12,273			33,658			35,824
Operating income (loss)	2,657			(8,156		)	1,577			(3,674		)
Interest expense	(2,050		)	(2,655		)	(6,347		)	(7,924		)
Miscellaneous, net	(216		)	(1,087		)	(1,061		)	(4,025		)
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes	391			(11,898		)	(5,831		)	(15,623		)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	1,835			(3,047		)	(341		)	(7,286		)
Net loss	(1,444		)	(8,851		)	(5,490		)	(8,337		)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(103		)	—			(302		)	—
Net loss attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	(1,341	)	$	(8,851	)	$	(5,188	)	$	(8,337	)
Net loss per basic share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.16	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.15	)
Net loss per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.16	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.15	)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-3

The E. W. Scripps Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
Net loss	$	(1,444	)	$	(8,851	)	$	(5,490	)	$	(8,337	)
Changes in fair value of derivative, net of tax of $37, $(107), $111 and $299	59			(177		)	177			494
Changes in defined benefit pension plans, net of tax of $364, $460, $924 and $1,759	441			1,179			1,329			3,135
Total comprehensive loss	(944		)	(7,849		)	(3,984		)	(4,708		)
Less comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(103		)	—			(302		)	—
Total comprehensive loss attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	(841	)	$	(7,849	)	$	(3,682	)	$	(4,708	)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-4

The E. W. Scripps Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended   September 30,
(in thousands)	2014			2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss	$	(5,490	)	$	(8,337	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	36,519			35,684
(Gains) losses on sale of property, plant and equipment	(2,861		)	140
Deferred income taxes	4,934			(1,770		)
Stock and deferred compensation plans	4,608			6,092
Pension expense, net of payments	3,639			4,294
Liability for withdrawal from GCIU employer retirement fund	4,100			—
Other changes in certain working capital accounts, net	27,034			(13,486		)
Miscellaneous, net	(1,449		)	3,318
Net cash provided by operating activities	71,034			25,935
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Acquisitions	(149,334		)	—
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	6,453			300
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(13,437		)	(15,531		)
Purchase of investments	(2,003		)	(1,425		)
Change in restricted cash	1,400			1,800
Miscellaneous, net	453			39
Net cash used in investing activities	(156,468		)	(14,817		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(1,500		)	(11,925		)
Repurchase of Class A Common shares	(21,237		)	(69,313		)
Proceeds from employee stock options	13,175			40,229
Tax payments related to shares withheld for RSU vesting	(4,035		)	(6,157		)
Miscellaneous, net	2,145			(4,458		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(11,452		)	(51,624		)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(96,886		)	(40,506		)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of year	221,255			242,642
End of period	$	124,369		$	202,136
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Interest paid	$	5,511		$	6,077
Income taxes paid	$	397		$	290

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-5

The E. W. Scripps Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share data)	Common Stock			Additional Paid-in Capital			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Equity
As of December 31, 2012	$	555		$	517,688		$	136,293		$	(116,840	)	$	2,214		$	539,910
Net income	—			—			(8,337		)	—			—			(8,337		)
Changes in defined benefit pension plans	—			—			—			3,135			—			3,135
Changes in fair value of derivative	—			—			—			494			—			494
Repurchase 4,816,228 Class A Common shares	(48		)	(52,501		)	(16,764		)	—			—			(69,313		)
Compensation plans: 4,980,097 net shares issued *	50			39,298			—			—			—			39,348
As of September 30, 2013	$	557		$	504,485		$	111,192		$	(113,211	)	$	2,214		$	505,237
As of December 31, 2013	$	560		$	509,243		$	116,893		$	(80,923	)	$	1,964		$	547,737
Net loss	—			—			(5,188		)	—			(302		)	(5,490		)
Changes in defined benefit pension plans	—			—			—			1,329			—			1,329
Changes in fair value of derivative	—			—			—			177			—			177
Repurchase 1,181,560 Class A Common shares	(12		)	(12,496		)	(8,729		)	—			—			(21,237		)
Compensation plans: 1,779,404 net shares issued *	18			14,317			—			—			—			14,335
As of September 30, 2014	$	566		$	511,064		$	102,976		$	(79,417	)	$	1,662		$	536,851

* Net of tax payments related to shares withheld for vested stock and RSUs of $4,035 in 2014 and $6,157 in 2013.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-6

The E. W. Scripps Company

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

As used in the Condensed Notes to 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 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In management's opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods have been made.

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

Nature of Operations — We are a diverse media enterprise with a portfolio of television, print and digital 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: television, newspapers and syndication and other. Additional information for our business segments is presented in the Condensed Notes to 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; 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.

Revenue Recognition — We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists, delivery occurs or services are rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. When a sales arrangement contains multiple elements, such as the sale of advertising and other services, we allocate revenue to each element based upon its relative fair value. We report revenue net of sales and other taxes collected from our customers.

Our primary sources of revenue are from the sale of print, broadcast and digital advertising, retransmission fees received from cable operators and satellite carriers and newspaper subscription fees.

The revenue recognition policies for each source of revenue are described in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Share-Based Compensation — We have a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which is described more fully in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The Plan provides for the award of incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (RSUs), unrestricted Class A Common shares and performance units to key employees and non-employee directors.

Share-based compensation costs totaled $0.2 million and $1.1 million for the third quarter of 2014 and 2013, respectively. Year-to-date share-based compensation costs totaled $4.9 million and $5.0 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively.

F-7

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   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share)
Net loss attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	(1,341	)	$	(8,851	)	$	(5,188	)	$	(8,337	)
Less income allocated to RSUs	—			—			—			—
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share	$	(1,341	)	$	(8,851	)	$	(5,188	)	$	(8,337	)
Denominator
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	56,469			56,177			56,200			56,696
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options held by employees and directors	—			—			—			—
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	56,469			56,177			56,200			56,696
Anti-dilutive securities (1)	3,313			5,551			3,313			5,551

⁽¹⁾ Amount outstanding at balance sheet date, before application of the treasury stock method and not weighted for period outstanding.

For the quarter and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2014 and 2013, we incurred a net loss and the inclusion of RSUs and stock options held by employees and directors would have been anti-dilutive, and accordingly the diluted EPS calculation for the period excludes those common share equivalents.

Derivative Financial Instruments — It is our policy that derivative transactions are executed only to manage exposures arising in the normal course of business and not for the purpose of creating speculative positions or trading. Derivative financial instruments are utilized to manage interest rate risks. We do not hold derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. All derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. Each derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge or remains undesignated. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and effective as cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified to earnings when the effects of the item being hedged are recognized in earnings. These changes are offset in earnings to the extent the hedge was effective by fair value changes related to the risk being hedged on the hedged item. Changes in the fair value of undesignated hedges are recognized currently in earnings. All ineffective changes in derivative fair values are recognized currently in earnings.

All designated hedges are formally documented as to the relationship with the hedged item as well as the risk-management strategy. Both at inception and on an ongoing basis, the hedging instrument is assessed as to its effectiveness, when applicable. If and when a derivative is determined not to be highly effective as a hedge, or the underlying hedged transaction is no longer likely to occur, or the hedge designation is removed, or the derivative is terminated, the hedge accounting discussed above is discontinued.

2. Recently Adopted Standards and Issued Accounting Standards

Recently Issued Accounting Standards — In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued new guidance on revenue recognition. Under this new standard, an entity shall recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard creates a five-step process that requires entities to exercise judgment when considering the terms of the contract(s) and all relevant facts and circumstances. This standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method and will be effective for us beginning in 2017. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently assessing the impact this new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and have not yet determined a transition method.

F-8

In August 2014, the FASB issued new guidance related to the disclosures around going concern. The new standard provides guidance around management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

3. Acquisitions

On June 16, 2014, we closed our acquisition of two television stations owned by Granite Broadcasting Corporation — the Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate WMYD-TV and the Buffalo, N.Y. ABC affiliate WKBW-TV ("Acquired Granite Stations") — for $110 million in cash. The acquisition of WMYD-TV creates a duopoly with our Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV.

Pending the finalization of third-party valuations and other items, the following table summarizes the preliminary fair value of the assets acquired as of June 16, 2014:

(in thousands)
Assets:
Property, plant and equipment	$	12,025
Intangible assets	53,500
Goodwill	44,475
Net purchase price	$	110,000

Of the $54 million allocated to intangible assets, $34.4 million was for FCC licenses which we have determined to have an indefinite life and therefore will not be amortized. The remaining balance of $19.1 million will be allocated to television network affiliation relationships and advertiser relationships with estimated amortization periods of 10 to 20 years.

The goodwill of $44.5 million arising from the transaction consists largely of synergies and economies of scale and other benefits of a larger broadcast footprint, as well as synergies from being able to create a duopoly in our Detroit market. We have allocated the goodwill to our television segment. We will treat the transaction as an asset acquisition for income tax purposes resulting in a step-up in the assets acquired. The goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes.

Pro forma results of operations, assuming the transaction had taken place at the beginning of 2013, are included in the following table. The pro forma information includes the historical results of operations of Scripps and the Acquired Granite Stations and adjustments for additional depreciation and amortization of the assets acquired. The pro forma information does not include efficiencies, cost reductions or synergies expected to result from the acquisition. The unaudited pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of the period. Reported results for the three months ended September 30,2014 include the impact of the Acquired Granite Stations and therefore are not presented as pro forma results.

	Three Months Ended   September 30,			Nine Months Ended   September 30,
(in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)	2013			2014			2013
Operating revenues	$	197,460		$	637,579		$	619,521
Loss from operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	(7,974		)	(3,655		)	(5,129		)
Loss per share from operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:
Basic	(0.14		)	(0.07		)	(0.09		)
Diluted	(0.14		)	(0.07		)	(0.09		)

F-9

On January 1, 2014 we completed our acquisition of Media Convergence Group, Inc., which operates as Newsy, a digital video news provider, for $35 million in cash, plus a working capital adjustment of $0.2 million.

Pending the finalization of third-party valuations and other items, the following table summarizes the preliminary fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed as of January 1, 2014:

(in thousands)
Assets:
Accounts receivable	$	640
Other assets	74
Equipment and software	631
Intangible assets	5,900
Goodwill	28,938
Total assets acquired	36,183
Current liabilities	116
Long-term deferred liability	845
Net purchase price	$	35,222

Of the $5.9 million allocated to intangible assets, $4.1 million was allocated to customer relationships with an estimated amortization period of 5 years and the balance of $1.8 million was allocated to various other intangible assets.

The goodwill of $28.9 million arising from the transaction consists largely of the benefit we will derive from being able to enter the digital video market with an established business. We have allocated the goodwill to our syndication and other segment. We will treat the transaction as a purchase of stock for income tax purposes with no step-up in the assets acquired. The goodwill will not be deductible for income tax purposes. We are not presenting any pro forma results of operations since the impact of the acquisition is not material to prior year results of operations.

On September 16, 2014, we completed our acquisition of Geoterrestrial, Inc. ("WeatherSphere") for $4.1 million. WeatherSphere is a provider of weather-related mobile apps. The stock purchase agreement includes an earnout provision, whereby up to an additional $2.5 million in purchase price can be payable over a three year period, which we have estimated to have a fair value of $1.6 million. The purchase price allocation is preliminary as of September 30, 2014. We are not presenting any pro forma results of operations since the impact of the acquisition is not material to prior periods results of operations.

4. 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 30,2014 and 2013 was 5.8% and 46.6%, respectively. The primary reason for the difference between these rates and the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% is the impact of state taxes, non-deductible expenses and adjustments to reserves for uncertain tax positions (including interest). We recognized $2.4 million of previously unrecognized tax benefits in the first nine months of 2013 upon settlement of audits or when the statute of limitations lapsed in certain tax jurisdictions.

The impact of small changes in our estimated pretax income for the 2013 year significantly impacted our estimated effective tax rate for the year. Differences between pretax book and taxable earnings, such as non-deductible expenses and state income taxes, on the effective income tax rate varies significantly as income before income taxes changes. Accordingly, for the

F-10

nine months ended September 30, 2013, we did not believe we could reasonably estimate our full year effective income tax rate, and as permitted by US GAAP, we determined our tax benefit for 2013 based upon year-to-date pretax loss and the effect of differences between book and taxable loss.

Deferred tax assets totaled $19.4 million at September 30, 2014. Management believes that it is more likely than not that we will realize the benefits of our federal deferred tax assets and therefore has not recorded a valuation allowance for our federal deferred tax assets. If economic conditions worsen, future estimates of taxable income could be lower than our current estimates which may require valuation allowances to be recorded in future reporting periods.

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.

During the periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, deferred tax assets relating to employee share-based compensation from the vesting of RSU's and the exercise of stock options have not been recognized since we are in a net tax loss position for both periods. The additional tax benefits will be reflected as net operating loss carryforwards when we file our tax returns, but the additional tax benefits are not recorded under GAAP until the tax deduction reduces taxes payable. When the benefit is recognized, it will be recorded as additional paid-in capital. The amount of unrecognized tax deductions for the nine months ended September 30,2014 and 2013 was approximately $31 million and $33 million, respectively.

5. Other Charges and Credits

Income (loss) from operations was affected by the following:

Acquisition and related integration costs of $5.0 million for the third quarter of 2014 and $9.4 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2014 include costs associated with the acquisition of two television stations from Granite Broadcasting as well as costs for spinning off our newspaper operations and the merger of Journal's broadcast business.

During the third quarter of 2014, we recorded a $3.0 million gain from the sale of excess land in our newspaper business.

Restructuring costs, primarily at our newspaper operations, totaled $1.3 million for the third quarter of 2013 and $3.7 million for the first nine months of 2013. Restructuring costs primarily include costs associated with efforts to simplify and standardize advertising and circulation systems and other processes in our newspaper division. In 2014, we are in the final stages of these system implementations and any remaining costs are now included in segment operating results.

6. Restricted Cash

At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had $6.8 million and $8.2 million, respectively, in a restricted cash account on deposit with our insurance carrier. This account serves as collateral, in place of an irrevocable stand-by letter of credit, to provide financial assurance that we will fulfill our obligations with respect to cash requirements associated with our workers compensation self-insurance. This cash is to remain on deposit with the carrier until all claims have been paid or we provide a letter of credit in lieu of the cash deposit.

F-11

7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill by business segment was as follows:

(in thousands)	Television			Newspapers			Syndication and other		Total
Gross balance as of December 31, 2013	$	243,380		$	778,900		$	—	$	1,022,280
Accumulated impairment losses	(215,414		)	(778,900		)	—		(994,314		)
Net balance as of December 31, 2013	27,966			—			—		27,966
2014 Newsy acquisition	—			—			28,938		28,938
2014 Granite Stations acquisitions	44,475			—			—		44,475
2014 WeatherSphere acquisition	—			—			5,044		5,044
Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	72,441		$	—		$	33,982	$	106,423
Gross balance as of September 30, 2014	$	287,855		$	778,900		$	33,982	$	1,100,737
Accumulated impairment losses	(215,414		)	(778,900		)	—		(994,314		)
Net balance as of September 30, 2014	$	72,441		$	—		$	33,982	$	106,423

Other intangible assets consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	As of   September 30,   2014			As of   December 31,   2013
Amortizable intangible assets:
Carrying amount:
Television network affiliation relationships	$	93,944		$	78,844
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	30,404			22,304
Other	6,361			3,561
Total carrying amount	130,709			104,709
Accumulated amortization:
Television network affiliation relationships	(12,855		)	(9,691		)
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	(15,746		)	(13,138		)
Other	(2,151		)	(1,833		)
Total accumulated amortization	(30,752		)	(24,662		)
Net amortizable intangible assets	99,957			80,047
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets — FCC licenses	92,215			57,815
Total other intangible assets	$	192,172		$	137,862

Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for each of the next five years is $2.3 million for the remainder of 2014, $9.0 million in 2015, $8.9 million in 2016, $6.5 million in 2017, $6.4 million in 2018, $5.5 million in 2019, and $61.4 million in later years.

F-12

8. Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	As of   September 30,   2014		As of   December 31,   2013
Variable rate credit facility	$	—	$	—
Term loan	198,500		200,000
Long-term debt	198,500		200,000
Current portion of long-term debt	2,000		2,000
Long-term debt (less current portion)	$	196,500	$	198,000
Fair value of long-term debt *	$	198,500	$	200,000

* Fair value of the term loan was estimated based on quoted private market transactions and is classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

We have a $275 million revolving credit and term loan agreement (“Financing Agreement”). The Financing Agreement includes a $200 million term loan B maturing in November 2020 and a $75 million revolving credit facility maturing in November 2018.

The Financing Agreement includes the maintenance of a net leverage ratio if we borrow more than 20% on the revolving credit facility. The term loan B requires that if we borrow additional amounts or make a permitted acquisition that we cannot exceed a stated net leverage ratio on a pro forma basis at the date of the transaction.

Interest is payable on the term loan B at rates based on LIBOR with a 0.75% floor, plus a fixed margin of 2.50%. Interest is payable on the revolving credit facility at rates based on LIBOR plus a margin based on our leverage ratio ranging from 2.25% to 2.75%. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the interest rate was 3.25% on the term loan B. The 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, 2014, we were not required to make additional principal payments based on excess cash flow. The weighted-average interest rate on borrowings was 3.25% and 3.70% for the nine months ended September 30,2014 and 2013, respectively.

Scheduled principal payments on long-term debt at September 30, 2014 are: $0.5 million for the remainder of 2014, $2.0 million in 2015, $2.0 million in 2016, $2.0 million in 2017, $2.0 million in 2018, $2.0 million in 2019 and $188 million thereafter.

Under the terms of the Financing Agreement, we granted the lenders mortgages on certain of our real property, pledges of our equity interests in our subsidiaries and security interests in substantially all other personal property including cash, accounts receivables, inventories and equipment.

The Financing Agreement allows us to make restricted payments (dividends and share repurchases) up to $50 million plus additional amounts based on our financial results and condition. We can also make additional stock repurchases equal to the amount of proceeds that we receive from the exercise of stock options held by our employees. Additionally, we can make acquisitions as long as the pro forma net leverage ratio is less than 4.5 to 1.0.

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, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $0.2 million.

F-13

9. Financial Instruments

We are exposed to various market risks, including changes in interest rates. To manage risks associated with the volatility of changes in interest rates, we may enter into interest rate management instruments.

We may utilize interest rate swaps to manage our interest expense exposure by fixing our interest rate on portions of our floating rate term loan. We have entered into a $75 million notional value interest rate swap expiring in December 2016 which provides for a fixed interest rate of 1.08%. We did not provide or receive any collateral for this contract. The fair value of this financial derivative, which was designated as and qualified as a cash flow hedge through November 2013, is determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts (or payments) and the discounted expected variable cash payments (or receipts). The variable cash payments (or receipts) are based on the expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observed market interest rate curves and implied volatilities. In addition, credit valuation adjustments, which consider the impact of any credit enhancements to the contracts, are incorporated in the fair values to account for potential nonperformance risk.

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

The notional amounts and fair values of derivative instruments are shown in the table below:

	As of September 30, 2014						As of December 31, 2013
	Notional		Fair value				Notional		Fair value
(in thousands)	amount		Asset		Liability (1)		amount		Asset		Liability (1)
Undesignated derivatives:
Interest rate swap	$	75,000	$	—	$	423	$	75,000	$	—	$	723

⁽¹⁾ Balance recorded as other liabilities in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

Through November 2013, the above derivative instrument was designated as and qualified as a cash flow hedge and the effective portion of the unrealized gains and losses on the derivative was reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified into earnings in the periods during which the hedged transactions affected earnings. Upon refinancing our term loan in November 2013, this hedge no longer qualified as a cash flow hedge and gains and losses on the derivative are recorded in current period earnings. The balance in accumulated other comprehensive loss at the date of discontinuance of hedge accounting is being amortized into earnings on a straight-line basis through December 2016. For the year-to-date period ended September 30, 2014, approximately $0.3 million was amortized into earnings from accumulated other comprehensive loss and is included in the table below as amounts reclassified from accumulated OCL, gain/(loss).

	Three Months Ended   September 30,			Nine Months Ended   September 30,
(in thousands)	2014	2013		2014	2013
Effective portion recognized in accumulated OCL, gain/(loss)	—	(455	)	—	290
Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCL, gain/(loss)	96	171		288	504
Gain/(loss) on derivative	362	—		300	—

F-14

10. Fair Value Measurement

We measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis, such as cash equivalents and derivatives. The fair value of these financial assets and liabilities was determined based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value. These levels of input are as follows:

• Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

• Level 2 — Inputs, other than quoted market prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly.

• Level 3 — Unobservable inputs based on our own assumptions.

The following tables set forth our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

	As of September 30, 2014
(in thousands)	Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
Assets/(Liabilities):
Cash equivalents	$	10,000		$	10,000	$	—		$	—
Interest rate swap	(423		)	—		(423		)	—

	As of December 31, 2013
(in thousands)	Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
Assets/(Liabilities):
Cash equivalents	$	30,000		$	30,000	$	—		$	—
Interest rate swap	(723		)	—		(723		)	—

11. Other Liabilities

Other liabilities consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	As of   September 30,   2014		As of   December 31,   2013
Employee compensation and benefits	$	18,578	$	19,756
Liability for pension benefits	62,903		62,020
Liabilities for uncertain tax positions	11,078		10,670
Other	15,873		14,826
Other liabilities (less current portion)	$	108,432	$	107,272

12. Noncontrolling Interests

Individuals and other entities own a 4% noncontrolling interest in the capital stock of the subsidiary company that publishes our Memphis newspaper and a 6% noncontrolling interest in the capital stock of the subsidiary company that publishes our Evansville newspaper. We are not required to redeem the noncontrolling interests in these subsidiary companies.

F-15

13. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

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

	Nine Months Ended   September 30,
(in thousands)	2014			2013
Other changes in certain working capital accounts, net
Accounts and notes receivable	$	15,247		$	2,807
Income taxes receivable/payable, net	(5,764		)	(2,251		)
Accounts payable	79			(6,274		)
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	9,811			(5,827		)
Other accrued liabilities	4,284			(238		)
Other, net	3,377			(1,703		)
Total	$	27,034		$	(13,486	)

14. Employee Benefit Plans

We sponsor various noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all full-time employees that began employment prior to June 30, 2008. Benefits earned by employees are generally based upon employee compensation and years of service credits. We also have a non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP"). Effective June 30, 2009, we froze the accrual of benefits under our defined benefit pension plans and our SERP that cover the majority of our employees.

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. In connection with freezing the accrual of service credits under certain of our defined benefit pension plans, we began contributing additional amounts to certain employees' defined contribution retirement accounts in 2011. These transition credits, which will be made through 2015, are determined based upon the employee’s age, compensation and years of service.

Other union-represented employees are covered by defined benefit pension plans jointly sponsored by us and the union, or by union-sponsored multi-employer plans.

The components of the expense consisted of the following:

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
Service cost	$	21		$	17		$	64		$	51
Interest cost	6,600			5,976			19,155			17,927
Expected return on plan assets, net of expenses	(5,893		)	(5,371		)	(17,611		)	(16,113		)
Amortization of actuarial loss	862			1,060			2,145			3,182
Total for defined benefit plans	1,590			1,682			3,753			5,047
Multi-employer plans	100			95			324			326
Withdrawal from GCIU multi-employer plan	—			—			4,100			—
SERP	80			808			672			1,981
Defined contribution plans	2,419			2,341			8,635			8,627
Net periodic benefit cost	$	4,189		$	4,926		$	17,484		$	15,981

We contributed $0.6 million to fund current benefit payments for our SERP during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. We anticipate contributing an additional $0.2 million to fund the SERP’s benefit payments during the remainder of 2014. We contributed $0.1 million to our defined benefit pension plans during the first nine months of 2014.

We participate in multi-employer pension plans that cover certain employees that are members of unions or trade associations that have a collective bargaining agreement with us. In the second quarter of 2014, unions ratified our plan to

F-16

withdraw from the Graphics Communication International Union (GCIU) Employer Retirement Fund. Upon ratification of the agreement, we estimated the undiscounted liability to be approximately $6.5 million and recorded a liability of $4.1 million for the present value withdrawal liability. Once the final withdrawal liability is determined at the end of this year with the GCIU, we either will pay the liability in a lump sum or make equal monthly installments over 20 years beginning in 2015.

15. Segment Information

We determine our business segments based upon our management and internal reporting structure. Our reportable segments are strategic businesses that offer different products and services.

Our television segment includes 11 ABC affiliates, three NBC affiliates, and two independent stations that operate as duopolies with our Kansas City NBC affiliate and our Detroit ABC affiliate. We also own five Azteca America affiliates. Our television stations reach approximately 14% of the nation’s households. Television stations earn revenue primarily from the sale of advertising time to local and national advertisers and retransmission fees received from cable operators and satellite carriers.

Our newspaper segment includes daily and community newspapers in 13 markets across the United States. Newspapers earn revenue primarily from the sale of advertising space to local and national advertisers and newspaper subscription fees.

Syndication and other primarily includes certain digital operations outside of our television and newspaper markets and syndication of news features and comics and other features for the newspaper industry. Newsy, a digital video news service, and WeatherSphere, a provider of weather-related mobile apps, are also included in syndication and other.

We allocate a portion of certain corporate costs and expenses, including information technology, certain employee benefits, digital operation services and other shared services, to our business segments. The allocations are generally amounts agreed upon by management, which may differ from an arms-length amount. Corporate assets are primarily cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, property and equipment primarily used for corporate purposes, and deferred income taxes. A portion of our digital operations, which is not allocated to our television and newspaper segments, is included in shared services and corporate.

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 (other than current service cost), income taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, divested operating units, restructuring activities, investment results and certain other items that are included in net income (loss) determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

F-17

Information regarding our business segments is as follows:

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
Segment operating revenues:
Television	$	121,068		$	99,289		$	339,004		$	307,548
Newspapers	84,473			88,346			275,213			281,286
Syndication and other	2,059			1,900			9,123			7,207
Total operating revenues	$	207,600		$	189,535		$	623,340		$	596,041
Segment profit (loss):
Television	$	29,813		$	18,921		$	78,591		$	65,945
Newspapers	767			3,038			14,759			14,857
Syndication and other	(872		)	(177		)	(1,385		)	(145		)
Shared services and corporate	(10,088		)	(13,885		)	(38,797		)	(37,788		)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(1,670		)	(2,490		)	(8,525		)	(7,028		)
Acquisition and related integration costs	(5,049		)	—			(9,408		)	—
Separation and restructuring costs	—			(1,290		)	—			(3,691		)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(13,195		)	(12,096		)	(36,519		)	(35,684		)
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	2,951			(177		)	2,861			(140		)
Interest expense	(2,050		)	(2,655		)	(6,347		)	(7,924		)
Miscellaneous, net	(216		)	(1,087		)	(1,061		)	(4,025		)
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes	$	391		$	(11,898	)	$	(5,831	)	$	(15,623	)
Depreciation:
Television	$	5,894		$	5,751		$	16,033		$	16,958
Newspapers	4,255			4,015			12,167			12,132
Syndication and other	127			20			327			58
Shared services and corporate	649			574			1,904			1,349
Total depreciation	$	10,925		$	10,360		$	30,431		$	30,497
Amortization of intangibles:
Television	$	1,909		$	1,599		$	5,108		$	4,778
Newspapers	92			137			303			409
Syndication and other	269			—			677			—
Total amortization of intangibles	$	2,270		$	1,736		$	6,088		$	5,187
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Television	$	4,100		$	2,169		$	10,540		$	7,325
Newspapers	573			285			1,486			1,746
Syndication and other	302			—			432			—
Shared services and corporate	253			908			979			6,460
Total additions to property, plant and equipment	$	5,228		$	3,362		$	13,437		$	15,531

No single customer provides more than 10% of our revenue.

F-18

16. Spin-off of Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc.

On July 1, 2008, we distributed all of the shares of Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (“SNI”) to shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 16, 2008. SNI owned and operated our national lifestyle cable television networks and interactive media businesses.

In connection with the separation we entered into several agreements, including a Tax Allocation Agreement. This agreement sets forth the allocations between us and SNI with regards to liabilities for federal, state and local taxes for periods prior to the separation.

Under the terms of the Tax Allocation Agreement, we receive any tax deductions for share-based compensation awards held by our employees in SNI. Tax deductions for the nine months ended September 30,2014 and 2013 resulting from the exercise of those awards totaled approximately $7.4 million and $11.4 million, respectively. These benefits are recorded as additional paid-in capital at the time they are realized. At September 30, 2014, our employees held options on approximately 0.2 million SNI shares which expire through 2015.

17. 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 — In November 2012, our board of directors authorized a repurchase program of up to $100 million of our Class A Common shares through December 2014. Under the authorization, we repurchased $21.2 million of shares at prices ranging from $16.35 to $19.99 per share during the first nine months of 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we purchased $69.3 million of shares at prices ranging from $10.83 to $17.94 per share. As of September 30, 2014, we have $5 million remaining for share repurchases under this authorization.

In May 2014, our board of directors authorized a new repurchase program of up to $100 million of our Class A Common shares through December 2016. No shares have been repurchased under this program as of September 30, 2014.

Based on the terms of the Master Transaction Agreement with Journal Communications, we are precluded from repurchasing shares prior to closing the transactions.

Options Outstanding— Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant as of September 30, 2014 is as follows:

			Options Outstanding and Exercisable
Year of Grant	Range of Exercise Prices	Average Remaining Term (in years)	Options on Shares Outstanding	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)
2004 – expire in 2014	$10	0.18	3,794	$	9.78	$	—
2005 – expire in 2015	10-11	0.54	43,188	10.90		0.3
2006 – expire in 2016	10-11	1.66	47,737	10.03		0.3
2007 – expire in 2015	9-10	0.42	349,497	10.27		2.1
2008 – expire in 2016	7-10	1.50	1,610,994	8.73		12.2
Total	$7-11	1.29	2,055,210	$	9.07	$	14.9

F-19

18. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

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

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
(in thousands)	Gains and Losses on Derivatives			Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other		Total
Beginning balance, June 30, 2014	$	(600	)	$	(79,489	)	$	172	$	(79,917	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			—			—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss
Interest rate swap, net of tax of $37 (a)	59			—			—		59
Actuarial loss, net of tax of $364 (b)	—			441			—		441
Net current-period other comprehensive income	59			441			—		500
Ending balance, September 30, 2014	$	(541	)	$	(79,048	)	$	172	$	(79,417	)

	Three months ended September 30, 2013
(in thousands)	Gains and Losses on Derivatives			Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other		Total
Beginning balance, June 30, 2013	$	(338	)	$	(114,232	)	$	357	$	(114,213	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(284		)	—			—		(284		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss
Interest rate swap, net of tax of $64 (a)	107			—			—		107
Actuarial loss, net of tax of $460 (b)	—			1,179			—		1,179
Net current-period other comprehensive income	(177		)	1,179			—		1,002
Ending balance, September 30, 2013	$	(515	)	$	(113,053	)	$	357	$	(113,211	)

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
(in thousands)	Gains and Losses on Derivatives			Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other		Total
Beginning balance, December 31, 2013	$	(718	)	$	(80,377	)	$	172	$	(80,923	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			—			—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss
Interest rate swap, net of tax of $111 (a)	177			—			—		177
Actuarial loss, net of tax of $924 (b)	—			1,329			—		1,329
Net current-period other comprehensive income	177			1,329			—		1,506
Ending balance, September 30, 2014	$	(541	)	$	(79,048	)	$	172	$	(79,417	)

F-20

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
(in thousands)	Gains and Losses on Derivatives			Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other		Total
Beginning balance, December 31, 2012	$	(1,009	)	$	(116,188	)	$	357	$	(116,840	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	180			—			—		180
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss
Interest rate swap, net of tax of $190 (a)	314			—			—		314
Actuarial loss, net of tax of $1,759 (b)	—			3,135			—		3,135
Net current-period other comprehensive income	494			3,135			—		3,629
Ending balance, September 30, 2013	$	(515	)	$	(113,053	)	$	357	$	(113,211	)

^(a) Interest rate swap is included in interest expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

^(b) Actuarial loss is included in defined benefit pension plan expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

19. Pending Broadcast Merger and Newspaper Spin-off

On July 30, 2014, Scripps and Journal Communications, Inc. ("Journal") agreed to merge their broadcast operations and spin-off their newspaper businesses into a separate publicly traded company (the “Transactions”). The Transactions are expected to close in the first half of 2015.

The merged broadcast and digital media company, to be based in Cincinnati, will retain The E.W. Scripps Company name and continue to be controlled by the Scripps family. The company’s television operations will reach approximately 18% of all U.S. households and have approximately 4,000 employees across its television, radio and digital media operations.

The newspaper company will be named Journal Media Group, combining the 13 Scripps newspapers with Journal's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The company will have approximately 3,600 employees and will be headquartered in Milwaukee.

The board of directors of both companies have approved the Transactions, which are subject to customary regulatory and shareholder approvals. As part of the Transactions, Scripps shareholders will receive a $60 million special cash dividend. Based on the terms of the Master Transaction Agreement, we are precluded from repurchasing shares prior to closing the transaction.

In order to carry out the Transactions, we will incur $25 to $30 million in costs, of which we have incurred $6.7 million to date. With the Journal Transactions, we will also assume Journal's outstanding liabilities, including any employee benefit obligations ($66 million as of December 31, 2013). Journal also has outstanding debt of $144 million as of September 30, 2014, of which we will be required to refinance $131 million and can assume the remainder.

In the case that Scripps breaches its obligation to consummate the Transactions, the Master Transaction Agreement may require Scripps to pay liquidated damages of $15.8 million plus expenses, subject to an overall limit of $23.5 million.

20. Contingencies

We are involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, such as defamation actions and governmental

proceedings, primarily relating to renewal of broadcast licenses, none of which is expected to result in material loss.

Members of the Board of Directors of Journal Communications, Inc. ("Journal"), and the parties to the Master Transaction Agreement, including Journal and Scripps, are defendants in a class action lawsuit filed in Circuit Court, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin (Howard Goldfinger v. Journal Communications, Inc., et al.). The plaintiff in this lawsuit alleges that the directors of Journal breached their fiduciary duties to Journal shareholders in connection with the transactions and that the other parties to the lawsuit aided and abetted such alleged breaches of fiduciary duty. The plaintiff alleges that the directors of Journal breached their fiduciary duties by, among other things, (i) agreeing to enter into the Master Transaction Agreement for inadequate consideration, (ii) having certain conflicts of interest, (iii) not negotiating a “collar” mechanism on the share exchange ratio, and (iv) agreeing to certain deal protection provisions, such as a termination fee, a “no-shop” provision, and a “matching rights” provision. The plaintiff also challenges the qualifications of Journal's financial advisor, Methuselah Advisors LLC ("Methuselah"), and asserts that Methuselah has a conflict because the founder and managing partner of Methuselah, who is the

F-21

lead investment banker at Methuselah for Journal in this transaction, was employed by Lazard Freres & Co. LLC (“Lazard”) prior to 2010 as a managing partner and group co-head, where he had responsibility for Lazard’s relationship with Scripps.

The outcome of this lawsuit is uncertain and cannot be predicted. An adverse judgment for monetary damages could have a material adverse effect on the operations and liquidity of Journal or Scripps. An adverse judgment granting permanent injunctive relief could indefinitely enjoin completion of the transactions. Journal and Scripps believe the allegations of the plaintiff’s complaint are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against the claims alleged in this lawsuit. On August 29, 2014, the defendants filed motions asking the Circuit Court to dismiss this lawsuit. On October 20, 2014, the Circuit Court held a hearing and stated it would issue a ruling on such motions on or about November 11, 2014.

F-22

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

The E. W. Scripps Company (“Scripps”) is a diverse media enterprise with interests in television stations, newspapers and local and national digital media sites. We serve audiences and businesses through a growing portfolio of television, print and digital media brands. We own 21 local television stations, as well as daily newspapers in 13 markets across the United States. We also run an expanding collection of local and national digital journalism and information businesses including digital video news service Newsy. We also produce television programming, run an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and serve as the longtime steward of one of the nation's largest, most successful and longest-running educational programs, the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

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

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain forward-looking statements related to our businesses are included in this discussion. Those forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements. Such risks, trends and uncertainties, which in most instances are beyond our control, include changes in advertising demand and other economic conditions; consumers’ tastes; newsprint prices; program costs; labor relations; technological developments; competitive pressures; interest rates; regulatory rulings; and reliance on third-party vendors for various products and services. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. You should evaluate our forward-looking statements, which are as of the date of this filing, with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date the statement is made.

Executive Overview

On July 30, 2014, Scripps and Journal Communications, Inc. ("Journal") agreed to merge their broadcast operations and spin off their newspaper businesses into a separate publicly traded company. The merged broadcast operations, which will retain The E.W. Scripps Company name, will reach approximately 18% of all U.S. households serving 27 markets. The company will have approximately 4,000 employees across its television, radio and digital media operations. After the deal closes, Scripps will be the fifth-largest independent television station group in the country and one of the largest owners of ABC-affiliated TV stations in the country by market reach with 15 ABC affiliates. The merger will grow our national broadcast footprint and expands our affiliations to all of the big four networks. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2015.

The merger further leverages Scripps' digital investments, adding large and attractive markets to the portfolio. The company is expecting to build and launch market-leading digital brands that serve growing digital media audiences in addition to supporting the on-air local news brands. Further, the company expects to benefit from the new geographic markets with the national reach of digital brands such as Newsy and WeatherSphere.

The newspaper company will be called Journal Media Group, combining the 13 Scripps newspapers with Journal's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The company will have approximately 3,600 employees and will be headquartered in Milwaukee.

The board of directors of each company have approved the Transactions, which are subject to customary regulatory and shareholder approvals. As part of the Transactions, Scripps shareholders will receive a $60 million special cash dividend.

In June 2014, we completed our acquisition of two television stations from Granite Broadcasting Corporation for $110 million in cash. The acquisition includes the Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate and the Buffalo, N.Y., ABC affiliate. The acquisition of the Detroit station creates a duopoly with our ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV.

We continue with our strategies of improving our ratings in key news blocks. In the July 2014 rating period, eight of our stations finished first or second in key adult demographics in at least one of the major local news time periods (6 a.m., 6 p.m. or late news). Eleven of our 14 major network-affiliated stations improved their percentage of local news viewing in at least one of these time periods in July 2014.

We continue our programming strategy, lessening our reliance on purchased syndicated shows. We have two original shows — a game show called Let's Ask America and a nightly infotainment magazine called The List — with one or both being

F-23

aired during the access period between evening news and prime time in 10 of our markets. We intend to roll them out in the rest of our markets when commitments to air other programming during that time period expire. In 2014, we signed a deal to syndicate Let's Ask America in markets nationwide. We are also a partner in another original show called RightThisMinute, a daily news and entertainment program that airs on 13 of our stations and reaches more than 90% of the country. We launched our fourth original show called The Now in eight of our markets in the third quarter of 2014. The Now is a combination of news and entertainment stories trending on social media and invites the audience to join the conversation across the traditional and digital media platforms.

In our newspaper division, we saw the launch late in the first quarter of 2013 of our bundled-subscription model in our Memphis and Treasure Coast markets. By the end of the third quarter of 2013, all of our newspaper markets had rolled out this model. Under our bundled model, subscribers receive access to all of our newspaper content on all platforms. Only limited digital content is available to non-subscribers. We also offer digital-only subscriptions. As we have cycled against the completion of the launch of our digital bundles, subscription revenue growth has moderated.

We continued our investment in digital with the January 2014 acquisition of digital video news provider Media Convergence Group, Inc. which operates as Newsy, for $35 million in cash, plus a working capital adjustment of $0.2 million. This acquisition fits our digital strategy to run a national news brand that both enhances our local content offerings and gives us more access to the fast-growing digital news audiences and revenues on national platforms. Newsy adds a new dimension to our video news strategy with a multi-platform approach to storytelling specifically geared for digital audiences.

On September 16, 2014 we continued our digital expansion with our acquisition of Geoterrestrial, Inc. ("WeatherSphere"), a top-selling provider of weather-related mobile apps. The acquisition reinforces our commitment to creating more products and deeper connections with digital consumers around news and information. WeatherSphere's brands include top-rated weather and lifestyle apps available for sale for most smartphones. The WeatherSphere portfolio will expand our national digital footprint and complement StormShield, our existing paid weather app, which provides emergency alerts to consumers through their smartphones and tablets. We are building our inventory of digital assets that generate revenue as stand-alone apps and also serve as a vehicle for our television and newspaper markets to strengthen consumer connections across traditional and digital media platforms.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

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

Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 describes the significant accounting policies we have selected for use in the preparation of our financial statements and related disclosures. An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made and if different estimates that reasonably could have been used or changes in estimates that are likely to occur could materially change the financial statements. We believe the accounting for acquisitions, long-lived assets, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, income taxes and pension plans to be our most critical accounting policies and estimates. A detailed description of these accounting policies is included in the Critical Accounting Policies section of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

F-24

Recently Adopted Standards and Issued Accounting Standards

Recently Issued Accounting Standards — In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued new guidance on revenue recognition. Under this new standard, an entity shall recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard creates a five-step process that requires entities to exercise judgment when considering the terms of the contract(s) and all relevant facts and circumstances. This standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method and will be effective for us beginning in 2017. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently assessing the impact this new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and have not yet determined a transition method.

In August 2014, the FASB issued new guidance related to the disclosures around going concern. The new standard provides guidance around management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

F-25

Results of Operations

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

Consolidated Results of Operations

Consolidated results of operations were as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2014			Change		2013			2014			Change		2013
Operating revenues	$	207,600		9.5	%	$	189,535		$	623,340		4.6	%	$	596,041
Employee compensation and benefits	(103,425		)	8.2	%	(95,581		)	(308,242		)	5.4	%	(292,409		)
Programs and program licenses	(16,181		)	13.0	%	(14,318		)	(42,951		)	6.5	%	(40,332		)
Newsprint, press supplies and other printing costs	(10,122		)	(4.6	)%	(10,614		)	(33,206		)	(5.0	)%	(34,965		)
Newspaper distribution	(11,492		)	(1.1	)%	(11,623		)	(35,046		)	(2.2	)%	(35,837		)
Other expenses	(46,760		)	(5.5	)%	(49,502		)	(150,727		)	0.7	%	(149,629		)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(1,670		)			(2,490		)	(8,525		)			(7,028		)
Acquisition and related integration costs	(5,049		)			—			(9,408		)			—
Separation and restructuring costs	—					(1,290		)	—					(3,691		)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(13,195		)			(12,096		)	(36,519		)			(35,684		)
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	2,951					(177		)	2,861					(140		)
Operating income (loss)	2,657					(8,156		)	1,577					(3,674		)
Interest expense	(2,050		)			(2,655		)	(6,347		)			(7,924		)
Miscellaneous, net	(216		)			(1,087		)	(1,061		)			(4,025		)
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes	391					(11,898		)	(5,831		)			(15,623		)
(Provision) benefit for income taxes	(1,835		)			3,047			341					7,286
Net loss	(1,444		)			(8,851		)	(5,490		)			(8,337		)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(103		)			—			(302		)			—
Net loss attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	(1,341	)			$	(8,851	)	$	(5,188	)			$	(8,337	)

The Company completed its acquisition of the two Granite television stations on June 16, 2014. The inclusion of operating results from these stations for the period subsequent to the acquisition impacts the comparability of our television division operating results.

Operating revenues increased 9.5% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to 2013 and 4.6% for the first nine months of 2014 compared to prior year. Television revenues increased 21.9% in the third quarter of 2014 and 10.2% for the first three quarters of 2014 primarily driven by higher political advertising and increased retransmission revenues, while newspaper revenues declined 4.4% and 2.2% for the third quarter and first three quarters of 2014, respectively.

On a same station basis, retransmission revenues increased by approximately 45% and 28% for the 2014 quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to 2013, respectively, due to contractual rate increases. In 2014, retransmission agreements covering about a third of our subscribers expire. In June 2014, we renewed contracts covering about a quarter of those subscribers at higher rates and the remainder will be renewed in December 2014. In 2015, we expect our retransmission revenues to grow substantially as a result of the increased rates. Many factors can impact the revenues we will receive from renewals, including competitive conditions, governmental regulations and cable and television industry consolidation.

F-26

Employee compensation and benefits increased 8.2% in the third quarter of 2014 and 5.4% in the year-to-date period.Employee compensation and benefits associated with supporting our digital operations increased year-to-date costs by approximately $9.3 million, while employee related costs in our newspaper segment were down due to lower employment levels. The impact of the acquisition of two Granite television stations on employee compensation and benefits was $2.3 million in the third quarter of 2014. The increase was also due to the addition of approximately 80 positions in our television division to staff The Now and The List, two of our internally developed and produced programs. The television division also incurred severance costs primarily as a result of centralizing our master control hub which accounted for $1.4 million of the increase in the first three quarters of 2014.

Programs and program licenses increased by 13.0% for the 2014 quarter and 6.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 on an as reported basis. On a same-station basis, programs and program licenses increased by 2.6% for the 2014 quarter and 2.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, primarily due to increases in fees we pay under our network affiliation agreements, which require us to pay a portion of retransmission revenues above a threshold to the network. The fees paid to the networks increased $1.9 million and $4.3 million for the third quarter of 2014 and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as our retransmission revenues increased. This was partially off-set by a $1.5 million reduction in the 2014 third quarter and a $3.4 million reduction in 2014 year-to-date in costs for syndicated programming as more of our stations replaced syndicated programming with our internally produced programming.

Newsprint, press supplies and other printing costs declined by approximately 5% for the quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2014 primarily due to lower expenditures for newsprint. Average newsprint prices increased 4.1% and newsprint consumption decreased 8.4% for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, average newsprint prices decreased 3.4% and newsprint consumption decreased 3.6%.

Newspaper distribution costs decreased as a result of lower net paid circulation levels. A large portion of our distribution costs are variable and increase or decrease in relation to our circulation levels.

Other expenses include the following:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2014		Change		2013		2014		Change		2013
Facilities rent and maintenance	$	10,782	8.1	%	$	9,974	$	30,959	3.8	%	$	29,835
Purchased news and content	3,387		(5.3	)%	3,576		10,635		(5.8	)%	11,284
Marketing and promotion	2,219		(38.3	)%	3,595		9,954		(20.4	)%	12,500
Miscellaneous costs	30,372		(6.1	)%	32,357		99,179		3.3	%	96,010
Total other expenses	$	46,760	(5.5	)%	$	49,502	$	150,727	0.7	%	$	149,629

Marketing and promotion costs in the 2013 year-to-date period includes costs to promote our bundled subscription offerings in the newspaper division. We completed the launch of our bundled subscription model in the third quarter of 2013.

Defined benefit pension plan expense increased to $8.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. In the second quarter of 2014, unions ratified our plan to withdraw from the GCIU Employer Retirement Fund. Upon ratification of the agreement, we estimated the undiscounted liability to be approximately $6.5 million and recorded a liability of $4.1 million for the present value withdrawal liability. Once we reach an agreement with the GCIU, we either will pay the liability in a lump sum or make equal monthly installments over 20 years beginning in 2015.

Acquisition and related integration costs of $5.0 million for the 2014 quarter and $9.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 include costs associated with the acquisition of two television stations from Granite Broadcasting as well as costs for spinning off our newspaper operations and the merger of Journal's broadcast business.

Separation and restructuring costs were $1.3 million in the third quarter of 2013 and $3.7 million year-to-date 2013 related to costs associated with the implementation of common advertising and circulation systems. In 2014, we are in the final stages of these system implementations and any remaining costs are now included in segment operating results.

During the third quarter of 2014 we recognized a gain of approximately $3.0 million on the sale of excess land in our newspaper division.

F-27

Interest expense decreased in 2014 due to a decline in our borrowing rate when we refinanced our debt in the fourth quarter of 2013.

The effective income tax rate was 5.8% and 46.6% for the nine months ended September 30,2014 and 2013, respectively. The impact of state and local taxes and non-deductible expenses has made our effective rate volatile due to relatively small amounts of pretax income or loss in each of the reporting periods. In addition, our effective income tax rates for 2013 were impacted by tax settlements and changes in our reserve for uncertain tax positions. In 2013, we recognized $2.4 million of previously unrecognized tax benefits upon settlement of tax audits or upon the lapse of the statute of limitations in certain jurisdictions.

F-28

Business Segment Results — As discussed in the Condensed Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, our chief operating decision maker evaluates the operating performance of our business segments using a measure called segment profit. Segment profit excludes interest, defined benefit pension plan expense (other than current service cost), income taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, divested operating units, restructuring activities, investment results and certain other items that are included in net income (loss) determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

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

We allocate a portion of certain corporate costs and expenses, including information technology, certain employee benefits, digital operation services and other shared services, to our business segments. The allocations are generally amounts agreed upon by management, which may differ from an arms-length amount. Corporate assets are primarily cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, property and equipment primarily used for corporate purposes, and deferred income taxes. A portion of our digital operations, which is not allocated to our television and newspaper segments, is included in shared services and corporate.

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

	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2014			Change		2013			2014			Change		2013
Segment operating revenues:
Television	$	121,068		21.9	%	$	99,289		$	339,004		10.2	%	$	307,548
Newspapers	84,473			(4.4	)%	88,346			275,213			(2.2	)%	281,286
Syndication and other	2,059			8.4	%	1,900			9,123			26.6	%	7,207
Total operating revenues	$	207,600		9.5	%	$	189,535		$	623,340		4.6	%	$	596,041
Segment profit (loss):
Television	$	29,813		57.6	%	$	18,921		$	78,591		19.2	%	$	65,945
Newspapers	767			(74.8	)%	3,038			14,759			(0.7	)%	14,857
Syndication and other	(872		)			(177		)	(1,385		)			(145		)
Shared services and corporate	(10,088		)	(27.3	)%	(13,885		)	(38,797		)	2.7	%	(37,788		)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(1,670		)			(2,490		)	(8,525		)			(7,028		)
Acquisition and related integration costs	(5,049		)			—			(9,408		)			—
Separation and restructuring costs	—					(1,290		)	—					(3,691		)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(13,195		)			(12,096		)	(36,519		)			(35,684		)
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	2,951					(177		)	2,861					(140		)
Interest expense	(2,050		)			(2,655		)	(6,347		)			(7,924		)
Miscellaneous, net	(216		)			(1,087		)	(1,061		)			(4,025		)
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes	$	391				$	(11,898	)	$	(5,831	)			$	(15,623	)

F-29

Television — Our television segment includes 11 ABC-affiliated stations, three NBC-affiliated stations, and two independent stations that operate as duopolies with our Kansas City NBC affiliate and our Detroit ABC affiliate. We also own five Azteca America affiliates. Our television stations reach approximately 14% of the nation’s households. Our television stations earn revenue primarily from the sale of advertising time to local and national advertisers and retransmission fees received from cable operators and satellite carriers.

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

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

Operating results for our television segment were as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2014		Change		2013		2014		Change		2013
Segment operating revenues:
Local	$	55,567	1.8	%	$	54,581	$	174,440	3.0	%	$	169,390
National	26,629		(2.8	)%	27,388		80,470		(7.3	)%	86,780
Political	17,396				1,038		25,339				2,142
Retransmission	15,235		46.4	%	10,403		40,409		28.9	%	31,345
Digital	4,643		8.5	%	4,279		13,493		11.4	%	12,110
Other	1,598		(0.1	)%	1,600		4,853		(16.1	)%	5,781
Total operating revenues	121,068		21.9	%	99,289		339,004		10.2	%	307,548
Segment costs and expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	48,996		11.5	%	43,949		142,956		7.0	%	133,648
Programs and program licenses	16,181		13.0	%	14,318		42,951		6.5	%	40,332
Other expenses	26,078		18.0	%	22,101		74,506		10.2	%	67,623
Total costs and expenses	91,255		13.5	%	80,368		260,413		7.8	%	241,603
Segment profit	$	29,813	57.6	%	$	18,921	$	78,591	19.2	%	$	65,945

The Company completed its acquisition of the two Granite television stations on June 16, 2014. The inclusion of operating results from these stations for the period subsequent to the acquisition impact the comparability of our television division operating results.

Revenues

Total reported television revenues increased 21.9% in the third quarter of 2014 and 10.2% in the first nine months of 2014 compared to prior year. On a same-station basis, television revenues increased 15.7% in the third quarter of 2014 and 7.8% in the first nine months of 2014. Political advertising and retransmission revenues drove the same station growth while national advertising revenues were weak. Political advertising on a same-station basis is about $16 million and $23 million higher for the quarter and year-to-date periods, respectively. In certain of our markets, primarily Florida and Ohio, political advertising has not been as strong as in recent election cycles.

On a same station basis, retransmission revenues increased by approximately 45% and 28% for the 2014 quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to 2013, respectively, due to contractual rate increases. In 2014, retransmission agreements covering about a third of our subscribers expire. In June 2014, we renewed contracts covering about a quarter of those subscribers at higher rates and the remainder will be renewed in December 2014. In 2015, we expect our retransmission revenues to grow substantially as a result of the increased rates. Many factors can impact the revenues we will receive from renewals, including competitive conditions, governmental regulations and cable and television industry consolidation.

F-30

On February 13, 2014, Comcast and Time Warner Cable announced their agreement to merge. Comcast and Time Warner provide cable television service to about one-third of the households in our markets. In addition, Time Warner negotiates on behalf of cable provider Bright House for about 1 million subscribers in Scripps markets. The Scripps/Time Warner retransmission agreement, which covers about 3 million subscribers (including the Bright House subscribers), expires at the end of 2015. The Scripps/Comcast retransmission agreement, which covers approximately 2.5 million subscribers, expires at the end of 2019. Any Time Warner cable systems in the Scripps markets ultimately acquired by Comcast in the merger would become subject to the Scripps/Comcast retransmission agreement. The proposed merger would not affect retransmission revenues we expect to receive in 2014 and 2015. In May, details were released by Comcast about the cable systems that it expects to divest to Charter Communications as part of the merger transaction. About 2 million of the proposed divested households are in our markets (Detroit, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Cincinnati) and would fall under our contract with Charter Communications which comes up for renewal at the end of this year. The impact of this depends on when the merger between Comcast and Time Warner and the subsequent transaction between Comcast and Charter are completed, as well as the dollar amount of the rates we negotiate with Charter. The contract for the approximately 1 million Bright House subscribers expires at the end of 2015 and we believe that those subscribers will not be included under our Comcast retransmission agreement.

Digital revenues on a same-station basis increased 4.4%, or $0.2 million, in the third quarter of 2014 and 9.7%, or $1.2 million, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as we continued our focus on increasing digital advertising revenues with an expanded sales force.

Costs and expenses

Total costs and expenses on a reported basis increased 13.5% in the third quarter of 2014 and 7.8% for the first nine months of 2014. On a same-station basis, total costs and expenses increased 6.7% for the quarter and 5.1% for first nine months of 2014, primarily driven by higher employee related costs and higher digital costs.

Employee compensation and benefits on a same-station basis increased $2.8 million, or 6.3%, in the third quarter of 2014 and $6.7 million, or 5.0%, year-to-date primarily due to annual salary increases and the addition of approximately 80 positions to staff The Now and The List, two of our internally developed and produced programs. We incurred severance costs primarily as a result of centralizing our master control hub which accounted for $1.4 million of the increase in the first three quarters of 2014.

Programs and program licenses increased by 13.0% for the 2014 quarter and 6.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 on an as reported basis. On a same-station basis, programs and program licenses increased by 2.6% for the 2014 quarter and 2.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, primarily due to increases in fees we pay under our network affiliation agreements, which require us to pay a portion of retransmission revenues above a threshold to the network. The fees paid to the networks increased $1.9 million and $4.3 million for the third quarter of 2014 and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as our retransmission revenues increased. This was partially off-set by a $1.5 million reduction in the third quarter and a $3.4 million reduction year-to-date in costs for syndicated programming as more of our stations replaced syndicated programming with our internally produced programming.

Other expenses on an as reported basis increased 18.0% for the 2014 quarter and 10.2% for the 2014 year-to-date period compared to prior year. On a same station basis, other expenses increased 10.2% for the 2014 quarter and 6.9% for the year-to-date period. Costs to support digital initiatives in the television segment increased $2.1 million and $5.6 million for the third quarter of 2014 and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.

F-31

Newspapers — We operate daily and community newspapers in 13 markets across the United States. Our newspapers earn revenue primarily from the sale of advertising to local and national advertisers and newspaper subscription fees. Our newspapers operate in mid-size markets, focusing on news coverage within their local markets. Advertising and subscription revenues provide substantially all of the operating revenues for each newspaper market and employee, newspaper distribution and newsprint costs are the primary expenses at each newspaper. The operating performance of our newspapers is most affected by local and national economic conditions, particularly within the retail, labor, housing and automotive markets, as well as newsprint prices.

Operating results for our newspaper segment were as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2014		Change		2013		2014		Change		2013
Segment operating revenues:
Local	$	15,545	(5.6	)%	$	16,467	$	52,710	(4.5	)%	$	55,219
Classified	15,070		(6.8	)%	16,174		49,096		(4.6	)%	51,456
National	786		(45.8	)%	1,449		3,351		(38.3	)%	5,429
Preprint and other	13,599		(7.1	)%	14,634		44,163		(5.8	)%	46,869
Digital advertising and marketing services	6,092		(3.9	)%	6,342		18,685		(6.3	)%	19,935
Advertising and marketing services	51,092		(7.2	)%	55,066		168,005		(6.1	)%	178,908
Subscriptions	28,738		2.0	%	28,184		90,736		4.6	%	86,751
Other	4,643		(8.9	)%	5,096		16,472		5.4	%	15,627
Total operating revenues	84,473		(4.4	)%	88,346		275,213		(2.2	)%	281,286
Segment costs and expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	38,543		(3.7	)%	40,029		117,440		(5.4	)%	124,199
Newsprint, press supplies and other printing costs	10,122		(4.6	)%	10,614		33,206		(5.0	)%	34,965
Distribution	11,492		(1.1	)%	11,623		35,046		(2.2	)%	35,837
Other expenses	23,549		2.2	%	23,042		74,762		4.7	%	71,428
Total costs and expenses	83,706		(1.9	)%	85,308		260,454		(2.2	)%	266,429
Segment profit	$	767	(74.8	)%	$	3,038	$	14,759	(0.7	)%	$	14,857

Revenues

Total newspaper revenues decreased 4.4% for the 2014 quarter and 2.2% for the year-to-date period compared to 2013. Advertising and marketing services revenues decreased over 6% in 2014 which was partially offset by an increase in subscription revenue from targeted price increases and print and digital subscription bundles. As of September 30, 2014, we had approximately 38,000 digital-only subscribers across all of our markets.

Advertising and marketing services declined primarily as a result of continued secular changes in the demand for print advertising. Automotive classified advertising, as well as both local and national advertising, remained particularly weak during the quarter.

Subscriptions include fees paid by readers for access to our content in print and digital formats. We completed the launch of our bundled subscription model in the third quarter of 2013. Under our bundled offerings, subscribers receive access to all of our newspaper content on all platforms and only limited digital content is available to non-subscribers. We also offer digital-only subscriptions. Subscription revenue increased in the third quarter by 2.0% and 4.6% for the first three quarters of 2014 which was driven by the rollout of our bundled subscription model, increases in single-copy prices and digital-only subscriptions. As we have cycled against the completion of the launch of our digital bundles, subscription revenue growth has moderated.

Other operating revenues, including commercial printing and distribution services, decreased by $0.4 million, or 8.9%, for the third quarter of 2014 and increased $0.8 million, or 5.4%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. In the 2014 and 2013 year-to-date period we had revenues of $2.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively for a commercial print job where

F-32

our Knoxville newspaper printed the Chattanooga newspaper while their plant was improved. The Chattanooga printing contract was completed in August 2014.

Costs and expenses

Employee compensation and benefits decreased approximately $1.5 million, or 3.7%, and $6.8 million, or 5.4%, for the 2014 quarter and year-to-date period, respectively, primarily due to lower employment levels compared to prior year. We had approximately 6% fewer newspaper employees in 2014 as compared to 2013.

Newsprint, press supplies and other printing costs declined by approximately 5% for the quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2014 primarily due to lower expenditures for newsprint. Average newsprint prices increased 4.1% and newsprint consumption decreased 8.4% for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, average newsprint prices decreased 3.4% and newsprint consumption decreased 3.6%.

Newspaper distribution costs decreased as a result of lower net paid circulation levels. A large portion of our distribution costs are variable and increase or decrease in relation to our circulation levels.

Other expenses increased by 2.2% for the 2014 quarter and 4.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Costs related to support digital initiatives of our newspaper segment as well as costs to implement systems and process changes increased $3.4 million and $11.0 million for the 2014 quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, which was partially offset by decreases in various other operating expenses.

Shared services and corporate

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

Shared services and corporate expenses were $10.1 million in the third quarter of 2014 compared to $13.9 million in the third quarter of 2013. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, shared services and corporate expenses were $38.8 million compared to $37.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Incremental costs to hire and develop digital-only sales professionals, streamline the digital sales processes, and create digital content that were not allocated to our television and newspaper divisions increased $0.5 million in 2014 compared to prior year. Also contributing to the increase in shared services and corporate expenses were costs related to system implementation and process changes, which increased $1.1 million in the first three quarters of 2014 compared to prior year. For the third quarter of 2014, costs decreased due to $2.3 million of lower third-party costs and an additional $5.5 million allocation of digital costs to our television and newspaper segments, partially offset by a net increase in employee related costs.

F-33

Liquidity and Capital Resources

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

Operating activities

Cash flows from operating activities for the nine months endedSeptember 30 is as follows:

	Nine Months Ended   September 30,
(in thousands)	2014			2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss	$	(5,490	)	$	(8,337	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	36,519			35,684
(Gains) losses on sale of property, plant and equipment	(2,861		)	140
Deferred income taxes	4,934			(1,770		)
Stock and deferred compensation plans	4,608			6,092
Pension expense, net of payments	3,639			4,294
Liability for withdrawal from GCIU employer retirement fund	4,100			—
Other changes in certain working capital accounts, net	27,034			(13,486		)
Miscellaneous, net	(1,449		)	3,318
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	71,034		$	25,935

The $45 million increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to changes in working capital in 2014 compared to 2013. The primary factors affecting changes in operating activities are described below.

• Collections of accounts receivable increased $12.4 million in 2014 compared to 2013. Collections in the first quarter of an odd year are lower due to the impact of political advertising in the preceding quarter, which is paid in advance.

• The accrual of annual incentive compensation, net of the payment of amounts earned in the prior year, increased working capital by $1.6 million in 2014 and decreased working capital by $9.3 million in 2013.

• The timing of payments for accounts payable increased working capital by $6.4 million in 2014.

• In 2014, we recorded a $4.1 million liability for withdrawing from one of our multi-employer pension plans, which increased working capital.

F-34

Investing activities

Cash flows from investing activities for the nine months endedSeptember 30 is as follows:

	Nine Months Ended   September 30,
(in thousands)	2014			2013
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Acquisitions	$	(149,334	)	$	—
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	6,453			300
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(13,437		)	(15,531		)
Purchase of investments	(2,003		)	(1,425		)
Change in restricted cash	1,400			1,800
Miscellaneous, net	453			39
Net cash used in investing activities	$	(156,468	)	$	(14,817	)

In 2014 and 2013 we used $156.5 million and $14.8 million, respectively, in cash for investing activities. The primary factors affecting our investing activities for the periods are described below.

• On January 1, 2014 we completed our acquisition of Media Convergence Group, Inc., which operates as Newsy, a digital video news provider, for $35 million in cash.

• On June 16, 2014, we completed our acquisition of two television stations owned by Granite Broadcasting Corporation for $110 million in cash.

• On September 16, 2014, we completed our acquisition of Geoterrestrial, Inc. ("WeatherSphere") for $4 million in cash.

• During the third quarter of 2014, we received $5.8 million in proceeds from the sale of excess land in our newspaper business.

Financing activities

Cash flows from financing activities for the nine months endedSeptember 30 is as follows:

	Nine Months Ended   September 30,
(in thousands)	2014			2013
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt	$	(1,500	)	$	(11,925	)
Repurchase of Class A Common shares	(21,237		)	(69,313		)
Proceeds from employee stock options	13,175			40,229
Tax payments related to shares withheld for RSU vesting	(4,035		)	(6,157		)
Miscellaneous, net	2,145			(4,458		)
Net cash used in financing activities	$	(11,452	)	$	(51,624	)

In 2014 and 2013 we used cash for financing activities of $11.5 million and $51.6 million, respectively. The primary items included in our financing activities for the periods are described below.

We have a $275 million revolving credit and term loan agreement (“Financing Agreement”). The Financing Agreement includes a $200 million term loan B maturing in November 2020 and a $75 million revolving credit facility maturing in November 2018. There were no borrowings under the revolving credit agreements in any of the years.

The Financing Agreement includes the maintenance of a net leverage ratio if we borrow more than 20% on the revolving credit facility. The term loan B requires that if we borrow additional amounts or make a permitted acquisition that we cannot exceed a stated net leverage ratio on a pro forma basis at the date of the transaction. We were in compliance with all financial covenants in our financing agreements at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

F-35

The 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, 2014, we were not required to make additional principal payments based on excess cash flow.

In November 2012, our board of directors authorized a repurchase program of up to $100 million of our Class A Common shares through December 2014. We repurchased $21.2 million of shares under this authorization in 2014 and $69.3 million of shares in 2013.

In May 2014, our board of directors authorized a new repurchase program of up to $100 million of our Class A Common shares through December 2016.

Based on the terms of the Master Transaction Agreement with Journal Communications, we are precluded from repurchasing shares prior to closing the transactions.

In 2014, we received $13.2 million of proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options compared to $40.2 million in 2013. Our employees currently hold options to purchase 2.1 million shares at exercise prices between $6.63 and $10.92 per share.

Other

We have met our funding requirements for our defined benefit pension plans under the provisions of the Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004 and the Pension Protection Act of 2006. We expect to contribute $0.2 million in the remainder of 2014 to our defined benefit pension plans, primarily to fund benefit payments under the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan.

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

As discussed previously, we have announced a transaction with Journal Communications whereby we will spin-off our newspaper operations, pay a special $60 million dividend and merge the Journal broadcast operations with Scripps. In order to carry out the Transactions we will incur $25 to $30 million in costs, of which we have incurred $6.7 million to date. With the Journal Transactions, we will also assume Journal's outstanding liabilities, including any employee benefit obligations ($66 million as of December 31, 2013). Journal also has outstanding debt of $144 million as of September 30, 2014, of which we will be required to refinance $131 million and can assume the remainder.

In the case that Scripps breaches its obligation to consummate the Transactions, the Master Transaction Agreement may require Scripps to pay liquidated damages of $15.8 million plus expenses, subject to an overall limit of $23.5 million.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

There have been no material changes to the off-balance sheet arrangements disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

F-36

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

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

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

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

	As of September 30, 2014				As of December 31, 2013
(in thousands)	Cost Basis		Fair Value		Cost Basis		Fair Value
Financial instruments subject to interest rate risk:
Variable rate credit facilities	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Term loan	198,500		198,500		200,000		200,000
Total long-term debt including current portion	$	198,500	$	198,500	$	200,000	$	200,000
Interest rate swap	$	423	$	423	$	723	$	723
Financial instruments subject to market value risk:
Investments held at cost	$	12,405	(a)		$	11,724	(a)
(a) Includes securities that do not trade in public markets so the securities do not have readily determinable fair values. We estimate the fair value of these securities approximates their carrying value. There can be no assurance that we would realize the carrying value upon sale of the securities.

We may utilize interest rate swaps to manage our interest expense exposure by fixing our interest rate on portions of our floating rate term loan. We have entered into a $75 million notional value interest rate swap expiring in December 2016 which provides for a fixed interest rate of 1.08%. We did not provide or receive any collateral for this contract. The fair value of this financial derivative is based on quoted market prices which reflect the present values of the difference between estimated future variable-rate receipts and future fixed-rate payments. Upon refinancing our term loan B in November 2013, this hedge no longer qualifies as a cash flow hedge.

F-37

Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

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

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

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

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

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

The effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) was evaluated as of the date of the financial statements. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision of and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures are effective. There were no changes to the Company's internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

F-38

The E. W. Scripps Company

Index to Exhibits

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

E-1

EX-31.A

Exhibit 31(a)

Section 302 Certifications

Certifications

I, Richard A. Boehne, certify that:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Date: November 7, 2014

BY: /s/ Richard A. Boehne

Richard A. Boehne

President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.B

Exhibit 31(b)

Section 302 Certifications

Certifications

I, Timothy M. Wesolowski, certify that:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Date: November 7, 2014

BY: /s/ Timothy M. Wesolowski

Timothy M. Wesolowski

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer  

EX-32.A

Exhibit 32(a)

Section 906 Certifications

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

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

(1) The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the period ended September 30, 2014 (the “Report”), which this certification accompanies, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

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

/s/ Richard A. Boehne

Richard A. Boehne

President and Chief Executive Officer

November 7, 2014

EX-32.B

Exhibit 32(b)

Section 906 Certifications

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

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

(1) The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the period ended September 30, 2014 (the “Report”), which this certification accompanies, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

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

/s/ Timothy M. Wesolowski

Timothy M. Wesolowski

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

November 7, 2014

XML

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Components of benefit expense

The components of the expense consisted of the following:

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
Service cost	$	21		$	17		$	64		$	51
Interest cost	6,600			5,976			19,155			17,927
Expected return on plan assets, net of expenses	(5,893		)	(5,371		)	(17,611		)	(16,113		)
Amortization of actuarial loss	862			1,060			2,145			3,182
Total for defined benefit plans	1,590			1,682			3,753			5,047
Multi-employer plans	100			95			324			326
Withdrawal from GCIU multi-employer plan	—			—			4,100			—
SERP	80			808			672			1,981
Defined contribution plans	2,419			2,341			8,635			8,627
Net periodic benefit cost	$	4,189		$	4,926		$	17,484		$	15,981

XML

Long-Term Debt - Components of Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Components of Long-term debt
Long-term debt	$ 198,500		$ 200,000
Current portion of long-term debt	2,000		2,000
Long-term debt (less current portion)	196,500		198,000
Fair value of long-term debt	198,500	[1]	200,000
Variable rate credit facility
Components of Long-term debt
Long-term debt	0		0
Term loan
Components of Long-term debt
Long-term debt	$ 198,500		$ 200,000

[1] * Fair value of the term loan was estimated based on quoted private market transactions and is classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

XML

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate	5.80%	46.60%
U.S. Federal statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%
Previously unrecognized tax benefits		$ 2.4
Deferred tax assets	19.4
Unrecognized deductions for share based compensation awards	$ 31	$ 33

XML

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ (79,917)		$ (114,213)		$ (80,923)		$ (116,840)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	0		(284)		0		180
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	59	[1]	107	[1]	177	[1]	314	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, Actuarial loss	441	[2]	1,179	[2]	1,329	[2]	3,135	[2]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, tax	1,835		(3,047)		(341)		(7,286)
Ending balance	(79,417)		(113,211)		(79,417)		(113,211)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Net current-period other comprehensive income	500		1,002		1,506		3,629
Gains and Losses on Derivatives
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(338)				(1,009)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			(284)				180
Ending balance			(515)				(515)
Gains and Losses on Derivatives | Interest rate swaps
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			107	[1]			314	[1]
Gains and Losses on Derivatives | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, Actuarial loss			0	[2]			0	[2]
Net current-period other comprehensive income			(177)				494
Gains and Losses on Derivatives | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Interest rate swaps
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, tax			64				190
Defined Benefit Pension Items
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(79,489)		(114,232)		(80,377)		(116,188)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	0		0		0		0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Ending balance	(79,048)		(113,053)		(79,048)		(113,053)
Defined Benefit Pension Items | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, Actuarial loss	441	[2]	1,179	[2]	1,329	[2]	3,135	[2]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, tax	364		460		924		1,759
Net current-period other comprehensive income	441		1,179		1,329		3,135
Other
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	172		357		172		357
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	0		0		0		0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Ending balance	172		357		172		357
Other | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, Actuarial loss	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Net current-period other comprehensive income	0		0		0		0
Gain or Loss on Derivatives [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(600)				(718)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	0				0
Ending balance	(541)				(541)
Gain or Loss on Derivatives [Member] | Interest rate swaps
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	59	[1]			177	[1]
Gain or Loss on Derivatives [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, Actuarial loss	0	[2]			0	[2]
Net current-period other comprehensive income	59				177
Gain or Loss on Derivatives [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Interest rate swaps
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, tax	$ 37				$ 111

[1] (a) Interest rate swap is included in interest expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

[2] (b) Actuarial loss is included in defined benefit pension plan expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

XML

Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Current portion of long-term debt	$ 2,000,000	$ 2,000,000
Long-term debt (less current portion)	196,500,000	198,000,000
Scheduled principal payments on long-term debt in 2014	500,000
Scheduled principal payments on long-term debt in 2015	2,000,000
Scheduled principal payments on long-term debt in 2016	2,000,000
Scheduled principal payments on long-term debt in 2017	2,000,000
Scheduled principal payments on long-term debt in 2018	2,000,000
Scheduled principal payments on long-term debt in 2019	2,000,000
Scheduled principal payments on long-term debt in later years	188,000,000
Letters of credit outstanding amount	200,000	200,000
Minimum
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Percentage of commitment fees of total unused commitment under revolving credit facility	0.30%
Maximum
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Percentage of commitment fees of total unused commitment under revolving credit facility	0.50%
Financing Agreement
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Revolving credit and term loan agreement to finance acquisition	275,000,000
Restricted payment for dividend and share repurchase, maximum	50,000,000
Ratio of Indebtedness to Net Capital	4.5
Financing Agreement | Term loan
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Revolving credit and term loan agreement to finance acquisition	200,000,000
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate	3.25%	3.25%
LIBOR plus margin range	2.50%
Weighted average interest rate	3.25%		3.70%
Financing Agreement | Term loan | Minimum
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate	0.75%
Financing Agreement | Revolving Credit Facility
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Revolving credit and term loan agreement to finance acquisition	$ 75,000,000
Financing Agreement | Revolving Credit Facility | Minimum
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding, Trigger Leverage Ratio, Percentage	20.00%
LIBOR plus margin range	2.25%
Financing Agreement | Revolving Credit Facility | Maximum
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
LIBOR plus margin range	2.75%

XML

Acquisitions - Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Jan. 02, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 16, 2014 Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate and Buffalo ABC affiliate	Jan. 02, 2014 Media Convergence Group (Newsy)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]
Accounts receivable					$ 640
Other assets					74
Property, plant, equipment and software				12,025	631
Intangible assets		5,900		53,500	5,900
Goodwill	106,423		27,966	44,475	28,938
Total assets acquired					36,183
Current liabilities					116
Long-term deferred liability					845
Net purchase price				$ 110,000	$ 35,222

XML

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill by business segment

Goodwill by business segment was as follows:

(in thousands)	Television			Newspapers			Syndication and other		Total
Gross balance as of December 31, 2013	$	243,380		$	778,900		$	—	$	1,022,280
Accumulated impairment losses	(215,414		)	(778,900		)	—		(994,314		)
Net balance as of December 31, 2013	27,966			—			—		27,966
2014 Newsy acquisition	—			—			28,938		28,938
2014 Granite Stations acquisitions	44,475			—			—		44,475
2014 WeatherSphere acquisition	—			—			5,044		5,044
Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	72,441		$	—		$	33,982	$	106,423
Gross balance as of September 30, 2014	$	287,855		$	778,900		$	33,982	$	1,100,737
Accumulated impairment losses	(215,414		)	(778,900		)	—		(994,314		)
Net balance as of September 30, 2014	$	72,441		$	—		$	33,982	$	106,423

Summary of other intangible assets

Other intangible assets consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	As of   September 30,   2014			As of   December 31,   2013
Amortizable intangible assets:
Carrying amount:
Television network affiliation relationships	$	93,944		$	78,844
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	30,404			22,304
Other	6,361			3,561
Total carrying amount	130,709			104,709
Accumulated amortization:
Television network affiliation relationships	(12,855		)	(9,691		)
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	(15,746		)	(13,138		)
Other	(2,151		)	(1,833		)
Total accumulated amortization	(30,752		)	(24,662		)
Net amortizable intangible assets	99,957			80,047
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets — FCC licenses	92,215			57,815
Total other intangible assets	$	192,172		$	137,862

XML

Financial Instruments - Notional Amounts (Details) (Interest rate swaps, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Interest rate swaps
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 75,000		$ 75,000
Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value	0		0
Interest Rate Derivative Liabilities, at Fair Value	$ 423	[1]	$ 723	[1]

[1] (1) Balance recorded as other liabilities in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

XML

Pending Broadcast Merger and Newspaper Spin-off (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended				0 Months Ended	2 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 30, 2014 Newspaper operations Parent company newspaper	Sep. 30, 2014 Journal Communications, Inc.	Sep. 30, 2014 Journal Communications, Inc.	Jul. 30, 2014 Journal Communications, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2013 Journal Communications, Inc.	Sep. 30, 2014 Journal Communications, Inc. Minimum	Sep. 30, 2014 Journal Communications, Inc. Maximum	Jul. 30, 2014 Journal Communications, Inc. Television operations employee	Jul. 30, 2014 Journal Communications, Inc. Newspaper operations employee
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Television operations, percentage of U.S. households reached													18.00%
Approximate number of employees													4,000	3,600
Number of newspapers						13
Special cash dividend									$ 60,000,000
Estimated acquisition-related costs	5,049,000	0	9,408,000	0				6,700,000			25	30,000,000
Employee benefit obligations										66,000,000
Outstanding debt	198,500,000		198,500,000		200,000,000			144,000,000
Outstanding debt, required to be refinanced								131,000,000
Liquidation damages upon breach of merger							$ 15,800,000					$ 23,500,000

XML

Spin-Off of Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Spin Off of Company [Abstract]

Spin-off of Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc.

Spin-off of Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc.

On July 1, 2008, we distributed all of the shares of Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (“SNI”) to shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 16, 2008. SNI owned and operated our national lifestyle cable television networks and interactive media businesses.

In connection with the separation we entered into several agreements, including a Tax Allocation Agreement. This agreement sets forth the allocations between us and SNI with regards to liabilities for federal, state and local taxes for periods prior to the separation.

Under the terms of the Tax Allocation Agreement, we receive any tax deductions for share-based compensation awards held by our employees in SNI. Tax deductions for the nine months ended September 30,2014 and 2013 resulting from the exercise of those awards totaled approximately $7.4 million and $11.4 million, respectively. These benefits are recorded as additional paid-in capital at the time they are realized. At September 30, 2014, our employees held options on approximately 0.2 million SNI shares which expire through 2015.

XML

Restricted Cash - Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	$ 6,810	$ 8,210

XML

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

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

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
(in thousands)	Gains and Losses on Derivatives			Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other		Total
Beginning balance, June 30, 2014	$	(600	)	$	(79,489	)	$	172	$	(79,917	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			—			—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss
Interest rate swap, net of tax of $37 (a)	59			—			—		59
Actuarial loss, net of tax of $364 (b)	—			441			—		441
Net current-period other comprehensive income	59			441			—		500
Ending balance, September 30, 2014	$	(541	)	$	(79,048	)	$	172	$	(79,417	)

	Three months ended September 30, 2013
(in thousands)	Gains and Losses on Derivatives			Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other		Total
Beginning balance, June 30, 2013	$	(338	)	$	(114,232	)	$	357	$	(114,213	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(284		)	—			—		(284		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss
Interest rate swap, net of tax of $64 (a)	107			—			—		107
Actuarial loss, net of tax of $460 (b)	—			1,179			—		1,179
Net current-period other comprehensive income	(177		)	1,179			—		1,002
Ending balance, September 30, 2013	$	(515	)	$	(113,053	)	$	357	$	(113,211	)

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
(in thousands)	Gains and Losses on Derivatives			Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other		Total
Beginning balance, December 31, 2013	$	(718	)	$	(80,377	)	$	172	$	(80,923	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			—			—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss
Interest rate swap, net of tax of $111 (a)	177			—			—		177
Actuarial loss, net of tax of $924 (b)	—			1,329			—		1,329
Net current-period other comprehensive income	177			1,329			—		1,506
Ending balance, September 30, 2014	$	(541	)	$	(79,048	)	$	172	$	(79,417	)

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
(in thousands)	Gains and Losses on Derivatives			Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other		Total
Beginning balance, December 31, 2012	$	(1,009	)	$	(116,188	)	$	357	$	(116,840	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	180			—			—		180
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss
Interest rate swap, net of tax of $190 (a)	314			—			—		314
Actuarial loss, net of tax of $1,759 (b)	—			3,135			—		3,135
Net current-period other comprehensive income	494			3,135			—		3,629
Ending balance, September 30, 2013	$	(515	)	$	(113,053	)	$	357	$	(113,211	)

^(a) Interest rate swap is included in interest expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

^(b) Actuarial loss is included in defined benefit pension plan expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

XML

Other Liabilities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]

Other liabilities

Other liabilities consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	As of   September 30,   2014		As of   December 31,   2013
Employee compensation and benefits	$	18,578	$	19,756
Liability for pension benefits	62,903		62,020
Liabilities for uncertain tax positions	11,078		10,670
Other	15,873		14,826
Other liabilities (less current portion)	$	108,432	$	107,272

XML

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of other intangible assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Carrying amount:
Total carrying amount	$ 130,709	$ 104,709
Accumulated amortization:
Total accumulated amortization	(30,752)	(24,662)
Net amortizable intangible assets	99,957	80,047
Total other intangible assets	192,172	137,862
Licensing agreements
Accumulated amortization:
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets — FCC licenses	92,215	57,815
Television network affiliation relationships
Carrying amount:
Total carrying amount	93,944	78,844
Accumulated amortization:
Total accumulated amortization	(12,855)	(9,691)
Customer lists and advertiser relationships
Carrying amount:
Total carrying amount	30,404	22,304
Accumulated amortization:
Total accumulated amortization	(15,746)	(13,138)
Other
Carrying amount:
Total carrying amount	6,361	3,561
Accumulated amortization:
Total accumulated amortization	$ (2,151)	$ (1,833)

XML

Spin-Off of Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc - Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Spin Off of Company [Abstract]
Spin-Off of Company, Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Deduction from Exercise of Stock Options	$ 7.4	$ 11.4
SNI options held by employees	0.2

XML

Noncontrolling Interests - Narrative (Details)	Sep. 30, 2014
Noncontrolling interest Memphis Newspaper
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners	4.00%
Noncontrolling interest Evansville Newspaper
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners	6.00%

XML

Acquisitions - Pro Forma Disclosures (Details) (Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate and Buffalo ABC affiliate, USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate and Buffalo ABC affiliate
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue	$ 197,460	$ 637,579	$ 619,521
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss)	$ (7,974)	$ (3,655)	$ (5,129)
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ (0.14)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.09)
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ (0.14)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.09)

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Repurchase of Class A Common shares	1,181,560	4,816,228
Adjustments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation	$ 4,035	$ 6,157
Shares issued on compensation plans	1,779,404	4,980,097

XML

Supplemental Cash Flow Information - Change in Certain Working Capital Accounts (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Other changes in certain working capital accounts, net
Accounts and notes receivable	$ 15,247	$ 2,807
Income taxes receivable/payable, net	(5,764)	(2,251)
Accounts payable	79	(6,274)
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	9,811	(5,827)
Other accrued liabilities	4,284	(238)
Other, net	3,377	(1,703)
Total	$ 27,034	$ (13,486)

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Share-based compensation costs	$ 0.2	$ 1.1	$ 4.9	$ 5.0

XML

Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Contingencies

Contingencies

We are involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, such as defamation actions and governmental

proceedings, primarily relating to renewal of broadcast licenses, none of which is expected to result in material loss.

Members of the Board of Directors of Journal Communications, Inc. ("Journal"), and the parties to the Master Transaction Agreement, including Journal and Scripps, are defendants in a class action lawsuit filed in Circuit Court, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin (Howard Goldfinger v. Journal Communications, Inc., et al.). The plaintiff in this lawsuit alleges that the directors of Journal breached their fiduciary duties to Journal shareholders in connection with the transactions and that the other parties to the lawsuit aided and abetted such alleged breaches of fiduciary duty. The plaintiff alleges that the directors of Journal breached their fiduciary duties by, among other things, (i) agreeing to enter into the Master Transaction Agreement for inadequate consideration, (ii) having certain conflicts of interest, (iii) not negotiating a “collar” mechanism on the share exchange ratio, and (iv) agreeing to certain deal protection provisions, such as a termination fee, a “no-shop” provision, and a “matching rights” provision. The plaintiff also challenges the qualifications of Journal's financial advisor, Methuselah Advisors LLC ("Methuselah"), and asserts that Methuselah has a conflict because the founder and managing partner of Methuselah, who is the lead investment banker at Methuselah for Journal in this transaction, was employed by Lazard Freres & Co. LLC (“Lazard”) prior to 2010 as a managing partner and group co-head, where he had responsibility for Lazard’s relationship with Scripps.

The outcome of this lawsuit is uncertain and cannot be predicted. An adverse judgment for monetary damages could have a material adverse effect on the operations and liquidity of Journal or Scripps. An adverse judgment granting permanent injunctive relief could indefinitely enjoin completion of the transactions. Journal and Scripps believe the allegations of the plaintiff’s complaint are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against the claims alleged in this lawsuit. On August 29, 2014, the defendants filed motions asking the Circuit Court to dismiss this lawsuit. On October 20, 2014, the Circuit Court held a hearing and stated it would issue a ruling on such motions on or about November 11, 2014.

XML

Pending Broadcast Merger and Newspaper Spin-off (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Pending Broadcast Merger and Newspaper Spin-off

Pending Broadcast Merger and Newspaper Spin-off

On July 30, 2014, Scripps and Journal Communications, Inc. ("Journal") agreed to merge their broadcast operations and spin-off their newspaper businesses into a separate publicly traded company (the “Transactions”). The Transactions are expected to close in the first half of 2015.

The merged broadcast and digital media company, to be based in Cincinnati, will retain The E.W. Scripps Company name and continue to be controlled by the Scripps family. The company’s television operations will reach approximately 18% of all U.S. households and have approximately 4,000 employees across its television, radio and digital media operations.

The newspaper company will be named Journal Media Group, combining the 13 Scripps newspapers with Journal's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The company will have approximately 3,600 employees and will be headquartered in Milwaukee.

The board of directors of both companies have approved the Transactions, which are subject to customary regulatory and shareholder approvals. As part of the Transactions, Scripps shareholders will receive a $60 million special cash dividend. Based on the terms of the Master Transaction Agreement, we are precluded from repurchasing shares prior to closing the transaction.

In order to carry out the Transactions, we will incur $25 to $30 million in costs, of which we have incurred $6.7 million to date. With the Journal Transactions, we will also assume Journal's outstanding liabilities, including any employee benefit obligations ($66 million as of December 31, 2013). Journal also has outstanding debt of $144 million as of September 30, 2014, of which we will be required to refinance $131 million and can assume the remainder.

In the case that Scripps breaches its obligation to consummate the Transactions, the Master Transaction Agreement may require Scripps to pay liquidated damages of $15.8 million plus expenses, subject to an overall limit of $23.5 million.

XML

Financial Instruments - Narrative (Details) (Interest rate swaps, USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Interest rate swaps
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 75,000,000	$ 75,000,000
Fixed LIBOR interest rate	1.08%
Derivative instrument, amortized into earnings from AOCI	$ 300,000

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share)
Net loss attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ (1,341)		$ (8,851)		$ (5,188)		$ (8,337)
Less income allocated to RSUs	0		0		0		0
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share	$ (1,341)		$ (8,851)		$ (5,188)		$ (8,337)
Denominator
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	56,469		56,177		56,200		56,696
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options held by employees and directors	0		0		0		0
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	56,469		56,177		56,200		56,696
Anti-dilutive securities	3,313	[1]	5,551	[1]	3,313	[1]	5,551	[1]

[1] (1) Amount outstanding at balance sheet date, before application of the treasury stock method and not weighted for period outstanding

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

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 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In management's opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods have been made.

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

Nature of Operations

Nature of Operations — We are a diverse media enterprise with a portfolio of television, print and digital 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: television, newspapers and syndication and other. Additional information for our business segments is presented in the Condensed Notes to 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; 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.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition — We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists, delivery occurs or services are rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. When a sales arrangement contains multiple elements, such as the sale of advertising and other services, we allocate revenue to each element based upon its relative fair value. We report revenue net of sales and other taxes collected from our customers.

Our primary sources of revenue are from the sale of print, broadcast and digital advertising, retransmission fees received from cable operators and satellite carriers and newspaper subscription fees.

The revenue recognition policies for each source of revenue are described in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation — We have a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which is described more fully in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The Plan provides for the award of incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (RSUs), unrestricted Class A Common shares and performance units to key employees and non-employee directors.

Share-based compensation costs totaled $0.2 million and $1.1 million for the third quarter of 2014 and 2013, 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.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments — It is our policy that derivative transactions are executed only to manage exposures arising in the normal course of business and not for the purpose of creating speculative positions or trading. Derivative financial instruments are utilized to manage interest rate risks. We do not hold derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. All derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. Each derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge or remains undesignated. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and effective as cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified to earnings when the effects of the item being hedged are recognized in earnings. These changes are offset in earnings to the extent the hedge was effective by fair value changes related to the risk being hedged on the hedged item. Changes in the fair value of undesignated hedges are recognized currently in earnings. All ineffective changes in derivative fair values are recognized currently in earnings.

All designated hedges are formally documented as to the relationship with the hedged item as well as the risk-management strategy. Both at inception and on an ongoing basis, the hedging instrument is assessed as to its effectiveness, when applicable. If and when a derivative is determined not to be highly effective as a hedge, or the underlying hedged transaction is no longer likely to occur, or the hedge designation is removed, or the derivative is terminated, the hedge accounting discussed above is discontinued.

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

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   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share)
Net loss attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	(1,341	)	$	(8,851	)	$	(5,188	)	$	(8,337	)
Less income allocated to RSUs	—			—			—			—
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share	$	(1,341	)	$	(8,851	)	$	(5,188	)	$	(8,337	)
Denominator
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	56,469			56,177			56,200			56,696
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options held by employees and directors	—			—			—			—
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	56,469			56,177			56,200			56,696
Anti-dilutive securities (1)	3,313			5,551			3,313			5,551

⁽¹⁾ Amount outstanding at balance sheet date, before application of the treasury stock method and not weighted for period outstanding.

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $)		Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling Interests
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012		$ 539,910,000	$ 555,000	$ 517,688,000	$ 136,293,000	$ (116,840,000)	$ 2,214,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net (loss) income		(8,337,000)			(8,337,000)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		0
Net loss, continuing operations		(8,337,000)
Changes in defined benefit pension plans		3,135,000				3,135,000
Changes in fair value of derivative		494,000				494,000
Compensation plans: 4,980,097 net shares issued in 2013 and 1,779,404 in 2014	[1]	39,348,000	50,000	39,298,000
Repurchase 4,816,228 Class A Common shares in 2013 and 1,181,560 Class A Common shares in 2014		(69,313,000)	(48,000)	(52,501,000)	(16,764,000)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest at Sep. 30, 2013		505,237,000	557,000	504,485,000	111,192,000	(113,211,000)	2,214,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013		547,737,000	560,000	509,243,000	116,893,000	(80,923,000)	1,964,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net (loss) income		(5,188,000)			(5,188,000)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		(302,000)					(302,000)
Net loss, continuing operations		(5,490,000)
Changes in defined benefit pension plans		1,329,000				1,329,000
Changes in fair value of derivative		177,000				177,000
Compensation plans: 4,980,097 net shares issued in 2013 and 1,779,404 in 2014	[1]	14,335,000	18,000	14,317,000
Repurchase 4,816,228 Class A Common shares in 2013 and 1,181,560 Class A Common shares in 2014		(21,237,000)	(12,000)	(12,496,000)	(8,729,000)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest at Sep. 30, 2014		$ 536,851,000	$ 566,000	$ 511,064,000	$ 102,976,000	$ (79,417,000)	$ 1,662,000

[1] * Net of tax payments related to shares withheld for vested stock and RSUs of $4,035 in 2014 and $6,157 in 2013.

XML

Acquisitions (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]

Pro forma results of operations

Pro forma results of operations, assuming the transaction had taken place at the beginning of 2013, are included in the following table. The pro forma information includes the historical results of operations of Scripps and the Acquired Granite Stations and adjustments for additional depreciation and amortization of the assets acquired. The pro forma information does not include efficiencies, cost reductions or synergies expected to result from the acquisition. The unaudited pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of the period. Reported results for the three months ended September 30,2014 include the impact of the Acquired Granite Stations and therefore are not presented as pro forma results.

	Three Months Ended   September 30,			Nine Months Ended   September 30,
(in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)	2013			2014			2013
Operating revenues	$	197,460		$	637,579		$	619,521
Loss from operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	(7,974		)	(3,655		)	(5,129		)
Loss per share from operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:
Basic	(0.14		)	(0.07		)	(0.09		)
Diluted	(0.14		)	(0.07		)	(0.09		)

Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate and Buffalo ABC affiliate

Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]

Fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed

Pending the finalization of third-party valuations and other items, the following table summarizes the preliminary fair value of the assets acquired as of June 16, 2014:

(in thousands)
Assets:
Property, plant and equipment	$	12,025
Intangible assets	53,500
Goodwill	44,475
Net purchase price	$	110,000

Media Convergence Group (Newsy)

Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]

Fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed

Pending the finalization of third-party valuations and other items, the following table summarizes the preliminary fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed as of January 1, 2014:

(in thousands)
Assets:
Accounts receivable	$	640
Other assets	74
Equipment and software	631
Intangible assets	5,900
Goodwill	28,938
Total assets acquired	36,183
Current liabilities	116
Long-term deferred liability	845
Net purchase price	$	35,222

XML

Segment Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Information regarding business segments

Information regarding our business segments is as follows:

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
Segment operating revenues:
Television	$	121,068		$	99,289		$	339,004		$	307,548
Newspapers	84,473			88,346			275,213			281,286
Syndication and other	2,059			1,900			9,123			7,207
Total operating revenues	$	207,600		$	189,535		$	623,340		$	596,041
Segment profit (loss):
Television	$	29,813		$	18,921		$	78,591		$	65,945
Newspapers	767			3,038			14,759			14,857
Syndication and other	(872		)	(177		)	(1,385		)	(145		)
Shared services and corporate	(10,088		)	(13,885		)	(38,797		)	(37,788		)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(1,670		)	(2,490		)	(8,525		)	(7,028		)
Acquisition and related integration costs	(5,049		)	—			(9,408		)	—
Separation and restructuring costs	—			(1,290		)	—			(3,691		)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(13,195		)	(12,096		)	(36,519		)	(35,684		)
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	2,951			(177		)	2,861			(140		)
Interest expense	(2,050		)	(2,655		)	(6,347		)	(7,924		)
Miscellaneous, net	(216		)	(1,087		)	(1,061		)	(4,025		)
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes	$	391		$	(11,898	)	$	(5,831	)	$	(15,623	)
Depreciation:
Television	$	5,894		$	5,751		$	16,033		$	16,958
Newspapers	4,255			4,015			12,167			12,132
Syndication and other	127			20			327			58
Shared services and corporate	649			574			1,904			1,349
Total depreciation	$	10,925		$	10,360		$	30,431		$	30,497
Amortization of intangibles:
Television	$	1,909		$	1,599		$	5,108		$	4,778
Newspapers	92			137			303			409
Syndication and other	269			—			677			—
Total amortization of intangibles	$	2,270		$	1,736		$	6,088		$	5,187
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Television	$	4,100		$	2,169		$	10,540		$	7,325
Newspapers	573			285			1,486			1,746
Syndication and other	302			—			432			—
Shared services and corporate	253			908			979			6,460
Total additions to property, plant and equipment	$	5,228		$	3,362		$	13,437		$	15,531

XML

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for the remainder of 2014	$ 2.3
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for 2015	9.0
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for 2016	8.9
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for 2017	6.5
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for 2018	6.4
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for 2019	5.5
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for later years	$ 61.4

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 124,369	$ 221,255
Restricted cash	6,810	8,210
Accounts and notes receivable (less allowances - $1,806 and $2,027)	125,096	139,703
Inventory	7,495	6,543
Deferred income taxes	11,510	17,861
Income taxes receivable	6,200	436
Miscellaneous	8,400	8,046
Total current assets	289,880	402,054
Investments	16,765	16,567
Property, plant and equipment	348,979	353,797
Goodwill	106,423	27,966
Other intangible assets	192,172	137,862
Deferred income taxes	7,890	8,733
Miscellaneous	16,334	19,151
Total Assets	978,443	966,130
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	16,719	16,529
Customer deposits and unearned revenue	34,058	28,633
Current portion of long-term debt	2,000	2,000
Accrued liabilities:
Employee compensation and benefits	36,802	26,986
Miscellaneous	33,908	28,930
Other current liabilities	13,173	10,043
Total current liabilities	136,660	113,121
Long-term debt (less current portion)	196,500	198,000
Other liabilities (less current portion)	108,432	107,272
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; 44,692,345 and 44,094,501 shares; Voting - authorized: 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 11,932,722 and 11,932,722 shares	566	560
Additional paid-in capital	511,064	509,243
Retained earnings	102,976	116,893
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes:
Unrealized loss on derivatives	(541)	(718)
Pension liability adjustments	(78,876)	(80,205)
Total The E.W. Scripps Company shareholders’ equity	535,189	545,773
Noncontrolling interest	1,662	1,964
Total equity	536,851	547,737
Total Liabilities and Equity	978,443	966,130
Common stock, Class A
Equity:
Common stock, $.01 par: Class A - authorized: 240,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 44,692,345 and 44,094,501 shares; Voting - authorized: 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 11,932,722 and 11,932,722 shares	447	441
Voting common stock
Equity:
Common stock, $.01 par: Class A - authorized: 240,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 44,692,345 and 44,094,501 shares; Voting - authorized: 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 11,932,722 and 11,932,722 shares	$ 119	$ 119

XML

Acquisitions - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended			0 Months Ended		0 Months Ended				0 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 television_station	Jan. 02, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 02, 2014 Customer relationships	Jan. 02, 2014 Other intangible assets	Jan. 02, 2014 Media Convergence Group (Newsy)	Jun. 16, 2014 Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate and Buffalo ABC affiliate television_station	Jun. 16, 2014 Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate and Buffalo ABC affiliate Retransmission agreements, television network affiliate relationships and advertiser relationships	Jun. 16, 2014 Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate and Buffalo ABC affiliate FCC licenses	Sep. 16, 2014 WeatherSphere	Sep. 16, 2014 WeatherSphere	Jun. 16, 2014 Minimum Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate and Buffalo ABC affiliate Retransmission agreements, television network affiliate relationships and advertiser relationships	Jun. 16, 2014 Maximum Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate and Buffalo ABC affiliate Retransmission agreements, television network affiliate relationships and advertiser relationships
Acquisitions (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of stations acquired	2						2
Acquisition cost in cash						$ 35,000,000	$ 110,000,000
Intangible assets		5,900,000		4,100,000	1,800,000	5,900,000	53,500,000	19,100,000	34,400,000
Intangible asset, estimated amortization period				5 years								10 years	20 years
Goodwill	106,423,000		27,966,000			28,938,000	44,475,000
Working capital adjustment						200,000
Business acquisition, purchase price						35,222,000	110,000,000				4,100,000
Earnout provision, maximum											2,500,000
Earnout provision, payment term										3 years
Earnout provision, fair value											$ 1,600,000

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Changes in fair value of derivatives, tax amount	$ 37	$ (107)	$ 111	$ 299
Changes in defined benefit pension plans, tax amount	$ 364	$ 460	$ 924	$ 1,759

XML

Fair Value Measurement - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Recurring Measurements
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash equivalents	$ 10,000		$ 30,000
Level 1 | Recurring Measurements
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash equivalents	10,000		30,000
Level 2 | Recurring Measurements
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash equivalents	0		0
Level 3 | Recurring Measurements
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash equivalents	0		0
Interest rate swaps
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Interest rate swap	(423)	[1]	(723)	[1]
Interest rate swaps | Recurring Measurements
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Interest rate swap	(423)		(723)
Interest rate swaps | Level 1 | Recurring Measurements
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Interest rate swap	0		0
Interest rate swaps | Level 2 | Recurring Measurements
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Interest rate swap	(423)		(723)
Interest rate swaps | Level 3 | Recurring Measurements
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Interest rate swap	$ 0		$ 0

[1] (1) Balance recorded as other liabilities in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

XML

Financial Instruments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Notional amounts and fair values of derivatives

The notional amounts and fair values of derivative instruments are shown in the table below:

	As of September 30, 2014						As of December 31, 2013
	Notional		Fair value				Notional		Fair value
(in thousands)	amount		Asset		Liability (1)		amount		Asset		Liability (1)
Undesignated derivatives:
Interest rate swap	$	75,000	$	—	$	423	$	75,000	$	—	$	723

⁽¹⁾ Balance recorded as other liabilities in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

Effective portion of the unrealized gain and loss on the derivative

For the year-to-date period ended September 30, 2014, approximately $0.3 million was amortized into earnings from accumulated other comprehensive loss and is included in the table below as amounts reclassified from accumulated OCL, gain/(loss).

	Three Months Ended   September 30,			Nine Months Ended   September 30,
(in thousands)	2014	2013		2014	2013
Effective portion recognized in accumulated OCL, gain/(loss)	—	(455	)	—	290
Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCL, gain/(loss)	96	171		288	504
Gain/(loss) on derivative	362	—		300	—

XML

Segment Information - Narrative (Details)	Sep. 30, 2014 customer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of major customers customers	0
Percentage of revenue by major customer	10.00%
Television
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of market capture	14.00%
Television | ABC affiliates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Affiliates	11
Television | NBC affiliates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Affiliates	3
Television | Independent station
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Affiliates	2
Television | Azteca America affiliates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Affiliates	5
Newspapers
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of markets for daily and community newspapers	13

XML

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

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   September 30,
(in thousands)	2014			2013
Other changes in certain working capital accounts, net
Accounts and notes receivable	$	15,247		$	2,807
Income taxes receivable/payable, net	(5,764		)	(2,251		)
Accounts payable	79			(6,274		)
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	9,811			(5,827		)
Other accrued liabilities	4,284			(238		)
Other, net	3,377			(1,703		)
Total	$	27,034		$	(13,486	)

XML

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis

The following tables set forth our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

	As of September 30, 2014
(in thousands)	Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
Assets/(Liabilities):
Cash equivalents	$	10,000		$	10,000	$	—		$	—
Interest rate swap	(423		)	—		(423		)	—

	As of December 31, 2013
(in thousands)	Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
Assets/(Liabilities):
Cash equivalents	$	30,000		$	30,000	$	—		$	—
Interest rate swap	(723		)	—		(723		)	—

XML

Segment Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

Segment Information

We determine our business segments based upon our management and internal reporting structure. Our reportable segments are strategic businesses that offer different products and services.

Our television segment includes 11 ABC affiliates, three NBC affiliates, and two independent stations that operate as duopolies with our Kansas City NBC affiliate and our Detroit ABC affiliate. We also own five Azteca America affiliates. Our television stations reach approximately 14% of the nation’s households. Television stations earn revenue primarily from the sale of advertising time to local and national advertisers and retransmission fees received from cable operators and satellite carriers.

Our newspaper segment includes daily and community newspapers in 13 markets across the United States. Newspapers earn revenue primarily from the sale of advertising space to local and national advertisers and newspaper subscription fees.

Syndication and other primarily includes certain digital operations outside of our television and newspaper markets and syndication of news features and comics and other features for the newspaper industry. Newsy, a digital video news service, and WeatherSphere, a provider of weather-related mobile apps, are also included in syndication and other.

We allocate a portion of certain corporate costs and expenses, including information technology, certain employee benefits, digital operation services and other shared services, to our business segments. The allocations are generally amounts agreed upon by management, which may differ from an arms-length amount. Corporate assets are primarily cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, property and equipment primarily used for corporate purposes, and deferred income taxes. A portion of our digital operations, which is not allocated to our television and newspaper segments, is included in shared services and corporate.

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 (other than current service cost), 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   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
Segment operating revenues:
Television	$	121,068		$	99,289		$	339,004		$	307,548
Newspapers	84,473			88,346			275,213			281,286
Syndication and other	2,059			1,900			9,123			7,207
Total operating revenues	$	207,600		$	189,535		$	623,340		$	596,041
Segment profit (loss):
Television	$	29,813		$	18,921		$	78,591		$	65,945
Newspapers	767			3,038			14,759			14,857
Syndication and other	(872		)	(177		)	(1,385		)	(145		)
Shared services and corporate	(10,088		)	(13,885		)	(38,797		)	(37,788		)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(1,670		)	(2,490		)	(8,525		)	(7,028		)
Acquisition and related integration costs	(5,049		)	—			(9,408		)	—
Separation and restructuring costs	—			(1,290		)	—			(3,691		)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(13,195		)	(12,096		)	(36,519		)	(35,684		)
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	2,951			(177		)	2,861			(140		)
Interest expense	(2,050		)	(2,655		)	(6,347		)	(7,924		)
Miscellaneous, net	(216		)	(1,087		)	(1,061		)	(4,025		)
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes	$	391		$	(11,898	)	$	(5,831	)	$	(15,623	)
Depreciation:
Television	$	5,894		$	5,751		$	16,033		$	16,958
Newspapers	4,255			4,015			12,167			12,132
Syndication and other	127			20			327			58
Shared services and corporate	649			574			1,904			1,349
Total depreciation	$	10,925		$	10,360		$	30,431		$	30,497
Amortization of intangibles:
Television	$	1,909		$	1,599		$	5,108		$	4,778
Newspapers	92			137			303			409
Syndication and other	269			—			677			—
Total amortization of intangibles	$	2,270		$	1,736		$	6,088		$	5,187
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Television	$	4,100		$	2,169		$	10,540		$	7,325
Newspapers	573			285			1,486			1,746
Syndication and other	302			—			432			—
Shared services and corporate	253			908			979			6,460
Total additions to property, plant and equipment	$	5,228		$	3,362		$	13,437		$	15,531

No single customer provides more than 10% of our revenue.

XML

Capital Stock - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended								1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 common_share director	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum	Sep. 30, 2013 Minimum	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum	Sep. 30, 2013 Maximum	Sep. 30, 2014 Common stock, Class A	Sep. 30, 2013 Common stock, Class A	Nov. 30, 2012 First Repurchase Plan Common stock, Class A	Sep. 30, 2014 First Repurchase Plan Common stock, Class A	May 06, 2014 Second Repurchase Plan Common stock, Class A	Sep. 30, 2014 Second Repurchase Plan Common stock, Class A
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Classes of common shares	2
Minimum number of directors up for election to entitle shareholders to vote	3
Minumum percent of directors up for election to entitle shareholders to vote	33.33%
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount									$ 100,000,000		$ 100,000,000
Stock repurchased during period, value	21,237,000	69,313,000					21,200,000	69,300,000				0
Range of price of shares repurchased (USD per share)			$ 16.35	$ 10.83	$ 19.99	$ 17.94
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount										$ 5,000,000

XML

Condednsed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss	$ (5,490)	$ (8,337)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	36,519	35,684
(Gains) losses on sale of property, plant and equipment	(2,861)	140
Deferred income taxes	4,934	(1,770)
Stock and deferred compensation plans	4,608	6,092
Pension expense, net of payments	3,639	4,294
Liability for withdrawal from GCIU employer retirement fund	4,100	0
Other changes in certain working capital accounts, net	27,034	(13,486)
Miscellaneous, net	(1,449)	3,318
Net cash provided by operating activities	71,034	25,935
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Acquisitions	(149,334)	0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	6,453	300
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(13,437)	(15,531)
Purchase of investments	(2,003)	(1,425)
Change in restricted cash	1,400	1,800
Miscellaneous, net	453	39
Net cash used in investing activities	(156,468)	(14,817)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(1,500)	(11,925)
Repurchase of Class A Common shares	(21,237)	(69,313)
Proceeds from employee stock options	13,175	40,229
Tax payments related to shares withheld for RSU vesting	(4,035)	(6,157)
Miscellaneous, net	2,145	(4,458)
Net cash used in financing activities	(11,452)	(51,624)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(96,886)	(40,506)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of year	221,255	242,642
End of period	124,369	202,136
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Interest paid	5,511	6,077
Income taxes paid	$ 397	$ 290

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Allowances for accounts and notes receivable	$ 1,806	$ 2,027
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	44,692,345	44,094,501
Common stock, shares outstanding	44,692,345	44,094,501
Voting common stock
Common stock, shares authorized	60,000,000	60,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	11,932,722	11,932,722
Common stock, shares outstanding	11,932,722	11,932,722

XML

Long-Term Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	As of   September 30,   2014		As of   December 31,   2013
Variable rate credit facility	$	—	$	—
Term loan	198,500		200,000
Long-term debt	198,500		200,000
Current portion of long-term debt	2,000		2,000
Long-term debt (less current portion)	$	196,500	$	198,000
Fair value of long-term debt *	$	198,500	$	200,000

* Fair value of the term loan was estimated based on quoted private market transactions and is classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

We have a $275 million revolving credit and term loan agreement (“Financing Agreement”). The Financing Agreement includes a $200 million term loan B maturing in November 2020 and a $75 million revolving credit facility maturing in November 2018.

The Financing Agreement includes the maintenance of a net leverage ratio if we borrow more than 20% on the revolving credit facility. The term loan B requires that if we borrow additional amounts or make a permitted acquisition that we cannot exceed a stated net leverage ratio on a pro forma basis at the date of the transaction.

Interest is payable on the term loan B at rates based on LIBOR with a 0.75% floor, plus a fixed margin of 2.50%. Interest is payable on the revolving credit facility at rates based on LIBOR plus a margin based on our leverage ratio ranging from 2.25% to 2.75%. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the interest rate was 3.25% on the term loan B. The 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, 2014, we were not required to make additional principal payments based on excess cash flow. The weighted-average interest rate on borrowings was 3.25% and 3.70% for the nine months ended September 30,2014 and 2013, respectively.

Scheduled principal payments on long-term debt at September 30, 2014 are: $0.5 million for the remainder of 2014, $2.0 million in 2015, $2.0 million in 2016, $2.0 million in 2017, $2.0 million in 2018, $2.0 million in 2019 and $188 million thereafter.

Under the terms of the Financing Agreement, we granted the lenders mortgages on certain of our real property, pledges of our equity interests in our subsidiaries and security interests in substantially all other personal property including cash, accounts receivables, inventories and equipment.

The Financing Agreement allows us to make restricted payments (dividends and share repurchases) up to $50 million plus additional amounts based on our financial results and condition. We can also make additional stock repurchases equal to the amount of proceeds that we receive from the exercise of stock options held by our employees. Additionally, we can make acquisitions as long as the pro forma net leverage ratio is less than 4.5 to 1.0.

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, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $0.2 million.

XML

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	SCRIPPS E W CO /DE
Entity Central Index Key	0000832428
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Common Class A
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	44,692,345
Voting common stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	11,932,722

XML

Financial Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Financial Instruments

Financial Instruments

We are exposed to various market risks, including changes in interest rates. To manage risks associated with the volatility of changes in interest rates, we may enter into interest rate management instruments.

We may utilize interest rate swaps to manage our interest expense exposure by fixing our interest rate on portions of our floating rate term loan. We have entered into a $75 million notional value interest rate swap expiring in December 2016 which provides for a fixed interest rate of 1.08%. We did not provide or receive any collateral for this contract. The fair value of this financial derivative, which was designated as and qualified as a cash flow hedge through November 2013, is determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts (or payments) and the discounted expected variable cash payments (or receipts). The variable cash payments (or receipts) are based on the expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observed market interest rate curves and implied volatilities. In addition, credit valuation adjustments, which consider the impact of any credit enhancements to the contracts, are incorporated in the fair values to account for potential nonperformance risk.

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

The notional amounts and fair values of derivative instruments are shown in the table below:

	As of September 30, 2014						As of December 31, 2013
	Notional		Fair value				Notional		Fair value
(in thousands)	amount		Asset		Liability (1)		amount		Asset		Liability (1)
Undesignated derivatives:
Interest rate swap	$	75,000	$	—	$	423	$	75,000	$	—	$	723

⁽¹⁾ Balance recorded as other liabilities in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

Through November 2013, the above derivative instrument was designated as and qualified as a cash flow hedge and the effective portion of the unrealized gains and losses on the derivative was reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified into earnings in the periods during which the hedged transactions affected earnings. Upon refinancing our term loan in November 2013, this hedge no longer qualified as a cash flow hedge and gains and losses on the derivative are recorded in current period earnings. The balance in accumulated other comprehensive loss at the date of discontinuance of hedge accounting is being amortized into earnings on a straight-line basis through December 2016. For the year-to-date period ended September 30, 2014, approximately $0.3 million was amortized into earnings from accumulated other comprehensive loss and is included in the table below as amounts reclassified from accumulated OCL, gain/(loss).

	Three Months Ended   September 30,			Nine Months Ended   September 30,
(in thousands)	2014	2013		2014	2013
Effective portion recognized in accumulated OCL, gain/(loss)	—	(455	)	—	290
Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCL, gain/(loss)	96	171		288	504
Gain/(loss) on derivative	362	—		300	—

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Operating Revenues:
Advertising	$ 154,030	$ 141,139	$ 458,055	$ 446,391
Subscriptions	28,738	28,184	90,736	86,751
Retransmission	15,235	10,403	40,409	31,345
Other	9,597	9,809	34,140	31,554
Total operating revenues	207,600	189,535	623,340	596,041
Costs and Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	103,425	95,581	308,242	292,409
Programs and program licenses	16,181	14,318	42,951	40,332
Newsprint, press supplies and other printing costs	10,122	10,614	33,206	34,965
Newspaper distribution	11,492	11,623	35,046	35,837
Other expenses	46,760	49,502	150,727	149,629
Defined benefit pension plan expense	1,670	2,490	8,525	7,028
Acquisition and related integration costs	5,049	0	9,408	0
Separation and restructuring costs	0	1,290	0	3,691
Total costs and expenses	194,699	185,418	588,105	563,891
Depreciation, Amortization, and (Gains) Losses:
Depreciation	10,925	10,360	30,431	30,497
Amortization of intangible assets	2,270	1,736	6,088	5,187
(Gains) losses, net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	(2,951)	177	(2,861)	140
Net depreciation, amortization, and (gains) losses	10,244	12,273	33,658	35,824
Operating income (loss)	2,657	(8,156)	1,577	(3,674)
Interest expense	(2,050)	(2,655)	(6,347)	(7,924)
Miscellaneous, net	(216)	(1,087)	(1,061)	(4,025)
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes	391	(11,898)	(5,831)	(15,623)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	1,835	(3,047)	(341)	(7,286)
Net loss	(1,444)	(8,851)	(5,490)	(8,337)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(103)	0	(302)	0
Net loss attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ (1,341)	$ (8,851)	$ (5,188)	$ (8,337)
Net loss per basic share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ (0.02)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.15)
Net loss per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ (0.02)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.15)

XML

Acquisitions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Acquisitions

Acquisitions

On June 16, 2014, we closed our acquisition of two television stations owned by Granite Broadcasting Corporation — the Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate WMYD-TV and the Buffalo, N.Y. ABC affiliate WKBW-TV ("Acquired Granite Stations") — for $110 million in cash. The acquisition of WMYD-TV creates a duopoly with our Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV.

Pending the finalization of third-party valuations and other items, the following table summarizes the preliminary fair value of the assets acquired as of June 16, 2014:

(in thousands)
Assets:
Property, plant and equipment	$	12,025
Intangible assets	53,500
Goodwill	44,475
Net purchase price	$	110,000

Of the $54 million allocated to intangible assets, $34.4 million was for FCC licenses which we have determined to have an indefinite life and therefore will not be amortized. The remaining balance of $19.1 million will be allocated to television network affiliation relationships and advertiser relationships with estimated amortization periods of 10 to 20 years.

The goodwill of $44.5 million arising from the transaction consists largely of synergies and economies of scale and other benefits of a larger broadcast footprint, as well as synergies from being able to create a duopoly in our Detroit market. We have allocated the goodwill to our television segment. We will treat the transaction as an asset acquisition for income tax purposes resulting in a step-up in the assets acquired. The goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes.

Pro forma results of operations, assuming the transaction had taken place at the beginning of 2013, are included in the following table. The pro forma information includes the historical results of operations of Scripps and the Acquired Granite Stations and adjustments for additional depreciation and amortization of the assets acquired. The pro forma information does not include efficiencies, cost reductions or synergies expected to result from the acquisition. The unaudited pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of the period. Reported results for the three months ended September 30,2014 include the impact of the Acquired Granite Stations and therefore are not presented as pro forma results.

	Three Months Ended   September 30,			Nine Months Ended   September 30,
(in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)	2013			2014			2013
Operating revenues	$	197,460		$	637,579		$	619,521
Loss from operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	(7,974		)	(3,655		)	(5,129		)
Loss per share from operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:
Basic	(0.14		)	(0.07		)	(0.09		)
Diluted	(0.14		)	(0.07		)	(0.09		)

On January 1, 2014 we completed our acquisition of Media Convergence Group, Inc., which operates as Newsy, a digital video news provider, for $35 million in cash, plus a working capital adjustment of $0.2 million.

Pending the finalization of third-party valuations and other items, the following table summarizes the preliminary fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed as of January 1, 2014:

(in thousands)
Assets:
Accounts receivable	$	640
Other assets	74
Equipment and software	631
Intangible assets	5,900
Goodwill	28,938
Total assets acquired	36,183
Current liabilities	116
Long-term deferred liability	845
Net purchase price	$	35,222

Of the $5.9 million allocated to intangible assets, $4.1 million was allocated to customer relationships with an estimated amortization period of 5 years and the balance of $1.8 million was allocated to various other intangible assets.

The goodwill of $28.9 million arising from the transaction consists largely of the benefit we will derive from being able to enter the digital video market with an established business. We have allocated the goodwill to our syndication and other segment. We will treat the transaction as a purchase of stock for income tax purposes with no step-up in the assets acquired. The goodwill will not be deductible for income tax purposes. We are not presenting any pro forma results of operations since the impact of the acquisition is not material to prior year results of operations.

On September 16, 2014, we completed our acquisition of Geoterrestrial, Inc. ("WeatherSphere") for $4.1 million. WeatherSphere is a provider of weather-related mobile apps. The stock purchase agreement includes an earnout provision, whereby up to an additional $2.5 million in purchase price can be payable over a three year period, which we have estimated to have a fair value of $1.6 million. The purchase price allocation is preliminary as of September 30, 2014. We are not presenting any pro forma results of operations since the impact of the acquisition is not material to prior periods results of operations.

XML

Recently Adopted Standards and Issued Accounting Standards (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Recently Adopted Standards and Issued Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted Standards and Issued Accounting Standards

Recently Issued Accounting Standards — In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued new guidance on revenue recognition. Under this new standard, an entity shall recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard creates a five-step process that requires entities to exercise judgment when considering the terms of the contract(s) and all relevant facts and circumstances. This standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method and will be effective for us beginning in 2017. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently assessing the impact this new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and have not yet determined a transition method.

In August 2014, the FASB issued new guidance related to the disclosures around going concern. The new standard provides guidance around management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

XML

Employee Benefit Plans

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans

We sponsor various noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all full-time employees that began employment prior to June 30, 2008. Benefits earned by employees are generally based upon employee compensation and years of service credits. We also have a non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP"). Effective June 30, 2009, we froze the accrual of benefits under our defined benefit pension plans and our SERP that cover the majority of our employees.

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. In connection with freezing the accrual of service credits under certain of our defined benefit pension plans, we began contributing additional amounts to certain employees' defined contribution retirement accounts in 2011. These transition credits, which will be made through 2015, are determined based upon the employee’s age, compensation and years of service.

Other union-represented employees are covered by defined benefit pension plans jointly sponsored by us and the union, or by union-sponsored multi-employer plans.

The components of the expense consisted of the following:

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
Service cost	$	21		$	17		$	64		$	51
Interest cost	6,600			5,976			19,155			17,927
Expected return on plan assets, net of expenses	(5,893		)	(5,371		)	(17,611		)	(16,113		)
Amortization of actuarial loss	862			1,060			2,145			3,182
Total for defined benefit plans	1,590			1,682			3,753			5,047
Multi-employer plans	100			95			324			326
Withdrawal from GCIU multi-employer plan	—			—			4,100			—
SERP	80			808			672			1,981
Defined contribution plans	2,419			2,341			8,635			8,627
Net periodic benefit cost	$	4,189		$	4,926		$	17,484		$	15,981

We contributed $0.6 million to fund current benefit payments for our SERP during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. We anticipate contributing an additional $0.2 million to fund the SERP’s benefit payments during the remainder of 2014. We contributed $0.1 million to our defined benefit pension plans during the first nine months of 2014.

We participate in multi-employer pension plans that cover certain employees that are members of unions or trade associations that have a collective bargaining agreement with us. In the second quarter of 2014, unions ratified our plan to withdraw from the Graphics Communication International Union (GCIU) Employer Retirement Fund. Upon ratification of the agreement, we estimated the undiscounted liability to be approximately $6.5 million and recorded a liability of $4.1 million for the present value withdrawal liability. Once the final withdrawal liability is determined at the end of this year with the GCIU, we either will pay the liability in a lump sum or make equal monthly installments over 20 years beginning in 2015.

XML

Fair Value Measurement

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurement

Fair Value Measurement

We measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis, such as cash equivalents and derivatives. The fair value of these financial assets and liabilities was determined based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value. These levels of input are as follows:

• Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

• Level 2 — Inputs, other than quoted market prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly.

• Level 3 — Unobservable inputs based on our own assumptions.

The following tables set forth our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

	As of September 30, 2014
(in thousands)	Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
Assets/(Liabilities):
Cash equivalents	$	10,000		$	10,000	$	—		$	—
Interest rate swap	(423		)	—		(423		)	—

	As of December 31, 2013
(in thousands)	Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
Assets/(Liabilities):
Cash equivalents	$	30,000		$	30,000	$	—		$	—
Interest rate swap	(723		)	—		(723		)	—

XML

Restricted Cash

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash

At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had $6.8 million and $8.2 million, respectively, in a restricted cash account on deposit with our insurance carrier. This account serves as collateral, in place of an irrevocable stand-by letter of credit, to provide financial assurance that we will fulfill our obligations with respect to cash requirements associated with our workers compensation self-insurance. This cash is to remain on deposit with the carrier until all claims have been paid or we provide a letter of credit in lieu of the cash deposit.

XML

Other Liabilities - Additional Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Other liabilities
Employee compensation and benefits	$ 18,578	$ 19,756
Liability for pension benefits	62,903	62,020
Liabilities for uncertain tax positions	11,078	10,670
Other	15,873	14,826
Other liabilities (less current portion)	$ 108,432	$ 107,272

XML

Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

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 30,2014 and 2013 was 5.8% and 46.6%, respectively. The primary reason for the difference between these rates and the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% is the impact of state taxes, non-deductible expenses and adjustments to reserves for uncertain tax positions (including interest). We recognized $2.4 million of previously unrecognized tax benefits in the first nine months of 2013 upon settlement of audits or when the statute of limitations lapsed in certain tax jurisdictions.

The impact of small changes in our estimated pretax income for the 2013 year significantly impacted our estimated effective tax rate for the year. Differences between pretax book and taxable earnings, such as non-deductible expenses and state income taxes, on the effective income tax rate varies significantly as income before income taxes changes. Accordingly, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we did not believe we could reasonably estimate our full year effective income tax rate, and as permitted by US GAAP, we determined our tax benefit for 2013 based upon year-to-date pretax loss and the effect of differences between book and taxable loss.

Deferred tax assets totaled $19.4 million at September 30, 2014. Management believes that it is more likely than not that we will realize the benefits of our federal deferred tax assets and therefore has not recorded a valuation allowance for our federal deferred tax assets. If economic conditions worsen, future estimates of taxable income could be lower than our current estimates which may require valuation allowances to be recorded in future reporting periods.

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.

During the periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, deferred tax assets relating to employee share-based compensation from the vesting of RSU's and the exercise of stock options have not been recognized since we are in a net tax loss position for both periods. The additional tax benefits will be reflected as net operating loss carryforwards when we file our tax returns, but the additional tax benefits are not recorded under GAAP until the tax deduction reduces taxes payable. When the benefit is recognized, it will be recorded as additional paid-in capital. The amount of unrecognized tax deductions for the nine months ended September 30,2014 and 2013 was approximately $31 million and $33 million, respectively.

XML

Other Charges and Credits

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits [Abstract]

Other Charges and Credits

Other Charges and Credits

Income (loss) from operations was affected by the following:

Acquisition and related integration costs of $5.0 million for the third quarter of 2014 and $9.4 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2014 include costs associated with the acquisition of two television stations from Granite Broadcasting as well as costs for spinning off our newspaper operations and the merger of Journal's broadcast business.

During the third quarter of 2014, we recorded a $3.0 million gain from the sale of excess land in our newspaper business.

Restructuring costs, primarily at our newspaper operations, totaled $1.3 million for the third quarter of 2013 and $3.7 million for the first nine months of 2013. Restructuring costs primarily include costs associated with efforts to simplify and standardize advertising and circulation systems and other processes in our newspaper division. In 2014, we are in the final stages of these system implementations and any remaining costs are now included in segment operating results.

XML

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill by business segment was as follows:

(in thousands)	Television			Newspapers			Syndication and other		Total
Gross balance as of December 31, 2013	$	243,380		$	778,900		$	—	$	1,022,280
Accumulated impairment losses	(215,414		)	(778,900		)	—		(994,314		)
Net balance as of December 31, 2013	27,966			—			—		27,966
2014 Newsy acquisition	—			—			28,938		28,938
2014 Granite Stations acquisitions	44,475			—			—		44,475
2014 WeatherSphere acquisition	—			—			5,044		5,044
Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	72,441		$	—		$	33,982	$	106,423
Gross balance as of September 30, 2014	$	287,855		$	778,900		$	33,982	$	1,100,737
Accumulated impairment losses	(215,414		)	(778,900		)	—		(994,314		)
Net balance as of September 30, 2014	$	72,441		$	—		$	33,982	$	106,423

Other intangible assets consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	As of   September 30,   2014			As of   December 31,   2013
Amortizable intangible assets:
Carrying amount:
Television network affiliation relationships	$	93,944		$	78,844
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	30,404			22,304
Other	6,361			3,561
Total carrying amount	130,709			104,709
Accumulated amortization:
Television network affiliation relationships	(12,855		)	(9,691		)
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	(15,746		)	(13,138		)
Other	(2,151		)	(1,833		)
Total accumulated amortization	(30,752		)	(24,662		)
Net amortizable intangible assets	99,957			80,047
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets — FCC licenses	92,215			57,815
Total other intangible assets	$	192,172		$	137,862

Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for each of the next five years is $2.3 million for the remainder of 2014, $9.0 million in 2015, $8.9 million in 2016, $6.5 million in 2017, $6.4 million in 2018, $5.5 million in 2019, and $61.4 million in later years.

XML

Employee Benefit Plans - Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014 SERP	Sep. 30, 2014 Defined benefit plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contributions to benefit plan		$ 0.6	$ 0.1
Estimated future contributions		0.2
Withdrawal from multi-employer pension plan, undiscounted liability	6.5
Withdrawal from multi-employer pension plan, recorded liability	$ 4.1
Withdrawal from multi-employer pension plan, liability repayment, term	20 years

XML

Segment Information - Schedule of Business Segments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Information regarding business segments
Total operating revenues	$ 207,600,000	$ 189,535,000	$ 623,340,000	$ 596,041,000
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(1,670,000)	(2,490,000)	(8,525,000)	(7,028,000)
Acquisition and related integration costs	(5,049,000)	0	(9,408,000)	0
Separation and restructuring costs	0	(1,290,000)	0	(3,691,000)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(13,195,000)	(12,096,000)	(36,519,000)	(35,684,000)
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	2,951,000	(177,000)	2,861,000	(140,000)
Interest expense	(2,050,000)	(2,655,000)	(6,347,000)	(7,924,000)
Miscellaneous, net	(216,000)	(1,087,000)	(1,061,000)	(4,025,000)
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes	391,000	(11,898,000)	(5,831,000)	(15,623,000)
Depreciation:
Total depreciation	10,925,000	10,360,000	30,431,000	30,497,000
Amortization of intangibles:
Syndication and other	2,270,000	1,736,000	6,088,000	5,187,000
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Total additions to property, plant and equipment	5,228,000	3,362,000	13,437,000	15,531,000
Television
Information regarding business segments
Total operating revenues	121,068,000	99,289,000	339,004,000	307,548,000
Segment profit (loss)	29,813,000	18,921,000	78,591,000	65,945,000
Depreciation:
Total depreciation	5,894,000	5,751,000	16,033,000	16,958,000
Amortization of intangibles:
Syndication and other	1,909,000	1,599,000	5,108,000	4,778,000
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Total additions to property, plant and equipment	4,100,000	2,169,000	10,540,000	7,325,000
Newspapers
Information regarding business segments
Total operating revenues	84,473,000	88,346,000	275,213,000	281,286,000
Segment profit (loss)	767,000	3,038,000	14,759,000	14,857,000
Depreciation:
Total depreciation	4,255,000	4,015,000	12,167,000	12,132,000
Amortization of intangibles:
Syndication and other	92,000	137,000	303,000	409,000
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Total additions to property, plant and equipment	573,000	285,000	1,486,000	1,746,000
Syndication and other
Information regarding business segments
Total operating revenues	2,059,000	1,900,000	9,123,000	7,207,000
Segment profit (loss)	(872,000)	(177,000)	(1,385,000)	(145,000)
Depreciation:
Total depreciation	127,000	20,000	327,000	58,000
Amortization of intangibles:
Syndication and other	269,000	0	677,000	0
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Total additions to property, plant and equipment	302,000	0	432,000	0
Shared services and corporate
Information regarding business segments
Segment profit (loss)	(10,088,000)	(13,885,000)	(38,797,000)	(37,788,000)
Depreciation:
Total depreciation	649,000	574,000	1,904,000	1,349,000
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Total additions to property, plant and equipment	$ 253,000	$ 908,000	$ 979,000	$ 6,460,000

XML

Employee Benefit Plans - Components of Expense (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 4,189	$ 4,926	$ 17,484	$ 15,981
Defined benefit plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Service cost	21	17	64	51
Interest cost	6,600	5,976	19,155	17,927
Expected return on plan assets, net of expenses	(5,893)	(5,371)	(17,611)	(16,113)
Amortization of actuarial loss	862	1,060	2,145	3,182
Total for defined benefit plans	1,590	1,682	3,753	5,047
Multi-employer plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost	100	95	324	326
Withdrawal from GCIU multi-employer plan
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost	0	0	4,100	0
SERP
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost	80	808	672	1,981
Defined contribution plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 2,419	$ 2,341	$ 8,635	$ 8,627

XML

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Components of Long-term debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	As of   September 30,   2014		As of   December 31,   2013
Variable rate credit facility	$	—	$	—
Term loan	198,500		200,000
Long-term debt	198,500		200,000
Current portion of long-term debt	2,000		2,000
Long-term debt (less current portion)	$	196,500	$	198,000
Fair value of long-term debt *	$	198,500	$	200,000

* Fair value of the term loan was estimated based on quoted private market transactions and is classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

XML

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill by business segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended					9 Months Ended					9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 Media Convergence Group (Newsy)	Jan. 02, 2014 Media Convergence Group (Newsy)	Sep. 30, 2014 Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate and Buffalo ABC affiliate	Jun. 16, 2014 Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate and Buffalo ABC affiliate	Sep. 30, 2014 WeatherSphere	Sep. 30, 2014 Television	Dec. 31, 2013 Television	Sep. 30, 2014 Television Media Convergence Group (Newsy)	Sep. 30, 2014 Television Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate and Buffalo ABC affiliate	Sep. 30, 2014 Television WeatherSphere	Sep. 30, 2014 Newspapers	Dec. 31, 2013 Newspapers	Sep. 30, 2014 Newspapers Media Convergence Group (Newsy)	Sep. 30, 2014 Newspapers Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate and Buffalo ABC affiliate	Sep. 30, 2014 Newspapers WeatherSphere	Sep. 30, 2014 Syndication and other	Dec. 31, 2013 Syndication and other	Sep. 30, 2014 Syndication and other Media Convergence Group (Newsy)	Sep. 30, 2014 Syndication and other Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate and Buffalo ABC affiliate	Sep. 30, 2014 Syndication and other WeatherSphere
Summary of activity related to goodwill by business segment
Gross balance	$ 1,100,737	$ 1,022,280						$ 287,855	$ 243,380				$ 778,900	$ 778,900				$ 33,982	$ 0
Accumulated impairment losses	(994,314)	(994,314)						(215,414)	(215,414)				(778,900)	(778,900)				0	0
Goodwill	106,423	27,966		28,938		44,475		72,441	27,966				0	0				33,982	0
Goodwill, Acquired During Period			$ 28,938		$ 44,475		$ 5,044			$ 0	$ 44,475	$ 0			$ 0	$ 0	$ 0			$ 28,938	$ 0	$ 5,044

XML

Noncontrolling Interests

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling Interests

Individuals and other entities own a 4% noncontrolling interest in the capital stock of the subsidiary company that publishes our Memphis newspaper and a 6% noncontrolling interest in the capital stock of the subsidiary company that publishes our Evansville newspaper. We are not required to redeem the noncontrolling interests in these subsidiary companies.

XML

Capital Stock

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

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 — In November 2012, our board of directors authorized a repurchase program of up to $100 million of our Class A Common shares through December 2014. Under the authorization, we repurchased $21.2 million of shares at prices ranging from $16.35 to $19.99 per share during the first nine months of 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we purchased $69.3 million of shares at prices ranging from $10.83 to $17.94 per share. As of September 30, 2014, we have $5 million remaining for share repurchases under this authorization.

In May 2014, our board of directors authorized a new repurchase program of up to $100 million of our Class A Common shares through December 2016. No shares have been repurchased under this program as of September 30, 2014.

Based on the terms of the Master Transaction Agreement with Journal Communications, we are precluded from repurchasing shares prior to closing the transactions.

Options Outstanding— Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant as of September 30, 2014 is as follows:

			Options Outstanding and Exercisable
Year of Grant	Range of Exercise Prices	Average Remaining Term (in years)	Options on Shares Outstanding	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)
2004 – expire in 2014	$10	0.18	3,794	$	9.78	$	—
2005 – expire in 2015	10-11	0.54	43,188	10.90		0.3
2006 – expire in 2016	10-11	1.66	47,737	10.03		0.3
2007 – expire in 2015	9-10	0.42	349,497	10.27		2.1
2008 – expire in 2016	7-10	1.50	1,610,994	8.73		12.2
Total	$7-11	1.29	2,055,210	$	9.07	$	14.9

XML

Other Charges and Credits - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 television_station	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Acquisition and related integration costs	$ 5,049,000	$ 0	$ 9,408,000	$ 0
Number of television stations acquired			2
Gain on sale of excess land	2,951,000	(177,000)	2,861,000	(140,000)
Restructuring charges	0	1,290,000	0	3,691,000
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Gain on sale of excess land	$ 3,000,000

XML

Capital Stock (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of options outstanding and exercisable

Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant as of September 30, 2014 is as follows:

			Options Outstanding and Exercisable
Year of Grant	Range of Exercise Prices	Average Remaining Term (in years)	Options on Shares Outstanding	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)
2004 – expire in 2014	$10	0.18	3,794	$	9.78	$	—
2005 – expire in 2015	10-11	0.54	43,188	10.90		0.3
2006 – expire in 2016	10-11	1.66	47,737	10.03		0.3
2007 – expire in 2015	9-10	0.42	349,497	10.27		2.1
2008 – expire in 2016	7-10	1.50	1,610,994	8.73		12.2
Total	$7-11	1.29	2,055,210	$	9.07	$	14.9

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net loss	$ (1,444)	$ (8,851)	$ (5,490)	$ (8,337)
Changes in fair value of derivative, net of tax of $37, $(107), $111 and $299	59	(177)	177	494
Changes in defined benefit pension plans, net of tax of $364, $460, $924 and $1,759	441	1,179	1,329	3,135
Total comprehensive loss	(944)	(7,849)	(3,984)	(4,708)
Less comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	103	0	302	0
Total comprehensive loss attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ (841)	$ (7,849)	$ (3,682)	$ (4,708)

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

As used in the Condensed Notes to 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 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In management's opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods have been made.

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

Nature of Operations — We are a diverse media enterprise with a portfolio of television, print and digital 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: television, newspapers and syndication and other. Additional information for our business segments is presented in the Condensed Notes to 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; 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.

Revenue Recognition — We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists, delivery occurs or services are rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. When a sales arrangement contains multiple elements, such as the sale of advertising and other services, we allocate revenue to each element based upon its relative fair value. We report revenue net of sales and other taxes collected from our customers.

Our primary sources of revenue are from the sale of print, broadcast and digital advertising, retransmission fees received from cable operators and satellite carriers and newspaper subscription fees.

The revenue recognition policies for each source of revenue are described in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Share-Based Compensation — We have a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which is described more fully in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The Plan provides for the award of incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (RSUs), unrestricted Class A Common shares and performance units to key employees and non-employee directors.

Share-based compensation costs totaled $0.2 million and $1.1 million for the third quarter of 2014 and 2013, respectively. Year-to-date share-based compensation costs totaled $4.9 million and $5.0 million in 2014 and 2013, 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   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share)
Net loss attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	(1,341	)	$	(8,851	)	$	(5,188	)	$	(8,337	)
Less income allocated to RSUs	—			—			—			—
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share	$	(1,341	)	$	(8,851	)	$	(5,188	)	$	(8,337	)
Denominator
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	56,469			56,177			56,200			56,696
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options held by employees and directors	—			—			—			—
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	56,469			56,177			56,200			56,696
Anti-dilutive securities (1)	3,313			5,551			3,313			5,551

⁽¹⁾ Amount outstanding at balance sheet date, before application of the treasury stock method and not weighted for period outstanding.

For the quarter and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2014 and 2013, we incurred a net loss and the inclusion of RSUs and stock options held by employees and directors would have been anti-dilutive, and accordingly the diluted EPS calculation for the period excludes those common share equivalents.

Derivative Financial Instruments — It is our policy that derivative transactions are executed only to manage exposures arising in the normal course of business and not for the purpose of creating speculative positions or trading. Derivative financial instruments are utilized to manage interest rate risks. We do not hold derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. All derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. Each derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge or remains undesignated. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and effective as cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified to earnings when the effects of the item being hedged are recognized in earnings. These changes are offset in earnings to the extent the hedge was effective by fair value changes related to the risk being hedged on the hedged item. Changes in the fair value of undesignated hedges are recognized currently in earnings. All ineffective changes in derivative fair values are recognized currently in earnings.

All designated hedges are formally documented as to the relationship with the hedged item as well as the risk-management strategy. Both at inception and on an ongoing basis, the hedging instrument is assessed as to its effectiveness, when applicable. If and when a derivative is determined not to be highly effective as a hedge, or the underlying hedged transaction is no longer likely to occur, or the hedge designation is removed, or the derivative is terminated, the hedge accounting discussed above is discontinued.

XML

Financial Instruments - Effective Portion of Unrealized Gain and Loss (Details) (Interest rate swaps, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Interest rate swaps
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
Effective portion recognized in accumulated OCL, gain/(loss)	$ 0	$ (455)	$ 0	$ 290
Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCL, gain/(loss)	96	171	288	504
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	362		300
Gain/(loss) on derivative		$ 0		$ 0

XML

Capital Stock - Options outstanding and exercisable (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range Limit (USD per share)	$ 7
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range Limit (USD per share)	$ 11
Options Granted, Range One [Member]
Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range Limit (USD per share)	$ 10
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range Limit (USD per share)	$ 10
2004 – expire in 2014
Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range Limit (USD per share)	$ 10
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range Limit (USD per share)	$ 11
2005 – expire in 2015
Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range Limit (USD per share)	$ 10
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range Limit (USD per share)	$ 11
2006 – expire in 2016
Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range Limit (USD per share)	$ 9
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range Limit (USD per share)	$ 10
2007 – expire in 2015
Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range Limit (USD per share)	$ 7
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range Limit (USD per share)	$ 10
Stock Options
Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant
Average Remaining Term	1 year 3 months 15 days
Options on Shares Outstanding	2,055,210
Options on Shares Exercisable	2,055,210
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 9.07
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 9.07
Options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 14.9
Options Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	14.9
Stock Options | Options Granted, Range One [Member]
Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant
Average Remaining Term	2 months 5 days
Options on Shares Outstanding	3,794
Options on Shares Exercisable	3,794
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 9.78
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 9.78
Options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	0
Options Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	0
Stock Options | 2004 – expire in 2014
Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant
Average Remaining Term	6 months 14 days
Options on Shares Outstanding	43,188
Options on Shares Exercisable	43,188
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 10.90
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 10.90
Options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	0.3
Options Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	0.3
Stock Options | 2005 – expire in 2015
Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant
Average Remaining Term	1 year 7 months 27 days
Options on Shares Outstanding	47,737
Options on Shares Exercisable	47,737
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 10.03
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 10.03
Options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	0.3
Options Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	0.3
Stock Options | 2006 – expire in 2016
Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant
Average Remaining Term	5 months 2 days
Options on Shares Outstanding	349,497
Options on Shares Exercisable	349,497
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 10.27
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 10.27
Options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	2.1
Options Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	2.1
Stock Options | 2007 – expire in 2015
Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant
Average Remaining Term	1 year 6 months 0 days
Options on Shares Outstanding	1,610,994
Options on Shares Exercisable	1,610,994
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 8.73
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 8.73
Options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	12.2
Options Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 12.2

XML

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

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

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
(in thousands)	Gains and Losses on Derivatives			Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other		Total
Beginning balance, June 30, 2014	$	(600	)	$	(79,489	)	$	172	$	(79,917	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			—			—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss
Interest rate swap, net of tax of $37 (a)	59			—			—		59
Actuarial loss, net of tax of $364 (b)	—			441			—		441
Net current-period other comprehensive income	59			441			—		500
Ending balance, September 30, 2014	$	(541	)	$	(79,048	)	$	172	$	(79,417	)

	Three months ended September 30, 2013
(in thousands)	Gains and Losses on Derivatives			Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other		Total
Beginning balance, June 30, 2013	$	(338	)	$	(114,232	)	$	357	$	(114,213	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(284		)	—			—		(284		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss
Interest rate swap, net of tax of $64 (a)	107			—			—		107
Actuarial loss, net of tax of $460 (b)	—			1,179			—		1,179
Net current-period other comprehensive income	(177		)	1,179			—		1,002
Ending balance, September 30, 2013	$	(515	)	$	(113,053	)	$	357	$	(113,211	)

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
(in thousands)	Gains and Losses on Derivatives			Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other		Total
Beginning balance, December 31, 2013	$	(718	)	$	(80,377	)	$	172	$	(80,923	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			—			—		—
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss
Interest rate swap, net of tax of $111 (a)	177			—			—		177
Actuarial loss, net of tax of $924 (b)	—			1,329			—		1,329
Net current-period other comprehensive income	177			1,329			—		1,506
Ending balance, September 30, 2014	$	(541	)	$	(79,048	)	$	172	$	(79,417	)

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
(in thousands)	Gains and Losses on Derivatives			Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other		Total
Beginning balance, December 31, 2012	$	(1,009	)	$	(116,188	)	$	357	$	(116,840	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	180			—			—		180
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other   comprehensive loss
Interest rate swap, net of tax of $190 (a)	314			—			—		314
Actuarial loss, net of tax of $1,759 (b)	—			3,135			—		3,135
Net current-period other comprehensive income	494			3,135			—		3,629
Ending balance, September 30, 2013	$	(515	)	$	(113,053	)	$	357	$	(113,211	)

^(a) Interest rate swap is included in interest expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

^(b) Actuarial loss is included in defined benefit pension plan expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

XML

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

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   September 30,
(in thousands)	2014			2013
Other changes in certain working capital accounts, net
Accounts and notes receivable	$	15,247		$	2,807
Income taxes receivable/payable, net	(5,764		)	(2,251		)
Accounts payable	79			(6,274		)
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	9,811			(5,827		)
Other accrued liabilities	4,284			(238		)
Other, net	3,377			(1,703		)
Total	$	27,034		$	(13,486	)

XML

Other Liabilities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]

Other Liabilities

Other Liabilities

Other liabilities consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	As of   September 30,   2014		As of   December 31,   2013
Employee compensation and benefits	$	18,578	$	19,756
Liability for pension benefits	62,903		62,020
Liabilities for uncertain tax positions	11,078		10,670
Other	15,873		14,826
Other liabilities (less current portion)	$	108,432	$	107,272