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Sinclair Discloses 8.2% Stake in Scripps and Months of Merger Talks

Approval would hinge on FCC ownership limits that make the outcome uncertain.

Overview

  • Sinclair said it bought about 6.28 million Scripps Class A shares for roughly $15.6 million, giving it an approximately 8.2% position.
  • The filing projects more than $300 million in annual synergies and targets a closing nine to twelve months after a definitive agreement.
  • Sinclair proposes no external financing, keeping each company’s existing debt structures and, it says, lowering Scripps’ leverage through synergies.
  • Scripps stated its board will assess any value-enhancing proposals and will take steps to protect shareholders from opportunistic actions.
  • Scripps shares jumped roughly 18% to 20% after the disclosure as investors weighed the talks and broader local-TV consolidation, including Nexstar’s pending Tegna deal.