Scripps is eliminating 268 positions as it reshapes its local news strategy. The company will also shift toward a 24/7 streaming-first news model.
What We Know: Scripps announced Tuesday that it will cut 268 jobs as part of a broader transformation designed to align the company with changing audience habits. The workforce reduction accompanies a move away from traditional broadcast dayparts and toward continuous local news streaming. Initially, about a dozen smaller markets will launch 24/7 local news streams. That strategy will then expand across the company’s station portfolio. Meanwhile, linear television newscasts will continue, but stories will be published when they’re ready instead of waiting for scheduled broadcasts. Scripps is also centralizing digital news production through a new hub model while consolidating operations in select duopoly markets. Additionally, the company plans to expand its use of automation and internally developed AI tools to reduce production work. That strategy is expected to put more journalists into community reporting.
What They Said: “These decisions are being made in service to a mission that is too important to let fade because we weren’t willing to do the hard work of evolving.” -Scripps President/CEO Adam Symson
What Remains Unclear: Scripps hasn’t identified which positions or markets will be affected by the 268 layoffs. The company also hasn’t detailed how quickly every station will transition to the streaming-first model or whether additional staffing changes could follow. Executives are expected to provide more information during Friday’s earnings call and companywide town hall.
What It Means: The changes represent one of the clearest signs yet that groups view streaming as their primary growth platform. Rather than organizing newsrooms around fixed broadcast schedules, Scripps is betting audiences will consume local news continuously. If successful, the strategy could influence how other broadcast groups balance traditional television with digital-first distribution.
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Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.