Twenty-seven local market and sales roles are being eliminated. Scripps is reorganizing its Local Media division into 11 regions. Regional general managers will now oversee multiple markets.
The E.W. Scripps Company is cutting 27 local market and sales jobs as part of a major reorganization of its Local Media division. The layoffs, confirmed by Scripps, affect staff in several markets and mark a shift in how the company manages its broadcast and digital outlets at the local level.
Scripps operates nearly 60 television stations in 40 markets, making this restructuring one of the most significant operational shifts in the company's recent history.
The company has not said which specific markets or roles are affected. The restructuring is meant to centralize decision-making and simplify reporting lines. Scripps leadership says the new setup will allow for quicker management decisions and better alignment with company strategy. Cutting 27 jobs signals a move toward efficiency and regional oversight, with less focus on local autonomy. TV Technology reports that local news directors will still run day-to-day news operations, even as sales and market leadership shift to the new regional structure.
This change comes as media companies face pressure to cut costs and adapt to changing audience habits. Scripps' move follows a trend in the industry, where companies are consolidating operations and reducing staff in response to falling local ad revenue and the push for digital transformation. Scripps says the goal is to "concentrate leadership around journalism and revenue" and reduce duplication across markets, echoing a broader shift toward centralization. Other news organizations have made similar changes, such as the Associated Press, which recently moved US video production jobs overseas, as previously reported.
The September restructuring at Scripps follows a series of earlier workforce reductions in 2026, including 268 job cuts announced in August. Industry trackers estimate that Scripps has eliminated a total of 432 positions since the start of the year, reflecting broader challenges in the local TV sector.
Scripps is betting that scale and centralized control will help it navigate a tough media environment. The decision to cut nearly thirty jobs and give more power to regional managers shows a focus on fewer layers and faster decision-making. Whether this approach improves operations or weakens local ties will depend on how well the new regional leaders balance efficiency with the needs of each market.
Founded in 1878, The E.W. Scripps Company owns dozens of television stations and digital media brands across the United States. As of 2025, Scripps reported annual revenues of more than $2.3 billion and employed over 4,500 people nationwide. The Local Media division is still a key source of revenue, but faces ongoing challenges from digital disruption and changing advertiser priorities. A recent RTDNA survey found that local TV news employment across the industry dropped 2.2% in 2025, highlighting the difficult climate for broadcasters.
