ABC vs Scripps

ABC Dismisses Jimmy Kimmel Live! Cancellation Rumors for 2027

ABC officials have denied recent speculation that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will end in 2027 when host Jimmy Kimmel's one-year contract expires. The network called the reports premature and unfounded, emphasizing no final decision has been made. The show, which premiered in 2003, remains the most-watched late-night program, averaging over 2.5 million viewers per night and leading in the 18-49 demographic. However, the late-night genre faces economic pressures, with CBS recently ending The Late Show after 33 seasons due to financial considerations. Additionally, political tensions have escalated, with President Trump urging ABC to remove Kimmel and the FCC threatening to revoke ABC's broadcast licenses. Disney has sued the FCC over the matter. The future of the show will depend on ratings, costs, and the outcome of legal and regulatory disputes.

• ABC officials have dismissed reports that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will end in May 2027 as speculative.
• Jimmy Kimmel Live! premiered in 2003 and recently aired its 4,000th episode.
• The show averages over 2.5 million viewers per night and leads in the 18-49 demographic.

FCC: Discrimination Probe, Not Speech, Triggered ABC License Action

The FCC has asked a federal court to dismiss a First Amendment lawsuit filed by ABC and Disney, arguing that an accelerated license renewal review was prompted by a discrimination investigation, not retaliation for programming. The probe began in early 2025 after reports of alleged discriminatory practices, and the FCC claims Disney's responses were deficient. ABC contends the action was retaliatory, coming amid political scrutiny, but the FCC insists the timing is coincidental and seeks to shift review to appeals courts. No licenses have been revoked, and stations continue operating. A hearing is set for October 2026.

• FCC filed motion to dismiss ABC/Disney lawsuit.
• FCC investigation into Disney discrimination began early 2025.
• FCC ordered early license renewals for 8 ABC stations on April 28, 2026.

YouTube TV $75 Promotion Ends August 31

YouTube TV is offering eligible new subscribers $15 off per month for five months (a total of $75 savings) on its Base Plan, reducing the introductory price to $67.99/month versus the regular $82.99/month. The promotion, which includes a free trial, runs through Monday, August 31, 2026; after the five discounted months the regular price applies. The main plan includes 100+ channels, unlimited DVR, multiview, six household accounts, and local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC stations in most markets. NFL Sunday Ticket is available as an optional add-on. The offer is positioned for the start of the fall sports season and requires signup before the deadline to lock in the discounted rate.

• YouTube TV is offering $15 off per month for five months for eligible new subscribers, totaling $75 in promotional savings.
• Promotional price: YouTube TV Base Plan $67.99/month for the first five months; regular price $82.99/month thereafter.
• Promotion deadline is Monday, August 31, 2026 (signup required before the deadline).

Scripps announces new regional leadership structure for Local Media

Scripps announces new regional leadership structure for Local Media (Sept. 9, 2026); PWHL and Scripps Sports announce national U.S. television partnership for 2026-27 season (Sept. 9, 2026); ESPN & ION to bring WTGL, the new women's team golf league from TMRW Sports and LPGA, to fans across the U.S. (Sept. 2, 2026); Scripps taps NBCU sales veteran to lead small and medium business growth and direct response advertising (Aug. 27, 2026); Inaugural Scripps Sports Women's Basketball Showcase headed to Mortgage Matchup Center on December 16 (Aug. 14, 2026); Scripps' KRTV wins National Murrow Award for 'Excellence in Innovation' (Aug. 14, 2026); Scripps reports Q2 2026 financial results (Aug. 6, 2026); Scripps completes acquisition of WTVQ in Lexington (Aug. 1, 2026); Scripps unites television operations under Dean Littleton's leadership (July 22, 2026); Scripps to release second-quarter 2026 operating results on Aug. 6 (July 15, 2026); Scripps Sports and ION score U.S. media rights for the 2027 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Cup (July 14, 2026); Scripps reaches third major retransmission deal of 2026 with DIRECTV renewal (July 13, 2026).

Scripps Uses AI to Streamline Local Newsrooms

E.W. Scripps has integrated artificial intelligence as an assistive tool across its local television newsrooms to automate routine production tasks and free journalists to focus on original reporting. AI is used to convert broadcast scripts into web articles, scan and surface highlights from lengthy public documents, and flag potential accuracy or bias issues according to internal ethics rules. The company enforces human oversight: editors and news managers review all AI-assisted content, disclosures note AI involvement, and policies prohibit generative AI from writing stories or creating photorealistic images from scratch. Scripps operates an internal platform called the Engine Room, created AI-focused roles, and convenes an AI governance committee. Recent workforce reductions of several hundred positions and centralized digital production hubs have accelerated automation in production and technical roles while the company expands market-specific 24-hour streams and emphasizes transparency and editorial control.

• E.W. Scripps uses AI across local TV newsrooms to assist with routine tasks and production workflows.
• AI systems convert television broadcast scripts into written website stories, with editors reviewing and approving all content.
• Scripps prohibits using generative AI to write stories or scripts from scratch or to produce photorealistic images.

Scripps Pivots to 24/7 Local Streaming, Cuts 268 Jobs

The E.W. Scripps Company will cut 268 positions and restructure its local news operations to prioritize continuous 24/7 local streaming. The company plans to launch nonstop local news streams in roughly a dozen smaller markets before expanding across its station group, while maintaining linear broadcasts for traditional viewers. Non-local digital work will be centralized into hub teams, and Scripps will accelerate use of internal AI and automation to streamline production workflows. Leadership will provide further details on the upcoming quarterly earnings call and an all-employee town hall on August 7, 2026. The strategy aims to reduce duplicated effort, reallocate resources to field reporting, and adapt to shifting audience habits toward streaming and social platforms.

• The E.W. Scripps Company is eliminating 268 positions as part of a strategic overhaul.
• Scripps plans to launch continuous 24/7 local news streams beginning in about one dozen smaller markets before broader rollout.
• Non-local digital production work will be consolidated into centralized hub teams to standardize practice and drive efficiency.