Changes in defined benefit pension plans

(82,477)

33,825

Change in fair value of derivative

237

Cash dividends: declared and paid

(59,523)

Shares issued for acquisition

636,000

263

635,737

Spin-off of Newspapers

(142,842)

(143,511)

2,326

(1,657)

Repurchase of Class A Common shares

(16,222)

^[1]

(8)

^[1]

(8,994)

^[1]

(7,220)

Compensation plans: net share issued

^[1]

11,799

11,786

Other

253

Balance (Originally Reported) at Dec. 31, 2015

900,983

838

1,163,985

(174,038)

(89,802)

Balance (Adjustment) at Dec. 31, 2015

14,750

(58)

14,808

Balance (As Adjusted)

915,733

838

1,163,927

(159,230)

(89,802)

Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]

Changes in defined benefit pension plans

67,235

(3,936)

Change in fair value of derivative

242

Repurchase of Class A Common shares

(44,401)

^[1]

(27)

(42,292)

(2,082)

Compensation plans: net share issued

^[1]

10,913

10,905

Other

149

Balance at Dec. 31, 2016

945,935

819

1,132,540

(94,077)

(93,347)

Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]

Minority interest contribution to subsidiary

2,143

Changes in defined benefit pension plans

(14,617)

(13,106)

(1,511)

10,150

Change in fair value of derivative

Repurchase of Class A Common shares

(17,885)

(10)

(15,627)

(2,248)

Compensation plans: net share issued

^[1]

12,114

12,107

Reclassification of disproportionate tax effects from AOCL

(19,370)

19,370

(19,370)

Other

(355)

Balance at Dec. 31, 2017

$ 937,485

$ 816

$ 1,129,020

$ (90,061)

$ (102,922)

$ 632

[1]	* Net of tax payments related to shares withheld for vested stock and RSUs of $4,576 in 2017, $2,681 in 2016 and $5,237 in 2015.

Consolidated Statements of Equity (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Shares issued on compensation plan	661,256	867,196	1,313,313
Repurchase of Class A Common shares	1,004,451	2,711,865	839,859
Shares issued for acquisition	0	0	26,350,993
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1.03
Cash dividends per share of common stock (USD per share)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1.03
Tax payments related to shares withheld for vested stock and RSUs	$ 4,576	$ 2,681	$ 5,237

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

As used in the 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.

Nature of Operations — We are a diverse media enterprise, serving audiences and businesses through a portfolio of local and national 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: Local Media, National Media and Other.

On April 1, 2015, we distributed our newspaper business to our shareholders in a tax-free spin-off. In the fourth quarter of 2017, we began the process to divest our radio business. As of December 31, 2017, we have classified the radio segment as held for sale in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and reported its results as discontinued operations in our Consolidated Statement of Operations. For additional information on the spin-off of our newspaper business and our radio business classified as held for sale, see Note 21.

Concentration Risks — Our operations are geographically dispersed and we have a diverse customer base. We believe bad debt losses resulting from default by a single customer, or defaults by customers in any depressed region or business sector, would not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

We derive approximately

65% of our operating revenues from marketing services, including advertising. Changes in the demand for such services, both nationally and in individual markets, can affect operating results.

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; the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations; 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.

Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The E.W. Scripps Company and its majority-owned subsidiary companies. Investments in 20%-to-50%-owned companies where we exert significant influence and all 50%-or-less-owned partnerships and limited liability companies are accounted for using the equity method. We do not hold any interests in variable interest entities. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

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 media advertising, as well as retransmission and carriage fees received from cable operators and satellite carriers.

Revenue recognition policies for each source of revenue are outlined below.

Advertising — Broadcast and digital advertising revenue is recognized, net of agency commissions, when we air the advertisements.

Television advertising arrangements may guarantee the advertiser a minimum audience. We provide the advertiser with additional advertising time if we do not deliver the guaranteed audience size. We recognize broadcast advertising revenue as the guaranteed minimum audience is delivered.

Retransmission and carriage — Our local television stations derive revenues from cable operators and satellite carriers for the retransmission of our broadcast signal based on the number of subscribers in our market. Our Newsy cable network receives carriage fees from cable operators for the right to distribute its programming based on the number of subscribers and contracted programming rates. We recognize retransmission and carriage revenues based on the contractual terms and rates.

Other revenues — We derive revenues from sponsorships and community events through our Local Media segment. Our National Media segment offers subscription services for access to premium content to its consumers. Our podcast business acts as a sales and marketing representative and earns commissions for its work.

Cash Equivalents — Cash equivalents represent highly liquid investments with maturity of less than three months when acquired.

Trade Receivables — We extend credit to customers based upon our assessment of the customer’s financial condition. Collateral is generally not required from customers. We base allowances for credit losses upon trends, economic conditions, review of aging categories, specific identification of customers at risk of default and historical experience. We require advance payment from political advertisers.

A rollforward of the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:



(in thousands)

January 1, 2015	$	1,390
Charged to costs and expenses	1,322
Amounts charged off, net	(1,195		)
Balance as of December 31, 2015	1,517
Charged to costs and expenses	1,601
Amounts charged off, net	(1,628		)
Balance as of December 31, 2016	1,490
Charged to costs and expenses	1,407
Amounts charged off, net	(948		)
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	1,949

Investments — From time to time, we make investments in private companies. Investment securities can be impacted by various market risks, including interest rate risk, credit risk and overall market volatility. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term. Such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in our financial statements.

We record investments in private companies not accounted for under the equity method at cost, net of impairment write-downs, because no readily determinable market price is available.

We regularly review our investments to determine if there has been any other-than-temporary decline in value. These reviews require management judgments that often include estimating the outcome of future events and determining whether factors exist that indicate impairment has occurred. We evaluate, among other factors, the extent to which cost exceeds fair value; the duration of the decline in fair value below cost; and the current cash position, earnings and cash forecasts and near term prospects of the investee. We reduce the cost basis when a decline in fair value below cost is determined to be other than temporary, with the resulting adjustment charged against earnings.

Network Launch Incentives — We may incur cash payments to cable and satellite operators for the initial long-term distribution agreements ("network launch incentives"). These fees are amortized over the life of the contract as expense in relation to a ratio of the periods revenue to the estimated total revenues over the term of the respective contract.

Property and Equipment — Property and equipment is carried at cost less depreciation. We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives as follows:



Buildings and improvements	15 to 45 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of term of lease or useful life
Broadcast transmission towers and related equipment	15 to 35 years
Other broadcast and program production equipment	3 to 15 years
Computer hardware	3 to 5 years
Office and other equipment	3 to 10 years

Programming — Programming includes the cost of national television network programming, programming produced by us or for us by independent production companies and programs licensed under agreements with independent producers.

Our network affiliation agreements require the payment of affiliation fees to the network. Network affiliation fees consist of pre-determined fixed fees in all cases and variable payments based on a share of retransmission revenues above the fixed fees for some of our agreements.

Program licenses principally consist of television series and films. Program licenses generally have fixed terms, limit the number of times we can air the programs and require payments over the terms of the licenses. We record licensed program assets and liabilities when the license period has commenced and the programs are available for broadcast. We do not discount program licenses for imputed interest. We amortize program licenses based upon expected cash flows over the term of the license agreement or on a straight line basis. We classify the portion of the unamortized balance expected to be amortized within one year as a current asset.

The costs of programming produced by us or for us by independent production companies are expensed over the course of the television season. Internal costs, including employee compensation and benefits, to produce daily or live broadcast shows, such as news, sports or daily magazine shows, are expensed as incurred and are not classified in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as program costs, but are classified based on the type of cost incurred.

We review the net realizable value of programs and program licenses for impairment using a day-part methodology if the programming is for our local broadcast stations, whereby programs broadcast during a particular time period, such as prime time, are evaluated on an aggregate basis. Programming for our over-the-air broadcast network is reviewed for impairment using the individual network methodology.

Program rights liabilities payable within the next twelve months are included as current liabilities and noncurrent program rights liabilities are included in other noncurrent liabilities.

Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets — Goodwill represents the cost of acquisitions in excess of the acquired businesses’ tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets.

FCC licenses represent the value assigned to the broadcast licenses of acquired broadcast television stations. Broadcast television stations are subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) which prohibits the operation of stations except in accordance with an FCC license. FCC licenses stipulate each station’s operating parameters as defined by channels, effective radiated power and antenna height. FCC licenses are granted for a term of up to eight years, and are renewable upon request. We have never had a renewal request denied and all previous renewals have been for the maximum term.

We do not amortize goodwill or our FCC licenses, but we review them for impairment at least annually or any time events occur or conditions change that would indicate it is more likely than not the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value. We perform our annual impairment review during the fourth quarter of each year in conjunction with our annual planning cycle. We also assess, at least annually, whether our FCC licenses, classified as indefinite-lived intangible assets, continue to have indefinite lives.

We review goodwill for impairment based upon our reporting units, which are defined as operating segments or groupings of businesses one level below the operating segment level. Reporting units with similar economic characteristics are aggregated into a single unit when testing goodwill for impairment. Our reporting units are our Local Media group, Katz, Midroll and Newsy. As a result of our new segment structure, we considered if there was any goodwill impairment immediately prior to the realignment and determined that there was no impairment.

Amortizable Intangible Assets — Television network affiliations represents the value assigned to an acquired broadcast television station’s relationship with a national television network. Television stations affiliated with national television networks typically have greater profit margins than independent television stations, primarily due to audience recognition of the television station as a network affiliate. We amortize these network affiliation relationships on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of 20 years.

We amortize customer lists and other intangible assets in relation to their expected future cash flows over estimated useful lives of up to 20 years.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets — We review long-lived assets (primarily property and equipment and amortizable intangible assets) for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability is determined by comparing the aggregate forecasted undiscounted cash flows derived from the operation of the assets to the carrying amount of the assets. If the aggregate undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the assets, then amortizable intangible assets are written down first, followed by other long-lived assets, to fair value. We determine fair value based on discounted cash flows or appraisals. We report long-lived assets to be disposed of at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Self-Insured Risks — We are self-insured, up to certain limits, for general and automobile liability, employee health, disability and workers’ compensation claims and certain other risks. Estimated liabilities for unpaid claims totaled $9.8 million and $10.6 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. We estimate liabilities for unpaid claims using actuarial methodologies and our historical claims experience. While we re-evaluate our assumptions and review our claims experience on an ongoing basis, actual claims paid could vary significantly from estimated claims, which would require adjustments to expense. Based on the terms of the Master Transaction Agreement from the Journal transactions, Scripps remains the primary obligor for newspaper insurance claims incurred prior to April 1, 2015. We recorded the liabilities related to these claims on our Consolidated Balance Sheets with an offsetting receivable of $1.7 million, which will be paid by Journal Media Group.

Income Taxes — We recognize deferred income taxes for temporary differences between the tax basis and reported amounts of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years. We establish a valuation allowance if we believe that it is more likely than not that we will not realize some or all of the deferred tax assets.

We record a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or that we expect to take in a tax return. Interest and penalties associated with such tax positions are included in the tax provision. The liability for additional taxes and interest is included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Risk Management Contracts — We do not hold derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes and we do not hold leveraged contracts. From time to time, we may use derivative financial instruments to limit the impact of interest rate fluctuations on our earnings and cash flows.

Stock-Based Compensation — We have a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which is described more fully in Note 17. The Plan provides for the award of incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (RSUs) and unrestricted Class A Common shares and performance units to key employees and non-employee directors.

We recognize compensation cost based on the grant-date fair value of the award. We determine the fair value of awards that grant the employee the underlying shares by the fair value of a Class A Common share on the date of the award.

Certain awards of RSUs have performance conditions under which the number of shares granted is determined by the extent to which such performance conditions are met (“Performance Shares”). Compensation costs for such awards are measured by the grant-date fair value of a Class A Common share and the number of shares earned. In periods prior to completion of the performance period, compensation costs are based upon estimates of the number of shares that will be earned.

Compensation costs are recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. The impact of forfeitures are recognized as they occur. The requisite service period is generally the vesting period stated in the award. Grants to retirement-eligible employees are expensed immediately and grants to employees who will become retirement eligible prior to the end of the stated vesting period are expensed over such shorter period because stock compensation grants vest upon the retirement of the employee.

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:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015

Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(12,022	)	$	59,922		$	(73,872	)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,511			—			—
Income allocated to RSUs	—			(817		)	—
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	(10,511	)	$	59,105		$	(73,872	)
Denominator
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	82,052			83,339			77,373
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options held by employees and directors	—			300			—
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	82,052			83,639			77,373
Anti-dilutive securities⁽¹⁾	1,220			—			1,907


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

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2015, we incurred a net loss and the inclusion of RSUs and stock options would have been anti-dilutive, and accordingly the diluted EPS calculation for the period excludes those common share equivalents.

Recently Adopted Standards and Issued Accounting Standards	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Recently Adopted Standards and Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards Recently Adopted Accounting Standards — In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new guidance on the presentation of net periodic benefit cost in the statement of operations. It requires entities to disaggregate the current service cost component from the other components of net benefit cost. The service cost is presented with other current compensation costs in the statement of operations, while the other components are presented outside of income from operations. We elected to retrospectively adopt this guidance as of January 1, 2017. We do not have any service cost associated with our net benefit cost, as such, the impact of adopting this new guidance was to reclassify our defined benefit pension plan expense out of operating costs and expenses and to classify it as a non-operating expense below operating income. In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance to simplify the measurement of goodwill impairments by eliminating Step 2 from the impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation to measure the amount of impairment loss. Instead, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. We have elected to adopt this guidance as of January 1, 2017. In March 2016, the FASB issued new guidance which simplifies the accounting for share-based compensation arrangements, including the related income tax consequences and classification in the statement of cash flows. We elected to adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2016. The adoption used the modified retrospective transition method which had no impact on prior years. The impact of adopting this guidance was to record $14.7 million of previously unrecognized tax benefits, increasing deferred tax assets and retained earnings as of December 31, 2015. In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance to clarify the definition of a business for acquisitions, with the intent to make application of the guidance more consistent and cost-efficient. We elected to adopt this guidance as of June 30, 2017, for acquisitions subsequent to our adoption date. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to affect the treatment of future acquisitions or dispositions. In February 2018, the FASB issued new guidance that permits companies to reclassify the disproportionate tax effect in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") caused by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. We have adopted this guidance as of December 31, 2017. The impact of the adoption was to reclassify $19.4 million of tax effects related to our defined benefits plans from AOCI to retained earnings. Recently Issued Accounting Standards — In August 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. This new guidance was issued with the objective of reducing diversity in practice around eight specific types of cash flows. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated statements of cash flows. In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and other instruments, entities will be required to use a new forward-looking “expected loss” model that will replace today’s “incurred loss” model and generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, entities will measure credit losses in a manner similar to current practice, except that the losses will be recognized as an allowance. The guidance is effective in 2020 with early adoption permitted in 2019. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements and the timing of adoption. In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the accounting for leases. Under this guidance, lessees will be required to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. This guidance primarily affects the accounting for equity method investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. The standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on revenue recognition. Under this 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 2018. We are finalizing our assessment of the impact this new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements. We expect to retrospectively apply this guidance. We do not expect that the adoption of this guidance will impact the timing of our revenue recognition. We do expect to have no more than $20 million of additional revenues in prior years from the impact of recording some revenue transactions on a gross basis that were previously recorded on a net basis. We expect that the adoption of the new standard will also require expanded footnote disclosure.

Acquisitions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Acquisitions

Katz

On October 2, 2017 we acquired the Katz networks for $292 million, which is net of a 5.33% non controlling interest we owned prior to the acquisition date. Katz owns and operates four national television networks — Bounce, Grit, Escape and Laff. The acquisition was funded through the issuance of a new Term Loan B. Katz is included as part of our National Media segment.

Pending the finalization of asset valuations, the following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed:



(in thousands)

Assets:
Cash	$	21,372
Accounts receivable	44,306
Current portion of programs and program licenses	47,120
Intangible assets	32,300
Goodwill	209,572
Programs and program licenses (less current portion)	74,998
Other assets	1,395
Total assets acquired	431,063
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	29,339
Current portion of program rights payable	46,376
Program rights payable (less current portion)	53,036
Net purchase price	$	302,312

Of the $32 million allocated to intangible assets, $8 million was assigned to trade names with a life of 10 years and $24 million was assigned to advertiser relationships with a life of 5 years.

The goodwill of $210 million arises from being able to enter into the market for established over-the-air networks. The goodwill was allocated to our National Media segment. We treated the transaction as an asset acquisition for income tax purposes with a step-up in the assets acquired. The goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes.

From the acquisition date of October 2, 2017 through December 31, 2017, revenues from the Katz operations were $41 million.

Prior to the acquisition of Katz, we owned a 5.33% noncontrolling interest of the company. Upon obtaining a controlling interest in Katz, we recorded a $5.4 million gain from the fair value remeasurement of our 5.33% interest. This gain is included in Miscellaneous, net in our Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Stitcher

On June 6, 2016, we completed the acquisition of Stitcher for a cash purchase price of $4.5 million. Stitcher is a popular podcast listening service which facilitates discovery and streaming for more than 65,000 podcasts. Stitcher now operates as part of Midroll Media, which significantly broadens Midroll's consumer base and technological capabilities. Of the $4.5 million purchase price, $2.9 million was allocated to intangible assets, the majority of which was technological software with an estimated amortization period of 3 years. The remainder of the purchase price was allocated to goodwill.

Cracked

On April 12, 2016, we acquired the multi-platform humor and satire brand Cracked, which informs and entertains millennial audiences with a website, social media and a popular podcast. The purchase price was $39 million in cash.

The final fair values of the assets acquired were $9.6 million of intangibles and $29.4 million of goodwill. Of the $9.6 million allocated to intangible assets, $7.6 million was for trade names with an estimated amortization period of 20 years. The remaining balance of $2.0 million was allocated to content library with an estimated amortization period of 3 years.

The goodwill of $29 million arising from the transaction consists largely of the benefit we derive from being able to expand our presence and digital brands on the web, in over-the-top video and audio and on other emerging platforms. We allocated the goodwill to our National Media segment. We treated the transaction as an asset acquisition for income tax purposes with a step-up in the assets acquired. The goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes.

From the acquisition date of April 12, 2016 through December 31, 2016, revenues from the Cracked operations were $4.0 million.

Midroll Media

On July 22, 2015, we acquired Midroll Media, a company that creates original podcasts and operates a network that currently generates advertising revenue for more than 300 podcast shows. The purchase price was $50 million in cash, plus a $10 million earnout payable over three years. We estimated the fair value of the earnout to be $7 million.

The following table summarizes the final fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed:



(in thousands)

Assets:
Cash	$	635
Accounts receivable	2,925
Other assets	482
Intangible assets	10,700
Goodwill	45,586
Total assets acquired	60,328
Current liabilities	3,365
Net purchase price	$	56,963

Of the $11 million allocated to intangible assets, $7 million was allocated to advertiser relationships with an estimated amortization period of 5 years and the balance of $4 million was allocated to various other intangible assets.

The goodwill of $46 million arising from the transaction consists largely of the benefit we derive from being able to enter the podcast market with an established business. We allocated the goodwill to our National Media segment. We treated the transaction as an asset acquisition for income tax purposes with a step-up in the assets acquired. The goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes.

Journal Communications Broadcast Group

On April 1, 2015, we acquired the broadcast group owned by Journal Communications, Inc. ("Journal") as part of the transactions described in Note 21. The businesses acquired included 12 television stations and 34 radio stations. We issued 26.4 million Class A Common shares to the Journal shareholders in exchange for their interest in Journal for a purchase price of $636 million. The fair value of the shares issued was determined on the basis of the closing market price of our Class A Common shares on April 1, 2015, the acquisition date.

The following table summarizes the final fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed:



(in thousands)

Assets:
Cash	$	2,529
Accounts receivable	47,978
Other current assets	2,236
Property and equipment	123,264
Intangible assets	294,800
Goodwill	456,440
Other long-term assets	6,350
Assets held for sale	14,500
Total assets acquired	948,097
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	38,107
Employee benefit obligations	85,261
Deferred tax liability	57,112
Long-term debt	126,873
Other long-term liabilities	4,744
Net purchase price	$	636,000

Of the $295 million allocated to intangible assets, $112 million was for FCC licenses which we determined to have an indefinite life and, therefore, are not amortized. The remaining balance of $183 million was allocated to television network affiliation relationships and advertiser relationships with estimated amortization periods of 10 to 20 years.

The goodwill of $456 million arising from the transaction consists largely of synergies and economies of scale and other benefits of a larger broadcast footprint. The goodwill was allocated to our Local Media ($415 million) and radio ($41 million) segments. We treated the transaction as a stock acquisition for income tax purposes resulting in no step-up in the assets acquired. The goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes.

Concurrent with the acquisition of the Journal television stations, due to FCC conflict ownership rules, Journal was required to dispose of KNIN, the Fox affiliate located in Boise, ID. The station was placed in a divestiture trust for our benefit and was sold on October 1, 2015 for $14.5 million. The sale did not result in a gain or loss.

Pro forma results of operations

Pro forma results of operations are presented in the following table. For 2017 and 2016, the results assume that the Katz acquisition had taken place at the beginning of 2016. For 2015, the results assume that the Journal transaction had taken place at the beginning of 2014. The 2015 pro forma information does not include any results for Katz. The pro forma results do not include Cracked, Stitcher or Midroll as the impact of these acquisitions, individually or in the aggregate, are not material to prior year results of operations. The pro forma information includes the historical results of operations of the acquired operations and adjustments for additional depreciation and amortization of the assets acquired, additional interest expense related to the financing of the transaction and reflecting the transaction costs incurred in 2015 as if they were incurred in 2014. The weighted average shares utilized in calculating the earnings per share for 2015 assumes that the shares issued to the Journal shareholders were issued on January 1, 2014. 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.



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)	2017			2016		2015

Operating revenues	$	978,303		$	997,759	$	778,118
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(12,477		)	55,506		(37,452		)
Income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company
Basic	$	(0.13	)	$	0.66	$	(0.45	)
Diluted	(0.13		)	0.65		(0.45		)

Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits	12 Months Ended
Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits	Dec. 31, 2017
Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits [Abstract]
Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits	Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was affected by the following: 2017 — In the second quarter, we sold our newspaper syndication business, resulting in a gain of $3.0 million. Restructuring includes $3.5 million of severance associated with a change in senior management and employees, as well as outside consulting fees associated with changes in our management and operating structure. There was $3.2 million gain recorded for a reduction to the Midroll earn out accrual. In the third quarter of 2017, we recorded a $29 million non-cash charge to reduce the carrying value of goodwill and $6.3 million to reduce the value of intangible assets related to Cracked. For more information around the impairment of goodwill and intangibles, see Note 9. We recognized a $5.4 million gain on our investment in Katz when we completed the acquisition in the fourth quarter. 2016 — Acquisition and related integration costs of $0.6 million include costs for spinning off our newspaper operations and costs associated with acquisitions, such as legal and accounting fees, as well as costs to integrate acquired operations. 2015 — Acquisition and related integration costs of $38 million are costs incurred for the Journal transactions and other acquisitions, such as investment banking, legal and accounting fees, as well as costs to integrate the acquired operations. We recorded a $24.6 million non-cash charge to reduce the carrying value of our goodwill and certain intangible assets of Newsy and a smaller business. For additional information around the impairment of goodwill and intangibles, see Note 9.

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

We file a consolidated federal income tax return, consolidated unitary returns in certain states, and other separate state income tax returns for certain of our subsidiary companies.

The provision for income taxes from continuing operations consisted of the following:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015

Current:
Federal	$	215		$	904		$	279
State and local	(963		)	(1,628		)	(3,588		)
Total current income tax provision	(748		)	(724		)	(3,309		)
Deferred:
Federal	(16,602		)	31,029			(30,546		)
State and local	(2,704		)	2,961			(4,029		)
Total deferred income tax provision	(19,306		)	33,990			(34,575		)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	(20,054	)	$	33,266		$	(37,884	)

The difference between the statutory rate for federal income tax and the effective income tax rate was as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015

Statutory rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
Effect of:
State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	2.2		3.0		3.5
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	7.1		(1.8	)	—
Nondeductible expenses	(4.6	)	1.4		(1.7	)
Reserve for uncertain tax positions	3.6		(0.8	)	2.2
Nondeductible goodwill impairment	—		—		(6.8	)
U.S. federal statutory rate change	13.2		—		—
Other	6.0		(1.1	)	1.7
Effective income tax rate	62.5	%	35.7	%	33.9	%

Nondeductible expenses in 2015 include amounts for transaction costs related to the Journal transactions.

The approximate effect of the temporary differences giving rise to deferred income tax assets (liabilities) were as follows:



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016

Temporary differences:
Property and equipment	$	(14,493	)	$	(27,049	)
Goodwill and other intangible assets	(52,532		)	(79,610		)
Investments, primarily gains and losses not yet recognized for tax purposes	2,792			5,180
Accrued expenses not deductible until paid	7,136			8,700
Deferred compensation and retiree benefits not deductible until paid	61,070			96,910
Other temporary differences, net	3,267			3,835
Total temporary differences	7,240			7,966
Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards	15,455			9,597
Valuation allowance for state deferred tax assets	(2,619		)	(955		)
Net deferred tax asset (liability)	$	20,076		$	16,608

Total federal operating loss carryforwards were $24 million and state operating loss carryforwards were $257 million at December 31, 2017. Our state tax loss carryforwards expire through 2037. Because we file separate state income tax returns for certain of our subsidiary companies, we are not able to use state tax losses of a subsidiary company to offset state taxable income of another subsidiary company.

Deferred tax assets totaled $20 million at December 31, 2017. Management believes that it is more likely than not that we will realize the benefits of our federal deferred tax assets and therefore have not recorded a valuation allowance. The deferred tax asset includes the tax effect of state net operating loss carryforwards. 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.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act significantly revises the future ongoing U.S. corporate income tax by, among other things, lowering U.S. corporate income tax rates.

The reduction of the U.S. corporate tax rate caused the company to adjust its federal deferred tax assets and liabilities to the lower base rate of 21%. The change in the rate resulted in a provisional estimated benefit of $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. This amount includes the benefit related to the rate change on the deferred tax liabilities included in the radio net assets that are classified as held for sale (see Note 21) as such benefit is required by GAAP to be included in income taxes from continuing operations.

The changes included in the Tax Act are broad and complex. The final transition impacts of the Tax Act may differ from the above estimate, possibly materially, due to, among other things, changes in interpretations of the Tax Act, any legislative action to address questions that arise because of the Tax Act, any changes in accounting standards for income taxes or related interpretations in response to the Tax Act, or any updates or changes to estimates the company has utilized to calculate the transition impacts, including impacts from changes to current year taxable earnings estimates. The Securities Exchange Commission has issued rules that would allow for a measurement period of up to one year after the enactment date of the Tax Act to finalize the recording of the related tax impacts.

During 2015, deferred tax assets relating to employee share-based compensation from the vesting of RSUs and the exercise of stock options had not been recognized since we were in a net tax loss position in that year. The additional tax benefits were reflected as net operating loss carryforwards when we filed our tax returns, but the additional tax benefits were not recorded under GAAP until the tax deduction reduced taxes payable. The amount of unrecognized tax deductions for the years ended December 31, 2015 was approximately $16 million. Effective January 1, 2016, we adopted new accounting guidance that allows us to recognize the benefits when deductible for tax purposes.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015

Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$	2,665		$	5,011		$	7,024
Increases in tax positions for prior years	16			22			859
Decreases in tax positions for prior years	(390		)	(1,684		)	(96		)
Increases in tax positions for current years	—			336			—
Decreases in tax positions for current years	(54		)	—			—
Decreases from lapse in statute of limitations	(1,149		)	(1,020		)	(2,776		)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	$	1,088		$	2,665		$	5,011

The total amount of net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $0.4 million at December 31, 2017. We accrue interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in our provision for income taxes. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, we had accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits of $0.4 million.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. and in various state and local jurisdictions. We are routinely examined by tax authorities in these jurisdictions. At December 31, 2017, we are no longer subject to federal income tax examinations for years prior to 2014. For state and local jurisdictions, we are generally no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to 2013.

In 2017, 2016 and 2015 we recognized $1.1 million, $0.9 million and $2.5 million, respectively, of previously unrecognized net tax benefits primarily due to the lapse of the statute of limitations in certain tax jurisdictions.

Due to the potential for resolution of federal and state examinations, and the expiration of various statutes of limitation, it is reasonably possible that our gross unrecognized tax benefits balance may change within the next twelve months by as much as $0.2 million.

Restricted Cash	12 Months Ended
Restricted Cash	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash At December 31, 2017 and 2016, our cash and cash equivalents included $5.1 million and $5.5 million, respectively, held 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.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill by business segment was as follows:



(in thousands)	Local Media			National Media			Total

Gross balance as of December 31, 2014	$	292,693		$	28,982		$	321,675
Accumulated impairment losses	(215,414		)	—			(215,414		)
Net balance as of December 31, 2014	77,279			28,982			106,261
Journal acquisition	415,440			—			415,440
Midroll acquisition	—			45,586			45,586
Impairment charge	(1,500		)	(21,000		)	(22,500		)
Balance as of December 31, 2015	$	491,219		$	53,568		$	544,787

Gross balance as of December 31, 2015	$	708,133		$	74,568		$	782,701
Accumulated impairment losses	(216,914		)	(21,000		)	(237,914		)
Net balance as of December 31, 2015	491,219			53,568			544,787
Cracked acquisition	—			29,403			29,403
Stitcher acquisition	—			1,590			1,590
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	491,219		$	84,561		$	575,780

Gross balance as of December 31, 2016	$	708,133		$	105,561		$	813,694
Accumulated impairment losses	(216,914		)	(21,000		)	(237,914		)
Net balance as of December 31, 2016	491,219			84,561			575,780
Cracked impairment charge	—			(29,403		)	(29,403		)
Katz acquisition	—			209,572			209,572
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	491,219		$	264,730		$	755,949

Gross balance as of December 31, 2017	$	708,133		$	315,133		$	1,023,266
Accumulated impairment losses	(216,914		)	(50,403		)	(267,317		)
Net balance as of December 31, 2017	$	491,219		$	264,730		$	755,949

Other intangible assets consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016

Amortizable intangible assets:
Carrying amount:
Television network affiliation relationships	$	248,444		$	248,444
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	69,500			45,500
Other	37,069			26,923
Total carrying amount	355,013			320,867
Accumulated amortization:
Television network affiliation relationships	(49,639		)	(37,019		)
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	(26,345		)	(22,525		)
Other	(10,269		)	(5,987		)
Total accumulated amortization	(86,253		)	(65,531		)
Net amortizable intangible assets	268,760			255,336
Indefinite-lived intangible assets — FCC licenses	157,215			157,215
Total other intangible assets	$	425,975		$	412,551

We have classified our radio segment as held for sale as of December 31, 2017 and any goodwill or intangible assets associated with the radio segment are included in assets held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The tables above have also been recast to reflect our new segment presentation.

In 2017, we paid $9.7 million to acquire cable and satellite carriage rights for the launch of our Newsy cable network. These rights are amortized over the life of the respective carriage agreement. Additional amounts may be owed to the seller if certain conditions are met.

Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for each of the next five years is $27.5 million in 2018, $26.1 million in 2019, $24.9 million in 2020, $22.5 million in 2021, $20.3 million in 2022 and $147.5 million in later years.

Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment annually and any time events occur or conditions change that would indicate it is more likely than not the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value. Such indicators of impairment include, but are not limited to, changes in business climate or other factors resulting in low cash flow related to such assets. If the fair value is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit then an impairment of goodwill exists and an impairment charge is recorded for the difference between the carrying value of the reporting unit and its estimated fair value, not to exceed the carrying value of the goodwill.

The slower development of our original operating model and a revised operating model which will result in a smaller business for Cracked, created indications of impairment of goodwill as of September 30, 2017.

Under the process required by GAAP, we estimated the fair value of Cracked. The fair value was determined using a combination of discounted cash flow approach, which estimated fair value based upon future revenues, expenses and cash flows discounted to their present value, and a market approach, which estimated fair value using market multiples of various financial measures compared to a set of comparable public companies. The discounted cash flow approach utilized unobservable factors, such as projected revenues and expenses and a discount rate applied to the estimated cash flows. The determination of the discount rate was based on a cost of capital model, using a risk-free rate, adjusted by a stock-beta adjusted risk premium and a size premium. The inputs to the nonrecurring fair value determination of our reporting units are classified as Level 3 fair value measurements under GAAP.

The valuation methodology and underlying financial information used to determine fair value requires significant judgments to be made by management. These judgments include, but are not limited to, long-term projections of future financial performance and the selection of appropriate discount rates used to determine the present value of future cash flows. Changes in such estimates or the application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results.

We concluded that the fair value of Cracked did not exceed its carrying value as of September 30, 2017. Based upon our valuations, we recorded a $29 million non-cash charge in 2017 to reduce the carrying value of goodwill and $6.3 million to reduce the value of intangible assets.

During 2015, changes in the market for the distribution of video programming services, including the development of over-the-top distribution platforms resulted in the need for additional investment in Newsy. The additional investment, combined with the slower development of our original revenue model, created indications of impairment of goodwill and we recorded a $21 million non-cash charge to reduce the carrying value of goodwill and $2.9 million to reduce the value of intangible assets.

We also recorded a $1.5 million goodwill impairment charge on a second small business in 2015.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References + Details

Long-Term Debt

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016

Variable rate credit facility	$	—		$	—
Senior unsecured notes	400,000			—
Term loan B	299,250			390,521
Unsecured subordinated notes payable	2,656			5,312
Total outstanding principal	701,906			395,833
Less: Debt issuance costs	(8,631		)	(2,648		)
Less: Current portion	(5,656		)	(6,571		)
Long-term debt (less current portion)	687,619			386,614
Fair value of long-term debt *	$	703,572		$	395,514

* Fair value of the Senior Notes and the term loan B were estimated based on quoted private market transactions and is classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the unsecured subordinated notes is determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis using current market interest rates of comparable instruments and is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Senior Unsecured Notes

On April 28, 2017, we issued $400 million of senior unsecured notes (the "Senior Notes"), which bear interest at a rate of 5.125% per annum and mature on May 15, 2025. The proceeds of the Senior Notes were used to repay our old term loan B, for the payment of the related issuance costs and for general corporate purposes. The Senior Notes were priced at 100% of par value and interest is payable semi-annually on May 15 and November 15. Prior to May 15, 2020, we may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time, or from time to time, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption, plus a “make-whole” premium, as set forth in the Senior Notes indenture. In addition, on or prior to May 15, 2020, we may redeem up to 40% of the Senior Notes, using proceeds of equity offerings. If we sell certain of our assets or have a change of control, the holders of the Senior Notes may require us to repurchase some or all of the notes. The Senior Notes are also guaranteed by us and the majority our subsidiaries. The Senior Notes contain covenants with which we must comply that are typical for borrowing transactions of this nature.

We incurred approximately $7.0 million of deferred financing costs in connection with the issuance of the Senior Notes, which will be amortized over the life of the Senior Notes.

In connection with the new financing, we wrote off $2.4 million of deferred financing costs associated with our old term loan B to interest expense.

Term Loan B

On October 2, 2017, we issued a $300 million Term Loan B which matures in October 2024. Interest is payable on the Term Loan B at a rate based on LIBOR, plus a fixed margin of 2.25%. Term loan B also requires annual principal payments of $3 million.

Our Financing Agreement also includes a provision that in certain circumstances we must use a portion of excess cash flow to repay debt. Principal payments included in the contractual obligations table reflect only scheduled principal payments and do not reflect any amounts that may be required to be paid under this provision. As of December 31, 2017, we were not required to make any additional principal payments for excess cash flow.

Under a previous financing agreement, we had a $400 million term loan B that matured in November 2020. We repaid the term loan B in 2017 with the proceeds of our Senior Notes.

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the interest rate was 3.82% and 3.27%, respectively on the term loan B. The weighted-average interest rate was 3.42% and 3.48% in 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Revolving Credit Facility

On April 28, 2017, we amended and restated our $100 million revolving credit facility ("Revolving Credit Facility"), increasing its capacity to $125 million and extending the maturity to April 2022. Interest is payable on the Revolving Credit Facility at rates based on LIBOR, plus a margin based on our leverage ratio, ranging from 1.75% to 2.50%.

The Revolving Credit Facility includes maintaining of a net leverage ratio when we have outstanding borrowings on the facility, as well as other restrictions on payments (dividends and share repurchases). Additionally, we can make acquisitions as long as the pro forma net leverage ratio is less than 5.5 to 1.0.

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, and equipment.

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.

Unsecured Subordinated Notes Payable

The unsecured subordinated promissory notes bear interest at a rate of 7.25% per annum payable quarterly. The notes are payable in annual installments of $2.7 million through 2018, with no prepayment right.

Fair Value Measurement

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurement

We measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis, such as cash equivalents. The fair values of these financial assets were 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 that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2017 and 2016:



	December 31, 2017
(in thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3

Cash equivalents	$	69,480	$	69,480	$	—	$	—

December 31, 2016

(in thousands)

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Cash equivalents

—

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

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



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015

Other changes in certain working capital accounts, net
Accounts and notes receivable	$	(22,522	)	$	(20,511	)	$	(17,562	)
Income taxes receivable/payable, net	(265		)	4,626			(13,700		)
Accounts payable	(7,259		)	(966		)	(2,696		)
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	3,175			(1,056		)	6,309
Other accrued liabilities	12,645			(6,100		)	(7,087		)
Other, net	(6,282		)	(10,854		)	(5,698		)
Total	$	(20,508	)	$	(34,861	)	$	(40,434	)

Information regarding supplemental cash flow disclosures is as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015

Interest paid	$	18,956	$	15,620	$	13,436
Income taxes paid	1,756		1,100		14,984

In 2015, we acquired capitalized software for $7.1 million through a long-term financing arrangement.

Employee Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Employee Benefit Plans

We sponsor two noncontributory defined benefit pension plans, as well as two non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans ("SERPs"). Both the defined benefit plans and the SERPs have frozen the accrual of future benefits.

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 contributed additional amounts (referred to as transition credits) to certain employees' defined contribution retirement through 2015.

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.

We use a December 31 measurement date for our retirement plans. Retirement plans expense is based on valuations as of the beginning of each year.

The components of the expense consisted of the following:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015

Interest cost	$	25,966		$	27,359		$	30,477
Expected return on plan assets, net of expenses	(17,439		)	(18,466		)	(24,320		)
Amortization of actuarial loss	4,424			4,406			4,617
Curtailment/Settlement losses	—			—			46,793
Total for defined benefit plans	12,951			13,299			57,567
Multi-employer plans	253			168			180
Withdrawal from GCIU multi-employer plan	—			—			351
SERPs	1,161			1,033			1,107
Defined contribution plans	9,183			8,265			9,858
Net periodic benefit cost	23,548			22,765			69,063
Allocated to discontinued operations	(687		)	(652		)	(886		)
Net periodic benefit cost - continuing operations	$	22,861		$	22,113		$	68,177

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016			2015

Current year actuarial gain/(loss)	$	12,205	$	(9,379	)	$	1,026
Amortization of actuarial loss	4,424		4,406			4,617
Curtailment/Settlement losses	—		—			46,793
Total	$	16,629	$	(4,973	)	$	52,436

In addition to the amounts summarized above, amortization of actuarial losses of $0.2 million was recorded through other comprehensive income in 2017, 2016 and 2015 related to our SERPs. We recognized actuarial losses for our SERPs of $2.5 million and $1.6 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively, and an actuarial gain of $2.3 million in 2015. A one-time curtailment charge of $1.1 million was recorded in 2015 related to our defined benefit pension plan as a result of the spin-off of our newspaper business.

In August 2015, we offered eligible former employees with vested, deferred pension plan benefits the option to receive their benefits either as a lump-sum distribution or an immediate annuity payment. The funded status of the plan remained materially unchanged as a result of this offer. The lump-sum payments were made in November 2015, at which time we recorded a non-cash settlement charge of $45.7 million.

Assumptions used in determining the annual retirement plans expense were as follows:



	2017 ⁽¹⁾		2016 ⁽¹⁾		2015 ⁽²⁾

Discount rate	4.26	%	4.55	%	4.01%-4.53%
Long-term rate of return on plan assets	4.20%-4.30%		4.50%-4.65%		4.10%-6.10%

⁽¹⁾ Ranges presented for long-term rate of return on plan assets for 2017 and 2016 represent the rates used for Scripps Pension Plan and Journal Communications, Inc. Employees' Pension Plan.

⁽²⁾ Ranges presented for discount rate and long-term rate of return on plan assets for 2015 represent the rates used for various remeasurement periods during the year as well as differing rates used for Scripps Pension Plan and Journal Communications, Inc. Employees' Pension Plan.

The discount rate used to determine our future pension obligations is based on a dedicated bond portfolio approach that includes securities rated Aa or better with maturities matching our expected benefit payments from the plans.

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based upon the weighted-average expected rate of return and capital market forecasts for each asset class employed.

Changes in other key actuarial assumptions affect the determination of the benefit obligations as of the measurement date and the calculation of net periodic benefit costs in subsequent periods.

Obligations and Funded Status — The defined benefit pension plan obligations and funded status are actuarially valued as of the end of each year. The following table presents information about our employee benefit plan assets and obligations:



	Defined Benefit Plans						SERPs
	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016

Change in projected benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	625,535		$	611,257		$	21,260		$	19,800
Interest cost	25,966			27,359			869			910
Benefits paid	(34,997		)	(33,571		)	(948		)	(1,030		)
Actuarial (gains)/losses	38,032			20,490			2,510			1,580
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	654,536			625,535			23,691			21,260
Plan assets:
Fair value at beginning of year	412,459			407,797			—			—
Actual return on plan assets	67,676			29,577			—			—
Company contributions	19,303			8,656			948			1,030
Benefits paid	(34,997		)	(33,571		)	(948		)	(1,030		)
Fair value at end of year	464,441			412,459			—			—
Funded status	$	(190,095	)	$	(213,076	)	$	(23,691	)	$	(21,260	)
Amounts recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Current liabilities	$	—		$	—		$	(6,380	)	$	(1,548	)
Noncurrent liabilities	(190,095		)	(213,076		)	(17,311		)	(19,712		)
Total	$	(190,095	)	$	(213,076	)	$	(23,691	)	$	(21,260	)

Unrecognized net actuarial loss recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	127,666		$	144,294		$	8,667		$	6,342

In 2018, for our defined benefit pension plans, we expect to recognize amortization of actuarial loss from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit costs of $4.0 million (including $0.3 million for our SERPs).

Information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation and projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets was as follows:



	Defined Benefit Plans				SERPs
	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2017		2016

Accumulated benefit obligation	$	654,536	$	625,535	$	23,691	$	21,260
Projected benefit obligation	654,536		625,535		23,691		21,260
Fair value of plan assets	464,441		412,459		—		—

Assumptions used to determine the defined benefit pension plans benefit obligations were as follows:



	2017		2016		2015

Weighted average discount rate	3.7	%	4.26	%	4.55	%

In 2018, we expect to contribute $6.5 million to fund SERP benefits and $17.5 million to fund our qualified defined benefit pension plans.

Estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid from the plans for the next ten years are $40.5 million in 2018, $35.6 million in 2019, $36.4 million in 2020, $37.0 million in 2021, $37.5 million in 2022 and a total of $193.8 million for the five years ending 2027.

Plan Assets and Investment Strategy

Our long-term investment strategy for pension assets is to earn a rate of return over time that minimizes future contributions to the plan while reducing the volatility of pension assets relative to pension liabilities. The strategy reflects the fact that we have frozen the accrual of service credits under our plans which cover the majority of employees. We evaluate our asset allocation target ranges for equity, fixed income and other investments annually. We monitor actual asset allocations monthly and adjust as necessary. We control risk through diversification among multiple asset classes, managers and styles. Risk is further monitored at the manager and asset class level by evaluating performance against appropriate benchmarks.

Information related to our pension plan asset allocations by asset category were as follows:



	Target allocation		Percentage of plan assets as of December 31,
	2018		2017		2016

US equity securities	20	%	21	%	20	%
Non-US equity securities	30	%	29	%	30	%
Fixed-income securities	45	%	44	%	44	%
Other	5	%	6	%	6	%
Total	100	%	100	%	100	%

U.S. equity securities include common stocks of large, medium and small capitalization companies, which are predominantly U.S. based. Non-U.S. equity securities include companies domiciled outside of the U.S. and American depository receipts. Fixed-income securities include securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, mortgage backed securities and corporate debt obligations. Other investments include real estate funds.

Under our asset allocation strategy approximately 45% of plan assets are invested in a portfolio of fixed income securities with a duration approximately that of the projected payment of benefit obligations. The remaining 55% of plan assets are invested in equity securities and other return-seeking assets. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based primarily upon the target asset allocation for plan assets and capital markets forecasts for each asset class employed.

The following table presents our plan assets using the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016

Equity securities
Common/collective trust funds	$	234,061	$	204,084
Fixed income
Common/collective trust funds	204,453		184,000
Real estate fund	23,102		21,646
Cash equivalents	2,825		2,729
Fair value of plan assets	$	464,441	$	412,459

Our investments are valued using net asset value as a practical expedient as allowed under U.S. GAAP and therefore are not valued using the fair value hierarchy.

Equity securities-common/collective trust funds and fixed income-common/collective trust funds are comprised of shares or units in commingled funds that are not publicly traded. The underlying assets in these funds (equity securities and fixed income securities) are publicly traded on exchanges and price quotes for the assets held by these funds are readily available. Common/collective trust funds are typically valued at their net asset values that are calculated by the investment manager or sponsor of the fund and have daily or monthly liquidity.

Real estate pertains to an investment in a real estate fund which invests in limited partnerships, limited liability corporations, real estate investment trusts, other funds and insurance company group annuity contracts. The valuations for these holdings are based on property appraisals using cash flow analysis and market transactions.

Segment Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

We determine our business segments based upon our management and internal reporting structure, as well as the basis that our chief operating decision maker makes resource allocation decisions.

Effective December 31, 2017, we realigned our businesses into a new internal organization and began reporting to reflect this new structure. Under the new structure we have the following reportable segments: Local Media, National Media and Other. We have recast the operating results for all periods to reflect this change.

Our Local Media segment includes our local broadcast stations and their related digital operations. It is comprised of fifteen ABC affiliates, five NBC affiliates, two FOX affiliates and two CBS affiliates. We also have two MyTV affiliates, one CW affiliate, one independent station and three Azteca America Spanish-language affiliates. Our Local Media segment earns revenue primarily from the sale of advertising to local, national and political advertisers and retransmission fees received from cable operators, telecommunications companies and satellite carriers.

Our National Media segment includes our collection of national brands. Our national media brands include Katz, Midroll Media (Midroll), Newsy and other national brands. These operations earn revenue primarily through the sale of advertising.

We allocate a portion of certain corporate costs and expenses, including information technology, certain employee benefits and 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.

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, 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:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015

Segment operating revenues:
Local Media	$	779,205		$	836,154		$	637,251
National Media	80,174			27,929			13,014
Other	5,455			4,737			3,910
Total operating revenues	$	864,834		$	868,820		$	654,175
Segment profit (loss):
Local Media	$	156,890		$	243,298		$	127,597
National Media	(9,260		)	(10,156		)	(2,448		)
Other	(2,361		)	(2,513		)	(3,729		)
Shared services and corporate	(50,506		)	(46,162		)	(45,285		)
Acquisition and related integration costs	—			(578		)	(37,988		)
Restructuring costs	(4,422		)	—			—
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets	(56,343		)	(55,204		)	(49,791		)
Impairment of goodwill and intangibles	(35,732		)	—			(24,613		)
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment	(169		)	(480		)	(305		)
Interest expense	(26,697		)	(18,039		)	(15,099		)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(14,112		)	(14,332		)	(58,674		)
Miscellaneous, net	10,636			(2,646		)	(1,421		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(32,076	)	$	93,188		$	(111,756	)
Depreciation:
Local Media	$	31,870		$	30,184		$	29,685
National Media	88			164			525
Other	208			263			258
Shared services and corporate	1,883			1,863			2,344
Total depreciation	$	34,049		$	32,474		$	32,812
Amortization of intangibles:
Local Media	$	15,084		$	16,958		$	14,607
National Media	5,856			4,419			2,034
Shared services and corporate	1,354			1,353			338
Total amortization of intangibles	$	22,294		$	22,730		$	16,979

The following table presents additions to property and equipment by segment:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015

Additions to property and equipment:
Local Media	$	16,946	$	21,064	$	20,988
National Media	792		54		66
Other	—		124		83
Shared services and corporate	367		1,283		1,851
Total additions to property and equipment	$	18,105	$	22,525	$	22,988

Total assets by segment for the years ended December 31 were as follows:



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015

Assets:
Local Media	$	1,273,735	$	1,280,885	$	1,285,054
National Media	528,479		117,725		70,861
Other	2,128		7,146		7,044
Shared services and corporate	189,202		184,109		195,307
Total assets of continuing operations	1,993,544		1,589,865		1,558,266
Discontinued operations	136,004		146,041		147,496
Total assets	$	2,129,548	$	1,735,906	$	1,705,762

Capital Stock and Share Based Compensation Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Equity [Abstract]

Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation Plans

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 2016, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $100 million of our Class A Common shares through December 2018. Shares may be repurchased from time to time at management's discretion, either in the open market, through pre-arranged trading plans or in privately negotiated block transactions. Under this and previous authorizations, we repurchased $17.9 million of shares at prices ranging from $14.05 and $23.01 per share, $44.4 million of shares at prices ranging from $12.84 to $19.51 per share and $16.2 million of shares at prices ranging from $15.92 to $24.96 per share in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, we have $83 million outstanding under the current authorization.

Incentive Plans — We have adopted The E.W. Scripps Company 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which terminates on February 15, 2020. The Plan permits the granting of incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (RSUs), restricted and unrestricted Class A Common shares and performance units to key employees and non-employee directors.

We satisfy stock option exercises and vested stock awards with newly issued shares. As of December 31, 2017, approximately 3.9 million shares were available for future stock compensation awards.

On the closing of the Journal transactions in 2015, the number and exercise price of all outstanding share awards retained by Scripps employees and directors were adjusted to maintain the awards' economic value. All other terms of the awards, including the terms and conditions relating to vesting, remained the same. Restricted share units outstanding immediately prior to the closing held by newspaper employees became fully vested and were treated in the same manner as outstanding shares of Class A Common shares (i.e. the holders received a combination of Scripps Class A Common shares, shares of Journal Media Group common stock and a cash dividend-equivalent payment in connection with the Scripps special dividend).

Stock Options — Stock options grant the recipient the right to purchase Class A Common shares at not less than 100% of the fair market value on the date the option is granted. We have not issued any new stock options since 2008.

The following table summarizes our stock option activity:



	Number of Shares		Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Range of Exercise Prices

Outstanding at December 31, 2014	1,703,876		$	8.92	$ 7-11
Exercised	(877,966	)	8.85		8-11
Forfeited	170,969		7.62		6-9
Outstanding at December 31, 2015	996,879		7.45		6-9
Exercised	(509,965	)	8.07		8-9
Outstanding at December 31, 2016	486,914		6.81		6-9
Exercised	(235,407	)	6.20		6-8
Outstanding at December 31, 2017	251,507		7.38		6-9

As of December 31, 2017, all stock options outstanding and exercisable expire in 2018 and have an intrinsic value of $2.1 million.

The following table summarizes additional information about exercises of stock options:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015

Cash received upon exercise	$	1,461	$	4,641	$	7,249
Intrinsic value (market value on date of exercise less exercise price)	3,919		4,888		10,801
Tax benefits realized ⁽¹⁾	1,497		1,877		4,101

⁽¹⁾ Benefits for 2015 were not recognized under prior accounting guidance until realized. In 2017 and 2016, upon adoption of new accounting guidance, they are realized when generated.

Restricted Stock Units — Awards of restricted stock units (RSUs) generally require no payment by the employee. RSUs are converted into an equal number of Class A Common shares when vested. These awards generally vest over a three or four year period, conditioned upon the individual’s continued employment through that period. Awards vest immediately upon the retirement, death or disability of the employee or upon a change in control of Scripps or in the business in which the individual is employed. Unvested awards may be forfeited if employment is terminated for other reasons. Awards are nontransferable during the vesting period, but the awards are entitled to all the rights of an outstanding share, including receiving stock dividend equivalents. There are no post-vesting restrictions on awards granted to employees and non-employee directors.

Long-term incentive compensation includes performance share awards. Performance share awards represent the right to receive an award of RSUs if certain performance measures are met. Each award specifies a target number of shares to be issued and the specific performance criteria that must be met. The number of shares that an employee receives may be less or more than the target number of shares depending on the extent to which the specified performance measures are met or exceeded.

The following table summarizes our RSU activity:



			Fair Value
	Number of Shares		Weighted Average		Range of Prices

Unvested at December 31, 2014	1,224,521		$	13.24	$ 7-22
Awarded	495,396		22.36		20-24
Vested	(650,490	)	12.17		7-22
Forfeited	(220,770	)	16.39		9-22
Impact of Journal Transactions	61,384		13.73		7-22
Unvested at December 31, 2015	910,041		18.22		10-24
Awarded	996,839		15.76		13-18
Vested	(444,267	)	17.78		13-19
Forfeited	(37,436	)	16.82		12-24
Unvested at December 31, 2016	1,425,177		17.05		12-24
Awarded	653,522		22.51		17-24
Vested	(581,920	)	20.78		14-24
Forfeited	(308,856	)	17.20		14-24
Unvested at December 31, 2017	1,187,923		19.99		14-24

The following table summarizes additional information about RSU vesting:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015

Fair value of RSUs vested	$	12,090	$	7,898	$	15,697
Tax benefits realized on vesting ⁽¹⁾	4,630		3,033		5,965

⁽¹⁾ Benefits for 2015 were not recognized under prior accounting guidance until realized. In 2017 and 2016, upon adoption of new accounting guidance, they are realized when generated.

Share-based Compensation Costs

Share-based compensation costs were as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015

Total share-based compensation	$	12,960		$	8,093		$	9,545
Included in discontinued operations	(465		)	(270		)	(1,378		)
Included in continuing operations	$	12,495		$	7,823		$	8,167
Share-based compensation, net of tax	$	7,717		$	4,835		$	5,010

As of December 31, 2017, $11.1 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to RSUs and performance shares is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

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



(in thousands)	Gains and Losses on Derivatives			Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other			Total

As of December 31, 2015	$	(242	)	$	(89,740	)	$	180		$	(89,802	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
Interest rate swap ^(a), net of tax of $142	242			—			—			242
Actuarial (loss) gain ^(b), net of tax of $(2,353)	—			(3,936		)	149			(3,787		)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	242			(3,936		)	149			(3,545		)
As of December 31, 2016	—			(93,676		)	329			(93,347		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
Actuarial (loss) gain ^(b), net of tax of $4,016	—			10,150			(355		)	9,795
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	—			10,150			(355		)	9,795
Reclassification of disproportionate tax effects from AOCL	—			(19,429		)	59			(19,370		)
As of December 31, 2017	$	—		$	(102,955	)	$	33		$	(102,922	)

^(a) Included in interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations

^(b) Included in defined benefit pension plan expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations

Summarized Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Summarized Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

Summarized quarterly financial information is as follows:



2017	1st			2nd			3rd			4th
(in thousands, except per share data)	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Total

Operating revenues	$	196,329		$	213,749		$	197,781		$	256,975		$	864,834
Costs and expenses	(182,268		)	(181,602		)	(186,456		)	(224,167		)	(774,493		)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(13,861		)	(13,781		)	(13,775		)	(14,926		)	(56,343		)
Impairment of goodwill and intangibles	—			—			(35,732		)	—			(35,732		)
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment	(47		)	(15		)	(114		)	7			(169		)
Interest expense	(4,195		)	(8,248		)	(5,720		)	(8,534		)	(26,697		)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(3,467		)	(3,467		)	(3,551		)	(3,627		)	(14,112		)
Miscellaneous, net	(879		)	5,103			1,187			5,225			10,636
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(8,388		)	11,739			(46,380		)	10,953			(32,076		)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(5,655		)	4,884			(18,776		)	(507		)	(20,054		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(2,733		)	6,855			(27,604		)	11,460			(12,022		)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	781			1,649			984			(6,009		)	(2,595		)
Net income (loss)	(1,952		)	8,504			(26,620		)	5,451			(14,617		)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			—			(1,511		)	(1,511		)
Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	(1,952	)	$	8,504		$	(26,620	)	$	6,962		$	(13,106	)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations per basic share of common stock	$	(0.03	)	$	0.08		$	(0.34	)	$	0.16		$	(0.13	)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations per basic share of common stock	$	0.01		$	0.02		$	0.01		$	(0.07	)	$	(0.03	)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations per diluted share of common stock	$	(0.03	)	$	0.08		$	(0.34	)	$	0.16		$	(0.13	)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations per diluted share of common stock	$	0.01		$	0.02		$	0.01		$	(0.07	)	$	(0.03	)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	82,079			82,302			82,039			81,792			82,052
Diluted	82,079			82,465			82,039			81,792			82,052
Cash dividends per share of common stock	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—

In the third quarter of 2017, we recorded a $29 million non-cash charge to reduce the carrying value of goodwill and $6.3 million to reduce the value of intangible assets related to Cracked. For more information around the impairment of goodwill and intangibles, see Note 9.



2016	1st			2nd			3rd			4th
(in thousands, except per share data)	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Total

Operating revenues	$	194,196		$	208,833		$	212,838		$	252,953		$	868,820
Costs and expenses	(170,390		)	(171,924		)	(170,506		)	(172,111		)	(684,931		)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(13,609		)	(13,978		)	(13,974		)	(13,643		)	(55,204		)
Impairment of goodwill and intangibles	—			—			—			—			—
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment	4			(22		)	(26		)	(436		)	(480		)
Interest expense	(4,579		)	(4,432		)	(4,592		)	(4,436		)	(18,039		)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(3,450		)	(3,449		)	(3,605		)	(3,828		)	(14,332		)
Miscellaneous, net	(191		)	(458		)	(596		)	(1,401		)	(2,646		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	1,981			14,570			19,539			57,098			93,188
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(1,606		)	5,510			8,563			20,799			33,266
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	3,587			9,060			10,976			36,299			59,922
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	1,301			2,428			1,546			2,038			7,313
Net income (loss)	$	4,888		$	11,488		$	12,522		$	38,337		$	67,235
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			—			—			—
Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	4,888		$	11,488		$	12,522		$	38,337		$	67,235
Net income (loss) from continuing operations per basic share of common stock	$	0.04		$	0.11		$	0.13		$	0.44		$	0.71
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations per basic share of common stock	$	0.02		$	0.03		$	0.02		$	0.02		$	0.09
Net income (loss) from continuing operations per diluted share of common stock	$	0.04		$	0.10		$	0.13		$	0.44		$	0.71
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations per diluted share of common stock	$	0.02		$	0.03		$	0.02		$	0.02		$	0.09
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	83,965			83,773			83,230			82,401			83,339
Diluted	84,225			84,051			83,518			82,684			83,639
Cash dividends per share of common stock	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—

The sum of the quarterly net income (loss) per share amounts may not equal the reported annual amount because each amount is computed independently based upon the weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the period.

Noncontrolling Interest	12 Months Ended
Noncontrolling Interest	Dec. 31, 2017
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interest	Noncontrolling Interest A noncontrolling owner holds a 30% interest in our venture to develop, produce and air our lifestyle daytime talk show. In April 2017, on the formation of the venture, the noncontrolling owner made a $2.1 million non-cash contribution to the venture. The contribution included the rights to the show concept, contractual rights with the show's talent, as well as other pre-production items.

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations

Radio Divestiture

In the fourth quarter of 2017, we began the process to divest our radio business. As of December 31, 2017, we have classified the radio segment as held for sale in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and reported its results as discontinued operations in our Consolidated Statement of Operations.

On classifying our radio business as held for sale GAAP required us to assess impairment using the held-for-sale model. This model compares the fair value of the disposal unit to its carrying value and if the fair value is lower, an impairment loss is recorded. The carrying value increased from our annual impairment testing date of October 31, 2017 to December 31, 2017 due to the reduction in the value of the reporting unit's deferred tax liability as a result of the tax rate reduction from the Tax Act. As a result we recorded an $8 million goodwill impairment charge.

Operating results of our radio operations included in discontinued operations were as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015

Operating revenues	$	69,684		$	74,227		$	61,481
Total costs and expenses	(58,115		)	(58,010		)	(46,778		)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(2,910		)	(3,377		)	(2,161		)
Impairment of goodwill	(8,000		)	—			—
Other, net	(258		)	(63		)	(178		)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	401			12,777			12,364
Provision for income taxes	(2,996		)	(5,464		)	(5,129		)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	(2,595		)	7,313			7,235

The following table presents a summary of the radio assets held for sale included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.



	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016

Assets:
Total current assets	$	12,891	$	14,221
Property and equipment	35,470		35,294
Goodwill and intangible assets	87,462		96,345
Other assets	181		181
Total assets included in the disposal group	136,004		146,041
Liabilities:
Total current liabilities	3,248		2,880
Deferred income taxes	16,288		25,273
Other liabilities	—		24
Total liabilities included in the disposal group	19,536		28,177
Net assets included in the disposal group	$	116,468	$	117,864

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 and combine them into a separate publicly traded company. On April 1, 2015, Scripps and Journal separated their respective newspaper businesses and merged them, resulting in each becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Journal Media Group, Inc.

As part of the transactions, Scripps' shareholders received a $60 million special cash dividend on April 1, 2015.

Under a Transition Services Agreement, Scripps and Journal Media Group provided certain services to each other through March 31, 2016. The fees for the services were at arms-length amounts. The outstanding balance was settled as of June 30, 2016. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the amounts we received from Journal Media Group and the amounts we paid to Journal Media Group were immaterial. For the year ended December 31, 2015, we received $3.3 million for services provided to Journal Media Group and we paid Journal Media Group $1.2 million for services provided to us. As of December 31, 2015, Journal Media Group owed Scripps approximately $2.0 million.

Until the completion of the spin-off of our newspaper business, generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) required us to assess impairment of the newspaper business long-lived assets using the held-and-used model. At the date of the spin-off of our newspaper business, GAAP required us to assess impairment using the held-for-sale model. This model compares the fair value of the disposal unit to its carrying value and if the fair value is lower, an impairment loss is recorded. Our analysis determined that there was a non-cash impairment loss on disposal of the newspaper business of $30 million, which was recorded on the date of the spin-off and was included in discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2015. The inputs to the nonrecurring fair value determination of the disposal unit are classified as Level 2 fair value measurements under GAAP.

Operating results of our divested Newspaper operations included in discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2015 were as follows:



(in thousands)

Operating revenues	$	91,478
Total costs and expenses	(79,869		)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(3,608		)
Other, net	(3,298		)
Loss on disposal of Scripps Newspapers	(30,000		)
Loss on discontinued operations before income taxes	(25,297		)
Benefit for income taxes	9,457
Net loss from discontinued operations	(15,840		)
Noncontrolling interest	—
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(15,840	)

The Company incurred certain non-recurring costs directly related to the spin-off of our newspapers and acquisition of the Journal broadcast stations of $41 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Accounting and other professional and consulting fees directly related to the newspaper spin-off of $3 million were allocated to discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The following table presents a summary of the net assets distributed on April 1, 2015.



(in thousands)

Assets:
Total current assets	$	43,322
Property, plant and equipment	155,047
Other assets	3,829
Total assets included in the disposal group	202,198
Liabilities:
Total current liabilities	47,664
Deferred income taxes	1,966
Other liabilities	9,057
Total liabilities included in the disposal group	58,687
Net assets included in the disposal group	$	143,511

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Network Launch Incentives [Line Items]

Nature of Operations

Concentration Risks

We derive approximately

65% of our operating revenues from marketing services, including advertising. Changes in the demand for such services, both nationally and in individual markets, can affect operating results.

Use of Estimates

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.

Consolidation

Revenue Recognition

Our primary sources of revenue are from the sale of media advertising, as well as retransmission and carriage fees received from cable operators and satellite carriers.

Revenue recognition policies for each source of revenue are outlined below.

Advertising — Broadcast and digital advertising revenue is recognized, net of agency commissions, when we air the advertisements.

Cash Equivalents

Cash Equivalents — Cash equivalents represent highly liquid investments with maturity of less than three months when acquired.

Trade Receivables

A rollforward of the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:



(in thousands)

January 1, 2015	$	1,390
Charged to costs and expenses	1,322
Amounts charged off, net	(1,195		)
Balance as of December 31, 2015	1,517
Charged to costs and expenses	1,601
Amounts charged off, net	(1,628		)
Balance as of December 31, 2016	1,490
Charged to costs and expenses	1,407
Amounts charged off, net	(948		)
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	1,949

Investments

We record investments in private companies not accounted for under the equity method at cost, net of impairment write-downs, because no readily determinable market price is available.

Network Launch Incentives [Table Text Block]

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment — Property and equipment is carried at cost less depreciation. We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives as follows:



Buildings and improvements	15 to 45 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of term of lease or useful life
Broadcast transmission towers and related equipment	15 to 35 years
Other broadcast and program production equipment	3 to 15 years
Computer hardware	3 to 5 years
Office and other equipment	3 to 10 years

Programming

Program rights liabilities payable within the next twelve months are included as current liabilities and noncurrent program rights liabilities are included in other noncurrent liabilities.

Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets — Goodwill represents the cost of acquisitions in excess of the acquired businesses’ tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets.

Amortizable Intangible Assets

We amortize customer lists and other intangible assets in relation to their expected future cash flows over estimated useful lives of up to 20 years.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Self-Insured Risks

Income Taxes

Risk Management Contracts

Share-Based Compensation

Earnings Per Share (EPS)

The following table presents information about basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015

Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(12,022	)	$	59,922		$	(73,872	)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,511			—			—
Income allocated to RSUs	—			(817		)	—
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	(10,511	)	$	59,105		$	(73,872	)
Denominator
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	82,052			83,339			77,373
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options held by employees and directors	—			300			—
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	82,052			83,639			77,373
Anti-dilutive securities⁽¹⁾	1,220			—			1,907


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

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of allowance for doubtful accounts

A rollforward of the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:



(in thousands)

January 1, 2015	$	1,390
Charged to costs and expenses	1,322
Amounts charged off, net	(1,195		)
Balance as of December 31, 2015	1,517
Charged to costs and expenses	1,601
Amounts charged off, net	(1,628		)
Balance as of December 31, 2016	1,490
Charged to costs and expenses	1,407
Amounts charged off, net	(948		)
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	1,949

Estimated useful lives of property and equipment

We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives as follows:



Buildings and improvements	15 to 45 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of term of lease or useful life
Broadcast transmission towers and related equipment	15 to 35 years
Other broadcast and program production equipment	3 to 15 years
Computer hardware	3 to 5 years
Office and other equipment	3 to 10 years

Property and equipment consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016

Land and improvements	$	47,405	$	47,405
Buildings and improvements	139,685		137,013
Equipment	308,873		299,544
Computer software	14,658		14,578
Total	510,621		498,540
Accumulated depreciation	300,626		273,103
Net property and equipment	$	209,995	$	225,437

Components of basic and diluted weighted-average shares

The following table presents information about basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015

Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(12,022	)	$	59,922		$	(73,872	)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,511			—			—
Income allocated to RSUs	—			(817		)	—
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	(10,511	)	$	59,105		$	(73,872	)
Denominator
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	82,052			83,339			77,373
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options held by employees and directors	—			300			—
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	82,052			83,639			77,373
Anti-dilutive securities⁽¹⁾	1,220			—			1,907


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

Acquisitions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed

The following table summarizes the final fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed:



(in thousands)

Assets:
Cash	$	2,529
Accounts receivable	47,978
Other current assets	2,236
Property and equipment	123,264
Intangible assets	294,800
Goodwill	456,440
Other long-term assets	6,350
Assets held for sale	14,500
Total assets acquired	948,097
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	38,107
Employee benefit obligations	85,261
Deferred tax liability	57,112
Long-term debt	126,873
Other long-term liabilities	4,744
Net purchase price	$	636,000

The following table summarizes the final fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed:



(in thousands)

Assets:
Cash	$	635
Accounts receivable	2,925
Other assets	482
Intangible assets	10,700
Goodwill	45,586
Total assets acquired	60,328
Current liabilities	3,365
Net purchase price	$	56,963

Pending the finalization of asset valuations, the following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed:



(in thousands)

Assets:
Cash	$	21,372
Accounts receivable	44,306
Current portion of programs and program licenses	47,120
Intangible assets	32,300
Goodwill	209,572
Programs and program licenses (less current portion)	74,998
Other assets	1,395
Total assets acquired	431,063
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	29,339
Current portion of program rights payable	46,376
Program rights payable (less current portion)	53,036
Net purchase price	$	302,312

Pro forma results of operations



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)	2017			2016		2015

Operating revenues	$	978,303		$	997,759	$	778,118
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(12,477		)	55,506		(37,452		)
Income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company
Basic	$	(0.13	)	$	0.66	$	(0.45	)
Diluted	(0.13		)	0.65		(0.45		)

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Provision for income taxes

The provision for income taxes from continuing operations consisted of the following:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015

Current:
Federal	$	215		$	904		$	279
State and local	(963		)	(1,628		)	(3,588		)
Total current income tax provision	(748		)	(724		)	(3,309		)
Deferred:
Federal	(16,602		)	31,029			(30,546		)
State and local	(2,704		)	2,961			(4,029		)
Total deferred income tax provision	(19,306		)	33,990			(34,575		)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	(20,054	)	$	33,266		$	(37,884	)

Effective income tax rate reconciliation

The difference between the statutory rate for federal income tax and the effective income tax rate was as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015

Statutory rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
Effect of:
State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	2.2		3.0		3.5
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	7.1		(1.8	)	—
Nondeductible expenses	(4.6	)	1.4		(1.7	)
Reserve for uncertain tax positions	3.6		(0.8	)	2.2
Nondeductible goodwill impairment	—		—		(6.8	)
U.S. federal statutory rate change	13.2		—		—
Other	6.0		(1.1	)	1.7
Effective income tax rate	62.5	%	35.7	%	33.9	%

Schedule of deferred income tax (liabilities) assets

The approximate effect of the temporary differences giving rise to deferred income tax assets (liabilities) were as follows:



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016

Temporary differences:
Property and equipment	$	(14,493	)	$	(27,049	)
Goodwill and other intangible assets	(52,532		)	(79,610		)
Investments, primarily gains and losses not yet recognized for tax purposes	2,792			5,180
Accrued expenses not deductible until paid	7,136			8,700
Deferred compensation and retiree benefits not deductible until paid	61,070			96,910
Other temporary differences, net	3,267			3,835
Total temporary differences	7,240			7,966
Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards	15,455			9,597
Valuation allowance for state deferred tax assets	(2,619		)	(955		)
Net deferred tax asset (liability)	$	20,076		$	16,608

Gross unrecognized tax benefit reconciliation

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015

Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$	2,665		$	5,011		$	7,024
Increases in tax positions for prior years	16			22			859
Decreases in tax positions for prior years	(390		)	(1,684		)	(96		)
Increases in tax positions for current years	—			336			—
Decreases in tax positions for current years	(54		)	—			—
Decreases from lapse in statute of limitations	(1,149		)	(1,020		)	(2,776		)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	$	1,088		$	2,665		$	5,011

Property and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property and Equipment

We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives as follows:



Buildings and improvements	15 to 45 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of term of lease or useful life
Broadcast transmission towers and related equipment	15 to 35 years
Other broadcast and program production equipment	3 to 15 years
Computer hardware	3 to 5 years
Office and other equipment	3 to 10 years

Property and equipment consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016

Land and improvements	$	47,405	$	47,405
Buildings and improvements	139,685		137,013
Equipment	308,873		299,544
Computer software	14,658		14,578
Total	510,621		498,540
Accumulated depreciation	300,626		273,103
Net property and equipment	$	209,995	$	225,437

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill by business segment

Goodwill by business segment was as follows:



(in thousands)	Local Media			National Media			Total

Gross balance as of December 31, 2014	$	292,693		$	28,982		$	321,675
Accumulated impairment losses	(215,414		)	—			(215,414		)
Net balance as of December 31, 2014	77,279			28,982			106,261
Journal acquisition	415,440			—			415,440
Midroll acquisition	—			45,586			45,586
Impairment charge	(1,500		)	(21,000		)	(22,500		)
Balance as of December 31, 2015	$	491,219		$	53,568		$	544,787

Gross balance as of December 31, 2015	$	708,133		$	74,568		$	782,701
Accumulated impairment losses	(216,914		)	(21,000		)	(237,914		)
Net balance as of December 31, 2015	491,219			53,568			544,787
Cracked acquisition	—			29,403			29,403
Stitcher acquisition	—			1,590			1,590
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	491,219		$	84,561		$	575,780

Gross balance as of December 31, 2016	$	708,133		$	105,561		$	813,694
Accumulated impairment losses	(216,914		)	(21,000		)	(237,914		)
Net balance as of December 31, 2016	491,219			84,561			575,780
Cracked impairment charge	—			(29,403		)	(29,403		)
Katz acquisition	—			209,572			209,572
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	491,219		$	264,730		$	755,949

Gross balance as of December 31, 2017	$	708,133		$	315,133		$	1,023,266
Accumulated impairment losses	(216,914		)	(50,403		)	(267,317		)
Net balance as of December 31, 2017	$	491,219		$	264,730		$	755,949

Summary of other finite-lived intangible assets

Other intangible assets consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016

Amortizable intangible assets:
Carrying amount:
Television network affiliation relationships	$	248,444		$	248,444
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	69,500			45,500
Other	37,069			26,923
Total carrying amount	355,013			320,867
Accumulated amortization:
Television network affiliation relationships	(49,639		)	(37,019		)
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	(26,345		)	(22,525		)
Other	(10,269		)	(5,987		)
Total accumulated amortization	(86,253		)	(65,531		)
Net amortizable intangible assets	268,760			255,336
Indefinite-lived intangible assets — FCC licenses	157,215			157,215
Total other intangible assets	$	425,975		$	412,551

Summary of other indefinite-lived intangible assets

Other intangible assets consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016

Amortizable intangible assets:
Carrying amount:
Television network affiliation relationships	$	248,444		$	248,444
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	69,500			45,500
Other	37,069			26,923
Total carrying amount	355,013			320,867
Accumulated amortization:
Television network affiliation relationships	(49,639		)	(37,019		)
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	(26,345		)	(22,525		)
Other	(10,269		)	(5,987		)
Total accumulated amortization	(86,253		)	(65,531		)
Net amortizable intangible assets	268,760			255,336
Indefinite-lived intangible assets — FCC licenses	157,215			157,215
Total other intangible assets	$	425,975		$	412,551

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

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

The following tables set forth our assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2017 and 2016:



	December 31, 2017
(in thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3

Cash equivalents	$	69,480	$	69,480	$	—	$	—

December 31, 2016

(in thousands)

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Cash equivalents

—

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

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:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015

Other changes in certain working capital accounts, net
Accounts and notes receivable	$	(22,522	)	$	(20,511	)	$	(17,562	)
Income taxes receivable/payable, net	(265		)	4,626			(13,700		)
Accounts payable	(7,259		)	(966		)	(2,696		)
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	3,175			(1,056		)	6,309
Other accrued liabilities	12,645			(6,100		)	(7,087		)
Other, net	(6,282		)	(10,854		)	(5,698		)
Total	$	(20,508	)	$	(34,861	)	$	(40,434	)

Information regarding supplemental cash flow disclosures

Information regarding supplemental cash flow disclosures is as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015

Interest paid	$	18,956	$	15,620	$	13,436
Income taxes paid	1,756		1,100		14,984

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Components of benefit expense

The components of the expense consisted of the following:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015

Interest cost	$	25,966		$	27,359		$	30,477
Expected return on plan assets, net of expenses	(17,439		)	(18,466		)	(24,320		)
Amortization of actuarial loss	4,424			4,406			4,617
Curtailment/Settlement losses	—			—			46,793
Total for defined benefit plans	12,951			13,299			57,567
Multi-employer plans	253			168			180
Withdrawal from GCIU multi-employer plan	—			—			351
SERPs	1,161			1,033			1,107
Defined contribution plans	9,183			8,265			9,858
Net periodic benefit cost	23,548			22,765			69,063
Allocated to discontinued operations	(687		)	(652		)	(886		)
Net periodic benefit cost - continuing operations	$	22,861		$	22,113		$	68,177

Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016			2015

Current year actuarial gain/(loss)	$	12,205	$	(9,379	)	$	1,026
Amortization of actuarial loss	4,424		4,406			4,617
Curtailment/Settlement losses	—		—			46,793
Total	$	16,629	$	(4,973	)	$	52,436

Schedule of assumptions used

Assumptions used to determine the defined benefit pension plans benefit obligations were as follows:



	2017		2016		2015

Weighted average discount rate	3.7	%	4.26	%	4.55	%

Assumptions used in determining the annual retirement plans expense were as follows:



	2017 ⁽¹⁾		2016 ⁽¹⁾		2015 ⁽²⁾

Discount rate	4.26	%	4.55	%	4.01%-4.53%
Long-term rate of return on plan assets	4.20%-4.30%		4.50%-4.65%		4.10%-6.10%

⁽¹⁾ Ranges presented for long-term rate of return on plan assets for 2017 and 2016 represent the rates used for Scripps Pension Plan and Journal Communications, Inc. Employees' Pension Plan.

Schedule of employee benefit plan assets and obligations

The following table presents information about our employee benefit plan assets and obligations:



	Defined Benefit Plans						SERPs
	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016

Change in projected benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	625,535		$	611,257		$	21,260		$	19,800
Interest cost	25,966			27,359			869			910
Benefits paid	(34,997		)	(33,571		)	(948		)	(1,030		)
Actuarial (gains)/losses	38,032			20,490			2,510			1,580
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	654,536			625,535			23,691			21,260
Plan assets:
Fair value at beginning of year	412,459			407,797			—			—
Actual return on plan assets	67,676			29,577			—			—
Company contributions	19,303			8,656			948			1,030
Benefits paid	(34,997		)	(33,571		)	(948		)	(1,030		)
Fair value at end of year	464,441			412,459			—			—
Funded status	$	(190,095	)	$	(213,076	)	$	(23,691	)	$	(21,260	)
Amounts recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Current liabilities	$	—		$	—		$	(6,380	)	$	(1,548	)
Noncurrent liabilities	(190,095		)	(213,076		)	(17,311		)	(19,712		)
Total	$	(190,095	)	$	(213,076	)	$	(23,691	)	$	(21,260	)

Unrecognized net actuarial loss recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	127,666		$	144,294		$	8,667		$	6,342

Schedule of pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation and projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets

Information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation and projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets was as follows:



	Defined Benefit Plans				SERPs
	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2017		2016

Accumulated benefit obligation	$	654,536	$	625,535	$	23,691	$	21,260
Projected benefit obligation	654,536		625,535		23,691		21,260
Fair value of plan assets	464,441		412,459		—		—

Schedule of allocation of pension plan assets by asset category

Information related to our pension plan asset allocations by asset category were as follows:



	Target allocation		Percentage of plan assets as of December 31,
	2018		2017		2016

US equity securities	20	%	21	%	20	%
Non-US equity securities	30	%	29	%	30	%
Fixed-income securities	45	%	44	%	44	%
Other	5	%	6	%	6	%
Total	100	%	100	%	100	%

Plan assets measured using the fair value hierarchy

The following table presents our plan assets using the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016

Equity securities
Common/collective trust funds	$	234,061	$	204,084
Fixed income
Common/collective trust funds	204,453		184,000
Real estate fund	23,102		21,646
Cash equivalents	2,825		2,729
Fair value of plan assets	$	464,441	$	412,459

Segment Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Information regarding business segments

The following table presents additions to property and equipment by segment:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015

Additions to property and equipment:
Local Media	$	16,946	$	21,064	$	20,988
National Media	792		54		66
Other	—		124		83
Shared services and corporate	367		1,283		1,851
Total additions to property and equipment	$	18,105	$	22,525	$	22,988

Total assets by segment for the years ended December 31 were as follows:



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015

Assets:
Local Media	$	1,273,735	$	1,280,885	$	1,285,054
National Media	528,479		117,725		70,861
Other	2,128		7,146		7,044
Shared services and corporate	189,202		184,109		195,307
Total assets of continuing operations	1,993,544		1,589,865		1,558,266
Discontinued operations	136,004		146,041		147,496
Total assets	$	2,129,548	$	1,735,906	$	1,705,762

Information regarding our business segments is as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015

Segment operating revenues:
Local Media	$	779,205		$	836,154		$	637,251
National Media	80,174			27,929			13,014
Other	5,455			4,737			3,910
Total operating revenues	$	864,834		$	868,820		$	654,175
Segment profit (loss):
Local Media	$	156,890		$	243,298		$	127,597
National Media	(9,260		)	(10,156		)	(2,448		)
Other	(2,361		)	(2,513		)	(3,729		)
Shared services and corporate	(50,506		)	(46,162		)	(45,285		)
Acquisition and related integration costs	—			(578		)	(37,988		)
Restructuring costs	(4,422		)	—			—
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets	(56,343		)	(55,204		)	(49,791		)
Impairment of goodwill and intangibles	(35,732		)	—			(24,613		)
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment	(169		)	(480		)	(305		)
Interest expense	(26,697		)	(18,039		)	(15,099		)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(14,112		)	(14,332		)	(58,674		)
Miscellaneous, net	10,636			(2,646		)	(1,421		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(32,076	)	$	93,188		$	(111,756	)
Depreciation:
Local Media	$	31,870		$	30,184		$	29,685
National Media	88			164			525
Other	208			263			258
Shared services and corporate	1,883			1,863			2,344
Total depreciation	$	34,049		$	32,474		$	32,812
Amortization of intangibles:
Local Media	$	15,084		$	16,958		$	14,607
National Media	5,856			4,419			2,034
Shared services and corporate	1,354			1,353			338
Total amortization of intangibles	$	22,294		$	22,730		$	16,979

Capital Stock and Share Based Compensation Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of options outstanding and exercisable

The following table summarizes our stock option activity:



	Number of Shares		Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Range of Exercise Prices

Outstanding at December 31, 2014	1,703,876		$	8.92	$ 7-11
Exercised	(877,966	)	8.85		8-11
Forfeited	170,969		7.62		6-9
Outstanding at December 31, 2015	996,879		7.45		6-9
Exercised	(509,965	)	8.07		8-9
Outstanding at December 31, 2016	486,914		6.81		6-9
Exercised	(235,407	)	6.20		6-8
Outstanding at December 31, 2017	251,507		7.38		6-9

Schedule of cash proceeds received from exercises of stock options

The following table summarizes additional information about exercises of stock options:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015

Cash received upon exercise	$	1,461	$	4,641	$	7,249
Intrinsic value (market value on date of exercise less exercise price)	3,919		4,888		10,801
Tax benefits realized ⁽¹⁾	1,497		1,877		4,101

⁽¹⁾ Benefits for 2015 were not recognized under prior accounting guidance until realized. In 2017 and 2016, upon adoption of new accounting guidance, they are realized when generated.

Restricted stock and restricted stock unit vesting activity

The following table summarizes our RSU activity:



			Fair Value
	Number of Shares		Weighted Average		Range of Prices

Unvested at December 31, 2014	1,224,521		$	13.24	$ 7-22
Awarded	495,396		22.36		20-24
Vested	(650,490	)	12.17		7-22
Forfeited	(220,770	)	16.39		9-22
Impact of Journal Transactions	61,384		13.73		7-22
Unvested at December 31, 2015	910,041		18.22		10-24
Awarded	996,839		15.76		13-18
Vested	(444,267	)	17.78		13-19
Forfeited	(37,436	)	16.82		12-24
Unvested at December 31, 2016	1,425,177		17.05		12-24
Awarded	653,522		22.51		17-24
Vested	(581,920	)	20.78		14-24
Forfeited	(308,856	)	17.20		14-24
Unvested at December 31, 2017	1,187,923		19.99		14-24

Additional information about restricted stock and restricted stock unit vesting

The following table summarizes additional information about RSU vesting:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015

Fair value of RSUs vested	$	12,090	$	7,898	$	15,697
Tax benefits realized on vesting ⁽¹⁾	4,630		3,033		5,965

⁽¹⁾ Benefits for 2015 were not recognized under prior accounting guidance until realized. In 2017 and 2016, upon adoption of new accounting guidance, they are realized when generated.

Schedule of stock compensation costs

Share-based compensation costs were as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015

Total share-based compensation	$	12,960		$	8,093		$	9,545
Included in discontinued operations	(465		)	(270		)	(1,378		)
Included in continuing operations	$	12,495		$	7,823		$	8,167
Share-based compensation, net of tax	$	7,717		$	4,835		$	5,010

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

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



(in thousands)	Gains and Losses on Derivatives			Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other			Total

As of December 31, 2015	$	(242	)	$	(89,740	)	$	180		$	(89,802	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
Interest rate swap ^(a), net of tax of $142	242			—			—			242
Actuarial (loss) gain ^(b), net of tax of $(2,353)	—			(3,936		)	149			(3,787		)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	242			(3,936		)	149			(3,545		)
As of December 31, 2016	—			(93,676		)	329			(93,347		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
Actuarial (loss) gain ^(b), net of tax of $4,016	—			10,150			(355		)	9,795
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	—			10,150			(355		)	9,795
Reclassification of disproportionate tax effects from AOCL	—			(19,429		)	59			(19,370		)
As of December 31, 2017	$	—		$	(102,955	)	$	33		$	(102,922	)

^(a) Included in interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations

^(b) Included in defined benefit pension plan expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations

Summarized Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of quarterly financial information

Summarized quarterly financial information is as follows:



2017	1st			2nd			3rd			4th
(in thousands, except per share data)	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Total

Operating revenues	$	196,329		$	213,749		$	197,781		$	256,975		$	864,834
Costs and expenses	(182,268		)	(181,602		)	(186,456		)	(224,167		)	(774,493		)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(13,861		)	(13,781		)	(13,775		)	(14,926		)	(56,343		)
Impairment of goodwill and intangibles	—			—			(35,732		)	—			(35,732		)
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment	(47		)	(15		)	(114		)	7			(169		)
Interest expense	(4,195		)	(8,248		)	(5,720		)	(8,534		)	(26,697		)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(3,467		)	(3,467		)	(3,551		)	(3,627		)	(14,112		)
Miscellaneous, net	(879		)	5,103			1,187			5,225			10,636
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(8,388		)	11,739			(46,380		)	10,953			(32,076		)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(5,655		)	4,884			(18,776		)	(507		)	(20,054		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(2,733		)	6,855			(27,604		)	11,460			(12,022		)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	781			1,649			984			(6,009		)	(2,595		)
Net income (loss)	(1,952		)	8,504			(26,620		)	5,451			(14,617		)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			—			(1,511		)	(1,511		)
Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	(1,952	)	$	8,504		$	(26,620	)	$	6,962		$	(13,106	)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations per basic share of common stock	$	(0.03	)	$	0.08		$	(0.34	)	$	0.16		$	(0.13	)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations per basic share of common stock	$	0.01		$	0.02		$	0.01		$	(0.07	)	$	(0.03	)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations per diluted share of common stock	$	(0.03	)	$	0.08		$	(0.34	)	$	0.16		$	(0.13	)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations per diluted share of common stock	$	0.01		$	0.02		$	0.01		$	(0.07	)	$	(0.03	)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	82,079			82,302			82,039			81,792			82,052
Diluted	82,079			82,465			82,039			81,792			82,052
Cash dividends per share of common stock	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—



2016	1st			2nd			3rd			4th
(in thousands, except per share data)	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Total

Operating revenues	$	194,196		$	208,833		$	212,838		$	252,953		$	868,820
Costs and expenses	(170,390		)	(171,924		)	(170,506		)	(172,111		)	(684,931		)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(13,609		)	(13,978		)	(13,974		)	(13,643		)	(55,204		)
Impairment of goodwill and intangibles	—			—			—			—			—
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment	4			(22		)	(26		)	(436		)	(480		)
Interest expense	(4,579		)	(4,432		)	(4,592		)	(4,436		)	(18,039		)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(3,450		)	(3,449		)	(3,605		)	(3,828		)	(14,332		)
Miscellaneous, net	(191		)	(458		)	(596		)	(1,401		)	(2,646		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	1,981			14,570			19,539			57,098			93,188
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(1,606		)	5,510			8,563			20,799			33,266
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	3,587			9,060			10,976			36,299			59,922
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	1,301			2,428			1,546			2,038			7,313
Net income (loss)	$	4,888		$	11,488		$	12,522		$	38,337		$	67,235
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			—			—			—
Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	4,888		$	11,488		$	12,522		$	38,337		$	67,235
Net income (loss) from continuing operations per basic share of common stock	$	0.04		$	0.11		$	0.13		$	0.44		$	0.71
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations per basic share of common stock	$	0.02		$	0.03		$	0.02		$	0.02		$	0.09
Net income (loss) from continuing operations per diluted share of common stock	$	0.04		$	0.10		$	0.13		$	0.44		$	0.71
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations per diluted share of common stock	$	0.02		$	0.03		$	0.02		$	0.02		$	0.09
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	83,965			83,773			83,230			82,401			83,339
Diluted	84,225			84,051			83,518			82,684			83,639
Cash dividends per share of common stock	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Operating Results of Discontinued Operations and Net Assets Distributed

Operating results of our divested Newspaper operations included in discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2015 were as follows:



(in thousands)

Operating revenues	$	91,478
Total costs and expenses	(79,869		)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(3,608		)
Other, net	(3,298		)
Loss on disposal of Scripps Newspapers	(30,000		)
Loss on discontinued operations before income taxes	(25,297		)
Benefit for income taxes	9,457
Net loss from discontinued operations	(15,840		)
Noncontrolling interest	—
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(15,840	)

The following table presents a summary of the net assets distributed on April 1, 2015.



(in thousands)

Assets:
Total current assets	$	43,322
Property, plant and equipment	155,047
Other assets	3,829
Total assets included in the disposal group	202,198
Liabilities:
Total current liabilities	47,664
Deferred income taxes	1,966
Other liabilities	9,057
Total liabilities included in the disposal group	58,687
Net assets included in the disposal group	$	143,511

Operating results of our radio operations included in discontinued operations were as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015

Operating revenues	$	69,684		$	74,227		$	61,481
Total costs and expenses	(58,115		)	(58,010		)	(46,778		)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(2,910		)	(3,377		)	(2,161		)
Impairment of goodwill	(8,000		)	—			—
Other, net	(258		)	(63		)	(178		)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	401			12,777			12,364
Provision for income taxes	(2,996		)	(5,464		)	(5,129		)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	(2,595		)	7,313			7,235

The following table presents a summary of the radio assets held for sale included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.



	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016

Assets:
Total current assets	$	12,891	$	14,221
Property and equipment	35,470		35,294
Goodwill and intangible assets	87,462		96,345
Other assets	181		181
Total assets included in the disposal group	136,004		146,041
Liabilities:
Total current liabilities	3,248		2,880
Deferred income taxes	16,288		25,273
Other liabilities	—		24
Total liabilities included in the disposal group	19,536		28,177
Net assets included in the disposal group	$	116,468	$	117,864

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of information related to a disposal group. Includes, but is not limited to, a discontinued operation, disposal classified as held-for-sale or disposed of by means other than sale or disposal of an individually significant component.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65878427&loc=SL51721533-107759

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721665-107760

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=d3e1474-107760

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=d3e1361-107760

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721683-107760

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84176398&loc=SL51724579-110230

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5C
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721675-107760

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721663-107760

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84176398&loc=d3e2941-110230

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721673-107760

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721659-107760

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721671-107760

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5D
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721677-107760

+ Details

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated liabilities for unpaid claims	$ 9.8	$ 10.6
Journal Media Group \| Accounts receivable
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated liabilities for unpaid claims	$ 1.7
Television network affiliation relationships
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	20 years
Customer lists and other intangible assets
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	20 years
FCC licenses \| Maximum
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
FCC license term	8 years
Operating revenue \| Marketing services, including advertising
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	65.00%

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Trade Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, beginning balance	$ 1,490	$ 1,517	$ 1,390
Charged to costs and expenses	1,407	1,601	1,322
Amounts charged off, net	(948)	(1,628)	(1,195)
Allowance for doubtful accounts, ending balance	$ 1,949	$ 1,490	$ 1,517

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated useful lives (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Buildings and improvements \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	15 years
Buildings and improvements \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	45 years
Broadcast transmission towers and related equipment \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	15 years
Broadcast transmission towers and related equipment \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	35 years
Other broadcast and program production equipment \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Other broadcast and program production equipment \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	15 years
Computer hardware \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Computer hardware \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Office and other equipment \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Office and other equipment \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	10 years

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($)
shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Sep. 30, 2017

Jun. 30, 2017

Mar. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

Sep. 30, 2016

Jun. 30, 2016

Mar. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share)

Net income (loss) from continuing operations

$ 11,460

$ (27,604)

$ 6,855

$ (2,733)

$ 36,299

$ 10,976

$ 9,060

$ 3,587

$ (12,022)

$ 59,922

$ (73,872)

Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

$ (1,511)

$ 0

1,511

Income allocated to RSUs

(817)

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding

$ (10,511)

$ 59,105

$ (73,872)

Denominator

81,792

82,039

82,302

82,079

82,401

83,230

83,773

83,965

82,052

83,339

77,373

Effect of dilutive securities:

Stock options held by employees and directors

300

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding

81,792

82,039

82,465

82,079

82,684

83,518

84,051

84,225

82,052

83,639

77,373

Anti-dilutive securities

^[1]

1,220

1,907

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

Recently Adopted Standards and Issued Accounting Standards (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$ 1,088	$ 2,665	$ 5,011	$ 7,024
Reclassification of tax effects from AOCI to retained earnings	19,370
Share Based Compensation Arrangements [Member] \| Deferred Tax Asset
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits			$ 14,700
Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncement [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]
Revenues	20,000
AOCI
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]
Reclassification of tax effects from AOCI to retained earnings	19,370
AOCI \| Accounting Standards Update 2018-02
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]
Reclassification of tax effects from AOCI to retained earnings	19,400
Retained Earnings
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]
Reclassification of tax effects from AOCI to retained earnings	(19,370)
Retained Earnings \| Accounting Standards Update 2018-02
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]
Reclassification of tax effects from AOCI to retained earnings	$ (19,400)

Acquisitions - Narrative (Details)							3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Acquisitions - Narrative (Details)	Oct. 02, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 06, 2016 USD ($) show	Apr. 12, 2016 USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2015 USD ($)	Jul. 22, 2015 USD ($) show	Apr. 01, 2015 USD ($) radio_station television_station shares	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill							$ 755,949,000	$ 575,780,000	$ 755,949,000	$ 575,780,000	$ 544,787,000	$ 106,261,000
Shares issued for acquisition \| shares									0	0	26,350,993
Goodwill, Acquired During Period									$ 209,572,000
KNIN [Member] \| Raycom Media, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business disposition, consideration to be received				$ 14,500,000
Local Media
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill							491,219,000	491,219,000	491,219,000	$ 491,219,000	$ 491,219,000	$ 77,279,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period									0
Katz Broadcasting Group
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, purchase price	$ 292,000,000
Noncontrolling interest prior to acquisition	5.33%
Intangible assets acquired	$ 32,300,000
Goodwill	209,572,000
Revenues from acquired operations							$ 41,000,000
Gain on fair value remeasurement of acquisition									$ 5,400,000
Katz Broadcasting Group \| Trade names
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets acquired	$ 8,000,000
Estimated useful life	10 years
Katz Broadcasting Group \| Advertiser relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets acquired	$ 24,000,000
Estimated useful life	5 years
2016 Stitcher acquisition
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, purchase price		$ 4,500,000
Intangible assets acquired		$ 2,900,000
Number of podcast shows \| show		65,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period										1,590,000
2016 Stitcher acquisition \| Computer software
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated useful life		3 years
2016 Stitcher acquisition \| Local Media
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period										0
2016 Cracked acquisition
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, purchase price			$ 39,000,000
Intangible assets acquired			9,600,000
Goodwill			29,000,000
Revenues from acquired operations								$ 4,000,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period										29,403,000
2016 Cracked acquisition \| Trade names
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets acquired			$ 7,600,000
Estimated useful life			20 years
2016 Cracked acquisition \| Media content
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets acquired			$ 2,000,000
Estimated useful life			3 years
2016 Cracked acquisition \| Local Media
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period										$ 0
2015 Midroll acquisition
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, purchase price					$ 50,000,000
Intangible assets acquired					10,700,000
Goodwill					$ 45,586,000
Number of podcast shows \| show					300
Business acquisition, earnout provision					$ 10,000,000
Earnout provision, payment term					3 years
Earnout provision, fair value					$ 7,000,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period											45,586,000
2015 Midroll acquisition \| Advertiser relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets acquired					$ 7,000,000
Estimated useful life					5 years
2015 Midroll acquisition \| Other intangible assets
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets acquired					$ 4,000,000
2015 Midroll acquisition \| Local Media
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period											0
2015 Journal acquisition
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, purchase price						$ 636,000,000
Intangible assets acquired						294,800,000
Goodwill						$ 456,440,000
Number of television stations acquired \| television_station						12
Number of radio stations acquired \| radio_station						34
Goodwill, Acquired During Period											415,440,000
2015 Journal acquisition \| Retransmission agreements, television network affiliate relationships, advertiser relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets acquired						$ 183,000,000
2015 Journal acquisition \| Retransmission agreements, television network affiliate relationships, advertiser relationships \| Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated useful life						10 years
2015 Journal acquisition \| Retransmission agreements, television network affiliate relationships, advertiser relationships \| Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated useful life						20 years
2015 Journal acquisition \| FCC licenses
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets acquired						$ 112,000,000
2015 Journal acquisition \| Common Stock \| Common stock, Class A
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Shares issued for acquisition \| shares						26,400,000
2015 Journal acquisition \| Local Media
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period											$ 415,440,000
2015 Journal acquisition \| Radio
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill						$ 41,000,000

Acquisitions - Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 02, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jul. 22, 2015	Apr. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed
Current portion of programs and program licenses	$ 53,468		$ 3,207
Goodwill	755,949		575,780	$ 544,787			$ 106,261
Programs and program licenses, less current portion	85,269		1,796
Program license liability	58,176		10,665
Program rights payable (less current portion)	$ 54,641		$ 2,440
Katz Broadcasting Group
Fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed
Cash		$ 21,372
Accounts receivable		44,306
Current portion of programs and program licenses		47,120
Intangible assets		32,300
Goodwill		209,572
Programs and program licenses, less current portion		74,998
Other long-term assets		1,395
Total assets acquired		431,063
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		29,339
Program license liability		46,376
Program rights payable (less current portion)		53,036
Net purchase price		$ 302,312
2015 Midroll acquisition
Fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed
Cash					$ 635
Accounts receivable					2,925
Other assets					482
Intangible assets					10,700
Goodwill					45,586
Total assets acquired					60,328
Current liabilities					3,365
Net purchase price					$ 56,963
2015 Journal acquisition
Fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed
Cash						$ 2,529
Accounts receivable						47,978
Other assets						2,236
Property and equipment						123,264
Intangible assets						294,800
Goodwill						456,440
Other long-term assets						6,350
Assets held for sale						14,500
Total assets acquired						948,097
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities						38,107
Employee benefit obligations						85,261
Deferred tax liability						57,112
Long-term debt						126,873
Other long-term liabilities						4,744
Net purchase price						$ 636,000

Acquisitions - Pro Forma Results of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 978,303	$ 997,759	$ 778,118
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ (12,477)	$ 55,506	$ (37,452)
Income (loss) per share from operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.13)	$ 0.66	$ (0.45)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.13)	$ 0.65	$ (0.45)

Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived									$ 6,300
Restructuring costs									4,422	$ 0	$ 0
Impairment charge		$ 29,000							29,403		22,500
Acquisition and related integration costs									0	578	37,988
Impairment of goodwill and intangibles	$ 0	$ 35,732	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	35,732	$ 0	$ 24,613
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] \| Newspaper Syndication [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal									3,000
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs									3,500
2015 Midroll acquisition
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Business Combination, Earn-Out Provision, Adjustment									$ 3,200
Katz Broadcasting Group
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Gain recorded on investments	$ 5,400

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	$ 20,000	$ 16,608
Provisional discrete net benefit due to rate change	4,200
Net deferred tax liability	20,076
Unrecognized tax deductions, share-based compensation	16,000
Potential affect of unrecognized tax benefits on effective tax rate	400
Interest accrued on unrecognized tax benefits		400
Income tax benefit, recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits	1,100	$ 900	$ 2,500
Potential change in unrecognized tax benefits	200
Federal
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	24,000
State
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	$ 257,000

Income Taxes - Provision for income taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current:
Federal									$ 215	$ 904	$ 279
State and local									(963)	(1,628)	(3,588)
Total current income tax provision									(748)	(724)	(3,309)
Deferred federal									(16,602)	31,029	(30,546)
Deferred state and local									(2,704)	2,961	(4,029)
Total deferred income tax provision									(19,306)	33,990	(34,575)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$ (507)	$ (18,776)	$ 4,884	$ (5,655)	$ 20,799	$ 8,563	$ 5,510	$ (1,606)	$ (20,054)	$ 33,266	$ (37,884)

Income Taxes - Effective income tax reconciliation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Effective Income Tax Rate, Tax Rate Reconciliation
Statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Effect of:
State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	2.20%	3.00%	3.50%
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	7.10%	(1.80%)	0.00%
Nondeductible expenses	(4.60%)	1.40%	(1.70%)
Reserve for uncertain tax positions	3.60%	(0.80%)	2.20%
Nondeductible goodwill impairment	0.00%	0.00%	(6.80%)
U.S. federal statutory rate change	13.20%	0.00%	0.00%
Other	6.00%	(1.10%)	1.70%
Effective income tax rate	62.50%	35.70%	33.90%

Income Taxes - Deferred tax (liabilities) assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Temporary differences [Abstract]
Property and equipment	$ (14,493)	$ (27,049)
Goodwill and other intangible assets	(52,532)	(79,610)
Investments, primarily gains and losses not yet recognized for tax purposes	2,792	5,180
Accrued expenses not deductible until paid	7,136	8,700
Deferred compensation and retiree benefits not deductible until paid	61,070	96,910
Other temporary differences, net	3,267	3,835
Total temporary differences	7,240	7,966
Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards	15,455	9,597
Valuation allowance for state deferred tax assets	(2,619)	(955)
Net deferred tax liability	(20,076)
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	$ 20,000	$ 16,608

Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax Benefit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Roll Forward]
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$ 2,665	$ 5,011	$ 7,024
Increases in tax positions for prior years	16	22	859
Decreases in tax positions for prior years	(390)	(1,684)	(96)
Increases in tax positions for current years	0	336	0
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions	(54)	0	0
Decreases from lapse in statute of limitations	(1,149)	(1,020)	(2,776)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	$ 1,088	$ 2,665	$ 5,011

Restricted Cash - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	$ 5.1	$ 5.5

Investments - Schedule (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investments [Abstract]
Investments held at cost	$ 4,603	$ 10,774
Equity method investments	3,096	3,447
Total investments	$ 7,699	$ 14,221

Property and Equipment - Schedule (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 510,621	$ 498,540
Accumulated depreciation	300,626	273,103
Net property and equipment	209,995	225,437
Land and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	47,405	47,405
Buildings and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	139,685	137,013
Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	308,873	299,544
Computer software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 14,658	$ 14,578

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill by business segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of activity related to goodwill by business segment
Gross balance		$ 1,023,266	$ 813,694	$ 782,701	$ 321,675
Accumulated impairment losses		(267,317)	(237,914)	(237,914)	(215,414)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period		575,780	544,787	106,261
Acquisitions		209,572
Impairment charge	$ (29,000)	(29,403)		(22,500)
Balance, end of period		755,949	575,780	544,787
Local Media
Summary of activity related to goodwill by business segment
Gross balance		708,133	708,133	708,133	292,693
Accumulated impairment losses		(216,914)	(216,914)	(216,914)	(215,414)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period		491,219	491,219	77,279
Acquisitions		0
Impairment charge		0		(1,500)
Balance, end of period		491,219	491,219	491,219
National Media
Summary of activity related to goodwill by business segment
Gross balance		315,133	105,561	74,568	28,982
Accumulated impairment losses		(50,403)	(21,000)	(21,000)	$ 0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period		84,561	53,568	28,982
Acquisitions		209,572
Impairment charge		(29,403)		(21,000)
Balance, end of period		$ 264,730	84,561	53,568
Journal acquisition
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions				415,440
Journal acquisition \| Local Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions				415,440
Journal acquisition \| National Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions				0
Midroll acquisition
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions				45,586
Midroll acquisition \| Local Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions				0
Midroll acquisition \| National Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions				$ 45,586
Cracked acquisition
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions			29,403
Cracked acquisition \| Local Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions			0
Cracked acquisition \| National Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions			29,403
Stitcher acquisition
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions			1,590
Stitcher acquisition \| Local Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions			0
Stitcher acquisition \| National Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions			$ 1,590

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of other intangible assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Carrying amount:
Total carrying amount	$ 355,013	$ 320,867
Accumulated amortization:
Total accumulated amortization	(86,253)	(65,531)
Net amortizable intangible assets	268,760	255,336
Total other intangible assets	425,975	412,551
FCC licenses
Accumulated amortization:
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets - FCC licenses	157,215	157,215
Television network affiliation relationships
Carrying amount:
Total carrying amount	248,444	248,444
Accumulated amortization:
Total accumulated amortization	(49,639)	(37,019)
Customer lists and advertiser relationships
Carrying amount:
Total carrying amount	69,500	45,500
Accumulated amortization:
Total accumulated amortization	(26,345)	(22,525)
Other intangible assets
Carrying amount:
Total carrying amount	37,069	26,923
Accumulated amortization:
Total accumulated amortization	$ (10,269)	$ (5,987)

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for 2018			$ 27,500
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for 2019			26,100
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for 2020			24,900
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for 2021			22,500
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for 2022			20,300
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for later years			147,500
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment charge	$ 29,000		29,403		$ 22,500
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived			6,300
Newsy
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment charge		$ 21,000
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)		$ 2,900
Second small business
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment charge				$ 1,500
Cable And Satellite Carriage Rights
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible assets acquired			$ 9,700

Long-Term Debt - Components of Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2017

Apr. 28, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

Less: Debt issuance costs

$ 701,906,000

$ 395,833,000

(8,631,000)

(2,648,000)

Current portion of long-term debt

(5,656,000)

(6,571,000)

Long-term debt (less current portion)

687,619,000

386,614,000

Fair value of long-term debt

^[1]

703,572,000

395,514,000

Variable rate credit facility

Term loan

299,250,000

390,521,000

Senior unsecured notes

Unsecured subordinated notes payable

400,000,000

Financing Agreement | Variable rate credit facility

$ 2,656,000

$ 5,312,000

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

$ 100,000,000

[1]

Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Details)			3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Details)	Oct. 02, 2017 USD ($)	Apr. 28, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016
Senior 5.125% Unsecured Notes, Due 2025 \| Term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost			$ 2,400,000
Term Loan B, Maturing 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face amount	$ 300,000,000
Variable interest rate					3.82%	3.27%
Weighted average interest rate					3.42%	3.48%
Debt periodic payment	$ 3,000,000
Term Loan B, Maturing 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repaid debt face amount					$ 400,000,000
Financing Agreement \| Variable rate credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit and term loan agreement		$ 100,000,000
Unsecured subordinated notes payable
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured subordinated notes payable stated percentage interest rate					7.25%
Debt periodic payment					$ 2,700,000
Unsecured subordinated notes payable \| Senior 5.125% Unsecured Notes, Due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face amount		$ 400,000,000
Unsecured subordinated notes payable stated percentage interest rate		5.125%
Debt Instrument, Issuance Price, Percentage Of Par		100.00%
Debt Issuance Costs, Net		$ 7,000,000
Line of Credit \| Financing Agreement Amendment \| Variable rate credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit and term loan agreement		$ 125,000,000
Pro forma net leverage ratio			5.5	5.5
Line of Credit \| Financing Agreement Amendment \| Variable rate credit facility \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of commitment fees of total unused commitment under revolving credit facility				0.30%
Line of Credit \| Financing Agreement Amendment \| Variable rate credit facility \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of commitment fees of total unused commitment under revolving credit facility				0.50%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member] \| Unsecured subordinated notes payable \| Senior 5.125% Unsecured Notes, Due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage		100.00%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member] \| Unsecured subordinated notes payable \| Senior 5.125% Unsecured Notes, Due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage		40.00%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| Term Loan B, Maturing 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
LIBOR plus margin range	2.25%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| Line of Credit \| Financing Agreement Amendment \| Variable rate credit facility \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
LIBOR plus margin range				1.75%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| Line of Credit \| Financing Agreement Amendment \| Variable rate credit facility \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
LIBOR plus margin range				2.50%

Fair Value Measurement - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value (Details) - Recurring Measurements - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash equivalents	$ 69,480	$ 0
Level 1
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash equivalents	69,480	0
Level 2
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash equivalents	0	0
Level 3
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash equivalents	$ 0	$ 0

Other Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Other liabilities
Employee compensation and benefits	$ 18,520	$ 18,356
Program licenses	54,641	2,440
Liability for pension benefits	207,406	232,788
Liabilities for uncertain tax positions	644	2,416
Other	12,445	17,929
Other liabilities (less current portion)	$ 293,656	$ 273,929

Supplemental Cash Flow Information - Change in Certain Working Capital Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Accounts and notes receivable	$ (22,522)	$ (20,511)	$ (17,562)
Income taxes receivable/payable, net	(265)	4,626	(13,700)
Accounts payable	(7,259)	(966)	(2,696)
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	3,175	(1,056)	6,309
Other accrued liabilities	12,645	(6,100)	(7,087)
Other, net	(6,282)	(10,854)	(5,698)
Total	$ (20,508)	$ (34,861)	$ (40,434)

Supplemental Cash Flow Information - Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosure (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Interest paid	$ 18,956	$ 15,620	$ 13,436
Income taxes paid	$ 1,756	1,100	$ 14,984
Computer software
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible software assets acquired		$ 7,100

Employee Benefit Plans - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) plan	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected amortization of actuarial loss from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit costs			$ 4,000
Estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid in 2018			40,500
Estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid in 2019			35,600
Estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid in 2020			36,400
Estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid in 2021			37,000
Estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid in 2022			37,500
Total estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid for the five years ending 2027			$ 193,800
Target plan asset allocations range			100.00%
Fixed-income securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target plan asset allocations range			45.00%
Equity and other return-seeking assets
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target plan asset allocations range			55.00%
Defined benefit plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of plans \| plan			2
Current year actuarial gain (loss)			$ 12,205	$ (9,379)	$ 1,026
Curtailments		$ 1,100	0	0	46,793
Defined benefit pension plan, noncash pension settlement charge	$ 45,700
Expected contributions to benefit plans			$ 17,500
SERPs
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of plans \| plan			2
Amortization of actuarial loss			$ (200)	(200)	(200)
Current year actuarial gain (loss)			(2,500)	$ 2,300	$ (1,600)
Expected amortization of actuarial loss from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit costs			300
Expected contributions to benefit plans			$ 6,500

Employee Benefit Plans - Components of Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost		$ 23,548	$ 22,765	$ 69,063
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense, Discontinued Operations		(687)	(652)	(886)
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense, Continuing Operations		22,861	22,113	68,177
Withdrawal from Multiemployer Defined Benefit Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost		0	0	351
Multi-employer plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost		253	168	180
Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Interest cost		25,966	27,359	30,477
Expected return on plan assets, net of expenses		(17,439)	(18,466)	(24,320)
Amortization of actuarial loss		4,424	4,406	4,617
Curtailments	$ 1,100	0	0	46,793
Total for defined benefit plans		12,951	13,299	57,567
Pension Plan \| Defined contribution plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost		9,183	8,265	9,858
SERPs
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Interest cost		869	910
Net periodic benefit cost		$ 1,161	$ 1,033	$ 1,107

Employee Benefit Plans - Changes Recognized in OCI (Details) - Pension Plan - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current year actuarial gain/(loss)		$ 12,205	$ (9,379)	$ 1,026
Amortization of actuarial loss		(4,424)	(4,406)	(4,617)
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, (Increase) Decrease for Curtailment	$ 1,100	0	0	46,793
Total		$ 16,629	$ (4,973)	$ 52,436

Employee Benefit Plans - Annual Retirement Plan Expense Assumptions (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	4.26%	4.55%
Minimum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate			4.01%
Long-term rate of return on plan assets	4.20%	4.50%	4.10%
Maximum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate			4.53%
Long-term rate of return on plan assets	4.30%	4.65%	6.10%

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Defined benefit plans
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ 625,535	$ 611,257
Interest cost	25,966	27,359	$ 30,477
Benefits paid	(34,997)	(33,571)
Actuarial (gains)/losses	38,032	20,490
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	654,536	625,535	611,257
Plan assets:
Fair value at beginning of year	412,459	407,797
Actual return on plan assets	67,676	29,577
Company contributions	19,303	8,656
Benefits paid	(34,997)	(33,571)
Fair value at end of year	464,441	412,459	407,797
Funded status	(190,095)	(213,076)
Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Current liabilities	0	0
Noncurrent liabilities	(190,095)	(213,076)
Total	(190,095)	(213,076)
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss:
Unrecognized net actuarial loss recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	127,666	144,294
SERPs
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	21,260	19,800
Interest cost	869	910
Benefits paid	(948)	(1,030)
Actuarial (gains)/losses	2,510	1,580
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	23,691	21,260	19,800
Plan assets:
Fair value at beginning of year	0	0
Actual return on plan assets	0	0
Company contributions	948	1,030
Benefits paid	(948)	(1,030)
Fair value at end of year	0	0	$ 0
Funded status	(23,691)	(21,260)
Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Current liabilities	(6,380)	(1,548)
Noncurrent liabilities	(17,311)	(19,712)
Total	(23,691)	(21,260)
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss:
Unrecognized net actuarial loss recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ 8,667	$ 6,342

Employee Benefit Plans - Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Defined benefit plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 654,536	$ 625,535
Projected benefit obligation	654,536	625,535	$ 611,257
Fair value of plan assets	464,441	412,459	407,797
SERPs
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	23,691	21,260
Projected benefit obligation	23,691	21,260	19,800
Fair value of plan assets	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Employee Benefit Plans - Allocation of Plan Assets (Details)	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	100.00%
Percentage of plan assets at end of period	100.00%	100.00%
US equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	20.00%
Percentage of plan assets at end of period	21.00%	20.00%
Non-US equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	30.00%
Percentage of plan assets at end of period	29.00%	30.00%
Fixed-income securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	45.00%
Percentage of plan assets at end of period	44.00%	44.00%
Other
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	5.00%
Percentage of plan assets at end of period	6.00%	6.00%

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of plan assets by fair value hierarchy (Details) - Estimate of fair value - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 464,441	$ 412,459
Equity securities, Common/collective trust funds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	234,061	204,084
Fixed income, Common/collective trust funds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	204,453	184,000
Real Estate Fund
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	23,102	21,646
Cash equivalents
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 2,825	$ 2,729

Segment Information - Narrative (Details) - Local Media	Dec. 31, 2017 affiliate
ABC affiliates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of television affiliates	15
NBC affiliates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of television affiliates	5
FOX affiliates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of television affiliates	2
CBS affiliates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of television affiliates	2
Non big-four affiliated stations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of television affiliates	1
Azteca America Spanish-language affiliates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of television affiliates	3
My TV Affiliates [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of television affiliates	2
CW Affiliate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of television affiliates	1

Segment Information - Schedule of Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment operating revenues:
Total operating revenues	$ 256,975	$ 197,781	$ 213,749	$ 196,329	$ 252,953	$ 212,838	$ 208,833	$ 194,196	$ 864,834	$ 868,820	$ 654,175
Segment profit (loss):
Operating Income (Loss)									(1,903)	128,205	(36,562)
Acquisition and related integration costs									0	(578)	(37,988)
Restructuring costs									(4,422)	0	0
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(14,926)	(13,775)	(13,781)	(13,861)	(13,643)	(13,974)	(13,978)	(13,609)	(56,343)	(55,204)	(49,791)
Impairment of goodwill and intangibles	0	(35,732)	0	0	0	0	0	0	(35,732)	0	(24,613)
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment	7	(114)	(15)	(47)	(436)	(26)	(22)	4	(169)	(480)	(305)
Interest expense	(8,534)	(5,720)	(8,248)	(4,195)	(4,436)	(4,592)	(4,432)	(4,579)	(26,697)	(18,039)	(15,099)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(3,627)	(3,551)	(3,467)	(3,467)	(3,828)	(3,605)	(3,449)	(3,450)	(14,112)	(14,332)	(58,674)
Miscellaneous, net	5,225	$ 1,187	$ 5,103	$ (879)	(1,401)	$ (596)	$ (458)	$ (191)	10,636	(2,646)	(1,421)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, extraordinary items, noncontrolling interest									(32,076)	93,188	(111,756)
Depreciation:
Total depreciation									34,049	32,474	32,812
Amortization of intangibles:
Total amortization of intangibles									22,294	22,730	16,979
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Total additions to property, plant and equipment									18,105	22,525	22,988
Assets
Total assets	2,129,548				1,735,906				2,129,548	1,735,906	1,705,762
Continuing Operations
Assets
Total assets	1,993,544				1,589,865				1,993,544	1,589,865	1,558,266
Discontinued Operations
Assets
Total assets	136,004				146,041				136,004	146,041	147,496
Local Media
Segment operating revenues:
Total operating revenues									779,205	836,154	637,251
Segment profit (loss):
Operating Income (Loss)									156,890	243,298	127,597
Depreciation:
Total depreciation									31,870	30,184	29,685
Amortization of intangibles:
Total amortization of intangibles									15,084	16,958	14,607
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Total additions to property, plant and equipment									16,946	21,064	20,988
Assets
Total assets	1,273,735				1,280,885				1,273,735	1,280,885	1,285,054
National Media
Segment operating revenues:
Total operating revenues									80,174	27,929	13,014
Segment profit (loss):
Operating Income (Loss)									(9,260)	(10,156)	(2,448)
Depreciation:
Total depreciation									88	164	525
Amortization of intangibles:
Total amortization of intangibles									5,856	4,419	2,034
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Total additions to property, plant and equipment									792	54	66
Assets
Total assets	528,479				117,725				528,479	117,725	70,861
Other
Segment operating revenues:
Total operating revenues									5,455	4,737	3,910
Segment profit (loss):
Operating Income (Loss)									(2,361)	(2,513)	(3,729)
Depreciation:
Total depreciation									208	263	258
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Total additions to property, plant and equipment									0	124	83
Assets
Total assets	2,128				7,146				2,128	7,146	7,044
Shared services and corporate
Segment profit (loss):
Operating Income (Loss)									(50,506)	(46,162)	(45,285)
Depreciation:
Total depreciation									1,883	1,863	2,344
Amortization of intangibles:
Total amortization of intangibles									1,354	1,353	338
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Total additions to property, plant and equipment									367	1,283	1,851
Assets
Total assets	$ 189,202				$ 184,109				$ 189,202	$ 184,109	$ 195,307

Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Future minimum payments on noncancelable leases in 2018	$ 4.5
Future minimum payments on noncancelable leases in 2019	4.5
Future minimum payments on noncancelable leases in 2020	2.8
Future minimum payments on noncancelable leases in 2021	1.5
Future minimum payments on noncancelable leases in 2022	1.2
Future minimum payments on noncancelable leases due in later years	5.2
Rental expense	$ 13.1	$ 11.1	$ 8.8

Capital Stock and Share Based Compensation Plans - Narrative (Details)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

USD ($)

director

common_share

$ / shares

Dec. 31, 2016

USD ($)

$ / shares

Dec. 31, 2015

USD ($)

$ / shares

Nov. 30, 2016

USD ($)

Classes of common shares | common_share

Minimum number of directors up for election to entitle shareholders to vote | director

Minumum percent of directors up for election to entitle shareholders to vote

33.33%

Stock repurchased during period, value

$ 17,885,000

$ 44,401,000

^[1]

$ 16,222,000

^[1]

Number of shares available for future stock compensation grants | shares

3,900,000.0

Total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock, RSUs and performance shares

$ 11,100,000

Common stock, Class A

Stock repurchase program, authorized amount

$ 100,000,000

Stock repurchased during period, value

17,900,000

$ 44,400,000

$ 16,200,000

Outstanding amount authorized

$ 83,000,000

Common stock, Class A | Minimum

Range of price of shares repurchased (in usd per share) | $ / shares

$ 14.05

$ 12.84

$ 15.92

Common stock, Class A | Maximum

Range of price of shares repurchased (in usd per share) | $ / shares

$ 23.01

$ 19.51

$ 24.96

Stock Options | Common stock, Class A | Maximum

Purchase price of stock options granted, percent of fair market value

100.00%

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Weighted-average period of recognition, years

1 year 5 months

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Minimum

Vesting period of stock options

3 years

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Maximum