Scripps Expands Mountain West Reach with Five-Market Station Swap with Gray Media
Scripps swapped WSYM in Lansing and KATC in Lafayette to Gray Media for KKTV in Colorado Springs, KKCO and KJCT-LP in Grand Junction, plus KMVT and KSVT-LD in Twin Falls. The even exchange boosts Scripps’ Colorado Springs and Twin Falls operations and creates its first Grand Junction footprint.
1. Transaction Details
Scripps swapped WSYM (Fox) in Lansing and KATC (ABC) in Lafayette to Gray Media in exchange for KKTV (CBS) in Colorado Springs, KKCO (NBC) and KJCT-LP (ABC) in Grand Junction, and KMVT (CBS) plus KSVT-LD (Fox) in Twin Falls. The even exchange involved no cash consideration, reflecting parity in station values across five mid-sized and small markets.
2. Market Expansion Impact
The deal deepens Scripps’ existing operations in Colorado Springs and Twin Falls, where the company already serves local audiences. It also grants Scripps its first broadcast presence in Grand Junction, establishing a new foothold in the Mountain West region.
3. Strategic Rationale
Leadership views scale and localism as complementary, aiming to enhance economic durability for high-quality news, emergency alerts, weather coverage and local sports. The footprint adjustment supports the company’s public service commitment by strengthening trusted voices in those communities.