Scripps Sells Fort Myers WFTX Station for $40M to Pay Down Debt
Scripps closed sale of Fox-affiliated WFTX in Fort Myers-Naples to Sun Broadcasting for $40M, using proceeds to reduce debt and boost its balance sheet. This divestiture follows its October sale of ABC-affiliate WRTV in Indianapolis for $83M and its July station swap with Gray Media covering five mid-size markets.
1. WFTX Station Sale Completed
The E.W. Scripps Company sold its Fox-affiliated WFTX station in Fort Myers-Naples to Sun Broadcasting for $40 million, with the transaction closing on March 2, 2026.
2. Debt Reduction and Balance Sheet Strengthening
Proceeds from the sale will be directed toward reducing debt and boosting the company’s balance sheet, reflecting management’s focus on financial stability and leverage management.
3. Ongoing Portfolio Optimization
This sale is part of a broader strategy to optimize Scripps’s local television portfolio, following its October sale of ABC-affiliate WRTV in Indianapolis for $83 million and a pending station swap with Gray Media covering five mid-size markets.