Scripps Acquires Lexington ABC Affiliate WTVQ for $15.8M
E.W. Scripps has closed its purchase of WTVQ, the ABC affiliate in Lexington, Ky., from Morris Network for $15.8 million.
E.W. Scripps Company has finalized its acquisition of WTVQ, the ABC affiliate serving Lexington, Kentucky, paying $15.8 million to seller Morris Network, Inc., the company announced. The deal, which had been previously disclosed, marks another strategic addition to the Scripps broadcast television portfolio in a key mid-sized Southern market.
Lexington is one of Kentucky's largest media markets, and WTVQ's ABC affiliation gives Scripps a foothold in a region where network-affiliated local stations continue to command significant advertising revenue and audience share. Acquiring an established network affiliate rather than building from the ground up is a well-worn expansion tactic for major broadcast groups looking to scale efficiently.
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The $15.8 million price tag reflects the competitive but measured valuations currently seen in mid-market local television deals, where buyers weigh affiliate agreements, existing advertiser relationships, and retransmission consent revenue against the purchase cost. Scripps, which operates a large portfolio of local television and digital media properties across the United States, has pursued acquisitions as a central pillar of its growth strategy in recent years.
The completion of this transaction signals continued consolidation pressure within the local broadcast industry, as larger groups absorb independently owned stations like those previously held by Morris Network. Analysts watching the sector note that station groups with scale can negotiate more favorable retransmission and advertising terms than smaller independent operators.
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