Scripps adds originals across Bounce, Grit, news, and sports

Scripps is using originals to give each of its brands a clearer programming identity, while also giving its new free streaming sports channel a launch slate. The mix spans unscripted entertainment, interview programming, and women’s sports, which shows the company is extending the same content strategy across linear networks and streaming. For StreamingMeme readers, the key signal is execution: Grit’s first original production, the March 24 Scripps Sports Network launch, and the March 27 debut of Camerota’s series are the near-term markers to track.

The 2026 upfront season arrives as Scripps aggressively reshapes its portfolio through asset sales and strategic sports acquisitions. Per Stock Titan (March 2026), Scripps recently closed the $83 million sale of WRTV in Indianapolis to reallocate capital toward debt reduction and its ION station footprint. This financial restructuring supports a 'local-first' sports strategy that now includes local broadcast rights for the NHL’s Nashville Predators and Detroit Pistons starting in the 2026–27 season, according to reports from NHL.com and Sports Media Watch (April/June 2026).

Beyond team-specific deals, Scripps has positioned itself as a primary hub for women's professional sports. Its ION network currently broadcasts the WNBA, NWSL, and the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). Per Investing.com (April 2026), the company recently signed a multi-year deal with Professional Bull Riders to exclusively air Premier Women’s Rodeo on ION and Grit. These rights are increasingly central to Scripps’ pitch to advertisers, as the company reported that Scripps News alone saw a 23% year-over-year viewership increase across FAST platforms in early 2026.

However, this expansion is occurring against a backdrop of volatility for its production partners. While Scripps is deepening its ties with Hartbeat Productions, the Los Angeles Times reported in May 2026 that Kevin Hart’s media company has faced significant staff cuts and a management vacuum following a partnership deal with Authentic Brands Group. Furthermore, Scripps remains locked in retransmission disputes; in June 2026, roughly 54 Scripps-owned local stations were pulled from DirecTV, highlighting the tension between traditional carriage fees and the company’s digital growth ambitions.