CINCINNATI – The E. W. Scripps Company's controlling class of shareholders has approved the separation of Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. into a separate publicly traded company.
Holders of the controlling class of Scripps Common Voting Shares approved the separation during the company's annual shareholder meeting, which was held today in Cincinnati. The company's controlling shareholder, The Edward W. Scripps Trust, previously indicated that it would approve the separation transaction.
There is no public market for the controlling Common Voting Shares. Ohio law does not require a vote on the transaction by holders of the company's publicly traded Class A Common Shares.
Earlier this week, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) affirmed the effectiveness of the Form 10 registration statement that was filed for Scripps Networks Interactive. The shareholder vote and effectiveness ruling from the SEC make it possible for Scripps to complete the pro rata distribution of shares in Scripps Networks Interactive to Scripps shareholders on July 1.
Scripps Networks Interactive Class A Common Shares and Class A Common Shares of The E.W. Scripps Company (on a post spin-off basis) are currently trading on a "when-issued" basis on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols "SNIWI" and "SSPWI," respectively. They will continue to trade on a "when-issued" basis through the completion of the spin-off. During this period, Class A Common Shares of The E.W. Scripps Company will continue regular way trading on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "SSP."
On July 1, regular way trading will commence for Scripps Networks Interactive under the ticker symbol "SNI" and will continue for The E.W. Scripps Company under the ticker symbol "SSP."
About the transaction
The E. W. Scripps Company's board of directors in October 2007 authorized management to pursue a separation of Scripps into two companies; one focused on national and global lifestyle media and interactive services, and the other on market-leading local media franchises.
The July 1 separation will take the form of a tax-free distribution of Scripps Networks Interactive stock to Scripps shareholders. Post-transaction, Scripps shareholders will continue to own stock in both companies.
All shareholders of record (as of June 16) will receive one share of Scripps Networks Interactive stock on July 1 for each share of stock they own in The E. W. Scripps Company.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements related to the company's businesses, including the proposed separation plan, that are based on management's current expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties, including changes in advertising demand and other economic conditions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. The company's written policy on forward-looking statements can be found on page F-5 of its 2007 SEC Form 10K.
We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date the statement is made.
About Scripps
The E. W. Scripps Company's portfolio of media properties includes: Scripps Networks, with such brands as HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, Fine Living and Great American Country; daily and community newspapers in 15 markets and the Washington-based Scripps Media Center, home to the Scripps Howard News Service; 10 broadcast TV stations, including six ABC-affiliated stations, three NBC affiliates and one independent; Scripps Interactive Media, including leading online search and comparison shopping services, Shopzilla and uSwitch; and United Media, a leading worldwide licensing and syndication company that is the home of PEANUTS, DILBERT and approximately 150 other features and comics.