Scripps Selling Triton Digital To iHeartMedia

The E.W. Scripps Co. has entered into an agreement with iHeartMedia to sell Triton Digital for $230 million – a cash-on-cash return of 1.6x for a business Scripps acquired in late 2018.

Triton is a global technology and services provider for the digital audio and podcast industry. Scripps bought the company for $150 million, and it has been accretive to segment margins since then.

Scripps — which sold its podcast company Stitcher in October and nearly doubled its return on that investment — was an early entrant into podcasting and digital audio.

The Triton divestiture, Scripps said, “reflects Scripps’ consistent invest-for-growth strategy that capitalizes on emerging media marketplaces to unlock shareholder value.”

“The sale of Triton creates significant value for Scripps’ shareholders and employees, as we close a chapter on our growth of digital audio businesses through a series of successful transactions and a focus on prudent operations, including our core TV business,” said Adam Symson, Scripps president and CEO. “We believe iHeartMedia is a perfect fit for Triton Digital given their focus and position as the leader in audio solutions.”

Scripps Chief Financial Officer Jason Combs said the company would use proceeds from the Triton sale to pay down debt.

“We remain focused on bringing our debt back down to our company’s historical levels as quickly as possible while at the same time we reap the financial benefits of being a new leader in national television as we have been in local broadcast,” Combs said.

Transaction Highlights

• Sale price of $230 million, representing an internal rate of return after taxes in the mid-20% range and a low teens EBITDA multiple
• Proceeds from the sale used primarily to pay down debt
• Tax liability effective rate of 5%
• The move of all Triton employees to iHeart

Scripps said the Triton transaction is expected to close in the first quarter, pending Hart-Scott-Rodino clearance.