The E.W. Scripps Company, which owns TV stations and daily newspapers, announced that it has amended its secured revolving credit agreement to reduce ongoing expenses and give the company more financial flexibility.
The amendment to the secured revolving credit agreement reduced the size of the facility from $150 million to $100 million, obtained the flexibility to return capital to shareholders and/or invest in acquisitions up to a combined total of $200 million over the life of the agreement, and lowered the commitment fee on the unused portion of the revolver, among other things. The agreement maintains its original maturity date of June 30, 2013, the company said.
Rather than needing to borrow, Scripps is currently cash-heavy. As of the end of Q3, Scripps had cash and short-term investments totaling $194 million, and no outstanding borrowings under the revolver.
Concurrent with amending the credit agreement, the board of directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $75 million of Scripps’ Class A Common Shares. The shares may be repurchased from time to time at management’s discretion, either in the open market, through pre-arranged trading plans or in privately negotiated block transactions. The authorization expires the end of 2012.
