Scripps Sells Court TV Network to Law&Crime

The media company continues aggressive downsizing strategy amid financial pressures.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The E.W. Scripps Company has sold its Court TV network to Dan Abrams' Law&Crime network, marking the latest in a series of asset sales as the Cincinnati-based media giant looks to "strengthen the balance sheet" and position itself for the future. The deal comes just months after Scripps offloaded several local TV stations, signaling a frantic push to generate immediate capital.

Why it matters

Scripps' rapid divestment of assets, including the Court TV network it revived just a few years ago, underscores the company's financial pressures and the broader challenges facing traditional media companies as they navigate a rapidly evolving industry landscape. The sale also highlights the human cost of aggressive corporate downsizing, with the majority of Court TV's workforce set to be cut.

The details

After just six years of ownership, Scripps is selling the Court TV network to Dan Abrams' Law&Crime network. While financial terms were not disclosed, the deal marks the third major divestiture for Scripps in recent months, following the sale of TV stations in Fort Myers/Naples and Indianapolis. Scripps President and CEO Adam Symson framed the Court TV sale as "consistent" with the company's strategy to position itself for the future, but the rapid succession of asset sales points to a company narrowing its portfolio to raise cash and remain viable as a standalone entity.

  • In September 2025, Scripps offloaded WFTX-TV in the Ft. Myers/Naples market to Sun Broadcasting.
  • In October 2025, Scripps sold Indianapolis station WRTV-TV to Circle City Broadcasting.
  • The Court TV sale to Law&Crime network was announced on February 11, 2026.

The players

E.W. Scripps Company

A Cincinnati-based media company that has been aggressively divesting assets in recent months to strengthen its financial position.

Adam Symson

The President and CEO of the E.W. Scripps Company, who framed the Court TV sale as consistent with the company's strategy to position itself for the future.

Dan Abrams

The founder of the Law&Crime network, who plans to transform the acquired Court TV asset into a "YouTube and digital-media-first business".

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What they’re saying

“The Court TV deal is "consistent" with the company's roadmap to position itself for the future.”

— Adam Symson, President and CEO, E.W. Scripps Company (ftvlive.com)

“I plan to transform Court TV into a YouTube and digital-media-first business.”

— Dan Abrams (New York Times)

What’s next

The majority of Court TV's 50-person workforce will be cut, with Dan Abrams planning to retain only about a dozen employees as he transitions the network to a more digital-focused model.

The takeaway

Scripps' aggressive divestment strategy, including the sale of Court TV, highlights the financial pressures facing traditional media companies as they navigate an evolving industry landscape. The human cost of these corporate downsizing efforts is also evident, with the majority of Court TV's staff set to lose their jobs as the network is transformed.