Scripps Is Launching a New Free Sports Network & Adding Original Programs to Its OTA TV Networks, Bounce and Grit

The E.W. Scripps Company is moving into its annual upfront week with an ambitious expansion of original programming across four of its networks, signaling a strategic push to deepen viewer engagement and strengthen its pitch to advertisers. The media company, which trades on the Nasdaq under the ticker SSP, announced new series for Bounce, Grit, Scripps News and the newly launched Scripps Sports Network -- a lineup that touches entertainment, news and live sports. The announcements come days before Scripps holds its upfront event on Wednesday, March 25, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, where the company is expected to present its full advertising pitch to media buyers. Bounce Teams With Kevin Hart for Unscripted Series The most high-profile addition to the Bounce network is a new unscripted series called "The Silver Fox Squad," developed in partnership with comedian and entertainment entrepreneur Kevin Hart's Hartbeat Productions and BluSpeed Productions. The show centers on a group of stylish, accomplished men over 50 -- dubbed the Silver Foxes -- who became a viral phenomenon for their polished appearance and entrepreneurial spirit. Each episode will follow them as they help other men improve their personal style, physical health and mental well-being. The series is framed as a celebration of confidence and reinvention in later life, emphasizing that personal growth is not bounded by age. It is scheduled to premiere later this year on Bounce, with a 10-week weekly run. Hart serves as an executive producer alongside a team that includes Luke Kelly-Clyne, Meghan Hoffman, Candice Wilson Cherry, Brendon Carter, Harry Ratchford, Joey Wells and Chris Spencer. Scripps-side executive producers include Keisha Taylor Starr, Adam Harman and Amira Lewally. Grit Breaks New Ground With First-Ever Originals In a notable shift for one of its most established brands, Scripps announced that Grit -- a network built around action-oriented programming and heroic narratives that has operated for nearly 12 years exclusively on acquired content -- will produce original programming for the first time in its history. The company indicated that several series are currently in development and that a first production announcement is expected soon. The move marks a new chapter for a network that has built a loyal audience without investing in originals, suggesting Scripps sees an opportunity to deepen its connection with Grit's viewership through exclusive content. Scripps News Adds Interview Series With Alisyn Camerota On the news side, Scripps is bringing veteran television journalist Alisyn Camerota to its national streaming news network for a new original interview series. Camerota, who built her career at Fox News and later CNN and has also authored a book, will host "Connected with Alisyn Camerota," a 30-minute weekly program featuring one-on-one conversations with figures from politics, journalism, music, sports and everyday life. The series launches Friday, March 27, at 8 p.m. ET, with former CNN anchor Don Lemon as the inaugural guest. It is scheduled to run for six consecutive weeks. The pairing of Camerota with Scripps News, which positions itself as an unbiased national news outlet, reflects the network's interest in interview-driven programming that goes beyond traditional newscasts. New Sports Streaming Channel Launches With Women's Sports Icons Perhaps the most forward-looking element of Scripps' announcement is the launch of Scripps Sports Network, a free, 24/7 streaming television channel set to go live on March 24. The channel will combine live sports, archival sports content and original programming, with its first two series built around prominent figures in women's sports. Sports broadcaster Suzy Kolber, whose four-decade career spans multiple network roles and is widely credited with breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry, will host a conversation series focused on trailblazers who have redefined their fields through unconventional thinking. Olympic track and field champion Sanya Richards-Ross will lead a separate series exploring life after athletic competition, sitting down with athletes, entertainers and others navigating professional reinvention after peak achievement. Both series are positioned as evergreen programming -- content built for repeated viewing rather than tied to news cycles or live events. The launch of Scripps Sports Network places the company squarely in the growing competition for streaming sports viewers, a segment of the audience that has increasingly moved away from traditional linear television. By offering a free ad-supported product, Scripps is betting that accessibility and original content can differentiate the channel in a crowded marketplace. A Programming Strategy Centered on Diversification Taken together, the announcements reflect a deliberate effort by Scripps to broaden the appeal of its network portfolio while maintaining distinct identities for each brand. The company manages a wide range of television properties, including local broadcast stations in approximately 40 markets and national entertainment networks such as ION, Laff and the recently announced additions. The programming push comes as the broader television industry continues to face pressure from streaming platforms and shifting viewer habits. The Scripps Networks division is led by Keisha Taylor Starr, who also serves as the company's chief marketing officer. Programming development falls under Adam Harman, a veteran media executive. Scripps was founded in 1878 and remains one of the nation's largest holders of broadcast spectrum. Please add Cord Cutters News as a source for your Google News feed HERE. Please follow us on Facebook and X for more news, tips, and reviews. Need cord cutting tech support? Join our Cord Cutting Tech Support Facebook Group for help.