NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Dec. 16, 2002--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that it assigned its 'A' senior unsecured debt rating to E.W. Scripps Co.'s $100 million 4.25% notes due 2009. These securities were drawn down from the company's shelf registration. Proceeds will be used to repay a portion of Scripps' commercial paper borrowings. At the same time, Standard&Poor's affirmed its 'A/A-1' corporate credit rating. Total debt as of September 2002 was about $650 million. The outlook on the Cincinnati, Ohio-headquartered diversified media company is stable. "Scripps' involvement in many media markets and business segments helps to provide more revenue and cash flow stability over the advertising revenue and newsprint cost cycles. The advertising revenue climate
