On Dec. 16, 2002, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services 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. The ratings on Scripps reflect the company's diversified portfolio of media properties, healthy internal cash generation, and a satisfactory financial profile. Operations include 21 daily newspapers, 10 broadcast television stations, and four cable television networks (including Home
