• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, October 3, 2011

E.W. Scripps has a deal to acquire four stations from McGraw-Hill, which will make it the largest ABC affiliate group with 10 stations. The acquisition includes the affiliates in the Denver, Indianapolis and San Diego markets.

Scripps already has the ABC affiliates in Detroit, Phoenix and Tampa as well as three other large markets, and it will have nine in the top-35 markets.

The overall $212 million deal with McGraw-Hill also includes the ABC affiliate in Bakersfield, Calif., the 126th-largest market.

Scripps is also acquiring five low-power affiliates of the Spanish-language Azteca America network, which will give it bilingual duopolies in Denver, San Diego and Bakersfield.

"This is a terrific opportunity to enter some of America's most dynamic media markets and tap into the growing Spanish-language marketplace at a very attractive price," stated Scripps CEO Rich Boehne.

After the deal closes, Scripps will expand to 19 stations and reach 13% of the country.

McGraw-Hill has been undergoing restructuring and its broadcast business has been viewed as a non-core asset.