Did ABC Diss Scripps?

FTVLive told you about ABC leaving WPLG in Miami and selecting Sunbeam's WSVN to assume the ABC affiliation on a WSVN’s subchannel.

I think the choice tells you a lot, given that Scripps (which operates 19 ABC affils) owns two full-power stations in the Miami market: Independent WSFL & ION-O&O WPXM.

By contrast, Sunbeam Television (which owns WSVN) has no history w/ABC (and operates just one broadcast affiliate: WSVN (FOX) Miami and Indy WHDH (which also broadcasts the CW on a subchannel).

Under normal circumstances, one would expect ABC would go with the larger broad group - with which it has a history, and award them their 20th ABC affiliation. But ABC did not.

Did Scripps' financials & gutting local newscasts at its affiliates cost them this deal?

I think ABC saw the writing on the wall and steered clear of Scripps.