Publishing/broadcasting company E.W. Scripps Co. will receive the 2012 NAB Distinguished Service Award at the spring NAB Show in Las Vegas.

E.W. Scripps, originally a newspaper publisher, has a history of venturing into new fields as technologies change. It formed a news wire service and eagerly jumped into radio and TV (broadcast and cable) as those technologies arrived. It is a syndicator of cartoons and news features. The company also is the organizer of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. It was an original supporter of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, as well.

Currently Scripps has 19 TV stations and newspapers in 13 markets.

The NAB explains the award: “Each year the NAB Distinguished Service Award recognizes members of the broadcast community who have made significant and lasting contributions to the broadcasting industry.” The award will be presented April 16 at the opening keynote session at the NAB Show.