BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORP
S-4/A, 1996-10-07
TELEVISION BROADCASTING STATIONS
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<PAGE>
   
         AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 7, 1996
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-09529
    
________________________________________________________________________________
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 2
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-4
    
 
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
 
                                     UNDER
 
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                       BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
 
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
                            ------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                       <C>                                          <C>
                DELAWARE                                     6719                                      36-4076007
      (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION               (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL                       (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
           OF INCORPORATION)                      CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)                    IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
                           STEWART SQUARE, SUITE 210
                             308 WEST STATE STREET
                            ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS 61101
                                 (815) 987-5350
              (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
       INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               A. RICHARD BENEDEK
                      CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                       BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
                           STEWART SQUARE, SUITE 210
                             308 WEST STATE STREET
                            ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS 61101
                                 (815) 987-5350
           (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                   INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
 
                            ------------------------
 
                                WITH A COPY TO:
 
                             PAUL S. GOODMAN, ESQ.
                              SHACK & SIEGEL, P.C.
                                530 FIFTH AVENUE
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036
                                 (212) 782-0700
                            ------------------------
 
     APPROXIMATE  DATE OF  COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED  SALE TO PUBLIC:  As soon as
practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
 
     If the  securities being  registered  on this  Form  are being  offered  in
connection  with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. [ ]
                            ------------------------
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
[CAPTION]
<TABLE>
                                                               PROPOSED               PROPOSED
                                                                MAXIMUM                MAXIMUM
   TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES       AMOUNT TO BE     OFFERING PRICE       AGGREGATE OFFERING           AMOUNT OF
            TO BE REGISTERED                REGISTERED        PER UNIT(1)             PRICE(1)           REGISTRATION FEE(1)
<S>                                        <C>             <C>                  <C>                      <C>
13 1/4% Senior Subordinated Discount
  Notes due 2006........................   $170,000,000          53.046%             $90,178,200             $ 31,096.15
</TABLE>
 
(1) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(f).
                            ------------------------
 
     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS  THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT  ON SUCH DATE  OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE  A  FURTHER  AMENDMENT  WHICH SPECIFICALLY  STATES  THAT  THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE  IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a)  OF
THE  SECURITIES ACT  OF 1933 OR  UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION  STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION  8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
 
________________________________________________________________________________




<PAGE>
<PAGE>
   
                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 7, 1996
    
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                       BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
 
                             OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS
      13 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2006, WHICH HAVE BEEN
            REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,
                       FOR ANY AND ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING
              13 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2006
 
                  THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M.,
          NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON               , 1996, UNLESS EXTENDED
                            ------------------------
 
     Benedek Communications Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the 'Company'),
hereby  offers to exchange  $1,000 principal amount  at maturity of  its 13 1/4%
Senior Subordinated Discount  Notes due 2006  (the 'Exchange Securities')  which
have  been  registered  under  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  as  amended (the
'Securities Act'), pursuant to a Registration Statement of which this Prospectus
is a part, for each  $1,000 principal amount at maturity  of its 13 1/4%  Senior
Subordinated  Discount Notes due 2006 (the  'Existing Notes') outstanding on the
date hereof upon  the terms  and subject  to the  conditions set  forth in  this
Prospectus  and  in  the  accompanying  Letter  of  Transmittal  (which together
constitute the 'Exchange Offer'). The Exchange Securities and Existing Notes are
collectively hereinafter referred to as the  'Notes.' The terms of the  Exchange
Securities are identical in all material respects to those of the Existing Notes
except (i) for certain transfer restrictions and registration rights relating to
the  Existing Notes and (ii)  that, if by November  4, 1996, neither an Exchange
Offer with  respect to  the Existing  Notes  has been  consummated nor  a  Shelf
Registration Statement (as defined) with respect to such Existing Notes has been
declared  effective, additional cash interest will  accrue on each Existing Note
from and including November 5, 1996 until but excluding the earlier of the  date
of  consummation  of the  Exchange Offer  and  the effective  date of  the Shelf
Registration Statement at  a rate of  0.50% per annum.  The Exchange  Securities
will  be issued pursuant to, and entitled  to the benefits of, the Indenture (as
defined) governing the Existing Notes.
 
     The Existing  Notes  were  issued  at a  substantial  discount  from  their
principal  amount. Interest will not accrue on  the Notes prior to May 15, 2001.
Thereafter, interest  will  be payable  in  cash  semi-annually on  May  15  and
November 15 of each year, commencing on November 15, 2001.
 
     The  Exchange Securities will be obligations  of the Company evidencing the
same debt as the  Existing Notes, and  will be entitled to  the benefits of  the
same  Indenture,  which  governs  both  the  Existing  Notes  and  the  Exchange
Securities. The form and terms  of the Exchange Securities  are the same as  the
form  and terms of the  Existing Notes except that  the Exchange Securities have
been registered  under  the Securities  Act  and  hence will  not  bear  legends
restricting  the transfer thereof. See 'The  Exchange Offer.' The Existing Notes
are, and the Exchange  Securities will be, subordinated  in right of payment  to
all  existing and future Senior Debt (as defined) of the Company. As of June 30,
1996, the Company had outstanding  approximately $263.6 million of Senior  Debt.
The  Existing  Notes  are,  and the  Exchange  Securities  will  be, effectively
subordinated to creditors of subsidiaries of the Company. At June 30, 1996,  the
total  liabilities of the Company's  subsidiaries were $346.5 million, including
$263.6 million of Senior Debt.
 
     The Company will  accept for exchange  any and all  Existing Notes  validly
tendered  and not withdrawn  prior to the Expiration  Date. The term 'Expiration
Date' shall mean 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on               , 1996,  unless
the  Company shall, in its sole discretion, have extended the period of time for
which the Exchange  Offer is open,  in which event  the 'Expiration Date'  shall
mean the latest time and date at which the Exchange Offer, as so extended by the
Company, shall expire. The Exchange Offer may be extended, terminated or amended
as provided herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Expiration Date shall not
be  later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time,  on the date 60 days from the date
of  this  Prospectus.  The  Exchange  Offer  is  subject  to  certain  customary
conditions. See 'The Exchange Offer.'
 
                                                  (Cover continued on next page)
                            ------------------------
     Prior  to  the Exchange  Offer, there  has  been no  public market  for the
Existing Notes. If  a market for  the Exchange Securities  should develop,  such
Exchange  Securities  could trade  at  a discount  from  the Accreted  Value (as
defined). The Company currently does not intend to list the Exchange  Securities
on  any  securities  exchange or  to  seek  approval for  quotation  through any
automated quotation  system  and  no  active  public  market  for  the  Exchange
Securities  is currently anticipated.  There can be no  assurance that an active
public market for the Exchange Securities will develop.
 
     The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount  of
Existing Notes being tendered for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
 
     SEE  'RISK FACTORS' ON  PAGE 23 FOR  A DISCUSSION OF  CERTAIN FACTORS WHICH
HOLDERS OF EXISTING NOTES SHOULD CONSIDER IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
                            ------------------------
THESE SECURITIES  HAVE  NOT  BEEN  APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED  BY  THE  SECURITIES
  AND  EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR  ANY STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE
    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION
     PASSED   UPON  THE  ACCURACY  OR  ADEQUACY  OF  THIS  PROSPECTUS.  ANY
       REPRESENTATION  TO   THE   CONTRARY   IS   A   CRIMINAL   OFFENSE.
                            ------------------------
               The date of this Prospectus is              , 1996.
 
INFORMATION   CONTAINED  HEREIN  IS  SUBJECT   TO  COMPLETION  OR  AMENDMENT.  A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT  RELATING TO  THESE SECURITIES  HAS BEEN  FILED WITH  THE
SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES  MAY NOT BE  SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR  TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT  BECOMES
EFFECTIVE.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  SHALL  NOT  CONSTITUTE AN  OFFER  TO  SELL  OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE  SECURITIES
IN  ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,  SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 

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<PAGE>
(Cover continued from previous page)
 
     The Exchange Securities  are being  offered hereunder in  order to  satisfy
certain  obligations of the  Company contained in  the Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement dated May 30, 1996 (the 'Registration Agreement'), between  the
Company  and  Goldman,  Sachs &  Co.,  as  the initial  purchaser  (the 'Initial
Purchaser'), with respect to  the initial sale of  the Existing Notes. Based  on
interpretations  by the  staff of  the Securities  and Exchange  Commission (the
'SEC') in letters issued to  third parties, Exchange Securities issued  pursuant
to  the Exchange Offer in exchange for Existing Notes may be offered for resale,
resold and otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than any such  holder
which  is an 'affiliate' of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
Securities  Act),  without  compliance  with  the  registration  and  prospectus
delivery   provisions  of  the  Securities  Act,  provided  that  such  Exchange
Securities are acquired in the ordinary  course of such holder's business,  such
holder has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the
distribution  of such Exchange Securities and such  holder is not engaged in and
does not intend to  engage in a distribution  of such Exchange Securities.  Each
broker-dealer  that receives Exchange Securities for its own account pursuant to
the Exchange  Offer  must acknowledge  that  it  will deliver  a  prospectus  in
connection   with  any  resale  of  such  Exchange  Securities.  The  Letter  of
Transmittal states that by  so acknowledging and by  delivering a prospectus,  a
broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an 'underwriter' within the
meaning  of  the  Securities Act.  This  Prospectus,  as it  may  be  amended or
supplemented from time  to time, may  be used by  a broker-dealer in  connection
with  resales of  Exchange Securities  received in  exchange for  Existing Notes
where such Existing  Notes were acquired  by such broker-dealer  as a result  of
market-making  activities or  other trading  activities. The  Company has agreed
that, for a  period of  90 days  after the Expiration  Date, it  will make  this
Prospectus  available to any  broker-dealer for use in  connection with any such
resale. See 'Plan of Distribution.'
 
     The Company will  not receive  any proceeds  from the  Exchange Offer.  The
Company  will pay all  the expenses incident  to the Exchange  Offer. Tenders of
Existing Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior
to the  Expiration  Date  for the  Exchange  Offer.  In the  event  the  Company
terminates  the Exchange  Offer and  does not  accept for  exchange any Existing
Notes with respect to the Exchange Offer, the Company will promptly return  such
Existing Notes to the holders thereof. See 'The Exchange Offer.'
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The  Company has  filed with the  SEC a Registration  Statement (which term
shall include any amendment thereto) on Form S-4 under the Securities Act,  with
respect  to  the  Exchange  Securities offered  hereby.  This  Prospectus, which
constitutes a  part of  the Registration  Statement, does  not contain  all  the
information  set  forth  in  the Registration  Statement  and  the  exhibits and
schedules thereto, certain  items of which  are omitted in  accordance with  the
rules  and regulations of the  SEC. For further information  with respect to the
Company and  the Exchange  Securities,  reference is  made to  the  Registration
Statement,  including the exhibits and schedules to such Registration Statement,
copies of which may be obtained as noted below. Any statements contained  herein
concerning  the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and, in
each instance,  reference is  made to  the copy  of such  document filed  as  an
exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the SEC. Each such
statement is qualified by such reference.
 
     The   Registration  Statement  and  the  exhibits  and  schedules  to  such
Registration Statement filed by the Company  with the SEC, may be inspected  and
copied at the Public Reference Section of the SEC at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza,
450  Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549,  and at the regional offices of
the SEC located  at Seven World  Trade Center,  Suite 1300, New  York, New  York
10048  and  Citicorp  Center,  500 West  Madison  Street,  Suite  1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661. Copies of all or part of such materials can be obtained from the
Public Reference Section  of the SEC  at Room 1024,  Judiciary Plaza, 450  Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates.
 
     Following  consummation of the Exchange Offer,  the Company will be subject
to the informational reporting  requirements of the  Securities Exchange Act  of
1934,  as amended (the 'Exchange Act'), during the current fiscal year by reason
of the  public  offering  and  the  issuance  of  the  Exchange  Securities.  In
accordance with the Exchange Act, the Company will file with the SEC the reports
and  other information required to be filed  under the Exchange Act. The Company
anticipates, however, that it may not  be subject to the reporting  requirements
of  the Exchange  Act in future  fiscal years  pursuant to Section  15(d) of the
Exchange Act;  however, the  Indenture  governing the  Notes provides  that  the
Company  must continue  to file with  the SEC  copies of the  annual reports and
other information, documents and reports specified  in Sections 13 and 15(d)  of
the Exchange Act so long as the Exchange Securities are outstanding.
 
                                       2
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  The Stations
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


               [GRAPHIC REPRESENTATION OF THE STATIONS GOES HERE]


 
                                       3





<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                              CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
     As used in the Prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires:
 
     Company   refers   to  Benedek   Communications  Corporation,   a  Delaware
corporation which is the sole stockholder of Benedek Broadcasting;
 
     Benedek Broadcasting refers to Benedek Broadcasting Corporation, a Delaware
corporation, and its subsidiaries (BLC);
 
     LLC refers  to Benedek  Broadcasting Company,  L.L.C., a  Delaware  limited
liability  company,  owned 99%  by  Benedek Broadcasting  and  1% by  A. Richard
Benedek, formed  in  connection  with the  issuance  of  Benedek  Broadcasting's
outstanding  11 7/8% Senior Secured Notes  due 2005 (the 'Senior Secured Notes')
to  hold  all  of  the  licenses  and  authorizations  issued  by  the   Federal
Communications  Commission (the 'FCC') for the operation of the Benedek Stations
which was merged with BLC upon the consummation of the Transactions;
 
     BLC refers to Benedek License Corporation, a Delaware corporation which was
merged with the LLC  upon the consummation  of the Transactions  as a result  of
which  it became  a wholly-owned subsidiary  of Benedek  Broadcasting, and which
holds all of the licenses and authorizations issued by the FCC for the operation
of all the Stations;
 
     Benedek Stations refers to the nine network-affiliated television  stations
owned by Benedek Broadcasting prior to consummation of the Transactions;
 
     Stauffer refers to Stauffer Communications, Inc.;
 
     Stauffer  Agreement refers  to the Assets  Purchase and  Sale Agreement, as
amended, among  the  Company,  Stauffer and  Morris  Communications  Corporation
pursuant  to  which  the Company  acquired  substantially all  of  the broadcast
television assets of Stauffer.
 
     Stauffer Stations refers to the five network-affiliated television stations
(and four satellite stations) owned by Stauffer prior to the consummation of the
Transactions and acquired by Benedek Broadcasting;
 
     Brissette refers to Brissette Broadcasting Corporation and its wholly-owned
subsidiaries;
 
     Brissette Agreement refers  to the  Stock Purchase  Agreement, as  amended,
among  the  Company, Mr.  Paul Brissette,  General Electric  Capital Corporation
('GECC') and  Brissette, pursuant  to  which the  Company  acquired all  of  the
capital stock of Brissette.
 
     Brissette  Stations  refers  to  the  eight  network-affiliated  television
stations owned by Brissette  prior to the consummation  of the Transactions  and
acquired by Benedek Broadcasting;
 
     Acquired  Stations  refers collectively  to the  Stauffer Stations  and the
Brissette Stations; and
 
     Stations refers  collectively  to the  Benedek  Stations and  the  Acquired
Stations.
 
     As   further  described  under  'The  Acquisitions,'  Benedek  Broadcasting
acquired substantially all of  the television broadcast  assets of Stauffer  and
all  of  the  capital  stock of  Brissette  (the  'Acquisitions').  The Company,
together with Benedek Broadcasting, implemented a financing plan (the 'Financing
Plan,' and  together  with  the  Acquisitions  and  certain  other  events,  the
'Transactions')  in  order  to finance  the  Acquisitions  and to  pay  fees and
expenses related thereto. The Financing Plan consisted of the offer and sale  by
the  Company of the Existing Notes, borrowings by Benedek Broadcasting under the
Credit Agreement,  the offer  and  sale by  the Company  of  the Units  and  the
issuance  by the  Company of its  Seller Junior Discount  Preferred Stock. Issue
Date refers to June 6, 1996, the date on which the Transactions were completed.
 
     Credit Agreement refers to the credit agreement, dated as of June 6,  1996,
among  Benedek Broadcasting, as  borrower, the Company,  the Lenders referred to
therein, Canadian  Imperial  Bank of  Commerce,  New York  Agency  ('CIBC'),  as
administrative  agent and collateral agent,  Pearl Street L.P. ('Pearl Street'),
as arranging agent, and Goldman, Sachs & Co., as syndication agent, pursuant  to
which Benedek Broadcasting borrowed $128.0 million in term loans (the 'Term Loan
Facilities')  and may borrow up to $15.0  million in revolving credit loans (the
'Revolving Credit Facility');
 
     Exchangeable Preferred Stock  refers to the  15.0% Exchangeable  Redeemable
Senior Preferred Stock issued by the Company;
 
     Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock refers to the preferred stock issued
by  the Company  to GECC and  Mr. Paul  Brissette, the sellers  of the Brissette
Stations;
 
                                       4
 

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<PAGE>
     Senior Secured Notes refers to the 11 7/8% Senior Secured Notes due 2005 of
Benedek Broadcasting;
 
     Units refers to  the Units issued  by the Company,  each consisting of  ten
shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock, ten Initial Warrants and 14.8 Contingent
Warrants;
 
     Initial  Warrants refers to 600,000 warrants, each to purchase one share of
Class A Common Stock of the Company;
 
     Contingent Warrants refers to 888,000 warrants, each to purchase one  share
of Class A Common Stock of the Company;
 
     Warrants refers to the Initial Warrants and the Contingent Warrants;
 
     Warrant  Shares refers to the shares of  the Company's Class A Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of the Warrants;
 
   
     Adjusted  EBITDA  refers  to  operating  income  before  financial   income
(expense)  as  derived  from  statements  of  operations  plus  depreciation and
amortization, amortization of program broadcast rights and non-cash compensation
less cash payments for program broadcast rights;
    
 
   
     Adjusted EBITDA margin refers to adjusted EBITDA divided by net revenues;
    
 
     Broadcast cash  flow refers  to operating  income before  financial  income
(expense)  as  derived  from  statements  of  operations  plus  depreciation and
amortization, amortization of program  broadcast rights, corporate expenses  and
non-cash compensation less cash payments for program broadcast rights; and
 
     Broadcast  cash flow  margin refers to  broadcast cash flow  divided by net
revenues.
 
   
     Adjusted EBITDA  and broadcast  cash flow  data have  been included  herein
because such data is used by certain investors to measure a company's ability to
service  debt.  Adjusted  EBITDA  and  broadcast cash  flow  do  not  purport to
represent cash provided by operating activities as reflected in the Consolidated
Financial Statements  of  Benedek  Broadcasting,  the  Financial  Statements  of
Stauffer or the Consolidated Financial Statements of Brissette, are not measures
of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles ('GAAP')
and  should not  be considered  in isolation or  as substitutes  for measures of
performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.
    
 
                            MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA
 
     As used in the Prospectus:
 
     designated market area  ('DMA') or  market area  is defined  as a  specific
geographic market designated by A.C. Nielsen Company ('Nielsen') for the sale of
national 'spot' and local advertising time sales;
 
     market rank means the ranking of the DMA among all markets, measured by the
number  of television  households in  each DMA, as  listed in  the February 1996
Nielsen Station Index reports;
 
     number of commercial stations in market represents the number of television
broadcasting stations in the  market, excluding public,  low power and  national
cable stations;
 
     station  rank  in  market is  a  station's  rank in  the  market  among all
commercial stations in a  station's market, measured  by such station's  average
share  during  the  February, May,  July  and November  ratings  periods, Sunday
through Saturday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:00  a.m., unless another measurement period  is
referenced;
 
     a station's rating represents the number of households actually viewing the
station  as a percentage of the total potential audience in the DMA, measured by
such station's  average ratings  during  the February,  May, July  and  November
ratings periods, Sunday through Saturday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., unless another
measurement period is referenced;
 
     a  station's share represents the percentage of households actually viewing
television which are viewing  that station, measured  by such station's  average
Nielsen  shares during  the February,  May, July  and November  ratings periods,
Sunday through  Saturday, 6:00  a.m. to  2:00 a.m.,  unless another  measurement
period is referenced; and
 
     cable  penetration means the  percentage of all  television households in a
DMA subscribing  to cable  television service,  according to  the February  1996
Nielsen Station Index reports.
 
     All  rank, rating and share information  set forth in the Prospectus refers
to the calendar year  1995 unless otherwise specified.  See 'Business --  Rating
Service Data.'
 
                                       5


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                    SUMMARY
 
     The  following summary is qualified in its  entirety by, and should be read
in conjunction  with, the  more detailed  information and  financial  statements
included  elsewhere  in  this Prospectus.  As  used herein,  unless  the context
otherwise requires, the 'Company'  means Benedek Communications Corporation  and
its  subsidiaries  (including  Benedek  Broadcasting  Corporation)  after giving
effect to  the Transactions,  which  were completed  on  June 6,  1996.  Certain
capitalized  terms used in this Prospectus  are defined herein under the caption
'Description of the Notes -- Certain Definitions.'
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
   
     The Company owns  22 network-affiliated television  stations in the  United
States. The Stations are diverse in geographic location and network affiliation,
serve  small to medium-sized markets and, in the aggregate, reach communities in
24 states. Twelve of  the Stations are affiliated  with CBS, six are  affiliated
with  ABC, and four are affiliated with NBC.  On a pro forma basis giving effect
to the Transactions,  the Company would  have had net  revenues, broadcast  cash
flow  and adjusted  EBITDA of $121.3  million, $52.4 million  and $50.5 million,
respectively, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.
    
 
     The Company believes that the  Acquired Stations have been  underperforming
in terms of their overall revenue potential and can be operated more efficiently
under Company management, thereby offering the Company an attractive opportunity
to  improve broadcast cash flow. The  Company believes that such improvement can
be achieved by expanding the Acquired Stations' share of market revenues and  by
increasing  viewership levels  through an increased  emphasis on  local news and
informational  programming   and   cost-effective  purchasing   of   competitive
syndicated and first run programming.
 
     The  Company believes that the broadcast  cash flow margins of the Stauffer
Stations of 19.7%, 29.5% and 23.1% during 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively, can
be substantially improved in  the near-term. In  comparison, the broadcast  cash
flow margins for the Benedek Stations for the same periods were 40.5%, 44.4% and
42.3%,  respectively. The Company  further believes that  although the Brissette
Stations have  operated at  attractive margins,  the previous  ownership of  the
Brissette  Stations operated with  a focus on managing  costs, not on maximizing
revenues and broadcast cash flow growth. This strategy typically resulted in the
Brissette Stations capturing  a smaller  share of advertising  revenue in  their
respective  markets than  their audience  share in  these markets.  The compound
annual growth  rate of  net revenues  and  broadcast cash  flow of  the  Benedek
Stations   (excluding  the  station  in  Dothan,  Alabama  acquired  by  Benedek
Broadcasting in 1995) for the five-year  period from 1991 through 1995 was  7.8%
and  9.0%, respectively,  as compared  to 4.0%  and 3.6%,  respectively, for the
Brissette Stations during the same period.
 
   
     The Stations are located in  markets ranked in size from  83 to 201 out  of
the  211  markets  surveyed  by Nielsen.  The  Company  believes  that broadcast
television stations in  small to  medium-sized markets offer  an opportunity  to
generate  attractive and stable  adjusted EBITDA due  to limited competition for
viewers from  other  over-the-air  broadcasters,  from  other  media  soliciting
advertising  expenditures  and  from  other  broadcasters  purchasing syndicated
programming. The Company targets small and medium-sized markets that have stable
employment and population and a diverse base of employers. The markets  targeted
by  the Company  generally have population  centers that  share common community
interests and  are receptive  to  local programming.  Each  of the  Stations  is
affiliated  with  one of  the national  television  networks, which  provides an
established audience and reputation for national news, sports and  entertainment
programming.  With the  established audiences provided  by network affiliations,
management seeks to implement  its strategy to  enhance non-network ratings  and
revenues while controlling costs.
    
 
     The  Company  believes  that the  television  industry  is in  a  period of
consolidation as  a  result  of  which a  relatively  small  number  of  station
operators  will emerge  as the  leading television  station group  owners in the
United   States.   Recent   telecommunications   legislation   that   eliminates
restrictions  on the number of television stations that any individual or entity
may own so  long as  the aggregate  audience reach does  not exceed  35% of  all
United  States  households is  likely to  accelerate  this trend.  The Company's
growth strategy, of which the acquisition of the Stauffer Stations and Brissette
Stations is a part,  is to become one  of the leading group  owners of small  to
medium-sized  market  television  stations  in the  United  States.  The Company
believes that  this expansion  will create  economies of  scale which  will  (i)
improve  its  ability  to  negotiate more  favorable  arrangements  with program
suppliers, national sales representation firms, equipment vendors and television
networks, (ii) enable it  to develop program consortiums  for regional news  and
sports  programming and (iii)  enhance its ability to  attract and retain strong
management and on-air talent.
 
                                       6
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     The following table sets forth certain information for each of the Stations
and the markets they serve:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             NUMBER OF
                                                                                             COMMERCIAL
                                                                                              STATIONS    STATION
                                            MARKET      CALL                      NETWORK        IN       RANK IN      CABLE
                MARKET AREA                  RANK     LETTERS      CHANNEL(C)   AFFILIATION    MARKET     MARKET    PENETRATION
- ------------------------------------------- ------    --------     ----------   ------------ ----------   -------   -----------
<S>                                         <C>       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>       <C>
BENEDEK STATIONS
    Youngstown, Ohio                           95         WYTV         33           ABC           3           3        72.3%
    Duluth, Minnesota and                     134      KDLH-TV          3           CBS           3           2        52.7%
      Superior, Wisconsin
    Rockford, Illinois                        136      WIFR-TV         23           CBS           4           1        68.4%
    Quincy, Illinois and Hannibal, Missouri   158      KHQA-TV          7           CBS           2           1        60.6%
    Dothan, Alabama                           172      WTVY-TV          4           CBS           3           1        65.8%
    Panama City, Florida                      159      WTVY-TV          4           CBS           4           3        68.3%
    Bowling Green, Kentucky                   181      WBKO-TV         13           ABC           2           1        56.7%
    Meridian, Mississippi                     182      WTOK-TV         11           ABC           3           1        52.4%
    Parkersburg, West Virginia                184      WTAP-TV         15           NBC           1           1        76.4%
    Harrisonburg, Virginia                    201      WHSV-TV          3           ABC           1           1        67.3%
 
STAUFFER STATIONS
    Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and            115      KCOY-TV         12           CBS           4           3        85.7%
      San Luis Obispo, California
    Topeka, Kansas                            140      WIBW-TV         13           CBS           3           1        73.1%
    Columbia and Jefferson City, Missouri     146     KMIZ(TV)         17           ABC           3           3        59.7%
    Casper and Riverton, Wyoming              192      KGWC-TV         14           CBS           3           2(e)     68.9%(e)
                                              192      KGWL-TV(a)       5           CBS          (d)         (e)        (e)
                                              192      KGWR-TV(a)      13           CBS          (d)         (e)        (e)
    Cheyenne, Wyoming, Scottsbluff,           193      KGWN-TV          5           CBS           4           1(f)     73.0%(f)
      Nebraska and Sterling, Colorado         193      KSTF-TV(b)      10           CBS          (d)         (f)        (f)
                                              193      KTVS-TV(b)       3           CBS          (d)         (f)        (f)
 
BRISSETTE STATIONS
    Madison, Wisconsin                         83     WMTV(TV)         15           NBC           4           2        61.5%
    Springfield and Holyoke, Massachusetts    102     WWLP(TV)         22           NBC           2           1        81.8%
    Lansing, Michigan                         106      WILX-TV         10           NBC           4           2        65.1%
    Peoria and Bloomington, Illinois          109     WHOI(TV)         19           ABC           4           3        71.3%
    Wausau and Rhinelander, Wisconsin         131      WSAW-TV          7           CBS           3           1        50.6%
    Wheeling, West Virginia and               138      WTRF-TV          7           CBS           2           2        76.4%
      Steubenville, Ohio
    Wichita Falls, Texas and                  139      KAUZ-TV          6           CBS           4           3        68.8%
      Lawton, Oklahoma
    Odessa and Midland, Texas                 149      KOSA-TV          7           CBS           4           2        73.5%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
(a)Satellite station of KGWC-TV.
 
(b)Satellite station of KGWN-TV.
 
(c)Channels 2 through 13 are broadcast  over the very high frequency (VHF)  band
   of  the broadcast spectrum and channels 14  through 69 are broadcast over the
   ultra-high frequency (UHF) band of the broadcast spectrum.
 
(d)Satellite stations are not  considered distinct stations  in this market  for
   Nielsen purposes.
 
(e)Station  Rank and Cable Penetration information for KGWC-TV includes data for
   satellite stations  KGWL-TV,  Lander,  Wyoming  and  KGWR-TV,  Rock  Springs,
   Wyoming, as reported by Nielsen.
 
(f)Station  Rank and Cable Penetration information for KGWN-TV includes data for
   satellite stations  KSTF-TV,  Scottsbluff, Nebraska  and  KTVS-TV,  Sterling,
   Colorado, as reported by Nielsen.
 
                                       7
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                    STRATEGY
 
     The  Company's senior management team, led  by A. Richard Benedek, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer, and K.  James Yager, President and Chief  Operating
Officer,  has extensive experience in acquiring  and improving the operations of
television stations. Management's primary operating strategy is to maximize each
Station's   advertising   revenue   through   local   news,   information    and
community-oriented  programming that  has broad audience  appeal and value-added
sales potential,  while  maintaining  strict  cost  controls.  Key  elements  of
management's strategy include:
 
          LOCAL  NEWS LEADERSHIP AND LOCAL PROGRAMMING. The Company concentrates
     its programming resources on local news and informational programming  that
     distinguish  its Stations  in their  respective markets.  Management of the
     Company believes that  strong, well-differentiated  local news  programming
     attracts  high viewership  levels, particularly of  demographic groups that
     are appealing to both local and national advertisers, thereby allowing  the
     Company to maximize advertising rates. Six of the nine Benedek Stations are
     the  number one ranked  news stations in  their respective markets, whereas
     only four  of the  13 Acquired  Stations  are the  number one  ranked  news
     stations  in  their  respective  markets.  The  Company  believes  that the
     Acquired Stations will benefit from the  Company's focus on local news  and
     community-oriented programming.
 
          SYNDICATED  PROGRAMMING. The  Company selectively  purchases first run
     and  off-network  syndicated   programming  designed   to  reach   specific
     demographic  groups attractive to advertisers. The Company seeks to acquire
     programs that are available on a cost effective basis for limited licensing
     periods, allow scheduling  flexibility, complement  each Station's  overall
     programming  mix and  counter competitive programming.  As a  result of the
     limited  competition   from   other  broadcasters   purchasing   syndicated
     programming  in the small  and medium-sized markets  served by the Company,
     program expense as a percentage of  net revenues for the Stations was  4.3%
     and  4.1% in 1994 and 1995, respectively, as compared to approximately 9.1%
     for all  network-affiliated  stations in  1994.  In addition,  the  Company
     believes  that the programming mix of the Acquired Stations can be improved
     on a cost effective basis.
 
          LOCAL  SALES  EMPHASIS.   Management's  sales   strategy  focuses   on
     increasing  the sale of local advertising  by attracting new advertisers to
     television and increasing the amount of advertising dollars being spent  by
     existing  local advertisers. Management emphasizes local sales by operating
     professional local sales  departments, utilizing  extensive sales  training
     programs,  producing  commercials  for local  clients,  producing  news and
     informational programming with local  advertising appeal and sponsoring  or
     co-promoting local events and activities that give local advertisers unique
     value-added community identity.
 
          FINANCIAL  PLANNING AND CONTROLS. Management emphasizes strict control
     of the Company's programming and operating costs as an important factor  in
     increasing  broadcast cash flow. The  Company continually seeks to identify
     and  implement  cost  savings   opportunities.  Furthermore,  the   Company
     maintains  a detailed budgeting process and reviews performance relative to
     budget monthly with respect to both revenues and expenses, thereby enabling
     management to react promptly to changes in market conditions.
 
          FUTURE ACQUISITIONS  AND OPPORTUNITIES.  The Company  has a  long-term
     strategy   to  pursue  additional   acquisitions  of  broadcast  television
     stations, primarily of network-affiliated stations in small to medium-sized
     markets where  the  Company  believes it  can  successfully  implement  its
     operating  strategy and where such stations  can be acquired on financially
     acceptable terms.  Additionally,  a  rule making  proceeding  is  currently
     pending   before  the  FCC  regarding  possible  relaxation  of  the  local
     television duopoly  rules.  If these  rules  are implemented,  the  Company
     intends  to explore opportunities to  enter into local marketing agreements
     with other stations in  markets where it currently  operates as well as  in
     other  markets. The Company does not  have any agreements or understandings
     with respect to any acquisition or local marketing agreement.
 
                                       8
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                THE ACQUISITIONS
     The Acquisitions are a central part of the Company's strategy to become one
of the leading television station group  owners of small to medium-sized  market
television  stations in the United States.  The Acquisitions are consistent with
the Company's  strategy to  acquire  network-affiliated television  stations  in
markets  with  a  limited  number of  media  competitors  for  local advertising
revenues.
   
     The Company has  identified approximately  $4.686 million  of increases  to
adjusted EBITDA which it would have realized in 1995 on a pro forma basis giving
effect  to  the  Transactions. See  'Pro  Forma Financial  Statements.'  Of this
amount, the Company would have realized an increase in pro forma net revenues of
$0.446  million  to  reflect  (i)  increased  network  compensation  under   new
affiliation  agreements for certain of the  Stations and (ii) increased revenues
from a national sales representative firm for certain of the Acquired  Stations.
In  addition, the Company would  have realized $4.161 million  of pro forma cost
savings at the Stations comprised  of (i) the net  effect of the elimination  of
substantially  all of the corporate expenses of Brissette, offset in part by the
addition of  certain  corporate management  by  the Company  and  related  costs
($1.983  million on a  net basis), (ii)  the effect of  reduced commission rates
payable to national sales representative  firms under new agreements  negotiated
by  the  Company  ($0.284  million), (iii)  elimination  of  redundant operating
expenses, including  the  elimination  of  certain  positions  at  the  Acquired
Stations  ($1.345 million),  (iv) adjustments  to certain  employee benefits and
compensation practices  at  the  Acquired  Stations  ($0.355  million)  and  (v)
implementation  at  the  Acquired  Stations  of  operating  strategies currently
utilized at the Benedek Stations ($0.194 million).
    
     THE  STAUFFER  ACQUISITION.   On  June  6,   1996,  the  Company   acquired
substantially  all of the broadcast television assets (including working capital
of  approximately  $1.6  million)  of  Stauffer  consisting  of  five  principal
broadcast  television stations and four  satellite broadcast television stations
for a purchase price  of $54.5 million. The  principal stations acquired by  the
Company   were  KCOY-TV,  Santa  Maria,  California;  WIBW-TV,  Topeka,  Kansas;
KMIZ(TV), Columbia, Missouri; KGWC-TV,  Casper, Wyoming; and KGWN-TV,  Cheyenne,
Wyoming.  KGWC-TV operates two satellite stations, KGWL-TV, Lander, Wyoming, and
KGWR-TV, Rock Springs,  Wyoming, both  of which rebroadcast  the programming  of
KGWC-TV. KGWN-TV operates two satellite stations, KSTF-TV, Scottsbluff, Nebraska
and  KTVS-TV, Sterling, Colorado,  both of which  rebroadcast the programming of
KGWN-TV. All  of the  Stauffer  Stations are  affiliated  with CBS,  except  for
KMIZ(TV),  Columbia, Missouri, which is affiliated  with ABC. For the year ended
December 31, 1995,  the Stauffer  Stations had  net revenues  of $17.3  million,
broadcast cash flow of $4.0 million and broadcast cash flow margin of 23.1%.
     THE BRISSETTE ACQUISITION. On June 6, 1996, the Company acquired all of the
capital  stock of Brissette for $270.0 million  in cash and preferred stock. All
of the outstanding indebtedness of Brissette was paid in full by the sellers  at
the  closing. Pursuant to the Brissette  Agreement, at the closing Brissette was
required to have  working capital of  at least  $8.8 million and  any amount  in
excess thereof was paid to the sellers. By acquiring all of the capital stock of
Brissette,  the  Company acquired  eight network-affiliated  television stations
including WMTV(TV), the NBC affiliate serving Madison, Wisconsin; WWLP(TV),  the
NBC  affiliate serving  Springfield, Massachusetts;  WILX-TV, the  NBC affiliate
serving Lansing, Michigan; WHOI(TV), the ABC affiliate serving Peoria, Illinois;
WSAW-TV, the CBS affiliate serving Wausau, Wisconsin; WTRF-TV, the CBS affiliate
serving Wheeling,  West  Virginia  and  Steubenville,  Ohio;  KAUZ-TV,  the  CBS
affiliate  serving Wichita Falls, Texas; and  KOSA-TV, the CBS affiliate serving
Odessa, Texas. For the year ended December 31, 1995, Brissette had net  revenues
of  $51.3 million, broadcast cash flow of  $23.9 million and broadcast cash flow
margin of 46.5%.
     Of the  $270.0 million  paid for  the capital  stock of  Brissette,  $225.0
million  was paid in cash and $45.0 million was paid by the issuance to GECC and
Mr. Paul Brissette of the Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock of the Company.
See 'The Financing Plan.'
 
                                       9
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                               THE FINANCING PLAN
 
     The Company, together with its subsidiary Benedek Broadcasting, implemented
the Financing Plan  in order to  finance the  Acquisitions and to  pay fees  and
expenses related thereto. The Financing Plan consisted of (i) the offer and sale
by  the  Company of  the  Existing Notes  to  generate gross  proceeds  of $90.2
million, (ii) the offer and sale by  the Company of the Units to generate  gross
proceeds  of $60.0 million, (iii)  Benedek Broadcasting borrowing $128.0 million
pursuant to  the Term  Loan Facilities  of  the Credit  Agreement and  (iv)  the
Company  issuing an aggregate of $45.0 million initial liquidation preference of
Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock to GECC and Mr. Paul Brissette.
 
     The following table sets forth the sources and uses for the Financing  Plan
as of June 6, 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   (DOLLARS
                                                                                IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                             <C>
SOURCES:
  Benedek Broadcasting
     Cash....................................................................      $  7,322
     Deposit(a)..............................................................         5,000
     Credit Agreement
          Revolving Credit Facility(b).......................................            --
          Term Loan Facilities...............................................       128,000
  The Company
     The Existing Notes......................................................        90,178
     The Units(c)............................................................        60,000
     Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock..................................        45,000
                                                                                --------------
                                                                                   $335,500
                                                                                --------------
                                                                                --------------
USES:
     Stauffer Acquisition....................................................      $ 54,500
     Brissette Acquisition...................................................       270,000
     Fees and Expenses.......................................................        11,000
                                                                                --------------
                                                                                   $335,500
                                                                                --------------
                                                                                --------------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
(a) Pursuant to the  Stauffer Agreement,  Benedek Broadcasting had made  a  $5.0
    million down payment which had been deposited in escrow pending consummation
    of the Stauffer Acquisition.

(b) Benedek Broadcasting has available  to it $15.0  million under the Revolving
    Credit Facility.
 
(c) Each Unit consisted  of ten  shares  of Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock,  ten
    Initial Warrants and 14.8 Contingent Warrants,  each Warrant to purchase one
    share of Class A Common Stock of the Company.
 
                                       10
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                    POST-TRANSACTIONS CORPORATE STRUCTURE(a)
 

                              [GRAPHIC REPRESENATION]


- ------------
 
(a) Concurrently with the consummation of the Transactions, Brissette and all of
    its subsidiaries were  merged with  and into Benedek  Broadcasting with  the
    result  that the operating assets of all of the Stations (other than the FCC
    licenses and authorizations) are owned directly by Benedek Broadcasting.
 
(b) The obligations of  Benedek Broadcasting  in respect of  the Senior  Secured
    Notes,  the  Term  Loan Facilities  and  the Revolving  Credit  Facility are
    guaranteed by the Company  and, except in the  case of the Revolving  Credit
    Facility,  by BLC. Although the Credit  Agreement does not limit the ability
    of Benedek  Broadcasting to  pay dividends  or make  other payments  to  the
    Company,  the Senior Secured  Note Indenture does  contain such limitations.
    However,  after  the  consummation   of  the  Transactions  (including   the
    contribution  to the common equity  of Benedek Broadcasting of approximately
    $188.5 million net proceeds of the sale of the Existing Notes, the Units and
    the Seller Junior Discount  Preferred Stock), as of  June 30, 1996,  Benedek
    Broadcasting  could  have distributed  approximately  $188.5 million  to the
    Company under such limitations.
 
                                       11
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                      <C>
SECURITIES OFFERED.....................  Up to $170.0 million aggregate principal  amount at maturity of 13  1/4%
                                         Senior  Subordinated Discount Notes due 2006.  The terms of the Exchange
                                         Securities and Existing  Notes are identical  in all material  respects,
                                         except   for  certain  transfer  restrictions  and  registration  rights
                                         relating  to  the  Existing  Notes  and  except  for  certain   interest
                                         provisions   relating  to  the  Existing  Notes  described  below  under
                                         ' -- Terms of Exchange Securities.'
 
THE EXCHANGE OFFER.....................  The Exchange  Securities  are  being  offered in  exchange  for  a  like
                                         principal  amount at maturity  of Existing Notes.  Existing Notes may be
                                         exchanged only  in integral  multiples of  $1,000. The  issuance of  the
                                         Exchange  Securities is intended  to satisfy obligations  of the Company
                                         contained in the Registration Agreement.
 
EXPIRATION DATE; WITHDRAWAL OF
  TENDER...............................  The Exchange Offer  will expire  at 5:00 p.m.,  New York  City time,  on
                                                       ,  1996,  or  such later  date  and  time to  which  it is
                                         extended by the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the  Expiration
                                         Date  shall not be later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date
                                         60 days from the date of  this Prospectus. The tender of Existing  Notes
                                         pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the
                                         Expiration  Date. Any Existing  Notes not accepted  for exchange for any
                                         reason will be returned without expense to the tendering holder  thereof
                                         as  promptly as practicable  after the expiration  or termination of the
                                         Exchange Offer.
 
CERTAIN CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE
  OFFER................................  The Exchange Offer is subject to certain customary conditions, which may
                                         be waived by the Company. See 'The Exchange Offer -- Certain  Conditions
                                         to the Exchange Offer.'
 
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING EXISTING
  NOTES................................  Each  holder of Existing Notes wishing to accept the Exchange Offer must
                                         complete, sign  and  date  the  Letter of  Transmittal  or  a  facsimile
                                         thereof,  in  accordance  with  the  instructions  contained  herein and
                                         therein, and mail or  otherwise deliver such  Letter of Transmittal,  or
                                         such facsimile, together with such Existing Notes and any other required
                                         documentation,  to the  Exchange Agent (as  defined) at  the address set
                                         forth herein. By executing the  Letter of Transmittal, each holder  will
                                         represent to the Company that, among other things, (i) the holder is not
                                         an  'affiliate' of the Company within the  meaning of Rule 405 under the
                                         Securities Act, (ii)  the Exchange Securities  acquired pursuant to  the
                                         Exchange Offer are being acquired in the ordinary course of the holder's
                                         business, (iii) such holder has no arrangement or understanding with any
                                         person  to participate in a distribution of such Exchange Securities and
                                         (iv) such holder is not  engaged in and does not  intend to engage in  a
                                         distribution   of   such   Exchange   Securities.   See   'The  Exchange
                                         Offer --  Exchange  Offer  Procedures.'  Pursuant  to  the  Registration
                                         Agreement,  the Company is required to file a registration statement for
                                         a continuous offering pursuant to Rule  415 under the Securities Act  (a
                                         'Shelf Registration Statement') in respect of Existing Notes held by any
                                         holder  which indicates in  a Letter of Transmittal  that it cannot make
                                         such representations  to the  Company and  that it  wishes to  have  its
                                         Existing Notes registered under the Securities Act.
 
USE OF PROCEEDS........................  There  will be no proceeds to the  Company from the exchange of Existing
                                         Notes for Exchange Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The  gross
                                         proceeds  received by the  Company from the sale  of the Existing Notes,
                                         together with the gross proceeds from the sale of the Units and advances
                                         under the
</TABLE>
 
                                       12
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                      <C>
                                         Credit Agreement, were used to finance the Acquisitions and to pay  fees
                                         and expenses in connection with the Transactions. See 'The Acquisitions'
                                         and 'The Financing Plan.'
 
EXCHANGE AGENT.........................  United States Trust Company of New York is serving as the Exchange Agent
                                         in connection with the Exchange Offer.
 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES........  The  exchange of Existing Notes for  Exchange Securities pursuant to the
                                         Exchange Offer  will not  be  a taxable  event  for Federal  income  tax
                                         purposes.  See  'Certain  Federal Income  Tax  Consequences  -- Exchange
                                         Offer.'
</TABLE>
 
                          TERMS OF EXCHANGE SECURITIES
 
     The terms of the Exchange Securities are identical in all material respects
to the  Existing  Notes,  except  (i)  for  certain  transfer  restrictions  and
registration rights relating to the Existing Notes and (ii) that, if by November
4,   1996  neither  the  Exchange  Offer   has  been  consummated  nor  a  Shelf
Registrations Statement has  been declared effective,  additional cash  interest
will accrue on each Existing Note from and including November 5, 1996, until but
excluding  the earlier of the date of consummation of the Exchange Offer and the
effective date of a Shelf Registration Statement  at a rate of 0.50% per  annum.
See 'Description of the Notes.'
 
                            THE EXCHANGE SECURITIES
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                      <C>
SECURITIES OFFERED.....................  $170.0  million aggregate principal amount at maturity of 13 1/4% Senior
                                         Subordinated Discount Notes due 2006.
 
MATURITY DATE..........................  May 15, 2006.
 
YIELD TO MATURITY......................  13.25% per  annum  (computed  on a  semi-annual  bond-equivalent  basis)
                                         calculated from June 6, 1996.
 
INTEREST...............................  The  Exchange Securities will be issued at 100% of the Accreted Value of
                                         the Existing Notes  and no cash  interest will accrue  prior to May  15,
                                         2001.  Thereafter, cash interest will accrue until maturity at an annual
                                         rate of  13.25%  payable  semi-annually  on  May  15  and  November  15,
                                         commencing November 15, 2001.
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION....................  On  or after May 15, 2000, the Notes are redeemable at the option of the
                                         Company, in whole or in part, at the redemption prices set forth  herein
                                         plus  accrued and  unpaid interest, if  any, to the  date of redemption.
                                         Until May 15, 1999, the Company may, at its option, redeem up to 25%  of
                                         the  aggregate principal amount  at maturity of the  Notes at 113.25% of
                                         the Accreted Value thereof with the  net proceeds of one or more  Public
                                         Equity  Offerings or Strategic Investments (as  defined) if at least 75%
                                         of the  original aggregate  principal amount  at maturity  of the  Notes
                                         remain outstanding after each such redemption.
 
CHANGE OF CONTROL......................  After the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined), the Company is
                                         required  to offer  to repurchase all  outstanding Notes at  101% of the
                                         principal amount plus accrued interest to the date of repurchase (or, if
                                         prior to May  15, 2001, at  101% of the  Accreted Value on  the date  of
                                         repurchase).  There can be  no assurance that the  Company will have the
                                         financial ability to purchase  the Notes upon a  Change of Control.  See
                                         'Description of the Notes -- Change of Control.'
 
RANKING................................  The  Exchange Securities will  be general, unsecured  obligations of the
                                         Company, will be subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Debt  of
                                         the  Company, will rank pari passu  with all senior subordinated debt of
                                         the Company, including Existing Notes not exchanged, and will be  senior
                                         in  right of payment to all existing and future subordinated debt of the
                                         Company. As of June 30,
</TABLE>
 
                                       13
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                      <C>
                                         1996, the Company  had no Senior  Debt other than  its guarantee of  the
                                         obligations of Benedek Broadcasting with respect to the Credit Agreement
                                         and the Senior Secured Notes and Benedek Broadcasting had $263.6 million
                                         of  indebtedness outstanding.  The Company  has no  present intention to
                                         incur   any   indebtedness    junior   to   the    Notes.   See    'Risk
                                         Factors  --  Leveraged Financial  Position,'  and '  --  Holding Company
                                         Structure; Subordination  of the  Notes,' 'Management's  Discussion  and
                                         Analysis  of Financial Condition and  Results of Operations -- Liquidity
                                         and Capital Resources' and 'Description of the Notes -- Ranking.'
 
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS..................  The indenture pursuant to which the  Existing Notes were issued and  the
                                         Exchange  Securities will  be issued (the  'Indenture') contains certain
                                         covenants that, among other things, limit (i) the issuance of additional
                                         indebtedness by the Company and  its subsidiaries, (ii) the creation  of
                                         certain  liens on the assets of  the Company and its subsidiaries, (iii)
                                         the Company from entering into certain sale and leaseback  transactions,
                                         (iv)  the issuance of preferred stock by the Company's subsidiaries, (v)
                                         the payment of dividends on, and redemption of, certain capital stock of
                                         the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  and  the  redemption  of   certain
                                         subordinated  obligations of  the Company,  (vi) investments  in certain
                                         affiliates,  (vii)  sales  of   assets  and  subsidiary  stock,   (viii)
                                         transactions  with  affiliates  and  (ix)  consolidations,  mergers  and
                                         transfers of  all or  substantially  all of  the Company's  assets.  The
                                         Indenture  also  prohibits  certain restrictions  on  distributions from
                                         subsidiaires. However,  all of  these limitations  and prohibitions  are
                                         subject to a number of important qualifications. See 'Description of the
                                         Notes -- Certain Covenants.'
 
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT................  The  Existing  Notes were  offered at  an  issue price  that represented
                                         original issue discount for Federal income tax purposes. Thus,  although
                                         cash  interest  will not  accrue on  the  Notes prior  to May  15, 2001,
                                         original issue discount (i.e., the difference between the principal  and
                                         interest  payable on the Notes and  their issue price) will accrete from
                                         the issue date  of the  Notes and will  be included  as ordinary  income
                                         (including  for periods ending prior to May 15, 2001) for Federal income
                                         tax purposes in advance of receipt of cash payments to which such income
                                         is attributable. See 'Certain Federal Income Tax
                                         Consequences -- Original Issue Discount.'
 
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS..............  The Company  has  agreed to  use  its  best efforts  to  consummate  the
                                         Exchange  Offer  by  October  4,  1996.  In  the  event  that applicable
                                         interpretations of the  staff of the  SEC do not  permit the Company  to
                                         effect the Exchange Offer, or if for any other reason the Exchange Offer
                                         is  not  consummated  by  November  4,  1996,  and  under  certain other
                                         specified circumstances, the Company will use its best efforts to  cause
                                         to  become effective a Shelf Registration  Statement with respect to the
                                         resale of  the  Existing  Notes  and  to  keep  the  Shelf  Registration
                                         Statement  effective until  three years after  the date  of the original
                                         issuance of the Existing Notes. If the Company does not comply with  its
                                         obligations with respect to the Exchange Offer or the Shelf Registration
                                         Statement, additional cash interest will accrue on the Existing Notes at
                                         a rate of 0.50% per annum until such obligations are satisfied. See 'The
                                         Exchange Offer -- Acceptance of Existing Notes for Exchange; Delivery of
                                         Exchange Securities.'
</TABLE>
 
                                       14
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     Holders  of  the  Existing  Notes  should  consider  carefully  all  of the
information set forth in this Prospectus and, in particular, the information set
forth under 'Risk Factors' commencing on page 23.
 
                               OTHER INFORMATION
 
     The Company was  incorporated under the  laws of the  State of Delaware  on
April  10, 1996.  Benedek Broadcasting  was incorporated  under the  laws of the
State of Delaware on  January 22, 1979. Benedek  Broadcasting is a  wholly-owned
subsidiary  of the Company.  The principal executive offices  of the Company and
Benedek Broadcasting are located  at 308 West  State Street, Rockford,  Illinois
61101. The telephone number at the executive offices is 815-987-5350.
 
                        SUMMARY PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The  following  tables  present summary  pro  forma financial  data  of the
Company for the year ended  December 31, 1995 and as  of and for the six  months
ended  June 30, 1996. The  pro forma operations and  financial data for the year
ended December 31, 1995 give effect  to the Transactions as if the  Transactions
had  been consummated on January 1, 1995. The pro forma operations and financial
data as  of and  for the  six months  ended June  30, 1996  give effect  to  the
Transactions as if the Transactions had been consummated on January 1, 1996. The
pro  forma financial statements  do not purport to  represent what the Company's
results would actually have been if  the Transactions had occurred on the  dates
indicated  or to project the Company's results  or financial condition for or at
any future period or date.  Additionally, certain reclassification entries  have
been  made to  the audited  financial statements  of Stauffer  and Brissette for
consistent presentation  with  Benedek  Broadcasting.  The  following  financial
information  should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  the  Pro  Forma  Financial
Statements, Consolidated  Financial Statements  of  the Company,  the  Financial
Statements  of Stauffer and  the Consolidated Financial  Statements of Brissette
included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       15




<PAGE>
<PAGE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          HISTORICAL          ADJUSTMENTS     THE COMPANY
                                                    THE COMPANY      ---------------------        FOR             PRO
                                                  AS ADJUSTED(A)     STAUFFER    BRISSETTE    TRANSACTIONS       FORMA
                                                  ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------    -----------
                                                                          (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                               <C>                <C>         <C>          <C>             <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
  Net revenues..................................     $  51,972       $ 17,317    $  51,326      $    250(f)    $ 121,345
                                                                                                     132(g)
                                                                                                     284(h)
                                                                                                      64(i)
  Operating expenses:
      Station operating expenses................        30,139         13,534       27,515        (1,894)(j)      69,294
      Depreciation and amortization.............         5,467          2,229        6,252        13,677(k)       27,625
                                                  ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------    -----------
        Station operating income (loss).........        16,366          1,554       17,559       (11,053)         24,426
      Corporate expenses........................         1,576(e)          --        2,307        (1,983)(l)       1,900
                                                  ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------    -----------
  Operating income (loss).......................        14,790          1,554       15,252        (9,070)         22,526
 
  Financial expense, net:
      Interest expense, net:
        Cash interest, net......................       (15,779)            --      (20,837)        9,401(m)      (27,215)
        Other interest..........................          (620)            --         (549)      (12,602)(m)     (13,771)
                                                  ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------    -----------
          Total interest, net...................       (16,399)            --      (21,386)       (3,201)        (40,986)
      Other, net................................            --             --         (354)          354(n)           --
  Provision for income taxes....................            --             --         (147)          147(o)           --
                                                  ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------    -----------
  Net income (loss) from continuing
    operations..................................        (1,609)         1,554       (6,635)      (11,770)        (18,460)
                                                  ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------    -----------
  Exchangeable Preferred Stock dividends........            --             --           --        (9,519)(p)      (9,519)
  Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock
    dividends...................................            --             --           --        (3,672)(q)      (3,672)
                                                  ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------    -----------
  Net income (loss) from continuing operations
    available to common stockholders............     $  (1,609)      $  1,554    $  (6,635)     $(24,961)      $ (31,651)
                                                  ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------    -----------
                                                  ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------    -----------
 
  Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(b).........            --                                                        --
 
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW DATA(T):
  Net cash provided by operating activities.....     $   3,251       $  4,250    $   1,632
  Net cash (used in) investing activities.......       (30,972)          (406)      (2,711)
  Net cash provided by (used in) financing
    activities..................................        32,773         (4,099)       2,300
 
CERTAIN FINANCIAL DATA:
  Broadcast cash flow(c)........................     $  21,863       $  4,000    $  23,856      $  2,703       $  52,422
  Broadcast cash flow margin....................          42.1%          23.1%        46.5%                         43.2%
 
  Adjusted EBITDA(c)............................     $  20,287       $  4,000    $  21,549      $  4,686       $  50,522
  Adjusted EBITDA margin........................          39.0%          23.1%        42.0%                         41.6%
 
  Amortization of program broadcast rights......     $   2,183       $  1,025    $   1,684      $     --       $   4,892
  Payments for program broadcast rights.........         2,153            808        1,639           (79)(r)       4,521
  Capital expenditures..........................         2,126            406        2,748            --           5,280
  Cash payments for Federal income taxes........            --                                                        --
 
CERTAIN RATIOS:
 
  Adjusted EBITDA to cash interest
    expense, net................................          1.29x                                                     1.86x
 
  Adjusted EBITDA to total interest
    expense, net................................          1.24x                                                     1.23x
 
  Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures to
    cash interest expense, net..................          1.15x                                                     1.66x
 
  Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures to
    total interest expense, net.................          1.11x                                                     1.10x
 
  Net Senior Debt to adjusted EBITDA(d).........           6.2x                                                      5.1x
 
  Net debt to adjusted EBITDA(d)................           6.2x                                                      6.8x
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       16
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      SIX MONTHS
                                                         ENDED            FOR THE PERIOD
                                                     JUNE 30, 1996        JANUARY 1, 1996
                                                    ---------------       TO JUNE 6, 1996       ADJUSTMENTS     THE COMPANY
                                                          THE          ---------------------        FOR             PRO
                                                        COMPANY        STAUFFER    BRISSETTE    TRANSACTIONS       FORMA
                                                    ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------    -----------
                                                                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                 <C>                <C>         <C>          <C>             <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
  Net revenues....................................     $  30,115        $7,341      $22,439       $     64(h)    $  59,959
  Operating expenses:
      Station operating expenses..................        18,236         6,094       12,875           (900)(j)      36,305
      Depreciation and amortization...............         4,069           974        2,954          5,258(k)       13,255
                                                    ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------    -----------
        Station operating income (loss)...........         7,810           273        6,610         (4,294)         10,399
      Corporate expenses..........................         1,087            --        3,303         (3,440)(l)         950
                                                    ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------    -----------
  Operating income (loss).........................         6,723           273        3,307           (854)          9,449
 
  Financial expense, net:
      Interest expense, net:
        Cash interest, net........................        (8,668)           --       (8,209)         3,238(m)      (13,639)
        Other interest............................        (1,098)           --         (275)        (6,103)(m)      (7,476)
                                                    ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------    -----------
          Total interest, net.....................        (9,766)           --       (8,484)        (2,865)        (21,115)
      Other, net..................................            --            --         (190)           190(n)           --
  Provision for income taxes......................            --            --         (114)           114(o)           --
                                                    ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------    -----------
  Net income (loss) from continuing operations....        (3,043)          273       (5,481)        (3,415)        (11,666)
                                                    ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------    -----------
  Exchangeable Preferred Stock dividends..........            --            --           --         (4,630)(p)      (4,630)
  Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock
    dividends.....................................            --            --           --         (1,809)(q)      (1,809)
                                                    ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------    -----------
  Net income (loss) from continuing operations
    available to common stockholders..............     $  (3,043)       $  273      $(5,481)      $ (9,854)      $ (18,105)
                                                    ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------    -----------
                                                    ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------    -----------
  Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(b)...........            --                                                        --
 
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW DATA(T):
  Net cash provided by (used in) operating
    activities....................................     $   7,558        $1,696      $(3,722)
  Net cash (used in) investing activities.........      (323,673)          (93)        (713)
  Net cash provided by (used in) financing
    activities....................................       312,138        (1,781)       2,867
 
CERTAIN FINANCIAL DATA:
  Broadcast cash flow(c)..........................     $  11,995        $1,390      $ 9,441       $    964       $  23,790
  Broadcast cash flow margin......................          39.8%         18.9%        42.1%                          39.7%
 
  Adjusted EBITDA(c)..............................     $  10,908        $1,390      $ 6,138       $  4,404       $  22,840
  Adjusted EBITDA margin..........................          36.2%         18.9%        27.4%                          38.1%
 
  Amortization of program broadcast rights........     $   1,302        $  491      $   865                      $   2,658
  Payments for program broadcast rights...........         1,186           348          988                          2,522
  Capital expenditures............................         1,334            93          935
  Cash payments for Federal income taxes..........            --            --           --                             --
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       17




<PAGE>
<PAGE>
   
(a)  Concurrently   with   the   consummation  of   the   Transactions,  Benedek
     Broadcasting  became  a  wholly-owned   subsidiary  of  the  Company.   The
     operations  and financial  data of 'The  Company as Adjusted'  for the year
     ended December  31,  1995  are  derived from  the  pro  forma  consolidated
     financial  statements of the  Company adjusted to give  pro forma effect to
     the acquisition on March  31,1995 of WTVY-TV,  serving Dothan, Alabama  and
     Panama  City, Florida (the 'Dothan Station') and the issuance of the Senior
     Secured Notes is as if  both such events had  occurred on January 1,  1995.
     Capital  expenditures do not include assets acquired in connection with the
     acquisition  of  the  Dothan  Station.  Adjustments  with  respect  to  the
     acquisition  of the Dothan Station  have not been made  with respect to the
     Statement of Cash Flow Data as they are not material.
    
 
(b)  For the purpose  of calculating  the ratio  of earnings  to fixed  charges,
     earnings consist of net income (loss) before income taxes and extraordinary
     item  plus fixed  charges (excluding  capitalized interest).  Fixed charges
     consist  of  interest  on   all  debt  (including  capitalized   interest),
     amortization  of debt discount  and deferred loan costs  and the portion of
     rental expense that is representative  of the interest component of  rental
     expense (deemed to be one-third of rental expense which management believes
     is  a reasonable approximation of the interest component). For 'The Company
     As  Adjusted,'  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  1995,  earnings  were
     insufficient  to cover fixed charges by $1.6 million. The net income (loss)
     for 'The Company As Adjusted' includes certain non-cash charges as follows:
     non-cash interest of $0.6 million and depreciation and amortization of $5.5
     million. For 'The Company Pro Forma,' for the year ended December 31, 1995,
     earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $18.5 million. The net
     income (loss) for 'The Company Pro Forma' includes certain non-cash charges
     as follows:  non-cash  interest  of  $13.8  million  and  depreciation  and
     amortization  of $27.6  million. For the  Company for the  six months ended
     June 30, 1996, earnings  were insufficient to cover  fixed charges by  $3.0
     million.  The net income  (loss) for the  Company includes certain non-cash
     charges as follows: non-cash interest of $1.1 million and depreciation  and
     amortization  of $4.1 million. For the 'The  Company Pro Forma' for the six
     months ended  June 30,  1996,  earnings were  insufficient to  cover  fixed
     charges by $11.7 million. The net income (loss) for 'The Company Pro Forma'
     includes  certain non-cash  charges as  follows: non-cash  interest of $7.5
     million and depreciation and amortization of $13.3 million.
 
   
(c)  Adjusted  EBITDA  refers  to  operating  income  before  financial   income
     (expense)  as derived from  statements of operations  plus depreciation and
     amortization,  amortization  of  program  broadcast  rights  and   non-cash
     compensation less cash payments for program broadcast rights.
    
 
     Broadcast  cash  flow refers  to operating  income before  financial income
     (expense) as derived  from statements of  operations plus depreciation  and
     amortization,  amortization of program broadcast rights, corporate expenses
     and non-cash compensation less cash payments for program broadcast rights.
 
   
     Adjusted EBITDA  and  broadcast cash  flow  data are  used  throughout  the
     document and have been included herein because such data is used by certain
     investors  to measure a company's ability  to service debt. Adjusted EBITDA
     and broadcast  cash flow  do  not purport  to  represent cash  provided  by
     operating  activities as reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements
     of the Company, the  Financial Statements of  Stauffer or the  Consolidated
     Financial   Statements  of   Brissette,  are  not   measures  of  financial
     performance under GAAP  and should  not be  considered in  isolation or  as
     substitutes for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.
    
 
(d)  Net  Senior Debt and net debt are defined  as Senior Debt or total debt (as
     defined in  footnote  (s)),  as  the  case  may  be,  less  cash  and  cash
     equivalents. These ratios are not the same as the Cash Flow Leverage Ratios
     as  defined in the  Senior Secured Note  or Exchange Indentures,  or in the
     Certificate of Designation  for the  Exchangeable Preferred  Stock, and  in
     particular,  such Cash Flow Leverage Ratios  do not credit cash against the
     outstanding debt amount.
 
(e)  Includes $0.1  million in  one-time expenses  incurred in  connection  with
     potential acquisitions which were not entered into by the Company.
 
(f)  The   adjustment  reflects  the  annualized  effect  of  increased  network
     compensation resulting from  new affiliation agreements  effective July  1,
     1995  for the CBS-affiliated Benedek Stations.  In connection with such new
     affiliation agreements,  CBS  paid the  Company  a bonus  payment  of  $5.0
     million  which is required  under GAAP to  be recognized as  revenue at the
     rate of  $500,000  per year  over  the  ten-year term  of  the  affiliation
     agreements,  of  which $250,000  was  recognized in  Benedek Broadcasting's
     statement of operations for 1995.
 
(g)  The adjustment reflects  the annualized effect  of increased revenues  from
     the national sales representative firm for the Brissette Stations resulting
     from  the amortization of a $700,000  signing bonus which is required under
     GAAP to be recognized as  revenue at the rate of  $140,000 per year over  a
     period  of  five  years,  of which  $8,000  was  recognized  in Brissette's
     statement of operations for 1995.
 
(h)  The adjustment reflects the annualized  effect of reduced commission  rates
     payable  to  national  sales  representative  firms  under  new  agreements
     negotiated by the Company.
 
(i)  The adjustment reflects the annualized  effect of new network  compensation
     arrangements  that took effect at  various times in 1995  at certain of the
     Acquired Stations.
 
(j)  The adjustment reflects cost savings resulting from the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              SIX MONTHS
                                                                               YEAR ENDED       ENDED
                                                                              DECEMBER 31,     JUNE 30,
                                                                                  1995           1996
                                                                              ------------    ----------
                                                                                (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                           <C>             <C>
 (i) Elimination of redundant operating expenses, consisting of the
     elimination of certain positions at the Acquired Stations.............      $1,345          $673
 (ii) Adjustments to certain employee benefits and compensation practices
      at the Acquired Stations.............................................         355           177
(iii) Implementation at the Acquired Stations of operating strategies
      currently utilized at the Benedek Stations...........................         194            50
                                                                              ------------      -----
                                                                                 $1,894          $900
                                                                              ------------      -----
                                                                              ------------      -----
</TABLE>
 
                                       18
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
   The employees of Stauffer that were hired by the Company became  participants
   in the Company's employee benefit plans as of the closing on June 6, 1996 and
   were credited with prior service to Stauffer. The benefit plans for Brissette
   (401(k)  and health plans) were left intact  by the Company after the closing
   of the Brissette acquisition.
 
   The pro forma cost savings as  allocated among departments are summarized  in
the table below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           YEAR ENDED                                 FOR THE PERIOD
                                        DECEMBER 31, 1995                    JANUARY 1, 1996 TO JUNE 6, 1996
                                 -------------------------------      ----------------------------------------------
                                 STAUFFER    BRISSETTE    TOTAL         STAUFFER        BRISSETTE          TOTAL
                                 --------    ---------    ------      ------------    --------------    ------------
                                                               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                              <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>             <C>               <C>
Selling expenses..............    $   94       $  53      $  147          $ 47             $ 26             $ 73
Programming and technical.....       489         502         839           245              252              497
Advertising and promotions....        69          --         221            35               --               35
General and administrative....       449         238         687           224               71              295
                                 --------    ---------    ------         -----            -----            -----
    Total.....................    $1,101       $ 793      $1,894          $551             $349             $900
                                 --------    ---------    ------         -----            -----            -----
                                 --------    ---------    ------         -----            -----            -----
</TABLE>
 
(k)  The   adjustment  reflects   primarily  the   additional  depreciation  and
     amortization expense resulting  from the allocation  of the purchase  price
     for  the Acquired Stations to the assets acquired, including an increase in
     property and equipment and intangible assets to their estimated fair market
     value  and  the  recording  of   goodwill  associated  with  each  of   the
     Acquisitions.
 
(l)  The  adjustment reflects the net annualized cost savings resulting from the
     acquisition of  the Acquired  Stations by  the Company,  including (i)  the
     elimination  of substantially all  of the corporate  expenses of Brissette,
     (ii) the addition of certain corporate management personnel by the  Company
     and  related costs and (iii) elimination  of severance compensation paid to
     the officers of Brissette under  terms of their employment agreements  upon
     sale to the Company.
 
(m) Interest  expense has been adjusted to reflect  the net effect of the change
    in outstanding debt and deferred financing costs as though the  Transactions
    had  occurred on January  1, 1995 for  the year ended  December 31, 1995 and
    January 1, 1996 for the six months ended June 30, 1996. The following  table
    details the calculation of the adjustment:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  YEAR ENDED                               SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                              DECEMBER 31, 1995                              JUNE 30, 1996
                                    --------------------------------------       -------------------------------------
                                      CASH      OTHER INTEREST     TOTAL           CASH      OTHER INTEREST     TOTAL
                                    --------    --------------    --------       --------    --------------    -------
                                                                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<S>                                 <C>         <C>               <C>            <C>         <C>               <C>
Notes at a rate of 13.25%........   $     --       $(12,344)      $(12,344)      $     --       $ (5,974)      $(5,974)
Term Loan Facilities at an
  assumed blended rate of 8.73%..    (11,039)            --        (11,039)        (4,759)            --        (4,759)
Interest on existing Brissette
  notes..........................     20,837             --         20,837          8,209             --         8,209
Reduction in interest income.....       (397)            --           (397)          (212)            --          (212)
Increase in amortization of
  deferred financing costs.......         --           (807)          (807)            --           (404)         (404)
Reduction of amortization on
  deferred financing costs on
  Brissette debt.................         --            549            549             --            275           275
                                    --------    --------------    --------       --------    --------------    -------
    Net adjustment...............   $  9,401       $(12,602)      $ (3,201)      $  3,238       $ (6,103)      $(2,865)
                                    --------    --------------    --------       --------    --------------    -------
                                    --------    --------------    --------       --------    --------------    -------
</TABLE>
 
   The  actual interest  rate with  respect to the  Term Loan  Facilities may be
   higher or lower  than the rate  set forth above.  A change of  0.125% in  the
   interest  rate on borrowings under the  Term Loan Facilities would change pro
   forma interest expense by approximately $160,000 for the year ended  December
   31, 1995 and by approximately $80,000 for the six months ended June 30, 1996.
 
(n)  The  adjustment reflects  the elimination  of certain  legal and investment
     advisory fees paid by Brissette in connection with the sale to the Company.
 
(o)  The adjustment reflects the elimination of income tax expense. The  Company
     is not expected to have income tax expense on a pro forma basis.
 
(p)  The  adjustment reflects the  dividends paid on  the Exchangeable Preferred
     Stock at a rate of 15.0% per annum paid quarterly for an effective rate  of
     15.9% annually.
 
(q)  The  adjustment reflects the  dividends paid on  the Seller Junior Discount
     Preferred Stock at an assumed rate of 7.92% per annum paid quarterly for an
     effective rate of 8.16% annually.
 
(r)  The adjustment reflects  a reduction  in program payments  and the  related
     amortization to be consistent with Benedek the Company's historical program
     purchase practices.
 
(s)  Total  debt  is  defined  as  notes  payable  and  capital  leases  payable
     (including the current portion thereof).
 
   
(t)  For pro forma purposes, the information is not determinable.
    
 
                                       19
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                       SUMMARY HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The following tables present summary  historical financial data of (i)  the
Company (including the Transactions as of June 6, 1996), (ii) Stauffer and (iii)
Brissette.  The following  financial information  should be  read in conjunction
with the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  of  the  Company,  the  Financial
Statements  of Stauffer and  the Consolidated Financial  Statements of Brissette
included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
THE COMPANY (INCLUDING THE TRANSACTIONS AS OF JUNE 6, 1996)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                            JUNE 30,
                                        --------------------------------------------------------     ---------------------
                                         1991        1992        1993        1994         1995         1995         1996
                                        -------     -------     -------     -------     --------     --------     --------
                                                                      (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                     <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
    Net revenues(a).................    $33,608     $36,311     $38,352     $44,221     $ 50,329     $ 24,059     $ 30,115
    Operating expenses:
        Station operating
          expenses..................     20,309      21,511      22,805      24,810       29,049       13,837       18,236
        Depreciation and
          amortization..............      5,871       4,428       3,721       3,403        5,041        2,124        4,069
                                        -------     -------     -------     -------     --------     --------     --------
            Station operating
              income................      7,428      10,372      11,826      16,008       16,239        8,098        7,810
        Corporate expenses..........        887       1,288       1,249       1,309        1,576          698        1,087
        Special bonus, officer-
          stockholder...............         --          --       1,400          --           --           --           --
                                        -------     -------     -------     -------     --------     --------     --------
    Operating income................      6,541       9,084       9,177      14,699       14,663        7,400        6,723
                                        -------     -------     -------     -------     --------     --------     --------
    Interest expense, net(b):
        Cash interest, net..........     (9,856)     (6,605)     (8,194)     (7,740)     (14,763)      (6,891)      (8,668)
        Other interest..............     (3,923)     (7,774)     (6,161)     (4,905)        (712)        (337)      (1,098)
                                        -------     -------     -------     -------     --------     --------     --------
            Total interest, net.....    (13,779)    (14,379)    (14,355)    (12,645)     (15,475)      (7,228)      (9,766)
                                        -------     -------     -------     -------     --------     --------     --------
    Extraordinary item(c)...........         --          --          --          --        6,864        6,864           --
    Net income (loss)(d)............     (8,143)     (5,605)     (5,034)      2,044        6,052        7,036       (3,043)
    Ratio of earnings to fixed
      charges(e)....................         --          --          --         1.2x          --          1.0x          --

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW DATA:
    Net cash provided by (used in)
      operating activities..........    $ 1,874     $ 5,255     $ 4,926     $10,493     $  3,251     $   (826)    $  7,558
    Net cash (used in) investing
      activities....................       (317)       (375)       (864)     (2,507)     (30,972)     (27,213)    (323,673)
    Net cash provided by (used in)
      financing activities..........     (3,110)     (1,427)     (6,951)     (7,037)      32,773       33,243      312,138
 
CERTAIN FINANCIAL DATA:
    Broadcast cash flow.............    $13,531     $14,728     $15,546     $19,627     $ 21,310     $ 10,266     $ 11,995
    Broadcast cash flow margin......       40.3%       40.6%       40.5%       44.4%        42.3%        42.7%        39.8%
 
    Adjusted EBITDA.................    $12,644     $13,440     $14,297     $18,318     $ 19,734     $  9,568     $ 10,908
    Adjusted EBITDA margin..........       37.6%       37.0%       37.3%       41.4%        39.2%        39.8%        36.2%
 
    Amortization of program
      broadcast rights..............    $ 2,131     $ 1,996     $ 2,179     $ 2,104     $  2,162     $  1,082     $  1,302
    Payments for program broadcast
      rights........................      1,899       2,068       2,180       1,888        2,132        1,038        1,186
    Capital expenditures............      1,581       1,458       1,278       1,161        2,008          917        1,334
</TABLE>
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------           JUNE 30,
                                          1991         1992         1993         1994         1995               1996
                                        --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     ---------------------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
    Total assets....................    $ 76,111     $ 77,049     $ 72,818     $ 73,621     $114,453           $496,668
    Working capital (deficit).......       1,997          (71)       3,684        1,611       13,665              8,109
    Total debt(e)...................     107,350      109,439      112,874      107,607      135,767            263,643
    Stockholder's equity
      (deficit).....................     (35,296)     (41,004)     (44,660)     (42,615)     (36,563)           149,883
</TABLE>
 
                                       20
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
 (a) Net revenues reflect deductions from gross revenues for agency and national
     sales representative commissions.
 
 (b) Cash interest, net includes  cash interest paid  and normal adjustments  to
     accrued  interest. Other interest includes accrued interest with respect to
     warrants to purchase Benedek Broadcasting's common stock, accrued  interest
     with  respect to  the contingent equity  value of  Benedek Broadcasting and
     long-term deferred  interest,  accrued  interest added  to  long-term  debt
     balances, deferred loan amortization and accretion of discounts.
 
 (c) The Company recorded an extraordinary gain from the early extinguishment of
     debt comprised of a gain of $11.1 million reduced by losses of $2.7 million
     of  prepayment  premiums  and  contingent  payments  and  $1.5  million  of
     unamortized debt discount and deferred loan costs.
 
 (d) Benedek  Broadcasting  had  historically  elected  to  be  taxed  as  an  S
     Corporation  for Federal  and state  income tax  purposes. Accordingly, the
     sole stockholder  of  Benedek Broadcasting  has  been responsible  for  the
     payment  of  income taxes  on  Benedek Broadcasting's  taxable  income. Net
     income (loss) does not include a pro forma adjustment for income taxes  due
     to  the availability  of net operating  loss carryforwards  and a valuation
     allowance. Benedek Broadcasting's election to be taxed as an S  Corporation
     terminated automatically upon the consummation of the Transactions.
 
 (e) For  the purpose  of calculating  the ratio  of earnings  to fixed charges,
     earnings consist of net income (loss) before income taxes and extraordinary
     item plus  fixed charges  (excluding capitalized  interest). Fixed  charges
     consist   of  interest  on  all   debt  (including  capitalized  interest),
     amortization of debt discount  and deferred loan costs  and the portion  of
     rental  expense that is representative of  the interest component of rental
     expense (deemed to be one-third of rental expense which management believes
     is a reasonable approximation of the  interest component). For each of  the
     four  years ended  December 31,  1991, 1992,  1993 and  1995, earnings were
     insufficient to cover  fixed charges  by $8.1 million,  $5.6 million,  $5.0
     million  and $0.8  million, respectively. For  the year  ended December 31,
     1994 the ratio of  earnings to fixed  charges was 1.2 to  1.0. For the  six
     months  ended June 30, 1995 the ratio  of earnings to fixed charges was 1.0
     to 1.0. For the six months ended June 30, 1996, earnings were  insufficient
     to  cover fixed  charges by $3.0  million. The Company's  net income (loss)
     includes certain non-cash charges as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                     JUNE 30,
                                                  -------------------------------------------------    ----------------
                                                   1991       1992       1993       1994      1995      1995      1996
                                                  -------    -------    -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
                                                                         (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                               <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
   Non-cash interest...........................   $ 3,923    $ 7,774    $ 6,161    $4,905    $  712    $  337    $1,098
   Depreciation and amortization...............     5,871      4,428      3,721     3,403     5,041     2,124     4,069
   Provision for loss on note receivable.......       905        310         --        --        --        --        --
   Special bonus, officer-stockholder..........        --         --      1,400        --        --        --        --
                                                  -------    -------    -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
                                                  $10,699    $12,512    $11,282    $8,308    $5,753    $2,461    $5,167
                                                  -------    -------    -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
                                                  -------    -------    -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
</TABLE>
 
(f) Total debt is defined as notes payable and capital leases payable (including
    the current portion thereof), net of discount.
 
                                       21
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
STAUFFER(a)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            PERIOD
                                                                                          JANUARY 1,
                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,       SIX MONTHS     1996 TO
                                           -----------------------------    ENDED JUNE     JUNE 6,
                                            1993       1994       1995       30, 1995        1996
                                           -------    -------    -------    ----------    ----------
                                                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
    Net revenues........................   $16,661    $19,081    $17,317     $  8,624      $  7,341
    Operating expenses:
        Station operating expenses......    13,327     13,422     13,534        6,501         6,094
        Depreciation and amortization...     2,264      2,304      2,229        1,136           974
                                           -------    -------    -------    ----------    ----------
            Station operating income....     1,070      3,355      1,554          987           273
        Corporate expenses..............        --         --         --           --            --
                                           -------    -------    -------    ----------    ----------
    Operating income (loss).............   $ 1,070    $ 3,355    $ 1,554     $    987      $    273
                                           -------    -------    -------    ----------    ----------
                                           -------    -------    -------    ----------    ----------
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW DATA:
    Net cash provided by operating
      activities........................   $ 2,963    $ 5,519    $ 4,250     $  2,102      $  1,696
    Net cash (used in) investing
      activities........................    (1,182)      (934)      (406)        (304)          (93)
    Net cash (used in) financing
      activities........................    (1,682)    (4,298)    (4,099)      (2,139)       (1,781)
CERTAIN FINANCIAL DATA:
    Broadcast cash flow.................   $ 3,285    $ 5,623    $ 4,000     $  2,168      $  1,390
    Broadcast cash flow margin..........      19.7%      29.5%      23.1%        25.1%         18.9%
    Adjusted EBITDA.....................   $ 3,285    $ 5,623    $ 4,000     $  2,168      $  1,390
    Adjusted EBITDA margin..............      19.7%      29.5%      23.1%        25.1%         18.9%
 
    Amortization of program broadcast
      rights............................   $ 1,277    $ 1,045    $ 1,025     $    496      $    491
    Payments for program broadcast
      rights............................     1,326      1,081        808          451           348
    Capital expenditures................     1,182        934        406          290            93
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
 (a) Reclassification entries have  been made  to the  financial statements  for
     consistent presentation with the Company.
 
BRISSETTE(a)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                  PERIOD
                                                                                                  SIX MONTHS    JANUARY 1,
                                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                                 1996 TO
                                           ---------------------------------------------------    ENDED JUNE     JUNE 6,
                                            1991       1992       1993       1994       1995       30, 1995        1996
                                           -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    ----------    ----------
                                                                       (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
    Net revenues........................   $43,817    $46,414    $44,404    $49,530    $51,326     $ 25,427      $ 22,439
    Operating expenses:
        Station operating expenses......    23,470     23,791     23,511     25,667     27,515       12,970        12,875
        Depreciation and amortization...    13,334     12,881      8,116      6,551      6,252        3,147         2,954
                                           -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    ----------    ----------
            Station operating income....     7,013      9,742     12,777     17,312     17,559        9,310         6,610
 
        Management fee paid to
          affiliate(b)..................     2,650      4,365         --         --         --           --            --
        Corporate expenses..............     2,204      1,655      1,487      1,895      2,307          954         3,303
                                           -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    ----------    ----------
    Operating income....................   $ 2,159    $ 3,722    $11,290    $15,417    $15,252     $  8,356      $  3,307
                                           -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    ----------    ----------
                                           -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    ----------    ----------
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW DATA:
    Net cash provided by (used in)
      operating activities..............   $ 9,934    $ 3,029    $ 4,203    $ 4,793    $ 1,632     $     29      $ (3,722)
    Net cash provided by (used in)
      investing activities..............    (2,413)    (3,927)    (2,195)    (1,531)    (2,711)         892          (713)
    Net cash provided by (used in)
      financing activities..............    (2,278)    (3,721)    (2,350)    (4,775)     2,300        1,900         2,867
CERTAIN FINANCIAL DATA:
    Broadcast cash flow.................   $20,688    $22,613    $20,927    $24,065    $23,856     $ 12,455      $  9,441
    Broadcast cash flow margin..........      47.2%      48.7%      47.1%      48.6%      46.5%        49.0%         42.1%
 
    Adjusted EBITDA(b)..................   $18,484    $20,958    $19,440    $22,170    $21,549     $ 11,501      $  6,138
    Adjusted EBITDA margin(b)...........      42.2%      45.1%      43.8%      44.8%      42.0%        45.2%         27.4%
 
    Amortization of program broadcast
      rights............................   $ 2,709    $ 1,987    $ 1,743    $ 1,757    $ 1,684     $    758      $    865
    Payments for program broadcast
      rights............................     2,368      1,997      1,709      1,555      1,639          760           988
    Capital expenditures................     2,466      1,280      2,217      1,559      2,748          913           935
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
 (a) Reclassification  entries have  been made  to the  financial statements for
     consistent presentation with the Company.
 
   
 (b) Brissette paid  management  fees  to an  affiliated  company  for  expenses
     relating to payroll, rent and other corporate expenses. Adjusted EBITDA and
     adjusted EBITDA margin are calculated  prior  to  any  reduction  for  such
     management fees.
    
 
                                       22


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     This  Prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. Discussions  containing such  forward-looking statements  may  be
found in the material set forth under 'Prospectus Summary,' 'Risk Factors,' 'Pro
Forma  Financial Statements,' 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and  Results  of  Operations,' 'Business  --  General,'  'Business  --
Strategy,'  'Business  --  Competition,'  'Business  --  Federal  Regulation  of
Television Broadcasting,' as well as in the Prospectus generally. The  Company's
actual   results  could  differ  materially  from  those  anticipated  in  these
forward-looking statements as a result  of certain factors, including those  set
forth   in  the  following  risk  factors   and  elsewhere  in  the  Prospectus.
Accordingly, holders of Existing Notes  should consider carefully the  following
risk factors, in addition to all of the other information concerning the Company
and  its business contained in this  Prospectus, before tendering their Existing
Notes in the  Exchange Offer, although  the risk factors  (other than the  first
risk  factor) are  generally applicable  to the  Existing Notes  as well  as the
Exchange Securities.
 
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE
 
     Holders of Existing  Notes who  do not  exchange their  Existing Notes  for
Exchange  Securities pursuant to the Exchange  Offer will continue to be subject
to the restrictions  on transfer  of such  Existing Notes  as set  forth in  the
legend  thereon as a consequence of the  issuance of the Existing Notes pursuant
to the exemptions  from, or  in transactions  not subject  to, the  registration
requirements  of the  Securities Act  and applicable  state securities  laws. In
general, the Existing Notes may not be offered or sold, unless registered  under
the  Securities Act, except pursuant  to an exemption from,  or in a transaction
not subject to,  the Securities Act  and applicable state  securities laws.  The
Company  does not currently anticipate that  it will register the Existing Notes
under the Securities Act. Based  on interpretations by the  staff of the SEC  in
letters  issued to  third parties,  Exchange Securities  issued pursuant  to the
Exchange Offer may be offered for resale, resold or otherwise transferred by any
holder thereof  (other than  any such  holder  which is  an 'affiliate'  of  the
Company  within  the  meaning of  Rule  405  under the  Securities  Act) without
compliance with  the  registration and  prospectus  delivery provisions  of  the
Securities  Act  provided  that such  Exchange  Securities are  acquired  in the
ordinary course of  such holder's business,  such holder has  no arrangement  or
understanding  with  any  person  to participate  in  the  distribution  of such
Exchange Securities and such  holder is not  engaged in and  does not intend  to
engage  in a distribution  of such Exchange Securities.  However, to comply with
the securities  laws  of  certain jurisdictions,  if  applicable,  the  Exchange
Securities  may  not be  offered or  sold  unless they  have been  registered or
qualified for sale in  such jurisdictions or an  exemption from registration  or
qualification is available and is complied with.
 
LEVERAGED FINANCIAL POSITION
 
     After  giving  effect  to  the Transactions,  the  Company  had substantial
indebtedness.  Prior   to  the   consummation  of   the  Transactions,   Benedek
Broadcasting's  total indebtedness was  $135.7 million, of  which $135.0 million
consisted of the Senior Secured Notes. In connection with the Transactions,  the
Company  incurred substantial additional indebtedness under the Credit Agreement
and in connection with the issuance of the Existing Notes. As of June 30,  1996,
the  Company had outstanding total indebtedness of approximately $354.6 million,
redeemable  Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock  with  a  liquidation  preference  of
approximately  $60.6  million and  redeemable  Seller Junior  Discount Preferred
Stock with  a  liquidation preference  of  $45.2 million.  The  certificates  of
designation  with respect  to the  Exchangeable Preferred  Stock and  the Seller
Junior Discount Preferred Stock (the 'Certificates of Designation') the Exchange
Indenture, the  Indenture  and the  Credit  Agreement limit  the  incurrence  of
additional  indebtedness and the  issuance of redeemable  preferred stock by the
Company and its subsidiaries. In addition, the Senior Secured Note Indenture (as
defined)  limits   the  incurrence   of  additional   indebtedness  by   Benedek
Broadcasting.  However,  all  these  limitations  are  subject  to  a  number of
important qualifications.
 
     The Company's high degree of  leverage will have important consequences  to
holders of the Notes, including the following: (i) the ability of the Company to
obtain  additional  financing for  working  capital, capital  expenditures, debt
service requirements  or other  purposes  may be  impaired; (ii)  a  substantial
 
                                       23
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
   
portion of the Company's adjusted EBITDA will be required to be dedicated to the
payment  of the Company's interest  expense and principal repayment obligations;
(iii) the Company  may be  more highly leveraged  than companies  with which  it
competes, which may place it at a competitive disadvantage; and (iv) the Company
may  be  more  vulnerable  in the  event  of  a downturn  in  its  business. See
'Management's Discussion  and Analysis  of Financial  Condition and  Results  of
Operations.'
    
 
ABILITY TO SERVICE DEBT
 
     The  ability of the Company to make  scheduled payments or to refinance its
obligations with  respect to  its indebtedness  and redeemable  preferred  stock
depends  on its financial and operating  performance, which, in turn, is subject
to prevailing economic conditions and  to financial, business and other  factors
beyond its control. There can be no assurance that its operating results will be
sufficient  for payment of its indebtedness or the redemption of preferred stock
in the future.
 
     For the year  ended December 31,  1995 and  the six months  ended June  30,
1996,  on  a  pro forma  basis  after  giving effect  to  the  Transactions, the
Company's earnings would have been insufficient to cover fixed charges by  $18.5
million   and  $11.7  million,  respectively,   and  earnings  would  have  been
insufficient to  cover fixed  charges  and preferred  stock dividends  by  $31.6
million  and  $18.1 million,  respectively. If  non-cash  charges to  income for
depreciation and amortization and non-cash interest were excluded, the Company's
pro forma earnings from continuing operations for 1995 and the six months  ended
June  30, 1996 would have  been sufficient to cover  its pro forma fixed charges
for such year.
 
     In order to repay the Notes and  the Senior Secured Notes at maturity,  the
Company  will  need to  refinance  all or  a portion  of  the Notes  and Benedek
Broadcasting or the  Company will  need to  refinance all  or a  portion of  the
Senior  Secured  Notes. The  Company's ability  to refinance  the Notes  and the
Company's and Benedek  Broadcasting's ability  to refinance  the Senior  Secured
Notes  will depend upon Benedek Broadcasting's operating performance, as well as
prevailing economic and market conditions, levels of interest rates, refinancing
costs and other factors, many of  which are beyond the Company's control.  There
can  be no assurance  that the Company  or Benedek Broadcasting  will be able to
refinance the  Notes  or the  Senior  Secured Notes,  as  the case  may  be,  or
otherwise  raise funds in a timely manner or that the proceeds therefrom will be
sufficient to effect such refinancing.
 
     The Notes do not bear interest until May 15, 2001, and the Company will not
be obligated to  pay cash  interest on  the Notes  until November  15, 2001.  In
addition,  for  all  dividend payment  dates  with respect  to  the Exchangeable
Preferred Stock  and  interest  payment  dates  with  respect  to  the  Exchange
Debentures  through and including July 1, 2001,  the Company may, at its option,
pay dividends by  adding the amount  thereof to the  then effective  liquidation
preference  of the Exchangeable Preferred Stock and pay interest on the Exchange
Debentures by issuing additional Exchange  Debentures. For all dividend  payment
dates  with  respect to  the  Seller Junior  Discount  Preferred Stock  prior to
October 1,  2001, the  Company will  pay  such dividends  by adding  the  amount
thereof  to  the  then effective  liquidation  preference of  the  Seller Junior
Discount Preferred Stock.  In order  for the Company  to meet  its debt  service
obligations  and pay required dividends  after May 15, 2001  with respect to the
Notes, after July 1,  2001 with respect to  the Exchangeable Preferred Stock  or
Exchange Debentures, as the case may be, and from and after October 1, 2001 with
respect  to the Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock, the Company will need to
substantially increase broadcast cash flow  at the Stations. The Company's  debt
service obligations, including scheduled principal amortization, in the 12 month
period  beginning May  15, 2001 would  be approximately  $58.0 million (assuming
that there will  not have  been any mandatory  or voluntary  prepayments of  any
indebtedness  prior to  that time  and assuming a  blended interest  rate on the
amounts then outstanding under the Credit  Agreement comparable to the rate  the
Company  is currently paying). The Company's  cash dividend payments during such
period on  the  Exchangeable Preferred  Stock  and the  Seller  Junior  Discount
Preferred  Stock would be approximately $27.0  million. However, there can be no
assurance that the Company's  broadcast cash flow will  improve or improve in  a
sufficient  degree to  enable the Company  to meet such  obligations. The Credit
Agreement restricts the Company's  ability to sell assets  and use the  proceeds
therefrom,  and  the  Senior Secured  Note  Indenture restricts  the  ability of
Benedek Broadcasting  to sell  assets and  use the  proceeds therefrom.  In  the
absence    of   such    improvement,   the   Company    could   face   liquidity
 
                                       24
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
problems and might be required to  reduce its capital expenditures and  overhead
expenses  or  dispose of  material assets  or  operations to  meet its  debt and
preferred stock service and other obligations.  There can be no assurance as  to
the  ability of the Company  to consummate such sales  or the proceeds which the
Company could realize therefrom or that such proceeds would be adequate to  meet
the obligations then due.
 
     If  the Company  or Benedek Broadcasting  is unable  to generate sufficient
cash flow or otherwise obtain funds  necessary to make required payments on  its
indebtedness  or,  if the  Company or  Benedek  Broadcasting otherwise  fails to
comply with the various covenants  in such indebtedness (including covenants  in
the  Credit Agreement), it  would be in  default under the  terms thereof, which
would permit the holders of such indebtedness to accelerate the maturity of such
indebtedness and could cause defaults under other indebtedness of the Company or
Benedek Broadcasting  or  result in  a  bankruptcy  of the  Company  or  Benedek
Broadcasting.  Such  defaults  or  any  bankruptcy  of  the  Company  or Benedek
Broadcasting resulting therefrom  would have  a material adverse  effect on  the
holders of the Notes.
 
HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE; SUBORDINATION OF THE NOTES
 
     The  Company is  a holding  company that will  derive all  of its operating
income and cash flow from its sole subsidiary, Benedek Broadcasting, the  common
stock  of which, together with all other assets of the Company, has been pledged
to secure  the  Company's  senior  guarantee  of  all  indebtedness  of  Benedek
Broadcasting outstanding under the Credit Agreement and in respect of the Senior
Secured  Notes.  As  a  holding  company,  the  Company's  ability  to  pay  its
obligations, including its obligation  to pay interest on  and principal of  the
Notes,  whether at  maturity, upon  a Change  of Control  or otherwise,  will be
dependent primarily upon receiving dividends and other payments or advances from
Benedek Broadcasting.  Benedek Broadcasting  is a  separate and  distinct  legal
entity and has no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts to the
Company  or to make funds available to the Company for debt service or any other
obligation.
 
     Although the  Credit  Agreement  does  not limit  the  ability  of  Benedek
Broadcasting  to pay dividends or make other payments to the Company, the Senior
Secured Note  Indenture  does  contain  such  limitations.  However,  after  the
consummation  of  the Transactions  (including  the contribution  to  the common
equity of  Benedek Broadcasting  of net  cash proceeds  of approximately  $188.5
million  from the sale  of the Existing  Notes, the Units  and the Seller Junior
Discount Preferred Stock), as of June 30, 1996, Benedek Broadcasting could  have
distributed approximately $188.5 million to the Company under such limitations.
 
     The  Existing Notes are, and the  Exchange Securities will be, subordinated
in right of  payment to  all existing  and future  Senior Debt  of the  Company.
Additionally,  the  Existing Notes  are, and  the  Exchange Securities  will be,
effectively subordinated  to  all existing  and  future indebtedness  and  other
obligations  of Benedek Broadcasting, including the Senior Secured Notes and the
obligations of  Benedek Broadcasting  under  the Credit  Agreement, and  of  any
future  subsidiaries of the Company. As of June 30, 1996, the Company had Senior
Debt of $263.6 million,  including its guarantee of  the obligations of  Benedek
Broadcasting  with respect to the Credit Agreement and the Senior Secured Notes,
and the  aggregate liabilities  of the  Company's subsidiaries,  including  with
respect  to  the Credit  Agreement  and the  Senior  Secured Notes,  were $346.5
million. See 'Description of the Notes -- Ranking.' In the event of  bankruptcy,
liquidation  or reorganization of the Company, the assets of the Company will be
available to pay  obligations on the  Notes only  after all Senior  Debt of  the
Company  has been paid in full, and there may not be sufficient assets remaining
to pay  amounts due  on  the Notes  then outstanding.  Additional  indebtedness,
including Senior Debt, may be incurred by the Company from time to time, subject
to the terms of the Indenture.
 
SENSITIVITY TO GENERAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
 
     The   Company's  operating  results  are   sensitive  to  general  economic
conditions in the  United States.  Additionally, because the  Company relies  on
sales  of advertising time for substantially  all of its revenues, the Company's
operating results  are and  will be  sensitive to  local and  regional  economic
 
                                       25
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
conditions   in  each  of  the  markets  in  which  the  Stations  operate.  See
'Management's Discussion  and Analysis  of Financial  Condition and  Results  of
Operations' and 'Business -- Competition.'
 
COMPETITION WITHIN THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY; ADVANCED TELEVISION
 
     The  television broadcast industry  faces competition for  market share and
advertising revenues  from  a  variety of  alternative  media,  including  cable
television,  'wireless'  cable  systems,  direct  broadcast  satellite  systems,
telephone company video systems,  radio, newspapers, computer on-line  services,
periodicals and other entertainment and advertising media.
 
     The  ability  of  television  broadcast  stations  to  generate advertising
revenues depends to  a significant degree  upon audience ratings.  Technological
innovation  and the resulting proliferation of programming alternatives, such as
independent  broadcast  stations,  cable  television  and  other   multi-channel
competitors,  pay-per-view  and  VCRs,  have  fractionalized  television viewing
audiences  and  subjected  television  broadcast   stations  to  new  types   of
competition.  During the past decade,  cable television and independent stations
have captured an  increasing market  share while overall  viewership of  network
television has declined.
 
     Advances in technology may increase competition for household audiences and
advertising  revenues.  Video compression  techniques,  now in  use  with direct
broadcast satellites  and in  development for  cable and  'wireless' cable,  are
expected  to permit  greater numbers of  channels to be  carried within existing
bandwidths.  These  compression  techniques,  as  well  as  other  technological
developments,   are  applicable   to  all  video   delivery  systems,  including
over-the-air broadcasting, and  have the  potential to  provide vastly  expanded
programming  to  highly-targeted audiences.  Reduction in  the cost  of creating
additional channel  capacity  may lower  entry  barriers for  new  channels  and
encourage  the development of increasingly specialized 'niche' programming. This
ability to reach  highly-targeted audiences may  alter the competitive  dynamics
for advertising expenditures.
 
     The  FCC currently  is determining  whether and  how to  assign licenses to
permit television broadcasters  to provide digital  advanced television  ('ATV')
services.  ATV  refers to  improvements in  image  definition and  sound quality
(commonly known  as  high-definition  television), as  well  as  flexibility  to
provide  additional-spectrum based services. The  FCC has tentatively decided to
issue a second channel  to each television broadcaster  to permit it to  provide
ATV  over  a  transition period.  At  the  end of  the  transition  period, each
broadcaster would be required to  return to the FCC  one of these two  channels.
This  transition will permit broadcasters to  provide higher quality services to
their viewers and may permit broadcasters to compete more effectively with other
digital video systems. However, constructing  and operating a second  television
channel  will require a substantial capital outlay  for all of the Stations. The
Company is unable to predict the effect that technological changes will have  on
the  broadcast  television  industry  or the  future  results  of  the Company's
operations. See 'Business -- Competition.'
 
     In addition,  certain  leaders  in Congress  and  the  Administration  have
proposed  legislation that would require broadcasters  to (i) bid at auction for
ATV channels, potentially  against other non-broadcast  applicants, (ii)  return
their  analog channels on an expedited basis  by 2005 to permit the old channels
to be reauctioned to new licensees and/or (iii) pay a fee for use of the  second
channel, starting either immediately or after 2005. These proposals, if enacted,
could  affect the Company. First, auctions  for ATV channels could substantially
increase the Company's up-front costs of  converting to ATV and would raise  the
possibility  that the Company could be  subject to additional competition in its
markets if  it,  or another  licensee,  is out-bid  by  a newcomer.  Second,  an
expedited transition period could require the Company to end analog transmission
before all its viewers (particularly those in the small and medium-sized markets
which the Company serves) have purchased ATV-compatible reception equipment.
 
UNCERTAINTIES REGARDING LICENSE RENEWALS; POSSIBLE NEED TO DIVEST STATIONS
 
     The  broadcasting industry is subject to  significant regulation by the FCC
pursuant to  the Communications  Act of  1934, as  amended (the  'Communications
Act').  FCC  approval is  required  for the  issuance,  renewal and  transfer of
station operating  licenses.  The  Company's  business  is  dependent  upon  the
retention and renewal of television broadcasting licenses from the FCC. While in
the vast
 
                                       26
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
majority  of  cases  such licenses  are  renewed by  the  FCC, there  can  be no
assurance that the Company's licenses will be renewed upon their expiration. All
of the Stations  are presently  operating under five-year  licenses expiring  on
various dates from 1996 to 1999. Currently, WTAP-TV, Parkersburg, West Virginia,
WHSV-TV,  Harrisonburg,  Virginia,  and  WTRF-TV,  Wheeling,  West  Virginia and
Steubenville, Ohio, have pending applications  for license renewal. Pursuant  to
recent legislation, the term of each of these licenses will be extended to eight
years  upon  ordinary course  renewal. The  United States  Congress and  the FCC
currently have  under  consideration and  may  in  the future  adopt  new  laws,
regulations  and  policies  regarding  a  wide  variety  of  matters  (including
technological  changes)  which  could,   directly  or  indirectly,  affect   the
operations and ownership of the Stations. See 'Business -- Federal Regulation of
Television Broadcasting.'
 
     The  FCC granted the Company's application to acquire the Stauffer Stations
on April 8, 1996 and  its application to acquire  the Brissette Stations on  May
23,  1996. In  approving the  Brissette acquisition,  the FCC  granted six-month
waivers of the 'duopoly' rule that  prevents a licensee from having an  interest
in  two stations  that have  a certain degree  of overlap  in their transmission
signals. The six-month waivers  granted by the FCC  pertain to the  transmission
signal  overlap of (i) WIFR-TV, the  Benedek Station serving Rockford, Illinois,
and WMTV(TV), the Brissette Station  serving Madison, Wisconsin; (ii) WYTV,  the
Benedek  Station serving  Youngstown, Ohio,  and WTRF-TV,  the Brissette Station
serving Wheeling, West Virginia and  Steubenville, Ohio; and (iii) WTAP-TV,  the
Benedek  Station serving Parkersburg, West  Virginia, and WTRF-TV. These waivers
permit the Company to hold the Stations in question for a six-month period after
closing before divesting one  of the two  Stations that do  not comply with  the
duopoly  rule in each instance. The FCC has a pending proceeding that may result
in the liberalization of the duopoly rule  to permit the Company to continue  to
own  all the Stations it currently owns as  well as all of those it has received
FCC consent to  acquire. There  can be  no assurance that  the FCC  will act  to
liberalize  the rule or that it will do  so in time to avoid the Company's being
required to divest certain  Stations in order to  eliminate any signal  overlap.
See  'Business  -- Federal  Regulation  of Television  Broadcasting  -- Multiple
Ownership Restrictions.'
 
DEPENDENCE ON NETWORK AFFILIATION
 
     Each of the Stations is affiliated with either ABC, CBS or NBC.  Viewership
levels  for  each  of the  Stations  are materially  dependent  upon programming
provided by the  Station's affiliated network.  There can be  no assurance  that
such  programming will achieve or maintain satisfactory viewership levels in the
future.
 
     Each of the Benedek Stations' network affiliation agreements currently runs
for a period of  five to 10  years. WYTV, WBKO-TV, WTOK-TV  and WHSV-TV, all  of
which  are ABC  affiliates, each  have a  five-year affiliation  agreement which
expires in 1999.  KDLH-TV, WIFR-TV, KHQA-TV  and WTVY-TV, all  of which are  CBS
affiliates, each have a ten-year affiliation agreement which expires in 2005 and
is  automatically  renewed for  successive  five-year terms,  subject  to either
party's right to terminate the agreement at the end of any term upon six months'
advance notice. WTAP-TV, an NBC affiliate, currently operates under a  five-year
affiliation  agreement which  expires in 2000  and is  automatically renewed for
successive terms, subject to either party's right to terminate the agreement  at
the end of any term upon 12 months' advance notice.
 
     Each  of the  Stauffer Stations'  network affiliation  agreements currently
runs for a  period of five  to 10  years. KMIZ(TV), an  ABC affiliate,  operates
under  an  affiliation  agreement which  expires  in 2000  and  is automatically
renewed for successive terms, subject to  either party's right to terminate  the
agreement at the end of its term upon 180 days' advance notice. All of the other
Stauffer  Stations  are CBS  affiliates  operating under  affiliation agreements
which expire in 2005 and which automatically renew for successive terms, subject
to either party's right to terminate the  agreement at the end of its term  upon
six months' advance notice.
 
     Each  of the  Brissette Stations' network  affiliation agreements currently
runs for a  period of 10  to 11 years.  WMTV(TV), WWLP(TV) and  WILX-TV, all  of
which  are NBC  affiliates, each has  an affiliation agreement  which expires in
2006 and is  automatically renewed  for successive five-year  terms, subject  to
either  party's right to terminate the agreement at the end of any term upon six
months' advance notice. Each of the Brissette CBS affiliates, WSAW-TV,  WTRF-TV,
KAUZ-TV and KOSA-TV, are
 
                                       27
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
operating   under  affiliation  agreements  which   expire  in  2005  and  which
automatically renew  for successive  10-year terms,  subject to  either  party's
right  to terminate the agreement upon  six months' advance notice. WHOI(TV), an
ABC affiliate, currently operates under  an affiliation agreement which  expires
in 2005 and which does not provide for renewals.
 
     Although  the  Company  expects  to  be  able  to  renew  these affiliation
agreements, no assurance can be given  that such renewals will be obtained.  The
non-renewal  or termination of one or more of the network affiliation agreements
would likely  have  a  material  adverse effect  on  the  Company's  results  of
operations. See 'Business -- Network Affiliation of the Stations.'
 
DEPENDENCE ON MANAGEMENT
 
     Certain  of the  executive officers  of the  Company, including  A. Richard
Benedek and  K. James  Yager,  are especially  important  to the  direction  and
management of the Company. The loss of the services of such persons could have a
material adverse effect on the business and operations of the Company, and there
can be no assurance that the Company would be able to find replacements for such
persons with equivalent business experience.
 
CONTROL BY SOLE STOCKHOLDER; CHANGE OF CONTROL COULD RESULT IN DEFAULT
 
     A. Richard Benedek owns all of the outstanding common stock of the Company.
Consequently,  Mr. Benedek has the power to  control the business and affairs of
the Company by virtue of his power  to elect all of the Company's directors  and
his  voting power  with respect to  actions requiring  stockholder approval. See
'Stock Ownership.'  The  Communications Act  and  FCC rules  require  the  prior
consent of the FCC to any change of control of the Company.
 
     A   Change  of  Control  (as  defined   in  various  debt  instruments  and
certificates of designation) could require the Company and Benedek  Broadcasting
to  refinance  substantial amounts  of their  indebtedness and  preferred stock,
including the Notes, the Senior Secured Notes, the Term Loan Facilities and  the
Exchangeable   Preferred  Stock.   The  Company's  failure   to  refinance  such
indebtedness and preferred stock when required  would result in a default  under
the  Indenture, the Senior  Secured Note Indenture and  the Credit Agreement. In
the event of a  Change of Control,  there can be no  assurance that the  Company
would have sufficient assets to satisfy all of its obligations. In addition, the
Credit  Agreement and the Senior Secured  Note Indenture both contain provisions
that may  prohibit the  Company from  repurchasing the  Notes upon  a Change  of
Control.  See  'Description  of  Other  Indebtedness  --  Credit  Agreement' and
' -- Senior Secured Notes.'
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTEGRATION OF THE ACQUIRED STATIONS
 
     The Company's strategic plans with respect to the Acquired Stations include
increasing net  revenue  and  broadcast  cash  flow  and  controlling  operating
expenses.  Although the Company believes  these strategies are reasonable, there
can be no assurance that it will be able to implement its plans without delay or
that, when implemented, its efforts will result in the increased broadcast  cash
flow  or other benefits currently anticipated by the Company. In addition, there
can be no assurance that the  Company will not encounter unanticipated  problems
or  liabilities in connection with the Acquired Stations. The integration of the
Acquired Stations into the Company  will require substantial attention from  the
Company's  senior management, which may limit the amount of time available to be
devoted to the Company's existing operations.
 
TERMINATION OF S CORPORATION STATUS; POTENTIAL CORPORATE TAX LIABILITY
 
     Historically, Benedek  Broadcasting  had elected  to  be treated  as  an  S
Corporation  for Federal and state income tax purposes. Upon consummation of the
Transactions,  Benedek  Broadcasting  no  longer  met  the  requirements  for  S
Corporation  status and, therefore, the Company and Benedek Broadcasting will be
liable for  Federal  and  state  taxes  on  their  income  from  and  after  the
consummation  of the Transactions.  As a result,  Benedek Broadcasting no longer
has available to  it certain suspended  losses which would  otherwise have  been
available to it as an S Corporation.
 
     For  so long  as the  S election  was in  effect, Benedek  Broadcasting was
generally not responsible for Federal income taxes and income taxes of any state
or locality for which a valid S election had been
 
                                       28
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
made. A. Richard Benedek, as the sole stockholder of Benedek Broadcasting  prior
to  the  consummation of  the Transactions,  is responsible  for the  payment of
income taxes on Benedek Broadcasting's taxable income prior to the  consummation
of  the Transactions,  and the Indenture  and the Senior  Secured Note Indenture
permit payments to Mr. Benedek of certain amounts in respect thereof. While  the
Company  believes that  Benedek Broadcasting had  met until  consummation of the
Transactions, the  requirements  for  S  Corporation status,  there  can  be  no
assurance  that such  position, if challenged,  would be upheld.  If such status
were challenged and not upheld, the Company would be liable for corporate  taxes
on  its income at  the effective Federal  and state corporate  tax rates for any
year in which  its S  Corporation status was  denied plus  interest and  perhaps
penalties.  Mr. Benedek has agreed  to repay to the  Company any payments of Tax
Amounts (as defined) made by Benedek Broadcasting for any year for which Benedek
Broadcasting's S  Corporation  status  is ultimately  determined  to  have  been
invalid.  See 'Description  of the Notes  -- Certain Covenants  -- Limitation on
Restricted Payments.' There can  be no assurance, however,  that funds for  such
repayment  would be  available or  sufficient to  reimburse the  Company for all
income taxes due.
 
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT CONSEQUENCES
 
     The Existing Notes were, and the  Exchange Securities will be, issued  with
original  issue discount for Federal  income tax purposes. Consequently, holders
of the Notes generally will be required  to include amounts in gross income  for
Federal  income tax purposes in advance of receipt of the cash payments to which
the income is attributable. See 'Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences' for  a
more  detailed discussion of the Federal  income tax consequences to the holders
of the Notes of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Notes.
 
UNMATURED INTEREST
 
     If a bankruptcy case is commenced  by or against the Company under  Federal
bankruptcy  law after the issuance of the Notes,  the claim of a holder of Notes
with respect to the principal amount thereof  may be limited to an amount  equal
to that portion of the original issue discount which is not deemed to constitute
'unmatured  interest' for purposes of Federal bankruptcy law. Any original issue
discount that  was  not  amortized  as  of  any  such  bankruptcy  filing  would
constitute 'unmatured interest.'
 
ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE NOTES
 
     The  Exchange Securities are  being offered to the  holders of the Existing
Notes. The Existing Notes were purchased  and immediately resold by the  Initial
Purchaser  in June  1996 to  a small number  of institutional  investors and are
eligible for  trading  in the  Private  Offerings, Resale  and  Trading  through
Automatic Linkages (PORTAL) Market.
 
     The  Company  does  not intend  to  apply  for a  listing  of  the Exchange
Securities on a securities  exchange. There is  currently no established  market
for the Exchange Securities and there can be no assurance as to the liquidity of
markets that may develop for the Exchange Securities, the ability of the holders
of  the Exchange Securities  to sell their  Exchange Securities or  the price at
which such holders  would be  able to sell  their Exchange  Securities. If  such
markets were to exist, the Exchange Securities could trade at prices that may be
lower  than  the  initial  market  values  thereof  depending  on  many factors,
including prevailing interest rates and the markets for similar securities.
 
     The liquidity of, and trading market for, the Exchange Securities also  may
be  adversely affected by general declines in the market for similar securities.
Such  a  decline  may  adversely  affect  such  liquidity  and  trading  markets
independent of the financial performance of, and prospects for, the Company.
 
                                       29


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                THE ACQUISITIONS
 
     The Acquisitions are a central part of the Company's strategy to become one
of  the leading television station group  owners of small to medium-sized market
television stations  in  the  United  States. The  Company  believes  that  this
expansion  will create economies of scale which  will (i) improve its ability to
negotiate more  favorable arrangements  with program  suppliers, national  sales
representation  firms, equipment vendors and television networks, (ii) enable it
to develop  program consortiums  for regional  news and  sports programming  and
(iii)  enhance its  ability to attract  and retain strong  management and on-air
talent. The Acquisitions are consistent  with the Company's strategy to  acquire
network-affiliated television stations in markets with a limited number of media
competitors for local advertising revenues.
 
     THE   STAUFFER  ACQUISITION.  On   June  6,  1996,   the  Company  acquired
substantially all of the broadcast television assets (including working capital)
of Stauffer consisting of five principal broadcast television stations and  four
satellite  broadcast television stations for a  purchase price of $54.5 million.
The Company  also  assumed  certain  liabilities  and  obligations  of  Stauffer
incurred  in the ordinary course of business, excluding, among other things, any
indebtedness for borrowed money. Pursuant to the Stauffer Agreement, at  closing
Stauffer  was required to have working capital  of at least $1.6 million. To the
extent the working capital of Stauffer exceeded $1.6 million (including  therein
accounts  receivable of  Stauffer only  to the  extent actually  collected), the
Company is obligated to remit such excess to Stauffer.
 
     The principal stations acquired by  the Company were KCOY-TV, Santa  Maria,
California;  WIBW-TV,  Topeka,  Kansas; KMIZ(TV),  Columbia,  Missouri; KGWC-TV,
Casper, Wyoming; and KGWN-TV, Cheyenne, Wyoming. KGWC-TV operates two  satellite
stations,  KGWL-TV, Lander, Wyoming, and KGWR-TV, Rock Springs, Wyoming, both of
which rebroadcast the  programming of  KGWC-TV. KGWN-TV  operates two  satellite
stations,  KSTF-TV, Scottsbluff, Nebraska and  KTVS-TV, Sterling, Colorado, both
of which rebroadcast the  programming of KGWN-TV. All  of the Stauffer  Stations
are  affiliated  with CBS,  except for  KMIZ(TV),  Columbia, Missouri,  which is
affiliated with ABC. For the year ended December 31, 1995, the Stauffer Stations
had net  revenues of  $17.3 million,  broadcast cash  flow of  $4.0 million  and
broadcast cash flow margin of 23.1%.
 
     THE BRISSETTE ACQUISITION. On June 6, 1996, the Company acquired all of the
capital  stock of Brissette for $270.0 million  in cash and preferred stock. All
of the outstanding indebtedness of Brissette was paid in full by the sellers  at
the  closing. Pursuant to the Brissette  Agreement, at the closing Brissette was
required to have  working capital of  at least  $8.8 million and  any amount  in
excess  thereof will  be paid to  the sellers.  By acquiring all  of the capital
stock of  Brissette, the  Company acquired  eight network-affiliated  television
stations  including  WMTV(TV),  the NBC  affiliate  serving  Madison, Wisconsin;
WWLP(TV), the NBC affiliate serving Springfield, Massachusetts; WILX-TV, the NBC
affiliate serving Lansing, Michigan; WHOI(TV), the ABC affiliate serving Peoria,
Illinois; WSAW-TV, the CBS affiliate serving Wausau, Wisconsin; WTRF-TV, the CBS
affiliate serving Wheeling, West Virginia  and Steubenville, Ohio; KAUZ-TV,  the
CBS  affiliate  serving Wichita  Falls, Texas;  and  KOSA-TV, the  CBS affiliate
serving Odessa, Texas. For the year  ended December 31, 1995, Brissette had  net
revenues  of $51.3 million,  broadcast cash flow of  $23.9 million and broadcast
cash flow margin of 46.5%.
 
     Of the  $270.0 million  paid for  the capital  stock of  Brissette,  $225.0
million  was paid in cash and  the balance was paid by  the issuance to GECC and
Mr. Paul  Brissette of  the Seller  Junior Discount  Preferred Stock.  See  'The
Financing Plan.'
 
     For   a  description  of  the  Acquired   Stations  see  'Business  --  The
Stations -- Stauffer' and ' -- Brissette.'
 
                                       30
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                               THE FINANCING PLAN
 
     The Company, together with its subsidiary Benedek Broadcasting, implemented
the Financing Plan  in order to  finance the  Acquisitions and to  pay fees  and
expenses related thereto. The Financing Plan consisted of (i) the offer and sale
by  the  Company of  the  Existing Notes  to  generate gross  proceeds  of $90.2
million, (ii) the offer and sale by  the Company of the Units to generate  gross
proceeds  of $60.0 million, (iii)  Benedek Broadcasting borrowing $128.0 million
pursuant to  the Term  Loan Facilities  of  the Credit  Agreement and  (iv)  the
Company  issuing an aggregate of $45.0 million initial liquidation preference of
Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock to GECC and Mr. Paul Brissette.
 
     The following table sets forth the sources and uses for the Financing  Plan
as of June 6, 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   (DOLLARS
                                                                                IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                             <C>
SOURCES:
  Benedek Broadcasting
     Cash....................................................................      $  7,322
     Deposit(a)..............................................................         5,000
     Credit Agreement
          Revolving Credit Facility(b).......................................            --
          Term Loan Facilities...............................................       128,000
  The Company
     The Existing Notes......................................................        90,178
     The Units(c)............................................................        60,000
     Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock..................................        45,000
                                                                                --------------
                                                                                   $335,500
                                                                                --------------
                                                                                --------------
USES:
     Stauffer Acquisition....................................................      $ 54,500
     Brissette Acquisition...................................................       270,000
     Fees and Expenses.......................................................        11,000
                                                                                --------------
                                                                                   $335,500
                                                                                --------------
                                                                                --------------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
 (a) Pursuant  to the Stauffer  Agreement, Benedek Broadcasting  had made a $5.0
     million  down  payment   which  had  been   deposited  in  escrow   pending
     consummation of the Stauffer Acquisition.
 
 (b) Benedek  Broadcasting has available to it $15.0 million under the Revolving
     Credit Facility.
 
 (c) Each Unit  consisted of  ten shares  of Exchangeable  Preferred Stock,  ten
     Initial Warrants and 14.8 Contingent Warrants, each Warrant to purchase one
     share of Class A Common Stock of the Company.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The  Company will  not receive  any proceeds  from the  Exchange Offer. The
gross proceeds received  by the  Company from the  sale of  the Existing  Notes,
together  with the gross proceeds from the  sale of the Units and advances under
the Credit Agreement, were used to finance the Acquisitions and to pay fees  and
expenses in connection with the Transactions.
 
                                       31
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                         PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     The  following  unaudited pro  forma financial  statements (the  'Pro Forma
Financial Statements') are based on the Consolidated Financial Statements of the
Company, the Financial  Statements of  Stauffer and  the Consolidated  Financial
Statements of Brissette, all of which are included elsewhere in this Prospectus,
adjusted  to give pro forma  effect to the Acquistions,  the Financing Plan, the
acquisition in 1995 of the  Dothan Station, the issuance  in 1995 of the  Senior
Secured  Notes and certain contractual arrangements which have been entered into
during 1995 in connection with or as a result of the transactions (collectively,
for purposes of the Pro Forma Financial Statements, the 'Transactions').
 
     The unaudited  Pro  Forma  Statements  of Operations  for  the  year  ended
December  31,  1995  are  derived from  the  audited  consolidated  statement of
operations of Benedek  Broadcasting for the  year ended December  31, 1995,  the
audited statement of operations of Dothan Holdings II Inc. (the former owners of
the  Dothan Station)  for the  three months  ended March  31, 1995,  the audited
statement of operations of Stauffer for the year ended December 31, 1995 and the
audited statement of  operations of Brissette  for the year  ended December  31,
1995,  all of  which, other  than the audited  statements of  Dothan Holdings II
Inc.,  are  included  elsewhere  in   this  Prospectus,  and  assume  that   the
Transactions  were consummated  as of January  1, 1995. The  unaudited Pro Forma
Statements of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 1996 are derived from
the unaudited consolidated statement  of operations of the  Company for the  six
months  ended June 30,  1996, the unaudited statement  of operations of Stauffer
for the period January 1, 1996 to  June 6, 1996, and the unaudited statement  of
operations  of Brissette for the period January 1,  1996 to June 6, 1996, all of
which  are  included  elsewhere  in   this  Prospectus,  and  assume  that   the
Transactions were consummated as of January 1, 1996.
 
     The  Pro Forma  Financial Statements do  not purport to  represent what the
Company's results of operations would actually have been if the Transactions had
occurred on the dates indicated or to project the Company's results or financial
condition for  or  at  any  future  period or  date.  The  Pro  Forma  Financial
Statements   are  presented  for  comparative   purposes  only.  The  pro  forma
adjustments, as  described in  the  accompanying data,  are based  on  available
information  and certain  assumptions that  management believes  are reasonable.
Additionally, certain reclassification  entries have  been made  to the  audited
financial  statements of Stauffer and Brissette for consistent presentation with
Benedek Broadcasting.
 
                                       32
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                       PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                  (UNAUDITED)
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                HISTORICAL
                                       ----------------------------
                                                         DOTHAN
                                                       JANUARY 1,
                                                         1995 TO     ADJUSTMENTS                        HISTORICAL
                                                        MARCH 31,    FOR DOTHAN   THE COMPANY AS   --------------------
                                        THE COMPANY       1995       ACQUISITION   ADJUSTED(a)     STAUFFER   BRISSETTE
                                       -------------  -------------  -----------  --------------   --------   ---------
                                                                    (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                    <C>            <C>            <C>          <C>              <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
    Net revenues......................    $50,329        $ 1,643        $  --        $ 51,972      $ 17,317   $  51,326
    Operating expenses:
      Station operating expenses......     29,049          1,440         (350)(f)      30,139        13,534      27,515
      Depreciation and amortization...      5,041            389           37(g)        5,467         2,229       6,252
                                       -------------  -------------  -----------  --------------   --------   ---------
        Station operating income
          (loss)......................     16,239           (186)         313          16,366         1,554      17,559
 
      Corporate expenses..............      1,576(e)         182         (182)(h)       1,576            --       2,307
                                       -------------  -------------  -----------  --------------   --------   ---------
    Operating income (loss)...........     14,663           (368)         495          14,790         1,554      15,252
                                       -------------  -------------  -----------  --------------   --------   ---------
    Financial expense, net:
      Interest expense, net:
        Cash interest, net............    (14,763)          (209)        (807)(i)     (15,779)           --     (20,837)
        Other interest................       (712)            --           92(j)         (620)           --        (549)
                                       -------------  -------------  -----------  --------------   --------   ---------
          Total interest, net.........    (15,475)          (209)        (715)        (16,399)           --     (21,386)
                                       -------------  -------------  -----------  --------------   --------   ---------
      Other, net......................         --             --           --              --            --        (354)
    Provision for income taxes........         --            208         (208)(k)          --            --        (147)
                                       -------------  -------------  -----------  --------------   --------   ---------
    Net income (loss) from continuing
      operations......................       (812)          (369)        (428)         (1,609)        1,554      (6,635)
    Exchangeable Preferred Stock
      dividends.......................         --             --           --              --            --          --
    Seller Junior Discount Preferred
      Stock dividends.................         --             --           --              --            --          --
                                       -------------  -------------  -----------  --------------   --------   ---------
    Net income (loss) from continuing
      operations available to common
      stockholders....................    $  (812)       $  (369)       $(428)       $ (1,609)     $  1,554   $  (6,635)
                                       -------------  -------------  -----------  --------------   --------   ---------
                                       -------------  -------------  -----------  --------------   --------   ---------
    Ratio of earnings to fixed
      charges(b)......................         --                                          --
 
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW DATA(z):
    Net cash provided by operating
      activities......................    $ 3,251                                    $  3,251      $  4,250   $   1,632
    Net cash (used in) investing
      activities......................    (30,972)                                    (30,972)         (406)     (2,711)
    Net cash provided by (used in)
      financing activities............     32,773                                      32,773        (4,099)      2,300
 
CERTAIN FINANCIAL DATA:
    Broadcast cash flow(c)............    $21,310        $   103        $ 450        $ 21,863      $  4,000   $  23,856
    Broadcast cash flow margin........       42.3%           6.3%                        42.1%         23.1%       46.5%
 
    Adjusted EBITDA(c)................    $19,734        $   (79)       $ 632        $ 20,287      $  4,000   $  21,549
    Adjusted EBITDA margin............       39.2%            NM                         39.0%         23.1%       42.0%
 
    Amortization of program broadcast
      rights..........................    $ 2,162        $    21        $  --        $  2,183      $  1,025   $   1,684
    Payments for program broadcast
      rights..........................      2,132            121         (100)(l)       2,153           808       1,639
    Capital expenditures..............      2,008            118           --           2,126           406       2,748
    Cash payments for Federal income
      taxes...........................         --                                          --
 
CERTAIN RATIOS:
    Adjusted EBITDA to cash interest
      expense, net....................       1.33x                                       1.29x
    Adjusted EBITDA to total interest
      expense, net....................       1.27x                                       1.24x
 
    Adjusted EBITDA less capital
      expenditures to cash interest
      expense, net....................       1.20x                                       1.15x
    Adjusted EBITDA less capital
      expenditures to total interest
      expense, net....................       1.15x                                       1.11x
 
    Net Senior Debt to adjusted
      EBITDA(d).......................        6.4x                                        6.2x
 
    Net debt to adjusted EBITDA(d)....        6.4x                                        6.2x
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                              THE
                                        ADJUSTMENTS         COMPANY
                                            FOR               PRO
                                        TRANSACTIONS         FORMA
                                        ------------     -------------
 
<S>                                    <<C>              <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
    Net revenues......................    $    250(m)    $     121,345
                                               132(n)
                                               284(o)
                                                64(p)
    Operating expenses:
      Station operating expenses......      (1,894)(q)          69,294
      Depreciation and amortization...      13,677(r)           27,625
                                        ------------     -------------
        Station operating income
          (loss)......................     (11,053)             24,426
      Corporate expenses..............      (1,983)(s)           1,900
                                        ------------     -------------
    Operating income (loss)...........      (9,070)             22,526
                                        ------------     -------------
    Financial expense, net:
      Interest expense, net:
        Cash interest, net............       9,401(t)          (27,215)
        Other interest................     (12,602)(t)         (13,771)
                                        ------------     -------------
          Total interest, net.........      (3,201)            (40,986)
                                        ------------     -------------
      Other, net......................         354(u)               --
    Provision for income taxes........         147(v)               --
                                        ------------     -------------
    Net income (loss) from continuing
      operations......................     (11,770)            (18,460)
    Exchangeable Preferred Stock
      dividends.......................      (9,519)(w)          (9,519)
    Seller Junior Discount Preferred
      Stock dividends.................      (3,672)(x)          (3,672)
                                        ------------     -------------
    Net income (loss) from continuing
      operations available to common
      stockholders....................    $(24,961)      $     (31,651)
                                        ------------     -------------
                                        ------------     -------------
    Ratio of earnings to fixed
      charges(b)......................                              --
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW DATA(z):
    Net cash provided by operating
      activities......................
    Net cash (used in) investing
      activities......................
    Net cash provided by (used in)
      financing activities............
CERTAIN FINANCIAL DATA:
    Broadcast cash flow(c)............    $  2,703       $      52,422
    Broadcast cash flow margin........                            43.2%
    Adjusted EBITDA(c)................    $  4,686       $      50,522
    Adjusted EBITDA margin............                            41.6%
    Amortization of program broadcast
      rights..........................    $     --       $       4,892
    Payments for program broadcast
      rights..........................         (79)(y)           4,521
    Capital expenditures..............          --               5,280
    Cash payments for Federal income
      taxes...........................                              --
CERTAIN RATIOS:
    Adjusted EBITDA to cash interest
      expense, net....................                            1.86x
    Adjusted EBITDA to total interest
      expense, net....................                            1.23x
    Adjusted EBITDA less capital
      expenditures to cash interest
      expense, net....................                            1.66x
    Adjusted EBITDA less capital
      expenditures to total interest
      expense, net....................                            1.10x
    Net Senior Debt to adjusted
      EBITDA(d).......................                             5.1x
    Net debt to adjusted EBITDA(d)....                             6.8x
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       33
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                       PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                         SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                SIX MONTHS          FOR THE PERIOD
                                                   ENDED          JANUARY 1, 1996 TO                           THE
                                               JUNE 30, 1996         JUNE 6, 1996         ADJUSTMENTS        COMPANY
                                              ---------------    ---------------------        FOR              PRO
                                                THE COMPANY      STAUFFER    BRISSETTE    TRANSACTIONS        FORMA
                                              ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------       --------
                                                                      (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                           <C>                <C>         <C>          <C>                <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
 
    Net revenues...........................      $  30,115        $7,341      $22,439       $     64(o)      $59,959
    Operating expenses:
      Station operating expenses...........         18,236         6,094       12,875           (900)(q)      36,305
      Depreciation and amortization........          4,069           974        2,954          5,258(r)       13,255
                                              ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------       --------
        Station operating income (loss)....          7,810           273        6,610         (4,294)         10,399
      Corporate expenses...................          1,087            --        3,303         (3,440)(s)         950
                                              ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------       --------
    Operating income (loss)................          6,723           273        3,307           (854)          9,449
                                              ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------       --------
    Financial expense, net:
      Interest expense, net:
        Cash interest, net.................         (8,668)           --       (8,209)         3,238(t)      (13,639)
        Other interest.....................         (1,098)           --         (275)        (6,103)(t)      (7,476)
                                              ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------       --------
          Total interest, net..............         (9,766)           --       (8,484)        (2,865)        (21,115)
                                              ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------       --------
      Other, net...........................             --            --         (190)           190(u)           --
    Provision for income taxes.............             --            --         (114)           114(v)           --
                                              ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------       --------
    Net income (loss) from continuing
      operations...........................         (3,043)          273       (5,481)        (3,415)        (11,666)
    Exchangeable Preferred Stock
      dividends............................             --            --           --         (4,630)(w)      (4,630)
    Seller Junior Discount Preferred
      Stock dividends......................             --            --           --         (1,809)(x)      (1,809)
                                              ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------       --------
    Net income (loss) from continuing
      operations available to common
      stockholders.........................      $  (3,043)       $  273      $(5,481)      $ (9,854)        $(18,105)
                                              ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------       --------
                                              ---------------    --------    ---------    ------------       --------
    Ratio of earnings to fixed
      charges(b)...........................             --                                                        --
 
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW DATA(z):
    Net cash provided by (used in)
      operating activities.................      $   7,558        $1,696      $(3,722)
    Net cash (used in) investing
      activities...........................       (323,673)          (93)        (713)
    Net cash provided by (used in)
      financing activities.................        312,138        (1,781)       2,867
 
CERTAIN FINANCIAL DATA:
    Broadcast cash flow(c).................      $  11,995        $1,390      $ 9,441       $    964         $23,790
    Broadcast cash flow margin.............           39.8%         18.9%        42.1%                          39.7 %
 
    Adjusted EBITDA(c).....................      $  10,908        $1,390      $ 6,138       $  4,404         $22,840
    Adjusted EBITDA margin.................           36.2%         18.9%        27.4%                          38.1 %
 
    Amortization of program broadcast
      rights...............................      $   1,302        $  491      $   865                        $ 2,658
    Payments for program broadcast
      rights...............................          1,186           348          988                          2,522
    Capital expenditures...................          1,334            93          935
    Cash payments for Federal income
      taxes................................             --            --           --                             --
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       34
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
   
(a)   Concurrently  with   the  consummation   of  the   Transactions,   Benedek
      Broadcasting   became  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  the  Company.  The
      operations and financial data  of 'The Company as  Adjusted' for the  year
      ended  December  31,  1995 are  derived  from the  pro  forma consolidated
      financial statements of the Company adjusted  to give pro forma effect  to
      the  acquisition on March 31, 1995 of  the Dothan Station and the issuance
      of the Senior Secured Notes as if both such events had occurred on January
      1, 1995. Capital expenditures do not include assets acquired in connection
      with the acquisition of  the Dothan Station.  Adjustments with respect  to
      the  acquisition of the Dothan Station have  not been made with respect to
      the Statement of Cash Flow Data as they are not material.
    
 
(b)   For the purpose  of calculating the  ratio of earnings  to fixed  charges,
      earnings   consist  of   net  income   (loss)  before   income  taxes  and
      extraordinary item plus  fixed charges  (excluding capitalized  interest).
      Fixed  charges  consist of  interest  on all  debt  (including capitalized
      interest), amortization of debt discount  and deferred loan costs and  the
      portion of rental expense that is representative of the interest component
      of  rental  expense  (deemed  to  be  one-third  of  rental  expense which
      management  believes  is  a  reasonable  approximation  of  the   interest
      component). For 'The Company As Adjusted,' for the year ended December 31,
      1995,  earnings were insufficient to cover  fixed charges by $1.6 million.
      The net  income (loss)  for  'The Company  As Adjusted'  includes  certain
      non-cash  charges  as  follows:  non-cash  interest  of  $0.6  million and
      depreciation and  amortization  of  $5.5 million.  For  'The  Company  Pro
      Forma,'  for the year ended December  31, 1995, earnings were insufficient
      to cover fixed charges  by $18.5 million. The  net income (loss) for  'The
      Company  Pro Forma' includes certain non-cash charges as follows: non-cash
      interest of  $13.8  million and  depreciation  and amortization  of  $27.6
      million.  For the Company for the six months ended June 30, 1996, earnings
      were insufficient to cover fixed charges  by $3.0 million. The net  income
      (loss)  for the Company includes certain  non-cash charges as follows: non
      cash interest of $1.1  million and depreciation  and amortization of  $4.1
      million.  For the 'The Company  Pro Forma,' for the  six months ended June
      30, 1996,  earnings were  insufficient  to cover  fixed charges  by  $11.7
      million.  The  net  income (loss)  for  'The Company  Pro  Forma' includes
      certain non-cash charges as follows: non-cash interest of $7.5 million and
      depreciation and amortization of $13.3 million.
 
   
(c)   Adjusted  EBITDA  refers  to  operating  income  before  financial  income
      (expense)  as derived from statements  of operations plus depreciation and
      amortization,  amortization  of  program  broadcast  rights  and  non-cash
      compensation less cash payments for program broadcast rights.
    
 
     Broadcast  cash  flow refers  to operating  income before  financial income
     (expense) as derived  from statements of  operations plus depreciation  and
     amortization,  amortization of program broadcast rights, corporate expenses
     and non-cash compensation less cash payments for program broadcast rights.
 
   
     Adjusted EBITDA and broadcast  flow data are  used throughout the  document
     and  have  been  included  herein  because such  data  is  used  by certain
     investors to measure a company's  ability to service debt. Adjusted  EBITDA
     and  broadcast  cash flow  do  not purport  to  represent cash  provided by
     operating activities as reflected in the Consolidated Financial  Statements
     of  the Company, the Financial Statements  of Stauffer, or the Consolidated
     Financial  Statements  of   Brissette,  are  not   measures  of   financial
     performance  under GAAP  and should  not be  considered in  isolation or as
     substitutes for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.
    
 
(d)   Net Senior Debt and net debt are defined as Senior Debt or total debt,  as
      the  case may be, less cash and cash equivalents. These ratios are not the
      same as the  Cash Flow Leverage  Ratios as defined  in the Senior  Secured
      Note  or Exchange Indentures or in  the Certificate of Designation for the
      Exchangeable Preferred Stock, and in  particular, such Cash Flow  Leverage
      Ratios do not credit cash against the outstanding debt amount.
 
(e)   Includes  $0.1  million  one-time  expenses  incurred  in  connection with
      potential acquisitions which were not entered into by the Company.
 
(f)   The adjustment reflects the reduction of operating expenses of the  former
      owner  of the  Dothan Station  for the three  months ended  March 31, 1995
      based on  the Company's  actual expense  reductions made  during the  nine
      months ended December 31, 1995.
 
(g)   The  adjustment reflects (i) the  additional depreciation and amortization
      expense resulting from the allocation of the purchase price of the  Dothan
      Station  to the property and equipment  and intangible assets acquired and
      (ii) a change in depreciation  and amortization resulting from  conforming
      the estimated useful lives of the assets of the Dothan Station to those of
      the Company.
 
(h)   The  adjustment reflects the elimination of the management fee paid by the
      former owner of  the Dothan  Station to its  parent company  prior to  the
      acquisition by the Company.
 
(i)   The  adjustment reflects (i)  pro forma adjustments as  if the issuance of
      the Senior Secured  Notes had  occurred on January  1, 1995  and the  debt
      refinanced  with the net proceeds of  such issuance had been discharged on
      such date and  (ii) the elimination  of interest expense  incurred by  the
      former  owner  of  the Dothan  Station  prior  to the  acquisition  by the
      Company.
 
(j)   The adjustment reflects the net  amount required to (i) amortize  deferred
      financing  costs incurred  in connection with  the issuance  of the Senior
      Secured Notes as if such issuance had occurred on January 1, 1995 and (ii)
      eliminate the amortization in  the first quarter of  1995 of the  deferred
      financing  costs  incurred  by the  Company  in connection  with  the debt
      refinanced with the  net proceeds of  the issuance of  the Senior  Secured
      Notes.
 
(k)   The  adjustment reflects the elimination of income tax credits recorded by
      the former owner  of the Dothan  Station prior to  the acquisition by  the
      Company.
 
(l)   The  adjustment reflects a  reduction in program  payments and the related
      amortization to be  consistent with the  Company's historical  programming
      purchasing.
 
(m)  The   adjustment  reflects  the  annualized  effect  of  increased  network
     compensation resulting from  new affiliation agreements  effective July  1,
     1995  for the CBS-affiliated Benedek Stations.  In connection with such new
     affiliation agreements,  CBS  paid the  Company  a bonus  payment  of  $5.0
     million  which is required  under GAAP to  be recognized as  revenue at the
     rate of  $500,000  per year  over  the  ten-year term  of  the  affiliation
     agreements,  of which $250,000 was recognized in the Company's statement of
     operations for 1995.
 
                                       35
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
(n)   The adjustment reflects the annualized  effect of increased revenues  from
      the   national  sales  representative  firm  for  the  Brissette  Stations
      resulting from  the amortization  of  a $700,000  signing bonus  which  is
      required  under GAAP to be  recognized as revenue at  the rate of $140,000
      per year over a period  of five years, of  which $8,000 was recognized  in
      Brissette's statement of operations for 1995.
 
(o)   The  adjustment reflects the annualized effect of reduced commission rates
      payable to  national  sales  representative  firms  under  new  agreements
      negotiated by the Company.
 
(p)   The  adjustment reflects the annualized effect of new network compensation
      arrangements that took effect at various  times in 1995 at certain of  the
      Acquired Stations.
 
(q)   The adjustment reflects cost savings resulting from the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      YEAR ENDED        SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                                   DECEMBER 31, 1995     JUNE 30, 1996
                                                                   -----------------    ----------------
                                                                          (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                <C>                  <C>
 (i) Elimination of redundant operating expenses, consisting of
     the elimination of certain positions at the Acquired
     Stations...................................................        $ 1,345               $673
 (ii) Adjustments to certain employee benefits and compensation
      practices at the Acquired Stations........................            355                117
(iii) Implementation at the Acquired Stations of operating
      strategies currently utilized at the Benedek Stations.....            194                 50
                                                                        -------              -----
                                                                        $ 1,894               $900
                                                                        -------              -----
                                                                        -------              -----
</TABLE>
 
     The   employees  of  Stauffer  that  were   hired  by  the  Company  became
     participants in the Company's employee benefit  plans as of the closing  on
     June  6, 1996 and were credited with prior service to Stauffer. The benefit
     plans for  Brissette (401(k)  and health  plans) were  left intact  by  the
     Company after the closing of the Brissette acquisition.
 
     The pro forma cost savings as allocated among departments are summarized in
     the table below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           FOR THE PERIOD
                                           YEAR ENDED                                     JANUARY 1, 1996
                                        DECEMBER 31, 1995                                 TO JUNE 6, 1996
                                 -------------------------------                     --------------------------
                                 STAUFFER    BRISSETTE    TOTAL         STAUFFER       BRISSETTE        TOTAL
                                 --------    ---------    ------      ------------   --------------   ---------
                                                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                              <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>            <C>              <C>
Selling expenses...............   $   94      $    53     $  147          $ 47            $ 26          $  73
Programming and technical......      489          502        839           245             252            497
Advertising and promotions.....       69           --        221            35              --             35
General and administrative.....      449          238        687           224              71            295
                                 --------    ---------    ------         -----           -----        ---------
    Total......................   $1,101      $   793     $1,894          $551            $349          $ 900
                                 --------    ---------    ------         -----           -----        ---------
                                 --------    ---------    ------         -----           -----        ---------
</TABLE>
 
(r)   The   adjustment  reflects  primarily   the  additional  depreciation  and
      amortization expense  resulting from  the  preliminary allocation  of  the
      purchase price for the Acquired Stations to the assets acquired, including
      an  increase  in property  and equipment  and  intangible assets  to their
      estimated fair market value and the recording of goodwill associated  with
      each of the Acquisitions.
 
(s)   The adjustment reflects the net annualized cost savings resulting from the
      acquisition  of the  Acquired Stations by  the Company,  including (i) the
      elimination of substantially all of  the corporate expenses of  Brissette,
      (ii) the addition of certain corporate management personnel by the Company
      and related costs and (iii) the elimination of severance compensation paid
      to  the officers of  Brissette under terms  of their employment agreements
      upon sale to the Company.
 
(t)   Interest expense has been adjusted to reflect the net effect of the change
      in  outstanding  debt   and  deferred  financing   costs  as  though   the
      Transactions  had occurred on January 1,  1995 for the year ended December
      31, 1995 and January 1, 1996 for  the six months ended June 30, 1996.  The
      following table details the calculation of the adjustment:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995                       JUNE 30, 1996
                                --------------------------------------       ------------------------------------
                                  CASH      OTHER INTEREST     TOTAL          CASH      OTHER INTEREST     TOTAL
                                --------    --------------    --------       -------    --------------    -------
                                                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                             <C>         <C>               <C>            <C>        <C>               <C>
Notes at a rate of 13.25%....   $     --       $(12,344)      $(12,344)      $    --       $ (5,974)      $(5,974)
Term Loan Facilities at an
  assumed blended rate of
  8.73%......................    (11,039)            --        (11,039)       (4,759)            --        (4,759)
Interest on existing
  Brissette notes............     20,837             --         20,837         8,209             --         8,209
Reduction in interest
  income.....................       (397)            --           (397)         (212)            --          (212)
Increase in amortization of
  deferred financing costs...         --           (807)          (807)           --           (404)         (404)
Reduction of amortization of
  deferred financings costs
  on Brissette debt..........         --            549            549            --            275           275
                                --------    --------------    --------       -------        -------       -------
    Net adjustment...........   $  9,401       $(12,602)      $ (3,201)      $ 3,238       $ (6,103)      $(2,865)
                                --------    --------------    --------       -------        -------       -------
                                --------    --------------    --------       -------        -------       -------
</TABLE>
 
     The  actual interest rate with  respect to the Term  Loan Facilities may be
     higher or lower than the  rate set forth above. A  change of 0.125% in  the
     interest rate on borrowings under the Term Loan Facilities would change pro
     forma  interest  expense  by  approximately  $160,000  for  the  year ended
     December 31, 1995  and by approximately  $80,000 for the  six months  ended
     June 30, 1996.
 
(u)   The  adjustment reflects the  elimination of certain  legal and investment
      advisory fees  paid  by Brissette  in  connection  with the  sale  to  the
      Company.
 
                                       36
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
(v)  The adjustment reflects the elimination of income tax expense. The  Company
     is not expected to have income tax expense on a pro forma basis.
 
(w)  The  adjustment reflects the  dividends paid on  the Exchangeable Preferred
     Stock at a rate of 15.0% per  annum paid quarterly for an effective  annual
     rate of 15.9%.
 
(x)  The   adjustment reflects the dividends paid  on the Seller Junior Discount
     Preferred Stock at an assumed rate  of 7.92% per annum paid  quarterly  for
     an  effective annual rate of 8.16%.
 
(y)  The  adjustment  reflects a  reduction in program  payments and the related
     amortization to   be  consistent  with  the  Company's  historical  program
     purchase practices.
 
   
(z)  For pro forma purposes, the information is not determinable.
    
 
                                       37




<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The  following tables  present selected financial  data of  (i) the Company
(including to the  Transactions as  of June 6,  1996), (ii)  Stauffer and  (iii)
Brissette.  The following  financial information  should be  read in conjunction
with the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  of  the  Company,  the  Financial
Statements  of Stauffer and  the Consolidated Financial  Statements of Brissette
included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
THE COMPANY (INCLUDING THE TRANSACTIONS AS OF JUNE 6, 1996)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                  SIX MONTHS
                                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                           ENDED JUNE 30,
                                            ------------------------------------------------------------     ---------------------
                                              1991         1992         1993         1994         1995         1995         1996
                                            --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
                                                                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
 Net revenues(a)........................    $ 33,608     $ 36,311     $ 38,352     $ 44,221     $ 50,329     $ 24,059     $ 30,115
 Operating expenses:
     Station operating expenses.........      20,309       21,511       22,805       24,810       29,049       13,837       18,236
     Depreciation and amortization......       5,871        4,428        3,721        3,403        5,041        2,124        4,069
                                            --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
       Station operating income.........       7,428       10,372       11,826       16,008       16,239        8,098        7,810
     Corporate expenses.................         887        1,288        1,249        1,309        1,576          698        1,087
     Special bonus,
       officer-stockholder..............          --           --        1,400           --           --           --           --
                                            --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
 Operating income.......................       6,541        9,084        9,177       14,699       14,663        7,400        6,723
                                            --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
 Financial expenses, net:
   Interest expense, net(b):
     Cash interest, net.................      (9,856)      (6,605)      (8,194)      (7,740)     (14,763)      (6,891)      (8,668)
     Other interest.....................      (3,923)      (7,774)      (6,161)      (4,905)        (712)        (337)      (1,098)
                                            --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
       Total interest, net..............     (13,779)     (14,379)     (14,355)     (12,645)     (15,475)      (7,228)      (9,766)
   Other, net...........................        (905)        (310)         144          (10)          --           --           --
                                            --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
       Total financial expenses, net....     (14,684)     (14,689)     (14,211)     (12,655)     (15,475)      (7,228)      (9,766)
                                            --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
 Net income (loss) before extraordinary
   item.................................      (8,143)      (5,605)      (5,034)       2,044         (812)         172       (3,043)
 Extraordinary item(c)..................          --           --           --           --        6,864        6,864           --
                                            --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
 Net income (loss)(d)...................    $ (8,143)    $ (5,605)    $ (5,034)    $  2,044     $  6,052     $  7,036     $ (3,043)
                                            --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
                                            --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
 Ratio of earnings to fixed
   charges(e)...........................          --           --           --          1.2x          --          1.0x          --
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW DATA:
 Net cash provided by (used in)
   operating activities.................    $  1,874     $  5,255     $  4,926     $ 10,493     $  3,251     $   (826)    $  7,558
 Net cash (used in) investing
    activities..........................        (317)        (375)        (864)      (2,507)     (30,972)     (27,213)    (323,673)
 Net cash provided by (used in)
   financing activities.................      (3,110)      (1,427)      (6,951)      (7,037)      32,773       33,243      312,138
CERTAIN FINANCIAL DATA:
 Broadcast cash flow....................    $ 13,531     $ 14,728     $ 15,546     $ 19,627     $ 21,310     $ 10,266     $ 11,995
 Broadcast cash flow margin.............        40.3%        40.6%        40.5%        44.4%        42.3%        42.7%        39.8%
 Adjusted EBITDA........................    $ 12,644     $ 13,440     $ 14,297     $ 18,318     $ 19,734     $  9,568     $ 10,908
 Adjusted EBITDA margin.................        37.6%        37.0%        37.3%        41.4%        39.2%        39.8%        36.2%
 
 Amortization of program broadcast
   rights...............................    $  2,131     $  1,996     $  2,179     $  2,104     $  2,162     $  1,082     $  1,302
 Payment for program broadcast rights...       1,899        2,068        2,180        1,888        2,132        1,038        1,186
 Capital expenditures...................       1,581        1,458        1,278        1,161        2,008          917        1,334
 Cash payments for Federal income
   taxes................................          --           --           --           --           --           --           --
</TABLE>
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    DECEMBER 31,
                                            ------------------------------------------------------------           JUNE 30,
                                              1991         1992         1993         1994         1995               1996
                                            --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------------------
 
<S>                                         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
 Total assets...........................    $ 76,111     $ 77,049     $ 72,818     $ 73,621     $114,453           $496,662
 Working capital (deficit)..............       1,997          (71)       3,684        1,611       13,665              8,109
 Total debt(f)..........................     107,350      109,439      112,874      107,607      135,767            354,575
 Stockholder's equity (deficit).........     (35,296)     (41,004)     (44,660)     (42,615)     (36,563)           (34,553)
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
 (a) Net revenues reflect deductions from gross revenues for agency and national
     sales representative commissions.
 
 (b) Cash interest, net includes  cash interest paid  and normal adjustments  to
     accrued  interest. Other interest includes accrued interest with respect to
     warrants to purchase Benedek Broadcasting's common stock, accrued  interest
     with  respect to  the contingent equity  value of  Benedek Broadcasting and
     long-term deferred  interest,  accrued  interest added  to  long-term  debt
     balances, deferred loan amortization and accretion of discounts.
 
 (c) The Company recorded an extraordinary gain from the early extinguishment of
     debt comprised of a gain of $11.1 million reduced by losses of $2.7 million
     of  prepayment  premiums  and  contingent  payments  and  $1.5  million  of
     unamortized debt discount and deferred loan costs.
 
 (d) Benedek  Broadcasting  has  historically  elected  to  be  taxed  as  an  S
     Corporation  for Federal  and state  income tax  purposes. Accordingly, the
     sole stockholder  of  Benedek Broadcasting  has  been responsible  for  the
     payment  of  income taxes  on  Benedek Broadcasting's  taxable  income. Net
     income (loss) does not include a pro forma adjustment for income taxes  due
     to  the availability  of net operating  loss carryforwards  and a valuation
     allowance. Benedek Broadcasting's election to be taxed as an S  Corporation
     terminated automatically upon the consummation of the Transactions.
 
 (e) For  the purpose  of calculating  the ratio  of earnings  to fixed charges,
     earnings consist of net income (loss) before income taxes and extraordinary
     item plus  fixed charges  (excluding capitalized  interest). Fixed  charges
     consist   of  interest  on  all   debt  (including  capitalized  interest),
     amortization of debt discount  and deferred loan costs  and the portion  of
     rental  expense that is representative of  the interest component of rental
     expense (deemed to be one-third of rental expense which management believes
     is a reasonable approximation of the  interest component). For each of  the
     four  years ended  December 31,  1991, 1992,  1993 and  1995, earnings were
     insufficient to cover  fixed charges  by $8.1 million,  $5.6 million,  $5.0
     million  and $0.8  million, respectively. For  the year  ended December 31,
     1994 the ratio of  earnings to fixed  charges was 1.2 to  1.0. For the  six
     months ended
 
                                       38
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     June  30, 1995, the ratio of earnings to  fixed charges was 1.0 to 1.0. For
     the six months  ended June 30,  1996, earnings were  insufficient to  cover
     fixed  charges by  $3.0 million. The  Company's net  income (loss) includes
     certain non-cash charges as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                     JUNE 30,
                                          -------------------------------------------------    ----------------
                                           1991       1992       1993       1994      1995      1995      1996
                                          -------    -------    -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
                                                                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Non-cash interest.......................  $ 3,923    $ 7,774    $ 6,161    $4,905    $  712    $  337    $1,098
Depreciation and amortization of
 intangibles............................    5,871      4,428      3,721     3,403     5,041     2,124     4,069
Provision for loss on note receivable...      905        310         --        --        --        --        --
Special bonus, officer-stockholder......       --         --      1,400        --        --        --        --
                                          -------    -------    -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
                                          $10,699    $12,512    $11,282    $8,308    $5,753    $2,461    $5,167
                                          -------    -------    -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
                                          -------    -------    -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
</TABLE>
 
 (f) Total  debt  is  defined  as  notes  payable  and  capital  leases  payable
     (including the current portion thereof), net of discount.
 
STAUFFER(a)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               PERIOD
                                                                                             JANUARY 1,
                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,         SIX MONTHS      1996 TO
                                          -------------------------------     ENDED JUNE      JUNE 6,
                                           1993        1994        1995        30, 1995         1996
                                          -------     -------     -------     ----------     ----------
                                                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>            <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
   Net revenues.........................  $16,661     $19,081     $17,317      $  8,624       $  7,341
   Operating expenses:
       Station operating expenses.......   13,327      13,422      13,534         6,501          6,094
       Depreciation and amortization....    2,264       2,304       2,229         1,136            974
                                          -------     -------     -------     ----------     ----------
 
           Station operating income.....    1,070       3,355       1,554           987            273
       Corporate expenses...............       --          --          --            --             --
                                          -------     -------     -------     ----------     ----------
   Operating income.....................  $ 1,070     $ 3,355     $ 1,554      $    987       $    273
                                          -------     -------     -------     ----------     ----------
                                          -------     -------     -------     ----------     ----------
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW DATA:
 Net cash provided by operating
   activities...........................  $ 2,963     $ 5,519     $ 4,250      $  2,102       $  1,696
 Net cash (used in) investing
   activities...........................   (1,182)       (934)       (406)         (304)           (93)
 Net cash (used in) financing
   activities...........................   (1,682)     (4,298)     (4,099)       (2,139)        (1,781)
CERTAIN FINANCIAL DATA:
   Broadcast cash flow..................  $ 3,285     $ 5,623     $ 4,000      $  2,168       $  1,390
   Broadcast cash flow margin...........     19.7%       29.5%       23.1%         25.1%          18.9%
 
   Adjusted EBITDA......................  $ 3,285     $ 5,623     $ 4,000      $  2,168       $  1,390
   Adjusted EBITDA margin...............     19.7%       29.5%       23.1%         25.1%          18.9%
 
   Amortization of program broadcast
     rights.............................  $ 1,277     $ 1,045     $ 1,025      $    496       $    491
   Payments for program broadcast
     rights.............................    1,326       1,081         808           451            348
   Capital expenditures.................    1,182         934         406           290             93
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
 (a) Reclassification  entries have  been made  to the  financial statements for
     consistent presentation with the Company.
 
BRISSETTE(a)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                      PERIOD
                                                                                                                    JANUARY 1,
                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                     SIX MONTHS     1996 TO
                                          --------------------------------------------------------    ENDED JUNE     JUNE 6,
                                            1991        1992        1993        1994        1995       30, 1995        1996
                                          --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    ----------    ----------
                                                                         (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)             (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
   Net revenues.........................  $ 43,817    $ 46,414    $ 44,404    $ 49,530    $ 51,326     $ 25,427      $ 22,439
   Operating expenses:
       Station operating expenses.......    23,470      23,791      23,511      25,667      27,515       12,970        12,875
       Depreciation and amortization....    13,334      12,881       8,116       6,551       6,252        3,147         2,954
                                          --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    ----------    ----------
           Station operating income.....     7,013       9,742      12,777      17,312      17,559        9,310         6,610
       Management fee paid to
         affiliate(b)...................     2,650       4,365          --          --          --           --            --
       Corporate expenses...............     2,204       1,655       1,487       1,895       2,307          954         3,305
                                          --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    ----------    ----------
   Operating income.....................  $  2,159    $  3,722    $ 11,290    $ 15,417    $ 15,252     $  8,356      $  3,307
                                          --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    ----------    ----------
                                          --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    ----------    ----------
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW DATA:
 Net cash provided by (used in)
   operating activities.................  $  9,934    $  3,029    $  4,203    $  4,793    $  1,632     $     29      $ (3,722)
 Net cash provided by (used in)
   investing activities.................    (2,413)     (3,927)     (2,195)     (1,531)     (2,711)         892          (713)
 Net cash provided by (used in)
   financing activities.................    (2,278)     (3,721)     (2,350)     (4,775)      2,300        1,900         2,867
CERTAIN FINANCIAL DATA:
   Broadcast cash flow..................  $ 20,688    $ 22,613    $ 20,927    $ 24,065    $ 23,856     $ 12,455      $  9,441
   Broadcast cash flow margin...........      47.2%       48.7%       47.1%       48.6%       46.5%        49.0%         42.1%
 
   Adjusted EBITDA......................  $ 18,484    $ 20,958    $ 19,440    $ 22,170    $ 21,549     $ 11,501      $  6,138
   Adjusted EBITDA margin...............      42.2%       45.1%       43.8%       44.8%       42.0%        45.2%         27.4%
 
   Amortization of program broadcast
     rights.............................  $  2,709    $  1,987    $  1,743    $  1,757    $  1,684     $    758      $    865
   Payments for program broadcast
     rights.............................     2,368       1,997       1,709       1,555       1,639          760           988
   Capital expenditures.................     2,466       1,280       2,217       1,559       2,748          913           935
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
 (a) Reclassification entries have  been made  to the  financial statements  for
     consistent presentation with the Company.
 
   
 (b) Brissette  paid  management  fees  to an  affiliated  company  for expenses
     relating to payroll, rent and other corporate expenses. Adjusted EBITDA and
     adjusted EBITDA  margin are  calculated  prior to  any reduction  for  such
     management fees.
    
 
                                       39




<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
OVERVIEW
 
     The  operating revenues of Benedek  Broadcasting are derived primarily from
the sale of advertising time and, to a lesser extent, from compensation paid  by
the  networks for broadcasting network  programming and from barter transactions
for goods and services. Revenue depends  on the ability of Benedek  Broadcasting
to  provide  popular programming  which  attracts audiences  in  the demographic
groups targeted by  advertisers, thereby allowing  Benedek Broadcasting to  sell
advertising  time at satisfactory  rates. Revenue also  depends significantly on
factors such  as  the  national  and  local  economy  and  the  level  of  local
competition.
 
     Approximately  59.2% of the gross revenues  of the Benedek Stations in 1995
was generated from local and regional advertising, which is sold primarily by  a
Station's  sales  staff,  and  the  remainder  of  the  advertising  revenues is
comprised primarily of  national advertising,  which is sold  by national  sales
representatives retained by Benedek Broadcasting. Benedek Broadcasting generally
pays  commissions  to  advertising  agencies  on  local,  regional  and national
advertising and to national sales  representatives on national advertising.  Net
revenues  reflect  deductions from  gross  revenues for  commissions  payable to
advertising agencies and national sales representatives.
 
     Local/regional advertising and national advertising constitute the  largest
categories   of   Benedek  Broadcasting's   operating  revenues   and  represent
approximately 86.0% of gross  revenues in each of  the last three fiscal  years.
Although relatively constant as a total percentage of gross revenues, the mix of
advertising  revenue can  vary depending on  the level  of political advertising
revenue. Excluding  political  advertising  revenue,  the  percentage  of  gross
revenues  attributable to local/regional advertising and national advertising of
Benedek Broadcasting  in  1993,  1994  and 1995  was  88.9%,  88.8%  and  87.4%,
respectively.  The decrease  in 1995  was the result  of an  increase in network
compensation of  $0.8 million  or  36.5%, representing  5.6% of  gross  revenues
(excluding  political advertising revenues) in 1995 as compared to 4.8% of gross
revenues (excluding political advertising revenues) in 1994.
 
   
     In 1995,  Benedek  Broadcasting  reported net  revenues  of  $50.3  million
compared  to net revenues  of $44.2 million  in 1994 and  $38.4 million in 1993.
Benedek Broadcasting had net income of $6.1 million (after an extraordinary gain
of $6.9 million) in 1995  and $2.0 million in 1994,  compared to a loss of  $5.0
million  in 1993. Adjusted  EBITDA in 1995  was $19.7 million  compared to $18.3
million in 1994 and $14.3 million  in 1993. Benedek Broadcasting's net  revenues
and  adjusted EBITDA have increased every year  since 1989 with the exception of
1991. In  1991,  the television  industry  experienced an  absolute  decline  in
revenues  for the first time since the early 1970s when cigarette advertising on
television was prohibited by Congress. Benedek Broadcasting's revenue growth  in
the last three years can be attributed to greater demand for advertising time on
the  part of local and  national advertisers and increases  in unit rates and to
the acquisition of the Dothan Station in March 1995.
    
 
     In  December  1995,  Benedek   Broadcasting  entered  into  new   long-term
affiliation  agreements  with  CBS effective  retroactive  to July  1,  1995. In
connection with such arrangements, CBS paid Benedek Broadcasting bonus  payments
of  $2.5 million  in the fourth  quarter of 1995  and $2.5 million  in the first
quarter of 1996. These payments will be recognized as revenue by the Company  at
the  rate of  $0.5 million per  year over  the ten-year term  of the affiliation
agreements. In connection with these payments, Benedek Broadcasting also  agreed
with  CBS that,  upon the  consummation of  the Acquisitions,  the terms  of the
affiliation agreements for the Acquired Stations which are CBS affiliates  would
be extended through 2005.
 
     Benedek    Broadcasting's   primary   operating   expenses   are   employee
compensation,  programming  and  depreciation   and  amortization.  Changes   in
compensation  expense result primarily from  adjustments to fixed salaries based
on employee performance and inflation and,  to a lesser extent, from changes  in
sales  commissions  paid based  on levels  of advertising  revenues. Programming
expense  consists  primarily   of  amortization  of   program  rights.   Benedek
Broadcasting  purchases first run  and off-network syndicated  programming on an
on-going  basis  and  has  a  policy  of  closely  matching  payments  for   and
amortization  of  program rights  in each  period. A  network-affiliated station
receives approximately two-thirds  of its  required daily  programming from  the
network at no cost. Depreciation and amortization expense has generally declined
from  period to period  as assets acquired at  the time of  the acquisition of a
station are fully depreciated. However,  for 1995 depreciation and  amortization
 
                                       40
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
increased  $1.3 million  due to  the acquisition  of the  Dothan Station. Barter
expense generally offsets barter revenue and  reflects the fair market value  of
goods  and services received. Benedek Broadcasting's operating expenses in 1993,
1994 and 1995 (excluding  depreciation and amortization  and a non-cash  special
bonus  paid  to  the sole  stockholder  of  Benedek Broadcasting  in  1993) have
remained fairly constant and  represent approximately 60.9%  of net revenues  in
each such year.
 
     On  March 31, 1995, Benedek Broadcasting acquired for a cash purchase price
of $28.7 million substantially  all of the assets  (excluding cash and  accounts
receivable)  of  the Dothan  Station  which is  the  CBS affiliate  serving both
Dothan, Alabama and Panama City, Florida.
 
   
     The Company has included adjusted EBITDA data because such data is used  by
certain  investors  to measure  a company's  ability  to service  debt. Adjusted
EBITDA is defined as  operating income before financial  income as derived  from
statements  of operations  plus depreciation  and amortization,  amortization of
program broadcast  rights  and  non-cash compensation  less  cash  payments  for
program  broadcast rights. Adjusted EBITDA is used to pay principal and interest
on long-term debt  and to fund  capital expenditures. Adjusted  EBITDA does  not
purport  to represent cash provided by  operating activities as reflected in the
Company's Consolidated  Financial  Statements, is  not  a measure  of  financial
performance  under generally  accepted accounting  principles and  should not be
considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance  prepared
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
    
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The  following table sets  forth certain pro  forma financial and operating
data for the Company  for the year  ended December 31, 1995  and the six  months
ended June 30, 1996 giving effect to the Transactions as if the Transactions had
been  consummated at January  1, 1995 for  the year ended  December 31, 1995 and
January 1, 1996 for the six months ended June 30, 1996:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        YEAR ENDED            SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                                     DECEMBER 31, 1995         JUNE 30, 1996
                                                                     -----------------   --------------------------
                                                                         PRO FORMA               PRO FORMA
                                                                     -----------------   --------------------------
                                                                                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                  <C>         <C>     <C>          <C>
Revenues:
    Local/regional.................................................  $ 78,769     56.7%   $  38,126          55.3%
    National.......................................................    42,316     30.5       20,708          30.0
    Political......................................................     1,389      1.0        1,647           2.4
    Network........................................................     9,689      7.0        5,044           7.3
    Barter.........................................................     4,046      2.9        1,963           2.9
    Other..........................................................     2,661      1.9        1,426           2.1
                                                                     --------    -----   -----------       ------
Gross revenues.....................................................   138,870    100.0%      68,914        100.00%
                                                                                 -----                     ------
                                                                                 -----                     ------
    Agency and national sales representative commissions...........    17,525                 8,955
                                                                     --------            -----------
Net revenues.......................................................   121,345                59,959
                                                                     --------            -----------
Operating expenses:
    Compensation expense and payroll taxes(a)......................    39,198                21,148
    Amortization of program broadcast rights.......................     4,853                 2,658
    Depreciation and amortization..................................    27,625                14,287
    Barter.........................................................     3,574                 1,399
    Other(b).......................................................    21,669                10,068
                                                                     --------            -----------
                                                                       96,919                49,560
                                                                     --------            -----------
Station operating income...........................................    24,426                10,399
    Corporate expenses.............................................     1,900                   950
                                                                     --------            -----------
Operating income...................................................    22,526                 9,449
Financial (expense), net...........................................   (40,986)              (21,115)
                                                                     --------            -----------
Net income (loss) before extraordinary item........................   (18,460)              (11,666)
Extraordinary item, gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt....     6,864                    --
                                                                     --------            -----------
Net income (loss)..................................................  $(11,596)            $ (11,666)
                                                                     --------            -----------
                                                                     --------            -----------
Broadcast cash flow................................................  $ 52,422             $  23,790
Broadcast cash flow margin.........................................      43.2%                 39.7%
 
Adjusted EBITDA....................................................  $ 50,522             $  22,840
Adjusted EBITDA margin.............................................      41.6%                 38.1%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 (a) Does not include corporate overhead.
 (b) Includes  utilities,  insurance  and   other  general  and   administrative
     expenses.
 
                                       41
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     The  following table sets forth  certain historical financial and operating
data for the periods indicated:
 
  THE COMPANY (INCLUDING THE TRANSACTIONS AS OF JUNE 6, 1996)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                           SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                -------------------------------------------------------     -------------------------------------
                                     1993                1994                1995                1995                 1996
                                ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     -----------------
<S>                             <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>
                                                                     (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Revenues:
    Local/regional..........    $26,844    60.6%    $29,622    58.1%    $34,111    59.2%    $16,431    59.6%    $  19,560    56.9%
    National................     12,164    27.4      13,406    26.3      15,456    26.8       7,692    27.9         9,355    27.2
    Political...............        394     0.9       2,662     5.2         923     1.6         221     0.8           849     2.5
    Network.................      2,280     5.1       2,320     4.5       3,166     5.5       1,378     5.0         2,372     6.9
    Barter..................      1,829     4.1       2,076     4.1       2,943     5.1       1,362     4.9         1,602     4.7
    Other...................        817     1.9         940     1.8       1,035     1.8         506     1.8           638     1.8
                                -------   -----     -------   -----     -------   -----     -------   -----     ---------   -----
Gross revenues..............     44,328   100.0%     51,026   100.0%     57,634   100.0%     27,590   100.0%       34,376   100.0%
                                          -----               -----               -----               -----                 -----
                                          -----               -----               -----               -----                 -----
    Agency and national
      sales representative
      commissions...........      5,976               6,805               7,305               3,531                 4,261
                                -------             -------             -------             -------             ---------
Net revenues................     38,352              44,221              50,329              24,059                30,115
                                -------             -------             -------             -------             ---------
Operating expenses:
    Compensation expense and
      payroll taxes(a)......     12,106              13,165              15,410               7,362                 9,881
    Amortization of program
      broadcast rights......      2,179               2,104               2,162               1,082                 1,303
    Depreciation and
      amortization..........      3,721               3,403               5,041               2,124                 4,069
    Special bonus, officer-
      stockholder...........      1,400                  --                  --                  --                    --
    Barter..................      1,737               1,766               2,414               1,037                 1,105
    Other(b)................      6,783               7,775               9,063               4,356                 5,947
                                -------             -------             -------             -------             ---------
                                 27,926              28,213              34,090              15,961                22,305
                                -------             -------             -------             -------             ---------
Station operating income....     10,426              16,008              16,239               8,098                 7,810
    Corporate expenses......      1,249               1,309               1,576                 698                 1,087
                                -------             -------             -------             -------             ---------
Operating income............      9,177              14,699              14,663               7,400                 6,723
Financial (expenses), net...    (14,211)            (12,655)            (15,475)             (7,228)               (9,766)
                                -------             -------             -------             -------             ---------
Net income (loss) before
  extraordinary item........     (5,034)              2,044                (812)               (172)               (3,043)
Extraordinary item, gain on
  early extinguishment of
  debt......................         --                  --               6,864               6,864                    --
                                -------             -------             -------             -------             ---------
Net income (loss)...........    $(5,034)            $ 2,044             $ 6,052             $ 7,036             $  (3,043)
                                -------             -------             -------             -------             ---------
                                -------             -------             -------             -------             ---------
 
Net cash provided by (used
  in) operating
  activities................    $ 4,926             $10,493             $ 3,251             $  (826)            $   7,558
Net cash (used in) investing
  activities................       (864)             (2,507)            (30,972)            (27,213)             (323,673)
Net cash provided by (used
  in) financing
  activities................     (6,951)             (7,037)             32,773              33,243               312,138
 
Broadcast cash flow.........    $15,546             $19,627             $21,310             $10,266             $  11,995
Broadcast cash flow margin..       40.5%               44.4%               42.3%               42.7%                 39.8%
 
Adjusted EBITDA.............    $14,297             $18,318             $19,734             $ 9,568             $  10,908
Adjusted EBITDA margin......       37.3%               41.4%               39.2%               39.8%                 36.2%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
 (a) Does not include corporate overhead or special bonus.
 
 (b) Includes  utilities,  insurance  and   other  general  and   administrative
     expenses.
 
                                       42
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     The  following  table  contains  a  summary  of  the  Company's  historical
operations as a  percentage of  net revenues and  the percentage  change in  the
dollar amounts as compared to prior periods:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              PERIOD TO PERIOD
                                               PERCENTAGE OF NET REVENUES                    PERCENTAGE CHANGES
                                        -----------------------------------------    ----------------------------------
                                                 YEAR                                                       SIX MONTHS
                                                 ENDED               SIX MONTHS         FISCAL YEARS          ENDED
                                             DECEMBER 31,          ENDED JUNE 30,    ------------------      JUNE 30,
                                        -----------------------    --------------    1994 VS    1995 VS        1996
                                        1993     1994     1995     1995     1996      1993       1994        VS 1995
                                        -----    -----    -----    -----    -----    -------    -------    ------------
<S>                                     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>
Net revenues.........................   100.0%   100.0%   100.0%   100.0%   100.0%     15.3 %     13.8%         25.2%
                                        -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
Operating expenses:
    Compensation expense and payroll
      taxes..........................    31.6     29.8     30.6     30.6     32.8       8.7       17.1          34.2
    Amortization of program broadcast
      rights.........................     5.7      4.8      4.3      4.5      4.3      (3.4)       2.8          20.4
    Depreciation and amortization....     9.7      7.7     10.0      8.8     13.5      (8.5)      48.2          91.6
    Special bonus,
      officer-stockholder............     3.7       --       --       --       --    (100.0)        --            --
    Barter...........................     4.5      4.0      4.8      4.3      3.7       1.7       36.7           6.6
    Other............................    17.7     17.6     18.1     18.1     19.8      14.6       16.6          36.5
                                        -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
                                         72.9     63.9     67.8     66.3     74.1       1.0       20.8          39.7
                                        -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
 
Station operating income.............    27.1     36.2     32.2     33.7     25.9      53.5        1.4          (3.6)
    Corporate expenses...............     3.2      3.0      3.1      2.9      3.6       4.8       20.4          55.7
                                        -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
Operating income.....................    23.9     33.2     29.1     30.8     22.3      60.2       (0.3)         (9.1)
Financial (expenses), net............   (37.0)   (28.6)   (30.7)   (30.1)   (32.4)    (10.9)      22.3          35.1
                                        -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
Net income (loss)....................   (13.1)%    4.6%    (1.6)%    0.7%   (10.1)%      --         --            --
                                        -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
                                        -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
 
Broadcast cash flow..................    40.5%    44.4%    42.3%    42.7%    39.8%     26.2%       8.6%         16.8%
 
Adjusted EBITDA......................    37.3%    41.4%    39.2%    39.8%    36.2%     28.1%       7.7%         14.0%
</TABLE>
    
 
     The  following tables set forth  certain historical financial and operating
data for Stauffer and Brissette for the periods indicated:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  STAUFFER(a)
                                                                                                                       PERIOD
                                                                                                  SIX MONTHS         JANUARY 1,
                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                         ENDED             1996 TO
                                    -------------------------------------------------------        JUNE 30,           JUNE 6,
                                         1993                1994                1995                1995               1996
                                    ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     --------------     --------------
                                                                       (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                 <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>
Revenues:
    Local/regional..............    $11,795    61.7%    $11,944    53.7%    $12,061    60.5%    $6,029    60.6%    $4,890    57.9%
    National....................      5,220    27.3       6,042    27.2       5,646    28.3      2,933    29.4      2,363    28.0
    Political...................         78     0.4       2,223    10.0          87     0.4          5      --        209     2.5
    Network.....................      1,292     6.8       1,305     5.9       1,492     7.5        694     7.0        688     8.1
    Barter......................         --                  --                  --      --         --      --         --      --
    Other.......................        730     3.8         706     3.2         652     3.3        296     3.0        295     3.5
                                    -------   -----     -------   -----     -------   -----     ------   -----     ------   -----
Gross revenues..................     19,115   100.0%     22,220   100.0%     19,938   100.0%     9,957   100.0%     8,445   100.0%
                                              -----               -----               -----              -----              -----
                                              -----               -----               -----              -----              -----
    Agency and national sales
      representative
      commissions...............      2,454               3,139               2,621              1,333              1,104
                                    -------             -------             -------             ------             ------
Net revenues....................     16,661              19,081              17,317              8,624              7,341
                                    -------             -------             -------             ------             ------
Operating expenses:
    Compensation expense and
      payroll taxes(b)..........      7,542               7,718               7,904              3,775              3,461
    Amortization of program
      broadcast rights..........      1,277               1,045               1,025                496                491
    Depreciation and
      amortization..............      2,264               2,304               2,229              1,136                974
    Barter......................         --                  --                  --                 --                 --
    Other(c)....................      4,508               4,659               4,606              2,230              2,142
                                    -------             -------             -------             ------             ------
                                     15,591              15,726              15,763              7,637              7,068
                                    -------             -------             -------             ------             ------
Station operating income
  (loss)........................      1,070               3,355               1,554                987                273
    Corporate expenses..........         --                  --                  --                 --                 --
                                    -------             -------             -------             ------             ------
Operating Income (loss).........    $ 1,070             $ 3,355             $ 1,554             $  987             $  273
                                    -------             -------             -------             ------             ------
                                    -------             -------             -------             ------             ------
Net cash provided by operating
  activities....................    $ 2,963             $ 5,519             $ 4,250             $2,102             $1,696
Net cash (used in) investing
  activities....................     (1,182)               (934)               (406)              (304)               (93)
Net cash (used in) financing
  activities....................     (1,682)             (4,298)             (4,099)            (2,139)            (1,781)
Broadcast cash flow.............    $ 3,285             $ 5,623             $ 4,000             $2,168             $1,390
Broadcast cash flow margin......       19.7%               29.5%               23.1%              25.1%              18.9%
Adjusted EBITDA.................    $ 3,285             $ 5,623             $ 4,000             $2,168             $1,390
Adjusted EBITDA margin..........       19.7%               29.5%               23.1%              25.1%              18.9%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 (a) Reclassification entries have  been made  to the  financial statements  for
     consistent presentation with the Company.
 (b) Does not include corporate overhead.
 (c) Includes   utilities,  insurance  and   other  general  and  administrative
     expenses.
 
                                       43
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
  BRISSETTE(a)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                       SIX MONTHS             PERIOD
                                 -------------------------------------------------------     ENDED JUNE 30,      JANUARY 1, 1996
                                      1993                1994                1995                1995           TO JUNE 6, 1996
                                 ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
                                                                     (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                              <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Revenues:
    Local/regional...........    $28,214    54.9%    $30,091    52.1%    $31,575    53.5%    $15,435    52.9%    $13,676    52.4%
    National.................     17,730    34.5      19,391    33.6      20,617    34.9      10,623    36.4       8,991    34.4
    Political................        403     0.8       3,536     6.1         379     0.6         149     0.5         589     2.3
    Network..................      3,163     6.2       3,094     5.4       4,589     7.8       2,144     7.4       1,984     7.6
    Barter...................        569     1.1         686     1.2         903     1.5         329     1.1         360     1.4
    Other....................      1,273     2.5         941     1.6         990     1.7         483     1.7         493     1.9
                                 -------   -----     -------   -----     -------   -----     -------   -----     -------   -----
Gross revenues...............     51,352   100.0%     57,739   100.0%     59,053   100.0%     29,163   100.0%     26,093   100.0%
                                           -----               -----               -----               -----               -----
                                           -----               -----               -----               -----               -----
    Agency and national sales
      representative
      commissions............      6,948               8,209               7,727               3,736               3,654
                                 -------             -------             -------             -------             -------
Net revenues.................     44,404              49,530              51,326              25,427              22,439
                                 -------             -------             -------             -------             -------
Operating expenses:
    Compensation expense and
      payroll taxes(b).......     13,855              15,494              16,647               7,937               7,629
    Amortization of program
      broadcast rights.......      1,743               1,757               1,684                 758                 865
    Depreciation and
      amortization...........      8,116               6,551               6,252               3,147               2,954
    Special deferred
      compensation...........         44                 196                 616                  --                  --
    Barter...................        495                 877                 903                 355                 294
    Other(c).................      7,374               7,343               7,665               3,920               4,087
                                 -------             -------             -------             -------             -------
                                  31,627              32,218              33,767              16,117              15,829
                                 -------             -------             -------             -------             -------
Station operating income.....     12,777              17,312              17,559               9,310               6,610
    Corporate expenses.......      1,487               1,895               2,307                 954               3,303
                                 -------             -------             -------             -------             -------
Operating income.............    $11,290             $15,417             $15,252             $ 8,356             $ 3,307
                                 -------             -------             -------             -------             -------
                                 -------             -------             -------             -------             -------
 
Net cash provided by (used
  in) operating activities...    $ 4,203             $ 4,793             $ 1,632             $    29             $(3,722)
Net cash provided by (used
  in) investing activities...     (2,195)             (1,531)             (2,711)                892                (713)
Net cash provided by (used
  in) financing activities...     (2,350)             (4,775)              2,300               1,900               2,867
 
Broadcast cash flow..........    $20,927             $24,065             $23,856             $12,455             $ 9,441
Broadcast cash flow margin...       47.1%               48.6%               46.5%               49.0%               42.0%
 
Adjusted EBITDA..............    $19,440             $22,170             $21,549             $11,501             $ 6,138
Adjusted EBITDA margin.......       43.8%               44.8%               42.0%               45.2%               27.4%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
 (a) Reclassification entries have  been made  to the  financial statements  for
     consistent presentation with the Company.
 
 (b) Does not include corporate overhead.
 
 (c) Includes   utilities,  insurance  and   other  general  and  administrative
     expenses.
 
                                       44
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
   
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995
    
 
     Net revenues for the six months ended June 30, 1996 increased $6.1  million
or  25.2% to $30.1 million from $24.0 million  for the six months ended June 30,
1995 primarily as a result  of the acquisition on June  6, 1996 of the  Acquired
Stations  which increased net revenue by $5.0  million. On a Same Station basis,
net revenues for the six  months ended June 30,  1996 increased $0.1 million  or
0.2%  from the six months ended June 30, 1995. Political advertising revenue for
the six months ended June  30, 1996 increased by  $1.3 million to $1.6  million.
Gross  revenues on a Same Station  basis excluding political advertising revenue
decreased $1.0 million or 1.5% from the six months ended June 30, 1995. For  the
Benedek  Stations, net revenues declined from the six months ended June 30, 1995
primarily as a result of the performance of the Benedek Stations affiliated with
the CBS  network. The  share of  viewers of  such CBS  affiliates also  declined
during such period. As a group, the net revenues of the Company's CBS-affiliated
Benedek  Stations decreased 8.8% from the six months ended June 30, 1995 and the
net revenue of the Benedek Stations affiliated with ABC and NBC increased 2.8%.
 
     Operating expenses for the  six months ended June  30, 1996 increased  $6.7
million  or 40.4% to $23.4  million from $16.7 million  for the six months ended
June 30, 1995. As a percentage of net revenues, operating expenses increased  to
77.8%  from 69.2%  in the six  months ended  June 30, 1995,  as a  result of the
acquisition of  the  Acquired  Stations.  On a  Same  Station  basis,  operating
expenses  for the six months ended June  30, 1996 increased $2.5 million or 5.2%
from the six months ended June 30,  1995. Operating expenses as a percentage  of
net  revenues on a  Same Station basis  increased from 82.1%  for the six months
ended June 30, 1995 to 86.2% in the six months ended June 30, 1996.
 
     Operating income for  the six  months ended  June 30,  1996 decreased  $0.7
million  or 9.1% to $6.7 million from $7.4 million for the six months ended June
30, 1995.
 
     Financial (expenses), net for the six months ended June 30, 1996  increased
$2.5  million or 35.1% to $9.8 million from $7.2 million in the six months ended
June 30, 1995 due to the Company's  higher debt level following the offering  of
the Senior Secured Notes in March 1995.
 
     Net  loss  for the  six  months ended  June 30,  1996  was $3.0  million as
compared to net income of  $7.0 million for the six  months ended June 30,  1995
primarily  as a  result of an  extraordinary gain  of $6.9 million  on the early
extinguishment of debt.
 
     Broadcast cash flow for the six  months ended June 30, 1996 increased  $1.7
million  or 16.9% to $12.0  million from $10.3 million  for the six months ended
June 30, 1995 primarily as  a result of the acquisition  on June 6, 1996 of  the
Acquired  Stations. As a percentage of  net revenues, broadcast cash flow margin
decreased to 39.8% for the six months ended June 30, 1996 from 42.7% for the six
months ended June 30, 1995. On a Same Station basis, broadcast cash flow for the
six months ended June 30, 1996 decreased  $2.2 million or 8.6% to $22.9  million
from  $25.0 million for the  six months ended June 30,  1995. As a percentage of
net revenues, broadcast cash flow margin  decreased to 38.1% for the six  months
ended June 30, 1996 from 41.8% for the six months ended June 30, 1995.
 
     The  decrease in broadcast cash flow and broadcast cast flow margin for the
six month period ended  June 30, 1996  was primarily related  to an increase  in
operating  expense  used  in  determining  broadcast  cash  flow.  Such expenses
increased by $2.2 million or  11.2% at the Acquired  Stations for the six  month
period  ended  June 30,  1996 from  the  comparable period  in 1995,  while such
operating expenses at the Company's previously owned stations remained flat.
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
 
     Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 1995 increased $6.1 million or
13.8% to $50.3 million from $44.2 million for the year ended December 31,  1994.
Of this increase, $5.0 million was attributable to the acquisition in March 1995
of  the  Dothan  Station.  For  the  eight  Benedek  Stations  owned  by Benedek
Broadcasting for all of 1994 and 1995, net revenues for the year ended  December
31,  1995 increased $1.1 million or 2.4%  from the year ended December 31, 1994.
For such  Benedek Stations,  political advertising  revenue for  the year  ended
December  31, 1995  decreased $1.8  million or 66.7%  to $0.9  million from $2.7
million for the year  ended December 31, 1994.  Gross revenues for such  Benedek
Stations  excluding political advertising revenue increased $2.7 million or 5.6%
from 1994  to  1995.  In  addition, for  such  Benedek  Stations,  net  revenues
increased slightly and
 
                                       45
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
the  related station  share of  viewers generally  declined from  the year ended
December 31,  1994 primarily  as a  result  of the  performance of  the  Benedek
Stations affiliated with the CBS network. As a group, the CBS-affiliated Benedek
Stations  decreased  1.7% from  the year  ended  December 31,  1994 and  the net
revenues of the Benedek Stations affiliated with ABC and NBC increased 4.8%.
 
     Operating expenses  for the  year ended  December 31,  1995 increased  $6.1
million or 20.8% to $35.7 million from $29.5 million for the year ended December
31,  1994. Of the increase in  operating expenses, $4.4 million was attributable
to the  acquisition of  the Dothan  Station. As  a percentage  of net  revenues,
operating  expenses increased to 70.9% from 66.8% in the year ended December 31,
1994, primarily as a result of an  increase of $1.6 million in depreciation  and
amortization   expense.  For  the  eight   Benedek  Stations  owned  by  Benedek
Broadcasting for all  of 1994 and  1995, operating expenses  for the year  ended
December  31, 1995 increased $1.7  million or 5.6% from  the year ended December
31, 1994.  For  such  Benedek  Stations,  payroll  expense  remained  relatively
constant  at  approximately  30.0%  of net  revenues.  Operating  expenses  as a
percentage of net revenues  for such Benedek Stations  increased from 66.8%  for
fiscal  1994 to 68.9%  in fiscal 1995, primarily  as a result  of an increase in
depreciation and amortization from 7.7% to 7.9% of net revenues and an  increase
in  barter transactions,  primarily related  to programming  and promotion, from
4.0% to 5.0% of net revenues.
 
     Operating income for the  years ended December 31,  1995 and 1994  remained
flat at $14.7 million as a result of the above factors.
 
     Financial  (expenses), net for  the year ended  December 31, 1995 increased
$2.8 million or  22.3% to $15.5  million from  $12.7 million in  the year  ended
December  31, 1994 due to Benedek Broadcasting's higher debt level following the
offering of the Senior Secured Notes in March 1995.
 
     Net income for the year ended  December 31, 1995 increased to $6.1  million
from  $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1994 primarily as a result of
a gain of $6.9 million on the  early extinguishment of debt. This gain  resulted
from  the refinancing  of Benedek Broadcasting's  debt from the  proceeds of the
offering of the Senior Secured Notes in March 1995.
 
   
     Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 1995 increased $1.4 million
or 7.7% to $19.7 million from $18.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1994
primarily as a result of the acquisition of the Dothan Station. As a  percentage
of  net revenues, adjusted EBITDA decreased to 39.2% for the year ended December
31, 1995 from 41.4% for the year ended December 31, 1994. For the eight  Benedek
Stations owned by Benedek Broadcasting for all of 1994 and 1995, adjusted EBITDA
for  the year ended  December 31, 1995  decreased $0.6 million  or 3.5% from the
year ended December 31, 1994.
    
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993
 
     Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 1994 increased $5.9 million or
15.3% to $44.2 million from $38.4 million for the year ended December 31,  1993.
The  growth in net revenues resulted  from increases in advertising expenditures
by local/regional and national advertisers as advertisers anticipated  continued
economic recovery and increases in political advertising expenditures during the
1994 election year.
 
     Operating  expenses for  the year  ended December  31, 1994  increased $1.7
million or 6.3% to $29.5 million from $27.8 million for the year ended  December
31,  1993,  excluding  the  special  bonus. As  a  percentage  of  net revenues,
operating expenses declined to  66.8% in the year  ended December 31, 1994  from
72.4%  in  the  year  ended  December 31,  1993,  excluding  the  special bonus,
primarily as a result of  the greater rate of increase  in net revenues than  in
compensation  expense. Compensation expense in the  year ended December 31, 1994
increased $1.1 million  or 8.7% from  the year  ended December 31,  1993 due  to
overall  salary  increases and  increases in  commission expense  resulting from
higher advertising sales. Amortization of program rights and corporate  expenses
during such periods remained relatively constant.
 
     Operating  income  for  the year  ended  December 31,  1994  increased $4.1
million or 40.0% to $14.7 million from $10.6 million for the year ended December
31, 1993, excluding the special bonus.  This increase resulted from the  greater
rate of increase in net revenues than in compensation expense.
 
                                       46
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     Financial  (expenses), net for  the year ended  December 31, 1994 decreased
$1.6 million or 10.9%  to $12.7 million  from $14.2 million  for the year  ended
December  31, 1993 due  primarily to a  net reduction in  the amount of non-cash
interest  accrued  in   respect  of   warrants  held  by   certain  of   Benedek
Broadcasting's  lenders which were restructured in  1993, offset in part by $1.0
million of interest accrued in respect of a contingent payment due to another of
Benedek Broadcasting's lenders based upon  the appreciation in the equity  value
of certain of the Benedek Stations.
 
     Net  income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 1994 increased to income
of $2.0 million from a loss of $5.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1993
as a result of the factors described above.
 
   
     Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 1994 increased $4.0 million
or 28.1% to $18.3  million from $14.3  million for the  year ended December  31,
1993  primarily as a result of the increase  in net revenues. As a percentage of
net revenues, adjusted EBITDA increased to 41.4% for the year ended December 31,
1994 from 37.3% for the year ended December 31, 1993.
    
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     Cash Flows from Operating Activities is the primary source of liquidity for
Benedek Broadcasting and were $(7.6) million  for the six months ended June  30,
1996  compared to $(0.8) million for the six months ended June 30, 1995. For the
six months ended June  30, 1996 cash flows  from operating activities  primarily
resulted  from  a  $4.6 million  decrease  in receivables,  which  included $2.5
million from  the  bonus payment  from  CBS, offset  by  a decrease  in  accrued
interest of $4.0 million. For the six months ended June 30, 1995 cash flows from
operating  activities primarily  resulted from the  refinancing of substantially
all of Benedek  Broadcasting's existing  long-term debt  in March  1995 and  the
payment  of $4.4 million of deferred and contingent interest and $2.7 million of
prepayment premiums. In addition, cash used by operations included $6.9  million
of non-cash gain on early extinguishment of debt.
 
     Cash  flows from operating activities were $3.3 million in 1995 compared to
$10.5 million in 1994. The 1995  cash flows from operating activities  primarily
resulted  from  an increase  in accounts  payable and  accrued expenses  of $4.7
million and  an increase  in deferred  revenue of  $4.8 million  from the  bonus
payment  from CBS,  offset by  a $4.6  million increase  in accounts receivable.
Accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses increased as a result
of the acquisition of the Dothan Station  and as a result of increased  revenues
and  operating  expenses.  In  1995,  in  connection  with  the  refinancing  of
substantially all of its existing long-term debt, Benedek Broadcasting paid $4.4
million of  deferred and  contingent  interest and  $2.7 million  of  prepayment
premiums.  Cash flows from operating activities in 1995 includes net income plus
depreciation and  amortization  which  totaled  $11.8  million,  including  $6.9
million  of non-cash gain on  early extinguishment of debt.  The 1994 cash flows
from operating activities  primarily resulted  from a $3.3  million increase  in
contingent  and deferred interest payable.  Cash flows from operating activities
in 1994 includes  net income  plus depreciation and  amortization which  totaled
$7.0 million.
 
     Cash  Flows from  Investing Activities  were $(323.7)  million for  the six
months ended June 30, 1996, compared to $(27.2) million for the six months ended
June 30, 1995. For the six months ended June 30, 1996, cash flows from investing
activities primarily  resulted  from  the  payment of  $321.5  million  for  the
Acquired  Stations. For the  six months ended  June 30, 1995  cash flows used in
investing activities included $26.7 million paid to acquire the Dothan Station.
 
     Cash flows from investing activities were $31.0 million in 1995 compared to
$2.5 million in 1994. The 1995 cash flows used in investing activities primarily
resulted from  $26.7 million  paid to  acquire  the Dothan  Station and  a  $3.0
million deposit in connection with the Stauffer Acquisition. The 1994 cash flows
used  in investing activities included a $2.0 million deposit in connection with
the acquisition of the Dothan Station.
 
     Cash Flows from Financing Activities were $312.1 million for the six months
ended June 30, 1996 compared to $33.2 million for the six months ended June  30,
1995.  For  the  six months  ended  June  30, 1996,  cash  flows  from financing
activities resulted  from the  proceeds of  the Financing  Plan. For  the  three
months  ended  June  30, 1995  cash  flows from  financing  activities primarily
resulted  from  the  issuance  in  March  1995  of  $135.0  million  of  Benedek
Broadcasting's  Senior  Secured  Notes to  refinance  existing  indebtedness and
finance   the   acquisition   of   the   Dothan   Station,   offset   by   $96.0
 
                                       47
 

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<PAGE>
million  of principal payments on existing indebtedness. The consummation of the
refinancing resulted in  an extraordinary  gain on the  early extinguishment  of
debt  comprised of a gain of $11.1  million from adjusting the carrying value of
certain warrants held by Benedek  Broadcasting's lenders offset by $2.7  million
of  prepayment  premiums  and  $1.5 million  of  unamortized  debt  discount and
deferred loan costs.
 
     Cash flows from financing activities were $32.8 million in 1995 compared to
$(7.0) million in  1994. The 1995  cash flows provided  by financing  activities
primarily  resulted from the issuance in March 1995 of $135.0 million of Benedek
Broadcasting's Senior  Secured  Notes  to refinance  existing  indebtedness  and
finance  the  acquisition of  the  Dothan Station,  offset  by $96.0  million of
principal payments  on  such  existing indebtedness.  The  consummation  of  the
refinancing  resulted in an extraordinary gain  from the early extinguishment of
debt, comprised of a gain of $11.1 million from adjusting the carrying value  of
certain  warrants held by  Benedek Broadcasting's lenders  from $19.0 million to
the redemption  price of  $7.9  million offset  by  $2.7 million  of  prepayment
premiums and $1.5 million of unamortized debt discount and deferred loan costs.
 
THE ACQUISITIONS
 
     The  completion  of the  Acquisitions  increased the  number  of television
stations owned by the Company from nine  to 22. As a result, the future  results
of  operations of the Company will vary materially from the Company's historical
results. The substantial  indebtedness incurred  by the Company  to finance  the
Acquisitions and the terms of the agreements pursuant to which such indebtedness
is evidenced limit the Company's capital resources. In the absence of any future
equity  financing, the Company's capital resources  will be limited to available
borrowings under  the  Revolving  Credit  Facility  and  the  cash  provided  by
operations  to the extent not utilized in discharging the Company's debt service
requirements. Since a significant portion of the financing for the  Acquisitions
was  through the issuance of the Notes, the Exchangeable Preferred Stock and the
Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock, none of which require cash payments  for
approximately  five  years,  the  Company  aniticpates  that  cash  provided  by
operations  will  be  sufficient  to  meet  its  debt  service  obligations  and
anticipated capital expenditures during that period.
 
     The  Stauffer Stations experienced  a decline in net  revenues from 1994 to
1995. The Company believes that this decrease was primarily attributable to  the
fact  that  the  Stauffer  Stations  were  the  subject  of  two  separate  sale
transactions during this period and that four of the five Stauffer Stations  are
CBS affiliates which were affected by the performance of CBS network programming
particularly  during  1995.  The  Company acquired  the  Stauffer  Stations from
Stauffer which itself had been acquired  by Morris Communications in June  1995.
During  the second  half of  1994 and the  first half  of 1995,  the transfer to
Morris was pending and  the then owners did  not invest substantial amounts  for
either  capital  expenditures  or  programming for  the  Stauffer  Stations. The
Company does not believe that the decline in net revenues of Stauffer from  1994
to  1995, or the performance of the Stauffer  Stations in the first half of 1996
when the sale of the Company was pending, are indicative of any material  trend.
The  Stauffer Stations that are CBS  affiliates, together with the remaining CBS
affiliated  Stations,  will  continue  to  be  affected,  as  are  all   network
affiliates,  by  the  relative  performance  of the  network  with  which  it is
affiliated.
 
THE FINANCING PLAN
 
     The Company, together with its subsidiary Benedek Broadcasting, implemented
the Financing Plan  in order to  finance the  Acquisitions and to  pay fees  and
expenses related thereto. The Financing Plan consisted of (i) the offer and sale
by  the  Company of  the  Existing Notes  to  generate gross  proceeds  of $90.2
million, (ii) the offer and sale by  the Company of the Units to generate  gross
proceeds  of $60.0 million, (iii)  Benedek Broadcasting borrowing $128.0 million
pursuant to  the Term  Loan Facilities  of  the Credit  Agreement and  (iv)  the
Company  issuing an aggregate of $45.0 million initial liquidation preference of
Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock to  GECC and Mr. Paul Brissette.  Benedek
Broadcasting  also has available to it  $15.0 million under the Revolving Credit
Facility of the Credit Agreement, which has not been drawn upon.
 
                                       48
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
   
     The Company believes that the Financing  Plan will provide for a  long-term
financing  structure that  will allow management  to concentrate  its efforts on
maximizing results of operations. The  Company anticipates that adjusted  EBITDA
of Benedek Broadcasting will be sufficient to finance the operating requirements
of  the Stations,  debt service  requirements and  presently anticipated capital
expenditures until such time that the  debt matures or requires payment in  full
for  at least the period until the Company  is required to make cash payments in
respect of the  Notes, the Exchangeable  Preferred Stock and  the Seller  Junior
Discount  Preferred Stock  (approximately five  years). The  Company anticipates
that capital expenditures of approximately $6.0 million will be required in  the
aggregate  at the Acquired Stations. Such  capital expenditures will be financed
either from cash provided by  operations, borrowings under the Revolving  Credit
Facility or purchase money financing.
    
 
     The Notes do not bear interest until May 15, 2001, and the Company will not
be  obligated to  pay cash  interest on  the Notes  until November  15, 2001. In
addition, for  all  dividend payment  dates  with respect  to  the  Exchangeable
Preferred  Stock  and  interest  payment  dates  with  respect  to  the Exchange
Debentures through and including July 1,  2001, the Company may, at its  option,
pay  dividends by  adding the amount  thereof to the  then effective liquidation
preference of the Exchangeable Preferred Stock and pay interest on the  Exchange
Debentures  by issuing additional Exchange  Debentures. For all dividend payment
dates with  respect to  the  Seller Junior  Discount  Preferred Stock  prior  to
October  1,  2001, the  Company will  pay  such dividends  by adding  the amount
thereof to  the  then effective  liquidation  preference of  the  Seller  Junior
Discount  Preferred Stock.  In order  for the Company  to meet  its debt service
obligations and pay required  dividends after May 15,  2001 with respect to  the
Notes,  after July 1, 2001  with respect to the  Exchangeable Preferred Stock or
Exchangeable Debentures, as the case may be, and from and after October 1,  2001
with  respect to  the Seller Junior  Discount Preferred Stock,  the Company will
need to  substantially  increase  broadcast  cash  flow  at  the  Stations.  The
Company's  debt service obligations, including scheduled principal amortization,
in the  12 month  period beginning  May 15,  2001 would  be approximately  $58.0
million  (assuming  that there  will not  have been  any mandatory  or voluntary
prepayments of  any indebtedness  prior  to that  time  and assuming  a  blended
interest  rate  on  the  amounts then  outstanding  under  the  Credit Agreement
comparable to the  rate the  Company is  currently paying).  The Company's  cash
dividend payments during such period on the Exchangeable Preferred Stock and the
Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock would be approximately $27.0 million.
 
     In  order to repay the Notes and  the Senior Secured Notes at maturity, the
Company will need to  refinance all or  a portion of  such Notes. The  Company's
ability to refinance the Notes and the Senior Secured Notes will depend upon the
Company's  operating  performance, as  well  as prevailing  economic  and market
conditions, levels of interest rates, refinancing costs and other factors,  many
of  which are beyond the  Company's control. There can  be no assurance that the
Company will be  able to refinance  the Notes  and the Senior  Secured Notes  or
otherwise  raise funds in a timely manner or that the proceeds therefrom will be
sufficient to effect such refinancing.
 
     The Company is  a holding  company that will  derive all  of its  operating
income  and cash flow from its sole subsidiary, Benedek Broadcasting, the common
stock of which, together with all other assets of the Company, have been pledged
to secure  the  Company's  senior  guarantee  of  all  indebtedness  of  Benedek
Broadcasting outstanding under the Credit Agreement and in respect of the Senior
Secured  Notes.  As  a  holding  company,  the  Company's  ability  to  pay  its
obligations, including its obligation  to pay interest on  and principal of  the
Notes,  whether at  maturity, upon  a Change  of Control  or otherwise,  will be
dependent primarily upon receiving dividends and other payments or advances from
Benedek Broadcasting.  Benedek Broadcasting  is a  separate and  distinct  legal
entity and has no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts to the
Company  or to make funds available to the Company for debt service or any other
obligation. Although the Credit Agreement does not limit the ability of  Benedek
Broadcasting  to pay dividends or make other payments to the Company, the Senior
Secured Note  Indenture  does  contain  such  limitations.  However,  after  the
consummation  of  the Transactions  (including  the contribution  to  the common
equity of  Benedek Broadcasting  of net  cash proceeds  of approximately  $188.5
million  from the sale  of the Notes,  the Units and  the Seller Junior Discount
Preferred  Stock),  as  of  June  30,  1996,  Benedek  Broadcasting  could  have
distributed approximately $188.5 million to the Company under such limitations.
 
                                       49
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
     In  September 1996, the Company announced  that it had reached an agreement
in principle with the  Warner Bros. Network to  develop a local cable  affiliate
called  the 'WeB' in each of the Company's  20 markets which rank above 100. The
WeB is intended to be a 24 hour, seven day a week television channel which  will
broadcast  Warner Bros. Network prime time  programming, WB Kids programming and
syndicated programming of Warner Bros. and others. The WeB is scheduled to begin
service in  September  1997  in  most 100-plus  markets.  The  Company  will  be
responsible for all local sales efforts for the new channels in its markets. The
Company  does not anticipate  that it will  be required to  make any significant
capital expenditures in connection with the development of its WeB affiliates.
 
SEASONALITY
 
   
     Net revenues  and adjusted  EBITDA of  Benedek Broadcasting  are  generally
higher  during  the fourth  quarter  of each  year,  primarily due  to increased
expenditures by advertisers in anticipation of holiday season consumer  spending
and  an increase  in viewership  during this  period, and,  to a  lesser extent,
during the second quarter of each year.
    
 
INCOME TAXES
 
     Historically, Benedek  Broadcasting  had  elected  to  be  taxed  as  an  S
Corporation.  Net  income (loss)  does not  include a  pro forma  adjustment for
income tax expense because the Company  would not, under Statement of  Financial
Accounting  Standards  No. 109  'Accounting For  Income Taxes,'  have had  a tax
provision due to  net operating  loss carryforwards and  a valuation  allowance.
Benedek  Broadcasting's election to  be taxed as  an S Corporation automatically
terminated concurrently with  the consummation  of the  Transactions. Under  the
Indenture,  the Company may distribute cash to its stockholder to pay individual
income taxes arising  from taxable  income of Benedek  Broadcasting for  periods
prior to the termination of the S election.
 
EMERGING ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
     The  Financial  Accounting Standards  Board  issued Statement  of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123,  'Accounting for Stock Based  Compensation'
in  October 1995, which establishes financial accounting and reporting standards
for stock based  employee compensation  plans, including  stock purchase  plans,
stock  options, restricted stock, and stock appreciation rights. The Company has
elected to continue  accounting for  stock based  compensation under  Accounting
Principles  Board Opinion  No. 25. The  disclosure requirements of  SFAS No. 123
will be  effective for  the Company's  financial statements  beginning in  1996.
Management  does not  believe that  the implementation of  SFAS 123  will have a
material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
 
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
     The Existing Notes  were originally issued  and sold on  June 6, 1996.  The
offer and sale of the Existing Notes was not required to be registered under the
Securities  Act in reliance upon  the exemption provided by  Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act. In connection with the  sale of the Existing Notes, the  Company
agreed  to file with  the SEC a  registration statement relating  to an exchange
offer pursuant to which  new senior subordinated discount  notes of the  Company
covered  by such  registration statement and  containing terms  identical in all
material respects  to  the terms  of  the Existing  Notes  would be  offered  in
exchange for Existing Notes tendered at the option of the holders thereof or, if
applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC did not permit the Company to
effect  such an Exchange Offer, or, among other things, if the Exchange Offer is
not consummated, the Company agreed, at  its cost, to file a Shelf  Registration
Statement  covering  resales of  the Existing  Notes and  to use  all reasonable
efforts to have such  Shelf Registration Statement  declared effective and  kept
effective for a period of three years from the effective date thereof.
 
     The  purpose of the Exchange  Offer is to fulfill  certain of the Company's
obligations under the Registration Agreement. This Prospectus may not be used by
any holder of the Existing Notes or any
 
                                       50
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
holder of the  Exchange Securities  to satisfy the  registration and  prospectus
delivery requirements under the Securities Act that may apply in connection with
any  resale of such Existing Notes or Exchange Securities. See ' -- Terms of the
Exchange Offer; Period for Tendering Existing Notes.'
 
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER; PERIOD FOR TENDERING EXISTING NOTES
 
     Upon the terms and subject to  the conditions set forth in this  Prospectus
and  in the  accompanying Letter of  Transmittal (which  together constitute the
Exchange Offer), the Company will accept  for exchange Existing Notes which  are
properly  tendered  on or  prior to  the  Expiration Date  and not  withdrawn as
permitted below. As used herein, the term 'Expiration Date' means 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on               , 1996; provided, however, that if the Company,
in its sole discretion, has extended the  period of time for which the  Exchange
Offer  is open,  the term 'Expiration  Date' means  the latest time  and date to
which the  Exchange  Offer  is  extended.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the
Expiration  Date shall not be  later than 5:00 p.m., New  York City time, on the
date 60 days from the date of this Prospectus.
 
     As of  the date  of  this Prospectus,  $170.0 million  aggregate  principal
amount  at  maturity of  the Existing  Notes  was outstanding.  This Prospectus,
together with  the  Letter of  Transmittal,  is first  being  sent on  or  about
             ,  1996, to all holders of Existing Notes known to the Company. The
Company's obligation  to accept  Existing  Notes for  exchange pursuant  to  the
Exchange  Offer is subject to certain conditions as set forth under ' -- Certain
Conditions to the Exchange Offer.'
 
     The Company expressly reserves the right, at any time or from time to time,
to extend  the period  of time  during which  the Exchange  Offer is  open,  and
thereby  delay acceptance for exchange of any  Existing Notes, by giving oral or
written notice  of  such extension  to  the  holders thereof.  During  any  such
extension,  all Existing  Notes previously tendered  will remain  subject to the
Exchange Offer and  may be accepted  for exchange by  the Company. Any  Existing
Notes  not accepted for exchange for any reason will be returned without expense
to the tendering holder thereof as promptly as practicable after the  expiration
or termination of the Exchange Offer.
 
     The Company expressly reserves the right to amend or terminate the Exchange
Offer,  and  not  to accept  for  exchange  any Existing  Notes  not theretofore
accepted for  exchange, upon  the occurrence  of any  of the  conditions of  the
Exchange  Offer specified  below under '  -- Certain Conditions  to the Exchange
Offer.' The  Company  will  give  oral  or  written  notice  of  any  extension,
amendment, non-acceptance or termination to the holders of the Existing Notes as
promptly  as practicable, such notice in the  case of any extension to be issued
no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after  the
previously scheduled Expiration Date.
 
EXCHANGE OFFER PROCEDURES
 
     The  tender to  the Company of  Existing Notes  by a holder  thereof as set
forth below and the acceptance thereof by the Company will constitute a  binding
agreement  between  the tendering  holder  and the  Company  upon the  terms and
subject to the conditions set forth  in this Prospectus and in the  accompanying
Letter  of Transmittal. Except as set forth below, a holder who wishes to tender
Existing Notes  for exchange  pursuant to  the Exchange  Offer must  transmit  a
properly  completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal, including all other
documents required by such Letter of Transmittal, to United States Trust Company
of New York (the 'Exchange Agent') at one of the addresses set forth below under
'Exchange Agent' on  or prior to  the Expiration Date.  In addition, either  (i)
certificates  for such  Existing Notes  must be  received by  the Exchange Agent
along with the Letter of Transmittal, (ii) a timely confirmation of a book-entry
transfer (a 'Book-Entry Confirmation') of such Existing Notes, if such procedure
is available, into the Exchange Agent's account at The Depository Trust  Company
(the  'Book-Entry Transfer Facility')  pursuant to the  procedure for book-entry
transfer described below, must  be received by the  Exchange Agent prior to  the
Expiration  Date or (iii)  the holder must comply  with the 'Guaranteed Delivery
Procedures' below.  THE  METHOD  OF  DELIVERY  OF  EXISTING  NOTES,  LETTERS  OF
TRANSMITTAL  AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE
HOLDERS. IF SUCH DELIVERY  IS BY MAIL, IT  IS RECOMMENDED THAT REGISTERED  MAIL,
PROPERLY    INSURED,   WITH    RETURN   RECEIPT    REQUESTED,   BE    USED.   IN
 
                                       51
 

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ALL CASES,  SUFFICIENT TIME  SHOULD BE  ALLOWED TO  ASSURE TIMELY  DELIVERY.  NO
LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL OR EXISTING NOTES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE COMPANY.
 
     Signatures  on a Letter  of Transmittal or  a notice of  withdrawal, as the
case may  be, must  be  guaranteed unless  the  Existing Notes  surrendered  for
exchange  pursuant  thereto  are tendered  (i)  by  a registered  holder  of the
Existing Notes  who  has  not  completed  the  box  entitled  'Special  Issuance
Instruction'  or 'Special Delivery Instructions' on the Letter of Transmittal or
(ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution (as defined). In the event  that
signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may
be,  are required to be guaranteed, such guarantees must be by a firm which is a
member of a registered national securities exchange or a member of the  National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or by a commercial bank or trust company
having  an office or correspondent in the United States (collectively, 'Eligible
Institutions'). If Existing Notes are registered  in the name of a person  other
than  a signatory of  the Letter of Transmittal,  the Existing Notes surrendered
for exchange must be endorsed by, or  be accompanied by a written instrument  or
instruments  of transfer or exchange, in  satisfactory form as determined by the
Company in its sole discretion, duly executed by the registered holder with  the
signature thereon guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
 
     All  questions as  to the  validity, form,  eligibility (including  time of
receipt) and  acceptance  of  Existing  Notes  tendered  for  exchange  will  be
determined  by the Company in its  sole discretion, which determination shall be
final and binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and all
tenders of any particular Existing Notes not properly tendered or to not  accept
any  particular Existing  Notes which acceptance  might, in the  judgment of the
Company or its  counsel, be  unlawful. The  Company also  reserves the  absolute
right to waive any defects or irregularities or conditions of the Exchange Offer
as  to any particular Existing Notes either  before or after the Expiration Date
(including the  right to  waive the  ineligibility of  any holder  who seeks  to
tender  Existing Notes in  the Exchange Offer). The  interpretation of the terms
and conditions of the Exchange Offer as to any particular Existing Notes  either
before or after the Expiration Date (including the Letter of Transmittal and the
instructions  thereto) by the Company shall be final and binding on all parties.
Unless waived,  any defects  or  irregularities in  connection with  tenders  of
Existing  Notes for exchange must be cured within such reasonable period of time
as the Company shall determine. Neither the Company, the Exchange Agent nor  any
other  person shall  be under  any duty  to give  notification of  any defect or
irregularity with respect  to any  tender of  Existing Notes  for exchange,  nor
shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification.
 
     If  the Letter of Transmittal  is signed by a  person or persons other than
the registered holder or holders of Existing Notes, such Existing Notes must  be
endorsed  or  accompanied by  appropriate powers  of  attorney, in  either case,
signed exactly  as  the  name or  names  of  the registered  holder  or  holders
appear(s) on the Existing Notes.
 
     If  the Letter of Transmittal  or any Existing Notes  or powers of attorney
are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers of  corporations or  others  acting in  a fiduciary  or  representative
capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing and, unless waived by the
Company,  proper evidence satisfactory  to the Company of  their authority to so
act must be submitted.
 
     By tendering, each holder will represent  to the Company that, among  other
things,  the Exchange  Securities acquired  pursuant to  the Exchange  Offer are
being obtained in the ordinary course  of business of the person receiving  such
Exchange  Securities, whether or not such person is the holder, that neither the
holder nor any such  other person has an  arrangement or understanding with  any
person  to participate in the distribution  of such Exchange Securities and that
neither the holder nor any such other person is an 'affiliate,' as defined under
Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of the Company.
 
     Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account in
exchange for Existing  Notes where  such Existing  Notes were  acquired by  such
broker-dealer   as  a  result  of  market-making  activities  or  other  trading
activities, must acknowledge  that it  will deliver a  prospectus in  connection
with any resale of such Exchange Securities. See 'Plan of Distribution.'
 
                                       52
 

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<PAGE>
ACCEPTANCE OF EXISTING NOTES FOR EXCHANGE; DELIVERY OF EXCHANGE SECURITIES
 
     Upon satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions to the Exchange Offer,
the  Company will accept promptly after  the Expiration Date, all Existing Notes
properly  tendered  and  will  issue  the  Exchange  Securities  promptly  after
acceptance  of such Existing Notes. See '  -- Certain Conditions to the Exchange
Offer.' For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall be deemed to  have
accepted  properly  tendered Existing  Notes for  exchange when,  as and  if the
Company has given oral or written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent.
 
     For each Existing Note accepted for  exchange, the holder of such  Existing
Note  will receive  an Exchange Security  having a principal  amount at maturity
equal to that of the surrendered Existing Note. If by November 4, 1996,  neither
the Exchange Offer is consummated nor a Shelf Registration Statement is declared
effective,  additional cash interest will accrue  on each Existing Note from and
including November  5, 1996  until but  excluding  the earlier  of the  date  of
consummation  of  the  Exchange  Offer  and  the  effective  date  of  the Shelf
Registration Statement at a rate of  0.50% per annum. Holders of Existing  Notes
accepted  for exchange will  be deemed to  have waived the  right to receive any
other payments or accrued interest on such Existing Notes.
 
     In all cases, issuance of Exchange  Securities for Existing Notes that  are
accepted  for exchange pursuant  to the Exchange  Offer will be  made only after
timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of certificates for such Existing Notes  or
a  timely  Book-Entry  Confirmation of  such  Existing Notes  into  the Exchange
Agent's account at the  Book-Entry Transfer Facility,  a properly completed  and
duly  executed Letter  of Transmittal and  all other required  documents. If any
tendered Existing Notes are not accepted for  any reason set forth in the  terms
and  conditions of the Exchange  Offer or if Existing  Notes are submitted for a
greater principal amount at maturity than  the holder desires to exchange,  such
unaccepted  or non-exchanged Existing Notes will  be returned without expense to
the tendering holder  thereof (or,  in the case  of Existing  Notes tendered  by
book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility  pursuant to the  book-entry transfer procedures  described below, such
non-exchanged Existing Notes will be credited to an account maintained with such
Book-Entry Transfer Facility) as promptly as practicable after the expiration or
termination of the Exchange Offer.
 
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
 
     The Exchange Agent will make a request to establish an account with respect
to the Existing Notes  at the Book-Entry Transfer  Facility for purposes of  the
Exchange  Offer within two business days after  the date of this Prospectus, and
any financial  institution that  is  a participant  in the  Book-Entry  Transfer
Facility's  system may make book-entry deliver  of Existing Notes by causing the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility to transfer  such Existing Notes into the  Exchange
Agent's  account at  the Book-Entry  Transfer Facility  in accordance  with such
Book-Entry  Transfer  Facility's  procedures  for  transfer.  However,  although
delivery  of Existing Notes  may be effected through  book-entry transfer at the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility,  the Letter  of Transmittal  or facsimile  thereof
with any required signature guarantees and any other required documents must, in
any  case, be transmitted  to and received by  the Exchange Agent  at one of the
addresses set forth below under 'Exchange  Agent' on or prior to the  Expiration
Date  or the  guaranteed delivery  procedures described  below must  be complied
with.
 
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
 
     If a  registered  holder of  the  Existing  Notes desires  to  tender  such
Existing  Notes and  the Existing Notes  are not immediately  available, or time
will not permit  such holder's  Existing Notes  or other  required documents  to
reach  the  Exchange Agent  before  the Expiration  Date,  or the  procedure for
book-entry transfer  cannot be  completed on  a timely  basis, a  tender may  be
effected  if (i) the tender is made  through an Eligible Institution, (ii) prior
to  the  Expiration  Date,  the  Exchange  Agent  receives  from  such  Eligible
Institution  a properly completed and duly  executed Letter of Transmittal (or a
facsimile thereof) and a  notice of guaranteed  delivery ('Notice of  Guaranteed
Delivery'),  substantially in  the form  provided by  the Company  (by telegram,
telex, facsimile transmission, mail  or hand delivery),  setting forth the  name
and address of the holder of Existing Notes and the principal amount at maturity
of  Existing Notes tendered, stating  that the tender is  being made thereby and
guaranteeing that within
 
                                       53
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
five New York Stock Exchange ('NYSE')  trading days after the date of  execution
of  the  Notice  of Guaranteed  Delivery,  the certificates  for  all physically
tendered  Existing  Notes,  in  proper  form  for  transfer,  or  a   Book-Entry
Confirmation, as the case may be, and any other documents required by the Letter
of  Transmittal will be deposited by  the Eligible Institution with the Exchange
Agent and (iii) the certificates for all physically tendered Existing Notes,  in
proper  form for transfer, or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, and
all other documents required  by the Letter of  Transmittal are received by  the
Exchange  Agent within five NYSE trading days after the date of execution of the
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
 
WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS
 
     Tenders of  Existing  Notes may  be  withdrawn at  any  time prior  to  the
Expiration Date.
 
     For  a withdrawal to be  effective, a written notice  of withdrawal must be
received by the Exchange  Agent at one  of the addresses  set forth below  under
'Exchange  Agent.' Any such  notice of withdrawal  must specify the  name of the
person having tendered the Existing Notes to be withdrawn, identify the Existing
Notes to  be withdrawn  (including  the principal  amount  at maturity  of  such
Existing   Notes)  and  (where   certificates  for  Existing   Notes  have  been
transmitted) specify the name  in which such Existing  Notes are registered,  if
different  from that  of the  withdrawing holder.  If certificates  for Existing
Notes have been delivered or otherwise  identified to the Exchange Agent,  then,
prior  to  the release  of such  certificates the  withdrawing holder  must also
submit the serial numbers of the  particular certificates to be withdrawn and  a
signed   notice  of  withdrawal  with   signatures  guaranteed  by  an  Eligible
Institution unless such  holder is  an Eligible Institution.  If Existing  Notes
have been tendered pursuant to the procedure for 'Book-Entry Transfer' described
above,  any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account
at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to  be credited with the withdrawn  Existing
Notes  and otherwise comply with the  procedures of such facility. All questions
as to the  validity, form and  eligibility (including time  of receipt) of  such
notices  will be determined  by the Company, whose  determination shall be final
and binding on all parties. Any Existing  Notes so withdrawn will be deemed  not
to  have been validly tendered for exchange  for purposes of the Exchange Offer.
Any Existing  Notes which  have been  tendered for  exchange but  which are  not
exchanged  for any reason will be returned to the holder thereof without cost to
such holder (or, in the case  of Existing Notes tendered by book-entry  transfer
into  the Exchange Agent's account at  the Book-Entry Transfer Facility pursuant
to the 'Book-Entry  Transfer' procedures  described above,  such Existing  Notes
will be credited to an account maintained with such Book-Entry Transfer Facility
for  the Existing Notes)  as soon as practicable  after withdrawal, rejection of
tender or termination of the  Exchange Offer. Properly withdrawn Existing  Notes
may   be  retendered  by  following  one   of  the  procedures  described  under
' -- Exchange Offer Procedures' above at any time on or prior to the  Expiration
Date.
 
CERTAIN CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
     Notwithstanding  any other  provisions of  the Exchange  Offer, the Company
shall not be required to accept for exchange, or to issue Exchange Securities in
exchange for, any Existing Notes and  may terminate or amend the Exchange  Offer
if  at any time before the acceptance of such Existing Notes for exchange or the
exchange of the Exchange Securities for such Existing Notes any of the following
events shall occur:
 
          (a) there shall  be threatened,  instituted or pending  any action  or
     proceeding  before,  or any  injunction, order  or  decree shall  have been
     issued  by,  any  court  or  governmental  agency  or  other   governmental
     regulatory  or administrative agency or  commission (i) seeking to restrain
     or prohibit the making or consummation  of the Exchange Offer or any  other
     transaction contemplated by the Exchange Offer, or assessing or seeking any
     damages  as a result thereof  or (ii) resulting in  a material delay in the
     ability of the Company to  accept for exchange or  exchange some or all  of
     the  Existing Notes pursuant  to the Exchange Offer;  or any statute, rule,
     regulation, order  or injunction  shall  be sought,  proposed,  introduced,
     enacted,  promulgated or deemed applicable to  the Exchange Offer or any of
     the transactions contemplated by  the Exchange Offer  by any government  or
     governmental  authority, domestic or foreign, or any action shall have been
     taken,
 
                                       54
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     proposed or threatened, by  any government, governmental authority,  agency
     or  court, domestic or  foreign, that in  the sole judgment  of the Company
     might directly or indirectly result in any of the consequences referred  to
     in clauses (i) or (ii) above or, in the sole judgment of the Company, might
     result  in  the  holders  of Exchange  Securities  having  obligations with
     respect to resales and transfers  of Exchange Securities which are  greater
     than  those described in the  interpretation of the SEC  referred to on the
     cover page of this  Prospectus, or would otherwise  make it inadvisable  to
     proceed with the Exchange Offer;
 
          (b) there shall have occurred (i) any general suspension of or general
     limitation  on  prices  for,  or trading  in,  securities  on  any national
     securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market, (ii) any  limitation
     by  any governmental  agency or  authority which  may adversely  affect the
     ability of the  Company to  complete the transactions  contemplated by  the
     Exchange  Offer,  (iii)  a  declaration  of  a  banking  moratorium  or any
     suspension of payments  in respect  of banks in  the United  States or  any
     limitation  by any governmental agency or authority which adversely affects
     the extension of credit or (iv) a commencement of a war, armed  hostilities
     or  other similar  internal calamity  directly or  indirectly involving the
     United States, or, in the case of any of the foregoing existing at the time
     of the  commencement of  the  Exchange Offer,  a material  acceleration  or
     worsening thereof; or
 
          (c)  any change  (or any  development involving  a prospective change)
     shall have occurred or be  threatened in the business, properties,  assets,
     liabilities,  financial  condition,  operations, results  of  operations or
     prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole that, in the
     sole judgment of the Company, is or  may be adverse to the Company, or  the
     Company  shall have become aware of facts that, in the sole judgment of the
     Company, have or may have adverse significance with respect to the value of
     the Existing Notes or the Exchange Securities;
 
which, in the reasonable judgment of the Company in any case, and regardless  of
the  circumstances (including any action by the Company) giving rise to any such
condition, makes it inadvisable to proceed  with the Exchange Offer and/or  with
such acceptance for exchange or with such exchange.
 
     The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of the Company and may be
asserted  by the Company regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any such
condition or may be waived by  the Company in whole or  in part at any time  and
from time to time in its sole discretion. The failure by the Company at any time
to exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such
right and each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted
at any time and from time to time.
 
     In  addition, the Company  will not accept for  exchange any Existing Notes
tendered, and no  Exchange Securities will  be issued in  exchange for any  such
Existing  Notes, if at such time any stop order shall be threatened or in effect
with respect to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus  constitutes
a  part or the qualification  of the Indenture under  the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended.
 
                                       55
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
EXCHANGE AGENT
 
     United States Trust Company of New York has been appointed as the  Exchange
Agent  of  the Exchange  Offer. All  executed Letters  of Transmittal  should be
directed to  the  Exchange  Agent at  one  of  the addresses  set  forth  below.
Questions  and requests for  assistance, requests for  additional copies of this
Prospectus or  of  the  Letter  of  Transmittal  and  requests  for  Notices  of
Guaranteed  Delivery  should  be directed  to  the Exchange  Agent  addressed as
follows:
 
                                    By Mail:
                    United States Trust Company of New York
                                  P.O. Box 844
                                 Cooper Station
                            New York, NY 10276-0844
 
                                    By Hand:
                    United States Trust Company of New York
                                  111 Broadway
                                  Lower Level
                             Corporate Trust Window
                               New York, NY 10006
 
                             By Overnight Courier:
                    United States Trust Company of New York
                                  770 Broadway
                               New York, NY 10003
                             Attn: Corporate Trust
 
                                 By Facsimile:
                                 (212) 420-6152
 
                             Confirm by Telephone:
                                 (800) 548-6565
 
     DELIVERY OF  DOCUMENTS TO  AN ADDRESS  OTHER THAN  AS SET  FORTH ABOVE,  OR
TRANSMISSION  OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA FACSIMILE OTHER  THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE, WILL
NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
 
FEES AND EXPENSES
 
     The Company  will not  make  any payments  to  brokers, dealers  or  others
soliciting  acceptances  of the  Exchange Offer.  The principal  solicitation is
being made by mail; however, additional  solicitations may be made in person  or
by telephone by officers and employees of the Company.
 
     The  estimated cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the Exchange
Offer will be  paid by  the Company  and are estimated  in the  aggregate to  be
$         which includes fees and expenses of the Exchange Agent and accounting,
legal, printing and related fees and expenses.
 
TRANSFER TAXES
 
     Holders  who tender their Existing Notes for exchange will not be obligated
to pay  any transfer  taxes in  connection therewith,  except that  holders  who
instruct  the Company to register Exchange Securities in the name of, or request
that Existing  Notes not  tendered or  not  accepted in  the Exchange  Offer  be
returned  to,  a  person other  than  the  registered tendering  holder  will be
responsible for the payment of any applicable transfer tax thereon.
 
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE
 
     Holders of Existing  Notes who  do not  exchange their  Existing Notes  for
Exchange  Securities pursuant to the Exchange  Offer will continue to be subject
to the restrictions  on transfers of  such Existing  Notes as set  forth in  the
legend  thereon as a consequence of the  issuance of the Existing Notes pursuant
to the exemptions  from, or  in transactions  not subject  to, the  registration
requirements  of the  Securities Act  and applicable  state securities  laws. In
general, the Existing Notes may not be
 
                                       56
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
offered or sold, unless registered under the Securities Act, except pursuant  to
an  exemption from, or in  a transaction not subject  to, the Securities Act and
applicable state securities laws. The Company does not currently anticipate that
it will  register  the  Existing  Notes  under  the  Securities  Act.  Based  on
interpretations  by the  staff of  the SEC in  letters issued  to third parties,
Exchange Securities issued  pursuant to the  Exchange Offer may  be offered  for
resale,  resold or otherwise  transferred by any holder  thereof (other than any
such holder which is an  'affiliate' of the Company  within the meaning of  Rule
405  under  the Securities  Act) without  compliance  with the  registration and
prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act provided that such Exchange
Securities are acquired in the ordinary  course of such holder's business,  such
holder  has no arrangement or understanding  with respect to the distribution of
the Exchange Securities to be acquired  pursuant to the Exchange Offer and  such
holder is not engaged in and does not intend to engage in a distribution of such
Exchange  Securities. If  any person  were to  be participating  in the Exchange
Offer for the purpose  of distributing securities in  a manner not permitted  by
the  interpretations of the staff of the  SEC referred to above, such person (i)
could not rely on  the applicable interpretations  of the staff  of the SEC  and
(ii)  must comply with the registration  and prospectus delivery requirements of
the Securities  Act  in  connection  with a  secondary  resale  transaction.  In
addition,  to  comply  with the  securities  laws of  certain  jurisdictions, if
applicable, the Exchange Securities may not be offered or sold unless they  have
been  registered or qualified for sale in such jurisdiction or an exemption from
registration or qualification is available and is complied with. The Company has
agreed, pursuant to the Registration Agreement and subject to certain  specified
limitations therein, to register or qualify the Exchange Securities for offer or
sale  under the securities or blue sky  laws of such jurisdictions as any holder
of the Exchange Securities reasonably requests in writing.
 
                                       57




<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS
 
GENERAL
 
   
     The  Company owns 22  network-affiliated television stations  in the United
States. The Stations are diverse in geographic location and network affiliation,
serve small to medium-sized markets and, in the aggregate, reach communities  in
24  states. Twelve of the  Stations are affiliated with  CBS, six are affiliated
with ABC and four are affiliated with NBC. On a pro forma basis giving effect to
the Transactions, the Company would have  had net revenues, broadcast cash  flow
and  adjusted  EBITDA  of  $121.3  million,  $52.7  million  and  $50.8 million,
respectively, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.
    
 
     The Company believes that the  Acquired Stations have been  underperforming
in terms of their overall revenue potential and can be operated more efficiently
under Company management, thereby offering the Company an attractive opportunity
to  improve broadcast cash flow. The  Company believes that such improvement can
be achieved by expanding the Acquired Stations' share of market revenues and  by
increasing  viewership levels  through an increased  emphasis on  local news and
informational  programming   and   cost-effective  purchasing   of   competitive
syndicated and first run programming.
 
     The  Company believes that the broadcast  cash flow margins of the Stauffer
Stations of 19.7%, 29.5% and 23.1% during 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively, can
be substantially improved in  the near-term. By  comparison, the broadcast  cash
flow margins for the Benedek Stations for the same periods were 40.5%, 44.5% and
42.3%,  respectively. The Company  further believes that  although the Brissette
Stations have  operated at  attractive margins,  the previous  ownership of  the
Brissette  Stations operated with  a focus on managing  costs, not on maximizing
revenues and broadcast cash flow growth. This strategy typically resulted in the
Brissette Stations capturing  a smaller  share of advertising  revenue in  their
respective  markets than  their audience  share in  these markets.  The compound
annual growth  rate of  net revenues  and  broadcast cash  flow of  the  Benedek
Stations   (excluding  the  station  in  Dothan,  Alabama  acquired  by  Benedek
Broadcasting in 1995) for the five-year  period from 1991 through 1995 was  7.8%
and  9.0%, respectively,  as compared  to 4.0%  and 3.6%,  respectively, for the
Brissette Stations during the same period.
 
   
     The Stations are located in  markets ranked in size from  83 to 201 out  of
the  211  markets  surveyed  by Nielsen.  The  Company  believes  that broadcast
television stations in  small to  medium-sized markets offer  an opportunity  to
generate  attractive and stable  adjusted EBITDA due  to limited competition for
viewers from  other  over-the-air  broadcasters,  from  other  media  soliciting
advertising  expenditures  and  from  other  broadcasters  purchasing syndicated
programming. The Company targets small and medium-sized markets that have stable
employment and population and a diverse base of employers. The markets  targeted
by  the Company  generally have population  centers that  share common community
interests and  are receptive  to  local programming.  Each  of the  Stations  is
affiliated  with  one of  the national  television  networks, which  provides an
established audience and reputation for national news, sports and  entertainment
programming.  With the  established audiences provided  by network affiliations,
management seeks to implement  its strategy to  enhance non-network ratings  and
revenues while controlling costs.
    
 
     The  Company  believes  that the  television  industry  is in  a  period of
consolidation as  a  result  of  which a  relatively  small  number  of  station
operators  will emerge  as the  leading television  station group  owners in the
United   States.   Recent   telecommunications   legislation   that   eliminates
restrictions  on the number of television stations that any individual or entity
may own so  long as  the aggregate  audience reach does  not exceed  35% of  all
United  States  households is  likely to  accelerate  this trend.  The Company's
growth strategy, of which the acquisition of the Stauffer Stations and Brissette
Stations is a part,  is to become one  of the leading group  owners of small  to
medium-sized  market  television  stations  in the  United  States.  The Company
believes that  this expansion  will create  economies of  scale which  will  (i)
improve  its  ability  to  negotiate more  favorable  arrangements  with program
suppliers, national sales representation firms, equipment vendors and television
networks, (ii) enable it  to develop program consortiums  for regional news  and
sports  programming and (iii)  enhance its ability to  attract and retain strong
management and on-air talent.
 
                                       58
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
 
     Commercial television broadcasting began in the United States on a  regular
basis  in the 1940s. Currently there are  a limited number of channels available
for broadcasting  in any  one geographic  area,  and the  license to  operate  a
broadcast   station  is  granted   by  the  FCC.   Television  stations  can  be
distinguished by  the frequency  on which  they broadcast.  Television  stations
which broadcast over the very high frequency ('VHF') band (channels 2-13) of the
spectrum  generally  have some  competitive  advantage over  television stations
which broadcast over the ultra-high  frequency ('UHF') band (channels 14-69)  of
the  spectrum because VHF  channels typically cover  larger geographic areas and
operate at a lower transmission  cost. However, specific market  characteristics
such as population densities, geographic features or other factors may determine
whether UHF stations are in fact at a competitive disadvantage.
 
     Television  station revenues are primarily derived from local, regional and
national advertising  and, to  a modest  extent, from  network compensation  and
revenues  from tower  rentals and commercial  production activities. Advertising
rates are based upon numerous factors including a program's popularity among the
viewers an advertiser wishes to attract, the number of advertisers competing for
the available time allotted to commercials, the size and demographic make-up  of
the audience and the availability of alternative advertising media in the market
area.  The  extent of  advertising expenditures,  which  are sensitive  to broad
economic trends, has historically affected the broadcast industry.
 
     Whether or not a station is affiliated with one of the four major  networks
(ABC,  CBS, NBC or Fox) may have a  significant impact on the composition of the
station's programming,  revenues, expenses  and  operations. A  typical  network
affiliate  receives  a significant  portion of  its  daily programming  from the
network. This  programming, together  with  cash payments,  is provided  to  the
affiliate  by  the  network  in  exchange  for  a  substantial  majority  of the
advertising time  sold during  the  broadcast of  network programming.  The  Fox
network  has operating  characteristics which are  similar to ABC,  CBS and NBC,
although the hours of  network programming produced for  Fox affiliates is  less
than  that produced by the other major networks. In addition, UPN and the Warner
Bros. Network recently have been  launched as new television networks.  However,
neither produce a significant amount of network programming.
 
     Through  the  1970s,  network  television  broadcasting  generally  enjoyed
dominance in  viewership and  television  advertising revenues.  FCC  regulation
evolved  to address this dominance, with the focus on increasing competition and
diversity  of  programming   in  the  television   broadcasting  industry.   See
' -- Federal Regulation of Television Broadcasting.'
 
     Cable television systems were first installed in significant numbers in the
late  1960s  and early  1970s and  were initially  used to  retransmit broadcast
television programming in areas with poor broadcast signal reception.  According
to  the  1996 Television  & Cable  Factbook,  cable television  currently passes
approximately 90% of all television households nationwide and approximately  68%
of  such  households  are cable  subscribers.  Cable-originated  programming has
emerged  as  a  significant  competitor  for  viewers  of  broadcast  television
programming.  With increased cable  penetration, the cable  programming share of
advertising revenues has increased.  Notwithstanding increased cable  viewership
and  advertising, broadcast television remains  the dominant distribution system
for mass  market television  advertising. No  single cable  programming  network
regularly attains audience levels amounting to more than a small fraction of any
single  major broadcast network.  Despite the growth  in alternative programming
from cable, according to Nielsen, 65% of all prime time television viewing  time
during  the 1994-1995 broadcast season  was spent viewing ABC,  CBS, NBC and Fox
programming.
 
     Other developments have also affected television programming and  delivery.
Independent   stations  have  emerged  as   viable  competitors  for  television
viewership share, particularly as  the result of the  availability of first  run
network  programming from UPN  and the Warner Bros.  Network. In addition, there
has been substantial growth in the  number of home satellite dish receivers  and
VCRs,  which has  further expanded  the number  of programming  alternatives for
television audiences. Furthermore,  direct broadcast services  ('DBS') to  homes
from  satellites  became  available  on  a  nationwide  basis  during  1994. See
' -- Competition.'
 
                                       59
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
BACKGROUND OF THE COMPANY
 
     The Company was  incorporated under the  laws of the  state of Delaware  on
April  10, 1996.  Benedek Broadcasting  was incorporated  under the  laws of the
state of  Delaware  on  January 22,  1979.  On  June  6, 1996  as  part  of  the
Transactions,  Benedek  Broadcasting  became a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of the
Company. On  March 10,  1995, Blue  Grass Television,  Inc. ('Blue  Grass')  and
Youngstown  Broadcasting  Co.,  Inc.  ('Youngstown')  were  merged  into Benedek
Broadcasting (the 'Merger'). Prior to the Merger, all of the outstanding  common
stock  of Benedek Broadcasting,  Blue Grass and  Youngstown was owned  by Mr. A.
Richard Benedek, the sole stockholder of the Company.
 
     Benedek Broadcasting acquired WTAP-TV in October 1979; WIFR-TV, WHSV-TV and
KHQA-TV in December 1986; WTOK-TV in June 1988; and WTVY-TV in March 1995.  Blue
Grass  acquired  WBKO-TV in  April 1983;  and KDLH-TV  in July  1995. Youngstown
acquired WYTV in June 1983.
 
     On June  6,  1996, the  Company  became  the sole  stockholder  of  Benedek
Broadcasting  and  simultaneously  therewith Benedek  Broadcasting  acquired the
Acquired Stations.
 
STRATEGY
 
     The Company's senior management team,  led by A. Richard Benedek,  Chairman
and  Chief Executive Officer, and K.  James Yager, President and Chief Operating
Officer, has extensive experience in  acquiring and improving the operations  of
television stations. Management's primary operating strategy is to maximize each
Station's    advertising   revenue   through   local   news,   information   and
community-oriented programming that  has broad audience  appeal and  value-added
sales  potential,  while  maintaining  strict  cost  controls.  Key  elements of
management's strategy include:
 
          LOCAL NEWS LEADERSHIP AND LOCAL PROGRAMMING. Management believes  that
     local  news and informational programming  leadership contributes to higher
     ratings  and,  therefore,  increased  advertising  revenues.   Management's
     emphasis  on  local  news  and on-going  community  involvement  allows the
     Benedek Stations to maximize the  advertising rates they can charge  local,
     regional  and national  accounts, not  only for  news, but  for network and
     nationally-syndicated programming which the  Benedek Stations broadcast  in
     time periods adjacent to regularly scheduled local newscasts and local news
     specials.
 
          The  Company  has focused  on  maintaining and  building  each Benedek
     Station's local news franchise as the key element in its strategy to  build
     and   maintain   audience   loyalty.  Management   believes   that  strong,
     well-differentiated local news programming attracts high viewership levels,
     particularly of demographic  groups that  are appealing to  both local  and
     national  advertisers, thereby allowing the Company to maximize advertising
     rates.
 
          Management of the  Company believes  that television  stations with  a
     prominent  local  identity  and active  community  involvement  can realize
     additional revenues from local advertisers through the development and sale
     of special  promotional programming.  The Benedek  Stations have  developed
     high-quality  programming which  highlights community events  and topics of
     local interest. Locally produced  programming includes 'Our Town'  segments
     featuring  local news reports, special  promotional announcements and local
     advertising focused  on  communities  within  a  particular  market;  'Town
     Meetings,'  which  provide  a forum  for  members of  local  communities to
     discuss and debate issues of local concern; 'Live Line' programs on health,
     money and  legal matters  in which  viewers call  in to  a panel  of  local
     experts;  and home shopping  programs sold exclusively  to local merchants.
     The Benedek Stations  also sell  promotional advertising  packages tied  to
     various  local events such as youth  expos, county fairs, parades, athletic
     events and  other  local  activities.  These  local  programs  have  proven
     successful  in attracting incremental  advertising revenues and  are a core
     element of each Benedek Station's local identity.
 
          Six of  the nine  Benedek  Stations are  the  number one  ranked  news
     stations  in their respective markets, whereas only four of the 13 Acquired
     Stations are  the  number one  ranked  news stations  in  their  respective
     markets.  The Company believes that the Acquired Stations will benefit from
     the Company's focus on local news and community-oriented programming.
 
                                       60
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
          SYNDICATED PROGRAMMING. The  Company selectively  purchases first  run
     and   off-network  syndicated   programming  designed   to  reach  specific
     demographic groups  attractive to  advertisers. Currently,  the three  most
     highly-rated  first run syndicated  programs in the  United States are 'The
     Oprah Winfrey  Show,'  'Wheel  of  Fortune'  and  'Jeopardy.'  The  Company
     broadcasts  'The Oprah Winfrey Show' on six of the Benedek Stations, 'Wheel
     of Fortune' on seven of the Benedek Stations and 'Jeopardy' on four of  the
     Benedek Stations. Additionally, the Company recently began broadcasting the
     newly  syndicated 'Home  Improvement' on four  of the  Benedek Stations and
     'Seinfeld' on three of the  Benedek Stations. The Company broadcasts  other
     highly-rated  first  run  syndicated  programs on  several  of  the Benedek
     Stations including 'Live with Regis & Kathie Lee,' 'Ricki Lake' and  'Jenny
     Jones.'  A number of the Benedek Stations also broadcast other highly-rated
     off-network  syndicated  programming  including  'Cheers,'  'M*A*S*H'   and
     'Roseanne.'  The Company believes that the  programming mix of the Acquired
     Stations can be  improved on  a cost effective  basis. Of  the 13  Acquired
     Stations,  one broadcasts 'The Oprah  Winfrey Show,' three broadcast 'Wheel
     of Fortune,' four broadcast  'Jeopardy,' four broadcast 'Home  Improvement'
     and  two broadcast 'Seinfeld.'  The Stauffer Stations  also broadcast first
     run and off-network  syndicated programming  including 'Live  with Regis  &
     Kathie  Lee,' 'Montel  Williams,' 'Ricki  Lake,' 'Jenny  Jones' and 'Golden
     Girls.' The  Brissette  Stations'  first  run  and  off-network  syndicated
     programming  includes 'Live with Regis  & Kathie Lee,' 'Married  . . . with
     Children,' 'Roseanne' and 'Cheers.'
 
          The Company seeks  to acquire programs  that are available  on a  cost
     effective   basis   for   limited  licensing   periods,   allow  scheduling
     flexibility, complement each Station's overall programming mix and  counter
     competitive  programming. The Company has  been able to purchase syndicated
     programming at  attractive  rates  in  part as  a  result  of  the  limited
     competition  for such programming in the  Company's markets. As a result of
     the limited  competition  from  other  broadcasters  purchasing  syndicated
     programming  in the small  and medium-sized markets  served by the Company,
     program expense as a percentage of  net revenues for the Stations was  4.3%
     and  4.1% in 1994 and 1995, respectively, as compared to approximately 9.1%
     for all  network-affiliated  stations in  1994.  In addition,  the  Company
     believes  that the programming mix of the Acquired Stations can be improved
     on a cost effective basis.
 
   
          LOCAL  SALES  EMPHASIS.   Management's  sales   strategy  focuses   on
     increasing  the sale of local advertising  by attracting new advertisers to
     television and increasing the amount of advertising dollars being spent  by
     existing  local advertisers.  Management of  the Company  believes that its
     leadership in local news and informational programming enhances its ability
     to develop and attract local advertising expenditures. Management  believes
     that  through  local  sales  efforts  it  can  stimulate  local advertising
     expenditures more readily  than it can  national advertising  expenditures.
     This  enables the Company to react promptly  to changes in the national and
     local advertising climate and better maintain consistent adjusted EBITDA.
    
 
          Trained and experienced sales personnel sell local advertising for the
     Company in each of its markets. The Company focuses on local advertisers by
     producing their commercials, producing  news and informational  programming
     with  local advertising appeal and  sponsoring or co-promoting local events
     and activities  that give  local advertisers  unique value-added  community
     identity. Approximately 59% of Benedek Broadcasting's revenues in 1995 were
     generated  from local and regional advertisers. Local and regional revenues
     at the Benedek  Stations increased 44.5%  from 1990 to  1994 compared to  a
     23.4%  increase in  the national  spot television  revenues of  the Benedek
     Stations during the same period.
 
          FINANCIAL PLANNING AND CONTROLS. Management emphasizes strict  control
     of  the Company's programming and operating costs as an important factor in
     increasing broadcast cash flow. The  Company continually seeks to  identify
     and   implement  cost  savings   opportunities.  Furthermore,  the  Company
     maintains a detailed budgeting process and reviews performance relative  to
     budget monthly with respect to both revenues and expenses, thereby enabling
     management to react promptly to changes in market conditions. Management of
     the  Company  believes that  controlling costs  is  an essential  factor in
     achieving and maintaining profitability and  that it can materially  reduce
     costs  of  the  Stauffer  Stations through  its  budgeting  procedures. The
     Company intends to
 
                                       61
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
   
     continue to identify opportunities to increase adjusted EBITDA through  its
     on-going strategic planning and budgeting process.
    
 
          FUTURE  ACQUISITIONS AND  OPPORTUNITIES. The  Company has  a long-term
     strategy  to  pursue  additional   acquisitions  of  broadcast   television
     stations, primarily of network-affiliated stations in small to medium-sized
     markets  where  the  Company  believes it  can  successfully  implement its
     operating strategy and where such  stations can be acquired on  financially
     acceptable  terms.  Additionally,  a rule  making  proceeding  is currently
     pending  before  the  FCC  regarding  possible  relaxation  of  the   local
     television  duopoly  rules. If  these  rules are  implemented,  the Company
     intends to explore opportunities to  enter into local marketing  agreements
     with  other stations in markets  where it currently operates  as well as in
     other markets. The Company does  not have any agreements or  understandings
     with respect to any acquisition or local marketing agreement.
 
NETWORK AFFILIATION OF THE STATIONS
 
     Each  of the Stations is affiliated with either ABC, CBS or NBC pursuant to
an  affiliation  agreement  (an   'Affiliation  Agreement').  Each   Affiliation
Agreement  provides  the  affiliated Station  with  the right  to  broadcast all
programs transmitted by  the network with  which the Station  is affiliated.  In
return,  the  network  has the  right  to  sell a  substantial  majority  of the
advertising time  during such  broadcasts. In  exchange for  every hour  that  a
Station  elects to broadcast network programming, the network pays the Station a
specified fee,  which  varies  with  the  time  of  day.  Typically,  prime-time
programming generates the highest hourly rates. Rates are subject to increase or
decrease  by  the network  during  the term  of  an Affiliation  Agreement, with
provisions for advance notices  and the right of  termination by the Station  in
the event of a reduction of rates.
 
     Each of the Benedek Stations' network affiliation agreements currently runs
for  a period of  five to 10 years.  WYTV, WBKO-TV, WTOK-TV  and WHSV-TV, all of
which are  ABC affiliates,  each have  a five-year  affiliation agreement  which
expires  in 1999. KDLH-TV,  WIFR-TV, KHQA-TV and  WTVY-TV, all of  which are CBS
affiliates, each have a ten-year affiliation agreement which expires in 2005 and
is automatically  renewed  for successive  five-year  terms, subject  to  either
party's right to terminate the agreement at the end of any term upon six months'
advance  notice. WTAP-TV, an NBC affiliate, currently operates under a five-year
affiliation agreement which  expires in  2000 and is  automatically renewed  for
successive  terms, subject to either party's right to terminate the agreement at
the end of any term upon 12 months' advance notice.
 
     Each of  the Stauffer  Stations' network  affiliation agreements  currently
runs  for a  period of five  to 10  years. KMIZ(TV), an  ABC affiliate, operates
under an  affiliation  agreement which  expires  in 2000  and  is  automatically
renewed  for successive terms, subject to  either party's right to terminate the
agreement at the end of its term upon 180 days' advance notice. All of the other
Stauffer Stations  are CBS  affiliates  operating under  affiliation  agreements
which expire in 2005 and which automatically renew for successive terms, subject
to  either party's right to terminate the agreement  at the end of its term upon
six months' advance notice.
 
     Each of the  Brissette Stations' network  affiliation agreements  currently
runs  for a  period of 10  to 11 years.  WMTV(TV), WWLP(TV) and  WILX-TV, all of
which are NBC affiliates,  each have an affiliation  agreement which expires  in
2006  and is  automatically renewed for  successive five-year  terms, subject to
either party's right to terminate the agreement at the end of any term upon  six
months'  advance notice. Each  of Brissette's CBS  affiliates, WSAW-TV, WTRF-TV,
KAUZ-TV and KOSA-TV, are operating under affiliation agreements which expire  in
2005  and which  automatically renew  for successive  10-year terms,  subject to
either party's right to terminate the agreement upon six months' advance notice.
WHOI(TV), an ABC  affiliate, currently operates  under an affiliation  agreement
which expires in 2005 and which does not provide for renewals.
 
     In  December  1995,  the  Company entered  into  new  long-term affiliation
agreements with CBS effective retroactive to July 1, 1995 for three of the  four
Benedek  Stations that are CBS  affiliates and agreed to  extend the term of the
fourth CBS affiliate from  2004 to 2005. In  connection with such  arrangements,
CBS  paid the Company  bonus payments of  $2.5 million in  the fourth quarter of
1995 and $2.5  million in  the first  quarter of  1996. These  payments will  be
recognized as revenue by the
 
                                       62
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Company  at the rate  of $0.5 million per  year over the  ten-year period of the
affiliation agreements.  The  Company  also  agreed  with  CBS  that,  upon  the
consummation  of the Acquisitions, the term of the affiliation agreements of the
Stauffer Stations that are  CBS affiliates would be  extended from 2000 to  2005
and  the term of the  affiliation agreements of the  Brissette Stations that are
CBS affiliates will be extended from 2004 to 2005.
 
     In addition  to  its affiliation  arrangements,  the Company  entered  into
agreements  with  Fox  to  broadcast football  games  of  the  National Football
Conference ('NFC')  of  the  National  Football League  and  certain  other  Fox
programming in non-network time periods for the 1994 and 1995 broadcast seasons.
In  1995, the Company broadcast the NFC football games and other Fox programming
on KHQA-TV, WHSV-TV, WTOK-TV  and WYTV. The  Company believes that  broadcasting
NFC  football games  increased its audience  ratings during the  times the games
were broadcast. Stauffer entered into similar  agreements with Fox on behalf  of
KCOY-TV and KMIZ(TV).
 
ADVERTISING SALES
 
     Television  station revenues are primarily derived from local, regional and
national advertising  and, to  a modest  extent, from  network compensation  and
revenues  from tower  rentals and commercial  production activities. Advertising
rates are based upon numerous factors including a program's popularity among the
viewers an advertiser wishes to target, the number of advertisers competing  for
the available time, the size and demographic composition of a program's audience
and the availability of competing or alternative advertising media in the market
area.  Because  broadcast  television  stations  rely  on  advertising  revenue,
declines in advertising budgets, particularly in recessionary periods, adversely
affect the broadcast industry and  as a result may  contribute to a decrease  in
the  revenues of broadcast television stations.  The Company seeks to manage its
spot inventory efficiently thereby maximizing advertising rates.
 
     Local Sales.  Approximately  59%  of  the gross  revenues  of  the  Benedek
Stations  in 1995 came  from local and regional  advertisers. Local and regional
advertising is  sold  primarily  by each  Station's  professional  sales  staff.
Typical   local  and   regional  advertisers   include  automobile  dealerships,
retailers, local  grocery  chains,  soft drink  bottlers,  state  lotteries  and
restaurants.  The  Company  focuses  on  local  advertisers  by  producing their
commercials, producing news and informational programming with local advertising
appeal and  sponsoring or  co-promoting local  events and  activities that  give
local  advertisers value-added community identity. The Company's management team
monitors sales  plans and  promotional activities  and shares  such  information
among the Benedek Stations on a weekly basis.
 
     National  Sales. Approximately  27% of  the gross  revenues of  the Benedek
Stations in 1995  came from national  advertisers. Typical national  advertisers
include  automobile manufacturers, consumer  goods manufacturers, communications
companies, fast  food  franchisors,  national retailers  and  direct  marketers.
National  advertising time is  sold through representative  agencies retained by
Benedek Broadcasting, Stauffer and  Brissette. Six of  the Benedek Stations  are
represented  by Katz  Communications, Inc. KDLH-TV  retains Seltel,  Inc. as its
national sales representative and WYTV and  WTVY-TV retain Petry, Inc. as  their
national sales representative. The Benedek Stations' national sales coordinators
actively   assist  their  national  sales  representatives  to  induce  national
advertisers to  increase  their national  spot  expenditures designated  to  the
Company's  markets. All of the Stauffer  Stations are represented by Petry, Inc.
Five of the Brissette Stations retain  Harrington, Righter & Parsons, L.L.P.  as
their  national sales representative and the  other three Brissette Stations are
represented by TeleRep, Inc.
 
RATING SERVICE DATA
 
     All  television  stations  in  the  United  States  are  grouped  into  211
television markets which are ranked in size according to the numbered television
households  in  such markets.  Until recently,  two national  audience measuring
services, Arbitron  Company  ('Arbitron') and  Nielsen,  periodically  published
reports  on  estimated  audience  for the  television  stations  in  the various
television  markets  throughout  the  country.  Arbitron  recently  discontinued
providing such services. The audience estimates
 
                                       63
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
are  expressed in terms of  the percentage of the  total potential audience in a
market viewing  a  particular  station  (the  station's  'rating')  and  of  the
percentage  of households  actually viewing television  (the station's 'share').
The ratings reports provide data on the basis of total television households and
selected demographic  groupings  in  15-minute or  half-hour  increments  for  a
particular market. Nielsen calls each specific geographic market a DMA. Arbitron
called  each specific geographic  market an Area  of Dominant Influence ('ADI').
The geographic area covered  by a DMA generally  corresponded to the  geographic
area  covered by the  corresponding ADI. Every county  in the continental United
States is  assigned  to a  DMA,  and  was assigned  to  an ADI,  of  a  specific
television  market  on  an  exclusive  basis.  In  larger  markets,  ratings are
determined by a combination of meters connected directly to selected  television
sets  (the results of which are reported on a daily basis) and weekly diaries of
television viewing prepared by the actual viewers, while in smaller markets only
weekly diaries are completed during  four separate four-week periods during  the
course  of any year. These  periods are commonly known  as 'sweeps periods.' All
the Company's markets are measured during these sweeps periods.
 
     All television audience share and aggregate television audience information
contained in this Prospectus  is based on data  compiled from either Nielsen  or
Arbitron surveys, depending on which service each of the Stations subscribed to.
 
                                       64
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     The following table sets forth certain information for each of the Stations
and the markets they serve:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                NUMBER OF
                                                                                                COMMERCIAL
                                                                                                 STATIONS    STATION
                                         MARKET         CALL                        NETWORK         IN       RANK IN   STATION
              MARKET AREA                 RANK        LETTERS       CHANNEL(c)    AFFILIATION     MARKET     MARKET     SHARE
- ---------------------------------------- ------       --------      ----------    ------------  ----------   -------   -------
<S>                                      <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>       <C>
BENEDEK STATIONS
    Youngstown, Ohio                        95            WYTV          33            ABC            3           3       17%
    Duluth, Minnesota and                  134         KDLH-TV           3            CBS            3           2       19%
      Superior, Wisconsin
    Rockford, Illinois                     136         WIFR-TV          23            CBS            4           1       19%
    Quincy, Illinois and Hannibal,         158         KHQA-TV           7            CBS            2           1       26%
      Missouri
    Dothan, Alabama                        172         WTVY-TV           4            CBS            3           1       29%
    Panama City, Florida                   159         WTVY-TV           4            CBS            4           3       12%
    Bowling Green, Kentucky                181         WBKO-TV          13            ABC            2           1       36%
    Meridian, Mississippi                  182         WTOK-TV          11            ABC            3           1       32%
    Parkersburg, West Virginia             184         WTAP-TV          15            NBC            1           1       29%
    Harrisonburg, Virginia                 201         WHSV-TV           3            ABC            1           1       29%
 
STAUFFER STATIONS
    Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and         115         KCOY-TV          12            CBS            4           3       11%
      San Luis Obispo, California
    Topeka, Kansas                         140         WIBW-TV          13            CBS            3           1       23%
    Columbia and Jefferson City,           146        KMIZ(TV)          17            ABC            3           3       13%
      Missouri
    Casper and Riverton, Wyoming           192         KGWC-TV          14            CBS            3           2(e)    12%(e)
                                           192         KGWL-TV(a)        5            CBS           (d)         (e)      (e)
                                           192         KGWR-TV(a)       13            CBS           (d)         (e)      (e)
    Cheyenne, Wyoming, Scottsbluff,        193         KGWN-TV           5            CBS            4           1(f)    20%(f)
      Nebraska and Sterling, Colorado      193         KSTF-TV(b)       10            CBS           (d)         (f)      (f)
                                           193         KTVS-TV(b)        3            CBS           (d)         (f)      (f)
 
BRISSETTE STATIONS
    Madison, Wisconsin                      83        WMTV(TV)          15            NBC            4           2       14%
    Springfield and Holyoke,               102        WWLP(TV)          22            NBC            2           1       21%
      Massachusetts
    Lansing, Michigan                      106         WILX-TV          10            NBC            4           2       15%
    Peoria and Bloomington, Illinois       109        WHOI(TV)          19            ABC            4           3       16%
    Wausau and Rhinelander, Wisconsin      131         WSAW-TV           7            CBS            3           1       26%
    Wheeling, West Virginia and            138         WTRF-TV           7            CBS            2           2       20%
      Steubenville, Ohio
    Wichita Falls, Texas and               139         KAUZ-TV           6            CBS            4           3       14%
      Lawton, Oklahoma
    Odessa and Midland, Texas              149         KOSA-TV           7            CBS            4           2       15%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                             CABLE
              MARKET AREA                 PENETRATION
- ----------------------------------------  -----------
<S>                                      <C>
BENEDEK STATIONS
    Youngstown, Ohio                         72.3%
    Duluth, Minnesota and                    52.7%
      Superior, Wisconsin
    Rockford, Illinois                       68.4%
    Quincy, Illinois and Hannibal,           60.6%
      Missouri
    Dothan, Alabama                          65.8%
    Panama City, Florida                     68.3%
    Bowling Green, Kentucky                  56.7%
    Meridian, Mississippi                    52.4%
    Parkersburg, West Virginia               76.4%
    Harrisonburg, Virginia                   67.3%
STAUFFER STATIONS
    Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and           85.7%
      San Luis Obispo, California
    Topeka, Kansas                           73.1%
    Columbia and Jefferson City,             59.7%
      Missouri
    Casper and Riverton, Wyoming             68.9%(e)
                                              (e)
                                              (e)
    Cheyenne, Wyoming, Scottsbluff,          73.0%(f)
      Nebraska and Sterling, Colorado         (f)
                                              (f)
BRISSETTE STATIONS
    Madison, Wisconsin                       61.5%
    Springfield and Holyoke,                 81.8%
      Massachusetts
    Lansing, Michigan                        65.1%
    Peoria and Bloomington, Illinois         71.3%
    Wausau and Rhinelander, Wisconsin        50.6%
    Wheeling, West Virginia and              76.4%
      Steubenville, Ohio
    Wichita Falls, Texas and                 68.8%
      Lawton, Oklahoma
    Odessa and Midland, Texas                73.5%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
(a)  Satellite station of KGWC-TV.
 
(b)  Satellite station of KGWN-TV.
 
(c)  Channels 2 through 13 are broadcast over the very high frequency (VHF) band
     of the broadcast spectrum and channels 14 through 69 are broadcast over the
     ultra-high frequency (UHF) band of the broadcast spectrum.
 
(d)  Satellite  stations are not considered distinct stations in this market for
     Nielsen purposes.
 
(e)  Station Rank, Station Share and  Cable Penetration information for  KGWC-TV
     includes  data for satellite stations KGWL-TV, Lander, Wyoming and KGWR-TV,
     Rock Springs, Wyoming, as reported by Nielsen.
 
(f)  Station Rank, Station Share and  Cable Penetration information for  KGWN-TV
     includes  data for  satellite stations  KSTF-TV, Scottsbluff,  Nebraska and
     KTVS-TV, Sterling, Colorado, as reported by Nielsen.
 
                                       65




<PAGE>
<PAGE>
  BENEDEK STATIONS
 
WYTV (ABC) YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO
 
     Market  Description. The Youngstown DMA consists of four counties, three of
which are in  northeastern Ohio  and one of  which is  in western  Pennsylvania.
Youngstown  is situated in northeastern  Ohio along the Ohio/Pennsylvania border
within 65 miles of Cleveland, Ohio to the northwest and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
to the southeast. The Youngstown economy is historically based on processing  of
pig  iron  and  steel.  While  still  part  of  a  major  steel  producing area,
Youngstown's economy has diversified  to include manufacturing, warehousing  and
distribution  companies. Some  of the  major employers  in the  area include the
Buick, Oldsmobile  and  Cadillac Division  of  General Motors  Corporation,  the
Packard  Electric  Corporation  Division  of  General  Motors  Corporation,  St.
Elizabeth's Medical Center, Western  Reserve Care System  and LTV Steel  Tubular
Products  Division  of Republic  Steel  Works. This  area  is also  the  home of
Youngstown State University with approximately 16,000 students.
 
     Station History and Characteristics. WYTV  was originally licensed in  1953
to  serve Youngstown, Ohio. The  Youngstown market is ranked  95th in the United
States, with approximately  275,000 television  households and  a population  of
approximately  694,000. This market has a  cable penetration rate of 72.3%. WYTV
is broadcast on UHF  channel 33 and  is an ABC  affiliate. The Company  acquired
WYTV  in 1983. The  other local stations  with which WYTV  competes are also UHF
stations, one of  which is  an NBC affiliate  and the  other of which  is a  CBS
affiliate.
 
     Station  Performance. According to  the 1995 Nielsen  ratings reports, WYTV
was ranked  number three  in its  market with  a 6  rating and  a 17%  share  of
households viewing television, as compared with a 6 rating and 19% share and a 6
rating  and 19% share for  the numbers one and  two stations, respectively. As a
result of this  relatively even  market share distribution,  WYTV maintains  its
ability  to sell  advertising time at  competitive rates. WYTV  currently is the
number two ranked news station in this market and broadcasts three hours and  12
minutes of local news programming each weekday. WYTV's special value-added local
sales  efforts  in 1995  included  the sale  of  a trip  incentive  package, the
publication of two  four-color coupon  brochures for local  retailers that  were
mailed  to all homes in the Station's DMA, the development of vendor support for
the Station's local retail advertisers, the sale and production of four  special
call-in  programs,  and  the sponsorship  of  a  year-long series  of  30 second
announcements as well as 30 and 60 minute programs designed to create  community
awareness  of the role of the family  in the 1990s and a season-long educational
program entitled 'Weatherschool' reaching  approximately 20,000 students  which,
in  1996,  will include  a computerized  feature called  Weather Net  which will
provide additional sponsorship opportunities.  WYTV's first run and  off-network
syndicated  programming  includes  'Wheel of  Fortune,'  'Jeopardy,' 'Roseanne,'
'Live with Regis & Kathie Lee' and 'Home Improvement.'
 
     The following table sets forth certain historical data with respect to  the
television  advertising revenues  and station rank  and audience  share data for
WYTV:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                   -----------------------------------------
                                                                   1991     1992     1993     1994     1995
                                                                   -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
 
<S>                                                                <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Net revenue growth over prior year..............................    0.7%    18.1%     1.7%    19.2%     3.4%
Broadcast cash flow margin......................................   33.0%    33.9%    32.5%    38.5%    37.8%
Station audience share..........................................   18       16       18       18       17
Station rank in market..........................................    3        3        3        3        3
</TABLE>
 
KDLH-TV (CBS) DULUTH, MINNESOTA AND SUPERIOR, WISCONSIN
     Market Description. The Duluth-Superior DMA consists of 13 counties,  seven
of  which  are in  northeastern  Minnesota, five  of  which are  in northwestern
Wisconsin and  one of  which is  in  the upper  peninsula of  Michigan.  Duluth,
Minnesota   and  Superior,  Wisconsin  are  adjacent   to  each  other  and  are
approximately  150  miles  from  Minneapolis,  Minnesota.  The   Duluth-Superior
economy,  historically based on mining and  shipping, also includes the fishing,
food products, paper, education, medical, timber and tourism industries.  Duluth
is  one of the  major United States  ports from which  iron ore, taconite, coal,
lumber, cement, grain, paper and  chemicals are shipped. Prominent  corporations
with  facilities in  the area include  Minnesota Power,  US West Communications,
Duluth, Missabe & Iron
 
                                       66
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Range Railway  Co., Louis  Kemp  Seafood Co.,  Lake Superior  Paper  Industries,
Potlatch  Corporation,  Boise  Cascade, Burlington  Northern  Sante  Fe Railway,
Georgia-Pacific Corporation, U.S. Steel, National  Steel Pellet Co. and  NorWest
Bank-Minnesota  North.  The region  is also  host  to a  number of  colleges and
universities, including the University of Minnesota-Duluth ('UMD'), UMD  Medical
School,  College of  St. Scholastica,  Northland College  and the  University of
Wisconsin-Superior. In addition, the area's extensive forests and numerous lakes
have fostered  a  local  tourism  industry and  attract  thousands  of  tourists
annually  who camp, hike,  ski, fish and  boat in hundreds  of state and Federal
parks.
 
     Station History  and Characteristics.  KDLH-TV was  originally licensed  in
1954  to serve the  Duluth, Minnesota --  Superior, Wisconsin metropolitan area.
The  Duluth-Superior  market  is  ranked  134th  in  the  United  States,   with
approximately  169,000 television  households and a  population of approximately
407,000. This market has a cable penetration rate of 52.7%. KDLH-TV is broadcast
on VHF channel 3 and is a  CBS affiliate. The Company acquired KDLH-TV in  1985.
KDLH-TV  competes with both an ABC and NBC affiliate which are also broadcast on
VHF channels.
 
     Station Performance. According to the 1995 Nielsen ratings reports, KDLH-TV
was tied for the  number two ranking  in its market  with a 6  rating and a  19%
share of households viewing television as compared with a 7 rating and 22% share
for the number one ranked station in the market and a 6 rating and 19% share for
the  other number two station in the market. As a result of this relatively even
market share distribution,  KDLH-TV maintains  its ability  to sell  advertising
time  at competitive  rates. KDLH-TV currently  is the number  three ranked news
station in this market  and broadcasts two  hours and 25  minutes of local  news
programming  each weekday. KDLH-TV's special  value-added local sales efforts in
1995 included the  production and  sale of  live coverage  of the  Dyno-American
Birkebeiner  cross country ski race, the  introduction of a sales supportive, 16
page, four-color, glossy  station magazine called  'Watch and Win  Sweepstakes,'
the exclusive television sponsorship of the Duluth Bayfront Blues Fest which had
attendance  of approximately 75,000,  a special year-long  incentive package for
local retailers and carriage  of the Minnesota  High School Hockey  championship
games.  KDLH-TV's  first  run and  off-network  syndicated  programming includes
'Seinfeld,' 'Ricki Lake,' 'Jenny Jones,'  'COPS' and 'Cheers.' In January  1996,
KDLH-TV commenced broadcasting Fox Sports programming.
 
     The  following table sets forth certain historical data with respect to the
television advertising revenues  and station  rank and audience  share data  for
KDLH-TV:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                 --------------------------------------------
                                                                  1991      1992     1993     1994      1995
                                                                 -------    -----    -----    -----    ------
 
<S>                                                              <C>        <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Net revenue growth (decline) over prior year..................    (5.5%)     8.7%     7.5%    15.5%    (3.4%)
Broadcast cash flow margin....................................    14.8%     23.1%    24.5%    30.8%    26.7%
Station audience share........................................    23        24       23       24       19
Station rank in market........................................     3         2        1        1        2
</TABLE>
 
WIFR-TV (CBS) ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS
 
     Market  Description. The Rockford DMA consists of five counties in northern
Illinois. Rockford  is approximately  80 miles  west of  Chicago, Illinois.  The
Rockford   economy,  historically   centered  on   manufacturing,  has  recently
diversified with the growth  of service-based industries  such as insurance  and
financial  services.  Nevertheless, manufacturing  still represents  the largest
source of private employment in Rockford, known as the 'Fastener Capital of  the
World.'  Prominent corporations with facilities  located in the greater Rockford
area include  Chrysler Corporation,  Sundstrand Corporation,  Ingersoll  Milling
Machine  Co., Barber-Colman Company,  Newell Company, Elco  Industries, Inc. and
Warner-Lambert Company. One of the largest employers in the service industry  in
this area is Rockford Memorial Hospital. Other service industry employers in the
area  include Pioneer  Life Insurance  Company, AMCORE  Bank N.A.,  Aetna Life &
Casualty and Blue  Cross/Blue Shield  of Illinois.  Additionally, United  Parcel
Service  completed construction of  a major facility at  the Rockford Airport in
late 1994, which functions as its distribution center for the entire mid-western
region of the United States.
 
     Station History  and  Characteristics.  WIFR-TV was  licensed  in  1965  to
Freeport,  Illinois to serve the greater  Rockford market. Rockford is the 136th
largest market in the United States, with
 
                                       67
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
approximately 164,000 television  households and a  population of  approximately
417,000. This market has a cable penetration rate of 68.4%. WIFR-TV is broadcast
on  UHF channel 23 and is a CBS affiliate. The Company acquired WIFR-TV in 1986.
There are three other  licensed commercial television  stations in the  Rockford
market, of which two are UHF stations and one is a VHF station. Although the VHF
station's  signal extends  to a  larger geographical  area than  any of  the UHF
stations, including WIFR-TV, such area is outside the Rockford DMA and does  not
impact  audience ratings or shares  within the DMA. The  other three stations in
this market are affiliated with ABC, NBC and Fox.
 
     Station Performance. According to the 1995 Nielsen ratings reports, WIFR-TV
was tied for the  number one ranking  in its market  with a 5  rating and a  19%
share  of households  viewing television.  WIFR-TV currently  is the  number one
ranked news  station in  this  market and  broadcasts  three hours  and  fifteen
minutes  of local  news programming  each weekday.  WIFR-TV captured  30% of the
total television revenues available in its market in 1995 based upon a report by
an independent accounting firm using the most recent available data submitted by
all Rockford stations. WIFR-TV's special value-added local sales efforts in 1995
included three week-long 'Our Town'  promotions, a winter sale-a-thon, a  health
matters  and  family matters  live line  program  and a  season-long educational
program entitled 'Weatherschool.' WIFR-TV is also this market's Big Ten Football
and Basketball network station. WIFR-TV's  first run and off-network  syndicated
programming  includes  'The  Oprah  Winfrey  Show,'  'The  Maury  Povich  Show,'
'Roseanne' and 'Inside  Edition.' Beginning  in 1996, WIFR-TV  will add  'Doctor
Quinn,  Medicine  Woman'  and  'Mad About  You'  to  its  syndicated programming
line-up.
 
     The following table sets forth certain historical data with respect to  the
television  advertising revenues  and station rank  and audience  share data for
WIFR-TV:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------------------------------------
                                                               1991       1992      1993      1994      1995
                                                              -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
 
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net revenue growth (decline) over prior year...............    (7.6%)    11.4%      6.6%     18.4%     (3.1%)
Broadcast cash flow margin.................................    44.1%     46.0%     45.5%     50.1%     43.6%
Station audience share.....................................    21        23        24        24        19
Station rank in market.....................................     2         1         1         1         1
</TABLE>
 
KHQA-TV (CBS) QUINCY, ILLINOIS AND HANNIBAL, MISSOURI
 
     Market Description. The Quincy-Hannibal DMA consists of 18 counties,  eight
of which are in western Illinois, nine of which are in northeastern Missouri and
one  of which is  in southeastern Iowa. Quincy,  Illinois and Hannibal, Missouri
are situated on opposite sides of the Mississippi River approximately 100  miles
northwest  of St. Louis, Missouri.  The Quincy-Hannibal economy is predominantly
agricultural. This market is considered one of the largest soybean, hog and corn
producing areas in the  nation. Prominent corporations  with facilities in  this
market   include  Moorman  Manufacturing  Company,  American  Cyanamid  Company,
Pillsbury, Inc.,  Quincy  Soybean  Co., Harris  Corporation,  Shaeffer  Pen  and
Buckhorn Rubber Products.
 
     Station  History and  Characteristics. KHQA-TV  was originally  licensed in
1953 to  serve  the  greater Quincy,  Illinois-Hannibal,  Missouri  market.  The
Quincy-Hannibal  market is ranked 158th in the United States, with approximately
117,000 television households  and a population  of approximately 286,000.  This
market  has  a cable  penetration rate  of  60.6%. KHQA-TV  is broadcast  on VHF
channel 7 and is a CBS affiliate. The Company acquired KHQA-TV in 1986. There is
one other station in this market, a NBC affiliate carried on a VHF channel.
 
     Station Performance. According to the 1995 Nielsen ratings reports, KHQA-TV
was ranked  number one  in  its market  with an  8  rating and  a 26%  share  of
households  viewing television. KHQA-TV currently is  the number two ranked news
station in this market  and broadcasts two  hours and 17  minutes of local  news
programming  each weekday. KHQA-TV's special  value-added local sales efforts in
1995 included  two  local  home  shopping programs,  a  Mother's  Day  Get-A-Way
Give-A-Way  promotion, a scholarship  essay contest for  high school students, a
Home for  the Holidays  promotion, a  season-long educational  program  entitled
'Weatherschool'  and a  'Weatherline,' which  viewers can  call to  obtain local
forecasts. KHQA-TV's first run  and off-network syndicated programming  includes
'The  Oprah  Winfrey  Show,'  'Wheel  of  Fortune,'  'Jeopardy,'  'Seinfeld' and
'Cheers.'
 
     In 1993, the Quincy-Hannibal market  was severely impacted by the  flooding
of  the Mississippi River. The flood  adversely affected both local and national
advertising revenues of KHQA-TV during
 
                                       68
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
the second, third and fourth quarters of 1993. However, during the first quarter
of 1994,  local and  regional revenues  returned to  normal levels.  During  the
second and third quarters of 1993, the Station sponsored an on-going 'Flood Aid'
promotional  campaign to  raise financial  support for  flood victims  and local
social service agencies assisting in flood relief throughout the Station's DMA.
 
     The following table sets forth certain historical data with respect to  the
television  advertising revenues  and station rank  and audience  share data for
KHQA-TV:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------------------------------------
                                                               1991       1992      1993      1994      1995
                                                              -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
 
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net revenue growth (decline) over prior year...............   (13.7%)     5.4%     (1.5%)    17.8%      2.7%
Broadcast cash flow margin.................................    40.0%     37.3%     30.1%     38.2%     33.3%
Station audience share.....................................    26        31        32        31        26
Station rank in market.....................................     1         1         1         1         1
</TABLE>
 
WTVY-TV (CBS) DOTHAN, ALABAMA AND PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA
 
     Market Description. WTVY-TV is one of the few stations in the United States
that serves two DMAs. The Dothan DMA consists of six counties, five of which are
in southeastern Alabama and one of  which is in southwestern Georgia. Dothan  is
located  approximately 80  miles southeast of  Montgomery, Alabama  and 65 miles
north of Panama City, Florida. The Panama City DMA consists of nine counties  in
the middle of the Florida Panhandle.
 
     The   Dothan  economy,  historically   agricultural,  is  currently  evenly
distributed among the service, manufacturing and agricultural sectors. Dothan is
known as the  'Peanut Capital of  the World.'  Peanuts account for  half of  the
area's  farm income, with cattle, poultry, corn, wheat, soybeans, cotton, fruits
and vegetables making up the other half. Prominent corporations with  facilities
in  the area include the Sony  Corporation, Perdue Farms, Inc., General Electric
Company and AAA  Cooper Transport  Company. Dothan is  also home  to the  area's
largest  regional  shopping mall,  two regional  hospitals and  five educational
institutions offering collegiate, technical  and vocational studies. The  Dothan
DMA  is also the  site of the  Fort Rucker United  States Army Aviation Station.
Currently, the base is not  on the government list  of facilities to be  closed,
but there can be no assurance that such status will not change in the future.
 
     Panama City is the county seat of Bay County, Florida and is located on the
Gulf  of Mexico  at the mouth  of St. Andrew's  Bay. The Panama  City economy is
heavily based  on year-round  tourism  as a  result  of its  affordability  when
compared  to  other  Florida beach  areas.  Prominent corporations  in  the area
include the Champion Paper Company and  Stone Container Corporation, as well  as
more  than 100 other manufacturers. The Panama City  DMA is also the site of the
Tyndall United States  Air Force  Base and the  Coastal Systems  Station of  the
United  States Navy. Currently these locations are not on the government list of
facilities to be closed, but there can be no assurance that such status will not
change in the future. In addition, Panama City has a foreign trade zone and deep
water  port,  rail  transportation  and   easy  access  to  Interstate-10,   the
Jacksonville, Florida to New Orleans, Louisiana Interstate highway.
 
     Station  History and Characteristics. WTVY-TV,  originally licensed in 1955
to serve the  Dothan, Alabama metropolitan  area, currently serves  the DMAs  of
Dothan,  Alabama and Panama City, Florida. The  Dothan market is ranked 172nd in
the United  States,  with  approximately  86,000  television  households  and  a
population  of approximately  219,000, while  the Panama  City market  is ranked
159th with  approximately  110,000 television  households  and a  population  of
approximately  275,000. The Dothan market has  a cable penetration rate of 65.8%
and the Panama City market has a  cable penetration rate of 68.3%. If  combined,
these  two markets would rank as the  123rd largest market in the United States.
WTVY-TV is  broadcast on  VHF channel  4 and  is a  CBS affiliate.  The  Company
acquired  WTVY-TV on March 31, 1995. WTVY-TV competes with two other stations in
the Dothan market, affiliates of ABC and Fox which broadcast on UHF channels. In
the Panama City market, WTVY-TV  competes with three other commercial  stations,
affiliates  of ABC and NBC  which broadcast on VHF  channels and a Fox affiliate
which broadcasts on a UHF channel.
 
     Station Performance. According to the 1995 Nielsen ratings reports, WTVY-TV
was ranked number one in the  Dothan market with a 9  rating and a 29% share  of
households  viewing  television. It  was also  ranked third  in the  Panama City
market  with   a   4   rating   and  a   13%   share   of   households   viewing
 
                                       69
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
television.  WTVY-TV  currently is  the number  one ranked  news station  in the
Dothan market and broadcasts four hours of local news programming each  weekday,
including  a  new 6:00  a.m. to  7:00 a.m.  news program  added in  August 1995.
WTVY-TV's  special  value-added  local  sales  efforts  in  1995  included   the
production  of a live call-in program entitled 'Health Matters' in which viewers
could speak with local  doctors and hospital  representatives, a weekly  program
concerning local community affairs issues entitled 'Community Focus' and student
of  the  week  news segments.  WTVY-TV's  first run  and  off-network syndicated
programming includes 'Wheel of Fortune' and 'Roseanne.'
 
     The following table sets forth certain historical data with respect to  the
television  advertising revenues  and station rank  and audience  share data for
WTVY-TV (for all  periods prior  to March  31, 1995,  the data  pertains to  the
operation of WTVY-TV under former ownership):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------------------------------------
                                                               1991       1992      1993      1994      1995
                                                              -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
 
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net revenue growth (decline) over prior year...............    (9.4%)    (9.3%)     6.8%     21.4%     (6.8%)
Broadcast cash flow margin.................................    47.1%     41.2%     33.5%     43.9%     34.4%
Station audience share(a)..................................    35        33        33        31        29
Station rank in market(a)..................................     1         1         1         1         1
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
 (a) Station  audience share and rank in market provided for Dothan, Alabama DMA
     only.
 
WBKO-TV (ABC) BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY
 
     Market Description. The  Bowling Green  DMA consists of  seven counties  in
southcentral  Kentucky.  Bowling  Green  is  approximately  110  miles  south of
Louisville, Kentucky and 60 miles  north of Nashville, Tennessee. Bowling  Green
lies  between two different  geographic regions: the  'Pennyroyal,' a rural area
where agriculture  and  mining  are  major  factors  in  the  economy,  and  the
'Bluegrass,' a region featuring rich soil and rolling hills on which some of the
most  prominent thoroughbred  horse farms  in the  world are  located. Prominent
corporations with facilities  in this area  include Fruit of  the Loom,  General
Motors  Corvette Assembly  Division, the  Holley Division  of Coltec Industries,
Eaton Corporation,  Lord Corporation,  Pan American  Mills, Inc.,  Country  Oven
Bakery  Division of Kroger Stores, Inc. and Hills Pet Products. Bowling Green is
also the home of Western Kentucky University with approximately 16,000  students
and 2,500 employees.
 
     Station  History and  Characteristics. WBKO-TV  was originally  licensed in
1962 to serve southcentral Kentucky. The Bowling Green market is ranked 181st in
the United  States,  with  approximately  68,000  television  households  and  a
population of approximately 170,000. This market has a cable penetration rate of
56.7%.  WBKO-TV is  broadcast on  VHF channel  13 and  is an  ABC affiliate. The
Company acquired  WBKO-TV  in 1983.  The  only other  local  commercial  station
broadcasting  in  this market  is  a Fox  affiliate  which broadcasts  on  a UHF
channel. WBKO-TV also competes to  some extent with three stations  broadcasting
from Nashville, Tennessee.
 
     Station Performance. According to the 1995 Nielsen ratings reports, WBKO-TV
was  ranked  number one  in its  market  with a  10 rating  and  a 36%  share of
households viewing  television. WBKO-TV  has been  ranked first  in this  market
since its acquisition by the Company. WBKO-TV currently is the number one ranked
news station in this market and broadcasts three hours of local news programming
each weekday. WBKO-TV's special value-added local sales efforts in 1995 included
the  sale and  production of  a number  of live  broadcasts of  Western Kentucky
University basketball games,  the sale  and production  of a  men's and  women's
Western  Kentucky University basketball  coaches show, a  live 30 minute call-in
program  on  personal  finance   and  a  year-long   series  of  news   stories,
announcements and vignettes entitled 'Kids First' which emphasized positive news
about  youth and  their involvement  in the  Bowling Green  community. WBKO-TV's
first run and  off-network syndicated  programming includes  'The Oprah  Winfrey
Show,'   'Wheel  of  Fortune,'  'Live  with   Regis  &  Kathie  Lee'  and  'Home
Improvement.'
 
                                       70
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     The following table sets forth certain historical data with respect to  the
television  advertising revenues  and station rank  and audience  share data for
WBKO-TV:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------------------------------------
                                                               1991       1992      1993      1994      1995
                                                              -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
 
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net revenue growth (decline) over prior year...............    11.7%     (4.1%)     8.0%     17.5%     10.8%
Broadcast cash flow margin.................................    50.1%     47.8%     47.6%     49.4%     53.3%
Station audience share.....................................    39        39        40        39        36
Station rank in market.....................................     1         1         1         1         1
</TABLE>
 
WTOK-TV (ABC) MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI
 
     Market Description. The Meridian  DMA consists of  seven counties, five  of
which  are  in eastern  Mississippi and  two  of which  are in  western Alabama.
Meridian is approximately  150 miles west  of Montgomery, Alabama  and 90  miles
east  of Jackson, Mississippi. The Meridian  economy, traditionally based on the
cattle and timber industries, has recently evolved into a medical and  financial
hub  for  eastern  Mississippi  and  western  Alabama.  In  addition, Meridian's
favorable industrial  climate has  lured over  100 manufacturing  plants to  the
area,  including  Peavey  Electronics  Corporation,  James  River  Corp.,  Avery
Dennison Stationery Products  Division and  the Delco-Remy  Division of  General
Motors.  There  are  also  many  large hospitals  in  the  area,  including Rush
Foundation Hospital, East  Mississippi State Hospital,  Riley Memorial  Hospital
and  Jeff Anderson  Regional Medical  Center, which  together employ  over 3,800
individuals. Meridian is also site of  the Meridian Naval Air Station, a  United
States  Naval training  facility. Currently, the  base is not  on the government
list of facilities to be closed, but there can be no assurance that such  status
will  not change in the future. Additionally, property has recently been cleared
for a ground breaking of a long  awaited regional mall to be built in  Meridian.
The target date for completion of the mall is the fall of 1997.
 
     Station  History and  Characteristics. WTOK-TV  was originally  licensed in
1953 to serve Meridian, Mississippi. The Meridian market is ranked 182nd in  the
United  States, with approximately 66,000 television households and a population
of approximately 173,000.  This market has  a cable penetration  rate of  52.4%.
WTOK-TV  is broadcast  on VHF channel  11 and  is an ABC  affiliate. The Company
acquired WTOK-TV  in 1988.  The other  two commercial  stations in  the  market,
affiliates  of  NBC and  CBS, are  broadcast on  UHF channels  with considerably
smaller  broadcast  coverage  than   WTOK-TV.  The  CBS  affiliate   recommenced
broadcasting  in April  1994 after ceasing  operations in April  1992. In August
1995, the  CBS and  NBC  affiliates entered  into  a local  marketing  agreement
pursuant to which the CBS affiliate would manage the NBC affiliate.
 
     Station Performance. According to the 1995 Nielsen ratings reports, WTOK-TV
was  ranked  number one  in its  market  with a  10 rating  and  a 32%  share of
households viewing  television. WTOK-TV  has been  ranked first  in this  market
since its acquisition by the Company. WTOK-TV currently is the number one ranked
news  station in this  market and broadcasts  two hours and  49 minutes of local
news programming each weekday. WTOK-TV's special value-added local sales efforts
in 1995 included  the production of  a live  call-in program on  the subject  of
health,  the  staging of  a year-long  series of  30 second  announcements, news
features and  programs aimed  at increasing  public awareness  of the  needs  of
children  in  today's  society and  the  production  of several  one  hour 'Town
Meetings' on topics such as the needs of all levels of education in the Meridian
area and  economic development  in  the Station's  DMA. Additionally,  a  tie-in
advertising  opportunity, combining  television and  direct mail  through a full
color magazine, was  distributed to 45,000  homes in the  area in October  1995.
WTOK-TV's  first run syndicated  programming includes 'The  Oprah Winfrey Show,'
'Sally Jesse Raphael' and 'Wheel of Fortune.'
 
                                       71
 

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<PAGE>
     The following table sets forth certain historical data with respect to  the
television  advertising revenues  and station rank  and audience  share data for
WTOK-TV:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------------------------------------
                                                               1991       1992      1993      1994      1995
                                                              -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
 
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net revenue growth (decline) over prior year...............    (0.6%)     1.8%      7.0%      6.9%      3.4%
Broadcast cash flow margin.................................    43.1%     37.2%     39.4%     39.6%     38.4%
Station audience share.....................................    44        40        38        37        32
Station rank in market.....................................     1         1         1         1         1
</TABLE>
 
WTAP-TV (NBC) PARKERSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA
 
     Market Description. The Parkersburg DMA consists of three counties, two  of
which  are  in  western West  Virginia  and one  of  which is  in  eastern Ohio.
Parkersburg is located  at the  confluence of the  Little Kanawha  and the  Ohio
rivers,  approximately 140 miles from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and approximately
75 miles  from Charleston,  West  Virginia. The  Parkersburg economy  is  evenly
distributed  among the manufacturing and services sectors. A number of prominent
companies maintain facilities in the Parkersburg market, including E. I. du Pont
de Nemours  & Co.,  General  Electric Plastics,  Shell Chemical,  Ames  Company,
Nashua  Photo, Inc. and Schott  Scientific Glass, Inc. The  area is also home to
the Bureau of Public Debt, the  printer for all United States government  bonds,
as  well as  several regional  educational institutions  including West Virginia
University at Parkersburg, Ohio Valley College and Marietta College.
 
     Station History  and Characteristics.  WTAP-TV was  originally licensed  in
1953  and  is  the only  commercial  television  station licensed  to  serve the
Parkersburg market. The Parkersburg market is ranked 184th in the United States,
with  approximately   61,500  television   households   and  a   population   of
approximately  153,000.  This  market has  a  cable penetration  rate  of 76.4%.
WTAP-TV is broadcast  on UHF channel  15 and  is an NBC  affiliate. The  Company
acquired  WTAP-TV in 1979. Other network  affiliated stations, including one NBC
affiliate, located in Charleston, West  Virginia and Columbus, Ohio are  carried
on cable systems in Parkersburg, but are not part of the Parkersburg DMA.
 
     Station Performance. According to the 1995 Nielsen ratings reports, WTAP-TV
had  a  9 rating  and  a 29%  share  of households  viewing  television. WTAP-TV
currently broadcasts two  hours and 35  minutes of local  news programming  each
weekday,  including 30 minutes  which were added  in mid-1995. WTAP-TV's special
value-added local sales  efforts in  1995 included  a year-long  series of  news
features  on outstanding  community volunteers,  the production  of special high
school athlete of the week awards, a program entitled 'Prom Promise' focusing on
drug and  alcohol  prevention for  high  school students  on  prom night  and  a
three-day  celebration of the 'Parkersburg Homecoming Festival.' WTAP-TV's first
run and off-network  syndicated programming includes  'The Oprah Winfrey  Show,'
'Wheel of Fortune,' 'Jeopardy,' 'Ricki Lake,' 'Home Improvement,' 'Seinfeld' and
'Live with Regis & Kathie Lee.'
 
     The  following table sets forth certain historical data with respect to the
television advertising revenues  and station  rank and audience  share data  for
WTAP-TV:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------------------------------------
                                                               1991       1992      1993      1994      1995
                                                              -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
 
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net revenue growth over prior year.........................    10.7%     16.3%     11.1%     21.8%     10.4%
Broadcast cash flow margin.................................    36.4%     41.3%     44.3%     49.0%     48.2%
Station audience share.....................................    26        30        27        27        29
Station rank in market.....................................     1         1         1         1         1
</TABLE>
 
WHSV-TV (ABC) HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA
 
     Market Description. The Harrisonburg DMA consists of three counties, one of
which  is in  northwestern Virginia  and two of  which are  in northeastern West
Virginia.  Harrisonburg  is  located  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley  between   the
Appalachian   and  Blue  Ridge  Mountains,   approximately  110  miles  west  of
Washington, D.C. and 110 miles northwest of Richmond, Virginia. The Harrisonburg
economy
 
                                       72
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
has been  growing  rapidly  over  the  past  several  years.  Several  prominent
companies  have  established  regional operations  in  the  Harrisonburg market,
including the Coors  Brewing Company and  R.R. Donnelly &  Sons Co., Inc.  Other
companies in this area include Rocco Turkey, Inc., WLR Foods, Inc., Tyson Foods,
Inc.,  Hershey Co.,  Owens-Brockway Plastics  & Closures  and Merck  & Co., Inc.
Harrisonburg is also  the home of  James Madison University,  the largest  state
university in the Virginia University system with approximately 13,000 students.
 
     Station  History and Characteristics. Since  its inception in 1953, WHSV-TV
has been the  only VHF  commercial television station  serving the  Harrisonburg
market.  The  Harrisonburg market  is ranked  201st in  the United  States, with
approximately 40,000  television households  and a  population of  approximately
103,000. This market has a cable penetration rate of 67.3%. WHSV-TV is broadcast
on  VHF channel 3 and is an ABC affiliate. The Company acquired WHSV-TV in 1986.
The Station is also carried  on a UHF translator on  channel 64 in the  adjacent
Charlottesville,   Virginia  market.   The  higher  costs   for  advertising  in
surrounding urban  areas  results in  a  competitive advantage  for  WHSV-TV  in
attracting local advertising revenues.
 
     Station Performance. According to the 1995 Nielsen ratings reports, WHSV-TV
had  a  7 rating  and  a 29%  share  of households  viewing  television. WHSV-TV
currently broadcasts two  hours and 45  minutes of local  news programming  each
weekday,  including one hour which was  added in October 1995. WHSV-TV's special
value-added local sales efforts in 1995 included production of a Fourth of  July
'Sky  Concert' and  fireworks show,  a weekly  student-athlete of  the week news
segment, a  locally produced  Friday  night high  school football  wrap-up  show
called  'The EndZone' and a holiday  shopping program featuring local retailers.
WHSV-TV's first run and off-network  syndicated programming includes 'The  Oprah
Winfrey Show,' 'Wheel of Fortune,' 'Jeopardy,' 'Home Improvement' and 'Live with
Regis & Kathie Lee.'
 
     The  following table sets forth certain historical data with respect to the
television advertising revenues  and station  rank and audience  share data  for
WHSV-TV:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------------------------------------
                                                               1991       1992      1993      1994      1995
                                                              -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
 
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net revenue growth (decline) over prior year...............     4.5%      5.2%      7.3%      4.6%     (2.1%)
Broadcast cash flow margin.................................    55.5%     55.6%     57.4%     57.9%     53.4%
Station audience share.....................................    35        34        33        29        29
Station rank in market.....................................     1         1         1         1         1
</TABLE>
 
  STAUFFER STATIONS
 
KCOY-TV (CBS) SANTA BARBARA, SANTA MARIA AND SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
 
     Market  Description. The Santa Barbara - Santa  Maria - San Luis Obispo DMA
consists of three counties on the southcentral coast of California. Santa  Maria
is  approximately 170  miles north  of Los  Angeles and  270 miles  south of San
Francisco. The region  has a  stable economic base  which includes  agriculture,
transportation,  oil,  tourism  and manufacturing.  Prominent  corporations with
facilities in  the  area include  Raytheon  Company, Delco  Systems  Operations,
Chevron  USA, Santa Barbara  Research (a subsidiary  of the Hughes Corporation),
Applied Magnetics  Corp. and  Lockheed-Martin.  The area  is  also site  of  the
Vandenberg United States Air Force Base with approximately 8,400 military, civil
service  and civilian  employees. Currently, the  base is not  on the government
list of facilities to be closed, but there can be no assurance that such  status
will  not change  in the future.  Additionally, the University  of California at
Santa Barbara and California Polytechnic  University, with an aggregate  student
population of approximately 34,000, are located within this DMA.
 
     Station  History and  Characteristics. KCOY-TV  was originally  licensed in
1964 to serve Santa  Maria, California. The  Santa Barbara -  Santa Maria -  San
Luis  Obispo market  is ranked  115th in  the United  States, with approximately
211,000 television households  and a population  of approximately 564,000.  This
market  has  a cable  penetration rate  of  85.7%. KCOY-TV  is broadcast  on VHF
channel 12 and is a CBS affiliate. There are three other commercial stations  in
this  market, ABC  and NBC  affiliates which  broadcast on  VHF channels  and an
independent station which broadcasts on a UHF
 
                                       73
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
channel. Until recently, KCOY-TV was negatively impacted by the cable television
retransmission in Santa Barbara  of KCBS, Los  Angeles, California. However,  in
September  1995, KCOY-TV was granted non-duplication protection against KCBS and
is now  the only  CBS affiliate  whose  programming is  available on  the  Santa
Barbara cable system.
 
     Station Performance. According to the 1995 Nielsen ratings reports, KCOY-TV
was  ranked number  three in  its market  with a  3 rating  and an  11% share of
households viewing television  compared to  a 5  rating and  17% share  and a  3
rating and 12% share for the numbers one and two stations, respectively. KCOY-TV
currently  is the number two  ranked news station in  this market and broadcasts
two hours of local news programming each weekday. KCOY-TV's special  value-added
local  sales  efforts  in 1995  included  a  12-month sponsorship  of  the close
captioning of newscasts,  a three-week series  entitled 'Child Lure'  concerning
protecting  children  from abduction,  a  series of  vignettes  entitled 'Health
Minutes' providing  important  health  information,  publication  of  the  'KCOY
Weather  Almanac'  and the  production of  a Friday  night high  school football
program called  'High School  Game  Day.' KCOY-TV's  first run  and  off-network
syndicated  programming includes 'The Maury  Povich Show,' 'Montel Williams' and
'Golden Girls.'
 
     The following table sets forth certain historical data with respect to  the
television  advertising revenues  and station rank  and audience  share data for
KCOY-TV:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                    ---------------------------
                                                                                     1993      1994      1995
                                                                                    ------    ------    -------
 
<S>                                                                                 <C>       <C>       <C>
Net revenue growth (decline) over prior year.....................................   (6.9%)    21.0%     (16.2%)
Broadcast cash flow margin.......................................................   13.1%     22.8%      18.1%
Station audience share...........................................................   13        15         11
Station rank in market...........................................................    3         2          3
</TABLE>
 
WIBW-TV (CBS) TOPEKA, KANSAS
 
     Market Description. The Topeka DMA consists of 14 counties in  northeastern
Kansas.  Topeka, the capital of Kansas, is located near the geographic center of
the United States, approximately 60 miles west of Kansas City, Missouri and  120
miles  south  of  Omaha,  Nebraska.  This  area's  diversified  economy includes
concentrations in the agriculture,  manufacturing and service industries.  Major
employers  in  this  market  include Goodyear  Tire  &  Rubber  Company, Payless
ShoeSource, Jostons Printing  and Publishing, Hallmark  Cards, Inc.,  Frito-Lay,
Inc.,  Burlington Northern Santa  Fe Railway, Blue  Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas,
Stormont-Vail Regional  Medical  Center and  Menninger  Hospital and  School  of
Psychiatric  Medicine. The region is also home to several universities including
the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Washburn University of Topeka
and Emporia State University, with an aggregate student population in excess  of
60,000.
 
     Station  History and  Characteristics. WIBW-TV  was originally  licensed in
1953 to serve Topeka, Kansas.  The Topeka market is  ranked 140th in the  United
States  with  approximately 154,000  television households  and a  population of
384,000. This market has a cable penetration rate of 73.1%. WIBW-TV is broadcast
on VHF channel 13 and is a  CBS affiliate. The other two commercial stations  in
the  market,  affiliates of  ABC and  NBC,  are broadcast  on UHF  channels with
smaller broadcast coverage than WIBW-TV.
 
     Station Performance. According to the 1995 Nielsen ratings reports, WIBW-TV
was ranked  number  one in  its  market with  a  6 rating  and  a 23%  share  of
households  viewing television. WIBW-TV currently is  the number one ranked news
station in this market  and broadcasts two  hours and 50  minutes of local  news
programming  each weekday. WIBW-TV's special  value-added local sales efforts in
1995 included the  sale of  a trip  incentive package,  a long-term  educational
program  entitled  'Baby  Your  Baby' concerning  prenatal  care  which included
vignettes, a live call-in program and a community charity baby shower, a  weekly
segment and annual live call-in program on general health issues called 'To Your
Health,'  a high  school player  of the  week award  and the  sponsorship of the
'Bridal Fair,' 'Health & Fitness Expo'  and 'Women's Show.' WIBW-TV's first  run
syndicated  programming includes 'Wheel of Fortune,' 'Montel Williams' and 'Star
Trek: Deep Space 9.'
 
                                       74
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     The following table sets forth certain historical data with respect to  the
television  advertising revenues  and station rank  and audience  share data for
WIBW-TV:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                     --------------------------
                                                                                      1993      1994      1995
                                                                                     ------    ------    ------
<S>                                                                                  <C>       <C>       <C>
Net revenue growth (decline) over prior year......................................    6.2%     13.4%     (9.4%)
Broadcast cash flow margin........................................................   30.7%     39.5%     31.7%
Station audience share............................................................   28        28        23
Station rank in market............................................................    1         1         1
</TABLE>
 
KMIZ(TV) (ABC) COLUMBIA AND JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI
 
     Market Description. The Columbia-Jefferson City DMA consists of 13 counties
in central Missouri. Columbia and Jefferson City, approximately 30 miles  apart,
are situated in the center of Missouri within 130 miles of Kansas City, Missouri
to  the west and  St. Louis, Missouri  to the east.  The Columbia-Jefferson City
economy is  based primarily  on education,  health, insurance  and  agriculture.
Additionally,  Jefferson  City is  the capital  of Missouri  adding governmental
employment to the economic  base of the  area that has  been called a  recession
resistant   community  due  to  its  diversity  and  stable  economy.  Prominent
corporations with facilities  in this  market include  Toastmaster, Inc.,  State
Farm  Insurance Companies, Shelter Insurance Companies, Quaker Oats, Oscar Mayer
Foods Corporation,  Scholastic Books,  ABB  Power T&D  Company and  A.B.  Chance
Company. The area is also home to the University of Missouri, with approximately
24,000  students and 13,000 employees. In addition, the Fort Leonard Wood United
States Army Base and the Whitman United States Air Force Base are located within
this market.  Currently, these  locations  are not  on  the government  list  of
facilities to be closed, but there can be no assurance that such status will not
change in the future.
 
     Station  History and  Characteristics. KMIZ(TV) was  originally licensed in
1971 to serve the Columbia-Jefferson City, Missouri area. The Columbia-Jefferson
City market is  ranked 146th in  the United States,  with approximately  140,000
television households and a population of approximately 356,000. This market has
a  cable penetration rate of 59.7%. KMIZ(TV)  is broadcast on UHF channel 17 and
is an ABC affiliate. The two other commercial stations in the market, affiliates
of CBS and NBC, are broadcast on VHF channels.
 
     Station  Performance.  According  to  the  1995  Nielsen  ratings  reports,
KMIZ(TV)  was ranked number three in its market  with a 4 rating and a 13% share
of households viewing television.  KMIZ(TV) currently is  the number three  news
station  in this  market and broadcasts  one hour  and 30 minutes  of local news
programming each weekday. KMIZ(TV)'s special value-added local sales efforts  in
1995 included the sponsorship and live broadcast of the 'Fire in the Sky' Fourth
of  July fireworks  celebration, a year-long  series of  vignettes promoting the
efforts of  local  not-for-profit  organizations  entitled  'Leadership  in  Mid
Missouri,' production of live call-in programs on local college and professional
sports  called 'Sports Line'  and production of  a special program  on asthma in
conjunction with  the  American  Lung  Association.  KMIZ(TV)'s  first  run  and
off-network  syndicated  programming includes  'Live with  Regis &  Kathie Lee,'
'Home Improvement,' 'Seinfeld' and 'Married . . . With Children.'
 
     The following table sets forth certain historical data with respect to  the
television  advertising revenues  and station rank  and audience  share data for
KMIZ(TV):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                     --------------------------
                                                                                      1993      1994      1995
                                                                                     ------    ------    ------
<S>                                                                                  <C>       <C>       <C>
Net revenue growth over prior year................................................    4.4%     15.2%     17.1%
Broadcast cash flow margin........................................................   17.3%     24.5%     24.2%
Station audience share............................................................   12        12        13
Station rank in market............................................................    3         3         3
</TABLE>
 
KGWC-TV (CBS) CASPER, WYOMING
KGWL-TV (CBS) LANDER, WYOMING
KGWR-TV (CBS) ROCK SPRINGS, WYOMING
 
     Market Description. The  Casper-Riverton DMA  consists of  six counties  in
central  Wyoming.  Casper  is  located  approximately  290  miles  southeast  of
Billings, Montana and 275 miles north  of Denver, Colorado. The Casper  economy,
historically centered on oil and agriculture, has recently
 
                                       75
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
diversified  with the growth of its service  sector. Major employers in the area
include the Wyoming Medical  Center, Wotco, Inc, Conoco,  True Oil &  Affiliates
and Rissler McMurry. Casper is also home to Casper College and the University of
Wyoming-Casper, with an aggregate student population of approximately 4,500.
 
     In  order  to  properly  serve  the vast  geographic  area  covered  by the
Casper-Riverton DMA, KGWC-TV operates two satellite television stations, KGWL-TV
in Lander, Wyoming and  KGWR-TV in Rock Springs,  Wyoming. Lander is located  in
Freemont  County approximately 120 miles west of Casper. Rock Springs is located
in Sweetwater County approximately 165 miles southwest of Casper. The  satellite
stations  serve  sparsely  populated rural  areas  which lack  the  resources to
support full-service broadcast operations unrelated to the parent Station's more
populous communities.
 
     Station History and Characteristics.  KGWC-TV, originally licensed in  1980
to  serve Casper, Wyoming, also serves Lander, Wyoming through satellite station
KGWL-TV and  Rock  Springs,  Wyoming  through  satellite  station  KGWR-TV.  The
Casper-Riverton  market is ranked 192nd in the United States, with approximately
50,000 television households  and a  population of  approximately 125,000.  This
market  has  a cable  penetration rate  of  68.9%. KGWC-TV  is broadcast  on UHF
channel 14 and  is a CBS  affiliate. KGWL-TV,  broadcast on VHF  channel 5,  and
KGWR-TV,  broadcast on  VHF channel 13,  are operated as  S-1 satellite stations
receiving all of their programming from KGWC-TV. KGWC-TV competes with two other
commercial stations in this market, an  NBC affiliate which broadcasts on a  VHF
channel and an ABC/Fox affiliate which broadcasts on a UHF channel.
 
     Station Performance. According to the 1995 Nielsen ratings reports, KGWC-TV
was  ranked  number two  in  its market  with  a 3  rating  and a  12%  share of
households viewing television. KGWC-TV currently is tied for the number two news
ranking in this market and  broadcasts one hour and  five minutes of local  news
programming  each weekday. KGWC-TV's special  value-added local sales efforts in
1995 included  special coverage  of the  Powder River  Rodeo Association  Season
Finale  Rodeo (the  last stop  on the  National Finals  Rodeo circuit) including
interviews, news  segments  and a  'Cutest  Little Cowboy  &  Cowgirl'  contest,
sponsorship  of the local  and state-wide 'Catch a  Rising Star' talent contest,
sponsorship of  the Classicfest,  Karaoke Fest  and  Slam Fest,  all part  of  a
special  summer festival  culminating with a  Fourth of July  celebration, and a
daily community events program entitled  'Wyoming Wake Up.' KGWC-TV's first  run
syndicated  programming includes 'Live  with Regis &  Kathie Lee,' 'Ricki Lake,'
'Jenny Jones' and 'Hard Copy.'
 
     The following table sets forth certain historical data with respect to  the
television  advertising revenues  and station rank  and audience  share data for
KGWC-TV (including its satellite stations):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                   ----------------------------
                                                                                    1993       1994      1995
                                                                                   -------    ------    -------
<S>                                                                                <C>        <C>       <C>
Net revenue growth (decline) over prior year....................................   (12.5%)     2.9%     (27.0%)
Broadcast cash flow margin......................................................    (7.7%)     9.0%     (15.0%)
Station audience share..........................................................    16        11         12
Station rank in market..........................................................     2         3          2
</TABLE>
 
KGWN-TV (CBS) CHEYENNE, WYOMING
KSTF-TV (CBS) SCOTTSBLUFF, NEBRASKA
KTVS-TV (CBS) STERLING, COLORADO
 
     Market Description. The Cheyenne-Scottsbluff-Sterling  DMA consists of  the
three  counties,  two  in  southeastern Wyoming  and  one  in  western Nebraska.
Cheyenne, the state capital of Wyoming, is located approximately 100 miles north
of Denver, Colorado. The Cheyenne economy is supported primarily by  government,
transportation, tourism, services and light manufacturing. Significant employers
in  the area  include Union Pacific  Railroad, United  Medical Center, Veteran's
Administration Hospital, Safecard  and Frontier Oil  Refinery. Cheyenne is  also
home  to the F. E. Warren United States  Air Force Base, which employs more than
4,000 people in military and civilian capacities. Currently, the base is not  on
the  government list of facilities  to be closed, but  there can be no assurance
that such status will not change in the future.
 
     In order to properly  serve the Cheyenne-Scottsbluff-Sterling DMA,  KGWN-TV
operates two satellite television stations, KSTF-TV in Scottsbluff, Nebraska and
KTVS-TV  in Sterling, Colorado.  Scottsbluff is located  in Scotts Bluff County,
Nebraska approximately 100 miles northeast of Cheyenne.
 
                                       76
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Sterling is located in Logan County, Colorado approximately 100 miles  southeast
of  Cheyenne. The satellite stations serve  sparsely populated rural areas which
lack the resources to support full-service broadcast operations unrelated to the
parent Station's more populous communities.
 
     Station History and Characteristics.  KGWN-TV, originally licensed in  1954
to  serve Cheyenne, Wyoming, also serves Scottsbluff, Nebraska through satellite
station KSTF-TV and Sterling, Colorado through satellite station KTVS-TV.  Since
first  going on the  air, KGWN-TV has been  the only home  market station in the
city of Cheyenne and Laramie County. The Cheyenne-Scottsbluff-Sterling market is
ranked  193rd  in  the  United  States  with  approximately  50,000   television
households  and a population  of approximately 123,000. This  market has a cable
penetration rate of 73.0%. KGWN-TV  is broadcast on VHF channel  5 and is a  CBS
affiliate.  KSTF-TV, broadcast on VHF channel  10, and KTVS-TV, broadcast on VHF
channel 3, are  operated as S-2  satellites receiving a  substantial portion  of
their  programming from KGWN-TV. However, as S-2 satellites, KSTF-TV and KTVS-TV
broadcast some self-produced local programming which is not provided by KGWN-TV.
KGWN-TV competes with two  other commercial stations in  the Cheyenne market,  a
satellite  station of an  ABC affiliate in Casper,  Wyoming which broadcasts Fox
programming in Cheyenne, and  a satellite station of  an NBC affiliate, both  of
which  satellite stations broadcast  on UHF channels.  KSTF-TV competes with one
other commercial station in  the Scottsbluff market, a  satellite station of  an
ABC affiliate which broadcasts on a VHF channel. KTVS-TV competes to some extent
with several stations broadcasting from Denver, Colorado.
 
     Station Performance. According to the 1995 Nielsen ratings reports, KGWN-TV
was  ranked  number one  in  its market  with  a 5  rating  and a  20%  share of
households viewing television. KGWN-TV currently is the number one news  station
in  this market and broadcasts one hour and 10 minutes of local news programming
each weekday. KGWN-TV's special value-added local sales efforts in 1995 included
live and  promotional  coverage of  Cheyenne  Frontier Days,  a  10-day  western
celebration  featuring the world's  largest outdoor rodeo,  live and promotional
coverage of  the Laramie  County Small  Business Showcase,  a daily  five-minute
program highlighting local not-for-profit organizations and community activities
entitled  '5 In  The Morning' and  the live broadcast  of the 'Fire  in the Sky'
Fourth of July celebration. KGWN-TV's first run syndicated programming  includes
'Live with Regis & Kathie Lee,' 'Ricki Lake' and 'Jenny Jones.'
 
     KSTF-TV  has  the  largest  television  production  facilities  in  western
Nebraska and broadcasts 12  local newscasts each week.  KSTF-TV also produced  a
variety of local specials in 1995 including the annual 'Crimestoppers Telethon,'
as well as extensive news coverage of such activities as the 'Oregon Trail Days'
and other local events.
 
     KTVS-TV  produces the only local news program in the Sterling area. KTVS-TV
broadcasts  12  local   newscasts  each  week.   KTVS-TV  also  broadcasts   two
self-produced  weekly programs,  'Government in Action,'  focusing on government
and politics, and 'Plains Talk,' focusing on public service.
 
     The following table sets forth certain historical data with respect to  the
television  advertising revenues  and station rank  and audience  share data for
KGWN-TV (including its satellite stations):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                    ---------------------------
                                                                                     1993      1994      1995
                                                                                    ------    ------    -------
<S>                                                                                 <C>       <C>       <C>
Net revenue growth (decline) over prior year.....................................   (7.7%)    12.1%     (12.6%)
Broadcast cash flow margin.......................................................   19.6%     30.3%      22.4%
Station audience share...........................................................   24        22         20
Station rank in market...........................................................    1         1          1
</TABLE>
 
                                       77


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
  BRISSETTE STATIONS
 
WMTV(TV) (NBC) MADISON, WISCONSIN
 
     Market Description. The Madison DMA consists of 11 counties in southwestern
Wisconsin. Recent growth in the area has increased the population in the Madison
DMA,  moving it from the 93rd largest market  in 1991 to the 83rd largest market
in 1995.  Madison,  the Wisconsin  state  capital, is  located  in  southcentral
Wisconsin,  150 miles north of Chicago, Illinois and 75 miles west of Milwaukee,
Wisconsin.  The  Madison  economy  is  a  diverse  and  stable  balance  of  the
industrial,   governmental  and  service   sectors.  Additionally,  agricultural
production of corn, alfalfa, tobacco, oats,  eggs, cattle, hogs and, of  course,
dairy  products  have  greatly contributed  to  further stability  in  the local
economy. Many of the country's  leading insurance companies, including  American
Family  Mutual Insurance Group, CUNA Mutual Insurance Group and General Casualty
have facilities in Madison. Other prominent corporations with facilities in  the
area  include General Motors  Corporation, Meriter Health  Services, Oscar Mayer
Foods Corporation, Famous Footwear, Lands' End and Rayovac Corporation.  Madison
is also home to the University of Wisconsin, with approximately 40,000 students.
 
     Station  History and  Characteristics. WMTV(TV) was  originally licensed in
1953 to  serve Madison,  Wisconsin. The  Madison market  is ranked  83rd in  the
United States, with approximately 308,000 television households and a population
of  approximately 775,000.  This market has  a cable penetration  rate of 61.5%.
WMTV(TV) is broadcast on UHF channel 15 and is an NBC affiliate. There are three
other commercial television stations in the  Madison DMA, a CBS affiliate  which
broadcasts  on a VHF channel  and ABC and Fox  affiliates which broadcast on UHF
channels.
 
     Station  Performance.  According  to  the  1995  Nielsen  ratings  reports,
WMTV(TV) was tied for the number two ranking in its market with a 4 rating and a
14%  share of  households viewing television.  WMTV(TV) currently  is the number
three ranked news station in this market and broadcasts two hours and 19 minutes
of local news  programming each  weekday. WMTV(TV)'s  special value-added  local
sales  efforts in 1995 included a weekly series of educational programs entitled
'Honor Roll,'  the publication  of five  issues of  a newspaper  entitled  'Kids
Matter'  distributed to approximately 27,000 grade school students featuring art
and literary works  of local  students, quarterly  sponsorship of  six web  page
segments  covering the Station's history, news, weather, sports, programming and
personality profiles, the sale  of trip incentive  packages, a season-long  high
school  football series entitled 'Game Day'  and local coverage of University of
Wisconsin and other Big Ten conference basketball and football games. WMTV(TV)'s
first run  syndicated programming  includes 'Wheel  of Fortune'  and 'Live  with
Regis & Kathie Lee.'
 
     The  following table sets forth certain historical data with respect to the
television advertising revenues  and station  rank and audience  share data  for
WMTV(TV):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------------------------------------
                                                               1991       1992      1993      1994      1995
                                                              -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
 
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net revenue growth (decline) over prior year...............    (9.3%)     7.1%     (3.8%)    10.4%      9.9%
Broadcast cash flow margin.................................    51.8%     49.3%     50.2%     51.3%     50.6%
Station audience share.....................................    14        15        13        13        14
Station rank in market.....................................     3         3         3         3         2
</TABLE>
 
WWLP(TV) (NBC) SPRINGFIELD AND HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS
 
     Market  Description. The Springfield-Holyoke DMA consists of three counties
in  midwestern   Massachusetts  running   north  to   south  between   the   New
Hampshire/Vermont  and Connecticut state borders.  Springfield is located in the
Pioneer Valley, approximately  25 miles  north of Hartford,  Connecticut and  85
miles  east of Boston, Massachusetts. The  Springfield economy has a diversified
industrial base.  The  area's  most prominent  employers  include  Massachusetts
Mutual  Life Insurance Company, Milton Bradley, Inc., Monsanto Company, Friendly
Ice Cream Corporation,  Spalding Sports Worldwide,  Stanhome, Inc. and  Baystate
Medical  Center.  Many universities  and colleges  are  located in  this region,
including, the  University  of  Massachusetts,  with  a  student  population  of
approximately
 
                                       78
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
23,000, Amherst College, Smith College and Mount Holyoke College. Springfield is
also the home of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
 
     Station  History and  Characteristics. WWLP(TV) was  originally licensed in
1953 to serve  the greater  Springfield area. Springfield-Holyoke  is the  102nd
largest  market  in the  United  States, with  approximately  242,000 television
households and a population  of approximately 613,000. This  market has a  cable
penetration rate of 81.8%. WWLP(TV) is broadcast on UHF channel 22 and is an NBC
affiliate. The only other commercial television station in this market is an ABC
affiliate  which also broadcasts on a UHF channel. WWLP(TV) also competes with a
CBS affiliate on a VHF channel and, to a lesser extent, a Fox affiliate on a UHF
channel both of which are broadcast from Hartford, Connecticut.
 
     Station  Performance.  According  to  the  1995  Nielsen  ratings  reports,
WWLP(TV)  was ranked number one in its market  with an 7 rating and 21% share of
households viewing television. WWLP(TV) is the number one ranked news station in
this market and  currently broadcasts four  hours and 32  minutes of local  news
programming  each weekday. WWLP(TV)'s special value-added local sales efforts in
1995 included  'As Schools  Match Wits,'  the nation's  longest running  locally
produced  quiz show in which area high school students compete academically, and
a home showcase by a local real estate agency providing viewers the  opportunity
to shop for homes and real estate on television. WWLP(TV)'s first run syndicated
programming  includes  'Wheel of  Fortune,' 'Jeopardy'  and  'Live with  Regis &
Kathie Lee.'
 
     The following table sets forth certain historical data with respect to  the
television  advertising revenues  and station rank  and audience  share data for
WWLP(TV):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------------------------------------
                                                               1991       1992      1993      1994      1995
                                                              -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
 
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net revenue growth (decline) over prior year...............   (19.8%)    14.2%     (0.3%)    15.9%      6.0%
Broadcast cash flow margin.................................    50.2%     52.3%     50.1%     53.6%     52.3%
Station audience share.....................................    21        21        19        21        21
Station rank in market.....................................     1         1         1         1         1
</TABLE>
 
WILX-TV (NBC) LANSING, MICHIGAN
 
     Market  Description.  The  Lansing  DMA   consists  of  five  counties   in
southcentral  Michigan. Lansing is the state  capital of Michigan and is located
approximately 75 miles west  of Detroit, Michigan.  The Lansing economy,  though
recently  diversified,  is  still  a  stronghold  of  the  automotive  industry.
Prominent employers in the area  include General Motors Corporation  (Oldsmobile
Worldwide  Headquarters), Meijer, Inc., Michigan Capital Healthcare and Michigan
National Bank.  Additionally, there  are many  smaller companies,  employing  in
excess  of 3,000 people, that  provide auto parts to  General Motors. Lansing is
also home to the largest university in Michigan, Michigan State University, with
more than 40,000 students and 12,000 faculty and staff.
 
     Station History  and Characteristics.  WILX-TV was  originally licensed  in
1957  to Onondaga, Michigan.  The Lansing market  is ranked 106th  in the United
States, with approximately  229,000 television  households and  a population  of
approximately  589,000.  This  market has  a  cable penetration  rate  of 65.1%.
WILX-TV is broadcast on VHF channel 10 and is an NBC affiliate. WILX-TV competes
with three other commercial stations in this market, a CBS affiliate which  also
broadcasts  on a VHF channel  and ABC and Fox  affiliates which broadcast on UHF
channels.
 
     Station Performance. According to the 1995 Nielsen ratings reports, WILX-TV
was ranked second in its  market with a 4 rating  and a 15% share of  households
viewing  television. WILX-TV is currently the  number two ranked news station in
this market and  broadcasts one hour  and 27 minutes  of local news  programming
each weekday. WILX-TV's special value-added local sales efforts in 1995 included
the  production of a series  of live call-in programs  entitled 'Ask the Mayor,'
production of the local broadcast of the Children's Miracle Network Telethon,  a
season-long  educational program  entitled 'Weatherschool'  and a 'Weatherline,'
which viewers can call for up-to-the-minute weather information. WILX-TV's first
run and off-network syndicated programming includes 'Seinfeld,' 'Live with Regis
& Kathie Lee,' 'Married . . . With Children' and 'Cheers.'
 
                                       79
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     The following table sets forth certain historical data with respect to  the
television  advertising revenues  and station rank  and audience  share data for
WILX-TV:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                            -------------------------------------------------
                                                             1991       1992      1993       1994       1995
                                                            -------    ------    -------    -------    ------
 
<S>                                                         <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>
Net revenue growth (decline) over prior year.............   (17.4%)     1.1%     (10.0%)      9.8%      9.2%
Broadcast cash flow margin...............................    54.6%     55.3%      47.7%      48.2%     48.7%
Station audience share...................................    19        18         17         14        15
Station rank in market...................................     2         2          2          2         2
</TABLE>
 
WHOI(TV) (ABC) PEORIA AND BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS
 
     Market Description.  The Peoria-Bloomington  DMA  consists of  10  counties
located in central Illinois. Peoria is located approximately 150 miles southwest
of  Chicago, Illinois  and 170  miles north  of St.  Louis, Missouri.  The major
economic sectors in the area include agriculture, manufacturing and  information
technology.  Prominent employers in the greater Peoria area include Caterpillar,
Inc., State Farm Insurance,  Saint Francis Medical  Center, Diamond Star  Motors
and  Methodist  Medical  Center.  This  area  is  also  home  to  Illinois State
University, with approximately 18,000 students  and 3,100 employees, as well  as
Bradley University and the University of Illinois School of Medicine.
 
     Station  History and  Characteristics. WHOI(TV) was  originally licensed in
1953 to serve Peoria, Illinois. The Peoria-Bloomington market is ranked 109th in
the United  States,  with  approximately 225,000  television  households  and  a
population of approximately 562,000. This market has a cable penetration rate of
73.1%.  WHOI(TV) is broadcast on  UHF channel 19 and  is an ABC affiliate. There
are three other commercial stations in  this market, affiliates of CBS, NBC  and
Fox. All of these competitor stations are also broadcast on UHF channels.
 
     Station  Performance.  According  to  the  1995  Nielsen  ratings  reports,
WHOI(TV) was ranked number three in its market  with a 5 rating and a 16%  share
of households viewing television as compared to a 6 rating and 22% share and a 5
rating  and 18% share for  the numbers one and  two stations, respectively. As a
result of this relatively even market share distribution, WHOI(TV) maintains its
ability to sell advertising time at competitive rates. WHOI(TV) currently is the
number three ranked news station in this  market and broadcasts two hours and  5
minutes  of local news programming  each weekday. WHOI(TV)'s special value-added
local sales efforts in 1995 included the sale and production of live  broadcasts
of  commercials from remote locations,  local advertiser sponsorship of features
such as 'Athlete of the Week,' 'Person  of the Week' and 'Stock Quotes' as  well
as  sponsorship  of  the close  captioning  of newscasts,  an  eight-week series
entitled 'Best in the Class' saluting the top high school graduates in the  area
and a twice-weekly report entitled 'Health Segment' reporting the latest changes
in   health  care  issues.  WHOI(TV)'s  first  run  and  off-network  syndicated
programming includes  'Live  with  Regis  &  Kathie  Lee,'  'Home  Improvement,'
'Married . . . With Children' and 'Golden Girls.'
 
     The  following table sets forth certain historical data with respect to the
television advertising revenues  and station  rank and audience  share data  for
WHOI(TV):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------------------------------------
                                                               1991       1992      1993      1994      1995
                                                              -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
 
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net revenue growth (decline) over prior year...............   (18.7%)     5.8%     (7.8%)    12.3%      1.0%
Broadcast cash flow margin.................................    44.9%     45.3%     45.3%     48.9%     48.8%
Station audience share.....................................    22        20        18        17        16
Station rank in market.....................................     1         2         3         3         3
</TABLE>
 
WSAW-TV (CBS) WAUSAU AND RHINELANDER, WISCONSIN
 
     Market  Description. The Wausau-Rhinelander DMA  consists of 13 counties in
central Wisconsin bisected by  the Wisconsin River.  Wausau is approximately  90
miles west of Green Bay, Wisconsin and 180 miles east of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The  Wausau economy, historically based on  the timber industry, has diversified
into the farming, manufacturing  and service sectors. The  area continues to  be
one  of the nation's leading producers  of cheddar cheese and ginseng. Prominent
corporations with
 
                                       80
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
facilities in the greater Wausau area include Wausau Insurance Companies, Sentry
Insurance, Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork,  Inc., Weyerhauser Co., Consolidated  Papers,
Inc.,   Ore-Ida  Foods,   Inc.,  Marathon   Cheese  Corp.   and  Georgia-Pacific
Corporation. The area is also home to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens  Point
with  approximately  10,000 students  and  the University  of Wisconsin-Marathon
Center with a student population of approximately 1,300.
 
     Station History  and Characteristics.  WSAW-TV was  originally licensed  in
1954  to serve Wausau, Wisconsin. The  Wausau-Rhinelander market is ranked 131st
in the United  States, with  approximately 173,000 television  households and  a
population of approximately 447,000. This market has a cable penetration rate of
50.6%.  WSAW-TV is broadcast  on VHF channel  7 and is  a CBS affiliate. WSAW-TV
competes with  affiliates  of  ABC and  NBC  which  are also  broadcast  on  VHF
channels.
 
     Station Performance. According to the 1995 Nielsen ratings reports, WSAW-TV
was  ranked  number one  in  its market  with  a 7  rating  and a  26%  share of
households viewing television. WSAW-TV currently  is the number one ranked  news
station  in the  market and broadcasts  two hours  and 38 minutes  of local news
programming each weekday. WSAW-TV's special  value-added local sales efforts  in
1995  included a program co-produced with a local newspaper entitled 'Behind The
Headlines,' live remote broadcasts of 'News 7 at Noon' from the Marathon  County
Fair and the production and broadcast of a local fishing tips program. WSAW-TV's
first  run and  off-network syndicated programming  includes 'Live  with Regis &
Kathie Lee,' 'Home Improvement,' 'Full House' and 'Cheers.'
 
     The following table sets forth certain historical data with respect to  the
television  advertising revenues  and station rank  and audience  share data for
WSAW-TV:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------------------------------------
                                                               1991       1992      1993      1994      1995
                                                              -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
 
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net revenue growth (decline) over prior year...............    (6.5%)    11.6%     (0.4%)    14.5%      9.4%
Broadcast cash flow margin.................................    48.1%     54.0%     53.6%     54.5%     53.6%
Station audience share.....................................    31        31        30        30        26
Station rank in market.....................................     1         1         1         1         1
</TABLE>
 
WTRF-TV (CBS) WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA AND STEUBENVILLE, OHIO
 
     Market Description. The Wheeling-Steubenville DMA consists of 12  counties,
six  of which are in northwestern West Virginia  and six of which are in eastern
Ohio. Located in the Ohio Valley,  Wheeling and Steubenville are situated  along
opposite  sides  of the  Ohio River  approximately 25  miles apart.  Wheeling is
approximately 55 miles southwest  of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and  approximately
120  miles east  of Columbus,  Ohio. The  area's economy,  historically based on
heavy manufacturing,  has  diversified  into  the  manufacturing,  services  and
advanced  technology  sectors. Prominent  corporations  with facilities  in this
region include Wheeling  Pittsburgh Steel Corporation,  TIMET, Miles, Inc.,  PPG
Industries and Consolidation Coal Company. Wheeling is also home to the National
Technology  Transfer  Center,  an  independent  organization  formed  to provide
private business and industry with a central access point for the knowledge  and
data gathered by the Federal government's 100,000 research professionals.
 
     Station  History and  Characteristics. WTRF-TV  was originally  licensed in
1953 to  serve the  Wheeling, West  Virginia market.  The  Wheeling-Steubenville
market  is  ranked  138th  in  the  United  States,  with  approximately 157,000
television households and a population of approximately 391,000. This market has
a cable penetration rate of 76.4%. WTRF-TV is broadcast on VHF channel 7 and  is
a  CBS affiliate. There is  one other commercial station  in this market, an NBC
affiliate also broadcast on a VHF channel.
 
     Station Performance. According to the 1995 Nielsen ratings reports, WTRF-TV
was ranked  number two  in its  market with  an 8  rating and  an 20%  share  of
households  viewing television compared  to a 7  rating and a  22% share for the
number one station  in the market.  WTRF-TV currently is  the number two  ranked
news  station in this market and broadcasts 57 minutes of local news programming
each weekday. WTRF-TV's special value-added local sales efforts in 1995 included
the sale  of a  trip incentive  package, production  of a  live call-in  program
entitled 'Health Fair Lifeline,' a weekly 30 minute
 
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<PAGE>
<PAGE>
educational  program entitled 'Good  News Network,' a  weekly high school sports
update program called 'WTRF Sports Blitz' and the live broadcast of the Wheeling
'Fantasy of  Lights Parade'  and related  festivities. WTRF-TV's  first run  and
off-network  syndicated  programming includes  'Live with  Regis &  Kathie Lee,'
'Home Improvement,' 'Married . . . With Children' and 'Roseanne.'
 
     The following table sets forth certain historical data with respect to  the
television  advertising revenues  and station rank  and audience  share data for
WTRF-TV:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------------------------------------
                                                               1991       1992      1993      1994      1995
                                                              -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
 
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net revenue growth (decline) over prior year...............    (8.0%)     2.0%     (6.0%)    10.9%      6.1%
Broadcast cash flow margin.................................    49.8%     50.8%     49.7%     48.2%     35.8%
Station audience share.....................................    26        24        24        24        20
Station rank in market.....................................     1         1         1         1         2
</TABLE>
 
KAUZ-TV (CBS) WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS AND LAWTON, OKLAHOMA
 
     Market Description. The Wichita Falls-Lawton  DMA consists of 18  counties,
12  of which  are in  northcentral Texas  and six  of which  are in southwestern
Oklahoma. Wichita Falls  is located in  the cross timbers  section of the  North
Central  Plains of Texas,  approximately 60 miles south  of Lawton, Oklahoma and
approximately 125  miles from  Dallas, Texas  and Oklahoma  City, Oklahoma.  The
Wichita  Falls-Lawton economy,  historically based on  agriculture, ranching and
petroleum, also includes the manufacturing, transportation, tourism and  service
industries.  Prominent  corporations with  facilities  in the  area  include the
Cryovac Division of W.R.  Grace & Co., the  Mechanics Tools Division of  Stanley
Works,  Levi Strauss & Company, PPG Industries and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. In
addition, in 1995 the Texas Department  of Criminal Justice ('TDCJ') opened  its
James V. Allred Unit in Wichita Falls adding approximately 875 jobs to the area.
The TDCJ has announced expansion plans for this Unit which is expected to create
an  additional 200  local jobs.  The area  is also  home to  the Sheppard United
States Air Force  Base which trains  over 20,000 military,  civilian and  allied
students,  annually.  Currently,  the base  is  not  on the  government  list of
facilities to be closed, but there can be no assurance that such status will not
change in the future.
 
     Station History  and Characteristics.  KAUZ-TV was  originally licensed  in
1953  to serve the Wichita Falls area. The Wichita Falls-Lawton market is ranked
139th in the United States, with approximately 155,000 television households and
a population of approximately 391,000. This market has a cable penetration  rate
of  68.8%. KAUZ-TV is broadcast on VHF channel 6 and is a CBS affiliate. KAUZ-TV
competes with  three other  commercial  stations in  this  market, ABC  and  NBC
affiliates  which broadcast on VHF channels and a Fox affiliate which broadcasts
on a UHF channel.
 
     Station Performance. According to the 1995 Nielsen ratings reports, KAUZ-TV
was ranked  number three  in its  market with  a 5  rating and  a 14%  share  of
households  viewing television as compared  to a 6 rating and  19% share and a 5
rating and 16% share for the numbers one and two stations, respectively. KAUZ-TV
currently is the number three ranked news station in this market and  broadcasts
two  hours  and 5  minutes  of local  news  programming each  weekday. KAUZ-TV's
special value-added  local sales  efforts in  1995 included  a program  entitled
'Youth  of the  Month' honoring outstanding  young people in  the community, the
production of a series entitled 'Texoma Farm and Ranch Report,' production of  a
week-long   series  to  educate  viewers   about  threatening  weather  entitled
'Surviving Spring's Fury,' a season-long  high school football program  entitled
'Friday  Night High  School Football  Update' and  a local  news insert entitled
'About the House'  providing helpful  hints to homeowners.  KAUZ-TV's first  run
syndicated  programming includes 'The  Oprah Winfrey Show,' 'Married  . . . With
Children' and 'COPS.' Beginning in 1996, KAUZ-TV will add 'Wheel of Fortune' and
'Jeopardy' to its syndicated programming line-up.
 
                                       82
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     The following table sets forth certain historical data with respect to  the
television  advertising revenues  and station rank  and audience  share data for
KAUZ-TV:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------------------------------------
                                                               1991       1992      1993      1994      1995
                                                              -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
 
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net revenue growth (decline) over prior year...............    (9.3%)     0.1%     (4.8%)    (0.6%)    (4.1%)
Broadcast cash flow margin.................................    30.8%     29.8%     28.8%     27.5%     21.7%
Station audience share.....................................    18        17        17        17        14
Station rank in market.....................................     2         2         2         3         3
</TABLE>
 
KOSA-TV (CBS) ODESSA AND MIDLAND, TEXAS
 
     Market Description. The Odessa-Midland DMA  consists of 20 counties, 19  of
which  are in southwestern Texas and one of which is in southeastern New Mexico.
Odessa, the largest city in the  Permian Basin, is approximately 275 miles  east
of  El  Paso, Texas  and 350  miles  west of  Dallas, Texas.  The Odessa-Midland
economy is historically based on the oil and gas industry. The area has recently
diversified into  the manufacturing  and industrial  services sectors,  although
ties  to the energy sector remain very  significant. Some of the major employers
in the area include Phillips Petroleum Company, Exxon Corporation, the Shell Oil
Co. Odessa  Refinery, EVI-Highland  Pump Company,  Rexene Corporation,  Ref-Chem
Corporation,  Texas Instruments Inc. and Medical Center Hospital. Odessa is also
home to the  University of  Texas of the  Permian Basin,  Texas Tech  University
Health  Sciences Center at Odessa and  Odessa College, with an aggregate student
enrollment of approximately 7,000.
 
     Station History  and Characteristics.  KOSA-TV was  originally licensed  in
1956  to serve Odessa, Texas.  The Odessa-Midland market is  ranked 149th in the
United States, with approximately 137,000 television households and a population
of approximately 375,000.  This market has  a cable penetration  rate of  73.5%.
KOSA-TV  is broadcast on VHF  channel 7 and is a  CBS affiliate. There are three
other commercial stations in the market, ABC and NBC affiliates which  broadcast
on VHF channels and a Fox affiliate which broadcasts on a UHF channel.
 
     Station Performance. According to the 1995 Nielsen ratings reports, KOSA-TV
was  tied for the  number two ranking  in its market  with a 4  rating and a 15%
share of households viewing television as compared  to a 5 rating and 17%  share
for  the number one station in  the market and a 5  rating and 15% share for the
other number two station  in the market. KOSA-TV  currently is the number  three
ranked  news station  in the market  and broadcasts  one hour and  21 minutes of
local news programming  each weekday. KOSA-TV's  special value-added local  sale
efforts  in  1995  included the  sale  of  a trip  incentive  package,  a weekly
student-athlete of the  week news  segment, production  of a  weekly program  of
Hispanic music videos and local human interest stories entitled 'Tiempo Tejano,'
special  advertising tie-in sweepstakes promotions  providing viewers the chance
to win trips to Disney  World, Las Vegas and a  taping of Late Night with  David
Letterman  in  New York  City. KOSA-TV's  first  run and  off-network syndicated
programming includes  'Live  With Regis  &  Kathie Lee,'  'Married  . .  .  With
Children' and 'Montel Williams.'
 
     The  following table sets forth certain historical data with respect to the
television advertising revenues  and station  rank and audience  share data  for
KOSA-TV:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------------------------------------
                                                               1991       1992      1993      1994      1995
                                                              -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
 
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net revenue growth (decline) over prior year...............   (13.6%)    (0.2%)     1.5%     11.9%     (9.0%)
Broadcast cash flow margin.................................    28.2%     34.9%     38.0%     38.1%     33.1%
Station audience share.....................................    20        18        17        18        15
Station rank in market.....................................     2         2         2         1         2
</TABLE>
 
COMPETITION
 
     The  principal methods  of competition  in television  broadcasting are the
development  of  audience  interest  through  programming  and  promotions   and
competition  in  rates  charged to  advertisers.  Broadcast  television stations
compete  for  advertising   revenues  with  other   broadcast  stations,   cable
 
                                       83
 

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<PAGE>
television  and all other advertising media  in their market areas and generally
do not  compete  with stations  in  other  markets. The  Company  has  generally
acquired  stations  in  markets  where  there  are  only  a  limited  number  of
over-the-air television stations  competing for local  viewership and for  local
advertising  revenues. In two  of its markets,  the Company owns  the only local
television station. In  four markets,  the Company owns  one of  only two  local
television  stations.  In seven  markets, the  Company owns  one of  three local
television stations.  In eight  markets,  the Company  owns  one of  four  local
television  stations. WTVY-TV  competes with  two other  stations in  the Dothan
market and with three other stations in the Panama City market.
 
     Audience. Stations compete for audience on the basis of program  popularity
which  has a direct  effect on advertising  rates. A significant  portion of the
Company's daily programming is supplied by the networks. In those time  periods,
the  Stations  are  totally  dependent upon  the  performance  of  the networks'
programs in attracting viewers. Non-network  time periods are programmed by  the
Stations  with local news  and syndicated programs  generally purchased for cash
and barter and, to a lesser  extent, barter-only. The Stations also air  sports,
public affairs and other entertainment programming.
 
     The  development of methods of television transmission of video programming
other than  over-the-air broadcasting,  and in  particular the  growth of  cable
television, has significantly altered competition for audience in the television
industry.  These  other  transmission  methods can  increase  competition  for a
broadcasting station by  bringing into its  market distant broadcasting  signals
not  otherwise available  to the  station's audience  and also  by serving  as a
distribution system  for  non-broadcast  programming distributed  by  the  cable
system.  As  the  technology  of satellite  program  delivery  to  cable systems
advanced in  the late  1970s, development  of programming  for cable  television
accelerated dramatically, resulting in the emergence of multiple, national-scale
program  alternatives and  the rapid  expansion of  cable television  and higher
subscriber growth  rates.  Historically,  cable operators  have  not  sought  to
compete with broadcast stations for a share of the local news audience.
 
     The  FCC has authorized several entities to construct and launch satellites
to deliver DBS to homes from satellites. Three DBS companies provide  nationwide
service  and MCI Communications  has acquired the  right to launch  a fourth DBS
satellite server in a  joint venture with  the parent of Fox.  The FCC has  also
adopted  rules  which  may  significantly  increase  the  number  of  multipoint
distribution service  stations  ('MDS')  (i.e.,  video  service  distributed  on
microwave frequencies which can only be received by special microwave antennae).
These  MDS  stations  have  launched  service  in  several  cities,  and several
telephone companies have also begun offering  MDS service. In addition, the  FCC
has  proposed to authorize a  28 GHz microwave cable  service that will have the
potential to provide up to 100 channels of video. The FCC is also licensing  low
power television stations which are television stations with coverage areas much
smaller than those served by full power conventional television stations.
 
     Current  technology  offers  several  different  methods  for  transmitting
television signals with greatly improved definition, color rendition, sound  and
wider  screen picture. Collectively, these improvements  are referred to as ATV,
with the  most  advanced  type  of transmission  system  being  high  definition
television.  Intensive research and  development efforts have  achieved forms of
ATV that can be transmitted by  existing terrestrial broadcasters in the  United
States.  A number of  such proposed systems  have been extensively  tested by an
industry test  center  under the  auspices  of an  Industry  Advisory  Committee
reporting  to  the FCC.  Following  such testing,  the  major proponents  of the
competing systems  agreed to  combine  their efforts  to  produce a  single  ATV
system, and these efforts resulted in technical standards that were submitted to
the  FCC in 1995,  and the FCC is  now accepting comments  on that standard. The
proposed standard will  involve the broadcast  of ATV on  a separate  television
channel  from that used for conventional  broadcasting and that channel may also
be used by  broadcasters for data  transmission and multi-channel  transmission.
The  FCC currently is determining  whether and how to  assign licenses to permit
television broadcasters to provide ATV services. The FCC has tentatively decided
to issue a second channel to each television broadcaster to permit it to provide
ATV during  a transition  period. At  the  end of  the transition  period,  each
broadcaster  would be required to  return to the FCC  one of these two channels.
This transition ultimately  will permit broadcasters  to provide higher  quality
services   to  their  viewers  and  may  permit  broadcasters  to  compete  more
effectively  with  other  digital  video  systems.  However,  constructing   and
operating a
 
                                       84
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
second  television channel will require a  substantial capital outlay for all of
the Stations. The  Company is unable  to predict the  effect that  technological
changes  will have on the broadcast television industry or the future results of
the Company's operations.
 
     In addition,  certain  leaders  in Congress  and  the  Administration  have
proposed  legislation that would require broadcasters  to (i) bid at auction for
ATV channels, potentially  against other non-broadcast  applicants, (ii)  return
their  analog channels on an expedited basis  by 2005 to permit the old channels
to be reauctioned to  new licensees and/or (iii)  pay a fee for  the use of  the
second  channel, starting either immediately or  after 2005. These proposals, if
enacted, could  affect  the Company.  First,  auctions for  ATV  channels  could
substantially  increase the  Company's up-front costs  of converting  to ATV and
would raise the  possibility that  the Company  could be  subject to  additional
competition in its markets if it, or another licensee, is out-bid by a newcomer.
Second,  an expedited transition period could  require the Company to end analog
transmission before all its viewers  (particularly those in the smaller  markets
which the Company serves) have purchased ATV-compatible reception equipment. See
'Risk   Factors  --   Competition  Within  the   Television  Industry;  Advanced
Television.'
 
     Programming. Competition for programming involves negotiating with national
program distributors or syndicators which sell  first run and rerun packages  of
programming. The Stations compete against local broadcast stations for exclusive
access  to  first run  product  (such as  'The  Oprah Winfrey  Show,'  'Wheel of
Fortune' and 'Jeopardy') and for off-network reruns (such as 'Home Improvement,'
'Seinfeld' and 'Roseanne') in their respective markets. Cable systems  generally
do  not compete with  local stations for  programming, although various national
cable networks have acquired programs that would have otherwise been offered  to
local  television stations. Competition  also occurs for  exclusive news stories
and features.
 
     Advertising. The  Stations  compete  for advertising  revenues  with  other
television  stations  in  their  respective  markets,  as  well  as  with  other
advertising media, such  as newspapers, radio,  magazines, outdoor  advertising,
transit  advertising,  yellow  page  directories, direct  mail  and  local cable
systems. Competition for advertising  expenditures in the broadcasting  industry
occurs  primarily  in  individual  markets.  Generally,  television broadcasting
stations in one market do not compete with stations in other market areas.
 
     Management cannot predict the exact nature of the competition it will  face
in  any market since  competing stations may  change owners, affiliations and/or
programming focus at any time. The Company cannot predict the effect the changes
in legislation or technology, discussed herein, will have on its operations.  In
certain  markets,  construction permits  for new  stations have  been or  may be
granted.
 
FEDERAL REGULATION OF TELEVISION BROADCASTING
 
     Existing Regulation. Television broadcasting is subject to the jurisdiction
of the FCC, pursuant to the Communications Act. The Communications Act prohibits
the operation of television broadcasting stations except under a license  issued
by  the FCC and empowers the FCC to issue, renew, revoke and modify broadcasting
licenses, regulate  the frequency  and operating  power of  stations,  determine
station  location,  regulate the  equipment used  by  stations, adopt  rules and
regulations to carry out the provisions of the Communications Act and to  impose
certain  penalties for violation  of the Communications  Act. The Communications
Act prohibits  the assignment  of a  license or  the transfer  of control  of  a
licensee without prior approval of the FCC.
 
     License  Grant and  Renewal. Television  broadcasting licenses  are usually
granted or renewed for the  maximum allowable term of  five years which will  be
expanded to eight years under recently enacted legislation. The FCC may revoke a
license  or renew a license for a period shorter than the maximum allowable term
if the FCC  finds that the  licensee has  committed a serious  violation of  FCC
rules,  has committed other  violations which taken  together would constitute a
pattern of abuse, or has otherwise failed  to serve the public interest. At  the
time  the application is  made for renewal  of a television  license, parties in
interest may file petitions to deny renewal, and such parties as well as members
of the public may comment upon the  service the station has provided during  the
preceding license term and urge
 
                                       85
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
denial  of the application. Additionally, if an incumbent licensee fails to meet
the renewal  standard,  and  if  if  does  not  show  other  mitigating  factors
warranting a lesser sanction, the FCC then has the authority to deny the renewal
application and consider a competing application.
 
     In  the vast majority of  cases, broadcast licenses are  renewed by the FCC
even when  petitions  to  deny  are  filed  against  broadcast  license  renewal
applications.  All  of  the  Stations are  presently  operating  under five-year
licenses expiring  on  various dates  from  1996 to  1999.  Currently,  WTAP-TV,
Parkersburg,  West  Virginia,  WHSV-TV,  Harrisonburg,  Virginia,  and  WTRF-TV,
Wheeling, West Virginia  and Steubenville, Ohio,  have pending applications  for
license  renewal. The Company  is not aware  of any facts  or circumstances that
might prevent any of the Stations from having its current license renewed at the
end of  its respective  term or  which  might prevent  the license  renewal  for
WTAP-TV, WHSV-TV or WTRF-TV from being granted.
 
     The  Communications  Act  prohibits  the assignment  of  a  license  or the
transfer of control of a  license without prior approval  of the FCC. Under  the
Communications  Act, no license may be held  by a corporation of which more than
20% of the  capital stock is  owned of record,  voted or subject  to control  by
aliens,  and no  corporation may hold  the capital stock  of another corporation
holding broadcast licenses if more than 25% of the capital stock of such  parent
corporation  is owned of record,  voted or subject to  control by aliens, unless
specific FCC authorization is obtained.
 
     Multiple Ownership Restrictions. The FCC has promulgated a number of  rules
designed  to limit  the ability of  individuals and  entities to own  or have an
ownership interest above  a certain level  (an 'attributable interest,'  defined
more  fully below) in broadcast stations, as  well as other mass media entities.
These rules include  limits on  the number of  television stations  that may  be
owned  both on  a national  and a local  basis. On  a national  basis, FCC rules
generally limit any individual or  entity from having attributable interests  in
television stations with an aggregate audience reach exceeding 35% of all United
States households.
 
     The  FCC  also  limits  the common  ownership  of  broadcast  stations with
overlapping service  areas,  combined  local  ownership of  a  newspaper  and  a
broadcast  station and combined local ownership of a cable television system and
a broadcast television station. FCC rules  currently allow an entity to have  an
attributable  interest in only one television  station in a market. In approving
the Brissette acquisition, the FCC granted six-month waivers of that rule as  it
pertains  to the transmission signal overlap of (i) WIFR-TV, the Benedek Station
serving Rockford, Illinois, and WMTV(TV), the Brissette Station serving Madison,
Wisconsin; (ii) WYTV, the Benedek Station serving Youngstown, Ohio, and WTRF-TV,
the Brissette Station  serving Wheeling, West  Virginia and Steubenville,  Ohio;
and  (iii) WTAP-TV, the Benedek Station  serving Parkersburg, West Virginia, and
WTRF-TV. These waivers will permit the Company to hold the Stations in  question
for  a six-month period after  closing before divesting one  of the two Stations
that do not comply with the duopoly rule in each instance. The FCC has a pending
proceeding that may result in the  liberalization of the duopoly rule to  permit
the Company to continue to own all the Stations it currently owns as well as all
of  those it has  received FCC consent  to acquire. It  is currently anticipated
that the FCC  will propose revised  duopoly rules during  the fourth quarter  of
1996  with the  expectation that, after  considering public  comments, new rules
would become effective during the first half of 1997. As a result of the limited
waiver  provided  by  the  FCC,  the  Company  has  had  discussions  concerning
exchanging  or selling  Stations which would  eliminate the  duopoly overlap. No
agreement or understanding  currently exists with  respect to any  such sale  or
exchange.  If  necessary, the  Company intends  to request  an extension  of the
waiver period and believes the FCC will grant an extension of the waiver period,
although the duration thereof is uncertain.  There can be no assurance that  the
FCC  will act to liberalize the rule or that  it will do so in time to avoid the
Company's being required to  divest certain Stations in  order to eliminate  any
signal  overlap. See 'Risk Factors  -- Uncertainties Regarding License Renewals;
Possible  Need  to  Divest  Stations.'  Expansion  of  the  Company's  broadcast
operations in particular areas and nationwide will continue to be subject to the
FCC's ownership rules and any changes the FCC may adopt.
 
     Under  the FCC's  ownership rules, if  a purchaser of  the Company's common
stock acquires an  'attributable' interest in  the Company, a  violation of  FCC
regulations  could result  if that purchaser  owned or  acquired an attributable
interest in other media  properties in a manner  prohibited by the FCC's  rules.
All  officers and directors of a licensee, as well as stockholders who own 5% or
more of the
 
                                       86
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
outstanding voting stock  of a  licensee (either directly  or indirectly),  will
generally  be deemed to have an attributable interest. For certain institutional
investors who exert no control or  influence over a licensee, the bench-mark  is
10%  or more of  such outstanding voting stock  before attribution occurs. Under
FCC  regulations,  debt  instruments,  non-voting  stock  and  certain   limited
partnership  interests  and voting  stock held  by non-majority  stockholders in
cases in which there is a single majority stockholder are not generally  subject
to attribution. The Company currently has a single stockholder. In the event the
Company no longer had a single majority stockholder, minority interests would be
deemed  to  be attributable  interests. The  FCC has  initiated an  inquiry into
modifying several  of these  attribution  standards. It  is unlikely  that  this
inquiry  will be concluded before the end of 1996, and there can be no assurance
that these rules will be changed.
 
     To the best of the Company's knowledge, no officer, director or stockholder
of the Company holds an interest  in another radio or television station,  cable
television  system  or  daily  newspaper that  is  inconsistent  with  the FCC's
ownership rules and policies.
 
     Regulation of Broadcast Operations. Television broadcasters are subject  to
FCC  regulation  in  several  other  areas,  including  political  broadcasting,
children's programming, obscene  and indecent programming  and equal  employment
opportunities.
 
     Candidates for Federal elective office have a right to buy advertising time
on television stations. Stations may also choose, but are not required, to carry
advertising  by state or local candidates. When a station carries advertising by
one candidate (whether Federal, state, or local), the station must afford 'equal
time' for advertising by that candidate's  opponent(s). During the last 45  days
of  a primary  campaign and  the last  60 days  of a  general electlon campaign,
stations may not  charge political  candidates rates  any higher  than the  rate
being  charged to the most favored commercial advertiser during the same period.
These requirements can have the effect  of reducing the revenues that a  station
might otherwise earn during pre-election periods.
 
     Television  stations must serve the  educational and informational needs of
children  in  their   overall  programming,  and   must  air  some   programming
specifically  designed to serve those  needs. The programming obligation applies
to programs originally  produced and broadcast  for an audience  of children  16
years of age and younger. Commercial time is limited to 10.5 minutes per hour on
weekends  and 12 minutes  per hour on weekdays  for programs originally produced
and broadcast primarily for an audience of children 12 years of age and younger.
 
     Television stations may not  air obscene programming at  any time, and  may
not  air indecent programming  during the morning,  afternoon and early evening.
Material is obscene if  it appeals to viewers'  prurient interests by  depicting
sexual  conduct  in  a patently  offensive  manner and  lacks  serious literary,
artistic, political or scientific value. Material is indecent if it describes in
patently offensive terms, sexual or excretory activities or organs.
 
     Television stations  must  have  an equal  employment  opportunity  ('EEO')
policy  that prohibits  discrimination based  on race,  color, sex,  religion or
national origin, and must establish EEO programs that encourage recruitment  and
hiring  of  women and  minorities. The  FCC requires  licensees to  file regular
employment reports with the  agency, recruit minority  or female applicants  for
vacancies, maintain records documenting the recruitment of women and minorities,
work  with local organizations  to identify female  and minority job candidates,
and examine their  sources of job  referrals to determine  if those sources  are
effective  in providing  a station with  female or minority  applicants. The FCC
recently issued a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding its EEO rules, stating
that it  hoped to  make its  EEO  rules less  burdensome (especially  for  small
stations).
 
     In  all of  the foregoing areas,  as well  as in other  matters that affect
operations and  competition in  the  television broadcast  industry,  regulatory
policies are subject to change over time and cannot be fully predicted.
 
     Proposed  Legislation and  Regulation. The  Congress and  the FCC currently
have under consideration, and  may in the future  adopt, new rules,  regulations
and  policies  regarding a  wide  variety of  matters  which could,  directly or
indirectly, affect the operation and ownership  of the Stations. In addition  to
the  proposed changes set forth above, examples of such matters include policies
concerning   eliminating   certain   cross-ownership   restrictions,   political
advertising and programming
 
                                       87
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
practices,  flexible use of broadcast spectrum, spectrum use fees, the standards
to govern  evaluation of  television programming  directed toward  children  and
violent  and indecent programming. Other matters that could affect the Company's
broadcast  properties   include  technological   innovations  and   developments
generally affecting competition in the mass communications industry, such as the
initiation of DBS, the continued establishment of wireless cable systems and low
power  television stations and  the participation of  telephone companies in the
provision of video programming by wire.
 
     Implementation of  the Cable  Act of  1992. The  Cable Television  Consumer
Protection  and Competition Act of 1992 (the 'Cable Act') was enacted on October
5, 1992.  The  Cable  Act  imposes  cable  rate  regulation,  establishes  cable
ownership  limitations, regulates the relationships  between cable operators and
their program suppliers,  regulates signal carriage  and retransmission  consent
and regulates numerous other aspects of the cable television business.
 
     The  signal carriage, or 'must carry,'  provisions of the Cable Act require
cable operators  to carry  the signals  of local  commercial and  non-commercial
television  stations and certain low power  television stations. Systems with 12
or fewer usable activated channels and more than 300 subscribers must carry  the
signals  of at least three local  commercial television stations. A cable system
with more  than  12 usable  activated  channels,  regardless of  the  number  of
subscribers, must carry the signals of all local commercial television stations,
up  to one-third of  the aggregate number  of usable activated  channels of such
system. The  Cable Act  also includes  a retransmission  consent provision  that
requires  cable operators and other multi-channel video programming distributors
to obtain the consent  of broadcast stations prior  to carrying them in  certain
circumstances.  The must carry and retransmission consent provisions are related
in that a television station must elect  once every three years either to  waive
its  right to mandatory, but uncompensated, carriage  or to negotiate a grant of
retransmission consent to permit the cable system to carry the station's signal.
 
     In April 1993, a three-judge panel  of the United States District Court  of
the  District  of  Columbia  upheld  the  constitutionality  of  the legislative
must-carry provisions. In June 1994, the Supreme Court ruled that the must-carry
provisions were 'content-neutral' and, thus, not subject to strict scrutiny  and
that  Congress's stated  interests in preserving  the benefits  of free, off-air
local  broadcast   television,  promoting   the  widespread   dissemination   of
information from a multiplicity of sources and promoting fair competition in the
market   for  television  programming  all  qualify  as  important  governmental
interests. The  Court,  however,  remanded  to  the  lower  federal  court  with
instructions  to hold further proceedings with  respect to evidence that lack of
the must-carry requirements would harm free, off-air broadcasting. In 1995,  the
lower  court again upheld the constitutionality of must-carry requirements after
reviewing the required evidence. The Supreme Court recently agreed to review the
case again in the fall of 1996.
 
     Under rules  adopted  to  implement these  must  carry  and  retransmission
consent provisions, local broadcast stations were required to make their initial
elections  of must carry  or retransmission consent by  June 17, 1993, effective
October 6,  1993. Stations  that failed  to elect  were deemed  to have  elected
carriage  under the  must carry  provisions. Other  issues addressed  in the FCC
rules  were  market  designations,  the  scope  of  retransmission  consent  and
procedural requirements for implementing the signal carriage provisions.
 
     In  1993, the Company  elected and negotiated  retransmission consents with
all of the local cable systems which carry the signals of the Benedek  Stations.
The  Company has entered  into agreements for  each Benedek Station  with all of
these cable system operators.  All of these agreements  grant such cable  system
operators   consent   to  retransmit   the   Benedek  Station's   signal.  These
retransmission arrangements do not represent a significant source of revenue for
the Company. The terms of these retransmission agreements range from one to five
years. In  1993, each  of Stauffer  and Brissette  also elected  and  negotiated
retransmission consents with all the local cable systems carrying the signals of
their  respective Stations  and each  entered into  agreements for  its Stations
similar to the retransmission  consent agreements entered  into by the  Company.
The  Company recently  elected retransmission  consent with  those cable systems
with which the prior agreements expired. The Stations are currently  negotiating
with  these operators to  enter into longer term  agreements. The Company cannot
predict the outcome  of these  negotiations. In addition,  although the  Company
expects  to be  able to  renew its  current retransmission  agreements when such
agreements expire,  there  can  be  no assurance  that  such  renewals  will  be
obtained.
 
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<PAGE>
<PAGE>
EMPLOYEES
 
     The  Company  currently  employs  approximately  1,277  full-time  and  252
part-time  employees,  of  which  14   are  part  of  the  Company's   corporate
headquarters  staff and the balance are  employed at the Stations. Approximately
272 of the Company's employees located at WMTV(TV), WILX-TV, WHOI(TV),  WTRF-TV,
KDLH-TV  and WYTV  are represented by  labor unions  under collective bargaining
agreements. The WYTV collective bargaining agreement expired in July 1996 and is
currently being  renegotiated.  The  KDLH-TV, WMTV(TV),  WILX-TV,  WHOI(TV)  and
WTRF-TV  collective  bargaining agreements  expire  at various  times  from 1996
through 1999. There are  no unionized employees at  the remaining Stations.  The
Company  believes that  its relationship  with all  of its  employees, including
those represented by labor unions, is satisfactory.
 
                                       89
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
PROPERTIES
 
     The Company's principal executive offices are located in leased premises in
Rockford, Illinois.
 
     The types of properties  required to support each  of the Stations  include
offices,  studios and tower and transmitter sites. A station's studio and office
are generally located in  business districts while  tower and transmitter  sites
are  generally located so as to provide  maximum signal coverage to each market.
The  following  table  contains  certain  information  describing  the   general
character of the properties of the Company:
 
  BENEDEK STATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   MARKET AREA, STATION AND USE    OWNED OR LEASED   APPROXIMATE SIZE(a)     HEIGHT/POWER     EXPIRATION OF LEASE
- ---------------------------------- ---------------   -------------------   -----------------  -------------------
<S>                                <C>               <C>                   <C>                <C>
Youngstown, Ohio
  WYTV
Office and Studio.................      Owned             18,964 sq. ft.          --                --
Tower/Transmitter Site............      Owned                (b)              642 ft./550 kw        --
Duluth, Minnesota and Superior,
  Wisconsin
  KDLH-TV
Office and Studio.................      Owned             25,000 sq. ft.(c)        --               --
Tower/Transmitter Site............      Owned              1,040 sq. ft.      811 ft./100 kw        --
Rockford, Illinois
  WIFR-TV
Office and Studio.................      Owned             13,500 sq. ft.          --                --
Tower/Transmitter Site............      Owned                (b)              674 ft./562 kw        --
Quincy, Illinois and
  Hannibal, Missouri
  KHQA-TV
Office and Studio.................     Leased             13,120 sq. ft.          --                  (d)
Tower/Transmitter Site............      Owned              1,200 sq. ft.      804 ft./269 kw        --
Dothan, Alabama and
  Panama City, Florida
  WTVY-TV
Office and Studio.................     Leased             20,440 sq. ft.          --                12/31/02
Tower/Transmitter Site............      Owned              2,500 sq. ft.    1,880 ft./100 kw        --
Bowling Green, Kentucky
  WBKO-TV
Office and Studio.................      Owned             17,598 sq. ft.          --                --
Tower/Transmitter Site............      Owned              1,175 sq. ft.      603 ft./316 kw        --
Meridian, Mississippi
  WTOK-TV
Office and Studio.................      Owned             13,188 sq. ft.          --                --
Tower/Transmitter Site............      Owned              1,504 sq. ft.      316 ft./316 kw        --
Parkersburg, West Virginia
  WTAP-TV
Office and Studio.................     Leased             17,500 sq. ft.          --                04/30/05(e)
Tower/Transmitter Site............      Owned              3,600 sq. ft.      439 ft./208 kw        --
Harrisonburg, Virginia
  WHSV-TV
Office and Studio.................      Owned              6,720 sq. ft.          --                --
Tower/Transmitter Site............     Leased              2,016 sq. ft.     337 ft./8.32 kw        12/31/01(f)
</TABLE>
 
                                       90
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
  STAUFFER STATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 MARKET AREA, STATION AND USE   OWNED OR LEASED   APPROXIMATE SIZE(a)      HEIGHT/POWER      EXPIRATION OF LEASE
- ------------------------------  ---------------   -------------------   -------------------  -------------------
 
<S>                             <C>               <C>                   <C>                  <C>
Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and
  San Luis Obispo, California
  KCOY-TV
Office and Studio.............       Owned             18,000 sq. ft.           --                  --
Tower/Transmitter Site........      Leased              1,200 sq. ft.        140 ft./115 kw          (g)
Topeka, Kansas
  WIBW-TV
Office and Studio.............      Leased          18,774 sq. ft.(h)           --                   08/31/98
Tower/Transmitter Site........      Leased              2,338 sq. ft.      1,249 ft./316 kw          02/14/62
Columbia and Jefferson City,
  Missouri
  KMIZ(TV)
Office and Studio.............       Owned              5,993 sq. ft.           --                  --
Tower/Transmitter Site........       Owned                875 sq. ft.    1,030 ft./1,580 kw         --
Casper and Riverton,
  Wyoming
  KGWC-TV
Office and Studio.............      Leased              6,827 sq. ft.           --                    8/31/97
Tower/Transmitter Site........       Owned              1,692 sq. ft.         235 ft./60 kw         --
Lander, Wyoming
  KGWL-TV (satellite)
Tower/Transmitter Site........      Leased                768 sq. ft.         155 ft./30 kw          12/31/07
Rock Springs, Wyoming
  KGWR-TV (satellite)
Tower/Transmitter Site........      Leased                400 sq. ft.         100 ft./12 kw          05/22/99
Cheyenne, Wyoming
  KGWN-TV
Office and Studio.............       Owned              7,500 sq. ft.           --                  --
Tower/Transmitter Site........        (i)               2,646 sq. ft.        620 ft./100 kw         --
Scottsbluff, Nebraska
  KSTF-TV (satellite)
Office and Studio.............       Owned              2,400 sq. ft.           --                  --
Tower/Transmitter Site........       Owned              2,457 sq. ft.        674 ft./240 kw         --
Sterling, Colorado
  KTVS-TV (satellite)
Office and Studio.............       Owned              3,750 sq. ft.           --                  --
Tower/Transmitter Site........       Owned              2,640 sq. ft.       730 ft./60.6 kw         --
</TABLE>
 
                                       91
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
  BRISSETTE STATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 MARKET AREA, STATION AND USE   OWNED OR LEASED   APPROXIMATE SIZE(a)      HEIGHT/POWER     EXPIRATION OF LEASE
- ------------------------------  ---------------   -------------------   ------------------  -------------------
<S>                             <C>               <C>                   <C>                 <C>
Madison, Wisconsin
  WMTV(TV)
Office and Studio.............       Owned             16,485 sq. ft.           --                --
Tower/Transmitter Site........       Owned                (b)             1,040 ft./955 kw        --
Springfield and Holyoke,
  Massachusetts
  WWLP(TV)
Office and Studio.............       Owned             20,000 sq. ft.           --                --
Tower/Transmitter Site........       Owned                (b)               500 ft./342 kw        --
Lansing, Michigan
  WILX-TV
Office and Studio.............       Owned             13,700 sq. ft.           --                --
Tower/Transmitter Site........       Owned              5,000 sq. ft.       994 ft./309 kw        --
Peoria and Bloomington,
  Illinois
  WHOI(TV)
Office and Studio.............       Owned             16,900 sq. ft.           --                --
Tower/Transmitter Site........       Owned                (b)             640 ft./2,240 kw        --
Wausau and Rhinelander,
  Wisconsin
  WSAW-TV
Office and Studio.............       Owned             24,400 sq. ft.           --                --
Tower/Transmitter Site........     Leased(j)              432 sq. ft.       650 ft./316 kw        08/01/02
Wheeling, West Virginia and
  Steubenville, Ohio
  WTRF-TV
Office and Studio.............       Owned             43,872 sq. ft.(k)         --               --
Tower/Transmitter Site........       Owned              2,000 sq. ft.      741 ft. /316 kw        --
Wichita Falls, Texas and
  Lawton, Oklahoma
  KAUZ-TV
Office and Studio.............       Owned             13,078 sq. ft.           --                --
Tower/Transmitter Site........       Owned                (b)             1,028 ft./100 kw        --
Odessa and Midland, Texas
  KOSA-TV
Office and Studio.............       Owned             14,222 sq. ft.           --                --
Tower/Transmitter Site........      Leased                930 sq. ft.       726 ft./316 kw        10/31/98
</TABLE>
 
  --------------
 
(a)Approximate  size is for building space only and does not include the land on
   which the facilities are located.
 
(b)Tower/Transmitter Site is  located at  and included  within the  size of  the
   office and studio premises.
 
(c)The  Company owns  a building  of approximately 55,000  sq. ft.  in which the
   offices and studio of KDLH-TV are  located and of which approximately  30,000
   sq. ft. are leased to third parties.
 
(d)The Company has an option to purchase the premises on each of May 1, 2000 and
   2005 for $650,000 and $750,000, respectively.
 
(e)Occupied on a month-to-month basis.
 
(f)Occupied  pursuant  to a  Special  Use Permit  granted  by the  United States
   Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
 
(g)Occupied on a month-to-month basis pursuant to approval of the United  States
   Department  of  Agriculture  Forest  Service.  This  property  was previously
   occupied pursuant  to  a Special  Use  Permit. Currently  the  United  States
   Department  of Agriculture Forest  Service is revising  certain provisions of
   its form of Special  Use Permit which would  otherwise have been reissued  to
   Stauffer  in the ordinary course of business. The Company has applied for and
   anticipates that it will be issued a Special Use Permit with respect to  this
   property  upon completion of the aforementioned revisions. However, there can
   be no assurance that such a Special Use Permit will be issued in the future.
 
(h)The Company leases a  building of approximately 23,837  sq. ft. in which  the
   offices  and studio of  WIBW-TV are located and  of which approximately 5,063
   sq.  ft.  are  subleased  to  the  Stauffer  Topeka  Radio  Trust,  which  is
   beneficially owned by Stauffer and operates radio stations WIBW AM and FM.
 
(i)This  property is  utilized subject  to an easement  granted by  the State of
   Wyoming.
 
(j)Leased together with TAK Communications from the Wisconsin Educational Board.
 
(k)The Company owns  a building  of approximately 46,872  sq. ft.  in which  the
   offices  and studio of  WTRF-TV are located and  of which approximately 3,000
   sq. ft. are leased to a third party.
 
                                       92
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     The Company  currently and  from time  to time  is involved  in  litigation
incidental  to  the  conduct of  its  business.  The Company  (including  in its
capacity as successor to Brissette) is not  currently a party to any lawsuit  or
proceeding  which, in the opinion  of the Company, is  likely to have a material
adverse effect on the Company.
 
                                       93




<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
 
     The  following table  sets forth certain  information with  respect to each
director and executive officer of the Company:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                NAME                     AGE                              POSITION
- ------------------------------------   -------   -----------------------------------------------------------
 
<S>                                    <C>       <C>
A. Richard Benedek..................       57    Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director
K. James Yager......................       61    President and Director
Douglas E. Gealy....................       36    Executive Vice President of Benedek Broadcasting
Ronald L. Lindwall..................       51    Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer,
                                                   Treasurer, Secretary and Director
Terrance F. Hurley..................       40    Senior Vice President of Benedek Broadcasting
Keith L. Bland......................       41    Senior Vice President-Planning and Technology of Benedek
                                                   Broadcasting
Mary L. Flodin......................       41    Vice President and Controller
Jay Kriegel.........................       55    Director
Paul S. Goodman.....................       42    Director
</TABLE>
 
     Mr. A.  Richard Benedek  has been  engaged in  the television  broadcasting
industry  for over  15 years.  Mr. Benedek is  the Chairman  and Chief Executive
officer of the Company. Mr. Benedek  has served as Chairman and Chief  Executive
Officer  of Benedek Broadcasting  since its formation in  January 1979. From the
formation of Benedek Broadcasting until March  1995, Mr. Benedek also served  as
President  of Benedek Broadcasting. Additionally, Mr. Benedek has also served as
President and Chief Executive  Officer of Blue Grass  and Youngstown from  their
formation  in January 1980, and September  1982, respectively, until the Merger.
Prior to his activities in the television broadcasting industry, Mr. Benedek was
a partner in the investment banking firm of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
 
     Mr. K. James Yager has been engaged in the television broadcasting industry
for over 35  years. Mr. Yager  is the President  of the Company.  Mr. Yager  has
served as President of Benedek Broadcasting since March 1995. From 1987 until he
became  President,  Mr.  Yager served  as  Executive Vice  President  of Benedek
Broadcasting. Mr. Yager has also served as Vice President of each of Blue  Grass
and Youngstown from 1990 and 1993, respectively, until the Merger. Mr. Yager was
employed  by  Cosmos Broadcasting  from 1960  until  1980, including  as general
manager of its television stations in Columbia, South Carolina and New  Orleans,
Louisiana.  From 1980  until 1986,  Mr. Yager  was Executive  Vice President and
Chief  Operating  Officer  of  Spartan  Radiocasting,  which  then  owned  three
television stations and four radio stations.
 
     Mr.  Douglas E. Gealy was recently  hired in anticipation of the completion
of  the  Acquisitions  to   serve  as  Executive   Vice  President  of   Benedek
Broadcasting.  Mr. Gealy was  employed as Vice President  and General Manager of
WCMH-TV, the NBC  affiliate serving  Columbus, Ohio  which was  owned by  Outlet
Communications  until  February  1996.  WCMH-TV  was  acquired  by  the National
Broadcasting Company in February  1996 at which time  Mr. Gealy was promoted  to
President  of WCMH-TV. Prior  thereto, Mr. Gealy was  General Manager of WHOI-TV
(now a Brissette Station) from 1989 until 1991.
 
     Mr.  Ronald  L.  Lindwall  is  the  Senior  Vice  President-Finance,  Chief
Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of the Company. Mr. Lindwall has also
held  the same  positions at  Benedek Broadcasting  since March  1995. From 1990
until March 1995, Mr. Lindwall served as Senior Vice President, Chief  Financial
Officer  and Treasurer of Benedek Broadcasting.  Mr. Lindwall has also served as
Senior Vice President,  Chief Financial Officer  and Treasurer of  each of  Blue
Grass  and Youngstown until  the Merger. From  1982 to 1990,  Mr. Lindwall was a
partner at the accounting firm of McGladrey & Pullen.
 
     Mr. Terrance F. Hurley  was recently promoted to  Senior Vice President  of
Benedek Broadcasting in anticipation of the completion of the Acquisitions. From
December  1995 until his promotion, Mr.  Hurley served as Vice President/General
Manager of KDLH-TV serving Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin. Mr. Hurley
also served as General Manager of KDLH-TV from October 1994 until December  1995
and  General Sales  Manager of  KHQA-TV serving  Quincy, Illinois  and Hannibal,
 
                                       94
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Missouri from May 1993 until December 1995. From 1991 until May 1993, Mr. Hurley
was employed by  Dix Communications  as the  General Sales  Manager of  KAAL-TV,
serving Austin, Minnesota.
 
     Mr. Keith L. Bland has been engaged in the television broadcasting industry
for  over  22  years.  Mr.  Bland  has  served  as  Vice  President-Planning and
Technology of Benedek  Broadcasting since  January 1996. From  March 1995  until
January  1996, Mr. Bland served as Vice President and General Manager of WTAP-TV
serving Parkersburg, West Virginia. Mr. Bland also served as General Manager  of
WTAP-TV  from January  1990 until March  1995, General Sales  Manager of WIFR-TV
serving  Rockford,  Illinois  from  September   1989  until  January  1990   and
Local/Regional Sales Manager of WIFR-TV from July 1987 until September 1989.
 
     Ms. Mary L. Flodin is the Vice President and Controller of the Company. Ms.
Flodin has also held the same positions at Benedek Broadcasting since 1990. From
1988  to  1990, Ms.  Flodin served  as Controller  of Benedek  Broadcasting. Ms.
Flodin has also served as  Vice President and Controller  of each of Blue  Grass
and  Youngstown from 1990 until the Merger. From 1983 to 1988, Ms. Flodin served
in various financial capacities as Vice President of AMCORE Financial, Inc.
 
     Mr. Jay L. Kriegel has been engaged in the communications industry for over
20 years. Since March 1994,  Mr. Kriegel has been  a counsellor with the  public
relations  firm of Abernathy  MacGregor Scanlon. From 1988  to 1994, Mr. Kriegel
was Senior Vice President of  CBS Inc. Mr. Kriegel has  served as a director  of
Benedek  Broadcasting since May 1994 and as  a Director of the Company since its
inception.
 
     Mr. Paul S. Goodman has been  corporate counsel to the Company since  1983.
Since  April 1993,  Mr. Goodman has  been a  member of the  law firm  of Shack &
Siegel, P.C. From January 1990  to April 1993, Mr. Goodman  was a member of  the
law  firm of Whitman &  Ransom. Mr. Goodman has served  as a director of Benedek
Broadcasting since November  1994 and  as a Director  of the  Company since  its
inception.
 
     All  directors  hold office  until their  successors  are duly  elected and
qualify. Executive  officers  of the  Company  are  appointed by  the  Board  of
Directors and serve at the Board's discretion. Directors of the Company received
no  cash compensation for such services to the Company during 1994. In 1995, the
Company paid each  director who is  not an  employee of the  Company $2,500  per
quarter  and $500 per  Board meeting for  his services as  a director. No family
relationship exists between any  of the executive officers  or directors of  the
Company.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The   following  table  sets  forth   certain  information  concerning  the
compensation paid to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and to each executive
officer whose aggregate compensation exceeded  $100,000 during the fiscal  years
ended  December 31,  1995 and December  31, 1994.  The amounts set  forth in the
following table for 1994 include amounts  paid to the listed executive  officers
by  Benedek Group, Inc., which was owned  by Messrs. Benedek, Yager and Lindwall
and which provided management and accounting services to the Company during part
of 1994.
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  ANNUAL COMPENSATION                ALL
                                                                 ----------------------             OTHER
             NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION                YEAR     SALARY($)     BONUS($)       COMPENSATION($)(a)
- -----------------------------------------------------   ----     ---------     --------       ------------------
<S>                                                     <C>      <C>           <C>            <C>
A. Richard Benedek, Chairman and                        1995       475,000       --                --
  Chief Executive Officer                               1994       450,000       --                --
 
K. James Yager, President                               1995       344,950       --                  2,300
                                                        1994       307,550       --                  2,700
 
Ronald L. Lindwall, Senior Vice President-Finance,      1995       107,652      55,000               2,310
  Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer      1994       109,808      10,000               1,859
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
 (a) Represents the amount of the Company's contribution under its 401(k) plan.
 
                                       95
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     The following table sets forth the value, at December 31, 1995, of  options
to  purchase common stock of Benedek Broadcasting held by the executive officers
named in the Summary Compensation Table above.
 
                         FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                                        NUMBER OF SECURITIES                            IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
                                         UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR-END                  FISCAL YEAR-END
                                   --------------------------------------------------------------    ------------------------------
              NAME                          EXERCISABLE                     UNEXERCISABLE            EXERCISABLE      UNEXERCISABLE
- --------------------------------   -----------------------------    -----------------------------    -----------      -------------
 
<S>                                <C>                              <C>                              <C>              <C>
A. Richard Benedek..............          --                               --                            --                --
K. James Yager..................                7.78                       --                        $ 3,982,000(a)        --
Ronald L. Lindwall..............          --                               --                            --                --
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
   
 (a) The value of the options at December  31, 1995 is based upon a multiple  of
     adjusted   EBITDA.  The  Company  believes  this  method  of  valuation  is
     reasonable because there is no public market for the shares underlying  the
     options and adjusted EBITDA best represents the underlying value of Benedek
     Broadcasting.  The  multiple chosen  by the  Company  is based  on existing
     broadcast market conditions.  All of  Mr. Yager's  options are  immediately
     exercisable.  The  foregoing options,  in the  aggregate, will  entitle Mr.
     Yager to acquire shares representing 5% of the outstanding common stock  of
     the  Company, after giving effect to the  issuance thereof but prior to any
     dilution resulting from the exercise of any of the Warrants.
    
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
     Mr. Benedek is employed by  Benedek Broadcasting pursuant to an  employment
agreement  that expires  May 31,  2000. During  the term  of the  agreement, Mr.
Benedek is  to be  paid at  a rate  per annum  of not  less than  $525,000.  The
employment  agreement requires  Mr. Benedek to  devote substantially  all of his
business time to the business of Benedek Broadcasting and precludes Mr.  Benedek
from   engaging  in  activities   competitive  with  the   business  of  Benedek
Broadcasting throughout the term of the employment agreement.
 
     Mr. Yager is  employed by  Benedek Broadcasting pursuant  to an  employment
agreement that expires May 31, 2000. During the term of the agreement, Mr. Yager
is  to be paid  at a rate  per annum of  not less than  $400,000. The employment
agreement requires Mr. Yager to devote his full time to the business of  Benedek
Broadcasting  and precludes  Mr. Yager  from engaging  in activities competitive
with the business of Benedek Broadcasting throughout the term of the  employment
agreement.
 
     Mr.  Gealy is  employed by Benedek  Broadcasting pursuant  to an employment
agreement that expires April 30, 1999. Pursuant to the employment agreement, Mr.
Gealy is to  be paid a  base salary at  the rate of  $235,000 per annum  through
April  30, 1997, $260,000 per annum from May 1, 1997 through April 30, 1998, and
$285,000 per  annum from  May 1,  1998 through  April 30,  1999. The  employment
agreement  requires Mr. Gealy to devote his full time to the business of Benedek
Broadcasting and precludes  Mr. Gealy  from engaging  in activities  competitive
with  the business of Benedek Broadcasting throughout the term of the employment
agreement and for  a period of  one year thereafter  with respect to  designated
market areas then served by a television station owned by Benedek Broadcasting.
 
     Mr.  Lindwall is employed by Benedek Broadcasting pursuant to an employment
agreement that  expires May  31, 1999.  During the  term of  the agreement,  Mr.
Lindwall  is to  be paid  at a  rate per  annum of  not less  than $150,000. The
employment agreement  requires Mr.  Lindwall  to devote  his  full time  to  the
business of Benedek Broadcasting.
 
     Mr.  Hurley is employed  by Benedek Broadcasting  pursuant to an employment
agreement that  expires May  31, 1999.  During the  term of  the agreement,  Mr.
Hurley  is  to be  paid at  a  rate per  annum of  not  less than  $150,000. The
employment agreement requires Mr. Hurley to devote his full time to the business
of Benedek Broadcasting  and precludes  Mr. Hurley from  engaging in  activities
competitive with the business of Benedek Broadcasting throughout the term of the
employment  agreement and for  a period of  one year thereafter  with respect to
designated market areas  then served by  a television station  owned by  Benedek
Broadcasting.
 
                                       96
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
     Messrs.  Benedek, Yager and Lindwall, all of whom are executive officers of
the Company, serve as directors of the Company. Presently, the Company does  not
have   a  compensation   committee.  Compensation  for   executive  officers  is
recommended to the Board of Directors by the Chief Executive Officer. In  making
his  compensation recommendations, the Chief Executive Officer considers several
criteria, including the Company's performance and growth, industry standards for
similarly situated companies and experience and qualitative performance of  such
executive officers.
 
     Commencing  in  November 1993,  the  Company retained  Benedek  Group, Inc.
('BGI') to  manage  the Benedek  Stations  and provide  accounting  and  general
corporate  services. BGI is wholly owned  by Messrs. Benedek, Yager and Lindwall
and was paid approximately $208,000 in 1993 (for two months) and $1.3 million in
1994 for such services. The Company believes that the terms of its  arrangements
with  BGI  were  as fair  and  reasonable as  if  the arrangements  were  with a
non-affiliate. The management  arrangements with BGI  were terminated  effective
December  31, 1994 and Messrs.  Benedek, Yager and Lindwall  are employed by the
Company.
 
     In December  1994,  Benedek  Acquisition  Corporation  ('BAC'),  a  company
wholly-owned  by Mr.  Benedek, entered into  an agreement to  acquire the Dothan
Station. In conjunction with the  agreement, Benedek Broadcasting advanced  $2.0
million, without interest, to BAC which was used as a deposit on the purchase of
the  Dothan Station. In February 1995,  BAC assigned to Benedek Broadcasting its
rights under  the  agreement to  acquire  the  Dothan Station  in  exchange  for
cancellation of all obligations with respect to the aforementioned advance.
 
     In  November 1995, BAC entered into  the Stauffer Agreement. In conjunction
with the Stauffer  Agreement, Benedek Broadcasting  advanced $3.0 million,  with
interest at the prime rate in effect from time to time, to BAC which was used as
a  deposit  on the  purchase of  the  Stauffer Stations.  In December  1995, BAC
assigned to  Benedek Broadcasting  its rights  under the  Stauffer Agreement  in
exchange  for cancellation of all obligations with respect to the aforementioned
advance.
 
     In March 1995,  in connection with  the formation of  the LLC, Mr.  Benedek
acquired  a 1%  membership interest  in the LLC  in exchange  for a non-interest
bearing promissory note in the principal amount of $581,200. Mr. Benedek entered
into this transaction as an accommodation to Benedek Broadcasting in conjunction
with  its  issuance  of  the  Senior  Secured  Notes.  In  connection  with  the
Transactions,  the LLC was merged into BLC, and Mr. Benedek was issued one share
of BLC common stock in exchange for his 1% interest in the LLC, which share  was
redeemed in exchange for cancellation of the promissory note.
 
                                STOCK OWNERSHIP
 
     Mr.  Benedek owns 7,030,000 shares of Class  B common stock of the Company,
representing all of its outstanding common stock.
 
     Mr. Yager holds options to purchase  370,000 shares of common stock of  the
Company  for an aggregate  purchase price of approximately  $1.2 million. All of
Mr. Yager's options are immediately exercisable.
 
     The Initial Warrants are exercisable  for approximately 7.5% of the  common
stock  of the  Company, on a  fully-diluted basis, but  excluding the Contingent
Warrants. The Contingent  Warrants are  exercisable for  approximately 10.0%  of
such common stock on a fully-diluted basis, including the Initial Warrants.
 
     The  Contingent Warrants  will initially  be held  in escrow  pursuant to a
warrant escrow agreement and  will be released from  escrow, subject to  certain
conditions  described  below,  on  the  Contingent  Warrant  Release  Date.  The
'Contingent Warrant Release Date'  shall mean July  1, 2000; provided,  however,
that  if on June 30, 1999,  the ratio (which shall be  calculated on a pro forma
basis in the same manner as is  'Cash Flow Leverage Ratio' in the  Certification
of  Designation with respect to the Exchangeable Preferred Stock) of (i) the sum
of the aggregate amount outstanding  of all Debt (as  defined) (net of cash  and
cash  equivalents) of the  Company and the  Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined)
and the aggregate liquidation preference of the Exchangeable Preferred Stock, in
each case
 
                                       97
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

as of June 30, 1999 to (ii)  Operating Cash Flow (as defined in the  Certificate
of  Designation) for the four  fiscal quarters ending on  June 30, 1999, exceeds
8.0 to 1.0, then the Contingent Warrant Release Date will be August 16, 1999. If
on the  Contingent  Warrant Release  Date  no Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock  or
Exchange  Debentures  are  outstanding,  the  Contingent  Warrants  will  not be
delivered to holders of the Exchangeable Preferred Stock or Exchange  Debentures
but  will be returned  to the Company for  cancellation. The Contingent Warrants
were issued on June 5, 1996 but are not deemed to be outstanding until delivered
following the  Contingent Warrant  Release  Date to  holders  of record  of  the
Exchangeable  Preferred Stock or  Exchange Debentures on  the Contingent Warrant
Release Date. Unless earlier exercised, the Warrants will expire on July 1, 2007
(the 'Expiration Date').  The Company will  give notice of  expiration not  less
than  90 nor more than  120 days prior to the  Expiration Date to the registered
holders of the then outstanding Warrants. Even if the Company does not give such
notice, the Warrants  will still  terminate and  become void  on the  Expiration
Date.

 
                       DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
 
CREDIT AGREEMENT
 
     The Credit Agreement was entered into concurrently with the consummation of
the  sale of the Existing  Notes, the Acquisitions and  the other aspects of the
Financing Plan. The material terms of the Credit Agreement are described below.
 
     The Term Loan  Facilities consist of  (i) an AXELsSM  Series A Facility  of
$70.0  million and (ii) an AXELsSM Series  B Facility of $58.0 million. The Term
Loan Facilities provide for quarterly amortization until final maturity  (except
in the first year during which amortization will be on a semi-annual basis). The
AXELsSM  Series  A Facility  will mature  five  years and  the AXELsSM  Series B
Facility  will  mature  six  and  one-half  years  after  the  closing.  Benedek
Broadcasting  is required  to make scheduled  amortization payments  on the Term
Loan Facilities,  on  an aggregate  basis  for AXELsSM  Series  A and  Series  B
Facilities,  as follows:  first year  after closing,  $6.0 million;  second year
after closing, $11.0 million;  third year after  closing, $14.5 million;  fourth
year  after closing,  $16.0 million;  fifth year  after closing,  $27.5 million;
sixth year after closing, $15.0 million; and the first half of the seventh  year
after closing, $38.0 million.
 
     In  addition, Benedek Broadcasting  is required to  make prepayments on the
Term Loan Facilities under certain  circumstances, including upon certain  asset
sales  and  issuance of  debt or  equity  securities by  the Company  or Benedek
Broadcasting. Benedek Broadcasting is also  required to make prepayments on  the
Term  Loan Facilities in an amount equal to 50% of Benedek Broadcasting's Excess
Cash Flow (as defined). These mandatory  prepayments will be applied to  prepay,
on  a pro rata basis, the AXELsSM Series  A and Series B Facilities. The AXELsSM
Series A  Facility  bear  interest,  at  Benedek  Broadcasting's  option,  at  a
customary  base rate plus a spread of 2.0% or at a Eurodollar rate plus a spread
of 3.0%. The AXELsSM Series B Facility bear interest, at Benedek  Broadcasting's
option,  at a customary base rate plus a  spread of 2.5% or at a Eurodollar rate
plus a  spread of  3.5%.  The margins  above the  customary  base rate  and  the
Eurodollar  rate at which the Term Loan Facilities and Revolving Credit Facility
bear interest will be  subject to reductions at  such times as certain  leverage
ratio performance tests are met.
 
     Benedek  Broadcasting  has the  ability, subject  to  a borrowing  base and
compliance with certain covenants and conditions, to borrow up to an  additional
$15.0  million for general  corporate purposes pursuant  to the Revolving Credit
Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility  has a term of  five years and is  fully
revolving until final maturity. The Revolving Credit Facility will bear interest
when drawn upon, at Benedek Broadcasting's option, at a customary base rate plus
a spread of 2.0% or at a Eurodollar rate plus a spread of 3.0%.
 
     The  Term Loan Facilities and the  Revolving Credit Facility are guaranteed
by the  Company  and  are  secured  by certain  of  the  Company's  and  Benedek
Broadcasting's  present and future property and assets. The Term Loan Facilities
are also guaranteed by BLC and are secured by all of the stock of BLC.
 
     The Term Loan Facilities and the Revolving Credit Facility contain  certain
financial   covenants  applicable  to  the  Company  and  Benedek  Broadcasting,
including, but not limited to, covenants related
 
                                       98
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
to cash interest coverage, fixed charge coverage, Bank Debt/EBITDA ratio,  total
debt/EBITDA  ratio and minimum EBITDA. In addition, the Term Loan Facilities and
the Revolving  Credit  Facility  will contain  other  affirmative  and  negative
covenants  relating  to  (among other  things)  liens, payments  on  other debt,
restricted junior payments (excluding distributions from Benedek Broadcasting to
the Company) transactions  with affiliates, mergers  and acquisitions, sales  of
assets,  leases, guarantees  and investments. The  Term Loan  Facilities and the
Revolving  Credit   Facility   contain   customary   events   of   default   for
highly-leveraged  financings, including certain changes  in ownership or control
of the Company.
 
     Although the  Credit  Agreement  does  not limit  the  ability  of  Benedek
Broadcasting  to pay dividends or make other payments to the Company, the Senior
Secured Note  Indenture does  contain such  limitations. However,  after  giving
effect  to the Transactions  (assuming the contribution to  the common equity of
Benedek Broadcasting of net cash  proceeds of approximately $188.5 million  from
the  sale  of the  Notes, the  Units  and the  Seller Junior  Discount Preferred
Stock), as of  December 31,  1995, Benedek Broadcasting  could have  distributed
approximately $188.5 million to the Company under such limitations.
 
SENIOR SECURED NOTES
 
     Benedek  Broadcasting  currently has  outstanding $135.0  million aggregate
principal amount of its 11 7/8% Senior Secured Notes due 2005, which were issued
in an exchange offer in December 1995.  The Senior Secured Notes were issued  in
exchange  for  all of  Benedek Broadcasting's  then  outstanding 11  7/8% senior
secured notes (the 'Original Notes'). The Original Notes and the Senior  Secured
Notes  exchanged therefor were both issued pursuant to an indenture (the 'Senior
Secured Note Indenture') dated as of March 1, 1995, among Benedek  Broadcasting,
the  LLC and  The Bank  of New York,  as trustee.  The Senior  Secured Notes are
senior secured obligations of Benedek Broadcasting  and will rank pari passu  in
right  of payment  with the Term  Loan Facilities and  Revolving Credit Facility
under the Credit Agreement. The Senior Secured Notes are currently guaranteed by
the LLC and, upon  consummation of the Transactions,  will be guaranteed by  BLC
and  the Company.  The Senior Secured  Notes will  mature on March  1, 2005. The
Senior Secured Notes are redeemable  at Benedek Broadcasting's option, in  whole
or  in part, at any time after March 1, 2000, at the following redemption prices
(expressed as  percentages of  the  principal amount):  if redeemed  during  the
12-month  period commencing March  1 of (a) 2000,  105.938%; (b) 2001, 102.969%;
(c) 2002, 101.484%; and (d) 2003 and thereafter, 100.0%.
 
     So  long  as   the  Senior  Secured   Notes  remain  outstanding,   Benedek
Broadcasting  will  remain subject  to the  Senior  Secured Note  Indenture. The
Senior Secured Note Indenture contains covenants that, among other things, limit
(i) the issuance of  additional indebtedness by  Benedek Broadcasting, (ii)  the
creation  of liens on  the assets of Benedek  Broadcasting and its subsidiaries,
(iii) Benedek Broadcasting from entering  into sale and leaseback  transactions,
(iv)  the  issuance  of  debt  and  preferred  stock  by  Benedek Broadcasting's
subsidiaries, (v) the payment of dividends on, and redemption of, capital  stock
of  Benedek  Broadcasting and  its subsidiaries  and  the redemption  of certain
subordinated obligations of  Benedek Broadcasting, (vi)  investments in  certain
affiliates, (vii) sales of assets and subsidiary stock, (viii) transactions with
affiliates   and  (ix)   consolidations,  mergers   and  transfers   of  all  or
substantially all  of Benedek  Broadcasting's assets.  The Senior  Secured  Note
Indenture   also   prohibits   certain   restrictions   on   distributions  from
subsidiaries. The Senior Secured Note Indenture also contains certain  customary
events  of default, which include the failure to pay interest and principal, the
failure to comply  with certain  covenants in the  Senior Secured  Notes or  the
Senior  Secured  Note  Indenture,  a  default  under  certain  indebtedness, the
imposition of certain  final judgements  or warrants of  attachment and  certain
events occurring under bankruptcy laws.
 
     In  connection with  the Transactions,  all of  the obligations  of Benedek
Broadcasting under  the  Senior  Secured  Notes  and  the  Senior  Secured  Note
Indenture were unconditionally guaranteed by the Company.
 
EXCHANGE DEBENTURES
 
     The  Exchangeable Preferred  Stock is  exchangeable, at  the option  of the
Company,  for  the  Company's  Subordinated   Notes  due  2007  (the   'Exchange
Debentures'). The Exchange Debentures, if
 
                                       99
 

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<PAGE>
issued,  will be  issued under  an indenture  (the 'Exchange  Indenture'), to be
entered into  between the  Company and  IBJ Schroder  Bank &  Trust Company,  as
trustee.  The Exchange Debentures will be  general, unsecured obligations of the
Company, ranking subordinate in right of  payment to all senior indebtedness  of
the  Company,  including  the  Notes and  the  Company's  guarantees  of Benedek
Broadcasting's obligations under the  Credit Agreement and  with respect to  the
Senior  Secured Notes.  Interest on the  Exchange Debentures will  accrue at the
same rate per annum  as the dividend rate  on the Exchangeable Preferred  Stock.
Interest  will accrue from  the date the  Exchange Debentures are  issued and be
payable semi-annually in cash (or, at the option of the Company, on or prior  to
July  1, 2001, in additional Exchange Debentures)  in arrears on each July 1 and
January 1,  commencing  with the  first  such date  after  the issuance  of  the
Exchange  Debentures.  The  Exchange  Debentures  will  be  redeemable,  at  the
Company's option, in  whole at any  time or in  part from time  to time, at  the
redemption prices (expressed in percentages of the principal amount thereof) set
forth  below,  plus  without duplication,  accrued  and unpaid  interest  on the
Exchange Debentures to the date of redemption: if redeemed prior to July 1, 1996
at 115.000%, and if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing July 1 of (a)
1996 through 1999, 115.000%; (b) 2000,  112.000%; (c) 2001, 109.000%; (d)  2002,
106.000%;  (e)  2003,  103.000%;  and (f)  2004  and  thereafter,  100.000%. The
Exchange Indenture will  also provide that  upon the occurrence  of a change  of
control  (to be defined in  the Exchange Indenture) of  the Company, each holder
will have the right to require that  the Company repurchase all or a portion  of
such  holder's Exchange  Debentures at  a purchase  price equal  to 101%  of the
principal amount  thereof  plus  accrued  interest,  if  any,  to  the  date  of
repurchase.  The payment of  all obligations on the  Exchange Debentures will be
subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of  all
obligations  senior to the Exchange Debentures,  including the Notes, the Credit
Agreement and  the Senior  Secured Notes.  The Exchange  Indenture will  contain
certain covenants that, among other things, limit (i) the issuance of additional
indebtedness  by the Company and its  subsidiaries, (ii) the creation of certain
liens on the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, (iii) the Company  from
entering  into  certain sale  and leaseback  transactions,  (iv) the  payment of
dividends on, and redemption  of, certain capital stock  of the Company and  its
subsidiaries  and  the redemption  of  certain subordinated  obligations  of the
Company, (v)  investments  in  certain  affiliates, (vi)  sales  of  assets  and
subsidiary  stock, (vii) transactions with affiliates and (viii) consolidations,
mergers and transfers of all or  all of the Company's assets. Additionally,  the
events  of default in  the Exchange Indenture  will be similar  to the events of
default contained in the Indenture.
 
                                      100


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                            DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
 
     The Exchange Securities will be issued under the Indenture, dated as of May
15,  1996 between the  Company and United  States Trust Company  of New York, as
trustee (the 'Trustee').  The Existing Notes  were also issued  pursuant to  the
Indenture.  The  Indenture provides  that the  Existing  Notes and  the Exchange
Securities are pari passu in all respects.The following summary, which describes
certain provisions  of the  Indenture and  the  Notes, does  not purport  to  be
complete  and is subject to, and is qualified by reference to, the Indenture and
the Notes,  including the  definitions  therein of  terms  not defined  in  this
Prospectus.  A copy of the Indenture is  filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Notes are  unsecured senior  subordinated obligations  of the  Company,
limited  to  $170.0 million  aggregate principal  amount  at maturity,  and will
mature on May 15,  2006. Prior to  May 15, 2001, except  as described below,  no
interest  will accrue on the Notes. From and after May 15, 2001, interest on the
Notes will accrue at the rate shown on the front cover of this Offering Circular
and will be payable  semi-annually in arrears  on each May  15 and November  15,
commencing  November 15, 2001. Interest on  overdue principal and (to the extent
permitted by law) on overdue installments of  interest will accrue at a rate  of
1.0%  in excess of the rate  per annum borne by the  Notes. The interest rate on
the Existing  Notes is  subject  to increase  in  certain circumstances  if  the
Exchange  Offer  is not  consummated by  November  4, 1996  or if  certain other
conditions are not satisfied.
 
     For Federal income tax purposes, Holders  of the Notes will be required  to
recognize  interest income in respect of the Notes in the form of original issue
discount in advance  of the receipt  of cash  payments to which  such income  is
attributable.
 
     Interest  on the Notes will  be computed on the basis  of a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months. Principal  and interest will be  payable at the office  of
the  Trustee,  but,  at  the  option  of  the  Company  and  subject  to certain
exceptions, interest may be  paid by check mailed  to the registered holders  at
their  registered  addresses.  However,  any  global  Note  will  be  payable in
immediately available funds  by wire  transfer to The  Depository Trust  Company
(the 'Depository'). See ' -- Same-Day Settlement and Payment.' The Notes will be
transferable and exchangeable at the office of the Trustee and will be issued in
fully registered form, without coupons.
 
FORM, DENOMINATION AND BOOK-ENTRY PROCEDURES
 
     The  Existing  Notes are  represented by  one fully-registered  global note
without  coupons  (the   'Existing  Global  Note')   and  two   fully-registered
certificated  notes without coupons. The Existing Global Note is on deposit with
the Depository and registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of  the
Depository.
 
     The  Exchange  Securities  will  be  issued in  the  form  of  one  or more
fully-registered notes  in  global form  without  coupons (an  'Exchange  Global
Note')  and one or more fully-registered certificated notes without coupons (the
'Certificated Exchange Securities'). The Exchange Global Note will be  deposited
with the Depository and registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of
the Depository (the 'Exchange Global Note Registered Owner').
 
     The  Depository has  advised the Company  that the Depository  is a limited
purpose  trust  company  created  to  hold  securities  for  its   participating
organizations (collectively, the 'Participants') and to facilitate the clearance
and  settlement of transactions in those securities between Participants through
electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The  Participants
include  securities  brokers  and  dealers,  banks,  trust  companies,  clearing
corporations and certain other organizations. Access to the Depository's  system
is  also available to other  entities such as banks,  brokers, dealers and trust
companies that  clear  through  or  maintain a  custodial  relationship  with  a
Participant,   either  directly  or   indirectly  (collectively,  the  'Indirect
Participants'). Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities
held by or  on behalf of  the Depository  only through the  Participants or  the
Indirect Participants. The ownership interest and transfer of ownership interest
of each actual
 
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<PAGE>
<PAGE>
purchaser  of each security held by or  on behalf of the Depository are recorded
on the records of the Participants and Indirect Participants.
 
     The Depository has also  advised the Company  that, pursuant to  procedures
established  by it, (i) upon deposit of the Exchange Global Note, the Depository
will credit the accounts of Participants  with portions of the principal  amount
of the Exchange Global Note and (ii) ownership of such interests in the Exchange
Global  Note will  be shown on,  and the  transfer of ownership  thereof will be
effected only through, records maintained by the Depository (with respect to the
Participants) or by the Participants and the Indirect Participants (with respect
to other owners of beneficial interests  in the Exchange Global Note). The  laws
of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery in definitive
form  of securities  that they  own. Consequently,  the ability  to transfer the
Exchange Securities will be limited to that extent.
 
     So long as the  Depository or its  nominee is the  registered owner of  the
Exchange  Global Note, the Depository or such  nominee, as the case may be, will
be considered the sole owner or Holder of the Exchange Securities represented by
the Exchange  Global  Note for  all  purposes  under the  Indenture.  Except  as
described  below, owners of interests in the  Exchange Global Note will not have
the Exchange Securities  registered in  their names, will  not receive  physical
delivery  of  the  Exchange  Securities  in  definitive  form  and  will  not be
considered the Registered Owners thereof under the Indenture for any purpose.
 
     Accordingly, each  person  owning a  beneficial  interest in  the  Exchange
Global Note must rely on the procedures of the Depository and, if such person is
not  a  Participant  or  an  Indirect  Participant,  on  the  procedures  of the
Participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any  rights
of  a  Holder under  the Indenture  or  such Exchange  Global Note.  The Company
understands that  under existing  industry practice,  in the  event the  Company
requests  any action  of Holders or  a person that  is an owner  of a beneficial
interest in  an  Exchange  Global Note  desires  to  take any  action  that  the
Depository, as the Holder of such Exchange Global Note, is entitled to take, the
Depository  would  authorize  the  Participants  to  take  such  action  and the
Participants would authorize  persons owning through  such Participants to  take
such action or would otherwise act upon the instruction of such persons. None of
the  Company, the Trustee nor any agent of  the Company or the Trustee will have
any responsibility or liability for (i)  any aspect of the Depository's  records
or  any Participant's records relating to payments made on account of beneficial
ownership interests in the Exchange Global Note, or for maintaining, supervising
or reviewing  any  of the  Depository's  records or  any  Participant's  records
relating  to the beneficial  ownership interests in the  Exchange Global Note or
(ii)  any  other  actions  and  practices  of  the  Depository  or  any  of  the
Participants.
 
     Payments  in  respect of  the  principal of  and  interest on  any Exchange
Securities registered in the name of  the Exchange Global Note Registered  Owner
will  be payable by  the Trustee to or  at the direction  of the Exchange Global
Note Registered  Owner  in  its  capacity as  the  Registered  Owner  under  the
Indenture.  Under the terms of  the Indenture, the Company  and the Trustee will
treat the persons in whose names the Exchange Securities, including the Exchange
Global Note, are registered as the  owners thereof for the purpose of  receiving
such  payments  and for  any and  all  other purposes  whatsoever. Consequently,
neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee has
or will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of such amounts  to
beneficial  owners of  Exchange Securities or  for any other  matter relating to
actions or practices of the Depository  or any of the Participants. Payments  by
the  Participants  and the  Indirect Participants  to  the beneficial  owners of
Exchange Securities  will be  governed by  standing instructions  and  customary
practices  and will  be the responsibility  of the Participants  or the Indirect
Participants and will not be the  responsibility of the Depository, the  Trustee
or the Company. Neither the Company nor the Trustee will be liable for any delay
by  the  Depository or  any of  the Participants  in identifying  the beneficial
owners of  the  Exchange  Securities,  and  the  Company  and  the  Trustee  may
conclusively  rely on and will be protected  in relying on instructions from the
Exchange Global Note Registered Owner for all purposes.
 
     The  Exchange  Global  Note  is  exchangeable  for  Certificated   Exchange
Securities  if (i) the Depository  notifies the Company that  it is unwilling or
unable to continue as Depository for the Exchange Global Note or if the  Company
determines  that  the Depository  is unable  to continue  as Depository  and the
Company thereupon fails to appoint a successor Depository, (ii) the Company,  at
its
 
                                      102
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
option,  notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of
Certificated Exchange Securities  in definitive registered  form or (iii)  there
shall  have occurred and  be continuing an  Event of Default  or any event which
after notice or lapse of time would be  an Event of Default with respect to  the
Exchange  Securities. Such Certificated Exchange  Securities shall be registered
in the names of the  owners of the beneficial  interests in the Exchange  Global
Note  as provided by the Depository. Certificated Exchange Securities will be in
fully registered form, without coupons, in multiples of $1,000. Upon issuance of
Certificated Exchange  Securities,  the  Trustee is  required  to  register  the
Exchange  Securities in  the name  of, and cause  the Exchange  Securities to be
delivered to, the person or persons  (or the nominee thereof) identified as  the
beneficial owner as the Depository shall direct.
 
     The   information  in  this  section  concerning  the  Depository  and  the
Depository's book-entry system has been  obtained from sources that the  Company
believes  to  be  reliable, but  the  Company  takes no  responsibility  for the
accuracy thereof.
 
SAME-DAY SETTLEMENT AND PAYMENT
 
     The Indenture requires that payments in respect of the Exchange  Securities
represented  by  an  Exchange  Global  Note  (including  principal,  premium and
interest) be  made  by wire  transfer  of  immediately available  funds  to  the
accounts  specified by  the Depository.  The Company  will make  all payments in
respect of the  Certificated Exchange Securities  (including principal,  premium
and  interest), by  mailing a  check to  each such  Holder's registered address;
provided, however, that payments on the Exchange Securities may also be made, in
the case  of a  Holder of  at  least $1,000,000  aggregate principal  amount  at
maturity  of  Exchange Securities,  by wire  transfer to  a U.S.  dollar account
maintained by the payee with a bank  in the United States if such Holder  elects
payment  by wire transfer by giving written  notice to the Trustee or the Paying
Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days  immediately
preceding  the relevant due date for payment  (or such other date as the Trustee
may accept  in  its  discretion).  Secondary  trading  in  long-term  notes  and
debentures  of  corporate  issuers  is generally  settled  in  clearing-house or
next-day funds. In contrast, the Exchange Global Note will be eligible to  trade
in  the PORTAL Market and to trade in the Depositary's Same-Day Funds Settlement
System, and  any  permitted  secondary  market  trading  activity  in  interests
represented  by the  Exchange Global  Note will,  therefore, be  required by the
Depositary to be  settled in  immediately available funds.  The Company  expects
that  secondary trading  in the  Certificated Exchange  Securities will  also be
settled in immediately available funds.
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
 
     Except as described below, the Notes may  not be redeemed at the option  of
the  Company prior  to May 15,  2000. On  or after such  date, the  Notes may be
redeemed at the option of the Company, at  any time as a whole, or from time  to
time  in  part, on  not less  than  30 nor  more than  60  days' notice,  at the
redemption prices (expressed as percentages of Accreted Value) set forth  below,
plus  accrued interest (if any) to the  date of redemption (subject to the right
of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on  the
relevant interest payment date):
 
          if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing May 15:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         REDEMPTION
YEAR                                                                       PRICE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------   ----------
 
<S>                                                                      <C>
2000..................................................................     108.833%
2001..................................................................     106.625
2002..................................................................     104.417
2003..................................................................     102.208
2004 and thereafter...................................................     100.000
</TABLE>
 
     Notwithstanding  the foregoing, until May 15, 1999, the Company may, at its
option, redeem up to 25%  of the aggregate principal  amount at maturity of  the
Notes  at 113.25% of the Accreted Value thereof  with the net proceeds of one or
more Public Equity Offerings  or Strategic Investments (to  the extent such  net
proceeds  are contributed to the equity capital of  the Company in the case of a
Public
 
                                      103
 

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<PAGE>
Equity Offering by Parent or Strategic Investment in Parent) if at least 75%  of
the  original  aggregate  principal  amount  at  maturity  of  the  Notes remain
outstanding after each such redemption.
 
SINKING FUND
 
     There will be no mandatory sinking fund payments for the Notes.
 
RANKING
 
     The indebtedness evidenced by the  Notes is senior subordinated,  unsecured
obligations  of the Company. The payment of  the principal of, premium (if any),
interest and all  other obligations in  respect of the  Notes is subordinate  in
right of payment, as set forth in the Indenture, to the prior payment in full in
cash  or cash equivalents of all Senior Debt of the Company, whether outstanding
on the Issue Date or thereafter  incurred, including the Company's guarantee  of
Benedek  Broadcasting's obligations under the  Credit Agreement and with respect
to the Senior Secured Notes.
 
     As of June  30, 1996, the  Company's Senior Debt  was approximately  $263.6
million. Although the Indenture contains limitations on the amount of additional
Debt  that the Company may incur, under certain circumstances the amount of such
Debt could be substantial and,  in any case, such Debt  may be Senior Debt.  See
' -- Certain Covenants -- Limitation on Debt.'
 
     The  Notes are not  senior to any  Debt of the  Company, although the Notes
will be  Senior to  Subordinated  Obligations (as  defined),  if any,  that  the
Company  may incur in the future. The  Company has no present intention to incur
any indebtedness junior to the Notes.
 
     All the operations of the  Company are conducted through its  subsidiaries.
Claims  of creditors  of such  subsidiaries, including  trade creditors, secured
creditors and  creditors  holding indebtedness  and  guarantees issued  by  such
subsidiaries, and claims of preferred stockholders (if any) of such subsidiaries
generally  will have priority  with respect to  the assets and  earnings of such
subsidiaries over the claims of creditors  of the Company, including holders  of
the  Notes, even  though such obligations  will not constitute  Senior Debt. The
Notes, therefore, will be effectively subordinated to creditors (including trade
creditors) and preferred stockholders (if  any) of subsidiaries of the  Company.
At  June  30, 1996,  the total  liabilities of  the Company's  subsidiaries were
$346.5 million,  including trade  payables and  $263.6 million  of Senior  Debt.
Although  the Indenture  limits the  incurrence of  Debt and  preferred stock of
certain of the Company's subsidiaries, such limitation is subject to a number of
significant  qualifications.  Moreover,  the  Indenture  does  not  impose   any
limitation  on the incurrence  by such subsidiaries of  liabilities that are not
considered Debt under the Indenture. See ' -- Certain Covenants -- Limitation of
Debt.'
 
     Only Debt of the Company that is Senior Debt will rank senior to the  Notes
in  accordance  with the  provisions of  the  Indenture. The  Notes will  in all
respects rank pari passu with all other Senior Subordinated Debt of the Company.
The Company has  agreed in the  Indenture that  it will not  Incur, directly  or
indirectly,  any  Debt that  is subordinate  or  junior in  ranking in  right of
payment to its Senior Debt  unless such Debt is  Senior Subordinated Debt or  is
expressly  subordinated  in  right  of  payment  to  Senior  Subordinated  Debt.
Unsecured Debt is not deemed to be subordinated or junior to Senior Debt  merely
because it is unsecured.
 
     The  Company may not pay principal of, premium (if any), interest on or any
other obligation in respect of,  the Notes or make  any deposit pursuant to  the
provisions  described under 'Defeasance' below and may not repurchase, redeem or
otherwise retire any Notes (collectively, 'pay the Notes') if (i) any Designated
Senior Debt is not paid when due or (ii) any other default on Designated  Senior
Debt  occurs and the maturity  of such Designated Senior  Debt is accelerated in
accordance with its terms unless, in either case, the default has been cured  or
waived  and any such  acceleration has been rescinded  or such Designated Senior
Debt has been paid in full in cash or cash equivalents. However, the Company may
pay the Notes without  regard to the  foregoing if the  Company and the  Trustee
receive  written notice  approving such payment  from the  Representative of the
Designated Senior Debt with respect to which  either of the events set forth  in
clause  (i) or (ii)  of the immediately  preceding sentence has  occurred and is
continuing. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any default (other
than a default described in clause (i) or (ii) of the second preceding sentence)
with
 
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<PAGE>
respect to any Designated Senior Debt pursuant to which the maturity thereof may
be accelerated immediately without further notice (except such notice as may  be
required  to effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace
periods, the Company may  not pay the  Notes for a  period (a 'Payment  Blockage
Period') commencing upon the receipt by the Trustee (with a copy to the Company)
of  written notice (a 'Blockage Notice') of such default from the Representative
of the holders of such Designated Senior Debt specifying an election to effect a
Payment Blockage  Period and  ending 179  days thereafter  (or earlier  if  such
Payment  Blockage Period is terminated (i) by  written notice to the Trustee and
the Company from  the Representative of  such Designated Senior  Debt Person  or
Persons  who gave such Blockage Notice, (ii)  because the default giving rise to
such Blockage Notice is  no longer continuing or  (iii) because such  Designated
Senior   Debt  has   been  repaid  in   full  in  cash   or  cash  equivalents).
Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, a Blockage Notice may
only be  given by  and, therefore  shall only  be effective  in respect  of  the
Company  and the Trustee if given by, (i) the Representative of the Bank Debt as
long as any Bank Debt is outstanding or the Representative of the Senior Secured
Notes as long as any  Senior Notes are outstanding and  (ii) if no Bank Debt  or
Senior  Secured Notes are  outstanding, any other  Representative of outstanding
Designated  Senior  Debt.  Notwithstanding  the  provisions  described  in   the
immediately  preceding sentence,  unless the  holders of  such Designated Senior
Debt or the Representative of such holders have accelerated the maturity of such
Designated Senior Debt, the Company may  resume payments on the Notes after  the
end of such Payment Blockage Period. The Notes shall not be subject to more than
one  Payment Blockage Period in any  consecutive 360-day period, irrespective of
the number  of defaults  with  respect to  Designated  Senior Debt  during  such
period.
 
     Upon  any payment or distribution of the assets of the Company upon a total
or partial liquidation or dissolution or reorganization of or similar proceeding
relating to the  Company or its  property, the  holders of Senior  Debt will  be
entitled  to receive payment in full in  cash or cash equivalents of such Senior
Debt before the Noteholders are entitled  to receive any payment, and until  the
Senior  Debt  is  paid in  full  in cash  or  cash equivalents,  any  payment or
distribution to which Noteholders  would be entitled  but for the  subordination
provisions of the Indenture will be made to holders of such Senior Debt as their
interests   may  appear.  The  foregoing  shall  not  prohibit  the  receipt  by
Noteholders in such a proceeding prior to the payment in full of the Senior Debt
of a distribution of shares of stock or debt securities that are subordinated to
the same extent as the Notes. If a distribution is made to Noteholders that, due
to the  subordination  provisions, should  not  have  been made  to  them,  such
Noteholders  are required to hold it in trust for the holders of Senior Debt and
pay it over to them as their interests may appear.
 
     If payment of the Notes is accelerated because of an Event of Default,  the
Company  or the Trustee  shall promptly notify the  holders of Designated Senior
Debt or the Representative of such holders of the acceleration.
 
     For purposes of the subordination provisions in the Indenture, Senior  Debt
outstanding  under the Bank Credit Agreement shall not be deemed paid in full in
cash or cash equivalents  at any time unless  all letters of credit  outstanding
under  the Bank Credit Agreement which have not been drawn upon at such time are
fully cash collateralized or returned undrawn.
 
     By reason of the  subordination provisions contained  in the Indenture,  in
the event of insolvency, creditors of the Company who are holders of Senior Debt
may  recover more, ratably,  than the Noteholders, and  creditors of the Company
who are not holders of  Senior Debt may recover  less, ratably, than holders  of
Senior Debt and may recover more, ratably, than the Noteholders.
 
CHANGE OF CONTROL
 
     Upon  the occurrence  of any  of the  following events  (each a  'Change of
Control'), each holder of Notes  will have the right  to require the Company  to
repurchase all or any part of such holder's Notes at a repurchase price equal to
101%  of the Accreted Value thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to
the date  of repurchase  (subject  to the  right of  holders  of record  on  the
relevant  record date to  receive interest due on  the relevant interest payment
date):
 
                                      105
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
          (i) prior to the first public offering of common stock of the  Company
     or  Parent, the  Permitted Holders cease  to be the  'beneficial owner' (as
     defined in  Rules 13d-3  and 13d-5  under the  Exchange Act),  directly  or
     indirectly, of a majority in the aggregate of the total voting power of the
     Voting  Stock of the Company, whether as a result of Issuance of securities
     of the Company,  any merger, consolidation,  liquidation or dissolution  of
     the  Company, any  direct or indirect  transfer of  securities or otherwise
     (for purposes  of this  clause (i)  and clause  (ii) below,  the  Permitted
     Holders  shall  be  deemed  to  beneficially  own  any  Voting  Stock  of a
     corporation (the  'specified corporation')  held by  any other  corporation
     (the  'parent corporation') so  long as the  Permitted Holders beneficially
     own (as so defined), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a majority of
     the voting power of the Voting Stock of the parent corporation);
 
          (ii) any 'person' (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of
     the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders, is or  becomes
     the  beneficial owner  (as defined  in clause  (i) above,  except that such
     person shall be deemed  to have 'beneficial ownership'  of all shares  that
     such  person has  the right to  acquire, whether such  right is exercisable
     immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly,  of
     more than 35% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company;
     provided,  however, that the Permitted Holders beneficially own (as defined
     in clause (i)  above), directly or  indirectly, in the  aggregate a  lesser
     percentage  of the total  voting power of  the Voting Stock  of the Company
     than such other  person and  do not  have the  right or  ability by  voting
     power,  contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election a majority
     of the Board of Directors of the  Company (for the purposes of this  clause
     (ii),  such other  person shall  be deemed  to beneficially  own any Voting
     Stock of a  specified corporation  held by  a parent  corporation, if  such
     other  person is  the beneficial  owner (as  defined in  this clause (ii)),
     directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the voting power of the  Voting
     Stock of such parent corporation and the Permitted Holders beneficially own
     (as  defined in clause (i) above), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate
     a lesser percentage of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such  parent
     corporation  and do not have the right or ability by voting power, contract
     or otherwise to elect or designate for election a majority of the Board  of
     Directors of such parent corporation); or
 
          (iii)  during any period of two  consecutive years, individuals who at
     the beginning of  such period  constituted the  Board of  Directors of  the
     Company  (together with any  new directors whose election  by such Board of
     Directors or  whose nomination  for  election by  the stockholders  of  the
     Company  was approved by a vote of 66  2/3% of the directors of the Company
     then still in  office who were  either directors at  the beginning of  such
     period  or  whose election  or nomination  for  election was  previously so
     approved) cease for  any reason to  constitute a majority  of the Board  of
     Directors of the Company then in office.
 
     The  foregoing provisions cannot be waived by the Board of Directors of the
Company (except that the Board may approve a new group of directors as described
in paragraph (iii) above and thereby prevent the occurrence of such a Change  of
Control).  The provisions relative to the  Company's obligation to make an offer
to repurchase the  Notes as a  result of a  Change of Control  may be waived  or
modified  with the  written consent  of the holders  of a  majority in principal
amount of the Notes.
 
     Within 30 days  following any Change  of Control, the  Company will mail  a
notice to each holder stating (i) that a Change of Control has occurred and that
such  holder has the right to require the  Company to repurchase all or any part
of such  holder's Notes  at a  repurchase price  in cash  equal to  101% of  the
principal  amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid  interest, if any, to the date
of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant  record
date  to receive interest due  on the relevant interest  payment date); (ii) the
circumstances and relevant  facts regarding  such Change  of Control  (including
information  with  respect  to  pro  forma  historical  income,  cash  flow  and
capitalization after  giving  effect  to  such Change  of  Control);  (iii)  the
repurchase  date (which will be  no earlier than 30 days  nor later than 60 days
from the date such notice is  mailed); and (iv) the instructions, determined  by
the Company consistent with the Indenture, that a holder must follow in order to
have its Notes repurchased.
 
     The  Change of Control purchase feature is a result of negotiations between
the Company and the  Initial Purchaser. Management has  no present intention  to
engage  in a transaction involving a Change  of Control, although it is possible
that the  Company  would  decide  to  do  so  in  the  future.  Subject  to  the
 
                                      106
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
limitations  discussed  below,  the Company  could,  in the  future,  enter into
certain   transactions,   including   acquisitions,   refinancings   or    other
recapitalizations,  that  would not  constitute a  Change  of Control  under the
Indenture, but that  could increase  the amount of  indebtedness outstanding  at
such time or otherwise affect the Company's capital structure or credit ratings.
Restrictions  on  the  ability  of  the Company  to  incur  additional  Debt are
contained in the covenants described  under 'Certain Covenants -- Limitation  on
Debt,'  '  --  Limitation  on  Liens'  and  '  --  Limitation  on Sale/Leaseback
Transactions.' Such restrictions  can only  be waived  with the  consent of  the
holders  of a majority  of the principal  amount of the  Notes then outstanding.
Except for the limitations contained  in such covenants, however, the  Indenture
will  not contain  any covenants  or provisions that  may afford  holders of the
Notes protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction.
 
     The Senior Secured  Note Indenture  and the Credit  Agreement contain,  and
future  indebtedness  of  the  Company  and  Benedek  Broadcasting  may contain,
prohibitions of certain  events which would  constitute a Change  of Control  or
require  such indebtedness to be repurchased upon a Change of Control. Moreover,
the exercise by the holders of their right to require the Company to  repurchase
the  Notes could cause a default under  such indebtedness, even if the Change of
Control itself does not, due to the  financial effect of such repurchase on  the
Company. Finally, the Company's ability to pay cash to the holders of Notes upon
a  repurchase may be limited by the Company's then existing financial resources.
There can be no assurance that sufficient funds will be available when necessary
to make any required repurchases. In the  event a Change of Control occurs at  a
time  when the  Company is prohibited  from purchasing Notes,  the Company could
seek the consent of  its lenders to  the purchase of Notes  or could attempt  to
refinance  the borrowings that contain such prohibition. If the Company does not
obtain such  a  consent  or  repay such  borrowings,  the  Company  will  remain
prohibited  from purchasing Notes. In such  case, the Company's failure to offer
to purchase or to purchase tendered  Notes would constitute an Event of  Default
under  the Indenture  and could,  in turn, constitute  a default  under the Bank
Credit Agreement  and  any  future  indebtedness.  In  such  circumstances,  the
subordination provisions in the Indenture would restrict payments to the holders
of Notes.
 
     The  Company will comply with any tender offer rules under the Exchange Act
which may then be applicable, including Rule 14e-1, in connection with any offer
required to be  made by the  Company to repurchase  the Notes as  a result of  a
Change  of Control. To the extent that  the provisions of any securities laws or
regulations conflict with provisions of the Indenture, the Company shall  comply
with  the applicable securities laws and regulations  and shall not be deemed to
have breached its obligations under the Indenture by virtue thereof.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
     Set forth below are certain covenants contained in the Indenture:
 
     Limitation on Debt.  (a) The Company  shall not, and  shall not permit  any
Restricted  Subsidiary to,  Issue, directly  or indirectly,  any Debt; provided,
however, that the Company  may Issue Debt  if at the date  of such Issuance  the
Cash  Flow Leverage  Ratio does  not exceed the  ratio indicated  below for Debt
Issued in each period indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     PERIOD                                          RATIO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ----------
 
<S>                                                                                <C>
Through September 30, 1996......................................................   7.0 to 1.0
From October 1, 1996 through March 31, 1998.....................................   6.5 to 1.0
From April 1, 1998 and thereafter...............................................   6.0 to 1.0
</TABLE>
 
     (b) Notwithstanding  the  foregoing  paragraph (a),  the  Company  and  the
Restricted Subsidiaries may Issue the following Debt: (1) Debt of the Company or
Benedek  Broadcasting Issued  pursuant to  the Bank  Credit Agreement (including
Guarantees thereof and  any letters of  credit Issued thereunder)  or any  other
agreement or indenture in a principal amount which, when taken together with the
principal  amount of all other Debt Issued  pursuant to this clause (1) and then
outstanding, does not exceed the  greater of (i) $15.0  million and (ii) 75%  of
the  book value  of the  accounts receivable of  the Company  and the Restricted
Subsidiaries; (2) Debt of the Company or Benedek Broadcasting Issued pursuant to
the Bank  Credit Agreement  (including  Guarantees thereof  and any  letters  of
credit Issued
 
                                      107
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
thereunder) or any other agreement or indenture in an aggregate principal amount
which,  when taken together with  the principal amount of  all other Debt Issued
pursuant to this  clause (2) and  then outstanding, does  not exceed (A)  $128.0
million  less  (B) the  lesser  of (i)  the  aggregate amount  of  all principal
repayments of any such Debt actually made  after the Issue Date (other than  any
such  principal repayments made as a result of the Refinancing of any such Debt)
and (ii) the scheduled principal amortization payments to have been made by then
under the terms of the Bank Credit  Agreement (but without giving effect to  any
changes  to such  scheduled principal payments  after the Issue  Date); (3) Debt
owed to and held by the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary; provided, however,
that any subsequent Issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event
which results in any such Wholly Owned  Subsidiary ceasing to be a Wholly  Owned
Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of such Debt (other than to a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary)  shall be deemed, in  each case, to constitute  the Issuance of such
Debt by the issuer thereof;  (4) the Notes and  Refinancing Debt of the  Company
Issued  in  respect of  any Debt  permitted  by this  clause (4)  and Guarantees
thereof (including the accretion of any original issue discount associated  with
Debt  permitted by  this clause  (4)); (5)  Debt (other  than Debt  described in
clause (1), (2) (3) or (4) of  this covenant but including the Debt  represented
by the Company Pledge Agreement) outstanding on the Issue Date, Refinancing Debt
in  respect of any Debt permitted  by this clause (5) or  clause (8) below or by
paragraph (a) above, Guarantees of the Senior Secured Notes and Refinancing Debt
of the Company in  respect of the  Senior Secured Notes;  (6) Debt or  Preferred
Stock  of a Subsidiary Issued  and outstanding on or prior  to the date on which
such Subsidiary became a Subsidiary or  was acquired by the Company (other  than
Debt  or Preferred  Stock Issued in  connection with,  or to provide  all or any
portion of the funds or credit  support utilized to consummate, the  transaction
or  series of  related transactions pursuant  to which such  Subsidiary became a
Subsidiary or  was  acquired  by  the Company)  and  Refinancing  Debt  of  such
Subsidiary  Issued in respect of  any Debt of such  Subsidiary permitted by this
clause (6); provided, however, that after  giving effect thereto, except in  the
case  of any Refinancing  Debt, the Company  could Issue an  additional $1.00 of
Debt pursuant to paragraph (a) above;  (7) Debt consisting of Guarantees by  BLC
of  Permitted Acquisition Debt;  (8) Specified Debt  of a Restricted Subsidiary;
provided, however, that after giving effect thereto, the Company could Issue  an
additional  $1.00  of  Debt  pursuant  to  paragraph  (a)  above;  (9)  Exchange
Debentures Issued in lieu of cash interest payments with respect to the Exchange
Debentures and Refinancing Debt in respect of any Debt permitted by this  clause
(9);  and (10) Debt of the Company  or any Restricted Subsidiary (in addition to
the Debt permitted to be Issued pursuant to paragraph (a) above or in any  other
clause  of this paragraph (b))  in an aggregate principal  amount on the date of
Issuance which, when added to all other Debt Issued pursuant to this clause (10)
and then outstanding, shall not exceed $15.0 million.
 
     (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this covenant, the Company shall
not Issue any Debt under paragraph (b)  above if the proceeds thereof are  used,
directly  or indirectly,  to repay, prepay,  redeem, defease,  retire, refund or
refinance any Subordinated Obligations unless such Debt shall be subordinated to
the Notes to at least the same extent as such Subordinated Obligations.
 
     Limitation on Subordinated Debt.  The Company shall not  issue any Debt  if
such Debt is subordinate or junior in ranking in any respect to any Senior Debt,
unless  such Debt  is Senior Subordinated  Debt or is  expressly subordinated in
right of payment to Senior Subordinated Debt.
 
     Limitation on  Liens. The  Company  shall not,  and  shall not  permit  any
Restricted  Subsidiary to, create, incur or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of
its property or assets now owned or  hereafter acquired by it securing any  Debt
that  is expressly by its terms junior or subordinate in right of payment to any
other  Debt  of  the  Company,  unless  contemporaneously  therewith   effective
provision  is made for securing the Notes  equally and ratably with such Debt as
to such property for so long as such Debt will be so secured.
 
     Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions. The Company shall not, and shall
not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into a Sale/Leaseback Transaction
unless (i) the Company  would be able to  incur Debt in an  amount equal to  the
Attributable  Debt with respect to such  Sale/Leaseback Transaction secured by a
Lien pursuant to the provisions of the covenants described under ' -- Limitation
on Debt'  and '  -- Limitation  on  Liens' above  or (ii)  the Company  or  such
Restricted   Subsidiary   receives   consideration   from   such  Sale/Leaseback
Transaction at least equal to the fair
 
                                      108
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
market value of the property subject thereto (which shall be determined in  good
faith  by the Board of  Directors and evidenced by a  resolution of the Board of
Directors) and  elects  to treat  the  disposition  of assets  subject  to  such
Sale/Leaseback  Transaction  as an  Asset  Disposition subject  to  the covenant
described under ' -- Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock' below.
 
     Limitation on Restricted Payments. (a) The Company shall not, and shall not
permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to (i) declare or  pay
any  dividend or  make any distribution  on or  in respect of  its Capital Stock
(including any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation  involving
the  Company) or to the direct or  indirect holders of its Capital Stock (except
dividends or distributions payable solely  in its Non-Convertible Capital  Stock
or  in options, warrants or other rights to purchase its Non-Convertible Capital
Stock and  except  dividends  or  distributions payable  to  the  Company  or  a
Subsidiary  and, if a Subsidiary is not  wholly owned, to the other stockholders
on a pro rata basis), (ii) purchase,  redeem or otherwise acquire or retire  for
value  any Capital Stock of  the Company or of any  direct or indirect parent of
the Company, (iii) purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or
retire for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or  scheduled
sinking  fund  payment any  Subordinated Obligations  (other than  the purchase,
repurchase  or  other  acquisition  of  Subordinated  Obligations  purchased  in
anticipation  of satisfying a sinking  fund obligation, principal installment or
final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of acquisition)  or
(iv) make any Investment in any Affiliate of the Company other than a Restricted
Subsidiary  or a person which will become a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of
any such  Investment (any  such  dividend, distribution,  purchase,  redemption,
repurchase, defeasance, other acquisition, retirement or Investment being herein
referred  to  as a  'Restricted Payment')  if at  the time  the Company  or such
Restricted Subsidiary makes such  Restricted Payment: (1)  a Default shall  have
occurred  and be continuing (or would result  therefrom); (2) the Company is not
able to Issue  an additional  $1.00 of  Debt pursuant  to paragraph  (a) of  the
covenant  described under ' --  Limitation on Debt' above;  or (3) the aggregate
amount of such Restricted  Payment and all other  Restricted Payments since  the
Issue  Date would  exceed the  sum of:  (a) the  cumulative Operating  Cash Flow
(whether positive  or  negative)  accrued  during the  period  (treated  as  one
accounting  period) from  the beginning of  the fiscal quarter  during which the
Issue Date occurs to the end of  the most recent fiscal quarter ending at  least
45  days prior to  the date of such  Restricted Payment less  the product of 1.4
multiplied by the cumulative Consolidated  Interest Expense during such  period;
provided,  however, that Operating  Cash Flow and  Consolidated Interest Expense
for the period from the beginning of  the fiscal quarter during which the  Issue
Date  occurs through the Issue Date are originally Issued shall be calculated on
a pro forma basis  to give effect to  the Acquisitions, including the  financing
thereof  (as if the Acquisitions were consummated  on the last day of the fiscal
quarter prior to the fiscal quarter during which the Issue Date occurs); (b) the
aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received  by the Company from  the Issue or sale  of
its  Capital Stock (other than Redeemable  Stock or Exchangeable Stock and other
than the Exchangeable Preferred Stock  and the Seller Junior Discount  Preferred
Stock)  subsequent  to the  Issue  Date (other  than an  Issuance  or sale  to a
Subsidiary or to an employee stock ownership plan or other trust established  by
the  Company or any of the Subsidiaries for the benefit of their employees or to
officers, directors  or  employees  to  the  extent  that  the  Company  or  any
Subsidiary  has  outstanding loans  or advances  to  such employees  pursuant to
clause (vii) of the  second paragraph of  this covenant or  clause (iii) of  the
second  paragraph under '  -- Limitations on  Transactions with Affiliates' (all
such excluded Capital Stock being herein collectively called 'Excluded Stock'));
and (c)  the amount  by which  indebtedness of  the Company  is reduced  on  the
Company's  balance  sheet  upon the  conversion  or  exchange (other  than  by a
Subsidiary), subsequent to the Issue Date, of any Debt of the Company that is by
its original terms  convertible or  exchangeable for Capital  Stock (other  than
Redeemable  Stock or Exchangeable Stock) of the  Company (less the amount of any
cash, or other  property, distributed  by the  Company upon  such conversion  or
exchange); provided, however, that, for the purposes of the calculation required
by  this clause  (3), the value  of any  such Restricted Payment,  if other than
cash, shall  be  evidenced  by  a  resolution of  the  Board  of  Directors  and
determined in good faith by the disinterested members of the Board of Directors;
provided  further,  however,  that,  in  the case  of  a  distribution  or other
disposition by  the Company  of all  or substantially  all of  the assets  of  a
broadcast  station  or other  business unit,  the value  of any  such Restricted
Payment shall be determined by an investment banking firm of national prominence
that is not an Affiliate of the Company.
 
                                      109
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     (b) The provisions of the preceding  paragraph shall not prohibit: (i)  any
purchase  or  redemption of  Capital Stock  or  Subordinated Obligations  of the
Company made  by exchange  for, or  out  of the  proceeds of  the  substantially
concurrent sale of, Capital Stock of the Company (other than Redeemable Stock or
Exchangeable  Stock and other than Excluded  Stock); provided, however, that (A)
such purchase or redemption shall be  excluded in the calculation of the  amount
of  Restricted Payments and  (B) the Net  Cash Proceeds from  such sale shall be
excluded from clauses  (3)(b) and  (3)(c) of  the previous  paragraph; (ii)  any
purchase or redemption of Subordinated Obligations or the Exchangeable Preferred
Stock  of  the Company  made by  exchange for,  or  out of  the proceeds  of the
substantially concurrent sale of, Debt of  the Company which is permitted to  be
Issued  pursuant to the covenant described above under ' -- Limitation on Debt';
provided, however, that  such purchase or  redemption shall be  excluded in  the
calculation  of  the  amount  of  Restricted  Payments;  (iii)  any  purchase or
redemption of Subordinated  Obligations from  Net Available Cash  to the  extent
permitted  by the  covenant described  below under '  -- Limitation  on Sales of
Assets  and  Subsidiary  Stock';  provided,  however,  that  such  purchase   or
redemption  shall be  excluded in  the calculation  of the  amount of Restricted
Payments; (iv)  dividends paid  within 60  days after  the date  of  declaration
thereof  if at such date  of declaration such dividend  would have complied with
this covenant; provided, however, that at the time of payment of such  dividend,
no  other Default shall  have occurred and be  continuing (or result therefrom);
provided  further,  however,  that  such  dividend  shall  be  included  in  the
calculation   of  the  amount   of  Restricted  Payments;   (v)  Investments  in
Non-Recourse Affiliates in an aggregate amount (which amount shall be reduced by
the amount equal to the net reduction in Investments in Non-Recourse  Affiliates
resulting  from payments of dividends, repayments  of loans or advances or other
transfers  of  assets  to  the   Company  or  any  Restricted  Subsidiary   from
Non-Recourse Affiliates) not to exceed $6.0 million; provided, however, that the
amount of such Investments shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of
Restricted  Payments; (vi) with  respect to each  tax period prior  to the Issue
Date that Benedek Broadcasting qualifies as an S Corporation under the Code,  or
any  similar  provision of  state or  local law,  distributions of  Tax Amounts;
provided, however,  that  prior  to  any distribution  of  Tax  Amounts  a  duly
authorized officer of Benedek Broadcasting certifies to the Trustee that Benedek
Broadcasting  qualified as an S Corporation  for Federal income tax purposes for
such period and for the states in respect of which distributions are being  made
and  that at the time  of such distributions, the  most recent audited financial
statements of Benedek Broadcasting provide that Benedek Broadcasting was treated
as an S Corporation for Federal  income tax purposes for the applicable  portion
of  the period of such financial statements; provided further, however, that the
amount of such distributions shall be excluded in the calculation of the  amount
of Restricted Payments; (vii) loans or advances to officers and directors of the
Company  (other than a Restricted Holder) (A) in the ordinary course of business
in an aggregate  amount outstanding not  in excess  of $1.0 million  or (B)  the
proceeds  of which are used to acquire  Capital Stock of the Company (other than
Redeemable Stock or Exchangeable Stock); provided, however, that such loans  and
advances  shall  be excluded  in  the calculation  of  the amount  of Restricted
Payments; (viii) the retirement of the Exchangeable Preferred Stock through  the
issuance of the Exchange Debentures; provided, however, the amount thereof shall
be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments or (ix) cash
dividends or distributions payable to holders of Exchangeable Preferred Stock as
Liquidated  Damages  (as  defined  in  the  Certificate  of  Designation)  in an
aggregate amount not to exceed $300,000;  provided, however, that the amount  of
such  dividends or  distributions shall  be included  in the  calculation of the
amount of Restricted Payments.
 
     The Company shall not be permitted to make distributions pursuant to clause
(vi) above (1) unless and until the  Company has entered into a binding  written
agreement  with each stockholder (copies of  which will be promptly furnished to
the Trustee prior to the making of any such distribution) providing that if  any
amount  distributed to  such stockholder pursuant  to such clause  (vi) is later
determined to  have been,  as a  result of  a change  in applicable  law or  the
failure  of Benedek  Broadcasting to  effect or  maintain a  valid S Corporation
election or otherwise, in  excess of the amount  permitted to be distributed  or
paid  under such clause  (vi), such excess  shall be refunded  to the Company at
least five Business  Days prior  to the next  due date  of individual  estimated
income  tax payments and (2)  in the event it has  been determined that any such
excess distribution or payment has been  made, unless the Company has  requested
and received all refunds pursuant to such agreements.
 
                                      110
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     Limitation  on Restrictions on  Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create
or otherwise  cause  or permit  to  exist  or become  effective  any  consensual
encumbrance  or restriction on  the ability of any  Restricted Subsidiary to (i)
pay dividends or make any  other distributions on its  Capital Stock or pay  any
Debt  owed to  the Company, (ii)  make any loans  or advances to  the Company or
(iii) transfer any of  its property or  assets to the  Company, except: (1)  any
encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement in effect at or entered into
on  the  Issue  Date; (2)  any  encumbrance  or restriction  with  respect  to a
Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to  an agreement relating to  any Debt Issued  by
such  Restricted Subsidiary  on or  prior to the  date on  which such Restricted
Subsidiary was acquired by the Company (other than Debt Issued as  consideration
in,  or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to
consummate, the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to  which
such Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or was acquired by the
Company)  and  outstanding  on such  date;  (3) any  encumbrance  or restriction
pursuant to an agreement effecting a  Refinancing of Debt Issued pursuant to  an
agreement  referred to in clause (1) or (2) of this covenant or contained in any
amendment to an agreement  referred to in  clause (1) or  (2) of this  covenant;
provided,  however, that the encumbrances and restrictions contained in any such
Refinancing agreement or amendment are no less favorable to the Noteholders than
encumbrances and  restrictions  contained  in  such  agreements;  (4)  any  such
encumbrance  or restriction consisting of  customary nonassignment provisions in
leases governing leasehold interests to the extent such provisions restrict  the
transfer  of the  lease; (5)  in the  case of  clause (iii)  above, restrictions
contained in security agreements securing Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary to the
extent such restrictions restrict the transfer  of the property subject to  such
security  agreements;  and  (6) any  restriction  with respect  to  a Restricted
Subsidiary imposed  pursuant  to an  agreement  entered  into for  the  sale  or
disposition  of all or substantially all of  the Capital Stock or assets of such
Restricted Subsidiary pending the closing of such sale or disposition.
 
     Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock. The Company shall  not,
and  shall not  permit any Restricted  Subsidiary to make  any Asset Disposition
unless (i) the Company or  such Restricted Subsidiary receives consideration  at
the  time of such Asset Disposition at least  equal to the fair market value, as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors (including as to the value of
all non-cash consideration),  of the  shares and  assets subject  to such  Asset
Disposition  and  at least  90%  of the  consideration  thereof received  by the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash and (ii) an  amount
equal  to 100% of the Net Available  Cash from such Asset Disposition is applied
by the Company (or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) (A) first, to
the extent the Company elects (or is  required by the terms of any Senior  Debt)
to  prepay, repay  or purchase  Senior Debt or  Debt (other  than any Redeemable
Stock) of a Wholly Owned  Subsidiary (in each case other  than Debt owed to  the
Company  or an Affiliate of  the Company) within 60 days  after the later of the
date of such Asset Disposition  or the receipt of  such Net Available Cash;  (B)
second,  to  the  extent  of  the  balance  of  such  Net  Available  Cash after
application in accordance  with clause  (A), at  the Company's  election to  the
investment  by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in assets to replace the
assets that were the  subject of such  Asset Disposition or  in assets that,  as
determined  by the Board of Directors and  evidenced by resolutions of the Board
of Directors, will be used in the  businesses of the Company and its  Restricted
Subsidiaries  existing on  the Issue  Date or  in businesses  reasonably related
thereto, in all cases within 270 days after the later of the date of such  Asset
Disposition  or the receipt of such Net Available Cash; (C) third, to the extent
the Company is  entitled pursuant  to then existing  contractual limitations  to
receive  dividends and distributions from the relevant Restricted Subsidiary and
of the balance of such Net  Available Cash after application in accordance  with
clauses  (A) and (B), to make an offer pursuant to and subject to the conditions
contained in the Indenture to the holders of the Notes (and to holders of  other
Senior  Subordinated Debt designated by the Company) to purchase Notes (and such
other Senior Subordinated  Debt) at  a purchase price  of 100%  of the  Accreted
Value  thereof (without premium) plus accrued and unpaid interest (or in respect
of such other  Senior Subordinated Debt  such lesser  price, if any,  as may  be
provided  for  by the  terms of  such  other Senior  Subordinated Debt)  and (D)
fourth, to  the  extent  of  the  balance  of  such  Net  Available  Cash  after
application  in accordance with clauses (A), (B) and (C), to (x) the acquisition
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of assets to replace the assets that
were the subject of such Asset Disposition or assets
 
                                      111
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
that, as determined by  the Board of Directors  and evidenced by resolutions  of
the  Board of Directors, will  be used in the businesses  of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries existing on the  Issue Date or in businesses  reasonably
related thereto or (y) the prepayment, repayment or purchase of Debt (other than
any  Redeemable Stock) of the  Company (other than Debt  owed to an Affiliate of
the Company) or Debt of any Restricted  Subsidiary (other than Debt owed to  the
Company  or an Affiliate of the Company), in each case within 360 days after the
later of the receipt of such Net Available Cash and the date the offer described
in clause (C)  is consummated;  provided, however  that in  connection with  any
prepayment,  repayment or purchase  of Debt pursuant  to clause (A),  (C) or (D)
above, the Company  or such  Restricted Subsidiary  shall retire  such Debt  and
shall cause the related loan commitment (if any) to be permanently reduced in an
amount   equal  to  the  principal  amount  so  prepaid,  repaid  or  purchased.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, the Company and  the
Restricted  Subsidiaries shall not  be required to apply  any Net Available Cash
(other than  Net  Available Cash  from  an  Asset Disposition  consisting  of  a
Sale/Leaseback  Transaction that  the Company has  elected to treat  as an Asset
Disposition  pursuant  to   clause  (ii)   of  the   covenant  described   under
'  -- Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions'  above) in accordance with this
paragraph except to the  extent that the aggregate  Net Available Cash from  all
Asset  Dispositions  which are  not applied  in  accordance with  this paragraph
exceeds $5.0 million. The Company  shall not permit any Non-Recourse  Subsidiary
to  make  any Asset  Disposition  unless such  Non-Recourse  Subsidiary receives
consideration at the time of such Asset  Disposition at least equal to the  fair
market  value of the shares or assets so disposed of. Pending application of Net
Available Cash  pursuant to  this covenant,  such Net  Available Cash  shall  be
invested in Permitted Investments.
 
     In  the event of an  Asset Disposition that requires  the purchase of Notes
(and other  Senior Subordinated  Debt)  pursuant to  clause (ii)(C)  above,  the
Company  will be required to purchase Notes tendered pursuant to an offer by the
Company for the Notes (and other Senior Subordinated Debt at the purchase  price
set  forth above) in accordance with  the procedures (including prorating in the
event of oversubscription) set forth in the Indenture. The Company shall not  be
required  to make  such an  offer to  purchase Notes  if the  Net Available Cash
available  therefor  is  less  than  $5.0  million  for  any  particular   Asset
Disposition  (which  lesser  amount shall  be  carried forward  for  purposes of
determining whether such  an offer is  required with respect  to any  subsequent
Asset Disposition).
 
     The  Company shall comply, to the  extent applicable, with the requirements
of Section  14(e)  of  the  Exchange  Act  and  any  other  securities  laws  or
regulations  in  connection  with  the  repurchase  of  Notes  pursuant  to this
covenant.  To  the  extent  that  the  provisions  of  any  securities  laws  or
regulations  conflict with provisions of this covenant, the Company shall comply
with the applicable securities laws and  regulations and shall not be deemed  to
have breached its obligations under this clause by virtue thereof.
 
     Limitation  on  Transactions with  Affiliates. The  Company shall  not, and
shall not permit  any Restricted Subsidiary  to, conduct any  business or  enter
into  any transaction or series of related transactions (including the purchase,
sale, lease or exchange of  any property or the  rendering of any service)  with
any  Affiliate of the Company unless the  terms of such business, transaction or
series of  transactions are  as  favorable to  the  Company or  such  Restricted
Subsidiary  as  terms that  would be  obtainable  at the  time for  a comparable
transaction or series of similar  transactions in arm's-length dealings with  an
unrelated  third person; provided, however, that  in the case of any transaction
or  series  of  related  transactions  involving  aggregate  payments  or  other
transfers  by the Company and its Restricted  Subsidiaries in excess of (i) $1.0
million, the  Company shall  deliver  an Officers'  Certificate to  the  Trustee
certifying   that  the  terms  of  such   business,  transaction  or  series  of
transactions (x) comply with this covenant,  (y) have been set forth in  writing
and  (z) have been determined in good  faith by the disinterested members of the
Board of Directors to satisfy the criteria set forth in this covenant, and  (ii)
$5.0  million, the Company shall also deliver  to the Trustee an opinion from an
investment banking firm of national prominence  that is not an Affiliate of  the
Company  to the effect that such  business, transaction or transactions are fair
to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view.
 
     The provisions  of  the preceding  paragraph  shall not  prohibit  (i)  any
Restricted  Payment  permitted to  be  paid pursuant  to  the provisions  of the
covenant described under ' -- Limitation on Restricted
 
                                      112
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Payments,' (ii) any Issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or  grants
in  cash, securities  or otherwise  pursuant to,  or the  funding of, employment
arrangements, stock options and stock ownership  plans approved by the Board  of
Directors  in  the  ordinary course  of  business and  consistent  with industry
practices, (iii)  loans  or  advances  to  employees  of  the  Company  and  the
Subsidiaries  (other  than Restricted  Holders) (A)  in  the ordinary  course of
business in an aggregate  amount outstanding not to  exceed $1.0 million or  (B)
the  proceeds of which are used to acquire from the Company Capital Stock of the
Company (other than Redeemable Stock or Exchangeable Stock); (iv) the payment of
reasonable fees to directors of the  Company and its Subsidiaries (other than  a
Restricted Holder) who are not employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries; (v)
salaries  to employees  in the ordinary  course of business  and consistent with
industry  practices;  and  (vi)  any  transaction  between  the  Company  and  a
Restricted  Subsidiary  or between  Restricted Subsidiaries;  provided, however,
that no portion of  the minority interest in  any such Restricted Subsidiary  is
owned  by an Affiliate (other than the  Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary) of
the Company.
 
     Limitation on Guarantees Issued by BLC. The Company shall not permit BLC to
Issue, directly or indirectly, any Guarantee of any Debt of the Company that  is
expressly  by its terms junior  or subordinate in right  of payment to any other
Debt of the Company, unless  contemporaneously therewith effective provision  is
made  to Guarantee the  Notes equally and  ratably with, or  prior thereto, such
Debt for so long as such Debt is so Guaranteed.
 
     SEC Reports and Other Information. Notwithstanding that the Company may not
be required to be subject to the  reporting requirements of Section 13 or  15(d)
of  the Exchange Act, the Company shall  file with the SEC and thereupon provide
the Trustee  and Noteholders  with  such annual  reports and  such  information,
documents  and other reports  as are specified  in Sections 13  and 15(d) of the
Exchange Act and applicable to a U.S. corporation subject to such Sections, such
information, documents and  other reports  to be so  filed and  provided at  the
times  specified for the filing of such information, documents and reports under
such Sections. In addition, for so long as any of the Notes remain  outstanding,
the  Company will make  available to any  prospective purchaser of  the Notes or
beneficial owner  of  the  Notes  in  connection  with  any  sales  thereof  the
information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
 
SUCCESSOR COMPANY
 
     The  Company may  not consolidate  with or merge  with or  into, or convey,
transfer or lease all or substantially all its assets to, any person unless: (i)
the resulting, surviving or transferee person (if not the Company), is organized
and existing under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof
or the District of Columbia and such entity expressly assumes by a  supplemental
indenture,  executed and delivered  to the Trustee, in  form satisfactory to the
Trustee, all the obligations of the  Company under the Indenture and the  Notes;
(ii)  immediately  prior to  and after  giving effect  to such  transaction (and
treating any Debt  which becomes an  obligation of the  resulting, surviving  or
transferee  person or any Subsidiary  as a result of  such transaction as having
been  incurred  by  such  person  or  such  Subsidiary  at  the  time  of   such
transaction), no Default has occurred and is continuing; (iii) immediately after
giving effect to such transaction, the resulting, surviving or transferee person
(in  the case of a transaction involving the  Company) would be able to Issue an
additional $1.00 of  Debt pursuant to  paragraph (a) of  the covenant  described
under  'Certain Covenants --  Limitation on Debt'  above; (iv) immediately after
giving effect to such transaction, the resulting, surviving or transferee person
has Consolidated Net Worth in an amount which is not less than the  Consolidated
Net Worth of the Company prior to such transaction; and (v) the Company delivers
to  the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, stating that
such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if  any)
comply with the Indenture. The resulting, surviving or transferee person will be
the successor company.
 
     The  Company shall not  permit Benedek Broadcasting  to consolidate with or
merge with or into, or  convey, transfer or lease  all or substantially all  its
assets  to, any person unless: (i) the resulting, surviving or transferee person
(if not Benedek Broadcasting), is organized  and existing under the laws of  the
United  States of America or any State thereof or the District of Columbia; (ii)
immediately prior to and after giving  effect to such transaction (and  treating
any Debt which becomes an obligation of the
 
                                      113
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
resulting,  surviving or transferee person or any Subsidiary as a result of such
transaction as having  been incurred by  such person or  such Subsidiary at  the
time  of such  transaction), no  Default has  occurred and  is continuing; (iii)
immediately after giving effect to such  transaction, the Company would be  able
to  Issue an additional $1.00 of Debt  pursuant to paragraph (a) of the covenant
described under 'Certain Covenants  -- Limitation on Debt'  above; and (iv)  the
Company  delivers  to the  Trustee an  Officers' Certificate  and an  Opinion of
Counsel, stating that such consolidation,  merger or transfer complies with  the
Indenture.
 
DEFAULTS
 
     An  Event of Default  is defined in the  Indenture as (i)  a default in the
payment of interest on the Notes when due, continued for 30 days, (ii) a default
in the payment of principal  of any Note when due  at its Stated Maturity,  upon
optional  redemption, upon  required repurchase, upon  declaration or otherwise,
(iii)  the  failure  by  the  Company  to  comply  with  its  obligations  under
'  -- Successor Company' above, (iv) the failure by the Company to comply for 30
days after notice  with any  of its  obligations under  the covenants  described
under  'Change  of  Control'  above  or  under  the  covenants  described  under
' -- Certain Covenants' above  (in each case, other  than a failure to  purchase
Notes),  (v) the failure by the Company to  comply for 60 days after notice with
any of its  other agreements  or covenants or  any provisions  contained in  the
Indenture,  (vi) Debt of the  Company, BLC or any  Significant Subsidiary is not
paid within any applicable grace period  after final maturity or is  accelerated
by  the holders thereof because  of a default and the  total amount of such Debt
unpaid or accelerated  exceeds $5.0 million  and such failure  continues for  10
days  after notice (the 'cross acceleration provision'), (vii) certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization  of the Company,  BLC or a  Significant
Subsidiary  (the 'bankruptcy provisions'), (viii) any judgment or decree for the
payment of money in excess of $5.0 million is rendered against the Company,  BLC
or  a  Significant  Subsidiary, remains  outstanding  for  a period  of  60 days
following such judgment and is not  discharged, waived or stayed (the  'judgment
default  provision')  or  (ix)  the  Company,  Benedek  Broadcasting,  BLC  or a
Significant Subsidiary fails to maintain any License or Licenses with respect to
a Television  Station  or Television  Stations  owned  by it  which  License  is
necessary  for  continued  transmission  of  such  Television  Station's  normal
programming and the  Operating Cash Flow  for the most  recently completed  four
fiscal quarters of the Company of such Television Station or Television Stations
exceeds  10% of  the Operating  Cash Flow  of the  Company for  such period (the
'license maintenance provision').  However, a  default under  clause (iv),  (v),
(vi)  or (viii) will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the
holders of 25% in principal amount  of the outstanding Notes notify the  Company
of  the  default and  the Company  does not  cure such  default within  the time
specified after receipt of such notice.
 
     If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders
of at least 25%  in principal amount  of the outstanding  Notes may declare  the
Accreted  Value and accrued but unpaid  interest on all the Notes (collectively,
the 'Default  Amount') to  be due  and payable.  Upon such  a declaration,  such
Default  Amount shall  be due  and payable immediately.  If an  Event of Default
relating to certain events  of bankruptcy, insolvency  or reorganization of  the
Company  occurs and is continuing, the Default Amount will ipso facto become and
be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the  part
of  the Trustee or  any holders of  the Notes. Under  certain circumstances, the
holders of a majority in principal  amount of the outstanding Notes may  rescind
any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.
 
     Subject  to the provisions of  the Indenture relating to  the duties of the
Trustee, in case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee  will
be  under  no obligation  to  exercise any  of the  rights  or powers  under the
Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the Notes  unless
such  holders  have  offered to  the  Trustee reasonable  indemnity  or security
against any loss, liability or expense.  Except to enforce the right to  receive
payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder of a Note
may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes unless (i) such
holder  has previously  given the  Trustee notice  that an  Event of  Default is
continuing, (ii) holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the  outstanding
Notes  have requested the Trustee to pursue  the remedy, (iii) such holders have
offered the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against any loss, liability
or expense, (iv) the Trustee has not  complied with such request within 60  days
after the receipt
 
                                      114
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
thereof and the offer of security or indemnity and (v) the holders of a majority
in  principal  amount of  the outstanding  Notes  have not  given the  Trustee a
direction inconsistent with such request  within such 60-day period. Subject  to
certain  restrictions,  the holders  of a  majority in  principal amount  of the
outstanding Notes are given the  right to direct the  time, method and place  of
conducting  any  proceeding  for  any  remedy available  to  the  Trustee  or of
exercising any trust or  power conferred on the  Trustee. The Trustee,  however,
may  refuse to follow any direction that  conflicts with law or the Indenture or
that the Trustee  determines is unduly  prejudicial to the  rights of any  other
holder of a Note or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.
 
     The  Indenture provides that if  a Default occurs and  is continuing and is
known to the Trustee, the Trustee must  mail to each holder of the Notes  notice
of  the Default  within 10  days after  it occurs.  In addition,  the Company is
required to deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each  fiscal
year and within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters
of  each year, a certificate indicating whether  the signers thereof know of any
Default that occurred during the previous year. The Company also is required  to
deliver  to the  Trustee, within 10  days after the  occurrence thereof, written
notice of any event  which would constitute certain  Defaults, their status  and
what action the Company is taking or proposes to take in respect thereof.
 
     In  the case  of any Event  of Default  occurring by reason  of any willful
action (or inaction) taken (or  not taken) by or on  behalf of the Company  with
the intention of avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have had
to pay at such time if the Company then had elected to redeem the Notes pursuant
to the provisions described under ' -- Optional Redemption' above, an equivalent
premium  shall also  become and  be immediately  due and  payable to  the extent
permitted by law  upon the acceleration  of the  Notes. If an  Event of  Default
occurs prior to May 15, 2000 by reason of any willful action (or inaction) taken
(or not taken) by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding the
prohibition  on redemption of the  Notes prior to May  15, 2000, pursuant to the
provisions described under  ' --  Optional Redemption' above,  then the  premium
payable  for purposes of this  paragraph shall be as  set forth in the following
table expressed as a percentage of the Accreted Value, plus accrued interest, if
any, to the date of payment if the  Event of Default occurs during the 12  month
period commencing on May 15:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          PERCENTAGE OF
YEAR                                                                                      ACCRETED VALUE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   --------------
 
<S>                                                                                       <C>
1996...................................................................................       113.250%
1997...................................................................................       113.250
1998...................................................................................       113.250
1999...................................................................................       111.042
</TABLE>
 
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
 
     Subject  to  certain  exceptions, the  Indenture  may be  amended  with the
consent of the holders of a majority  of the principal amount of the Notes  then
outstanding and any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived
with  the consent of  the holders of a  majority of the  principal amount of the
Notes then  outstanding. However,  without  the consent  of  each holder  of  an
outstanding Note, no amendment may, among other things, (i) reduce the amount of
Notes  whose holders must  consent to an  amendment, (ii) reduce  the rate of or
extend the time for payment of interest on any Note, (iii) reduce the  principal
of  or extend the Stated  Maturity of any Note,  (iv) reduce the premium payable
upon the redemption  of any Note  or change the  time at which  any Note may  be
redeemed  as described under ' -- Optional  Redemption' above, (v) make any Note
payable in money other than  that stated in the Note,  (vi) impair the right  of
any  holder of the Notes to receive payment of principal of and interest on such
holder's Notes on or after the due  dates therefor or to institute suit for  the
enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder's Notes, (vii) make
any change in the amendment provisions which require each holder's consent or in
the  waiver provisions or (viii) make any change to the subordination provisions
of the Indenture.
 
     Without the consent of any holder of the Notes, the Company and the Trustee
may amend or supplement the Indenture to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or
inconsistency, to provide for the
 
                                      115
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
assumption by a successor  corporation of the obligations  of the Company  under
the Indenture, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of
certificated  Notes  (provided  that  the  uncertificated  Notes  are  issued in
registered form for purposes of Section  163(f) of the Internal Revenue Code  of
1986, as amended (the 'Code'), or in a manner such that the uncertificated Notes
are  described  in Section  163(f)(2)(B) of  the Code),  to add  Guarantees with
respect to or secure the Notes, to add  to the covenants of the Company for  the
benefit of the holders of the Notes or to surrender any right or power conferred
upon the Company or to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights
of  any holder of  the Notes or  to comply with  any requirements of  the SEC in
connection with the qualification  of the Indenture under  the TIA. However,  no
amendment  may be  made to  the subordination  provisions of  the Indenture that
adversely affects  the rights  of any  holder of  Senior Debt  then  outstanding
unless  the holders  of such Senior  Debt (or their  Representative) consents to
such change.
 
     The consent  of  the  holders of  the  Notes  is not  necessary  under  the
Indenture  to  approve the  particular  form of  any  proposed amendment.  It is
sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment.
 
     After an amendment under  the Indenture becomes  effective, the Company  is
required  to  mail to  holders of  the  Notes a  notice briefly  describing such
amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all holders of the Notes,
or any defect therein, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.
 
DEFEASANCE
 
     The Company at any time may  terminate all its obligations under the  Notes
and   the  Indenture  ('legal  defeasance'),  except  for  certain  obligations,
including those respecting the defeasance trust and obligations to register  the
transfer  or exchange  of the  Notes, to  replace mutilated,  destroyed, lost or
stolen Notes and  to maintain a  registrar and  paying agent in  respect of  the
Notes. The Company at any time may terminate its obligations under the covenants
described  under  ' --  Certain  Covenants' and  '  -- Change  of  Control,' the
operation of the  cross acceleration provision,  the bankruptcy provisions  with
respect  to  Significant Subsidiaries,  the judgment  default provision  and the
license  maintenance  provision  described   under  'Defaults'  above  and   the
limitations contained in clauses (iii) and (iv) of the first paragraph or clause
(iii)  of  the  second  paragraph  described  under  'Successor  Company'  above
('covenant defeasance').
 
     The Company may  exercise its legal  defeasance option notwithstanding  its
prior  exercise of its covenant defeasance  option. If the Company exercises its
legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because  of
an  Event of Default with respect thereto. If the Company exercises its covenant
defeasance option, payment  of the Notes  may not be  accelerated because of  an
Event  of Default specified  in clause (iv),  (vi), (vii) (with  respect only to
Significant Subsidiaries), (viii) or (ix)  under 'Defaults' above or because  of
the  failure of  the Company to  comply with clause  (iii) or (iv)  of the first
paragraph or  clause (iii)  of the  second paragraph  under 'Successor  Company'
above.
 
     In order to exercise either defeasance option, the Company must irrevocably
deposit  in  trust  (the 'defeasance  trust')  with  the Trustee  money  or U.S.
Government Obligations  for  the payment  of  principal, premium  (if  any)  and
interest  on the Notes to  redemption or maturity, as the  case may be, and must
comply with certain  other conditions,  including delivering to  the Trustee  an
Opinion  of Counsel to the  effect that holders of  the Notes will not recognize
income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit
and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount  and
in  the same manner and at the same times as would have been in the case if such
deposit and defeasance had  not occurred (and, in  the case of legal  defeasance
only,  such Opinion of Counsel must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue
Service or other change in applicable Federal income tax law).
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
     United States Trust Company of New York is the Trustee under the  Indenture
and  has been appointed by the Company as Registrar and Paying Agent with regard
to the Notes.
 
                                      116
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     The Indenture and provisions of  the TIA incorporated by reference  therein
contain limitations on the rights of the Trustee, should it become a creditor of
the  Company, to  obtain payment  of claims  in certain  cases or  to realize on
certain property received  by it in  respect of  any such claim  as security  or
otherwise.  The Trustee  is permitted to  engage in other  transactions with the
Company or any Affiliate; provided, however, that if it acquires any conflicting
interest (as defined in  the Indenture or  in the TIA),  it must eliminate  such
conflict or resign.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The Indenture provides that it and the Notes are governed by, and construed
in  accordance with, the laws of the State  of New York without giving effect to
applicable principles of conflicts of law to the extent that the application  of
the law of another jurisdiction would be required thereby.
 
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
     'Accreted  Value' as of any date (the 'Specified Date') means, with respect
to each $1,000 principal amount at maturity of Notes:
 
          (i) if  the Specified  Date is  one  of the  following dates  (each  a
     'Semi-Annual Accrual Date'), the amount set forth opposite such date below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEMI-ANNUAL ACCRUAL DATE                                                      ACCRETED VALUE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------   --------------
 
<C>            <S>                                                            <C>
      June 6,  1996........................................................     $   530.46
 November 15,  1996........................................................         561.50
      May 15,  1997........................................................         598.70
 November 15,  1997........................................................         638.37
      May 15,  1998........................................................         680.66
 November 15,  1998........................................................         725.75
      May 15,  1999........................................................         773.83
 November 15,  1999........................................................         825.10
      May 15,  2000........................................................         879.76
 November 15,  2000........................................................         938.05
      May 15,  2001........................................................       1,000.00
</TABLE>
 
          (ii)  if  the Specified  Date occurs  between two  Semi-Annual Accrual
     Dates, the sum of (A) the  Accreted Value for the Semi-Annual Accrual  Date
     immediately  preceding the  Specified Date and  (B) an amount  equal to the
     product of (i) the Accreted Value for the immediately following Semi-Annual
     Accrual  Date  less  the  Accreted  Value  for  the  immediately  preceding
     Semi-Annual Accrual Date and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the
     number  of days from the immediately  preceding Semi-Annual Accrual Date to
     the Specified Date, using a 360-day  year of twelve 30-day months, and  the
     denominator   of  which  is  180  (or,  if  the  Semi-Annual  Accrual  Date
     immediately preceding the Specified Date  is June 6, 1996, the  denominator
     of which is 159); and
 
          (iii)  if the Specified Date occurs after the last Semi-Annual Accrual
     Date, $1,000.
 
     'Acquired Station' means  any Television  Station acquired  by the  Company
after the Issue Date.
 
     'Affiliate'  of  any specified  person means  (i)  any other  person which,
directly or indirectly, is in  control of, is controlled  by or is under  common
control with such specified person or (ii) any other person who is a director or
officer  (A) of such specified  person, (B) of any  subsidiary of such specified
person or (C) of any person described  in clause (i) above. For purposes of  the
covenants  described  under  'Certain  Covenants  --  Limitation  on  Restricted
Payments,' ' -- Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates' and ' --  Limitation
on  Sales of  Assets and Subsidiary  Stock,' (a)  control of a  person means the
power, direct or indirect,  to direct or cause  the direction of the  management
and  policies of such person whether by contract or otherwise and (b) beneficial
ownership of 5% or more of the  voting common equity (on a fully diluted  basis)
or  warrants to purchase such equity (whether or not currently exercisable) of a
person shall be deemed to be control of such person; and the terms 'controlling'
and 'controlled' have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
 
                                      117
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     'Asset Disposition' means  any sale, lease,  transfer or other  disposition
(or  series of  related sales, leases,  transfers or dispositions)  of shares of
Capital Stock  of  a  Subsidiary  (other  than  directors'  qualifying  shares),
property  or other assets (each referred to  for the purposes of this definition
as a 'disposition')  by the Company  or any of  its Subsidiaries (including  any
disposition  by means of  a merger, consolidation  or similar transaction) other
than (i) a disposition  by a Subsidiary to  the Company or by  the Company or  a
Subsidiary  to  a Wholly  Owned Subsidiary,  (ii) a  disposition of  property or
assets at  fair  market  value in  the  ordinary  course of  business,  (iii)  a
disposition  of obsolete  assets in  the ordinary  course of  business, (iv) for
purposes of the  covenant described  under 'Certain Covenants  -- Limitation  on
Sales  of  Assets  and Subsidiary  Stock'  only,  a disposition  subject  to the
covenant  described  under  '  --  Limitation  on  Restricted  Payments'  or   a
disposition  consisting of a  Sale/Leaseback Transaction unless  the Company has
elected to  treat  such  Sale/Leaseback  Transaction  as  an  Asset  Disposition
pursuant  to clause  (ii) of  the covenant  described under  ' --  Limitation on
Sale/Leaseback Transactions,' (v)  a disposition subject  to the provisions  set
forth  in  'Successor Company'  (except to  the extent  the Company  disposes of
substantially all (but not all) of its assets, in which event the assets not  so
disposed  of  shall  be deemed  as  having been  sold  by the  Company),  (vi) a
disposition pursuant to  the terms of  the Company Pledge  Agreement or (vii)  a
disposition  by the Company in  which and to the  extent the Company receives as
consideration Capital Stock of a person engaged in, or assets that will be  used
in,  the business  of the Company  existing on  the Issue Date  or in businesses
reasonably related  thereto, as  determined by  the Board  of Directors  of  the
Company,  the  determination of  which  will be  conclusive  and evidenced  by a
resolution of  the  Board of  Directors  of the  Company  at the  time  of  such
disposition.
 
     'Attributable Debt' in respect of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction means, as at
the  time of determination,  the present value (discounted  at the interest rate
set forth  on  the  face  of  the  Notes,  compounded  annually)  of  the  total
obligations  of the lessee for rental payments  during the remaining term of the
lease included  in such  Sale/Leaseback Transaction  (including any  period  for
which such lease has been extended).
 
     'Average  Life' means, as of the date of determination, with respect to any
Debt, the quotient obtained by dividing (i)  the sum of the products of (a)  the
numbers  of years from the date of determination to the dates of each successive
scheduled principal payment  or redemption  or similar payment  with respect  to
such  Debt multiplied by (b) the amount of  such payment, by (ii) the sum of all
such payments.
 
     'Bank Credit Agreement'  means the Credit  Agreement, dated as  of June  6,
1996, among Benedek Broadcasting, as borrower, the Company, the Lenders referred
to therein, CIBC, as administrative agent and collateral agent, Pearl Street, as
arranging  agent,  and  Goldman, Sachs  &  Co.,  as syndication  agent,  and all
promissory notes, guarantees, security  agreements, pledge agreements, deeds  of
trust,  mortgages,  letters  of  credit and  other  instruments,  agreements and
documents executed pursuant thereto or in connection therewith, in each case  as
the  same may be amended,  supplemented, restated, renewed, refinanced, replaced
or otherwise modified (in whole or in part and without limitation as to  amount,
terms, conditions, covenants or other provisions) from time to time.
 
     'Bank  Debt'  means  all  Senior Debt  outstanding  under  the  Bank Credit
Agreement.
 
     'BLC' means Benedek License Corporation, a corporation organized under  the
laws of the State of Delaware, and any successor company.
 
     'Board  of Directors' means  the Board of  Directors of the  Company or any
committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board.
 
     'Business Day' means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.
 
     'Capital Lease  Obligations' of  a  person means  any obligation  which  is
required  to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on the face of a
balance sheet  of such  person prepared  in accordance  with generally  accepted
accounting  principles; the amount  of such obligation  shall be the capitalized
amount thereof,  determined in  accordance  with generally  accepted  accounting
principles;  and  the Stated  Maturity thereof  shall  be the  date of  the last
payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date
upon which such  lease may  be terminated  by the  lessee without  payment of  a
penalty.
 
                                      118
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     'Capital  Stock' of any person means  any and all shares, interests, rights
to purchase,  warrants,  options,  participations or  other  equivalents  of  or
interests in (however designated) equity of such person, including any Preferred
Stock,  but excluding any  debt securities convertible  into or exchangeable for
such equity.
 
     'Cash Flow Leverage Ratio' as of any date of determination means the  ratio
of  (i) the  aggregate amount  outstanding of  all Debt  of the  Company and the
Restricted Subsidiaries (including any  Debt issued under  paragraph (b) of  the
covenant  described under 'Certain Covenants --  Limitation on Debt') at the end
of the most recent fiscal quarter ending at  least 45 days prior to the date  of
determination to (ii) Operating Cash Flow for the four fiscal quarters ending on
the  last day of such fiscal quarter; provided, however, that (1) if the Company
or any Restricted  Subsidiary has Issued  any Debt since  the beginning of  such
period that remains outstanding or if the transaction giving rise to the need to
calculate  the Cash Flow Leverage Ratio is an Issuance of Debt, or both, Debt as
of such date and Operating  Cash Flow (including Consolidated Interest  Expense)
for  such period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to
such Debt (in the case of Operating Cash  Flow, as if such Debt had been  Issued
on  the first day  of such period) and  the discharge of  any other Debt repaid,
repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with the proceeds of such new Debt
(in the case of Operating  Cash Flow, as if such  discharge had occurred on  the
first day of such period), (2) if since the beginning of such period the Company
or  any Restricted  Subsidiary shall  have made  any Asset  Disposition, (A) the
Operating Cash Flow for such period shall  be reduced by an amount equal to  the
Operating  Cash Flow (if positive) directly attributable to the assets which are
the subject of such Asset Disposition for such period, or increased by an amount
equal to the Operating  Cash Flow (if  negative), directly attributable  thereto
for  such  period (including  an  adjustment for  Consolidated  Interest Expense
directly attributable to any Debt (the 'Discharged Debt') of the Company or  any
Restricted Subsidiary repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with
respect  to the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries in connection
with such Asset Dispositions for  such period (or, if  the Capital Stock of  any
Restricted Subsidiary is sold, the Consolidated Interest Expense for such period
directly attributable to the Discharged Debt of such Restricted Subsidiary)) and
(B)  Debt for such period shall be reduced  by an amount equal to the Discharged
Debt, (3) if since the  beginning of such period  the Company or any  Restricted
Subsidiary  (by  merger  or otherwise)  shall  have  made an  Investment  in any
Restricted Subsidiary (or any person  which becomes a Restricted Subsidiary)  or
an  acquisition  of assets,  including any  acquisition  of assets  occurring in
connection with a transaction causing a calculation to be made hereunder,  which
constitutes  all  or  substantially all  of  an  operating unit  of  a business,
Operating Cash Flow for such period  shall be calculated after giving pro  forma
effect  thereto (including the  Issuance of any  Debt) as if  such Investment or
acquisition occurred  on the  first day  of such  period and  (4) if  since  the
beginning  of  such period  any person  (that  subsequently became  a Restricted
Subsidiary or was merged with or  into the Company or any Restricted  Subsidiary
since the beginning of such period) shall have made any Asset Disposition or any
Investment  or  acquisition of  assets that  would  have required  an adjustment
pursuant to clause  (2) or  (3) above  if made by  the Company  or a  Restricted
Subsidiary  during  such  period, Operating  Cash  Flow  (including Consolidated
Interest Expense) for  such period shall  be calculated after  giving pro  forma
effect  thereto as if such Asset Disposition, Investment or acquisition occurred
on the first day of such period.  For purposes of this definition, whenever  pro
forma effect is to be given to an acquisition of assets, the amount of income or
earnings  relating  thereto, and  the  amount of  Consolidated  Interest Expense
associated  with  any  Debt  Issued  in  connection  therewith,  the  pro  forma
calculations  shall be  determined in good  faith by a  responsible financial or
accounting Officer of the Company. If any Debt bears a floating rate of interest
and is  being  given pro  forma  effect, the  interest  on such  Debt  shall  be
calculated  as if the rate  in effect on the date  of determination had been the
applicable rate for  the entire period  (taking into account  any Interest  Rate
Protection  Agreement applicable to  such Debt if  such Interest Rate Protection
Agreement has a remaining term in excess of 12 months).
 
     'Code' means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
     'Consolidated Interest Expense' means, for  any period, the total  interest
expense  of the Company  and its consolidated  Restricted Subsidiaries, plus, to
the  extent  not  included  in  such  interest  expense,  (i)  interest  expense
attributable  to capital  leases, (ii)  amortization of  debt discount  and debt
Issuance cost, (iii) capitalized interest,  (iv) non-cash interest expense,  (v)
commissions, discounts and other fees
 
                                      119
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
and  charges  owed with  respect to  letters of  credit and  bankers' acceptance
financing, (vi) interest  actually paid by  the Company or  any such  Restricted
Subsidiary  under any Guarantee of Debt or other obligation of any other person,
(vii) net costs associated with  Hedging Obligations (including amortization  of
fees),  (viii) Preferred  Stock dividends in  respect of all  Preferred Stock of
Restricted Subsidiaries  and Redeemable  Stock of  the Company  held by  persons
other  than  the  Company  or  a  Wholly  Owned  Subsidiary  and  (ix)  the cash
contributions to  any employee  stock ownership  plan or  similar trust  to  the
extent such contributions are used by such plan or trust to pay interest or fees
to any person (other than the Company) in connection with loans incurred by such
plan or trust to purchase newly issued or treasury shares of the Company.
 
     'Consolidated  Net Income'  means, for  any period,  the net  income of the
Company and its consolidated subsidiaries;  provided, however, that there  shall
not  be included  in such  Consolidated Net  Income: (i)  any net  income of any
person if  such person  is not  a  Restricted Subsidiary,  except that  (A)  the
Company's  equity in the net income of any  such person for such period shall be
included in such  Consolidated Net  Income up to  the aggregate  amount of  cash
actually  distributed by  such person  during such  period to  the Company  or a
Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the  case
of  a  dividend  or  other  distribution  to  a  Restricted  Subsidiary,  to the
limitations contained in clause (iii) below)  and (B) the Company's equity in  a
net  loss of any  such person for  such period shall  be included in determining
such Consolidated Net Income, (ii) any net income of any person acquired by  the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in a pooling of interests transaction for any
period  prior  to the  date of  such acquisition,  (iii) any  net income  of any
Restricted Subsidiary if such Restricted Subsidiary is subject to  restrictions,
directly   or  indirectly,  on  the  payment  of  dividends  or  the  making  of
distributions by  such Restricted  Subsidiary, directly  or indirectly,  to  the
Company,  except that  (A) the Company's  equity in  the net income  of any such
Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net
Income up  to  the  aggregate  amount  of  cash  actually  distributed  by  such
Restricted  Subsidiary during such  period to the  Company or another Restricted
Subsidiary as  a dividend  or other  distribution  (subject, in  the case  of  a
dividend  or  other  distribution  to  another  Restricted  Subsidiary,  to  the
limitation contained in this clause) and (B) the Company's equity in a net  loss
of  any  such  Restricted  Subsidiary  for  such  period  shall  be  included in
determining such Consolidated Net Income, (iv) any gain (but not loss)  realized
upon  the sale or other  disposition of any property,  plant or equipment of the
Company  or   its  consolidated   subsidiaries   (including  pursuant   to   any
sale-and-leaseback  arrangement) which is  not sold or  otherwise disposed of in
the ordinary course of business  and any gain (but  not loss) realized upon  the
sale  or  other disposition  of  any Capital  Stock of  any  person and  (v) the
cumulative effect  of a  change in  accounting principles.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,   for  the  purposes   of  the  covenant   described  under  'Certain
Covenants -- Limitation on  Restricted Payments' only,  there shall be  excluded
from  Consolidated Net Income any dividends,  repayments of loans or advances or
other transfers of  assets from  a Non-Recourse Affiliate  to the  Company or  a
Restricted  Subsidiary  to the  extent such  dividends, repayments  or transfers
increase the  amount  of  Restricted  Payments  permitted  under  such  covenant
pursuant to clause (v) of paragraph (b) thereof.
 
     'Consolidated Net Worth' of any person means the total of the amounts shown
on  the  balance  sheet  of  such  person  and  its  consolidated  subsidiaries,
determined on  a  consolidated  basis  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting  principles, as of the end of  the most recent fiscal quarter of such
person ending at least 45 days prior to the taking of any action for the purpose
of which the determination is being made, as (i) the par or stated value of  all
outstanding  Capital Stock of  such person plus (ii)  paid-in capital or capital
surplus relating  to such  Capital Stock  plus (iii)  any retained  earnings  or
earned surplus less (A) any accumulated deficit, (B) any amounts attributable to
Redeemable Stock and (C) any amounts attributable to Exchangeable Stock.
 
     'Debt'  of any person means, without  duplication, (i) the principal of and
premium (if  any)  in respect  of  (A) indebtedness  of  such person  for  money
borrowed  and (B)  indebtedness evidenced by  notes, debentures,  bonds or other
similar instruments  for the  payment of  which such  person is  responsible  or
liable;  (ii) all  Capital Lease Obligations  and all Attributable  Debt of such
person; (iii) all obligations of such  person Issued or assumed as the  deferred
purchase  price of property, all conditional sale obligations of such person and
all obligations  of  such  person  under  any  title  retention  agreement  (but
excluding  trade accounts payable  arising in the  ordinary course of business);
(iv) all obligations of such
 
                                      120
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
person for the reimbursement  of any obligor on  any letter of credit,  banker's
acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to
letters  of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in (i)
through (iii) above)  entered into in  the ordinary course  of business of  such
person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the
extent  drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed  no later than the third Business
Day following receipt  by such person  of a demand  for reimbursement  following
payment  on the  letter of credit);  (v) the  amount of all  obligations of such
person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of, in  the
case  of a Subsidiary, any Preferred Stock and, in the case of any other person,
any Redeemable Stock (but excluding any accrued dividends); (vi) all obligations
of the type  referred to in  clauses (i) through  (v) of other  persons and  all
dividends of other persons for the payment of which, in either case, such person
is  responsible  or liable,  directly or  indirectly,  as obligor,  guarantor or
otherwise, including any Guarantees of such obligations and dividends; and (vii)
all obligations of the  type referred to  in clauses (i)  through (vi) of  other
persons  secured by any Lien on any property or asset of such person (whether or
not such obligation is  assumed by such person),  the amount of such  obligation
being  deemed to be  the lesser of the  value of such property  or assets or the
amount of the obligation so secured.
 
     The amount of  Debt of  any person  at any  date shall  be the  outstanding
balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the
maximum  liability, upon  the occurrence of  the contingency giving  rise to the
obligation, of any contingent obligations at such date.
 
     'Default' means any event which is, or  after notice or passage of time  or
both would be, an Event of Default.
 
     'Designated  Senior Debt'  means (i) the  Bank Debt and  the Senior Secured
Notes and  (ii) any  other Senior  Debt of  the Company  which, at  the date  of
determination, has an aggregate principal amount outstanding of, or under which,
at  the date of determination, the holders  thereof are committed to lend up to,
at least $25.0  million and  is specifically designated  by the  Company in  the
instrument  evidencing or governing such Senior Debt as 'Designated Senior Debt'
for purposes of the Senior Subordinated Discount Note Indenture.
 
     'EBITDA' for any period means the  Consolidated Net Income for such  period
(but  without  giving effect  to  adjustments, accruals,  deductions  or entries
resulting from purchase accounting, extraordinary losses or gains and any  gains
or  losses  from  any Asset  Dispositions),  plus  the following  to  the extent
deducted in calculating such  Consolidated Net Income:  (i) income tax  expense,
(ii)   Consolidated   Interest   Expense,  (iii)   depreciation   expense,  (iv)
amortization expense (including the amortization of Program Obligations) and (v)
all other noncash charges deducted in  the calculation of such Consolidated  Net
Income  (but excluding (a) any noncash charges related to the items described in
clauses (i) through (v) of the  definition of 'Consolidated Net Income' and  (b)
any  noncash charges to the extent that they  require an accrual of or a reserve
for cash disbursements for any  future period), and minus, without  duplication,
all  noncash  items  (but  excluding  revenue  from  barter  transactions)  that
increased such Consolidated Net Income.
 
     'Exchange Act' means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
     'Exchangeable Stock'  means  any Capital  Stock  which is  exchangeable  or
convertible into another security (other than Capital Stock of the Company which
is neither Exchangeable Stock nor Redeemable Stock).
 
     'Existing  Station' means (i) each of  the Television Stations owned by the
Company as of the Issue Date and (ii) each other Television Station acquired  by
the Company after the Issue Date and the License for which is owned by BLC.
 
     'Guarantee'  means any obligation,  contingent or otherwise,  of any person
directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt  or other obligation of any  person
and  any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such person
(i) to purchase or pay (or advance  or supply funds for the purchase or  payment
of)  such Debt or other obligation of  such person (whether arising by virtue of
partnership arrangements,  or by  agreement to  keep-well, to  purchase  assets,
goods,  securities  or  services,  to  take-or-pay,  or  to  maintain  financial
statement conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into for purposes of assuring
in any other manner the obligee of such Debt or other obligation of the  payment
thereof  or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or
in part);
 
                                      121
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
provided, however, that the term 'Guarantee' shall not include endorsements  for
collection  or deposit in the ordinary  course of business. The term 'Guarantee'
used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
 
     'Hedging Obligations' of any  person means the  obligations of such  person
pursuant  to  any  interest  rate  swap  agreement,  foreign  currency  exchange
agreement, interest rate collar agreement,  option or futures contract or  other
similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect such person against changes
in interest rates or foreign exchange rates.
 
     'Interest   Rate  Protection  Agreement'  means   any  interest  rate  swap
agreement,  interest  rate  cap  agreement  or  other  financial  agreement   or
arrangement   designed  to  protect  the   Company  or  any  Subsidiary  against
fluctuations in interest rates.
 
     'Investment' in any person means any loan or advance to, any Guarantee  of,
any  acquisition  of any  Capital Stock,  equity  interest, obligation  or other
security of,  or  capital contribution  or  other investment  in,  such  person.
Investments  shall exclude advances  to customers and  suppliers in the ordinary
course of business.
 
     'Issue' means issue,  assume, Guarantee, incur  or otherwise become  liable
for;  provided, however, that any Debt or  Capital Stock of a person existing at
the time such  person becomes  a Subsidiary (whether  by merger,  consolidation,
acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be issued by such Subsidiary at the
time  it  becomes a  Subsidiary;  and the  term  'Issuance' has  a corresponding
meaning.   For   purposes   of    the   covenant   described   under    'Certain
Covenants  --  Limitation  on  Debt,'  if  any  Debt  Issued  by  a Non-Recourse
Subsidiary  thereafter  ceases  to  be  Non-Recourse  Debt  of  a   Non-Recourse
Subsidiary,  then such event shall be deemed for the purpose of such covenant to
constitute the Issuance of such Debt by the issuer thereof.
 
     'Issue Date' means the date on which the Notes are initially issued.
 
     'Legal Holiday'  means a  Saturday, a  Sunday  or a  day on  which  banking
institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York.
 
     'License'  means,  with  respect to  any  Television Station,  any  and all
licenses and authorizations issued by the Federal Communications Commission with
respect to such Television Station.
 
     'Lien' means any mortgage, pledge,  security interest, conditional sale  or
other title retention agreement or other similar lien.
 
     'LMA'  means a local marketing  arrangement, sale agreement, time brokerage
agreement, management  agreement  or similar  arrangement  pursuant to  which  a
person, subject to customary
preemption rights and other limitations (i) obtains the right to sell at least a
majority  of the advertising inventory of a radio or television station of which
a third party is the licensee, (ii) obtains the right to exhibit programming and
sell advertising time during a majority of the air time of a television or radio
station or (iii) manages the selling operations of a radio or television station
with respect  to  at least  a  majority of  the  advertising inventory  of  such
station.
 
     'Maximum Amount' as of any date of determination means, with respect to any
Acquired  Station, the product of  (i) the Operating Cash  Flow of such Acquired
Station for the four most recent fiscal  quarters ending at least 45 days  prior
to  such date of determination and (ii)  the number 5.0; provided, however, that
if such Acquired Station is acquired by the Company in connection with an  Asset
Disposition  of an  Existing Station,  the amount in  clause (i)  above shall be
reduced by the Operating Cash Flow for such period of such Existing Station.
 
     'Net Available Cash' from an Asset Disposition means cash payments received
(including any cash payments  received by way of  deferred payment of  principal
pursuant  to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when
received, but  excluding  any  other  consideration  received  in  the  form  of
assumption by the acquiring person of Debt or other obligations relating to such
properties  or assets or received in any  other noncash form) therefrom, in each
case net of  (i) all legal,  title and recording  tax expenses, commissions  and
other  fees and expenses  incurred, and all  Federal, state, provincial, foreign
and local taxes required to be  accrued as a liability under generally  accepted
accounting  principles, as  a consequence  of such  Asset Disposition,  (ii) all
payments made on any Debt which is  secured by any assets subject to such  Asset
Disposition, in accordance with the terms of any
 
                                      122
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
lien  upon or other security agreement of  any kind with respect to such assets,
or which must by its  terms, or in order to  obtain a necessary consent to  such
Asset  Disposition, or by applicable law be repaid out of the proceeds from such
Asset Disposition, (iii)  all distributions  and other payments  required to  be
made  to minority interest holders in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result
of such Asset Disposition  and (iv) the deduction  of appropriate amounts to  be
provided  by  the seller  as a  reserve, in  accordance with  generally accepted
accounting principles,  against  any  liabilities  associated  with  the  assets
disposed  of  in such  Asset  Disposition and  retained  by the  Company  or any
Subsidiary after such Asset Disposition.
 
     'Net Cash Proceeds,' with respect to any Issuance or sale of Capital Stock,
means the  cash  proceeds of  such  Issuance or  sale  net of  attorneys'  fees,
accountants'  fees,  underwriters'  or  placement  agents'  fees,  discounts  or
commissions and  brokerage,  consultant  and other  fees  actually  incurred  in
connection  with such  Issuance or sale  and net of  taxes paid or  payable as a
result thereof.
 
     'Non-Convertible Capital Stock' means, with respect to any corporation, any
non-convertible Capital Stock of such corporation and any Capital Stock of  such
corporation  convertible  solely  into  non-convertible  common  stock  of  such
corporation; provided,  however, that  Non-Convertible Capital  Stock shall  not
include any Redeemable Stock or Exchangeable Stock.
 
     'Non-Recourse  Affiliate'  means  a Non-Recourse  Subsidiary  or  any other
Affiliate of the Company or a  Restricted Subsidiary which (i) has not  acquired
any  assets (other  than cash)  directly or indirectly  from the  Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) only owns  properties acquired after the Issue  Date
and (iii) has no Debt other than Non-Recourse Debt.
 
     'Non-Recourse  Debt' means  Debt or  that portion of  Debt (i)  as to which
neither the Company nor its  Restricted Subsidiaries (A) provide credit  support
(including  any  undertaking,  agreement or  instrument  which  would constitute
Debt), (B) is  directly or indirectly  liable or (C)  constitute the lender  and
(ii)  no default with respect  to which (including any  rights which the holders
thereof may have to  take enforcement action  against a Non-Recourse  Affiliate)
would  permit (upon notice, lapse of time or  both) any holder of any other Debt
of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other
Debt or cause  the payment thereof  to be  accelerated or payable  prior to  its
Stated Maturity.
 
     'Non-Recourse Subsidiary' means a Subsidiary which (i) has not acquired any
assets  (other  than  cash)  directly  or indirectly  from  the  Company  or any
Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) only owns  properties acquired after the Issue  Date
and (iii) has no Debt other than Non-Recourse Debt.
 
     'Noteholder'  or  'Holder'  means  the  person  in  whose  name  a  Note is
registered on the Registrar's books.
 
     'Officer' means  the  Chairman  of  the  Board,  the  President,  any  Vice
President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company.
 
     'Officers' Certificate' means a certificate signed by two Officers.
 
     'Operating  Cash Flow'  for any  period means  EBITDA for  such period less
Program Obligation Payments for such period; provided, however, that, when  used
in  the definition of 'Maximum Amount' with respect to a Television Station, all
references  to  the  Company   and  Restricted  Subsidiaries  and   consolidated
subsidiaries  used  in  the  definitions  of  'EBITDA'  and  'Program Obligation
Payments' and the  definitions used  therein shall be  deemed to  refer to  such
Television Station.
 
     'Opinion  of Counsel'  means a  written opinion  from legal  counsel who is
acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may  be an employee of or counsel to  the
Company or the Trustee.
 
     'Parent'  means any person that  beneficially owns, directly or indirectly,
all the Voting Stock of the Company.
 
     'Permitted Acquisition Debt' means  Debt of the  Company or any  Restricted
Subsidiary  Issued to finance all or any  portion of the cost of the acquisition
of an Acquired Station, where the License for such Acquired Station is owned  by
BLC,  and Refinancing Debt in respect of  such Debt; provided, however, that the
aggregate amount of such Permitted Acquisition Debt with respect to any Acquired
Station shall  not exceed  the  Maximum Amount  with  respect to  such  Acquired
Station.
 
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     'Permitted  Holders' shall mean (i) A. Richard Benedek; (ii) family members
or relatives of A. Richard Benedek; (iii) any trusts created for the benefit  of
the  persons described  in clauses (i),  (ii) or  (iv) of this  paragraph or any
trust for  the  benefit  of any  trust;  (iv)  in  the event  of  the  death  or
incompetence  of any person described  in clauses (i) or  (ii) of this paragraph
such person's  estate,  executor,  administrator, committee  or  other  personal
representative or beneficiaries; or (v) any Affiliate of A. Richard Benedek.
 
     'Permitted Investments' shall mean (i) investments in direct obligations of
the  United States of America maturing within 90 days of the date of acquisition
thereof, (ii) investments in certificates of deposit maturing within 90 days  of
the  date of  acquisition thereof  issued by  a bank  or trust  company which is
organized under  the laws  of the  United  States or  any state  thereof  having
capital,  surplus and undivided profits aggregating in excess of $500.0 million,
and (iii)  investments in  commercial  paper given  the  highest rating  by  two
established  national credit rating agencies and  maturing not more than 90 days
from the date of acquisition thereof.
 
     'person' means  any individual,  corporation, partnership,  joint  venture,
limited    liability   company,   association,   joint-stock   company,   trust,
unincorporated organization, government or  any agency or political  subdivision
thereof or any other entity.
 
     'Preferred  Stock,' as  applied to  the Capital  Stock of  any corporation,
means Capital  Stock of  any  class or  classes  (however designated)  which  is
preferred  as to the payment  of dividends, or as  to the distribution of assets
upon  any  voluntary   or  involuntary  liquidation   or  dissolution  of   such
corporation,   over  shares  of  Capital  Stock  of  any  other  class  of  such
corporation.
 
     'principal' of  any  debt  security  means the  principal  amount  of  such
security  (in the  case of  a Note,  the Accreted  Value of  the Note)  plus the
premium, if any, payable on such debt security which is due or overdue or is  to
become due at the relevant time.
 
     'Program  Obligation  Payments' means,  for any  period of  calculation, an
amount equal to the aggregate amount paid in cash by or on behalf of the Company
and the  Restricted Subsidiaries  during  such period  with  respect to,  or  on
account of, Program Obligations.
 
     'Program  Obligations'  means  the  obligations  of  the  Company  and  the
Restricted Subsidiaries  with  respect  to  the  acquisition  of  the  right  to
broadcast  films and  other programming material,  payable in a  form other than
barter.
 
     'Public Equity Offering'  means an underwritten  public offering of  common
stock  of the Company or Parent  pursuant to an effective registration statement
under the Securities Act.
 
     'Redeemable Stock' means any Capital Stock  that by its terms or  otherwise
is  required to be redeemed  on or prior to the  first anniversary of the Stated
Maturity of the Notes or  is redeemable at the option  of the holder thereof  at
any  time on  or prior to  the first anniversary  of the Stated  Maturity of the
Notes.
 
     'Refinance' means, in  respect of  any Debt, to  refinance, extend,  renew,
refund,  repay, prepay, redeem,  defease or retire, or  to Issue indebtedness in
exchange or replacement  for, such  Debt. 'Refinanced'  and 'Refinancing'  shall
have correlative meanings.
 
     'Refinancing  Debt' means Debt  that Refinances any Debt  of the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary  existing on the  Issue Date or  Issued in  compliance
with  the Indenture;  provided, however,  that (i)  such Refinancing  Debt has a
Stated  Maturity  no  earlier  than  the  Stated  Maturity  of  the  Debt  being
Refinanced,  (ii) such  Refinancing Debt  has an Average  Life at  the time such
Refinancing Debt is Issued that is equal to or greater than the Average Life  of
the  Debt  being Refinanced  and (iii)  such Refinancing  Debt has  an aggregate
principal amount (or if Issued with original issue discount, an aggregate  issue
price)  that is  equal to  or less  than the  aggregate principal  amount (or if
Issued  with  original  issue  discount,  the  aggregate  accreted  value)  then
outstanding  or  committed under  the Debt  being Refinanced;  provided further,
however, that Refinancing Debt shall not  include (x) Debt of a Subsidiary  that
Refinances  Debt  of the  Company or  (y) Debt  of the  Company or  a Restricted
Subsidiary that Refinances Debt of a Non-Recourse Subsidiary.
 
     'Representative' means any trustee, agent or representative (if any) for an
issue of Senior Debt of the Company.
 
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     'Restricted Holder' means a Permitted Holder  or a person (as such term  is
used  in Sections  13(d) and  14(d) of the  Exchange Act  and will  be deemed to
include each person included in such person) that owns, directly or  indirectly,
10%  or more  of the  total voting  power of  the Voting  Stock of  the Company;
provided, however, that for purposes of this definition a person shall be deemed
to have  ownership of  all shares  (a) that  any such  person has  the right  to
acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage
of  time and  (b) of a  corporation held  by any other  corporation (the 'parent
corporation') if such person is the owner, directly or indirectly, of more  than
10% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of such parent corporation.
 
     'Restricted   Subsidiary'  shall  mean   any  Subsidiary  that   is  not  a
Non-Recourse Subsidiary.
 
     'Sale/Leaseback Transaction' means any  arrangement relating to a  property
owned  as  of the  Issue Date  whereby  the Company  or a  Restricted Subsidiary
transfers such property to a person and leases it back from such person.
 
     'SEC' means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
     'Senior Debt' means  (i) all obligations  of the Company  now or  hereafter
existing  under the Bank Credit Agreement,  including principal of, premium, and
interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition  in
bankruptcy  or for  reorganization relating to  the Company whether  or not such
post-petition interest  is  allowed as  a  claim  in such  proceeding)  on  Debt
outstanding  under the Bank  Credit Agreement, reimbursement  obligations of the
Company with respect to any letters of credit outstanding under the Bank  Credit
Agreement  and any  obligations thereunder  for fees,  expenses and indemnities,
(ii) Debt of the  Company, whether outstanding on  the Issue Date or  thereafter
Issued  and (iii) accrued and unpaid interest (including interest accruing on or
after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to
the Company whether or not post-filing  interest is allowed in such  proceeding)
in  respect  of (A)  indebtedness  of the  Company  for money  borrowed  and (B)
indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar  instruments
for  the payment of  which the Company  is responsible or  liable unless, in the
instrument creating or  evidencing the  same or pursuant  to which  the same  is
outstanding,  it is provided that such obligations  are not superior in right of
payment to the Notes; provided, however, that Senior Debt shall not include  (i)
any obligation of the Company to any Subsidiary, (ii) any liability for Federal,
state,  local or other  taxes owed or  owing by the  Company, (iii) any accounts
payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course  of
business   (including   Guarantees  thereof   or  instruments   evidencing  such
liabilities), (iv) any  Debt, Guarantee or  obligation of the  Company which  is
subordinate  or junior in any respect to any other Debt, Guarantee or obligation
of the Company or (v) that portion of any Debt which at the time of Issuance  is
Issued in violation of the Indenture.
 
     'Senior  Secured Notes' means the 11 7/8%  Senior Secured Notes due 2005 of
Benedek Broadcasting.
 
     'Senior Subordinated  Debt' means  the  Notes and  any  other Debt  of  the
Company that specifically provides that such Debt is to rank pari passu with the
Notes  in right  of payment  and is not  subordinated by  its terms  in right of
payment to any Debt or other obligation of the Company which is not Senior Debt.
 
     'Significant Subsidiary' means (i) any  domestic Subsidiary of the  Company
(other than a Non-Recourse Subsidiary) which at the time of determination either
(A)  had assets  which, as of  the date  of the Company's  most recent quarterly
consolidated balance  sheet, constituted  at  least 3%  of the  Company's  total
assets  on a  consolidated basis as  of such date,  or (B) had  revenues for the
12-month period  ending on  the  date of  the  Company's most  recent  quarterly
consolidated  statement of income which constituted at least 3% of the Company's
total revenues  on  a consolidated  basis  for  such period,  (ii)  any  foreign
Subsidiary  of the Company  (other than a Non-Recourse  Subsidiary) which at the
time of  determination either  (A)  had assets  which, as  of  the date  of  the
Company's most recent quarterly consolidated balance sheet, constituted at least
5%  of the Company's  total assets on a  consolidated basis as  of such date, in
each  case  determined   in  accordance  with   generally  accepted   accounting
principles,  or (B) had revenues  for the 12-month period  ending on the date of
the Company's  most  recent quarterly  consolidated  statement of  income  which
constituted  at least 5% of the Company's total revenues on a consolidated basis
for such  period,  or  (iii)  any  Subsidiary  of  the  Company  (other  than  a
 
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<PAGE>
Non-Recourse  Subsidiary) which, if  merged with all  Defaulting Subsidiaries of
the Company,  would at  the time  of determination  either (A)  have had  assets
which,  as  of the  date  of the  Company's  most recent  quarterly consolidated
balance sheet, would have constituted at least 10% of the Company's total assets
on a  consolidated basis  as of  such  date or  (B) have  had revenues  for  the
12-month  period  ending on  the  date of  the  Company's most  recent quarterly
consolidated statement of income  which would have constituted  at least 10%  of
the  Company's total revenues on a consolidated basis for such period (each such
determination being  made  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles).  'Defaulting Subsidiary' means any Subsidiary of the Company (other
than a Non-Recourse Subsidiary) with respect  to which an event described  under
clause  (vi), (vii) or  (viii) of the  first paragraph under  ' -- Defaults' has
occurred and is continuing.
 
     'Specified Debt' means Debt  the proceeds of which  are utilized solely  to
(i)  acquire all or substantially all of the  assets or a majority of the Voting
Stock of an  existing television  or radio broadcasting  business, franchise  or
station  or any  business related  or ancillary thereto  or (ii)  finance an LMA
(including to Refinance indebtedness or other obligations incurred in connection
with such acquisition or LMA,  as the case may be,  and to pay related fees  and
expenses);  provided, however,  that (A) such  Debt is incurred  within 270 days
after the date on which the related definitive acquisition agreement or LMA,  as
the case may be, was entered into by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, (B)
the  aggregate principal amount  of such Debt  is no greater  than the aggregate
principal amount of Debt set forth in  a notice from the Company to the  Trustee
(an  'Incurrence Notice') within  ten days after  the date on  which the related
definitive acquisition agreement or  LMA, as the case  may be, was entered  into
which  notice shall be executed  on the Company's behalf  by its chief financial
officer in such capacity and shall describe in reasonable detail the acquisition
or LMA, as the  case may be, which  such Debt will be  incurred to finance,  (C)
such  Debt is utilized solely to finance the acquisition or LMA, as the case may
be, described in such Incurrence Notice (including to Refinance indebtedness  or
other  obligations incurred in  connection with such acquisition  or LMA, as the
case may be, and to pay related fees and expenses).
 
     'Stated Maturity' means, with respect  to any security, the date  specified
in  such security as the  fixed date on which the  principal of such security is
due and payable, including pursuant  to any mandatory redemption provision  (but
excluding  any provision  providing for the  repurchase of such  security at the
option of the holder thereof upon  the happening of any contingency unless  such
contingency has occurred).
 
     'Strategic  Equity Investor' means any person  which is, or is a controlled
Affiliate of  any person  which is,  engaged principally  in a  media  business;
provided,  however,  that  Strategic  Equity  Investor  shall  not  include  any
Affiliate of the Company.
 
     'Strategic Investment' means a sale by the Company or Parent of its  common
stock to one or more Strategic Equity Investors.
 
     'Subordinated   Obligation'  means   any  Debt  of   the  Company  (whether
outstanding on  the  date  of  the Indenture  or  thereafter  Issued)  which  is
expressly subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Notes.
 
     'Subsidiary'  means  any  corporation,  association,  partnership,  limited
liability company or other business entity of  which more than 50% of the  total
voting   power  of  shares  of  Capital  Stock  or  other  interests  (including
partnership interests)  entitled  (without  regard  to  the  occurrence  of  any
contingency)  to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof
is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) the  Company,
(ii) the Company and one or more Subsidiaries or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries.
 
     'Tax  Amounts' with respect  to any calendar  year means the  sum of (a) an
amount equal  to  the product  of  (i) the  Federal  taxable income  of  Benedek
Broadcasting for such year as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors
and  as certified  by a  nationally recognized  tax accounting  firm and without
taking into account the deductibility of  state income taxes for Federal  income
tax purposes multiplied by (ii) the State Tax Percentage (as defined below) plus
(b)  the greater of (i) the product of (w) the Federal taxable income of Benedek
Broadcasting for such year as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors
and as certified by a nationally recognized tax accounting firm and taking  into
 
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<PAGE>
account  the deductibility  of the  amount determined in  clause (a)  above as a
state income tax for Federal income  tax purposes multiplied by (x) the  Federal
Tax  Percentage (as defined below)  and (ii) the product  of (y) the alternative
minimum taxable income attributable to Benedek Broadcasting's stockholder(s)  by
reason of the income of Benedek Broadcasting for such year as determined in good
faith  by the Board of Directors and as certified by a nationally recognized tax
accounting firm multiplied by (z) the Federal Tax Percentage; provided, however,
the amount as calculated above shall be reduced by the amount of any income  tax
benefit  attributable to Benedek Broadcasting which could be realized by Benedek
Broadcasting's stockholders in the  current or a  prior taxable year  (including
tax losses, alternative minimum tax credits, other tax credits and carryforwards
or  carrybacks thereof)  to the  extent not  previously taken  into account. The
amount of any such income tax benefit described in the proviso to the  preceding
sentence  shall be determined in a manner consistent with the calculation of the
Tax Amount for the relevant year. Any part of the Tax Amount not distributed  in
respect  of  a  tax year  for  which it  is  calculated shall  be  available for
distribution in subsequent tax years. The term 'State Tax Percentage' shall mean
the highest applicable statutory marginal rate of state and local income tax  to
which  an individual  resident of the  Relevant Jurisdiction  (as defined below)
would be subject in the  relevant year of determination as  a result of being  a
stockholder  of a corporation  taxable as an S  Corporation in such jurisdiction
(as certified to the  Trustee by a nationally  recognized tax accounting  firm).
The  term 'Relevant Jurisdiction'  shall mean the  jurisdiction in which, during
the relevant taxable year, (c) Benedek Broadcasting is doing business for  state
and  local  income tax  purposes, (d)  Benedek  Broadcasting derives  the first,
second, third or fourth highest percentage of its gross income as calculated for
Federal income tax purposes (excluding therefrom any gain or loss from the  sale
or   other  disposition  of  any  television   station  then  owned  by  Benedek
Broadcasting) and (e) Benedek  Broadcasting is taxable as  an S Corporation  for
state  and local income tax purposes that imposes the highest aggregate marginal
rate of state and local income tax  on individuals (as certified to the  Trustee
by  a  nationally  recognized  tax  accounting  firm).  The  term  'Federal  Tax
Percentage' shall mean the highest applicable statutory marginal rate of Federal
income tax or, in the case of clause (b)(ii) above, alternative minimum tax,  to
which  an  individual resident  of the  United  States would  be subject  in the
relevant year of  determination (as  certified to  the Trustee  by a  nationally
recognized  tax accounting firm); provided, however,  that, for any taxable year
(or portion  thereof) for  which Benedek  Broadcasting is  not taxable  as an  S
Corporation for Federal income tax purposes, the Federal Tax Percentage shall be
zero. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the sum of the State Tax Percentage and the
Federal  Tax  Percentage  (the  'Total Tax  Percentage')  shall  not  exceed the
percentage (the 'Maximum Tax Percentage') equal to the lesser of (f) the highest
applicable statutory marginal rate  of Federal, state and  local income tax  or,
when  applicable, alternative minimum tax, to which a corporation doing business
in any state  in which Benedek  Broadcasting is  doing business at  the time  of
determination  would  be  subject  in the  relevant  year  of  determination (as
certified to the Trustee by a nationally recognized tax accounting firm) plus 5%
and (g) 55%. If the Total Tax Percentage exceeds the Maximum Tax Percentage, the
Federal Tax Percentage  shall be reduced  to the extent  necessary to cause  the
Total  Tax Percentage to equal the  Maximum Tax Percentage. Distributions of Tax
Amounts may be  made from  time to  time with  respect to  a tax  year based  on
reasonable  estimates, with reconciliation within 40  days of the earlier of (i)
Benedek Broadcasting's filing of the Internal Revenue Service Form 1120S for the
applicable taxable year  and (ii)  the last  date such  form is  required to  be
filed.  The  stockholder  of  Benedek Broadcasting  will  enter  into  a binding
agreement with  Benedek  Broadcasting  to  reimburse  Benedek  Broadcasting  for
certain  positive differences between the distributed amount and the Tax Amount,
which difference must be paid at the time of such reconciliation.
 
     'Television Station' means  any group  of assets which  constitutes all  or
substantially  all  of the  assets  which would  be  necessary to  carry  on the
business of a commercial television broadcast station and which, when  purchased
by   a   single  purchaser   would  (together   with  any   necessary  licenses,
authorizations,  working  capital  and  operating  location)  be   substantially
sufficient to allow such purchaser to carry on such business.
 
     'TIA' means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. SSSS77aaa-77bbbb) as
in effect on the Issue Date.
 
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     'U.S.  Government  Obligations' means  direct obligations  (or certificates
representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States  of
America  (including any  agency or instrumentality  thereof) for  the payment of
which the full faith and credit of  the United States of America is pledged  and
which are not callable at the issuer's option.
 
     'Voting  Stock' of a corporation means all classes of Capital Stock of such
corporation then outstanding and  normally entitled to vote  in the election  of
directors.
 
     'Wholly  Owned Subsidiary'  means a  Restricted Subsidiary  all the Capital
Stock of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) is owned by the Company
or another Wholly Owned Subsidiary.
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
     Holders of the  Exchange Securities  are not entitled  to any  registration
rights   with  respect  to  the  Exchange  Securities.  Under  the  Registration
Agreement, the Company  has agreed  to use its  best efforts  to consummate  the
Exchange Offer by October 4, 1996 for the benefit of the Holders of the Existing
Notes.  The Company will keep the Exchange Offer  open for not less than 30 days
(or longer if required by applicable law) after the date notice of the  Exchange
Offer is mailed to the Holders of the Existing Notes.
 
     In  the event that  applicable interpretations of  the staff of  the SEC in
letters issued to third parties do not permit the Company to effect the Exchange
Offer, or if the  Initial Purchaser so requests  with respect to Existing  Notes
not eligible to be exchanged for Exchange Securities in the Exchange Offer or if
any  Holder of  Existing Notes  is not eligible  to participate  in the Exchange
Offer or does not receive freely  tradeable Exchange Securities in the  Exchange
Offer,  the Company will,  at its cost,  (a) as promptly  as practicable, file a
Shelf Registration  Statement covering  resales  of the  Existing Notes  or  the
Exchange  Securities, as the case may be, (b)  use its best efforts to cause the
Shelf Registration Statement to be  declared effective under the Securities  Act
and  (c) keep the Shelf Registration Statement effective until three years after
the date of original issuance  of the Existing Notes.  The Company will, in  the
event  a Shelf Registration  Statement is filed, among  other things, provide to
each Holder for whom such Shelf  Registration Statement was filed copies of  the
prospectus which is a part of the Shelf Registration Statement, notify each such
Holder  when  the Shelf  Registration Statement  has  become effective  and take
certain other actions  as are  required to  permit unrestricted  resales of  the
Existing  Notes or the  Exchange Securities, as  the case may  be. A Holder that
sells such Notes pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement generally would be
required to be named as a selling security holder in the related prospectus  and
to  deliver a prospectus to purchasers, will  be subject to certain of the civil
liability provisions under the Securities Act in connection with such sales  and
will  be  bound  by  the  provisions of  the  Registration  Agreement  which are
applicable to such a Holder.
 
     The summary herein of certain provisions of the Registration Agreement does
not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified by reference  to,
all the provisions of the Registration Agreement, a copy of which is filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
     The  authorized capital stock of the  Company consists of 25,000,000 shares
of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, 25,000,000 shares of Class B
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, and 2,500,000 shares of preferred stock,
par value $0.01 per share. The Company has outstanding 7,030,000 shares of Class
B Common  Stock, 600,000  shares  of Exchangeable  Preferred Stock  and  450,000
shares  of Seller Junior Discount Preferred  Stock. In addition, the Company has
1,488,000 shares of Class A Common Stock reserved for issuance upon exercise  of
the  Warrants and 370,000 shares  of Class B Common  Stock reserved for issuance
upon exercise of outstanding options held by the President of the Company.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     The following  description of  the Common  Stock of  the Company  does  not
purport  to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified by the provisions of
its Certificate of Incorporation. A copy of the
 
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<PAGE>
Certificate of  Incorporation  is  filed  as  an  exhibit  to  the  Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
 
     Dividends.  Holders of shares of Common  Stock are entitled to receive such
dividends as may  be declared by  the Board  of Directors out  of funds  legally
available  for such  purpose. No  dividend may  be declared  or paid  in cash or
property  on  any  share  of  any   class  of  Common  Stock,  however,   unless
simultaneously  the same dividend is declared or paid on each share of the other
classes of Common Stock. In the case  of any stock dividend, holders of Class  A
Common  Stock are entitled  to receive the same  percentage dividend (payable in
shares of Class A Common Stock) as the holders of Class B Common Stock  (payable
in shares of Class B Common Stock).
 
     Voting Rights. Holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common
Stock  vote  as  a single  class  on all  matters  submitted  to a  vote  of the
stockholders, with each share of Class A  Common Stock entitled to one vote  and
each  share of Class  B Common Stock entitled  to ten votes,  except (i) at such
time as  any class  of Common  Stock of  the Company  is subject  to Rule  13e-3
promulgated  under  the  Exchange  Act,  with  respect  to  any  'going private'
transaction between the Company and any  Permitted Holder and (ii) as  otherwise
provided  by law. A 'going private' transaction is any 'Rule 13e-3 Transaction,'
as such term is defined in Rule 13e-3.
 
     The holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock vote as  a
single  class with respect to any  proposed 'going private' transaction with any
Permitted Holder, with each  share of Class  A Common Stock  and Class B  Common
Stock entitled to one vote.
 
     Under  Delaware law, the affirmative  vote of the holders  of a majority of
the outstanding shares  of any  class of Common  Stock is  required to  approve,
among  other things, a change in the designations, preferences or limitations of
the shares of such class of Common Stock.
 
     Liquidation Rights.  Upon liquidation,  dissolution  or winding-up  of  the
Company,  the holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to share ratably with
the holders of  Class B Common  Stock in all  assets available for  distribution
after payment in full of creditors.
 
     Other  Provisions.  Each  share of  Class  B Common  Stock  is convertible,
subject to  compliance with  FCC rules  and regulations,  at the  option of  its
holder,  into one share of Class A Common Stock at any time. Each share of Class
B Common Stock  converts automatically into  one share of  Class A Common  Stock
upon  its  sale or  other transfer  to a  party other  than a  Permitted Holder,
subject to compliance  with FCC  rules and  regulations. The  holders of  Common
Stock  are  not entitled  to preemptive  or subscription  rights. The  shares of
Common  Stock  presently  outstanding  are   validly  issued,  fully  paid   and
nonassessable.  In  any  merger,  consolidation  or  business  combination,  the
consideration to be received per share by  holders of Class A Common Stock  must
be  identical to that received  by holders of Class B  Common Stock. No class of
Common Stock may be subdivided, consolidated, reclassified or otherwise  changed
unless   concurrently  the  other  classes   of  Common  Stock  are  subdivided,
consolidated, reclassified or otherwise  changed in the  same proportion and  in
the same manner.
 
EXCHANGEABLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The  following  description of  the Exchangeable  Preferred Stock  does not
purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified by reference to,  all
of  the provisions in the Certificate of Designation relating thereto. A copy of
the Certificate of Designation for the Exchangeable Preferred Stock is filed  as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
 
     Ranking.  The Exchangeable Preferred Stock, with respect to dividend rights
and rights on liquidation, winding-up and  dissolution, ranks (i) senior to  the
common  stock of the Company and the  Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock and
to each other class  of capital stock or  series of preferred stock  established
after  the  date  of  the  consummation  of  the  offering  of  the  Units  (the
'Exchangeable Preferred Stock  Issue Date')  by the  Board of  Directors of  the
Company  the terms of which do not expressly provide that it ranks senior to, or
on a  parity  with,  the  Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock  (the  'Company  Junior
Securities'),  (ii) on a parity with each other class of capital stock or series
of preferred stock established after the Exchangeable Preferred Stock Issue Date
by the Board of Directors  of the Company the  terms of which expressly  provide
that  such class or series will rank on a parity with the Exchangeable Preferred
Stock  (the   'Company   Parity   Securities')  and   (iii)   junior   to   each
 
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class  of  capital stock  or  series of  preferred  stock established  after the
Exchangeable Preferred Stock Issue Date by the Board of Directors of the Company
the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series will rank  senior
to the Exchangeable Preferred Stock.
 
     Dividends.  Holders  of the  outstanding  shares of  Exchangeable Preferred
Stock are  entitled  to receive,  when,  as and  if  declared by  the  Board  of
Directors  of  the  Company,  out  of  funds  legally  available  therefor, cash
dividends on the Exchangeable Preferred Stock at a rate per annum equal to 15.0%
of the then effective liquidation preference per share of Exchangeable Preferred
Stock, payable quarterly. If any dividend  payable on any dividend payment  date
on  or before  July 1, 2001,  is not declared  or paid  in full in  cash on such
dividend payment date, the amount payable as dividends on such dividend  payment
date   will  be  added  automatically  to  the  liquidation  preference  of  the
Exchangeable Preferred Stock on  such dividend payment date  and will be  deemed
paid  in full and will not accumulate. No full dividends may be declared or paid
or funds set apart for the payment of dividends on any Company Parity Securities
for  any  period   unless  full   cumulative  dividends  shall   have  been   or
contemporaneously  are declared  and paid (or  are deemed declared  and paid) in
full or declared  and, if payable  in cash, a  sum in cash  sufficient for  such
payment  is set apart for  such payment on the  Exchangeable Preferred Stock. If
full dividends are  not so  paid, the  Exchangeable Preferred  Stock will  share
dividends  pro rata with the Company Parity Securities. No dividends may be paid
or set apart for such payment on Company Junior Securities (except dividends  on
Company  Junior  Securities  payable  in  additional  shares  of  Company Junior
Securities) and no Company Junior Securities or Company Parity Securities may be
repurchased, redeemed  or otherwise  retired  nor may  funds  be set  apart  for
payment  with  respect  thereto,  if full  cumulative  dividends  have  not been
declared and paid in full (or deemed paid) on the Exchangeable Preferred Stock.
 
     Liquidation. The Exchangeable  Preferred Stock was  issued with an  initial
aggregate  liquidation preference of $60.0  million. Holders of the Exchangeable
Preferred Stock, in the event of  any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up  of
the  Company, will  be entitled  to be paid,  out of  the assets  of the Company
available for  distribution  to  stockholders, the  then  effective  liquidation
preference  per share of Exchangeable Preferred Stock (initially $100 per share,
but subject to increase to the extent dividends are not declared and paid on  or
prior  to July 1, 2001), plus, without duplication, accrued and unpaid dividends
thereon, before  any distribution  is  made on  any Company  Junior  Securities,
including, without limitation, common stock of the Company and the Seller Junior
Discount  Preferred  Stock. If  the assets  of the  Company are  insufficient to
permit the payment of  the full preferential amounts  payable to holders of  the
Exchangeable  Preferred Stock and  holders of any other  class of Company Parity
Securities upon liquidation,  dissolution or  winding-up of the  affairs of  the
Company,  each  holder  of  Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock  and  Company  Parity
Securities will share equally and ratably  in any distribution of assets of  the
Company  in proportion to the respective  preferential amounts to which they are
entitled.
 
     Mandatory Redemption. The Exchangeable Preferred  Stock is also subject  to
mandatory  redemption (subject to legal availability of funds therefor) in whole
on July 1,  2007, at a  price equal to  100% of the  then effective  liquidation
preference  thereof, plus, without duplication,  accrued and unpaid dividends to
the date of redemption.
 
     Optional Redemption.  The  Exchangeable  Preferred Stock  may  be  redeemed
(subject  to contractual and other restrictions with respect thereto, and to the
legal availability of funds therefor) at any  time, in whole or in part, at  the
option of the Company, at the redemption prices (expressed in percentages of the
then  effective liquidation preference  thereof) set forth  below, plus, without
duplication, accrued and unpaid dividends on the Exchangeable Preferred Stock to
the date of redemption: if  redeemed prior to July 1,  1996 at 115.000%, and  if
redeemed  during the 12-month period commencing July 1 of (a) 1996 through 1999,
115.000%; (b) 2000, 112.000%; (c) 2001, 109.000%; (d) 2002, 106.000%; (e)  2003,
103.000%; and (f) 2004 and thereafter, 100.000%.
 
     Exchange. The Company may, at its option, subject to certain conditions, on
any  scheduled dividend payment date, exchange the Exchangeable Preferred Stock,
in whole but not in part, for  the Exchange Debentures (as defined). Holders  of
the  Exchangeable Preferred  Stock will be  entitled to  receive $1.00 principal
amount  of  Exchange  Debentures  for  each  $1.00  liquidation  preference   of
Exchangeable Preferred Stock held by them.
 
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     Voting  Rights.  The holders  of  Exchangeable Preferred  Stock,  except as
otherwise required under Delaware law or as set forth below, are not entitled to
vote on any matter required or permitted to be voted upon by the stockholders of
the Company. The holders of the Exchangeable Preferred Stock, voting together as
a single class, have the  right to elect the greater  of two directors and  that
number of directors constituting 25% of the members of the Board of Directors of
the Company upon the occurrence of certain events including, but not limited to,
the  failure by the Company after July 1,  2001 to pay cash dividends in full on
the Exchangeable Preferred Stock  for four or  more quarterly dividend  periods,
the failure by the Company to redeem the Exchangeable Preferred Stock on July 1,
2007,  or  the failure  to otherwise  discharge  any redemption  obligation with
respect to the Exchangeable Preferred Stock,  the breach or violation of one  or
more  of  the covenants  contained  in the  Certificate  of Designation  for the
Exchangeable Preferred  Stock, the  failure by  the Company  to repay  at  final
stated  maturity, or the  acceleration of the final  stated maturity of, certain
indebtedness of the Company or  an event of default  occurs with respect to  any
such  indebtedness (which event of default is  not waived by the holders of such
indebtedness within 30 days thereof).
 
     Change of  Control. The  Certificate of  Designation for  the  Exchangeable
Preferred  Stock provides that, upon  the occurrence of a  change of control (as
defined in the Certificate of Designation for the Exchangeable Preferred Stock),
each holder will have the right to require that the Company repurchase all or  a
portion  of such  holder's Exchangeable  Preferred Stock  in cash  at a purchase
price equal to 101% of the then effective liquidation preference thereof,  plus,
without duplication, an amount in cash equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends
per share to the date of repurchase.
 
     Certain  Covenants.  The Certificate  of  Designation for  the Exchangeable
Preferred Stock contains certain covenants  that, among other things, limit  (i)
the  issuance of  additional indebtedness by  the Company  and its subsidiaries,
(ii) the payment of  dividends on, and redemption  of, certain capital stock  of
the  Company and  its subsidiaries  and the  redemption of  certain subordinated
obligations of the Company, (iii) investments in certain affiliates, (iv)  sales
of  assets  and  subsidiary stock,  (v)  transactions with  affiliates  and (vi)
consolidations, mergers  and  transfers  of  all or  substantially  all  of  the
Company's assets.
 
     Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock  Exchange  Offer. The  Company  has  filed a
registration statement on Form S-4 relating  to a registered exchange offer  for
the  Exchangeable Preferred  Stock (the  'Exchangeable Preferred  Stock Exchange
Offer'). The Company anticipates that the registration statement relating to the
Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock  Exchange   Offer  will  be  declared   effective
contemporaneously  with or shortly after  the Registration Statement relating to
the Exchange Offer made hereby.  Additionally, the Company anticipates that  the
Exchangeable    Preferred   Stock   Exchange   Offer   will   (i)   take   place
contemporaneously, in whole or in part, with the Exchange Offer and (ii)  expire
on the expiration date of the Exchange Offer or shortly thereafter.
 
  SELLER JUNIOR DISCOUNT PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The  following description  of the  Seller Junior  Discount Preferred Stock
does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified by reference
to, all of the provisions in the Certificate of Designation therefor. A copy  of
the Certificate of Designation for the Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock is
filed  as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a
part.
 
     Ranking. The  Seller  Junior  Discount Preferred  Stock,  with  respect  to
dividend rights and rights on liquidation, winding-up and dissolution, ranks (i)
junior  to the Exchangeable Preferred  Stock and each class  of Capital Stock or
series of Preferred Stock established hereafter by the Board of Directors of the
Company, the terms  of which expressly  provide that such  class or series  will
rank  senior to the Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock as to dividend rights
and rights upon  liquidation, winding-up  and dissolution of  the Company;  (ii)
senior  to all classes of common stock and  to each other class of Capital Stock
or series of Preferred Stock established hereafter by the Board of Directors  of
the Company the terms of which do not expressly provide that it ranks senior to,
or  on a parity with, the Seller  Junior Discount Preferred Stock as to dividend
rights and rights on liquidation, winding-up and dissolution of the Company; and
(iii) subject  to certain  conditions, on  a  parity with  each other  class  of
Capital Stock or series of Preferred Stock established hereafter by the Board of
Directors  of the Company, the terms of  which expressly provide that such class
or series will rank on a parity with the
 
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Seller Junior  Discount Preferred  Stock as  to dividend  rights and  rights  on
liquidation, winding-up and dissolution. All claims of the holders of the Seller
Junior  Discount  Preferred  Stock, including  without  limitation,  claims with
respect to dividend payments, redemption payments, mandatory repurchase payments
or rights upon liquidation, winding-up or dissolution, shall rank junior to  the
claims  of  the  holders of  any  debt of  the  Company, holders  of  any senior
preferred stock, including  the Exchangeable Preferred  Stock, and, except  with
respect  to declared and  unpaid dividends, all other  creditors of the Company.
The Certificate of Designation  for the Seller  Junior Discount Preferred  Stock
contains  limitations  on  the issuance  of  additional preferred  stock  by the
Company. See ' -- Voting Rights.'
 
     Dividends. Holders  of  the  Seller Junior  Discount  Preferred  Stock  are
entitled  to receive out  of any funds legally  available therefor, dividends on
the Seller Junior  Discount Preferred Stock  at a  rate per annum  equal to  the
Dividend  Rate (as defined) of the then effective liquidation value per share of
Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock, payable  (i) during the period from  the
date  of issuance  thereof (the  'Seller Junior  Discount Preferred  Stock Issue
Date') through, but not  including, the fifth anniversary  of the Seller  Junior
Discount   Preferred  Stock   Issue  Date,   quarterly,  and   (ii)  thereafter,
semi-annually. The term 'Dividend Rate' means (i) for the period from the Seller
Junior Discount Preferred Stock Issue Date through (but not including) the fifth
anniversary of the Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock Issue Date, 7.92%  per
annum,  (ii) for  the period  from the  fifth anniversary  of the  Seller Junior
Discount Preferred  Stock Issue  Date through  (but not  including) the  seventh
anniversary  of the Seller  Junior Discount Preferred Stock  Issue Date, 15% per
annum, and (iii)  from the  seventh anniversary  of the  Seller Junior  Discount
Preferred  Stock Issue  Date and thereafter,  18% per  annum, provided, however,
that during any period during which any dividend is not paid, the Seller  Junior
Discount  Preferred Stock is  not redeemed in  accordance with the  terms of the
Certificate of Designation therefor or the Company takes any action in violation
of such Certificate of Designation, the Dividend Rate shall be the Dividend Rate
determined in accordance with clauses (i) through (iii) above plus 2% per annum.
Dividends on the Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock will be cumulative  from
the Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock Issue Date. Through and including the
fifth  anniversary of  the Seller  Junior Discount  Preferred Stock  Issue Date,
dividend payments thereon  may not be  made in  cash and will  instead be  added
automatically  to  the  liquidation  preference of  the  Seller  Junior Discount
Preferred Stock on the dividend payment date and will be deemed paid in full and
will not accumulate.
 
     Liquidation. The Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock was issued with  an
initial aggregate liquidation preference of $45.0 million. Holders of the Seller
Junior Discount Preferred Stock, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up of the Company, will be entitled to be paid, out of the assets of the
Company   available  for  distribution  to   stockholders,  the  then  effective
liquidation preference  per  share of  Seller  Junior Discount  Preferred  Stock
(initially  $100  per share,  but subject  to increase  to the  extent dividends
thereon accrue prior  to the  fifth anniversary  of the  Seller Junior  Discount
Preferred  Stock  Issue Date),  plus,  without duplication,  accrued  and unpaid
dividends, thereon, before any distribution is  made on any Common Stock of  the
Company  or  any  securities which  are  junior  to the  Seller  Junior Discount
Preferred Stock. If the assets of the Company are insufficient to permit payment
of the  full  preferential amounts  payable  to  holders of  the  Seller  Junior
Discount  Preferred Stock and holders of any other class of securities that rank
on par thereto upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of the
Company, each holder of Seller Junior  Discount Preferred Stock and such  parity
securities  will share equally and ratably in  any distribution of assets of the
Company in proportion to the respective  preferential amounts to which they  are
entitled.
 
     Mandatory Redemption. The Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock is subject
to  mandatory  redemption (subject  to contractual  and other  restrictions with
respect thereto and  to the legal  availability of funds  therefor) in whole  on
July  1, 2008, at  a price equal to  the sum of the  liquidation value per share
plus an amount equal to  all accumulated and unpaid  dividends per share to  the
date of redemption.
 
     Optional  Redemption.  The Seller  Junior Discount  Preferred Stock  may be
redeemed (subject to contractual and other restrictions with respect thereto and
to the legal availability of funds therefor), in whole or in part at any time at
the option of  the Company,  at the  redemption price equal  to the  sum of  the
liquidation value per share redeemed plus an amount equal to all accumulated and
unpaid dividends per share to the date of redemption.
 
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     Voting  Rights. The holders of Seller  Junior Discount Preferred Stock have
no voting rights, except as required by law, provided, however, that the holders
of Seller Junior Discount  Preferred Stock, voting separately  as a class,  have
the  right to  elect one director  to the Board  of Directors of  the Company in
addition to the  number to be  elected by  the holders of  the Company's  common
stock  or any other shares of preferred stock of the Company upon the failure by
the Company to pay dividends for any six consecutive quarterly dividend  periods
or  three  consecutive semi-annual  periods  or the  failure  of the  Company to
discharge any mandatory redemption or  repayment obligation with respect to  the
Seller  Junior Discount Preferred Stock, provided further, however, that without
the affirmative vote of the  holders of at least  a majority of the  outstanding
Seller  Junior  Discount Preferred  Stock, neither  the Company  nor any  of its
subsidiaries may, after the  Seller Junior Discount  Preferred Stock Issue  Date
(and  therefore not  applicable to the  Financing Plan),  incur any indebtedness
(which includes any preferred stock of a  subsidiary of the Company) if, on  the
date  of  such  incurrence,  after  giving  effect  to  the  incurrence  of such
indebtedness, the cash flow leverage ratio  of the Company (defined in the  same
manner  as  in the  Senior Secured  Note Indenture  as to  Benedek Broadcasting)
exceeds 8.5 to  1.0; provided that  the Company and  its subsidiaries may  incur
indebtedness,  without regard to such cash flow leverage ratio, if, after giving
effect to  such incurrence,  the aggregate  amount of  all indebtedness  of  the
Company  and its  subsidiaries outstanding  which was  incurred at  such time or
times as the cash flow leverage ratio exceeded 8.5 to 1.0, does not exceed  150%
of  the consolidated net interest expense for  the four quarter period ending as
of the end  of the fiscal  quarter ending immediately  prior thereto.  Preferred
stock  that is  senior or pari  passu in  ranking to the  Seller Junior Discount
Preferred Stock  or  that  is  junior in  ranking  thereto  but  is  mandatorily
redeemable  within one year prior to the mandatory redemption date of the Seller
Junior Discount Preferred Stock is considered indebtedness (and interest thereon
is considered interest expense) for  purposes of the foregoing limitations.  The
Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock is  considered indebtedness  for purposes  of the
foregoing limitation  and the  Seller  Junior Discount  Preferred Stock  is  not
considered  indebtedness for such purposes.  Indebtedness is not deemed incurred
for this purpose upon either (i)  the issuance of additional preferred stock  on
account  of  then  existing  payment-in-kind preferred  stock  as  a  payment of
dividends (such as dividends  on the Exchangeable Preferred  Stock) or (ii)  the
accretion  of  discount  with  respect to  indebtedness  (such  as  accretion of
discount on the Notes).
 
WARRANTS
 
     The Company has outstanding 600,000 Initial Warrants and 888,000 Contingent
Warrants, each Warrant  to acquire  one share  of Class  A Common  Stock of  the
Company,  at  an  initial  exercise  price of  $0.01  per  share.  Under certain
circumstances,  the  number  of  Contingent  Warrants  may  be  reduced  or  the
Contingent  Warrants may be required  to be returned to  the Company. See 'Stock
Ownership.'
 
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                    CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
     The  Federal income tax  discussion set forth  below is intended  only as a
summary and does not  purport to be  a complete analysis or  listing of all  the
potential tax consequences that may be relevant to persons acquiring, holding or
disposing  of the Notes.  This discussion does not  address the tax consequences
that may be relevant  to particular categories of  investors subject to  special
treatment  under certain Federal income tax laws, such as dealers in securities,
banks, insurance companies,  tax-exempt organizations,  foreign individuals  and
entities;  tax  consequences arising  under the  law of  any state,  locality or
foreign jurisdictions; or any estate or gift tax considerations. This discussion
is based upon  currently existing  provisions of  the Internal  Revenue Code  of
1986,  as  amended  (the  'Code'),  applicable  Treasury  Regulations (including
proposed Treasury Regulations) thereunder and current administrative rulings and
judicial decisions,  as  of  the  date  hereof.  It  is  addressed  to  original
purchasers  of  Notes who  will hold  the Notes  as capital  assets. All  of the
foregoing are subject to change at any time and any such change could affect the
continuing validity of this discussion in a manner that could adversely affect a
holder of the Notes. Further, the tax treatment of a purchaser of the Notes  may
vary  depending upon his particular situation. PERSONS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE,
OWNERSHIP OR  DISPOSITION  OF  NOTES  SHOULD  CONSULT  THEIR  OWN  TAX  ADVISORS
CONCERNING  THE FEDERAL  INCOME TAX  CONSEQUENCES IN  LIGHT OF  THEIR PARTICULAR
SITUTATIONS AS WELL  AS ANY  CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER  THE LAWS  OF ANY  OTHER
TAXING JURISDICTION.
 
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
 
     The  Notes will be  treated as issued with  original issue discount ('OID')
because the 'issue price'  of the Notes was  less than their 'stated  redemption
price  at maturity' by more  than a de minimis amount.  The 'issue price' of the
Existing Notes was equal the  first price at which  a substantial amount of  the
Existing  Notes were sold to persons other  than bond houses, brokers or similar
persons or  organizations  acting in  the  capacity of  underwriters,  placement
agents  or wholesalers. The 'stated redemption price at maturity' will equal the
sum of all payments provided under  the Notes other than payments of  'qualified
stated  interest.' A 'qualified stated interest' payment is generally any one of
a series  of  stated  interest  payments that,  among  other  requirements,  are
unconditionally  payable  at  least annually.  Because  the Notes  will  not pay
interest prior to  the Cash Interest  Date, none  of the interest  on the  Notes
prior  to the Cash Interest Date will be 'qualified stated interest.' Therefore,
all such  payments  made  under  the  Notes will  be  included  in  the  'stated
redemption  price  at maturity'  and  the total  OID on  a  Note will  equal the
difference between the  sum of those  payments provided under  the Note and  its
issue price.
 
     A holder of a Note must include OID in income calculated in accordance with
a  constant-yield method before the receipt of cash attributable to such income.
Under the constant-yield method, interest is accrued at a constant rate based on
the Notes' yield  to maturity, which  is the  discount rate that,  when used  in
computing the present value of all payments to be made under the Notes, produces
an  amount equal to their issue price. The amount of OID includible in income by
a holder of a Note is the sum of  the daily portions of OID with respect to  the
Note  for each  day during the  taxable year or  portion of the  taxable year on
which the  holder  holds  such  Note  ('accrued  OID').  The  daily  portion  is
determined  by allocating to each day in any 'accrual period' a pro rata portion
of the OID allocable to that accrual  period. Accrual periods with respect to  a
Note may be of any length selected by the holder and may vary in length over the
term  of the Note as long  as (i) no accrual period  is longer than one year and
(ii) each  scheduled payment  of interest  or principal  on the  Note occurs  on
either  the final or first day of an accrual period. The amount of OID allocable
to an accrual period will equal the product of the Note's 'adjusted issue price'
at the  beginning  of the  accrual  period and  such  Note's yield  to  maturity
(determined  on the basis of compounding at the close of each accrual period and
properly adjusted for the length of  the particular accrual period). The  amount
of  OID allocable to an  initial short accrual period  may be computed using any
reasonable method if all other accrual periods other than a final short  accrual
period  are of equal  length. The amount  of OID allocable  to the final accrual
period is the difference between the amount payable at the maturity of the  Note
and  the Note's adjusted  issue price as  of the beginning  of the final accrual
period.
 
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     The 'adjusted issue price' of a Note at the beginning of any accrual period
will be the issue price of the Note  increased by the amount of accrued OID  for
each  prior accrual period and  decreased by the amount  of any payments made on
the Note. Because OID will accrue and be includible in income at least  annually
and  no payments will be  made under the Notes until  May 15, 2001, the adjusted
issue price  will increase  until the  Cash  Interest Date.  The amount  of  OID
includible  in income will  therefore increase during  each accrual period until
the Cash Interest Date.  The adjusted issue price  after the Cash Interest  Date
will  decrease (or increase)  if payments made thereafter  are greater (or less)
than the amounts  of OID  accrued between payments,  and the  OID includible  in
income will decrease (or increase) accordingly.
 
MARKET DISCOUNT AND ACQUISITION DISCOUNT
 
     If  a Note is acquired at a  'market discount' (i.e., a discount other than
at original issue), some or all of  any gain recognized upon the disposition  of
the  debt instrument by the holder will  be taxable as ordinary interest income,
rather than as capital gain, to the extent such gain does not exceed the accrued
market discount on such debt instrument at the time of such disposition. 'Market
discount' generally means the  excess, if any, of  a debt instrument's  'revised
issue price' over the price paid by the holder therefor, subject to a de minimis
exception.  The revised issue price of a Note  will equal the issue price of the
Note, increased by the amount of OID accrued with respect to the Note as of  the
acquisition  date, and decreased by  any payments made on  the Note prior to the
acquisition date. A  holder of  a Note  who acquires  the debt  instrument at  a
market  discount may also be required to defer the deduction of a portion of the
amount of interest that the  holder paid or accrued  during the taxable year  on
indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or carry such debt instrument.
 
     A  holder of  a Note  acquired at  a market  discount may  elect to include
market discount in gross income, for Federal income tax purposes, as such market
discount accrues, either on a straight-line basis or on a constant interest rate
basis. This  current  inclusion  election,  once made,  applies  to  all  market
discount  obligations acquired on  or after the  first day of  the first taxable
year to which the election applies, and  may not be revoked without the  consent
of  the Internal Revenue Service. If a holder  of a Note makes such an election,
the foregoing rules regarding  the recognition of ordinary  income on sales  and
other  dispositions  and  regarding  the  deferral  of  interest  deductions  on
indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or carry such debt  instruments,
will not apply.
 
     If  a holder acquires  a Note at a  price that is in  excess of its revised
issue price but is  less than such Note's  remaining stated redemption price  at
maturity,  such holder  will be  allowed to reduce  the amount  of OID otherwise
includible in income after the acquisition date to reflect such excess.
 
SALE, EXCHANGE OR RETIREMENT OF THE NOTES
 
     Upon the  sale, exchange,  retirement or  other disposition  of a  Note,  a
holder will generally recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the
amount  realized on the disposition  and the holder's adjusted  tax basis in the
Note. The adjusted tax basis of the Notes for holders will generally be equal to
the issue price, increased by the amount of OID and market discount included  in
gross  income prior to  the time of  disposition, and decreased  by any payments
made on the  Notes prior to  disposition. Subject to  the market discount  rules
discussed  above, gain or  loss recognized by  a holder on  the disposition of a
Note will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if
the Note had been held for more than one year.
 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THE COMPANY
 
     The Company's  deductions  for  accrued  interest  on  the  Notes  will  be
deferred,  and  will  be  disallowed  in  part,  because  the  Notes  constitute
'applicable high yield  discount obligations' ('AHYDOS').  The Notes  constitute
AHYDOS in part because their yield-to-maturity equals or exceeds five percentage
points  over the 'applicable federal rate' (the  'AFR') in effect when the Notes
were issued.
 
                                      135
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     The Company's deductions for interest on  the portion of the interest  that
exceeds  the AFR  by more  than six  percentage points  will be  disallowed. The
Company will be allowed to deduct the remaining interest. However, such interest
will not be deductible until it is actually paid.
 
     Corporate  holders   of  the   Notes  will   be  entitled   to  a   partial
dividends-received  deduction with respect to  the disallowed portion of accrued
interest on the Notes to  the extent that the  Company has earnings and  profits
from  which it could pay a dividend. The  Company will report to the holders the
amount of any disallowed interest that could be treated as a dividend subject to
a partial dividends-received deduction.
 
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
 
     A holder of a Note may be subject to backup withholding at the rate of  31%
with  respect to payments of principal and  interest paid on the Note, and gross
proceeds upon  sale  or retirement  of  a Note,  unless  such holder  (i)  is  a
corporation  or comes within certain other exempt categories and, when required,
demonstrates this  fact  or  (ii) provides  a  correct  taxpayer  identification
number,  certifies  that  backup  withholding is  not  in  effect  and otherwise
complies with  the  applicable requirements  of  the backup  withholding  rules.
Holders of Notes should consult their tax advisors as to their qualification for
exemption  from U.S. backup withholding and  the procedure for obtaining such an
exemption. Any amount paid as backup withholding will be creditable against  the
holder's Federal income tax liability.
 
EXCHANGE OFFER
 
     The  exchange of  Exchange Securities  for Existing  Notes pursuant  to the
Exchange Offer  will not  be treated  as an  'exchange' for  Federal income  tax
purposes  because  the  Exchange Securities  will  not be  considered  to differ
materially in  kind or  extent from  the Existing  Notes. Rather,  the  Exchange
Securities  received  by a  holder  will be  treated  as a  continuation  of the
Existing Notes  in the  hands of  such holder.  As a  result, there  will be  no
Federal  income tax  consequences to holders  exchanging Existing  Notes for the
Exchange Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The aforementioned statement
is based upon an opinion  of Whitman Breed Abbott &  Morgan, tax counsel to  the
Company, a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement to
which this Prospectus is a part. If, however, the exchange of Existing Notes for
the  Exchange Securities  were treated as  an 'exchange' for  Federal income tax
purposes, such exchange would constitute  a recapitalization for Federal  income
tax   purposes.   Holders   exchanging   Existing   Notes   pursuant   to   such
recapitalization would not recognize any gain or loss upon the exchange.
 
                                      136
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     Each broker-dealer that  receives Exchange Securities  for its own  account
pursuant  to  the  Exchange  Offer  must  acknowledge  that  it  will  deliver a
prospectus in  connection with  any  resale of  such Exchange  Securities.  This
Prospectus,  as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used
by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Securities received in
exchange for Existing Notes where such Existing Notes were acquired as a  result
of  market-making activities or other trading activities. The Company has agreed
that, for a  period of  90 days  after the Expiration  Date, it  will make  this
Prospectus,  as amended or supplemented, available  to any broker-dealer for use
in connection with any such resale. In addition, until              , 1996,  all
dealers  effecting transactions  in the Exchange  Securities may  be required to
deliver a prospectus.
 
     The Company  will  not receive  any  proceeds  from any  sale  of  Exchange
Securities by broker-dealers. Exchange Securities received by broker-dealers for
their  own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer  may be sold from time to time
in one  or  more transactions  in  the over-the-counter  market,  in  negotiated
transactions,  through the  writing of options  on the Exchange  Securities or a
combination of such methods of resale,  at market prices prevailing at the  time
of  resale, at  prices related  to such  prevailing market  prices or negotiated
prices. Any such  resale may be  made directly  to purchasers or  to or  through
brokers  or dealers who may  receive compensation in the  form of commissions or
concessions from any such broker-dealer or  the purchasers of any such  Exchange
Securities.  Any  broker-dealer  that  resells  Exchange  Securities  that  were
received by it for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any broker
or dealer that participates in a distribution of such Exchange Securities may be
deemed to be an 'underwriter' within the  meaning of the Securities Act and  any
profit  on  any  such  resale  of Exchange  Securities  and  any  commissions or
concessions received  by any  such  persons may  be  deemed to  be  underwriting
compensation  under the Securities Act. Each  Letter of Transmittal states that,
by acknowledging  that  it  will  deliver and  by  delivering  a  prospectus,  a
broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an 'underwriter' within the
meaning of the Securities Act.
 
     For a period of 90 days after the Expiration Date the Company will promptly
send  additional copies  of this Prospectus  and any amendment  or supplement to
this Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents in its  Letter
of  Transmittal. The  Company has  agreed to  pay all  expenses incident  to the
Exchange Offer (including  the expenses of  one counsel for  the holders of  the
Notes)  other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers and will
indemnify holders of  the Notes (including  any broker-dealers) against  certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     Certain  legal matters with respect to the  Notes will be passed on for the
Company by Shack & Siegel, P.C., New  York, New York. Paul S. Goodman, a  member
of  the firm of Shack &  Siegel, P.C., is a director  of the Company and Benedek
Broadcasting. During fiscal  1995, the Company  paid approximately $559,000  for
legal  services to Shack & Siegel, P.C.  Certain tax matters with respect to the
Notes will be passed on  for the Company by Whitman  Breed Abbott & Morgan,  tax
counsel to the Company.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The  Consolidated Financial  Statements of the  Company as  of December 31,
1994 and 1995 and for each of the three years ended December 31, 1995,  included
in  this Prospectus  have been audited  by McGladrey &  Pullen, LLP, independent
auditors, as stated in their report with respect thereto, and is included herein
in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said report.
 
     The balance sheets of the TV Division  of Stauffer as of December 31,  1994
and  1995 and the related  statements of income, division  equity and cash flows
for each of three years in the period ended December 31, 1995, included in  this
Prospectus  have  been  audited  by  Arthur  Andersen  LLP,  independent  public
accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and is  included
herein  in reliance upon  the authority of  said firm as  experts in giving said
report.
 
     The consolidated balance sheets  of Brissette as of  December 25, 1994  and
December  31,  1995  and  the related  statements  of  operations, stockholder's
investment and cash flows for the fiscal years ended December 26, 1993, December
25, 1994 and December 31, 1995, included in this Prospectus have been audited by
Arthur Andersen  LLP,  independent public  accountants,  as indicated  in  their
report  with  respect  thereto, and  is  included  herein in  reliance  upon the
authority of said firm as experts in giving said report.
 
                                      137


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                         PAGE
                                                                                                                         ----
 
<S>                                                                                                                      <C>
Benedek Communications Corporation and Subsidiary
     Independent Auditor's Report.....................................................................................    F-2
     Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1994 and 1995.....................................................    F-3
     Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Years Ended December 31, 1995................................    F-4
     Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Deficit for the Years Ended
       December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995...............................................................................    F-5
     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Years Ended December 31, 1995................................    F-6
     Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.......................................................................    F-7
 
     Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 1996 (Unaudited).......................................................   F-18
     Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Six Months Ended
       June 30, 1995 and 1996 (Unaudited).............................................................................   F-19
     Consolidated Statement of Stockholder's Deficit for the Six Months Ended June 30, 1996...........................   F-20
     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended
       June 30, 1995 and 1996 (Unaudited).............................................................................   F-21
     Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)...........................................................   F-22
 
TV Division of Stauffer Communications, Inc.
     Report of Independent Public Accountants.........................................................................   F-28
     Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1994 and 1995..................................................................   F-29
     Statements of Income for the Three Years Ended December 31, 1995.................................................   F-30
     Statements of Division Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995...............................   F-31
     Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Years Ended December 31, 1995.............................................   F-32
     Notes to Financial Statements....................................................................................   F-33
 
     Balance Sheet as of June 6, 1996 (Unaudited).....................................................................   F-36
     Statements of Income for the Six Months Ended June 30, 1995 and the Period January 1, 1996 to June 6, 1996
      (Unaudited).....................................................................................................   F-37
     Statement of Division Equity for the Period January 1, 1996 to June 6, 1996 (Unaudited)..........................   F-38
     Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 1995 and the Period January 1, 1996 to June 6, 1996
      (Unaudited).....................................................................................................   F-39
     Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)........................................................................   F-40
 
Brissette Broadcasting Corporation and Subsidiaries
     Report of Independent Public Accountants.........................................................................   F-41
     Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 25, 1994 and December 31, 1995........................................   F-42
     Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Years Ended December 31, 1995................................   F-43
     Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Investment for the Years Ended
       December 26, 1993, December 25, 1994 and December 31, 1995.....................................................   F-44
     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Years Ended
       December 31, 1995..............................................................................................   F-45
     Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.......................................................................   F-46
 
     Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 6, 1996 (Unaudited)........................................................   F-54
     Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Twenty Six Weeks Ended June 30, 1995 and the Period January 1, 1996
      to June 6, 1996 (Unaudited).....................................................................................   F-55
     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Twenty Six Weeks Ended June 30, 1995 and the Period January 1, 1996
      to June 6, 1996 (Unaudited).....................................................................................   F-56
     Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Investment for the Period January 1, 1996 to June 6, 1996 (Unaudited)...   F-57
     Note to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)............................................................   F-58
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
 
To the Board of Directors
BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Rockford, Illinois
 
     We  have audited  the accompanying  consolidated balance  sheets of Benedek
Communications Corporation and subsidiary as of  December 31, 1994 and 1995  and
the  related consolidated  statements of operations,  stockholder's deficit, and
cash flows  for  the  years  ended  December 31,  1993,  1994  and  1995.  These
consolidated  financial  statements  are  the  responsibility  of  the Company's
management. Our responsibility is  to express an  opinion on these  consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.
 
     We  conducted  our audits  in accordance  with generally  accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to  obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also  includes
assessing  the  accounting principles  used  and significant  estimates  made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement  presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In  our opinion,  the consolidated  financial statements  referred to above
present fairly,  in all  material respects,  the financial  position of  Benedek
Communications  Corporation and subsidiary as of December 31, 1994 and 1995, and
the results  of  their operations  and  their cash  flows  for the  years  ended
December  31,  1993,  1994  and  1995  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted
accounting principles.
 
                                             MCGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP
 
Rockford, Illinois
February 9, 1996, except for Notes A, L and M as to
which the date is June 6, 1996.
 
                                      F-2


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                     1994            1995
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
 
<S>                                                                              <C>             <C>
                                ASSETS(Note F)
Current Assets
     Cash and cash equivalents................................................   $  4,617,242    $  9,668,331
     Receivables:
          Trade, net, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $100,268 and
            $249,023 for 1994 and 1995, respectively..........................      7,923,039       9,918,633
          Due from Network....................................................             --       2,500,000
          Other...............................................................         32,367         111,063
     Current portion of program broadcast rights..............................      1,501,396       1,575,325
     Prepaid expenses.........................................................        521,109         576,697
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
               Total current assets...........................................     14,595,153      24,350,049
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
Property and Equipment (Note D)...............................................     14,216,963      20,035,715
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
Intangible Assets (Note E)....................................................     40,859,681      60,420,617
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
Other Assets
     Program broadcast rights, less current portion (Note G)..................        271,152         687,320
     Advance to affiliate (Note C)............................................      2,000,000              --
     Deposit on Acquisition...................................................             --       3,000,000
     Acquisition costs........................................................             --         225,359
     Deferred loan costs......................................................      1,569,338       5,625,261
     Land held for sale.......................................................        109,000         109,000
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
                                                                                    3,949,490       9,646,940
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
                                                                                 $ 73,621,287    $114,453,321
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
                    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S DEFICIT
Current Liabilities
     Current maturities of notes and leases payable...........................   $  8,441,031    $    318,077
     Current maturities of program broadcast rights payable...................      1,920,745       2,042,643
     Accounts payable and accrued expenses (Note H)...........................      2,622,169       7,824,296
     Deferred revenue.........................................................             --         500,000
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
               Total current liabilities......................................     12,983,945      10,685,016
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
Long-Term Obligations
     Notes and capital leases payable (Note F)................................     99,165,618     135,448,948
     Program broadcast rights payable (Note G)................................        248,716         632,444
     Deferred revenue.........................................................             --       4,250,000
     Deferred and contingent interest payable.................................      3,838,213              --
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
                                                                                  103,252,547     140,331,392
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
Redeemable Preferred Stock (Note L)                                                        --
Commitments (Note I, K)
Stockholder's Deficit (Note E)
     Common Stock, Class A $0.01 par value 25,000,000 authorized, none issued
       or outstanding.........................................................             --              --
     Common Stock, Class B $0.01 par value 250,000,000 authorized, 7,030,000
       issued and outstanding.................................................         70,300          70,300
     Additional paid-in capital...............................................      2,253,229       2,253,229
     Accumulated deficit......................................................    (44,938,734)    (38,886,616)
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
                                                                                  (42,615,205)    (36,563,087)
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
                                                                                 $ 73,621,287    $114,453,321
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-3
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                --------------------------------------------
                                                                    1993            1994            1995
                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
 
<S>                                                             <C>             <C>             <C>
Net revenues.................................................   $ 38,351,734    $ 44,221,027    $ 50,329,019
                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
Operating expenses:
     Selling, technical and program expenses (Note C)........     16,161,766      17,739,786      21,199,067
     General and administrative..............................      6,642,578       7,069,730       7,849,845
     Depreciation and amortization...........................      3,721,415       3,403,263       5,041,719
     Corporate (Note C)......................................      1,248,666       1,308,984       1,575,792
     Special bonus, officer-stockholder (Note C).............      1,400,377              --              --
                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                                  29,174,802      29,521,763      35,666,423
                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
          Operating income...................................      9,176,932      14,699,264      14,662,596
 
Financial income (expense):
     Interest expense (Note A):
          Cash interest......................................     (8,358,237)     (7,904,530)    (15,159,766)
          Other interest.....................................     (6,160,670)     (4,904,834)       (711,934)
                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                                 (14,518,907)    (12,809,364)    (15,871,700)
     Interest income.........................................        163,711         164,627         397,460
     Other, net..............................................        143,850         (10,168)             --
                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                                 (14,211,346)    (12,654,905)    (15,474,240)
                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
          Income (loss) before extraordinary item............     (5,034,414)      2,044,359        (811,644)
 
Extraordinary item, gain on early extinguishment of debt
  (Note F)...................................................             --              --       6,863,762
                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
          Net income (loss)..................................   $ (5,034,414)   $  2,044,359    $  6,052,118
                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-4
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S DEFICIT
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            NOTE AND
                                                                                             ACCRUED
                                                               ADDITIONAL                   INTEREST
                                                     COMMON     PAID-IN     ACCUMULATED    RECEIVABLE,
                                                      STOCK     CAPITAL       DEFICIT      STOCKHOLDER      TOTAL
                                                     -------   ----------   ------------   -----------   ------------
 
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>          <C>            <C>           <C>
Balance at December 31, 1992.......................  $70,300   $2,253,229   $(40,944,866)  $(2,382,340)  $(41,003,677)
     Accrued interest..............................       --           --             --       (21,850)       (21,850)
     Net (loss)....................................       --           --     (5,034,414)           --     (5,034,414)
     Dividends (Note C)............................       --           --     (1,003,813)    1,003,813             --
     Bonus to officer-stockholder (Note C).........       --           --             --     1,400,377      1,400,377
                                                     -------   ----------   ------------   -----------   ------------
Balance at December 31, 1993.......................   70,300    2,253,229    (46,983,093)           --    (44,659,564)
     Net income....................................       --           --      2,044,359            --      2,044,359
                                                     -------   ----------   ------------   -----------   ------------
Balance at December 31, 1994.......................   70,300    2,253,229    (44,938,734)           --    (42,615,205)
     Net income....................................       --           --      6,052,118            --      6,052,118
                                                     -------   ----------   ------------   -----------   ------------
Balance at December 31, 1995.......................  $70,300   $2,253,229   $(38,886,616)  $        --   $(36,563,087)
                                                     -------   ----------   ------------   -----------   ------------
                                                     -------   ----------   ------------   -----------   ------------
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-5
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                              ------------------------------------------
                                                                                 1993           1994            1995
                                                                              -----------    -----------    ------------
<S>                                                                           <C>            <C>            <C>
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
    Net income (loss)......................................................   $(5,034,414)   $ 2,044,359    $  6,052,118
    Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by
     (used in) operating activities:
        Amortization of program broadcast rights...........................     2,178,974      2,103,606       2,161,545
        Depreciation and amortization......................................     2,288,487      2,133,940       3,268,939
        (Gain) on early extinguishment of debt.............................            --             --      (6,863,762)
        Amortization of intangibles and deferred loan costs................     1,731,444      2,775,321       2,425,488
        (Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment......................        10,644        (55,222)         27,535
        Payment of deferred and contingent interest........................            --             --      (4,405,746)
        Payment of prepayment premiums.....................................            --             --      (2,748,896)
        Interest added to capital note warrants and long-term debt.........     5,154,432             --              --
        Bonus paid through reduction of note receivable, stockholder.......     1,400,377             --              --
        Other..............................................................        15,346        166,730          31,691
    Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisition:
        Receivables........................................................      (624,482)      (329,105)     (4,574,290)
        Prepaid expenses...................................................       111,897       (102,858)        (48,023)
        Payments on program broadcast rights payable.......................    (2,180,531)    (1,887,768)     (2,131,990)
        Accounts payable and accrued expenses..............................      (677,184)       357,041       4,738,408
        Deferred income....................................................            --             --       4,750,000
        Contingent and deferred interest payable...........................       550,882      3,287,331         567,533
                                                                              -----------    -----------    ------------
            Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities............     4,925,872     10,493,375       3,250,550
                                                                              -----------    -----------    ------------
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
    Purchase of property and equipment.....................................      (869,904)      (574,171)     (1,478,893)
    Proceeds from sale of equipment........................................         6,304         75,380         425,994
    Payment for acquisition of station.....................................            --             --     (26,698,516)
    Deposit on acquisition.................................................            --             --      (3,000,000)
    Advance to affiliate...................................................            --     (2,000,000)             --
    Payment of acquisition costs...........................................            --             --        (225,359)
    Other..................................................................            --         (8,267)          4,504
                                                                              -----------    -----------    ------------
            Net cash (used in) investing activities........................      (863,600)    (2,507,058)    (30,972,270)
                                                                              -----------    -----------    ------------
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
    Principal payments on notes, including capital lease payables..........    (5,665,212)    (5,795,902)    (96,351,288)
    Proceeds from senior secured debt issue................................            --             --     135,000,000
    Payment of debt acquisition costs......................................    (1,285,332)    (1,240,602)     (5,875,903)
                                                                              -----------    -----------    ------------
            Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities............    (6,950,544)    (7,036,504)     32,772,809
                                                                              -----------    -----------    ------------
            Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents...............    (2,888,272)       949,813       5,051,089
Cash and cash equivalents:
    Beginning..............................................................     6,555,701      3,667,429       4,617,242
                                                                              -----------    -----------    ------------
    Ending.................................................................   $ 3,667,429    $ 4,617,242    $  9,668,331
                                                                              -----------    -----------    ------------
                                                                              -----------    -----------    ------------
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
    Cash payments for interest.............................................   $ 8,809,487    $ 7,904,530    $ 13,654,225
                                                                              -----------    -----------    ------------
                                                                              -----------    -----------    ------------
Supplemental Schedule of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities
    Acquisition of program broadcast rights................................   $ 1,688,123    $ 2,044,692    $  2,558,122
    Note payable and capital lease obligation incurred for purchase of
     equipment.............................................................       230,013        273,995         197,288
    Equipment acquired by barter transactions..............................       178,242        312,965         331,843
    Reduction of note receivable, officer-stockholder through dividends
     paid..................................................................     1,003,813             --              --
    Accrued interest added to long-term debt due to refinancing............     4,996,568             --              --
    Accounts payable transferred to note payable...........................            --         88,079              --
                                                                              -----------    -----------    ------------
                                                                              -----------    -----------    ------------
    Acquisition of WTVY-TV:
        Cash purchase price................................................                                 $ 26,698,516
                                                                                                            ------------
                                                                                                            ------------
        Property and equipment acquired at fair market value...............                                    7,533,196
        Intangible assets acquired.........................................                                   21,306,181
        Other, net.........................................................                                     (140,861)
                                                                                                            ------------
                                                                                                              28,698,516
        Less: Application of advance to affiliate..........................                                    2,000,000
                                                                                                            ------------
                                                                                                            $ 26,698,516
                                                                                                            ------------
                                                                                                            ------------
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-6




<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
(NOTE A) -- NATURE OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
     NATURE OF BUSINESS: Benedek Communications Corporation (the 'Company') is a
holding  company  that  derives its  operating  income  and cash  flow  from its
subsidiary, Benedek Broadcasting Corporation ('Benedek Broadcasting') which owns
and operates 22 television stations located throughout the United States.  These
stations  operate under network affiliation contracts, which provide programs to
the affiliated  stations  and  the  stations sell  commercial  time  during  the
programs  to national,  regional and local  advertisers. The  networks also sell
commercial time during the programs to national advertisers. Credit arrangements
are determined on an individual customer basis.
 
     BASIS OF PRESENTATION:  The consolidated financial  statements include  the
accounts  of the Company  and its wholly  owned subsidiary Benedek Broadcasting.
The accounts of Benedek License  Corporation ('BLC'), a wholly owned  subsidiary
of  Benedek Broadcasting,  are included in  the financial  statements of Benedek
Broadcasting. All  significant intercompany  items  and transactions  have  been
eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
 
     In  1995, two  affiliates of  Benedek Broadcasting,  Blue Grass Television,
Inc. ('Blue Grass') and Youngstown Broadcasting Co., Inc., ('Youngstown'),  were
merged into Benedek Broadcasting. Since these entities had identical stockholder
ownership,   this  was   accounted  for   in  a   manner  similar   to  that  in
pooling-of-interests method of accounting.
 
     On April 10, 1996, the sole stockholder of Benedek Broadcasting formed  the
Company in conjunction with the acquisitions described in Note M.
 
     On  April  18, 1996,  Benedek Broadcasting  formed BLC  for the  purpose of
holding the licenses  and authorizations  issued by  the Federal  Communications
Commission  (the  'FCC'), in  connection with  the  operations of  the stations.
Concurrent with  the  acquisitions described  in  Note M,  Benedek  Broadcasting
Company,  L.L.C. (the 'LLC'), which had been formed in 1995 for the same purpose
and was holding the licenses of Benedek Broadcasting's stations, was merged into
BLC with the result that all licenses of the acquired stations were  transferred
to   BLC.   This  was   accounted  for   in   a  manner   similar  to   that  in
pooling-of-interests method of accounting.
 
     On June 6, 1996, the Company  acquired all of the outstanding common  stock
of  Benedek Broadcasting from the sole  stockholder in exchange for the issuance
to him of 7,030,000 shares of Class B common stock of the Company,  representing
all  of the  outstanding common stock  of the Company.  For accounting purposes,
this  recapitalization   has   been  treated   in   a  manner   similar   to   a
pooling-of-interests. The historical consolidated financial statements are those
of  Benedek Broadcasting recast  to reflect the  difference in par  value of the
Company's and  Benedek  Broadcasting's  stock.  As a  result  of  recasting  the
financial   statements,   the  'Company'   hereafter   will  refer   to  Benedek
Communications Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary Benedek  Broadcasting
and its wholly owned subsidiary BLC.
 
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
(1) ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES:
 
     The  preparation  of  financial  statements  requires  management  to  make
estimates and assumptions that affect  the reported amounts in the  consolidated
financial  statements and  the accompanying  notes. Actual  results could differ
from those estimates.
 
(2) CASH EQUIVALENTS AND CONCENTRATION:
 
     The Company considers all highly  liquid debt instruments purchased with  a
maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
 
                                      F-7
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     At  various  times  during  the  periods, the  Company  had  cash  and cash
equivalents on  deposit  with  a  financial institution  in  excess  of  federal
depository  insurance  and it  has not  experienced any  credit losses  on these
deposits.
 
(3) REVENUES:
 
     Revenue related  to  the  sale of  advertising,  network  compensation  and
contracted  time is recognized at the time  of broadcast. Net revenues are shown
net of agency and national representatives commissions.
 
     Deferred revenue relates to  network compensation due  from the network  at
inception  of the network affiliation agreement. This revenue is recognized over
the life of the agreement on a straight-line method. In 1995, the Company signed
an agreement with a network which  provided a $5,000,000 payment, $2,500,000  of
which  was receivable  at December  31, 1995  and subsequently  paid in February
1996. Since this payment is earned  over the life of the affiliation  agreement,
it will be recognized over ten years.
 
(4) BARTER TRANSACTIONS:
 
     Revenue  from  barter transactions  (advertising  provided in  exchange for
goods and services) is  recognized as income  when advertisements are  broadcast
and  merchandise or services received are  charged to expense (or capitalized as
appropriate) when received or  used. The transactions are  recorded at the  fair
market value of the asset or service received.
 
(5) PROGRAM BROADCAST RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES:
 
     Program  broadcast  rights represent  rights  for the  telecast  of feature
length motion pictures, series produced for television and other films, and  are
presented  at  the  lower of  unamortized  cost  or net  realizable  value. Each
agreement is recorded as an asset  and liability when the license period  begins
and the program is available for its first showing. Program broadcast rights are
amortized  on a  straight-line method  over the life  of the  contract, which is
included  in  selling,  technical  and  program  expenses.  The  agreements  are
classified  between current  and long-term  according to  the estimated  time of
future usage. The related liability is classified between current and  long-term
on  the  basis  of  the  payment  terms.  The  amounts  recorded  as  rights and
liabilities prior to December  31, 1995 have been  reclassified to conform  with
the   1995  presentation  which  at  December  31,  1994,  was  a  reduction  of
approximately $4,806,000.
 
(6) DEFERRED LOAN AND ACQUISITION COSTS:
 
     Deferred loan  costs  are amounts  incurred  in connection  with  long-term
financing.  The costs are amortized on a  straight-line method over the terms of
the related debt security. Costs incurred in connection with long-term financing
which is not consummated are expensed at the point in time when the  negotiation
on  the financing ceases. Included in other interest for the year ended December
31, 1994  are  costs incurred  in  1994  of approximately  $900,000  related  to
financing which was not consummated.
 
     Acquisition  costs  are  amounts  incurred  in  connection  with  acquiring
additional television stations. Costs  incurred in connection with  acquisitions
which are not consummated are expensed at the point of time when the negotiation
on   the  acquisition  ceases.  The  acquisition  costs  related  to  successful
acquisitions are treated as part of the purchase price and are allocated to  the
assets purchased.
 
                                      F-8
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(7) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
 
     Property  and  equipment are  recorded at  cost  and depreciated  using the
straight-line method over the following estimated ranges of useful lives:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              YEARS
                                                                            ---------
 
<S>                                                                         <C>
Buildings and improvements................................................    5-40
Towers....................................................................    5-12
Transmission equipment....................................................    3-10
Other equipment...........................................................     2-5
</TABLE>
 
     The  Company  records  amortization  expense  on  leased  assets  with  the
depreciation  expense on  owned assets. Gains  and losses on  the disposition of
property and  equipment  are  insignificant and  included  in  depreciation  and
amortization on the statement of operations.
 
(8) INTANGIBLE ASSETS:
 
     Intangible   assets,  which  include   FCC  licenses,  network  affiliation
agreements and goodwill, have  been recorded at cost  and are amortized over  40
years using the straight-line method.
 
     In  accordance  with Statement  of  Financial Accounting  Standard  No. 121
'Accounting for the Impairment of Long-lived Assets and Long-lived Assets to  be
Disposed  of,' the Company  reviews their intangibles  periodically to determine
potential impairment by comparing the carrying value of the intangible with  the
undiscounted  anticipated  future  cash  flows of  the  related  property before
interest charges. If the future cash flows are less than the carrying value, the
Company would obtain an appraisal on the property and adjust the carrying  value
of  the intangibles to the  appraisal value if the  appraisal value is less than
the carrying value.
 
(9) OTHER INTEREST EXPENSE:
 
     Other interest includes  interest expense due  to the increase  in the  BBC
Warrants  (as  defined),  contingent  equity value,  accrued  interest  added to
long-term debt balances,  deferred loan cost  amortization, financing costs  not
consummated, and accretion of discounts.
 
(10) INCOME TAXES:
 
     The  Company, with the consent of its  stockholder, has elected to be taxed
as an 'S' Corporation under sections of  the federal and state income tax  laws,
which  provide  that,  in  lieu of  corporation  income  taxes,  the stockholder
accounts for  items  of  income,  deductions,  losses  and  credits.  Therefore,
historical net income (loss) does not include a provision (refund) for corporate
income taxes.
 
(11) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
 
     Financial  instruments include  cash, short-term  debt, current receivables
and payables,  and  fixed rate  long-term  debt.  For each  class  of  financial
instruments, the carrying amount approximates fair value.
 
(12) EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
 
     The   Company  has  a  defined  contribution  plan  covering  all  eligible
employees. The contribution is at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
 
     The Company self-insures for health benefits which are provided to all full
time employees  with  specified  periods  of  service  and  maintains  insurance
coverage for claims in excess of specific and annual aggregate limits.
 
                                      F-9
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(13) EMERGING ACCOUNTING STANDARDS:
 
     The  Financial  Accounting Standards  Board  issued Statement  of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123,  'Accounting for Stock Based  Compensation'
in  October 1995, which establishes financial accounting and reporting standards
for stock based  employee compensation  plans, including  stock purchase  plans,
stock  options, restricted stock, and stock appreciation rights. The Company has
elected to continue  accounting for  stock based  compensation under  Accounting
Principles  Board Opinion  No. 25. The  disclosure requirements of  SFAS No. 123
will be  effective for  the Company's  financial statements  beginning in  1996.
Management  does not  believe that  the implementation of  SFAS 123  will have a
material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
 
(NOTE B) -- ACQUISITION
 
     On March 31, 1995, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets  of
WTVY-TV  which serves Dothan, Alabama and  Panama City, Florida for an aggregate
purchase  price  of  approximately  $28,699,000.  The  acquired  assets  include
property  and equipment with a fair market value of approximately $7,533,000 and
program broadcast rights of approximately  $93,000, offset by liabilities  under
program  broadcast  rights of  approximately $79,000  and net  liabilities under
trade and barter contracts of  approximately $155,000. The Company also  assumed
commitments  of approximately $214,000 related to programming. The excess of the
purchase price over  the net assets  acquired totaled approximately  $21,306,000
and  has been  allocated to  intangible assets which  will be  amortized over 40
years. This transaction  has been  accounted for  under the  purchase method  of
accounting.  Accordingly,  the  results  of  operations  for  WTVY-TV  have been
included in the results of operations of these consolidated financial statements
since the date of acquisition.
 
     The pro forma results of operations  for the years ended December 31,  1994
and  1995, assuming  the acquisition  of WTVY-TV had  taken place  on January 1,
1994, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          ---------------------------
                                                                              1994           1995
                                                                          ------------    -----------
 
<S>                                                                       <C>             <C>
Net revenue............................................................   $ 51,582,464    $51,972,804
Operating expenses.....................................................     35,647,105     37,577,459
Financial expense......................................................     16,442,853     16,173,049
                                                                          ------------    -----------
     (Loss) before extraordinary item..................................       (507,494)    (1,777,704)
Extraordinary item.....................................................             --      6,863,762
                                                                          ------------    -----------
     Net income (loss).................................................   $   (507,494)   $ 5,086,058
                                                                          ------------    -----------
                                                                          ------------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
(NOTE C) -- RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
(1) NOTE RECEIVABLE FROM STOCKHOLDER:
 
     On March  31, 1993,  the Company  recorded  a bonus  of $1,400,377  to  its
officer-stockholder  and  declared a  dividend of  $1,003,813 which  were offset
against a note receivable and accrued interest from the stockholder.
 
(2) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES:
 
     The Company paid management fees  for accounting services of  approximately
$208,000  (two months) and  $1,309,000 in 1993  and 1994 to  a company which was
affiliated through common ownership. These  services were terminated January  1,
1995.
 
                                      F-10
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(3) BENEDEK ACQUISITION CORPORATION:
 
     In  December 1994,  Benedek Acquisition  Corporation, a  company affiliated
through common  ownership,  entered  into  a  definitive  agreement  to  acquire
substantially  all of the assets of WTVY-TV Dothan, Alabama. In conjunction with
the  agreement,  the   Company  advanced  $2,000,000   to  Benedek   Acquisition
Corporation  which  was used  as a  deposit  on the  purchase. In  1995, Benedek
Acquisition Corporation assigned to  the Company its  rights under the  purchase
agreement to acquire the television station. (See Note B).
 
(4) STOCK OPTION AGREEMENTS:
 
     A  key  employee holds  options,  expiring in  1998  and 2004,  to purchase
370,000 shares of common stock of the Company for an aggregate purchase price of
$1,192,539.
 
     The foregoing options  in the aggregate  will entitle the  key employee  to
acquire  shares representing 5%  of the outstanding common  stock of the Company
after giving effect  to the issuance  thereof. The options  were issued at  fair
market value on the date of grant.
 
(5) LEASES:
 
     In 1993, the Company entered into a lease agreement for mobile transmission
equipment  with an  officer. The  agreement calls  for total  rental payments of
approximately $163,000 over its three year term and is recorded as an  operating
lease.  In May  1994, the  Company entered  into a  lease agreement  for station
equipment with  an affiliated  company.  The agreement  calls for  total  rental
payments of approximately $132,000 over its five year term and is recorded as an
operating  lease.  Effective  January  1,  1995  the  lease  agreement  with the
affiliated company was terminated and the related assets and the associated note
payable were transferred to the Company.
 
(NOTE D) -- PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
     Property and equipment consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          --------------------------
                                                                             1994           1995
                                                                          -----------    -----------
 
<S>                                                                       <C>            <C>
Land and improvements..................................................   $ 1,208,337    $ 1,259,938
Buildings and improvements.............................................    11,151,081     12,183,267
Towers.................................................................     3,203,647      5,786,099
Transmission and studio equipment......................................    19,674,920     23,205,748
Office equipment.......................................................     2,318,893      3,024,834
Records and tapes......................................................        20,788         22,732
Transportation equipment...............................................       429,378        708,152
Construction in progress...............................................        10,628        150,188
                                                                          -----------    -----------
                                                                           38,017,672     46,340,958
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization.........................    23,800,709     26,305,243
                                                                          -----------    -----------
                                                                          $14,216,963    $20,035,715
                                                                          -----------    -----------
                                                                          -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-11
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(NOTE E) -- INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
     Intangible assets consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          --------------------------
                                                                             1994           1995
                                                                          -----------    -----------
 
<S>                                                                       <C>            <C>
Goodwill...............................................................   $20,883,109    $28,837,585
FCC licenses...........................................................     7,389,610     15,304,138
Network affiliations...................................................    12,570,077     15,998,174
Other..................................................................        16,885        280,720
                                                                          -----------    -----------
                                                                          $40,859,681    $60,420,617
                                                                          -----------    -----------
                                                                          -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
     Intangible  assets  are  recorded   net  of  accumulated  amortization   of
$11,580,054 and $13,325,299 as of December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
(NOTE F) -- NOTES PAYABLE, GAIN ON EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASES
PAYABLE
 
(1) NOTES PAYABLE:
     During  1995, Benedek  Broadcasting issued  $135,000,000 of  11 7/8% Senior
Secured Notes due  2005 (the 'Senior  Secured Notes'). The  net proceeds of  the
Senior  Secured Notes were used, together  with available cash, to (i) refinance
certain indebtedness, (ii) finance the acquisition of WTVY-TV and (iii) pay fees
and expenses in connection with the offering. The Senior Secured Notes have been
registered with  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  in  a  registration
statement declared effective in November 1995.
 
     The  Senior Secured  Notes bear  interest at the  rate of  11 7/8%, payable
semiannually on March 1 and September 1  of each year and mature in March  2005.
The  Senior Secured Notes may be redeemed by Benedek Broadcasting in whole or in
part after March  1, 2000  subject to  certain prepayment  premiums. The  Senior
Secured  Notes contain various restrictive  covenants relating to limitations on
dividends, transactions with affiliates, further issuance of debt, and sales  of
assets,  among  others. As  of December  31, 1995,  Benedek Broadcasting  was in
compliance with these covenants.
 
     The Senior Secured Notes are collateralized by Benedek Broadcasting's  100%
interest  in BLC, certain agreements and contract rights related to the stations
which includes network affiliation agreements and certain general intangibles.
 
                                      F-12
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     Notes payable consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                                                       ----------------------------
                                                                           1994            1995
                                                                       ------------    ------------
<S>                                                                    <C>             <C>
Senior Secured Notes................................................   $         --    $135,000,000
Senior secured note, with interest at 9.5%..........................     23,729,837              --
Series notes, with interest ranging from 10.36% to 11.325%..........     36,095,000              --
Subordinated series notes, with interest ranging from 7.728% to
  15%...............................................................     19,701,084              --
Subordinated capital notes, net of unamortized discount of $407,000,
  and $573,730, respectively, interest at 11.5% compounded
  quarter-annually with interest and principal payable December 31,
  1996..............................................................      8,203,000              --
BBC Warrants........................................................     18,978,618              --
Capital leases and other............................................        899,110         767,025
                                                                       ------------    ------------
                                                                        107,606,649     135,767,025
Less current maturities.............................................      8,441,031         318,077
                                                                       ------------    ------------
                                                                       $ 99,165,618    $135,448,948
                                                                       ------------    ------------
                                                                       ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
     At December 31, 1995, the notes provide for annual reductions as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
- --------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>
          1996..........................................   $    318,077
          1997..........................................        256,980
          1998..........................................        144,882
          1999..........................................         45,778
          2000..........................................          1,308
          Thereafter....................................    135,000,000
                                                           ------------
                                                           $135,767,025
                                                           ------------
                                                           ------------
</TABLE>
 
     In 1994, the Company recorded contingent interest of $1,000,000 relating to
certain note  agreements,  which  were  paid in  1995  in  connection  with  the
refinancing.
 
(2) CAPITAL NOTES, DETACHABLE WARRANTS AND GAIN ON EARLY EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT:
 
     Subordinated  capital  notes  were issued  with  detachable  stock purchase
warrants (the 'BBC Warrants'), which provided the right to purchase 45 shares of
common  stock  of  Benedek  Broadcasting  for  $.10  per  share.  The  agreement
guaranteed  an annual  pretax return  of 27.5%  including interest  paid and the
implied increase in value  of the warrants. The  original value assigned to  the
BBC Warrants of $1,290,000 was reflected as debt discount and was amortized over
the term of these notes using the interest method.
 
     In  1995, Benedek Broadcasting exercised an option to call the warrants for
a specific ladder call price of  $7,850,912. The difference between this  ladder
price  and the carrying value of the  warrants of $18,978,618 was recorded as an
extraordinary gain of $11,128,000 reduced by losses of approximately  $1,140,000
from  unrecognized deferred  loan costs, approximately  $2,749,000 of prepayment
premiums and  contingent  payments and  $375,000  of unamortized  debt  discount
related to the existing debt.
 
(3) CAPITAL LEASES:
 
     The  Company leases equipment under agreements which expire in 1996 through
2000. These leases are  considered capital leases, and  the leased property  and
the  related liabilities have been  recorded at the present  value of the future
payments using interest rates ranging from 6.9% to 15.8%.
 
                                      F-13
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     The assets  recorded  under  capital leases  and  the  related  accumulated
amortization are included in the accompanying balance sheets as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                 --------------------
                                                                                   1994        1995
                                                                                 --------    --------
<S>                                                                              <C>         <C>
Transmission and studio equipment.............................................   $396,763    $396,763
Office equipment..............................................................    164,839     219,972
Transportation equipment......................................................     23,170      23,170
                                                                                 --------    --------
                                                                                  584,772     639,905
Less accumulated amortization.................................................    230,721     502,793
                                                                                 --------    --------
                                                                                 $354,051    $137,112
                                                                                 --------    --------
                                                                                 --------    --------
</TABLE>
 
(NOTE G) -- PROGRAM BROADCAST RIGHTS PAYABLE
 
     (1)  Program broadcast rights and  program broadcast rights payable consist
of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PROGRAM BROADCAST    PROGRAM BROADCAST
                                                                     RIGHTS           RIGHTS PAYABLE
                                                                -----------------    -----------------
<S>                                                             <C>                  <C>
Balance at December 31, 1993.................................      $ 1,831,462          $ 2,012,537
     Contracts acquired......................................        2,044,692            2,044,692
     Amortization............................................       (2,103,606)                  --
     Payments................................................               --           (1,887,768)
                                                                -----------------    -----------------
Balance at December 31, 1994.................................        1,772,548            2,169,461
     Contracts acquired......................................        2,651,642            2,637,616
     Amortization............................................       (2,161,545)                  --
     Payments................................................               --           (2,131,990)
                                                                -----------------    -----------------
Balance at December 31, 1995.................................      $ 2,262,645          $ 2,675,087
                                                                -----------------    -----------------
                                                                -----------------    -----------------
</TABLE>
 
     (2) The current maturities of  program broadcast rights payable consist  of
the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                            ------------------------
                                                                               1994          1995
                                                                            ----------    ----------
<S>                                                                         <C>           <C>
Program contracts, due in varying installments through 2000..............   $2,169,461    $2,675,087
Less current maturities..................................................    1,920,745     2,042,643
                                                                            ----------    ----------
Long-term portion........................................................   $  248,716    $  632,444
                                                                            ----------    ----------
                                                                            ----------    ----------
</TABLE>
 
     The maturities of the contracts are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
- -----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
          1996.............................................   $2,042,643
          1997.............................................      398,225
          1998.............................................      206,486
          1999.............................................       23,833
          2000.............................................        3,900
                                                              ----------
                                                              $2,675,087
                                                              ----------
                                                              ----------
</TABLE>
 
     In  addition, the  Company has  entered into  noncancelable commitments for
future program rights  aggregating approximately $4,745,800  as of December  31,
1995.
 
                                      F-14
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(NOTE H) -- ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES
 
     Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        DECEMBER 31,
                                                                  ------------------------
                                                                     1994          1995
                                                                  ----------    ----------
<S>                                                               <C>           <C>
Trade payables.................................................   $  499,618    $  379,901
Barter, net....................................................      358,308       292,051
Compensation and benefits......................................    1,367,649     1,397,796
Interest.......................................................           --     5,343,754
Other..........................................................      396,594       410,794
                                                                  ----------    ----------
                                                                  $2,622,169    $7,824,296
                                                                  ----------    ----------
                                                                  ----------    ----------
</TABLE>
 
(NOTE I) -- LEASES
 
     The  Company  leases  land,  office  space  and  office  and transportation
equipment under  agreements which  expire  from 1996  through 2004  and  require
various  minimum annual rentals.  The leases also require  payment of the normal
maintenance, real  estate  taxes,  and  insurance  on  the  properties.  Benedek
Broadcasting has the option to acquire one of the leased premises on each of May
1, 2000 and 2005 for $650,000 and $750,000, respectively.
 
     The approximate total minimum rental commitments at December 31, 1995 under
these leases are due as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
- -----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
          1996.............................................   $  582,700
          1997.............................................      323,900
          1998.............................................      250,400
          1999.............................................      213,900
          2000.............................................      186,600
          Thereafter.......................................      512,900
                                                              ----------
                                                              $2,070,400
                                                              ----------
                                                              ----------
</TABLE>
 
     Total  rental expense under these agreements  and other monthly rentals for
the years ended  1993, 1994 and  1995 was approximately  $455,000, $463,000  and
$626,000, respectively, including the related party lease discussed in Note C.
 
     The Company is a lessor of certain portions of its real property to various
organizations.  Total rental income  under these agreements  for the years ended
1993,  1994  and  1995  was  approximately  $233,000,  $280,000  and   $324,000,
respectively.
 
(NOTE J) -- PRO FORMA INCOME TAXES
 
     Profits and losses of the Company are reported in the individual income tax
returns  of the  stockholder under  provisions of  Subchapter S  of the Internal
Revenue Code. In conjunction  with the financing  and acquisitions described  in
Note  M, the  Company's income tax  status will  change and the  Company will be
required to  pay  income taxes  on  its earnings  subsequent  to June  6,  1996,
including  deferred taxes  existing at  the time  that the  S Corporation status
terminates. At that time,  the Company intends to  adopt Statement of  Financial
Accounting  Standards No.  109, 'Accounting  for Income  Taxes.' Deferred income
taxes resulting from temporary differences arising prior to termination will  be
recorded as a component of current income tax expense in the period of adoption.
 
                                      F-15
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     The  deferred tax  asset and  liabilities that  would exist  if the Company
terminated its S Corporation status consist of the following components:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       DECEMBER 31,
                                                         -----------------------------------------
                                                            1993           1994           1995
                                                         -----------    -----------    -----------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>            <C>
Deferred tax assets:
     Loss carryforwards...............................   $ 8,337,000    $ 6,823,000    $ 7,063,000
     Non-deductible allowances and other..............        80,000         70,000        416,000
     Capital note warrants............................     4,874,000      4,874,000             --
     Network agreement................................            --             --      1,900,000
     Intangibles......................................     1,739,000      2,013,000      2,131,000
                                                         -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                          15,030,000     13,780,000     11,510,000
Less valuation allowance..............................   (14,372,000)   (13,020,000)   (10,628,000)
                                                         -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                             658,000        760,000        882,000
                                                         -----------    -----------    -----------
Deferred tax liabilities:
     Property and equipment...........................       658,000        760,000        882,000
                                                         -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                         $        --    $        --    $        --
                                                         -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                         -----------    -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
     A valuation  allowance  has  been  established  since  in  the  opinion  of
management,  it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be
realized.
     The difference between the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% and the
pro forma income taxes reported in the statements of operations are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                          ----------------------------------------
                                                             1993          1994           1995
                                                          ----------    -----------    -----------
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>            <C>
Computed 'expected' tax expense (credits)..............   ($1,762,000)  $   715,000    $ 2,118,000
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:
     State and local taxes, net of federal benefit.....     (171,000)        71,000        242,000
     Nondeductible expenses............................      238,000        461,000        142,000
     Change in enacted tax rate........................     (300,000)            --             --
     Change in valuation allowance before expiration of
       net operating loss carryforwards................    1,995,000     (1,247,000)    (2,502,000)
                                                          ----------    -----------    -----------
                                                          $       --    $        --    $        --
                                                          ----------    -----------    -----------
                                                          ----------    -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
     Under  provisions  of   the  Internal   Revenue  Code,   the  Company   has
approximately  $414,400 of actual  net operating loss  carryforwards which arose
prior to its election to be an 'S' Corporation, which expire in varying  amounts
from  December 31,  1996 to  2001 and  are available  to the  Company. These net
operating loss  carryforwards  will  only  be available  to  offset  future  tax
liabilities of the Company if it terminates the 'S' Corporation status.
     No  pro  forma  adjustment  to  reflect  income  taxes  was  needed  in the
accompanying statement of operations, assuming  the Company had been subject  to
corporate  income  taxes, due  to  the net  operating  loss carryforwards  and a
valuation allowance.
 
                                      F-16
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(NOTE K) -- PROGRAMMING COMMITMENTS
     The Company  has  assumed  or  has  entered  into  commitments  for  future
syndicated  programming. Future payments  with respect to  these commitments for
the years ending December 31 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
- -----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
          1996.............................................   $  503,200
          1997.............................................    1,307,300
          1998.............................................    1,309,500
          1999.............................................    1,181,400
          2000.............................................      444,400
                                                              ----------
                                                              $4,745,800
                                                              ----------
                                                              ----------
</TABLE>
 
(NOTE L) -- PREFERRED STOCK
     The Board of Directors  of the Company has  authorized 2,500,000 shares  of
preferred  stock, of which no  shares have been issued  as of December 31, 1995.
The Board has  the right and  ability to set  the terms and  preferences of  the
preferred  stock. In conjunction with the  acquisitions described in Note M, the
Company issued 600,000  shares of 15%  exchangeable redeemable senior  preferred
stock  due 2007 with an initial  liquidation preference equal to $60,000,000 and
issued 450,000 shares of seller junior discount preferred stock due 2008 with an
initial liquidation preference equal to $45,000,000.  The Board has not set  the
terms  and preferences  of the  remaining shares of  preferred stock  at June 6,
1996.
 
(NOTE M) -- ACQUISITIONS AND SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
     On November 22,  1995, the Company  entered into an  agreement, subject  to
regulatory  approvals, to  acquire the assets  of five  television stations (and
four satellite stations) for a total purchase price of $54,500,000.
     On December 15, 1995, the Company  entered into a stock purchase  agreement
to  acquire  all  the  issued  and outstanding  shares  of  capital  stock  of a
corporation which owned and  operated eight television  stations for a  purchase
price of $270,000,000.
     Both  acquisitions were consummated on June 6, 1996 in conjunction with the
financing  transactions  consisting  of  (i)  the  Company  issuing  (a)  senior
subordinated  discount notes,  (b) units,  consisting of  exchangeable preferred
stock and warrants to acquire common stock of the Company, and (c) seller junior
discount preferred  stock and  (ii)  Benedek Broadcasting  entering into  a  new
credit  agreement.  The new  credit  agreement includes  $128,000,000  term loan
facilities  and  a  $15,000,000  revolving  credit  facility.  These   financing
transactions were consummated concurrently with the acquisitions.
 
                                      F-17


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             ASSETS                                                  JUNE 30,
                                                                                                       1996
                                                                                                   ------------
                                                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
 
<S>                                                                                                <C>
Current Assets
     Cash and cash equivalents..................................................................   $  5,691,476
     Accounts receivable, net...................................................................     20,812,960
     Due from sellers...........................................................................      1,799,144
     Current portion of program broadcast rights................................................      2,605,440
     Prepaid expenses...........................................................................      1,377,192
                                                                                                   ------------
          Total current assets..................................................................     32,286,212
                                                                                                   ------------
Property and Equipment..........................................................................     91,197,864
                                                                                                   ------------
Intangible Assets...............................................................................    359,759,417
                                                                                                   ------------
Other Assets:
     Program broadcast rights, less current portion.............................................      2,521,725
     Deferred loan costs........................................................................     13,211,447
     Other......................................................................................        760,537
                                                                                                   ------------
                                                                                                     16,493,709
                                                                                                   ------------
                                                                                                   $499,737,202
                                                                                                   ------------
                                                                                                   ------------
                             LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S DEFICIT
Current Liabilities
     Current maturities of notes and leases payable.............................................   $  6,295,564
     Current maturities of program broadcast rights payable.....................................      3,282,547
     Deferred revenue...........................................................................        694,668
     Accounts payable and accrued expenses......................................................     13,904,094
                                                                                                   ------------
          Total current liabilities.............................................................     24,176,873
                                                                                                   ------------
Long-Term Obligations:
     Notes and capital leases payable...........................................................    348,279,540
     Program broadcast rights payable...........................................................      1,866,062
     Deferred revenue...........................................................................      4,515,933
     Deferred income taxes......................................................................     58,559,983
                                                                                                   ------------
                                                                                                    413,221,518
                                                                                                   ------------
Senior Redeemable Preferred Stock...............................................................     51,654,094
                                                                                                   ------------
Junior Redeemable Preferred Stock...............................................................     45,237,600
                                                                                                   ------------
Stockholder's Deficit:
     Common stock...............................................................................         70,300
     Additional paid-in capital.................................................................    (32,875,111)
     Accumulated deficit........................................................................     (1,748,072)
                                                                                                   ------------
                                                                                                    (34,552,883)
                                                                                                   ------------
                                                                                                   $499,737,202
                                                                                                   ------------
                                                                                                   ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-18
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                    SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995 AND 1996
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                                                  ---------------------------
                                                                                     1995            1996
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
 
<S>                                                                               <C>             <C>
Net revenues...................................................................   $24,058,657     $30,115,028
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
Operating expenses:
     Selling, technical and program expenses...................................    10,044,707      13,541,029
     General and administrative................................................     3,791,915       4,693,851
     Depreciation and amortization.............................................     2,124,505       4,069,293
     Corporate.................................................................       697,759       1,087,434
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
                                                                                   16,658,886      23,391,607
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
          Operating income.....................................................     7,399,771       6,723,421
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
Financial income (expense)
     Interest expense:
          Cash interest........................................................    (7,099,895)     (8,879,980)
          Other interest.......................................................      (337,006)     (1,098,513)
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
                                                                                   (7,436,901)     (9,978,493)
     Interest income...........................................................       209,692         212,433
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
                                                                                   (7,227,209)     (9,766,060)
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
Net income (loss) before income taxes and extrordinary item....................       172,562      (3,042,639)
Income taxes...................................................................            --              --
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
Net income (loss before extraordinary item.....................................       172,562      (3,042,639)
Extraordinary item:
Gain on early extinguishment of debt...........................................     6,863,762              --
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
     Net income (loss).........................................................   $ 7,036,324     $(3,042,639)
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-19
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDER'S DEFICIT
                         SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                ADDITIONAL
                                                   COMMON        PAID-IN       ACCUMULATED
                                                    STOCK        CAPITAL         DEFICIT          TOTAL
                                                  ---------    ------------    ------------    ------------
 
<S>                                               <C>          <C>             <C>             <C>
Balance at December 31, 1995...................   $  70,300    $  2,253,229    $(38,886,616)   $(36,563,087)
Allocation of proceeds from sale of redeemable
  senior preferred stock to initial warrants...          --       9,000,000              --       9,000,000
Financing costs related to the sale of
  redeemable preferred stock...................          --      (3,055,463)             --      (3,055,463)
Reclassification of accumulated deficit due to
  change in income tax status..................          --     (41,072,877)     41,072,877              --
Dividends payable on redeemable preferred
  stock........................................          --              --        (891,694)       (891,694)
Net (loss).....................................          --              --      (3,042,639)     (3,042,639)
                                                  ---------    ------------    ------------    ------------
Balance at June 30, 1996.......................   $  70,300    $(32,875,111)   $ (1,748,072)   $(34,552,883)
                                                  ---------    ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                  ---------    ------------    ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-20
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                    SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995 AND 1996
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          1995            1996
                                                                                      ------------    -------------
 
<S>                                                                                   <C>             <C>
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
    Net income (loss)..............................................................   $  7,036,324    $  (3,042,639)
    Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by
     operating activities:
        Amortization of program broadcast rights...................................      1,081,647        1,302,515
        Depreciation and amortization..............................................      1,345,668        2,701,736
        (Gain) on early extinguishment of debt.....................................     (6,863,762)              --
        Amortization of intangibles and deferred loan costs........................      1,101,504        1,719,984
        Amortization of note discount..............................................             --          753,517
        (Gain) on sale of property and equipment...................................        (17,357)          (7,428)
        Payment of deferred and contingent interest................................     (4,405,746)              --
        Payment of prepayment premiums.............................................     (2,748,896)              --
        Other......................................................................         31,691               --
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects of station acquisitions:
    Receivables....................................................................     (1,574,109)       2,631,367
    Due from sellers...............................................................             --          863,371
    Prepaid expenses...............................................................       (204,103)        (232,727)
    Payments on program broadcast rights payable...................................     (1,037,876)      (1,185,741)
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses..........................................      4,861,661        2,316,000
    Deferred income................................................................             --         (261,810)
    Contingent and deferred interest payable.......................................        567,533               --
                                                                                      ------------    -------------
            Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities....................       (825,821)       7,558,145
                                                                                      ------------    -------------
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
    Purchase of property and equipment.............................................       (556,992)      (1,250,886)
    Proceeds from sale of equipment................................................         25,502           10,300
    Payment for acquisition of stations, net of cash...............................    (26,683,772)    (321,542,152)
    Reimbursement for equipment purchases..........................................             --           79,198
    Purchase of securities.........................................................             --         (651,535)
    Payment of acquisition costs...................................................             --         (316,528)
    Other..........................................................................          2,587           (1,729)
                                                                                      ------------    -------------
            Net cash (used in) investing activities................................    (27,212,675)    (323,673,332)
                                                                                      ------------    -------------
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
    Principal payments on notes, including capital lease payables..................    (96,170,752)         (53,226)
    Proceeds from issuance of redeemable preferred stock...........................             --      105,000,000
    Proceeds from long term borrowing..............................................    135,000,000      218,178,200
    Payment of debt acquisition costs..............................................     (5,586,680)     (10,986,642)
                                                                                      ------------    -------------
            Net cash provided by financing activities..............................     33,242,568      312,138,332
                                                                                      ------------    -------------
            Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents...................      5,204,072       (3,976,855)
Cash and cash equivalents:
    Beginning......................................................................      4,617,242        9,668,331
                                                                                      ------------    -------------
    Ending.........................................................................   $  9,821,314    $   5,691,476
                                                                                      ------------    -------------
                                                                                      ------------    -------------
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
    Cash payments for interest.....................................................   $  5,995,139    $   8,049,422
                                                                                      ------------    -------------
                                                                                      ------------    -------------
Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities
    Acquisition of program broadcast rights........................................   $    712,095    $     368,751
    Note payable and capital lease obligation incurred for purchase of equipment...        197,288           44,100
    Equipment acquired by barter transactions......................................        162,685           38,719
    Dividends accrued on redeemable preferred stock................................             --          891,694
                                                                                      ------------    -------------
                                                                                      ------------    -------------
Acquisitions of stations
    Cash purchase price............................................................   $ 26,683,772    $ 321,542,152
                                                                                      ------------    -------------
                                                                                      ------------    -------------
    Net working capital, acquired, net of cash $535,810............................   $         --    $  10,061,537
    Property and equipment acquired at fair market value...........................      6,500,000       72,533,059
    Intangible assets acquired.....................................................     22,313,385      301,026,581
    Deferred income taxes assumed..................................................             --      (58,872,778)
    Other, net.....................................................................       (129,613)          19,112
                                                                                      ------------    -------------
                                                                                        28,683,772      324,767,511
    Less: Application of deposit...................................................     (2,000,000)      (3,225,359)
                                                                                      ------------    -------------
                                                                                      $ 26,683,772    $ 321,542,152
                                                                                      ------------    -------------
                                                                                      ------------    -------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-21
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(NOTE A) -- NATURE OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
     Nature  of Business:  Benedek Communications Corporation  (the Company) was
formed on April  10, 1996. The  Company is  a holding company  that derives  its
operating  income  and  cash  flow  from  its  subsidiary,  Benedek Broadcasting
Corporation (Benedek Broadcasting) which owns and operates twenty-two television
stations located  throughout the  United States.  These stations  operate  under
network affiliation contracts, which provide programs to the affiliated stations
and  the stations sell commercial time during the programs to national, regional
and local  advertisers.  The  networks  also sell  commercial  time  during  the
programs  to  national advertisers.  Credit  arrangements are  determined  on an
individual customer basis.
 
     Basis of Presentation:  The consolidated financial  statements include  the
accounts  of the Company  and its wholly  owned subsidiary Benedek Broadcasting.
The accounts of Benedek License Corporation (BLC), a wholly owned subsidiary  of
Benedek  Broadcasting,  are  included  in the  financial  statements  of Benedek
Broadcasting. All  significant intercompany  items  and transactions  have  been
eliminated  in the consolidated financial statements. Since Benedek Broadcasting
and the  Company  have identical  stock  ownership, these  financial  statements
include  the operating results of Benedek Broadcasting accounted for in a manner
similar to that of  a pooling-of-interests method  of accounting. The  financial
statements   include  all  adjustments,  consisting   of  normal  and  recurring
adjustments, which are considered necessary in the opinion of management for the
fair presentation of the financial position as of June 30, 1996 and the  results
of  operations and cash flows  for the six months ended  June 30, 1995 and 1996.
These financial  statements do  not include  all the  information and  footnotes
required by generally accepted accounting principles.
 
     Operating  results for the three and six  month periods ended June 30, 1995
and 1996 and for the  fiscal year ended 1995  are not necessarily indicative  of
the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.
 
(NOTE B) -- ACQUISITIONS AND CONTRIBUTION OF CAPITAL
 
     The  Company was formed by the sole stockholder of Benedek Broadcasting. On
June 6, 1996,  two acquisition agreements  entered into during  1995 by  Benedek
Broadcasting  were consummated. These agreements were  to acquire (i) the assets
of the television broadcasting division of Stauffer Communications, Inc.,  which
owned  five television stations  (the 'Stauffer Stations')  for a total purchase
price of $54,500,000 and  (ii) all the issued  and outstanding capital stock  of
Brissette  Broadcasting Corporation ('Brissette') which owned and operated eight
television stations for  a purchase  price of  $270,000,000. At  the closing  of
these acquisitions, the sole stockholder of Benedek Broadcasting contributed all
of the outstanding shares of common stock of Benedek Broadcasting to the Company
in  exchange for  the issuance to  him all  of the outstanding  shares of common
stock of the Company.
 
     The pro forma  results of operations  for the three  months ended June  30,
1995  and 1996  and the  six months ended  June 30,  1995 and  1996 assuming the
acquisitions had taken place on January 1, 1995 are as follows:
 
                                      F-22
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(NOTE B) -- ACQUISITIONS AND CONTRIBUTION OF CAPITAL--(CONTINUED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                                                 ----------------------------
                                                                                    1995             1996
                                                                                 -----------     ------------
 
<S>                                                                              <C>             <C>
Net revenue...................................................................   $59,753,871     $ 59,894,169
Operating expenses............................................................    49,087,596       52,952,526
Financial expenses............................................................    20,969,181       21,115,439
                                                                                 -----------     ------------
     (Loss) before extraordinary item.........................................   (10,302,906)     (14,173,796)
Extraordinary item............................................................     6,863,762               --
                                                                                 -----------     ------------
     Net (loss)...............................................................    (3,439,144)    $(14,173,796)
                                                                                 -----------     ------------
                                                                                 -----------     ------------
Broadcast cash flow...........................................................   $24,994,055     $ 22,332,643
                                                                                 -----------     ------------
                                                                                 -----------     ------------
</TABLE>
 
(NOTE C) -- REDEEMABLE EQUITY SECURITIES AND DISCOUNT NOTES
 
     Concurrent with the acquisitions described in Note (B) the Company  entered
into  the  following  financing transactions,  the  net proceeds  of  which were
contributed to Benedek Broadcasting.
 
          (1) The  Company  sold 60,000  Units  in a  private  placement,  which
     generated  proceeds of $60,000,000. Each Unit consists of (i) ten shares of
     Exchangeable Senior Preferred  Stock (ii) ten  Initial Warrants, and  (iii)
     14.8 Contingent Warrants.
 
             (i)  Exchangeable Redeemable Senior Preferred  Stock -- The Company
        issued 600,000 shares  of 15% Exchangeable  Redeemable Senior  Preferred
        Stock  due 2007,  with an  initial liquidation  preference equal  to the
        proceeds received  of $60,000,000.  Of  these proceeds,  $9,000,000  was
        allocated  to  the initial  warrants  described in  (ii).  Dividends are
        payable to holders  of the  outstanding shares at  the rate  of 15%  per
        annum  of the then  effective liquidation preference  per share, payable
        quarterly beginning July  1, 1996 and  accruing from June  6, 1996.  The
        Company  has the  option to pay  dividends on any  dividend payment date
        occurring on or before  July 1, 2001  either in cash  or by adding  such
        dividends to the then effective liquidation preference. The Company also
        has  the option to immediately redeem these shares, in whole or in part,
        at predetermined redemption  prices. The Company  is required to  redeem
        the  outstanding shares on July  1, 2007 at a  redemption price equal to
        100% of the then effective  liquidation preference plus any accrued  and
        unpaid  dividends to the date of redemption. The Exchangeable Redeemable
        Senior Preferred Stock is exchangeable into debentures at the  Company's
        option,  subject  to  certain  conditions,  in  whole  on  any scheduled
        dividend payment  date. If  the  Company does  not comply  with  certain
        obligations  with respect to  the registration of  these securities with
        the Securities and Exchange  Commission, additional cash dividends  will
        accrue  on each share at  a rate of 0.50%  per annum until the effective
        date of registration.
 
             (ii)  Initial  Warrants  --  The  Company  issued  600,000  Initial
        Warrants each of which entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share
        of  Class A Common Stock at a price of $0.01 per share. The value of the
        warrants at  date of  issuance  was $9,000,000  which was  allocated  to
        paid-in  capital  and is  being amortized  at  a rate  of 15%  per annum
        through July 1, 2007, the mandatory redemption date of the  Exchangeable
        Redeemable  Senior Preferred  Stock. Accordingly,  this amount  is being
        accreted to the  Exchangeable Redeemable Senior  Preferred Stock on  the
        same basis.
 
             (iii)  Contingent Warrants -- The Company issued 888,000 Contingent
        Warrants, each warrant to acquire one  share of Class A Common Stock  at
        an  exercise  price of  $0.01 per  share.  The Contingent  Warrants were
        issued to  an  escrow agent  and  are not  outstanding.  The  Contingent
        Warrants  are  not  separable from  the  Exchangeable  Redeemable Senior
        Preferred Stock  and will  not be  delivered out  of escrow  unless  the
        Exchangeable Redeemable Senior
 
                                      F-23
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(NOTE C) -- REDEEMABLE EQUITY SECURITIES AND DISCOUNT NOTES--(CONTINUED)
        Preferred  Stock is not redeemed on or prior to a specified future date.
        Since it is management's intention to redeem the Exchangeable Redeemable
        Senior Preferred Stock prior to  any release of the Contingent  Warrants
        from  escrow, no allocation  of the proceeds was  made to the Contingent
        Warrants.
 
          (2) Seller  Junior  Discount Preferred  Stock  -- The  Company  issued
     450,000  shares of Seller Junior Discount  Preferred Stock due 2008 with an
     aggregate liquidation  preference equal  to  the proceeds  of  $45,000,000.
     Dividends  are  payable  to  the  holders  of  the  Seller  Junior Discount
     Preferred Stock  at 7.92%  per  annum until  the  fith anniversary  of  the
     issuance  thereof and thereafter  at increasing rates up  to 18%. Since the
     Company intends to redeem the Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock  prior
     to  the fifth anniversary, dividends are being accrued at the initial rate.
     The dividends on the Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock are  cumulative
     from date of issuance. Until the fifth anniversary of the issuance thereof,
     dividend  payments on the Seller Junior Discount Preferred Stock may not be
     made in cash  and instead will  be added automatically  to the  liquidation
     preference  and  as a  result  will be  deemed paid  in  full and  will not
     accumulate. The  Seller  Junior  Discount Preferred  Stock  is  subject  to
     mandatory  redemption in  whole on  July 1,  2008 and  the Company  has the
     option to redeem these shares in whole or  in part at a price equal to  the
     sum  of  the  liquidation value  per  share  plus an  amount  equal  to all
     accumulated and unpaid dividends per share to the date of redemption.
 
          (3) 13 1/4% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes due 2006 -- The Company
     issued Senior  Subordinated  Discount  Notes with  a  principal  amount  of
     $170,000,000.  These Notes were  issued at a  discount of $79,821,800 which
     generated gross proceeds of $90,178,200. The  Notes mature on May 15,  2006
     and  yield 13.25% per annum with no cash interest accruing prior to May 15,
     2001.  Thereafter,  cash  interest  will  accrue  until  maturity   payable
     semi-annually,  commencing November 15, 2001. On or after May 15, 2000, the
     Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part,  at
     predetermined  redemption prices and under  specified conditions. The Notes
     are subordinated to  all Senior Debt  of the Company.  These Notes  contain
     various  restrictive covenants, all of which  the Company was in compliance
     with at June 30, 1996.
 
          The following table summarizes these activities as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  SELLER         13 1/4%
                                                   EXCHANGEABLE                   JUNIOR         SENIOR
                                                   REDEEMABLE                    DISCOUNT      SUBORDINATED
                                                    PREFERRED      INITIAL       PREFERRED      DISCOUNT
                                                      STOCK        WARRANTS        STOCK          NOTES
                                                   -----------    ----------    -----------    -----------
 
<S>                                                <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>
Issuance of preferred stock.....................   $51,000,000    $9,000,000    $45,000,000    $        --
Issuance of senior subordinated discount
  notes.........................................            --            --             --     90,178,200
Accrued dividends...............................       654,094            --        237,600             --
Amortization of note discount...................            --            --             --        753,517
                                                   -----------    ----------    -----------    -----------
Balance at June 30, 1996........................   $51,654,094    $9,000,000    $45,237,600    $90,931,717
                                                   -----------    ----------    -----------    -----------
                                                   -----------    ----------    -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
     Since the Company derives  all of its operating  income and cash flow  from
Benedek Broadcasting, the Company's ability to pay its obligations including (i)
interest  on  and  principal  of the  senior  subordinated  discount  notes (ii)
redemption of and cash dividends on  the exchangeable preferred stock and  (iii)
redemption  of and cash dividends on  the seller junior discount preferred stock
will be  dependent primarily  upon  receiving dividends  and other  payments  on
advances  from  Benedek Broadcasting.  Benedek  Broadcasting is  a  separate and
distinct legal entity and has no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any
amounts to  the Company  or to  make funds  available to  the Company  for  debt
service or any other obligation.
 
                                      F-24
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(NOTE D) -- LONG TERM DEBT
 
     As part of the financing transactions described in Note C, on June 6, 1996,
Benedek Broadcasting entered into a new credit agreement which includes two Term
Loan  Facilities  consisting of  (i) a  Series  A Facility  of $70,000,000  at a
fluctuating rate per  annum (currently  8.5%) and (ii)  a Series  B Facility  of
$58,000,000  at a  fluctuating rate  per annum  (currently 9.0%).  The Term Loan
Facilities provide for quarterly principal payments until final maturity (except
in the  first year  during which  principal payments  will be  on a  semi-annual
basis).  The Series A Facility and the  Series B Facility will mature five years
and  six  and   one-half  years,  respectively,   after  the  closing.   Benedek
Broadcasting  will be required to make scheduled aggregate amortization payments
on the Series A and Series B Facilities, as follows: during the first year after
closing, $6.0  million; during  the second  year after  closing, $11.0  million;
during the third year after closing, $14.5 million; during the fourth year after
closing,  $16.0 million;  during the  fifth year  after closing,  $27.5 million;
during the sixth year after closing, $15.0 million; and during the first half of
the seventh year after closing, $38.0 million.
 
     The  credit  agreement  also  includes  a  Revolving  Credit  Facility   of
$15,000,000,  which bears interest at a customary base rate plus a spread. There
were no borrowings on the revolver as of June 30, 1996.
 
     The Term Loan Facilities and  the Revolving Credit Facility are  guaranteed
by  the  Company  and  are  secured by  certain  of  the  Company's  and Benedek
Broadcasting's present and future property and assets. The Term Loan  Facilities
are also guaranteed by BLC and secured by all of the stock of BLC. The Term Loan
Facilities  contain various  restrictive covenants and  requires compliance with
certain financial ratios and covenants. The Company was in compliance with these
covenants at June 30, 1996.
 
     During 1995, Benedek  Broadcasting issued  $135,000,000 of  11 7/8%  Senior
Secured  Notes due 2005  (the 'Senior Secured  Notes'). The net  proceeds of the
Senior Secured Notes were used, together  with available cash, to (i)  refinance
certain indebtedness, (ii) finance the acquisition of WTVY-TV and (iii) pay fees
and expenses in connection with the offering. The Senior Secured Notes have been
registered  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  in  a registration
statement declared effective in November 1995.
 
     The Senior  Secured Notes  bear interest  at the  rate of  11 7/8%  payable
semiannually  on March 1 and September 1 of  each year and mature in March 2005.
The Senior Secured Notes may be redeemed by Benedek Broadcasting in whole or  in
part  after March  1, 2000  subject to  certain prepayment  premiums. The Senior
Secured Notes contain various restrictive  covenants relating to limitations  on
dividends,  transactions with affiliates, further issuance of debt, and sales of
assets,  among  others.  Benedek  Broadcasting  was  in  complinace  with  these
covenants at June 30, 1996.
 
     The  Senior Secured Notes are collateralized by Benedek Broadcasting's 100%
interest in BLC, certain agreements and contract rights related to the  stations
which includes network affiliation agreements and certain general intangibles.
 
                                      F-25
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(NOTE D) -- LONG TERM DEBT--(CONTINUED)
 
     Notes payable consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       JUNE 30,
                                                                         1996
                                                                     ------------
 
<S>                                                                  <C>
Senior Secured Notes..............................................   $135,000,000
Term loan Series A................................................     70,000,000
Term loan Series B................................................     58,000,000
Senior Subordinated Discount Notes................................     90,931,717
Capital leases and other..........................................        643,387
                                                                     ------------
                                                                      354,575,104
Less current maturities...........................................      6,295,564
                                                                     ------------
                                                                     $348,279,540
                                                                     ------------
                                                                     ------------
</TABLE>
 
(NOTE E) -- INCOME TAX MATTERS AND CHANGE IN TAX STATUS
 
     Prior  to the consummation  of the acquisitions  and the related financing,
Benedek Broadcasting, with the consent of  its stockholder, elected to be  taxed
under sections of federal and state income tax law, which provided that, in lieu
of  corporation  income taxes,  the stockholder  separately account  for Benedek
Broadcasting's income, deductions, losses and  credits. Due to the structure  of
the  financing  for  the  acquisitions,  the election  to  be  taxed  as  an 'S'
Corporation automatically terminated and Benedek Broadcasting became subject  to
federal and state income taxes. As a result, Benedek Broadcasting recorded a net
deferred  tax asset of approximately $3,550,000  which was offset by a valuation
allowance of the same amount.
 
     Under the provision of Statement  of Financial Accounting Standards  (SFAS)
No. 109, the deferred tax assets and liabilities, resulting principally from the
acquisitions explained in Note B consist of the following components:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        JUNE 30,
                                                                          1996
                                                                      ------------
 
<S>                                                                   <C>
Deferred tax assets:
     Loss Carryforwards............................................   $  2,365,600
     Nondeductible allowances and other............................        976,400
     Network agreememt.............................................      1,800,000
     Original issue discount.......................................        312,795
                                                                      ------------
                                                                         5,454,795
                                                                      ------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
     Property and equipment........................................     15,898,378
     Intangibles...................................................     48,116,400
                                                                      ------------
                                                                        64,014,778
                                                                      ------------
Net deferred tax liability.........................................   $(58,559,983)
                                                                      ------------
                                                                      ------------
</TABLE>
 
     At  June 30, 1996 a  valuation allowance has not  been established since in
the opinion of  management, it is  more likely  than not that  the deferred  tax
assets,  including the net deferred tax asset  which resulted from the change in
tax status of Benedek Broadcasting, will be realized.
 
     Under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, Benedek Broadcasting has
approximately $5,900,000 of actual net operating loss carryforwards available to
offset future tax liabilities of Benedek Broadcasting.
 
                                      F-26
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(NOTE F) -- COMMON STOCK AND OTHER SECURITIES
 
     Common stock consists of the following numbers of shares.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         AUTHORIZED     ISSUED      OUTSTANDING
                                                                         ----------    ---------    -----------
 
<S>                                                                      <C>           <C>          <C>
Class A common $.01 par value.........................................   25,000,000           --            --
Class B common $.01 par value.........................................   25,000,000    7,030,000     7,030,000
</TABLE>
 
     In addition, the Board of Directors of the Company has authorized 2,500,000
shares of preferred stock, 1,050,000 of  which have been issued as described  in
Note C above.
 
                                      F-27


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Board of Directors of
STAUFFER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.:
 
     We  have  audited the  accompanying balance  sheets of  the TV  Division of
Stauffer Communications,  Inc.  (a Delaware  corporation)  (the Company)  as  of
December  31,  1994 and  1995, and  the related  statements of  income, division
equity and cash  flows for  each of  the years  in the  three-year period  ended
December  31, 1995.  These financial  statements are  the responsibility  of the
Company's management.  Our responsibility  is  to express  an opinion  on  these
financial statements based on our audits.
 
     We  conducted  our audits  in accordance  with generally  accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to  obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also  includes
assessing  the  accounting principles  used  and significant  estimates  made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement  presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In  our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of the TV Division of  Stauffer
Communications,  Inc., as of December  31, 1994 and 1995  and its operations and
its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31,
1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Kansas City, Missouri
March 1, 1996
 
                                      F-28
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                  TV DIVISION OF STAUFFER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND 1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       1994           1995
                                                                                    -----------    -----------
 
<S>                                                                                 <C>            <C>
                                                    ASSETS
Current Assets:
     Cash........................................................................   $   465,428    $   209,987
     Accounts receivable, net of reserve for doubtful accounts of $75,000 in 1994
       and $99,000 in 1995.......................................................     3,750,721      3,515,457
     Current portion of deferred film costs......................................       769,513        941,766
     Prepayments.................................................................       165,717         81,180
                                                                                    -----------    -----------
          Total current assets...................................................     5,151,379      4,748,390
Plant and Equipment, at Cost:
     Land........................................................................       867,937        867,937
     Building....................................................................     3,893,047      3,929,046
     Equipment...................................................................    22,180,248     22,598,639
     Construction in progress....................................................        70,752          2,981
                                                                                    -----------    -----------
                                                                                     27,011,984     27,398,603
     Less -- Accumulated depreciation............................................   (15,145,074)   (16,606,429)
                                                                                    -----------    -----------
                                                                                     11,866,910     10,792,174
Other Assets:
     Excess of cost over net assets of acquired companies, less accumulated
       amortization of $8,028,122 in 1994 and $8,775,815 in 1995.................     8,021,715      7,274,023
     Long-term portion of deferred film costs....................................       614,619      1,055,472
     Other.......................................................................        37,682          7,906
                                                                                    -----------    -----------
                                                                                      8,674,016      8,337,401
                                                                                    -----------    -----------
                                                                                    $25,692,305    $23,877,965
                                                                                    -----------    -----------
                                                                                    -----------    -----------
                                       LIABILITIES AND DIVISION EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
     Current maturities of film contract obligations.............................   $   606,173    $   715,303
     Accounts payable............................................................       199,261        145,113
     Accrued expenses............................................................       615,448        569,335
                                                                                    -----------    -----------
          Total current liabilities..............................................     1,420,882      1,429,751
Film Contract Obligations, Less Current Maturities...............................       189,857        911,342
Contingencies
Division Equity..................................................................    24,081,566     21,536,872
                                                                                    -----------    -----------
                                                                                    $25,692,305    $23,877,965
                                                                                    -----------    -----------
                                                                                    -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
      The accompanying notes are an integral part of these balance sheets.
 
                                      F-29
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                  TV DIVISION OF STAUFFER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      1993           1994           1995
                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------
 
<S>                                                                <C>            <C>            <C>
Broadcast Operating Revenues:
     Local......................................................   $11,815,748    $11,968,705    $12,076,769
     National...................................................     5,222,225      6,045,572      5,652,105
     Political..................................................        77,979      2,222,724         87,345
     Network programming........................................     1,291,557      1,305,329      1,491,786
     Other......................................................       607,571        552,713        457,807
                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                    19,015,080     22,095,043     19,765,812
     Less --
       Agency commissions.......................................     1,938,824      2,432,430      2,108,974
       Representative's commissions.............................       515,332        706,626        512,319
                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------
          Net broadcast revenue.................................    16,560,924     18,955,987     17,144,519
Operating Expenses:
     News-editorials............................................     2,240,225      2,292,252      2,382,486
     Technical..................................................     1,249,882      1,270,885      1,347,207
     Program....................................................     3,145,641      2,901,656      2,986,263
     Depreciation and amortization..............................     2,264,114      2,303,848      2,228,832
     Rent expense, net of sublease income.......................       223,798        224,188        192,685
     Sales and promotions.......................................     2,936,347      3,219,720      2,949,498
     General and administrative.................................     3,445,543      3,425,632      3,581,764
                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------
          Total operating expenses..............................    15,505,550     15,638,181     15,668,735
                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------
          Income from operations................................     1,055,374      3,317,806      1,475,784
Other Nonoperating Income.......................................        14,434         37,228         78,220
                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------
Division-Net Income.............................................   $ 1,069,808    $ 3,355,034    $ 1,554,004
                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
                                      F-30
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                  TV DIVISION OF STAUFFER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                         STATEMENTS OF DIVISION EQUITY
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      1993           1994           1995
                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------
 
<S>                                                                <C>            <C>            <C>
Balance, Beginning of Year......................................   $25,636,696    $25,024,736    $24,081,566
     Division net income........................................     1,069,808      3,355,034      1,554,004
     Cash transfers to parent, net..............................    (1,681,768)    (4,298,204)    (4,098,698)
                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------
 
Balance, End of Year............................................   $25,024,736    $24,081,566    $21,536,872
                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
                                      F-31
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                  TV DIVISION OF STAUFFER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       1993           1994           1995
                                                                    -----------    -----------    -----------
 
<S>                                                                 <C>            <C>            <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
     Net income..................................................   $ 1,069,808    $ 3,355,034    $ 1,554,004
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by
       operating activities:
          Depreciation...........................................     1,516,422      1,556,156      1,481,140
          Amortization of intangibles............................       747,692        747,692        747,692
          Amortization of deferred film costs....................     1,276,500      1,044,561      1,025,491
          (Increase) decrease in other assets....................       (31,234)       (40,655)       114,311
          (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable.............      (219,462)      (133,612)       235,264
          Increase (decrease) in liabilities.....................       (70,849)        70,683       (100,261)
          Payments for film contract obligations.................    (1,326,358)    (1,081,130)      (807,980)
                                                                    -----------    -----------    -----------
               Total adjustments.................................     1,892,711      2,163,695      2,695,657
                                                                    -----------    -----------    -----------
               Net cash provided by operating activities.........     2,962,519      5,518,729      4,249,661
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
     Property, plant and equipment, net..........................    (1,182,472)      (934,294)      (406,404)
                                                                    -----------    -----------    -----------
               Net cash used in financing activities.............    (1,182,472)      (934,294)      (406,404)
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
     Cash transfers to Parent, net...............................    (1,681,768)    (4,298,204)    (4,098,698)
                                                                    -----------    -----------    -----------
               Net cash used in financing activities.............    (1,681,768)    (4,298,204)    (4,098,698)
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash..................................        98,279        286,231       (255,441)
Cash, Beginning of Year..........................................        80,918        179,197        465,428
                                                                    -----------    -----------    -----------
Cash, End of Year................................................   $   179,197    $   465,428    $   209,987
                                                                    -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                    -----------    -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
                                      F-32
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                  TV DIVISION OF STAUFFER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND 1995
 
1. SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
 
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
     The accompanying  financial  statements  include the  accounts  of  the  TV
Division  of  Stauffer  Communications,  Inc. (the  'Parent').  The  TV Division
includes the  following locations:  KMIZ-TV in  Columbia, Missouri;  KGWN-TV  in
Cheyenne,  Wyoming;  KTVS-TV  in  Scottsbluff,  Nebraska;  KSTF-TV  in Sterling,
Colorado; KGWC-TV in Casper,  Wyoming; KCOY-TV in  Santa Maria, California;  and
WIBW-TV  in  Topeka, Kansas.  In June  1995,  Stauffer Communications,  Inc. was
acquired by Morris  Communications Company  and has  continued to  operate as  a
wholly owned subsidiary under the name Stauffer Communications, Inc.
 
     The  Parent has  entered into an  Assets Purchase and  Sale Agreement dated
November 22, 1995, whereby  substantially all assets and  liabilities of the  TV
Division  will  be  sold to  Benedek  Acquisition Corporation.  Closing  of this
transaction is contingent upon, among other  things, obtaining a final order  of
the  FCC setting  forth its  consent to the  transaction. The  purchase price of
$54,500,000 may be adjusted based on  changes in the amount of working  capital,
as  defined, on the closing date which  is anticipated to occur before September
30, 1996.
 
     These financial  statements reflect  the revenues  and expenses  of the  TV
Division,  including those direct expenses of the  Division that are paid by the
Parent and charged directly  to the Division. Certain  expenses incurred by  the
Parent  have  not been  allocated  to the  TV  Division. These  expenses include
general corporate  management,  corporate accounting,  general  corporate  legal
service  and deferred compensation expense.  Additionally, the taxable income of
the TV Division is  included in the  consolidated tax return  of the Parent.  No
income tax expense or related current or deferred tax assets or liabilities have
been allocated to the TV Division by the Parent.
 
     The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with generally
accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions  that affect the  reported amounts of assets  and liabilities at the
date of  the financial  statements  and the  reported  amounts of  revenues  and
expenses  during the  reporting period. Actual  results could  differ from those
estimates.
 
PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
     Depreciation of plant and equipment is computed using both accelerated  and
straight-line methods. Useful lives are 15 to 45 years for buildings and 3 to 20
years for equipment.
 
DEFERRED FILM COSTS
 
     In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 63 (SFAS
No.  63), deferred film  costs are recorded  at contract price  when the license
period begins and all of the following conditions have been met: (a) the cost of
each program is known or reasonably  determinable, (b) the program material  has
been accepted in accordance with the conditions of the license agreement (c) the
program  is available for its first  showing or telecast. Contractual agreements
define the life of  the license and the  number of showings available.  Deferred
film   cost  with  lives  greater  than   12  months  are  amortized  using  the
sum-of-the-runs method over the life of  the contract. All others are  amortized
using  the straight-line method. The contract rights estimated to be used within
one year are included in current assets.
 
     Commitments for  broadcast contract  rights that  have been  executed,  but
which  have  not  been  recorded  in  the  accompanying  consolidated  financial
statements (because they do  not meet the criteria  prescribed in SFAS No.  63),
were  approximately $460,000 as of December  31, 1994, and were insignificant at
December 31, 1995.
 
                                      F-33
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                  TV DIVISION OF STAUFFER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                           DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND 1995
 
BARTER TRANSACTIONS
 
     Barter transactions, which represent the  exchange of advertising time  for
goods  or services, are recorded at the  estimated fair value of the products or
services received. Barter revenue is  recognized when commercials are  broadcast
and  expenses are recognized when the related products or services are received.
Barter transactions were insignificant in 1993, 1994 and 1995.
 
DIVISION EQUITY
 
     The TV Division participates in the Parent's cash management system.  Under
this  system, all cash generated by the TV Division is transferred to the Parent
and all cash requirements  of the TV  Division are funded  by the Parent.  These
transfers of funds are reflected in the division equity account.
 
2. EXCESS OF COST OVER NET ASSETS OF ACQUIRED COMPANIES:
 
     Excess  of cost over net assets  of acquired companies consists of goodwill
and other intangible  assets. Goodwill  is amortized over  periods of  20 to  40
years.  Other intangible  assets are  amortized over periods  of 4  to 18 years.
Amortization of such assets was approximately  $748,000 in 1993, 1994 and  1995.
The following table details the components of these assets:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             ORIGINAL      ACCUMULATED     NET BOOK
                                                              BALANCE      AMORTIZATION     VALUE
                                                            -----------    -----------    ----------
 
<S>                                                         <C>            <C>            <C>
Goodwill.................................................   $ 7,854,879    $ 2,389,117    $5,465,762
Network affiliation......................................       756,000        582,750       173,250
Operating license........................................     2,123,723        812,605     1,311,118
Assembled work force.....................................       286,331        286,331        --
Advertising accounts.....................................     5,024,887      4,700,994       323,893
Other....................................................         4,018          4,018        --
                                                            -----------    -----------    ----------
                                                            $16,049,838    $ 8,775,815    $7,274,023
                                                            -----------    -----------    ----------
                                                            -----------    -----------    ----------
</TABLE>
 
3. FILM CONTRACT OBLIGATIONS:
 
     Film contract obligations consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 1994         1995
                                                                               --------    ----------
 
<S>                                                                            <C>         <C>
Film contracts payable, due in various installments through 2000............   $796,030    $1,626,645
Less -- Current portion.....................................................    606,173       715,303
                                                                               --------    ----------
                                                                               $189,857    $  911,342
                                                                               --------    ----------
                                                                               --------    ----------
</TABLE>
 
     Maturities  on the TV Division's film  contract obligations for each of the
next five years are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR                                                                               MATURITY
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ----------
 
<S>                                                                               <C>
1996...........................................................................   $  715,303
1997...........................................................................      535,166
1998...........................................................................      314,685
1999...........................................................................       60,379
2000...........................................................................        1,112
                                                                                  ----------
     Total.....................................................................   $1,626,645
                                                                                  ----------
                                                                                  ----------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-34
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                  TV DIVISION OF STAUFFER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                           DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND 1995
 
4. PENSION PLANS:
 
     Substantially all nonunion employees  and officers of  the TV Division  are
covered  by a defined benefit pension plan sponsored by the Parent. Benefits are
based on an  integrated, career average,  salary related formula  and have  been
funded  by mandatory employee contributions, plus employer contributions that at
least equal the minimum funding requirements under ERISA.
 
     A portion of the expense of this plan is allocated to the TV Division based
on the  number of  TV Division  participants  relative to  the number  of  total
participants.  The  allocated  cost  was  approximately  $116,000,  $170,000 and
$155,000 in 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
5. CONTINGENCIES:
 
     The Parent, including  the TV  Division, has  various lawsuits  outstanding
incidental to its operations. Management believes the outcome of this litigation
will  not have a material adverse effect on the financial position or results of
operations of the TV Division.
 
     The TV  Division  leases  certain  equipment and  land,  principally  on  a
month-to-month  or annually renewable basis. Gross lease expenses were $284,241,
$287,212 and $299,777  for the years  ending December 31,  1993, 1994 and  1995,
respectively.
 
6. PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
 
     The  unaudited  pro forma  financial information  is  provided to  show the
significant effects on the historical financial information had the TV  Division
provided  income taxes on  its earnings. Income  taxes have been  computed at an
estimated effective rate of 51, 43, and 47 percent for the years 1993, 1994, and
1995, respectively. The primary  difference between the  provision for taxes  at
the  rates shown and the federal statutory rate of 35 percent is state taxes and
nondeductible intangibles amortization.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          1993          1994          1995
                                                                       ----------    ----------    ----------
 
<S>                                                                    <C>           <C>           <C>
Unaudited pro forma information --
     Income before provision for income taxes.......................   $1,069,808    $3,355,034    $1,554,004
     Provision for income taxes.....................................     (540,000)   (1,454,000)     (733,000)
                                                                       ----------    ----------    ----------
          Net income................................................   $  529,808    $1,901,034    $  821,004
                                                                       ----------    ----------    ----------
                                                                       ----------    ----------    ----------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-35


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                  TV DIVISION OF STAUFFER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    ASSETS                                        JUNE 30,1995    JUNE 6,1996
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
                                                                                  (UNAUDITED)     (UNAUDITED)
 
<S>                                                                               <C>             <C>
Current Assets:
     Cash......................................................................   $    125,388    $     32.270
     Accounts receivable, net..................................................      3,848,114       3,146,538
     Current portion of deferred film costs....................................      1,105,057         825,502
     Prepayments...............................................................         93,434          89,547
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
          Total current assets.................................................      5,171,993       4,093,857
Plant and Equipment, at cost:
     Land......................................................................        867,937         867,937
     Buildings.................................................................      3,929,046       3,929,046
     Equipment.................................................................     22,530,509      22,400,692
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
                                                                                    27,327,492      27,197,675
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
     Less -- Accumulated depreciation..........................................    (15,918,803)    (17,090,482)
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
                                                                                    11,408,689      10,107,193
Other Assets:
     Excess of cost over net assets of acquired companies......................      7,647,869       7,032,372
     Long-term portion of deferred film costs..................................      1,061,721         793,130
     Other.....................................................................         37,005           5,507
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
                                                                                     8,746,595       7,831,009
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
                                                                                  $ 25,327,277    $ 22,032,059
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
                        LIABILITIES AND DIVISION EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
     Current maturities of film contract obligations...........................   $    739,418    $    648,004
     Accounts payable..........................................................        164,750         126,109
     Accrued expenses..........................................................        588,983         437,433
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
          Total current liabilities............................................      1,493,151       1,211,546
Film Contract Obligations, less current maturities.............................        903,732         791,986
Division Equity................................................................     22,930,394      20,028,527
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
                                                                                  $ 25,327,277    $ 22,032,059
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to the financial statements should be read in conjunction
                           with these balance sheets.
 
                                      F-36
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                  TV DIVISION OF STAUFFER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1995 AND FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 1996
                                TO JUNE 6, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         1995          1996
                                                                                      ----------    ----------
                                                                                      (UNAUDITED)   (UNAUDITED)
 
<S>                                                                                   <C>           <C>
Broadcast Operating Revenues:
     Local.........................................................................   $6,029,378    $4,890,227
     National......................................................................    2,933,133     2,362,784
     Political.....................................................................        5,340       209,644
     Network programming...........................................................      694,408       687,671
     Other.........................................................................      215,997       202,172
                                                                                      ----------    ----------
                                                                                       9,878,256     8,352,498
     Less --
          Agency commissions.......................................................    1,064,221       893,196
          Representative's commissions.............................................      269,247       210,918
                                                                                      ----------    ----------
               Net broadcast revenue...............................................    8,544,788     7,248,384
Operating Expenses:
     News-editorials...............................................................    1,160,702     1,172,462
     Technical.....................................................................      621,343       600,413
     Program.......................................................................    1,447,088     1,386,709
     Depreciation and amortization.................................................    1,135,845       974,093
     Rent expense, net of sublease income..........................................       65,613        52,184
     Sales and promotions..........................................................    1,422,696     1,262,170
     General and administrative....................................................    1,710,606     1,523,226
                                                                                      ----------    ----------
          Total operating expenses.................................................    7,563,893     6,971,257
                                                                                      ----------    ----------
          (Loss) income from operations............................................      980,895       277,127
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)................................................        6,515        (4,444)
                                                                                      ----------    ----------
Division -- Net income.............................................................   $  987,410    $  272,683
                                                                                      ----------    ----------
                                                                                      ----------    ----------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to the financial statements should be read in conjunction
                             with these statements.
 
                                      F-37
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                  TV DIVISION OF STAUFFER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                         STATEMENTS OF DIVISION EQUITY
 FOR THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1995 AND THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 1996 TO
                                  JUNE 6, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       1995           1996
                                                                                    -----------    -----------
 
<S>                                                                                 <C>            <C>
Balance, beginning of period.....................................................   $24,081,566    $21,536,872
     Division net (loss) income..................................................       987,410        272,683
     Cash transfers to parent, net...............................................    (2,138,582)    (1,781,028)
                                                                                    -----------    -----------
Balance, end of period...........................................................   $22,930,394    $20,028,527
                                                                                    -----------    -----------
                                                                                    -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to the financial statements should be read in conjunction
                             with these statements.
 
                                      F-38
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                  TV DIVISION OF STAUFFER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 FOR THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1995 AND THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 1996 TO
                                  JUNE 6, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         1995           1996
                                                                                      -----------    ----------
                                                                                      (UNAUDITED)    (UNAUDITED)
 
<S>                                                                                   <C>            <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
     Net income....................................................................   $   987,410    $  272,683
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating
      activities --
          Depreciation.............................................................       761,999       732,442
          Amortization of intangibles..............................................       373,846       241,651
          Amortization of deferred film costs......................................       495,694       499,614
          (Increase) decrease in other assets......................................        72,960        (5,968)
          (Increase) Decrease in accounts receivable...............................       (97,393)      368,919
          Increase (decrease) in liabilities.......................................       (60,976)     (150,906)
          Payments for film contract obligations...................................      (431,200)     (347,791)
          Other....................................................................            --        85,523
                                                                                      -----------    ----------
               Total adjustments...................................................     1,114,930     1,423,484
                                                                                      -----------    ----------
     Net cash provided by operating activities.....................................     2,102,340     1,696,167
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
     Property, plant and equipment, net............................................      (303,798)      (92,856)
                                                                                      -----------    ----------
     Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities...........................      (303,798)      (92,856)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
     Cash transfers to Parent, net.................................................    (2,138,582)   (1,781,028)
                                                                                      -----------    ----------
     Net cash used in financing activities.........................................    (2,138,582)   (1,781,028)
                                                                                      -----------    ----------
 
Net (Decrease) in Cash.............................................................      (340,040)     (177,717)
Cash, beginning of period..........................................................       465,428       209,987
                                                                                      -----------    ----------
Cash, end of period................................................................   $   125,388    $   32,270
                                                                                      -----------    ----------
                                                                                      -----------    ----------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to the financial statements should be read in conjunction
                             with these statements.
 
                                      F-39
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                  TV DIVISION OF STAUFFER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
(NOTE A) NATURE OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
     Nature  of  Business:  The  TV Division  of  Stauffer  Communications, Inc.
operates five  principal  television  stations  and  five  satellite  television
stations  located  throughout  the  United States  which  operate  under network
affiliation contracts. The networks provide programs to the affiliated  stations
and  the stations sell commercial time during the programs to national, regional
and local  advertisers.  The  networks  also sell  commercial  time  during  the
programs  to national  advertisers. Credit  arrangement s  are determined  on an
individual customer basis.
 
     Basis of Presentations:  In June  1995, Stauffer  Communications, Inc.  was
acquired  by Morris Communications Corporation and has continued to operate as a
wholly owned  subsidiary  under  the name  Stauffer  Communications,  Inc.  (the
'Parent').  The accompanying financial statements include the accounts of the TV
Division of Stauffer Communications, Inc.  (the 'TV Division'). The TV  Division
includes  the  following  principal television  stations:  KMIZ-TV  in Columbia,
Missouri; KGWN-TV in Cheyenne, Wyoming;  KGWC-TV in Casper, Wyoming; KCOY-TV  in
Santa Maria, California; and WIBW-TV in Topeka, Kansas.
 
     These  financial statements  reflect the  revenues and  expenses of  the TV
Division, including those direct  expenses of the TV  Division that are paid  by
the Parent and charged directly to the TV Division. Certain expenses incurred by
the  Parent have not been  allocated to the TV  Division. These expenses include
general corporate  management,  corporate accounting,  general  corporate  legal
service  and deferred compensation expense.  Additionally, the taxable income of
the TV Division is  included in the  consolidated tax return  of the Parent.  No
income tax expense or related current or deferred tax assets or liabilities have
been allocated to the TV Division by the Parent.
 
(NOTE B) SALE AGREEMENT
 
     On  June  6,  1996, substantially  all  assets  and liabilities  of  the TV
Division were sold to Benedek Broadcasting Corporation.
 
(NOTE C) PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     The unaudited  pro forma  financial  information is  provided to  show  the
significant  effects on the historical financial information had the TV Division
provided income taxes  on its earnings.  Income taxes have  been computed at  an
estimated  effective rate 47 percent for the  six months ended June 30, 1995 and
the period from January 1, 1996 to June 6, 1996. The primary difference  between
the  provision for taxes at the rates shown and the federal statutory rate of 35
percent is state taxes and nondeductible intangible amortization.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             1995        1996
                                                                                           --------    --------
 
<S>                                                                                        <C>         <C>
Unaudited pro forma information --
     Income before provision for income taxes...........................................   $987,410    $272,683
     Provision for income taxes.........................................................   (464,083)   (128,161)
                                                                                           --------    --------
          Net income....................................................................   $523,327    $144,522
                                                                                           --------    --------
                                                                                           --------    --------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-40


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of
BRISSETTE BROADCASTING CORPORATION:
 
     We  have audited the accompanying  consolidated balance sheets of Brissette
Broadcasting  Corporation  (a  Delaware  corporation)  and  Subsidiaries  as  of
December  25,  1994  and  December  31,  1995  and  the  related  statements  of
operations, stockholders' investment and cash  flows for the fiscal years  ended
December  26, 1993,  December 25,  1994 and  December 31,  1995. These financial
statements  are  the  responsibility   of  Brissette  Broadcasting   Corporation
management.  Our  responsibility is  to express  an  opinion on  these financial
statements based on our audit.
 
     We conducted  our audits  in accordance  with generally  accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence  supporting
the  amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles used  and  significant estimates  made  by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements referred
to above present  fairly, in all  material respects, the  financial position  of
Brissette Broadcasting Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 25, 1994, and
December  31, 1995, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for
the years ended December 26, 1993, December  25, 1994 and December 31, 1995,  in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
March 8, 1996
 
                                      F-41
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
              BRISSETTE BROADCASTING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                    DECEMBER 25, 1994 AND DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     1994            1995
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
<S>                                                                              <C>             <C>
                                    ASSETS
Current Assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents................................................   $    881,000    $  2,102,000
     Receivables, less allowances of $151,000 and $206,000 in 1994 and 1995,
       respectively...........................................................     10,141,000      10,543,000
     Film contract rights.....................................................      1,256,000       1,616,000
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets................................        387,000         176,000
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
          Total current assets................................................     12,665,000      14,437,000
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
Film Contract Rights..........................................................      1,132,000       1,778,000
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
Property and Equipment:
     Land.....................................................................      1,838,000       1,838,000
     Buildings and improvements...............................................      9,348,000       9,464,000
     Broadcasting equipment...................................................     30,246,000      32,454,000
     Furniture and fixtures...................................................      2,798,000       3,121,000
     Vehicles and other.......................................................      1,696,000       1,831,000
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
                                                                                   45,926,000      48,708,000
     Less -- Accumulated depreciation and amortization........................    (33,753,000)    (36,478,000)
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
          Net property and equipment..........................................     12,173,000      12,230,000
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
Intangible Assets, net........................................................     81,482,000      77,376,000
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
                                                                                 $107,452,000    $105,821,000
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
                   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Current Liabilities:
     Current maturities of long-term debt.....................................   $  4,000,000    $         --
     Accounts payable.........................................................        650,000         905,000
     Accrued expenses.........................................................      2,510,000       2,413,000
     Accrued interest.........................................................      1,361,000       1,742,000
     Film contract obligations................................................      1,214,000       1,832,000
     Deferred revenue.........................................................             --         140,000
     Taxes payable............................................................        141,000          65,000
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
          Total current liabilities...........................................      9,876,000       7,097,000
Long-Term Debt................................................................    191,048,000     197,348,000
Film Contract Obligations, less current portion...............................        981,000       1,303,000
Retiree Benefits Payable......................................................        278,000         270,000
Deferred Revenue, less current portion........................................             --         552,000
Other Noncurrent Liabilities..................................................        576,000       1,193,000
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
          Total liabilities...................................................    202,759,000     207,763,000
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
Stockholder's Investment:
     Preferred stock, Series A, B, C and D, $.001 par value, 500 shares
       authorized, issued and outstanding for each series (Note 5)............     66,500,000      66,500,000
     Common stock, $.001 par value, 2,000 shares authorized, issued and
       outstanding (Note 6)...................................................             --              --
     Additional paid-in capital...............................................     35,837,000      35,837,000
     Deficit..................................................................   (197,644,000)   (204,279,000)
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
          Total stockholder's investment......................................    (95,307,000)   (101,942,000)
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
                                                                                 $107,452,000    $105,821,000
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
          The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
                 are an integral part of these balance sheets.
 
                                      F-42
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
              BRISSETTE BROADCASTING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 26, 1993, DECEMBER 25, 1994 AND DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    1993            1994            1995
                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
 
<S>                                                             <C>             <C>             <C>
Broadcast Operating Revenues:
     Local...................................................   $ 28,214,000    $ 30,091,000    $ 31,575,000
     National................................................     17,730,000      19,391,000      20,617,000
     Political...............................................        403,000       3,536,000         379,000
     Network programming.....................................      3,163,000       3,094,000       4,589,000
     Barter..................................................        569,000         686,000         903,000
     Other...................................................      1,273,000         941,000         990,000
                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                                  51,352,000      57,739,000      59,053,000
     Less --
          Agency commissions.................................      5,961,000       6,907,000       6,903,000
          Representatives' commissions.......................        987,000       1,302,000         824,000
                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
               Net broadcast revenue.........................     44,404,000      49,530,000      51,326,000
                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
Broadcast Operating Expenses:
     Engineering.............................................      2,441,000       2,739,000       2,880,000
     Programming.............................................      4,906,000       5,318,000       5,485,000
     News....................................................      5,663,000       6,427,000       6,901,000
     Promotion...............................................        573,000         410,000         537,000
     Sales...................................................      4,497,000       4,603,000       4,901,000
     General and administrative..............................      4,852,000       5,223,000       5,611,000
     Amortization of intangibles.............................      5,316,000       4,160,000       4,106,000
     Amortization of interest rate caps......................        390,000              --              --
     Depreciation............................................      2,811,000       2,338,000       2,719,000
     Corporate expense.......................................      1,443,000       1,699,000       1,844,000
     Long-term incentive.....................................         44,000         196,000         616,000
     Barter..................................................        495,000         877,000         903,000
     Other...................................................        130,000         115,000         120,000
                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
               Total broadcast operating expenses............     33,561,000      34,105,000      36,623,000
                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
Broadcast Operating Profit...................................     10,843,000      15,425,000      14,703,000
                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
Other (Expense) Income:
     Interest income.........................................         30,000          51,000          61,000
     Interest expense........................................    (15,212,000)    (17,042,000)    (20,898,000)
     Other...................................................             --              --        (354,000)
                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
               Total other expense...........................    (15,182,000)    (16,991,000)    (21,191,000)
                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
Loss Before Income Taxes.....................................     (4,339,000)     (1,566,000)     (6,488,000)
Income Taxes, State..........................................        278,000          79,000         147,000
                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
Net Loss.....................................................   $ (4,617,000)   $ (1,645,000)   $ (6,635,000)
                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
          The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
                   are an integral part of these statements.
 
                                      F-43
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
              BRISSETTE BROADCASTING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S INVESTMENT
 FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 26, 1993, DECEMBER 25, 1994 AND DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 COMMON STOCK       PREFERRED STOCK       ADDITIONAL
                                                ---------------   --------------------     PAID-IN        RETAINED
                                                SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES     AMOUNT        CAPITAL         DEFICIT
                                                ------   ------   ------   -----------   ------------   -------------
 
<S>                                             <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>           <C>            <C>
Balance, December 27, 1992....................  2,000    $  --    2,000    $66,500,000   $ 35,837,000   $(191,382,000)
Net loss......................................     --       --       --             --             --      (4,617,000)
                                                ------   ------   ------   -----------   ------------   -------------
Balance, December 26, 1993....................  2,000    $  --    2,000    $66,500,000   $ 35,837,000   $(195,999,000)
Net loss......................................     --       --       --             --             --      (1,645,000)
                                                ------   ------   ------   -----------   ------------   -------------
Balance, December 25, 1994....................  2,000    $  --    2,000    $66,500,000   $ 35,837,000   $(197,644,000)
Net loss......................................     --       --       --             --             --      (6,635,000)
                                                ------   ------   ------   -----------   ------------   -------------
Balance, December 31, 1995....................  2,000    $  --    2,000    $66,500,000   $ 35,837,000   $(204,279,000)
                                                ------   ------   ------   -----------   ------------   -------------
                                                ------   ------   ------   -----------   ------------   -------------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                    TOTAL
                                                -------------
<S>                                             <C>
Balance, December 27, 1992....................  $ (89,045,000)
Net loss......................................     (4,617,000)
                                                -------------
Balance, December 26, 1993....................  $ (93,662,000)
Net loss......................................     (1,645,000)
                                                -------------
Balance, December 25, 1994....................  $ (95,307,000)
Net loss......................................     (6,635,000)
                                                -------------
Balance, December 31, 1995....................  $(101,942,000)
                                                -------------
                                                -------------
</TABLE>
 
          The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
                   are an integral part of these statements.
 
                                      F-44
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
              BRISSETTE BROADCASTING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 26, 1993, DECEMBER 25, 1994 AND DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       1993           1994           1995
                                                                    -----------    -----------    -----------
 
<S>                                                                 <C>            <C>            <C>
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
     Net loss....................................................   $(4,617,000)   $(1,645,000)   $(6,635,000)
     Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by
       operating activities:
          Depreciation...........................................     2,811,000      2,338,000      2,719,000
          Amortization of intangibles............................     5,316,000      4,160,000      4,106,000
          Amortization of interest rate caps.....................       390,000             --             --
          Amortization of film contract rights...................     1,743,000      1,757,000      1,684,000
          Net trade/barter (revenue) expense.....................       (74,000)       191,000             --
          (Gain) loss on sale of assets..........................        17,000         30,000        (24,000)
          (Increase) decrease in assets:
               Accounts receivable, net..........................      (520,000)      (430,000)      (402,000)
               Other assets......................................        17,000        101,000         37,000
          Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
               Accounts payable and accrued expenses.............       829,000       (678,000)       180,000
               Accrued interest..................................       (55,000)       279,000        381,000
               Taxes payable.....................................      (172,000)        12,000        (76,000)
               Increase deferred revenue.........................            --             --        692,000
               Other liabilities.................................       227,000        233,000        609,000
               Payments for film contract obligations............    (1,709,000)    (1,555,000)    (1,639,000)
                                                                    -----------    -----------    -----------
                    Net cash provided by operating activities....     4,203,000      4,793,000      1,632,000
                                                                    -----------    -----------    -----------
 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
     Capital expenditures........................................    (2,217,000)    (1,559,000)    (2,748,000)
     Proceeds from sale of assets................................        22,000         28,000         37,000
                                                                    -----------    -----------    -----------
                    Net cash used in investing activities........    (2,195,000)    (1,531,000)    (2,711,000)
                                                                    -----------    -----------    -----------
 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
     Payments on long-term debt..................................    (3,250,000)    (3,875,000)    (2,000,000)
     Proceeds (payments) from borrowings on line of credit,
       net.......................................................       900,000       (900,000)     4,300,000
                                                                    -----------    -----------    -----------
                    Net cash provided by (used in) financing
                      activities.................................    (2,350,000)    (4,775,000)     2,300,000
                                                                    -----------    -----------    -----------
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents.............      (342,000)    (1,513,000)     1,221,000
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year.....................     2,736,000      2,394,000        881,000
                                                                    -----------    -----------    -----------
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year...........................   $ 2,394,000    $   881,000    $ 2,102,000
                                                                    -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                    -----------    -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
          The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
                   are an integral part of these statements.
 
                                      F-45


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
              BRISSETTE BROADCASTING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY
 
     Paul  Brissette,  Jr. (Brissette)  agreed to  purchase all  the outstanding
shares of  stock of  Forward  Television Corporation  II (FTVC  or  predecessor)
subject to the indebtedness of FTVC. The acquisition was consummated on February
13,  1992. The basis in assets and liabilities  were carried over at the time of
this transaction. Accordingly, Brissette changed the name of the corporation  to
Brissette   Broadcasting  Corporation  (Brissette   Broadcasting)  and  includes
Brissette TV of  Madison, Inc.  (WMTV); Brissette  TV of  Lansing, Inc.  (WILX);
Brissette  TV  of Odessa,  Inc.  (KOSA); Brissette  TV  of Peoria,  Inc. (WHOI);
Brissette TV of Springfield, Inc. (WWLP);  Brissette TV of Wausau, Inc.  (WSAW);
Brissette  TV of Wichita Falls, Inc. (KAUZ);  and Brissette TV of Wheeling, Inc.
(WTRF) as wholly owned subsidiaries.
 
     The accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements  have  been  prepared
assuming that Brissette Broadcasting will continue as a going concern. Brissette
Broadcasting is heavily dependent on General Electric Capital Corporation (GECC)
for  the continuation of its ongoing operations,  as GECC is the debt holder and
preferred stockholder (see Notes 4 and 5).
 
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
 
     The consolidated  financial statements  include the  accounts of  Brissette
Broadcasting   and  its  subsidiaries.  Significant  intercompany  accounts  and
transactions have been eliminated.
 
FISCAL YEAR
 
     Brissette Broadcasting utilizes a  52-53 week fiscal  year ending the  last
Sunday  in December to coincide with  the normal broadcasting industry year-end.
Fiscal 1995 consisted  of 53  weeks and  fiscal 1994  and 1993  consisted of  52
weeks.
 
MANAGEMENT ESTIMATES
 
     The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with generally
accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions  that  affect the  reported amounts  of  assets and  liabilities and
disclosure of contingent  assets and liabilities  at the date  of the  financial
statements  and  the  reported  amounts  of  revenues  and  expenses  during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
BROADCAST CONTRACT RIGHTS
 
     In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 63 (SFAS
No. 63), broadcast contract rights are recorded at full contract price when  the
license period begins and all of the following conditions have been met: (a) the
cost  of  each program  is  known or  reasonably  determinable, (b)  the program
material has been  accepted in  accordance with  the conditions  of the  license
agreement  and (c) the program  is available for its  first showing or telecast.
Contractual agreements define the life of the license and the number of showings
available. Broadcast  contract  rights  are amortized  using  the  straight-line
method  over the life of the contract.  The contract rights estimated to be used
within one year are included in current assets.
 
     Commitments for  broadcast contract  rights that  have been  executed,  but
which  have  not  been  recorded  in  the  accompanying  consolidated  financial
statements (because they do  not meet the criteria  prescribed in SFAS No.  63),
were  approximately  $1,313,000  and $1,371,000  as  of December  25,  1994, and
December 31, 1995, respectively.
 
                                      F-46
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
              BRISSETTE BROADCASTING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
BARTER TRANSACTIONS
 
     Barter transactions, which represent the  exchange of advertising time  for
goods  or services, are recorded at the  estimated fair value of the products or
services received. Barter revenue is  recognized when commercials are  broadcast
and expenses are recognized when the related products or services are received.
 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
     Property  and  equipment are  recorded at  cost. The  cost of  property and
equipment acquired in conjunction  with the acquisition,  was carried over  from
the  predecessor. Depreciation is computed on  the straight-line method over the
expected useful lives of the respective assets as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                ESTIMATED USEFUL LIFE
                                                                ------------------------
 
<S>                                                             <C>
Buildings....................................................   27 1/2 - 39 years
Land improvements............................................   15 years
Broadcasting equipment.......................................   5 - 15 years
Furniture and fixtures.......................................   5 - 7 years
Vehicles.....................................................   5 years
Leasehold improvements.......................................   Term of lease
</TABLE>
 
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
     Intangible   assets   include   goodwill,   network   affiliation   rights,
organization  and financing costs, noncompete agreements, Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) licenses  and other  agreements and  licenses. Amortization  is
computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
Should  events or circumstances occur subsequent to the acquisition of a station
which bring into  question the  realizable value  or impairment  of the  related
goodwill  and intangibles,  Brissette Broadcasting  will evaluate  the remaining
useful life  and  balance  of  goodwill and  intangibles  and  make  appropriate
adjustments.  Brissette  Broadcasting's principal  consideration  in determining
impairment include  the  strategic  benefit to  Brissette  Broadcasting  of  the
particular station and the current and expected future operating income and cash
flow levels of that particular station.
 
     Intangible  assets as of December 25, 1994 and December 31, 1995, consisted
of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              COST BASIS
                                                       ESTIMATED     ----------------------------
                                                      USEFUL LIFE        1994            1995
                                                      ------------   ------------    ------------
 
<S>                                                   <C>            <C>             <C>
Goodwill...........................................   40 years       $ 85,301,000    $ 85,301,000
Network affiliation rights.........................   10-40 years      22,741,000      16,024,000
Organization and financing costs...................   5-10 years       18,942,000      18,446,000
Noncompete agreements..............................   5 years          11,445,000              --
FCC licenses.......................................   10-40 years       1,659,000       1,659,000
Other..............................................   5-40 years        3,252,000       2,995,000
                                                                     ------------    ------------
     Total intangibles.............................                   143,340,000     124,425,000
     Accumulated amortization......................                   (61,858,000)    (47,049,000)
                                                                     ------------    ------------
                                                                     $ 81,482,000    $ 77,376,000
                                                                     ------------    ------------
                                                                     ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
REVENUE RECOGNITION
 
     Revenue  related  to  the  sale  of  advertising  and  contracted  time  is
recognized  at the  time of  broadcast. Income  related to  production for third
parties is  recognized  when  the  production  of  the  television  commercials,
programs or sound recording has been completed and delivered.
 
                                      F-47
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
              BRISSETTE BROADCASTING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
DEFERRED REVENUE
 
     During 1995, Brissette Broadcasting changed national sales representatives.
In   connection  with  this  change,  the  new  representatives  paid  Brissette
Broadcasting a one time fee of $700,000 for their undertaking to buyout whatever
contract rights  the  previous representative  may  have had  at  each  station.
Amounts  were allocated  to the  stations as  stipulated in  the contract. These
amounts are recorded as deferred revenue  and will be amortized over five  years
which is the term of the representatives agreement.
 
CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
     Brissette  Broadcasting considers all short-term investments purchased with
an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
 
3. INTEREST RATE CAPS
 
     The Company had  interest rate cap  agreements with financial  institutions
which  provided for payments to Brissette  Broadcasting in the event that actual
market interest rates exceeded the base London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or
the prime interest rate, as defined. There are no such agreements outstanding as
of December 26, 1993, December 25, 1994 and December 31, 1995.
 
4. LONG-TERM DEBT
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1994            1995
                                                             ------------    ------------
 
<S>                                                          <C>             <C>
Revolving Credit Note.....................................   $         --    $  4,300,000
Term Note.................................................    195,048,000     193,048,000
Less -- Current maturities................................      4,000,000              --
                                                             ------------    ------------
                                                             $191,048,000    $197,348,000
                                                             ------------    ------------
                                                             ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
TERM NOTE
 
     Brissette Broadcasting has a term note agreement with GECC. The  agreement,
as  amended, requires a payment equal to  the remaining balance plus accrued and
unpaid interest due  on January  2, 1997.  Additionally, Brissette  Broadcasting
shall  pay interest, at  an annual rate equal  to the prime  rate plus 1.50%, to
GECC, monthly in arrears on the last day of each month.
 
     The Term Note also stipulates that any net proceeds received from any  sale
or  disposition of assets or properties of  Brissette Broadcasting or any of its
subsidiaries other than in the ordinary course of business, or any net  proceeds
from  the issuance  of any  stock of  Brissette Broadcasting  or any subsidiary,
shall be remitted to GECC and shall be applied to the principal installments due
under the Term Note in the inverse  order of maturity and be deemed a  mandatory
prepayment  of the Term Loan; provided,  however, that Brissette Broadcasting or
any of its subsidiaries shall be entitled  to deduct or hold back from any  such
net  proceeds to  be remitted to  GECC an amount  of cash sufficient  to pay all
federal, state or  local income (or  similar) taxes applicable  to such sale  or
disposition  of assets or properties and an amount of cash sufficient to pay the
long-term incentive agreement payment  if due and  payable under the  Employment
Agreement (see Note 12).
 
     The  Term Note  consists of  several covenants,  more fully  defined in the
agreement, including consolidated debt to cash flow ratio maximum of 8.1 to  1.0
for  the year ended December 31, 1995,  cash flow to debt service requirement of
1.0 to 1.0 and a stipulation that consolidated cash flow plus corporate expenses
must be equal to or greater than $23,849,000 for the fiscal year ended  December
31, 1995.
 
     In 1995, Brissette Broadcasting was not in compliance with certain of these
covenants  and has  obtained a waiver  by letter  dated May 5,  1995, from GECC.
Brissette Broadcasting expects they will
 
                                      F-48
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
              BRISSETTE BROADCASTING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
not be in  compliance with certain  of these covenants  in 1996, therefore,  the
agreement was amended as of January 1, 1996 to waive these covenants.
 
     Brissette  Broadcasting  expects that  cash  flow from  operations  will be
sufficient to  meet required  interest payments  under the  term loan  agreement
through  1996. However,  Brissette Broadcasting does  not expect  that cash flow
from operations will be sufficient to meet the principal payment due on  January
2,  1997  and intends  to either  refinance its  debt or  recapitalize Brissette
Broadcasting before the payment is due.
 
REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE
 
     Brissette Broadcasting has a revolving  credit agreement with GECC  whereby
GECC will provide secured revolving credit advances to Brissette Broadcasting of
up to $8,000,000 in aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time which
Brissette Broadcasting will use for working capital and other needs of Brissette
Broadcasting  and  its subsidiaries.  All amounts  outstanding shall  become due
January 2, 1997. Additionally, Brissette Broadcasting shall pay interest, at  an
annual  rate equal to the prime rate plus  1.50%, to GECC, monthly in arrears on
the last day  of each  month. There was  $4,300,000 and  $0 amounts  outstanding
under  the revolving credit agreement as of  December 31, 1995, and December 25,
1994, respectively.
 
     As a requirement of the revolving credit agreement, Brissette  Broadcasting
shall  repay  the  aggregate unpaid  principal  amount of  all  revolving credit
advances outstanding  such that  for a  period of  30 consecutive  days in  each
fiscal  year  Brissette  Broadcasting  will have  no  revolving  credit advances
outstanding. In 1995,  Brissette Broadcasting  was not in  compliance with  this
covenant and has obtained a waiver by letter dated May 5, 1995, from GECC.
 
     So  long as  any event  of default shall  be continuing,  the interest rate
applicable to the Term Note and the Revolving Credit Note shall be increased  by
2% per annum above the rate otherwise applicable.
 
COLLATERAL
 
     As  collateral, Brissette Broadcasting pledged  the securities of Brissette
Broadcasting and the  certificates representing the  pledged securities and  all
dividends,  distributions, cash instruments and  other property or proceeds from
time to time received, receivable or  otherwise distributed in respect of or  in
exchange  for any or all of the pledged securities of Brissette Broadcasting and
all  additional  shares  of  capital  stock  of  any  subsidiary  of   Brissette
Broadcasting   acquired  in  any  manner  and   all  stock  owned  by  Brissette
Broadcasting.
 
5. PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The  amended  and  restated  certificate  of  incorporation  of   Brissette
Broadcasting  stipulates that  in the event  of any  liquidation, dissolution or
winding up  of Brissette  Broadcasting, whether  voluntary or  involuntary,  the
holders  of preferred stock then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid out of
the  assets  of  Brissette  Broadcasting  available  for  distribution  to   its
stockholders,  whether such assets are capital,  surplus or earnings, before any
payment or declaration and setting apart for payment of any amount shall be made
in respect of any  shares of common  stock, (a) an amount  equal to $33,250  per
share  of Series A participating preferred stock, (b) an amount equal to $33,250
per share of  Series B  participating preferred stock,  (c) an  amount equal  to
$33,250  per share of Series  C participating preferred stock  and (d) an amount
equal to $33,250 per share of Series D participating preferred stock. The  total
value  of the  preferred stock  is $66,500,000.  The holders  of preferred stock
shall be entitled to participate with  the holders of common stock with  respect
to  any  cash,  stock or  other  dividends  when and  as  declared  by Brissette
Broadcasting's Board of Directors in an amount allocable to the preferred  stock
equal  to 79%  of any such  dividend, and the  holders of Common  stock shall be
entitled to an amount equal to the remaining 21% of any such dividend.
 
                                      F-49
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
              BRISSETTE BROADCASTING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     Additionally, the loan agreement  states that Brissette Broadcasting  shall
not  have any right to redeem, or any obligation to redeem or otherwise acquire,
any shares  of  preferred  stock. Brissette  Broadcasting  may  not  voluntarily
repurchase any shares of preferred stock unless such repurchase is approved by a
vote  of  the holders  of at  least 80%  of  the aggregate  voting power  of all
stockholders and is otherwise permitted by applicable law.
 
STOCK VOTING RIGHTS
 
     The holders of common stock and  preferred stock shall be entitled to  vote
together  as a single class on the following matters submitted or required to be
submitted to Brissette Broadcasting's stockholders:
 
          a. Any action  to (1) institute  proceedings seeking the  liquidation,
     reorganization,  dissolution  or  other relief  with  respect  to Brissette
     Broadcasting or its debts under  any federal, state or foreign  bankruptcy,
     insolvency  or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or (2) consent
     to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee,  custodian
     sequestrator  or other similar  official over BBC or  a substantial part of
     its property; and
 
          b. Any action to (1) create any class or series of stock ranking prior
     to or on a parity with or junior to the Preferred Stock (other than  Common
     Stock)  either as  to dividends  or upon  liquidation, (2)  amend, alter or
     repeal any of  the provisions  of Brissette  Broadcasting's Certificate  of
     Incorporation  or bylaws so as to affect adversely the preferences, special
     rights or powers of the preferred  stock, or (3) consolidate or merge  with
     or  into any  other corporation  (other than  a merger  of a  subsidiary of
     Brissette  Broadcasting  into  Brissette  Broadcasting  whereby   Brissette
     Broadcasting  is  the  surviving  corporation), or  liquidate,  wind  up or
     dissolve itself, or convey, sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of,
     all or substantially all of its assets.
 
     On matters referred to above, each holder of common stock shall be entitled
to one vote per share  of common stock held, and  such holders in the  aggregate
will  have 21% of the aggregate voting power of all stockholders. On the matters
referred to  above, the  holders of  preferred  stock shall  be entitled  to  an
aggregate  number of votes equal to 3.762  multiplied by the number of shares of
common stock  then  outstanding, which  shall  be allocated  ratably  among  the
holders  of preferred  stock in proportion  to the aggregate  of the liquidation
preferences specified above with respect to  the shares of preferred stock  held
by each such holder. Such votes shall entitle the holders of the preferred stock
in  the aggregate 79% of the aggregate  voting power of all stockholders on such
matters.
 
     All other  matters  submitted or  required  to be  submitted  to  Brissette
Broadcasting's  stockholders for a vote shall be  voted on solely by the holders
of the common stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at such time as the  holders
of  the preferred stock obtain approval from  the FCC or its successor (the FCC)
to control Brissette  Broadcasting or to  exercise any such  voting rights,  the
holders of preferred stock shall automatically be entitled to vote together with
the  holders of  the common  stock on  all matters  submitted or  required to be
submitted to  Brissette Broadcasting's  stockholders  for a  vote in  an  amount
allocable to the holders of preferred stock equal to 79% of the aggregate voting
power of all stockholders as provided above.
 
6. COMMON STOCK
 
     In  connection with the closing of  the amended and restated loan agreement
dated March 6, 1992, Paul Brissette was designated as a sole shareholder of  the
common stock of Brissette Broadcasting with 2,000 shares at a par value of $.001
outstanding.
 
7. INCOME TAXES
 
     Deferred  taxes  arise from  temporary  differences in  the  recognition of
income and expense for  income tax and financial  statement purposes and  result
principally from depreciation and amortization
 
                                      F-50
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
              BRISSETTE BROADCASTING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
expense  as well as net  operating loss carryforwards. As  of December 31, 1995,
Brissette Broadcasting has a deferred tax asset of approximately $1,292,000 that
is fully reserved for as realization is uncertain.
 
     Brissette  Broadcasting  files  a  consolidated  federal  tax  return.  Any
applicable  income taxes are not allocated  to individual stations. Stations are
taxable entities  in  the states  in  which  they conduct  business.  The  taxes
reflected  in the December  31, 1995, financial statements  reflect taxes due to
those states, if applicable.
 
     As of December 25, 1994, and December 31, 1995, Brissette Broadcasting  has
a   net  operating  tax  loss   carryforward  of  approximately  $4,959,000  and
$5,574,000, respectively, which  begins to expire  in 2007. Additionally,  there
are  other net operating loss carryforwards available which can be utilized upon
the sale of the assets of Brissette Broadcasting.
 
8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
LEASES
 
     Future minimum payments under noncancellable operating leases having  terms
greater than one year, as of December 31, 1995, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                       <C>
1996...................................................................   $208,000
1997...................................................................    165,000
1998...................................................................    133,000
1999...................................................................    106,000
2000...................................................................     59,000
Thereafter.............................................................    186,000
                                                                          --------
                                                                          $857,000
                                                                          --------
                                                                          --------
</TABLE>
 
     The  operating leases consist of broadcasting facilities and equipment with
remaining terms  ranging  from  one  to fifteen  years.  Certain  terms  of  the
operating leases include renewal provisions which may be exercised at the option
of Brissette Broadcasting.
 
     Aggregate  rent expense  incurred under operating  leases was approximately
$74,000, $142,000 and $187,000 in 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
FILM CONTRACT RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS
 
     Future minimum  payments for  film  contract obligations,  including  those
mentioned in footnote 2, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                     <C>
1996.................................................................   $2,000,000
1997.................................................................    1,323,000
1998.................................................................      818,000
1999.................................................................      364,000
                                                                        ----------
                                                                        $4,505,000
                                                                        ----------
                                                                        ----------
</TABLE>
 
     The  fair value of the  film contract obligations at  December 31, 1995, is
approximately $3,775,000. This amount was estimated by computing the net present
value of the above-mentioned obligations utilizing a 10.0% discount rate.
 
LITIGATION
 
     Brissette Broadcasting is involved in various litigation matters arising in
the normal course of business. It is the opinion of management that the ultimate
resolution of such litigation will not have a
 
                                      F-51
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
              BRISSETTE BROADCASTING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
material adverse  effect on  the consolidated  financial position  of  Brissette
Broadcasting or results of operations.
 
9. DEFERRED SAVINGS AND PROFIT-SHARING PLAN
 
     Brissette  Broadcasting maintains a 401(k)  retirement plan. Employees must
have attained  age 21  and have  completed one  year of  consecutive service  to
participate in the plan. Employees may contribute up to 15% of their salaries in
accordance   with  IRS   limitations.  On   a  discretionary   basis,  Brissette
Broadcasting matches employee contributions at  a rate up to  50% (up to 6%)  of
the employee's salary. Brissette Broadcasting's contribution to the plan totaled
approximately   $55,000,  $225,000  and  $229,000   for  1993,  1994  and  1995,
respectively.
 
10. SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
 
     Cash paid during the year was as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1993           1994           1995
                                               -----------    -----------    -----------
 
<S>                                            <C>            <C>            <C>
Interest....................................   $15,254,000    $16,764,000    $20,516,000
Income taxes................................       321,000        536,000        313,000
                                               -----------    -----------    -----------
                                               $15,575,000    $17,300,000    $20,829,000
                                               -----------    -----------    -----------
                                               -----------    -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
11. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
     Brissette Broadcasting recognized income of $411,000, $402,000 and  $68,000
in  1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively,  for management fees for expenses related
to payroll, rent and  other corporate expenses from  WWAY (Wilmington) and  WHBQ
(Memphis).  These  stations  are related  through  common  management. Brissette
Broadcasting discontinued providing management services to WHBQ in 1994 and WWAY
in 1995.
 
     During  fiscal   1993,  1994   and   1995,  Brissette   Broadcasting   paid
approximately   $50,000,  $85,000  and  $138,000,   respectively,  to  Mr.  Greg
Brissette, son  of  the  sole  common shareholder,  for  certain  sales  related
consultation to the stations.
 
12. EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
 
     As part of the corporate restructuring, Brissette Broadcasting entered into
an  employment  agreement  dated  March 6,  1992,  with  Paul  Brissette whereas
Brissette Broadcasting  continues to  employ Brissette  as President  and  Chief
Operating  Officer. The  employment agreement includes  a long-term compensation
component, which is  payable to  Brissette on December  31, 1996,  or sooner  if
Brissette's employment ceases or is terminated or there is a sale or disposal of
any station.
 
     The  compensation interest is based on (a) gross proceeds received directly
or indirectly from the sale  or disposition of any station,  the sale of all  or
substantially   all  of  the  assets  related  to  any  station  or  by  merger,
reorganization, consolidation  or otherwise;  or (b)  an increase  in  operating
profit  of  a  station. Additionally,  there  are other  severance  and employee
benefits included in the employment agreement.
 
     During 1995,  Brissette Broadcasting  entered into  incentive  compensation
agreements  with certain officers  and employees of  Brissette Broadcasting. The
incentive compensation is a one-time  bonus, provided that net income  increases
an  average of 6%  per year, commencing  as of the  1995 fiscal year, compounded
through and including the 1999 fiscal year. Payment shall be made at the end  of
fiscal  year 1999. A pro rata share will  be paid to the employee if termination
occurs prior to the end of fiscal year 1999.
 
                                      F-52
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
              BRISSETTE BROADCASTING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     The 1993, 1994 and 1995 expense  related to these employment agreements  of
$44,000, $196,000 and $616,000, respectively, is included in long-term incentive
expense on the consolidated statements of operations.
 
13. POTENTIAL SALE AGREEMENT
 
     During 1995, Brissette Broadcasting signed a stock purchase agreement which
called  for the sale  of all issued  and outstanding shares  of capital stock of
Brissette   Broadcasting   to   Benedek   Broadcasting   Corporation    (Benedek
Broadcasting) in exchange for cash and preferred stock. The total purchase price
of  approximately $270,000,000 may be adjusted based on targeted working capital
at the closing date. The sale is contingent upon Benedek Broadcasting  obtaining
financing and FCC approval.
 
     Brissette  Broadcasting also entered  into management continuity agreements
with certain employees in order to  provide them a severance benefit that  would
become effective on the date of a change in ownership. The severance benefit, of
approximately $887,000, is based on annual wages and will be paid to the station
management  employees if they  are terminated within one  year subsequent to the
change in  ownership.  Corporate  employees will  receive  a  severance  benefit
regardless  if they are terminated or not.  These amounts are not accrued for in
the December 31, 1995 financial statements.
 
                                      F-53


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
              BRISSETTE BROADCASTING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                         JUNE 30, 1995 AND JUNE 6, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   JUNE 30,        JUNE 6,
                                                                                     1995            1996
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
                                                                                 (UNAUDITED)     (UNAUDITED)
 
<S>                                                                              <C>             <C>
                                    ASSETS
Current Assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents................................................   $  1,917,178    $    534,411
     Receivables..............................................................     11,098,920      10,878,904
     Film contract rights.....................................................      1,376,143       1,954,049
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets................................        677,992         538,793
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
          Total current assets................................................     15,070,233      13,906,157
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
Film contract rights..........................................................      2,596,866       3,023,417
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
Property and Equipment:
     Land.....................................................................      1,838,406       1,782,748
     Buildings and improvements...............................................      9,387,426       9,161,977
     Broadcasting equipment...................................................     30,856,730      33,146,662
     Furniture and fixtures...................................................      2,855,944       3,084,255
     Vehicles and other.......................................................      1,894,269       1,873,075
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
                                                                                   46,832,775      49,048,657
Less -- Accumulated depreciation and amortization.............................    (34,853,927)    (37,222,702)
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
     Net property and equipment...............................................     11,978,848      11,825,955
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
Intangible assets, net........................................................     79,440,609      75,566,501
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
                                                                                 $109,086,556    $104,322,030
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
 
                  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENTS
Current Liabilities:
     Current maturities of long-term debt.....................................   $         --    $200,215,334
     Accounts payable.........................................................        663,576         620,703
     Accrued expenses.........................................................      2,579,764       1,816,202
     Accrued interest.........................................................      1,436,082         324,447
     Film contract obligations................................................      1,446,823       2,146,139
     Deferred revenue.........................................................             --         142,779
     Deferred compensation payable............................................             --       2,988,096
     Taxes payable............................................................        106,300          46,872
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
          Total current liabilities...........................................      6,232,545     208,300,570
Long-term debt................................................................    196,948,355              --
Film contract obligations, less current portion...............................      2,325,996       2,525,188
Retiree Benefits payable......................................................        277,988         266,184
Deferred Revenue, less current portion........................................             --         500,434
Other noncurrent liabilities..................................................        576,250         152,520
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
          Total liabilities...................................................    206,361,134     211,744,896
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
Stockholder's Investment:
     Preferred stock, Series A, B, C and D, $.001 par value, 500 shares
       authorized, issued and outstanding for each series.....................     66,500,000      66,500,000
     Common stock, $.001 par value, 2,000 shares authorized, issued and
       outstanding............................................................             --              --
     Additional paid-in capital...............................................     35,837,158      35,837,158
     Deficit..................................................................   (199,611,736)   (209,760,026)
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
          Total stockholder's investment......................................    (97,274,578)   (107,422,868)
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
                                                                                 $109,086,556    $104,322,030
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
                                                                                 ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements
                 are an integral part of these balance sheets.
 
                                      F-54
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
              BRISSETTE BROADCASTING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 FOR THE TWENTY SIX WEEK PERIOD ENDED JUNE 25, 1995 AND THE YEAR-TO-DATE ENDED
                                  JUNE 6, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      1995            1996
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
                                                                                  (UNAUDITED)     (UNAUDITED)
 
<S>                                                                               <C>             <C>
Broadcast Operating Revenues:
     Local.....................................................................   $ 15,434,809    $ 13,676,518
     National..................................................................     10,623,336       8,990,700
     Political.................................................................        149,695         588,878
     Network programming.......................................................      2,144,271       1,984,341
     Barter....................................................................        328,766         359,918
     Other.....................................................................        482,831         492,420
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
                                                                                    29,163,708      26,092,775
     Less --
          Agency commissions...................................................      3,458,051       3,122,256
          Representatives' commissions.........................................        278,279         531,948
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
               Net broadcast revenue...........................................     25,427,378      22,438,571
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
Broadcast Operating Expenses:
     Engineering...............................................................      1,257,975       1,249,767
     Programming...............................................................      2,545,431       2,541,125
     News......................................................................      3,119,903       3,131,641
     Promotion.................................................................        227,761         288,606
     Sales.....................................................................      2,271,655       2,192,610
     General and administrative................................................      3,192,737       3,177,301
     Amortization of intangibles...............................................      2,041,505       1,809,582
     Depreciation..............................................................      1,106,826       1,048,886
     Corporate expense.........................................................        953,755       1,518,934
     Long-term incentive.......................................................             --       1,700,000
     Barter....................................................................        355,351         293,557
     Other.....................................................................         (1,697)         95,041
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
               Total broadcast operating expenses..............................     17,071,202      19,047,050
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
Broadcast Operating Profit.....................................................      8,356,176       3,391,521
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
Other (Expense) Income:
     Interest income...........................................................         35,057          21,097
     Interest expense..........................................................    (10,246,473)     (8,505,243)
     Other.....................................................................             --        (273,702)
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
               Total other expense.............................................    (10,211,416)     (8,757,848)
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
Loss Before Income Taxes.......................................................     (1,855,240)     (5,366,327)
Income Taxes, state............................................................        112,044         114,379
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
Net Loss.......................................................................   $ (1,967,284)   $ (5,480,706)
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
                                                                                  ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements
                   are an integral part of these statements.
 
                                      F-55
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
              BRISSETTE BROADCASTING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 FOR THE TWENTY-SIX WEEK PERIOD ENDED JUNE 25, 1995 AND THE YEAR-TO-DATE ENDED
                                  JUNE 6, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        1995           1996
                                                                                     -----------    -----------
                                                                                     (UNAUDITED)    (UNAUDITED)
 
<S>                                                                                  <C>            <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
     Net loss.....................................................................   $(1,967,284)   $(5,480,706)
     Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating
      activities --
          Depreciation............................................................     1,106,826      1,048,886
          Amortization of intangibles.............................................     2,041,505      1,809,582
          Amortization of film contract rights....................................       757,707        865,154
          Net trade/barter expense (income).......................................        26,585        (66,361)
          (Gain) loss on sale of assets...........................................        (1,697)        95,041
          (Increase) decrease in assets --
               Accounts receivable, net...........................................      (957,920)      (336,069)
               Other assets.......................................................      (290,992)       184,640
          Increase (decrease) in liabilities --
               Accounts payable and accrued expenses..............................        33,534     (1,313,905)
               Accrued interest...................................................        75,082     (1,417,426)
               Taxes payable......................................................       (34,700)       (17,828)
               Other liabilities..................................................           238      1,895,451
               Payments for film contract obligations.............................      (760,315)      (988,062)
                                                                                     -----------    -----------
                    Net cash provided by (used by) operating activities...........        28,569     (3,721,603)
                                                                                     -----------    -----------
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
     Capital expenditures.........................................................      (894,044)      (908,654)
     Proceeds from sale of assets.................................................         1,708        195,905
                                                                                     -----------    -----------
                    Net cash used in investing activities.........................       892,336       (712,749)
                                                                                     -----------    -----------
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
     Payments on long-term debt...................................................            --             --
     Proceeds (payments) from borrowings on line of credit, net...................     1,900,000      2,866,979
                                                                                     -----------    -----------
                    Net cash provided by financing activities.....................     1,900,000      2,866,979
                                                                                     -----------    -----------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS..............................     1,036,233     (1,567,373)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year......................................       880,945      2,101,784
                                                                                     -----------    -----------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year............................................   $ 1,917,178    $   534,411
                                                                                     -----------    -----------
                                                                                     -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements
                   are an integral part of these statements.
 
                                      F-56
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

   
              BRISSETTE BROADCASTING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S INVESTMENT
              FOR THE PERIODS ENDED JUNE 25, 1995 AND JUNE 6, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         COMMON STOCK       PREFERRED STOCK      ADDITIONAL
                                        ---------------   --------------------     PAID-IN       RETAINED
                                        SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES     AMOUNT        CAPITAL        DEFICIT          TOTAL
                                        ------   ------   ------   -----------   -----------   -------------   -------------
 
<S>                                     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>
BALANCE, December 25, 1994............  2,000    $  --    2,000    $66,500,000   $35,837,158   $(197,644,452)  $ (95,307,294)
    6/25/96 Net loss (unaudited)......                                                             1,967,284      (1,967,284)
                                        ------   ------   ------   -----------   -----------   -------------   -------------
BALANCE, June 25, 1995 (unaudited)....  2,000    $  --    2,000    $66,500,000   $35,837,158   $$(199,611,736) $ (97,274,578)
                                        ------   ------   ------   -----------   -----------   -------------   -------------
                                        ------   ------   ------   -----------   -----------   -------------   -------------
 
BALANCE, December 31, 1995............  2,000    $  --    2,000    $66,500,000   $35,837,158   $(204,279,320)  $(101,942,162)
    6/6/96 Net loss (unaudited).......                                                            (5,480,706)     (5,480,706)
                                        ------   ------   ------   -----------   -----------   -------------   -------------
BALANCE, June 30, 1996 (unaudited)....  2,000    $  --    2,000    $66,500,000   $35,837,158   $(209,760,026)  $(107,422,868)
                                        ------   ------   ------   -----------   -----------   -------------   -------------
                                        ------   ------   ------   -----------   -----------   -------------   -------------
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements
                   are an integral part of these statements.
    

                                      F-57


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
              BRISSETTE BROADCASTING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
(NOTE A) NATURE OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
     Nature  of  Business:  Brissette  Broadcasting  Corporation  operates eight
television stations located  throughout the  United States  which operate  under
network  affiliation contracts. The networks  provide programs to the affiliated
stations and the stations sell commercial time during the programs to  national,
regional  and local advertisers.  The networks also  sell commercial time during
the programs to national advertisers.  Credit arrangements are determined on  an
individual customer basis.
 
     Basis  of  Presentation:  The unaudited  consolidated  financial statements
include the accounts  of Brissette Broadcasting  and its subsidiaries  including
Brissette  TV of  Madison, Inc.  (WMTV); Brissette  TV of  Lansing, Inc. (WILX);
Brissette TV  of Odessa,  Inc.  (KOSA); Brissette  TV  of Peoria,  Inc.  (WHOI);
Brissette  TV of Springfield, Inc. (WWLP);  Brissette TV of Wausau, Inc. (WSAW);
Brissette TV of Wichita  Falls, Inc. (KAUZ) and  Brissette TV of Wheeling,  Inc.
(WTRF) as wholly-owned subsidiaries. Significant intercompany accounts have been
eliminated.
 
(NOTE B) SALE AGREEMENT
 
     On June 6, 1996, the Company was sold to Benedek Broadcasting under a stock
purchase  agreement to acquire all the  issued and outstanding shares of capital
stock of the Company for a purchase price of $270,000,000.
 
(NOTE C) NOTES PAYABLE
 
     Notes payable consist of the following at June 6, 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                        <C>
Revolving Credit Note...................................   $  7,166,979
Term Note...............................................    193,048,355
                                                           ------------
                                                           $200,215,334
                                                           ------------
                                                           ------------
</TABLE>
 
     The above notes were paid upon consummation of the sales discussed in  Note
B above.
 
(NOTE D) INCOME TAX MATTERS
 
     Deferred  taxes  arise from  temporary  differences in  the  recognition of
income and expense for  income tax and financial  statement purposes and  result
principally  from depreciation and amortization expense as well as net operating
loss carryforwards. As of  June 6, 1996, Brissette  Broadcasting has a  deferred
tax  asset of approximately $1,292,000 that is fully reserved for as realization
is uncertain.
 
     Brissette  Broadcasting  files  a  consolidated  federal  tax  return.  Any
applicable  income taxes are not allocated  to individual stations. Stations are
taxable entities  in  the states  in  which  they conduct  business.  The  taxes
reflected  in the June 6, 1996, financial  statements reflect taxes due to those
states, if applicable.
 
     As of June  6, 1996, Brissette  Broadcasting has a  net operating tax  loss
carryforward of approximately $5,574,000 which begins to expire in 2007.
 
                                      F-58
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                      [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
_____________________________________      _____________________________________
 
  NO  PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION  WITH THE OFFERING MADE HEREBY TO
GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE  ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE  CONTAINED
IN  THIS PROSPECTUS  AND, IF GIVEN  OR MADE, SUCH  INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION
MUST NOT BE  RELIED UPON  AS HAVING BEEN  AUTHORIZED. THIS  PROSPECTUS DOES  NOT
CONSTITUTE  AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES
OTHER THAN  THE SECURITIES  TO WHICH  IT  RELATES OR  AN OFFER  TO SELL  OR  THE
SOLICITATION  OF AN OFFER TO  BUY SUCH SECURITIES IN  ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH
SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS  PROSPECTUS
NOR  ANY  SALE  MADE  HEREUNDER  SHALL,  UNDER  ANY  CIRCUMSTANCES,  CREATE  ANY
IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY DATE SUBSEQUENT  TO
THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                               ------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       PAGE
                                                       -----
<S>                                                    <C>
Available Information...............................       2
Certain Definitions.................................       4
Market and Industry Data............................       5
Summary.............................................       6
Risk Factors........................................      23
The Acquisitions....................................      30
The Financing Plan..................................      31
Use of Proceeds.....................................      31
Pro Forma Financial Statements......................      32
Selected Financial Data.............................      38
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
  Condition and Results of Operations...............      40
The Exchange Offer..................................      50
Business............................................      58
Management..........................................      94
Stock Ownership.....................................      97
Description of Other Indebtedness...................      98
Description of the Notes............................     101
Description of Capital Stock........................     128
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences ............     134
Plan of Distribution................................     137
Legal Matters.......................................     137
Experts.............................................     137
Index to Financial Statements.......................     F-1
</TABLE>
    
 
  UNTIL              , 1996 ALL DEALERS EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE REGISTERED
SECURITIES,  WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING IN  THIS DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE REQUIRED
TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS.  THIS IS IN  ADDITION TO THE  OBLIGATION OF DEALERS  TO
DELIVER  A  PROSPECTUS WHEN  ACTING AS  UNDERWRITERS AND  WITH RESPECT  TO THEIR
UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS.
 
 
                                  $170,000,000
 
                             BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS
                                  CORPORATION
                          13 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED
                             DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2006
 
                               ------------------
                                   PROSPECTUS
                               ------------------
 
_____________________________________      _____________________________________




<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     The  Registrant's  authority to  indemnify  its officers  and  directors is
governed by the provisions of Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of  the
State  of Delaware (the  'GCL') and by  the Certificate of  Incorporation of the
Registrant. The Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant provides that the
Registrant shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the GCL, (i)
indemnify any and all persons whom it  shall have power to indemnify under  said
section  from and  against any  and all  of the  expenses, liabilities  or other
matters referred to in or covered by said section, and (ii) advance expenses  to
any  and all said persons, and that  such indemnification and advances shall not
be deemed  exclusive of  any other  rights  to which  those indemnified  may  be
entitled  under  any by-law,  agreement, vote  of stockholders  or disinterested
directors or otherwise, both as to action in their official capacities and as to
action in another capacity while holding such offices, and shall continue as  to
persons who have ceased to be directors, officers, employees or agents and shall
inure  to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person.
In addition, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant provides for the
elimination of  personal  liability  of  directors  of  the  Registrant  to  the
Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty
as  a  director, to  the fullest  extent permitted  by the  GCL, as  amended and
supplemented.
 
     The Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its
directors and  executive  officers  whereby the  Registrant  will,  in  general,
indemnify  such directors and executive officers, to the extent permitted by the
Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation or the laws of the State of  Delaware,
against  any expenses (including attorneys'  fees), judgments, fines and amounts
paid in settlement incurred in connection  with any actual or threatened  action
or proceeding to which such director or officer is made or threatened to be made
a  party by reason of the fact that such  person is or was a director or officer
of the Registrant.
 
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
     (a) Exhibits:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
  NO.                                                     DESCRIPTION
- -------   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>       <S>
  *3.1    -- Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.
  *3.2    -- By-laws of the Registrant.
  *3.3    -- Certificate of Designation  of the Powers,  Preferences and Relative,  Participating, Optional and  Other
            Special  Rights  of 15.0%  Exchangeable Redeemable  Senior  Preferred Stock  Due 2007  and Qualifications,
            Limitations and Restrictions thereof.
  *3.4    -- Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Relative, Participating, Optional and Other Special Rights of
            Series C Junior Discount Preferred Stock and Qualifications, Limitations and Restrictions thereof.
  *4.1    -- Indenture dated as of May  15, 1996 between the Registrant and  United States Trust Company of New  York,
            relating to the 13 1/4% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes due 2006.
  *4.2    -- Form of 13 1/4% Senior Subordinated Discount Note due 2006 (included in Exhibit 4.1 hereof).
  *4.3    -- Indenture dated as of March 1, 1995 between Benedek Broadcasting Corporation ('Benedek Broadcasting') and
            The Bank of New York, relating to the 11 7/8% Senior Secured Notes due 2005 of Benedek Broadcasting.
  *4.4    -- Form of 11 7/8% Senior Secured Note due 2005 of Benedek Broadcasting (included in Exhibit 4.3 hereof).
  *4.5    --  Certificate of Designation  of the Powers,  Preferences and Relative,  Participating, Optional and Other
            Special Rights  of 15.0%  Exchangeable Redeemable  Senior  Preferred Stock  Due 2007  and  Qualifications,
            Limitations and Restrictions thereof (filed as Exhibit 3.3 hereof).
  *4.6    -- Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Relative, Participating, Optional and Other Special Rights of
            Series  C Junior Discount Preferred Stock and  Qualifications, Limitations and Restrictions thereof (filed
            as Exhibit 3.4 hereof).
  *4.7    -- Warrant Agreement dated as of June 5, 1996  between the Registrant and IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust  Company
            with respect to Class A Common Stock of the Registrant.
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-1
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
  NO.                                                     DESCRIPTION
- -------   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>       <S>
  *4.8    --  Form of Exchange Debenture relating to the 15.0%  Exchange Debentures which may be issued, under certain
            circumstances, in exchange for the 15.0% Exchangeable Redeemable Senior Preferred Stock of the Registrant.
  *5      -- Opinion of Shack & Siegel, P.C., counsel for Registrant.
  *8      -- Opinion of Whitman Breed Abbott & Morgan, tax counsel for Registrant.
 *10.1    -- Purchase Agreement dated May 30, 1996 between the Registrant and Goldman, Sachs & Co.
 *10.2    -- Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement dated May 30, 1996 between the Registrant and Goldman, Sachs &
            Co. with respect to the 13 1/4% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes due 2006 of the Registrant.
 *10.3    -- Placement Agreement  dated June 5,  1996 among  the Registrant, Goldman,  Sachs & Co.  and BT  Securities
            Corporation.
 *10.4    --  Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement dated June 5, 1996 among the Registrant, Goldman, Sachs & Co.
            and BT Securities Corporation with respect to the 15.0% Exchangeable Redeemable Senior Preferred Stock due
            2007 of the Registrant.
 *10.5    -- Warrant Agreement dated as of June 5, 1996  between the Registrant and IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust  Company
            (filed as Exhibit 4.7 hereof).
 *10.6    --  Contingent Warrant Escrow Agreement  dated June 5, 1996  between the Registrant and  IBJ Schroder Bank &
            Trust Company.
 *10.7    -- Common Stock Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 5, 1996 among the Registrant, Goldman,  Sachs
            & Co. and BT Securities Corporation.
 *10.8    --  Credit Agreement dated as of June 6, 1996 among the Registrant, Benedek Broadcasting, the Lenders listed
            therein, Pearl Street L.P., Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York Agency.
 *10.9    -- Guaranty dated as of June 6, 1996 by the  Registrant in favor of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,  New
            York Agency.
 *10.10   --  Pledge Agreement dated as of June 6, 1996 between the Registrant and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,
            New York Agency.
 *10.11   -- Security  Agreement dated  as of  June 6,  1996  between the  Registrant and  Canadian Imperial  Bank  of
            Commerce, New York Agency.
 *10.12   --  Collateral Account Agreement dated as of June 6,  1996 between the Registrant and Canadian Imperial Bank
            of Commerce, New York Agency.
 *10.13   -- Third Party Account Agreement dated as of June 6, 1996 among the Registrant, AMCORE Bank, N.A.,  Rockford
            and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York Agency.
 *10.14   -- Form of Indemnity Agreement between the Registrant and each of its executive officers and directors.
  10.15   -- Option Agreement dated as of June 6, 1996 among the Registrant, A. Richard Benedek and K. James Yager.
 *10.16   -- Employment Agreement dated as of June 6, 1996 between the Registrant and A. Richard Benedek.
 *10.17   -- Employment Agreement dated as of June 6, 1996 between the Registrant and K. James Yager.
 *10.18   -- Employment Agreement dated as of March 8, 1996 between the Registrant and Douglas E. Gealy.
 *10.19   -- Employment Agreement dated as of June 6, 1996 between the Registrant and Ronald L. Lindwall.
 *10.20   -- Employment Agreement dated as of June 6, 1996 between the Registrant and Terrance F. Hurley.
 *12.1    -- Statement of computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.
 *21      -- Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
 *23.1    -- Consent of Shack & Siegel, P.C. (included in Exhibit 5 hereof).
  23.2    -- Consent of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP with respect to the Registrant.
  23.3    -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP with respect to the TV Division of Stauffer Communications, Inc.
  23.4    -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP with respect to Brissette Broadcasting Corporation.
 *23.5    -- Consent of Whitman Breed Abbott & Morgan (included in Exhibit 8 hereof).
 *24.1    -- Power of Attorney of the Registrant.
 *25      -- Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 related to the Notes.
 *27      -- Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-2
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
  NO.                                                     DESCRIPTION
- -------   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>       <S>
 *99.1    -- Form of Letter of Transmittal relating to the 13 1/4% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes due 2006.
 *99.2    --  Form of Notice  of Guaranteed Delivery  relating to the  13 1/4% Senior  Subordinated Discount Notes due
            2006.
 *99.3    -- Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees relating to  the
            13 1/4% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes due 2006.
 *99.4    -- Form of Letter to Clients relating to the 13 1/4% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes due 2006.
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
     * Previously filed.
 
     (b) Financial Statement Schedules:
 
     The following consolidated financial statement schedule is included in Part
II  of this Registration  Statement and should  be read in  conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto:
 
           Independent Auditors Report
           Schedule II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     (a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
          (1) To file,  during any  period in which  offers or  sales are  being
     made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
 
             (i)  To  include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
                  Securities Act of 1933;
 
             (ii)  To reflect  in the  prospectus any  facts or  events  arising
                   after  the effective  date of the  registration statement (or
                   the most  recent  post-effective  amendment  thereof)  which,
                   individually  or  in the  aggregate, represent  a fundamental
                   change in  the  information  set forth  in  the  registration
                   statement.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  any  increase or
                   decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar
                   value of securities offered would  not exceed that which  was
                   registered) and any deviation from the low or high and of the
                   estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form
                   of  prospectus  filed with  the  Commission pursuant  to Rule
                   424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and  price
                   represent  no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate
                   offering price set forth in the 'Calculation of  Registration
                   Fee' table in the effective registration statement.
 
             (iii)  To include any material information with respect to the plan
                    of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
                    statement  or any material change to such information in the
                    registration statement;
 
          (2) That,  for the  purpose  of determining  any liability  under  the
     Securities  Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
     to be  a new  registration  statement relating  to the  securities  offered
     therein,  and the offering of such securities  at that time shall be deemed
     to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any  of  the  securities  being  registered  which  remain  unsold  at  the
     termination of the offering.
 
             (g)(1)  The  undersigned registrant  hereby undertakes  as follows:
        that prior  to  any  public  reoffering  of  the  securities  registered
        hereunder  through  use  of  a  prospectus  which  is  a  part  of  this
        registration statement, by any  person or party who  is deemed to be  an
        underwriter  within the  meaning of  Rule 145(c),  the issuer undertakes
        that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information called  for
        by  the  applicable registration  form  with respect  to  reofferings by
        persons who may be deemed  underwriters, in addition to the  information
        called for by the other items of the applicable form.
 
             (2)  The registrant undertakes  that every prospectus:  (i) that is
        filed pursuant  to paragraph  (1) immediately  preceding, or  (ii)  that
        purports    to    meet    the   requirements    of    Section   10(a)(3)
 
                                      II-3
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
        of the Act  and is  used in connection  with an  offering of  securities
        subject  to Rule  415, will be  filed as a  part of an  amendment to the
        registration statement  and will  not be  used until  such amendment  is
        effective, and that, for purposes of determining any liability under the
        Securities  Act  of 1933,  each such  post-effective amendment  shall be
        deemed to be  a new  registration statement relating  to the  securities
        offered  therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
        be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     (h) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted  to directors, officers and controlling persons  of
the   Registrant  pursuant  to  the  foregoing  provisions,  or  otherwise,  the
Registrant has been advised that in  the opinion of the Securities and  Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and  is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the  payment by the Registrant of  expenses
incurred  or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities  being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has  been settled  by controlling  precedent, submit  to a  court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such  indemnification by it is against  public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
 
     The  undersigned Registrant  hereby undertakes  to respond  to requests for
information that is incorporated  by reference into  the prospectus pursuant  to
Item 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of such
request,  and to send  the incorporated documents  by first class  mail or other
equally prompt means.  This includes  information contained  in documents  filed
subsequent  to the effective date of the Registration Statement through the date
of responding to the request.
 
     The undersigned  Registrant  hereby undertakes  to  supply by  means  of  a
post-effective  amendment  all  information concerning  a  transaction,  and the
company being  acquired  involved therein,  that  was  not the  subject  of  and
included in the Registration Statement when it became effective.
 
                                      II-4




<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant  to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this Amendment No.  2 to the Registration Statement  (333-09529)
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
City of New York, State of New York, on October 4, 1996.
    
 
                                          BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
                                          (Registrant)
 
                                          By:       /s/ RONALD L. LINDWALL  
                                              ----------------------------------
                                                    RONALD L. LINDWALL,
                                            SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT-FINANCE, CHIEF
                                              FINANCIAL OFFICER AND TREASURER
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
   
     Pursuant  to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
No. 2 to the Registration Statement (333-09529) has been signed by the following
persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   NAME                                        TITLE                              DATE
- ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------------   -------------------
 
<C>                                         <S>                                            <C>
         /S/ A. RICHARD BENEDEK*            Chairman, Chief Executive Officer (Principal     October 4, 1996
- ------------------------------------------    Executive Officer) and Director
            A. RICHARD BENEDEK
 
           /S/ K. JAMES YAGER*              President and Director                           October 4, 1996
- ------------------------------------------
              K. JAMES YAGER
 
          /S/ RONALD L. LINDWALL            Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief             October 4, 1996
- ------------------------------------------    Financial Officer, Treasurer (Principal
            RONALD L. LINDWALL                Financial and Principal Accounting
                                              Officer) and Director
 
             /S/ JAY KRIEGEL*               Director                                         October 4, 1996
- ------------------------------------------
               JAY KRIEGEL
 
           /S/ PAUL S. GOODMAN*             Director                                         October 4, 1996
- ------------------------------------------
             PAUL S. GOODMAN
 
      *By:    /s/ RONALD L. LINDWALL                                                         October 4, 1996
- ------------------------------------------
            RONALD L. LINDWALL
             Attorney-In-Fact
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-5




<PAGE>
<PAGE>
              INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                           <C>
Independent Auditors Report................................................................................   S-2
Schedule II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts...........................................................   S-3
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-1
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
 
To the Board of Directors
BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Rockford, Illinois
 
     Our   audit   of   the  consolidated   financial   statements   of  Benedek
Communications Corporation and subsidiary included Schedule II contained herein,
for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995.
 
     In our opinion this schedule presents fairly the information required to be
set forth therein in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          MCGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP
 
Rockford, Illinois
February 9, 1996, except for Notes A, L and M as to
which the date is June 6, 1996
 
                                      S-2
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
               BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                SCHEDULE II -- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               ADDITIONS
                                                                 BALANCE AT    CHARGED TO                    BALANCE AT
                                                                 BEGINNING     COSTS AND      DEDUCTIONS       END OF
                                                                 OF PERIOD      EXPENSES     DESCRIBED(1)      PERIOD
                                                                 ----------    ----------    ------------    ----------
 
<S>                                                              <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>
Deducted from asset account -- allowance for doubtful
  accounts:
     Year ended December 31, 1993.............................    $153,137      $253,437       $314,796       $ 91,778
     Year ended December 31, 1994.............................      91,778       130,622        122,132        100,268
     Year ended December 31, 1995.............................     100,268       201,382         52,627        249,023
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
(1) Uncollectable accounts written off, net of recoveries.
 
                                      S-3




<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    LOCATION OF EXHIBIT
EXHIBIT                                                                                                IN SEQUENTIAL
  NO.                                           DESCRIPTION                                          NUMBERING SYSTEM
- -------   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   -------------------
<C>       <S>                                                                                       <C>
  *3.1    -- Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant......................................
  *3.2    -- By-laws of the Registrant...........................................................
  *3.3    --  Certificate of Designation of the  Powers, Preferences and Relative, Participating,
            Optional and Other Special Rights  of 15.0% Exchangeable Redeemable Senior  Preferred
            Stock Due 2007 and Qualifications, Limitations and Restrictions thereof..............
  *3.4    --  Certificate of Designation,  Preferences and Relative,  Participating, Optional and
            Other Special Rights of Series C Junior Discount Preferred Stock and  Qualifications,
            Limitations and Restrictions thereof.................................................
  *4.1    --  Indenture dated as of  May 15, 1996 between the  Registrant and United States Trust
            Company of New York, relating to the  13 1/4% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes  due
            2006.................................................................................
  *4.2    --  Form of 13 1/4% Senior Subordinated Discount Note due 2006 (included in Exhibit 4.1
            hereof)..............................................................................
  *4.3    -- Indenture  dated  as of  March  1,  1995 between  Benedek  Broadcasting  Corporation
            ('Benedek  Broadcasting') and The  Bank of New  York, relating to  the 11 7/8% Senior
            Secured Notes due 2005 of Benedek Broadcasting.......................................
  *4.4    -- Form of 11 7/8%  Senior Secured Note due 2005  of Benedek Broadcasting (included  in
            Exhibit 4.3 hereof)..................................................................
  *4.5    --  Certificate of Designation of the  Powers, Preferences and Relative, Participating,
            Optional and Other Special Rights  of 15.0% Exchangeable Redeemable Senior  Preferred
            Stock  Due 2007  and Qualifications, Limitations  and Restrictions  thereof (filed as
            Exhibit 3.3 hereof)..................................................................
  *4.6    -- Certificate of  Designation, Preferences and  Relative, Participating, Optional  and
            Other  Special Rights of Series C Junior Discount Preferred Stock and Qualifications,
            Limitations and Restrictions thereof (filed as Exhibit 3.4 hereof)...................
  *4.7    -- Warrant Agreement dated as of June  5, 1996 between the Registrant and IBJ  Schroder
            Bank & Trust Company with respect to Class A Common Stock of the Registrant..........
  *4.8    --  Form of Exchange Debenture  relating to the 15.0%  Exchange Debentures which may be
            issued,  under  certain  circumstances,  in  exchange  for  the  15.0%   Exchangeable
            Redeemable Senior Preferred Stock of the Registrant.
  *5      -- Opinion of Shack & Siegel, P.C., counsel for Registrant.............................
  *8      -- Opinion of Whitman Breed Abbot & Morgan, tax counsel for Registrant.................
 *10.1    --  Purchase Agreement dated May  30, 1996 between the  Registrant and Goldman, Sachs &
            Co...................................................................................
 *10.2    -- Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement dated May 30, 1996 between the Registrant
            and Goldman, Sachs &  Co. with respect  to the 13  1/4% Senior Subordinated  Discount
            Notes due 2006 of the Registrant.....................................................
 *10.3    --  Placement Agreement dated June  5, 1996 among the  Registrant, Goldman, Sachs & Co.
            and BT Securities Corporation........................................................
 *10.4    -- Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement dated June 5, 1996 among the  Registrant,
            Goldman,  Sachs  &  Co. and  BT  Securities  Corporation with  respect  to  the 15.0%
            Exchangeable Redeemable Senior Preferred Stock due 2007 of the Registrant............
 *10.5    -- Warrant Agreement dated as of June  5, 1996 between the Registrant and IBJ  Schroder
            Bank & Trust Company (filed as Exhibit 4.7 hereof)...................................
 *10.6    --  Contingent Warrant Escrow Agreement  dated June 5, 1996  between the Registrant and
            IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company....................................................
 *10.7    -- Common  Stock Registration  Rights Agreement  dated as  of June  5, 1996  among  the
            Registrant, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and BT Securities Corporation.......................
 *10.8    --   Credit  Agreement  dated  as  of  June  6,  1996  among  the  Registrant,  Benedek
            Broadcasting, the Lenders listed therein, Pearl Street L.P., Goldman, Sachs & Co. and
            Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York Agency..................................
 *10.9    -- Guaranty dated as of  June 6, 1996 by the  Registrant in favor of Canadian  Imperial
            Bank of Commerce, New York Agency....................................................
</TABLE>
    
 

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    LOCATION OF EXHIBIT
EXHIBIT                                                                                                IN SEQUENTIAL
  NO.                                           DESCRIPTION                                          NUMBERING SYSTEM
- -------   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   -------------------
<C>       <S>                                                                                       <C>
 *10.10   --  Pledge  Agreement dated  as of  June 6,  1996 between  the Registrant  and Canadian
            Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York Agency...........................................
 *10.11   -- Security Agreement  dated as of  June 6,  1996 between the  Registrant and  Canadian
            Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York Agency...........................................
 *10.12   --  Collateral Account Agreement  dated as of  June 6, 1996  between the Registrant and
            Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York Agency..................................
 *10.13   -- Third Party Account Agreement dated as of June 6, 1996 among the Registrant,  AMCORE
            Bank, N.A., Rockford and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York Agency.........
 *10.14   --  Form  of Indemnity  Agreement  between the  Registrant  and each  of  its executive
            officers and directors...............................................................
  10.15   -- Option Agreement dated as of June  6, 1996 among the Registrant, A. Richard  Benedek
            and K. James Yager...................................................................
 *10.16   --  Employment Agreement dated as of June 6, 1996 between the Registrant and A. Richard
            Benedek..............................................................................
 *10.17   -- Employment Agreement dated as  of June 6, 1996 between  the Registrant and K.  James
            Yager................................................................................
 *10.18   -- Employment Agreement dated as of March 8, 1996 between the Registrant and Douglas E.
            Gealy................................................................................
 *10.19   --  Employment Agreement dated as of June 6,  1996 between the Registrant and Ronald L.
            Lindwall.............................................................................
 *10.20   -- Employment Agreement dated as of June 6, 1996 between the Registrant and Terrance F.
            Hurley...............................................................................
 *12.1    -- Statement of computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges......................
 *21      -- Subsidiaries of the Registrant......................................................
 *23.1    -- Consent of Shack & Siegel, P.C. (included in Exhibit 5 hereof)......................
  23.2    -- Consent of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP with respect to the Registrant...................
  23.3    -- Consent  of  Arthur  Andersen LLP  with  respect  to the  TV  Division  of  Stauffer
            Communications, Inc..................................................................
  23.4    --   Consent  of   Arthur  Andersen   LLP  with   respect  to   Brissette  Broadcasting
            Corporation..........................................................................
 *23.5    -- Consent of Whitman Breed Abbott & Morgan (included in Exhibit 8 hereof).............
 *24.1    -- Power of Attorney of the Registrant.................................................
 *25      -- Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 related to the Notes................
 *27      -- Financial Data Schedule.............................................................
 *99.1    -- Form of Letter of Transmittal relating  to the 13 1/4% Senior Subordinated  Discount
            Notes due 2006.......................................................................
 *99.2    --  Form of Notice of  Guaranteed Delivery relating to  the 13 1/4% Senior Subordinated
            Discount Notes due 2006..............................................................
 *99.3    -- Form of  Letter to  Brokers, Dealers, Commercial  Banks, Trust  Companies and  Other
            Nominees relating to the 13 1/4% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes due 2006.........
 *99.4    -- Form of Letter to Clients relating to the 13 1/4% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes
            due 2006.............................................................................
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
* Previously filed.

          STATEMENT OF DIFFERENCES
          ------------------------

The section symbol shall be expressed as SS

<PAGE>



<PAGE>

        AGREEMENT made as of June 6, 1996 by and among K. JAMES YAGER,  residing
at  6767  Woodcrest  Parkway,  Rockford,   Illinois  61109  ("Yager"),   BENEDEK
COMMUNICATIONS  CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation having an office at 308 West
State Street,  Rockford,  Illinois 61105 (the "Company") and A. RICHARD BENEDEK,
residing at 985 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York ("Benedek").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

        WHEREAS,   the  Company  has  authorized   common  stock  consisting  of
25,000,000  shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Class
B Stock"),  of which  10,000  shares are issued and  outstanding  as of the date
hereof and owned by Benedek; and

        WHEREAS,   the  Company  has  authorized   common  stock  consisting  of
25,000,000  shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Class
A Stock"),  of which no shares are issued and outstanding as of the date hereof;
and

        WHEREAS, Benedek Broadcasting Corporation ("BBC"), Yager and Benedek are
parties to two  agreements  pursuant to which BBC granted to Yager the option to
acquire  an  aggregate  of 7.78  shares  of common  stock of BBC (the  "Existing
Options"); and

        WHEREAS,  Benedek  owns all of the  outstanding  common Stock of BBC and
Benedek  intends,  contemporaneously  with the execution of this  Agreement,  to
contribute  all of such shares to the capital of the Company in exchange for the
issuance to him of 3,060,000 shares of Class B Stock;

        WHEREAS,  the  Company  desires  to grant to Yager  options  to  acquire
370,000  shares of Class B Stock and BBC,  Yager and Benedek desire to terminate
the Existing Options;

        WHEREAS,  Benedek,  Yager and the  Company  desire  to set  forth  their
understandings  and  agreements  concerning  the  ownership  of the Stock of the
Company and their respective rights and obligations with respect thereto;

        NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  premises  and  the  mutual
covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

               1. OPTION TO PURCHASE STOCK.  Subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement, the Company hereby grants to Yager, and Yager hereby accepts,
non-transferable  options (the "Options") to purchase  370,000 shares of Class B
Stock (the "Option Stock").  The Options may be exercised  immediately as to all
of the shares covered  thereby.  The Options,  to the extent  unexercised,  will
expire on June 6, 2004 (the  "Expiration  Date") unless  extended by the Company
pursuant to

                                        1


<PAGE>
<PAGE>



Section 5 hereof.  The Existing Options are hereby terminated and shall be of no
further force or effect.

               1.1. The purchase price per share (the "Purchase  Price") for the
acquisition by Yager of the Option Stock shall be the sum of $3.24324.

               1.2. The Options shall be nontransferable  otherwise than by will
or by the laws of  descent  and  distribution  and shall be  exercisable  during
Yager's lifetime solely by him. The Options may be exercised by Yager by written
notice to the  Company  accompanied  by a  certified  check in the amount of the
Purchase  Price  multiplied by the number of shares of Option Stock that are the
subject of the notice of  exercise.  Promptly  after  receipt of such notice and
payment,  the  Company  shall  deliver  to  Yager  certificates  evidencing  the
appropriate number of shares of Option Stock.

               1.3.  If Yager dies or is  disabled  while he is  employed by the
Company, the Options may, to the extent that Yager was entitled to exercise such
Options on the date of his death or  disability,  be exercised  within two years
after  his  death  or date  of  disability  by his  personal  representative  or
representatives  or by the person or persons to whom  Yager's  rights  under the
Options shall pass by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution
or in the case of disability, by Yager; provided,  however, that the Options may
not be exercised to any extent by anyone after their  expiration.  To the extent
Yager was not  entitled  to  exercise  the  Options  on the date of his death or
disability, the Options shall automatically terminate on such date.

               1.4. In the event that,  prior to the expiration of the five-year
period  commencing  upon the date of this  Agreement,  Yager  shall  voluntarily
retire or quit his employment by the Company  without the written consent of the
Company or if the Company shall terminate such employment for cause, the Options
shall  forthwith  terminate.  If  Yager  shall  voluntarily  retire  or quit his
employment by the Company in either case with the written consent of the Company
or if such  employment  shall have been  terminated  by the  Company for reasons
other than  cause,  Yager  may,  to the extent of the number of shares of Option
Stock  which  were  purchasable  by  him  on  the  date  of  termination  of his
employment,  exercise  the  Options  at any  time  prior to the  earlier  of the
Expiration  Date or the expiration of the two-year  period  commencing  upon the
termination of his employment.

               1.5. New options rights may be substituted for the Options or the
Company's duties as to the Options may be assumed,  by a corporation  other than
the Company, or by a parent or subsidiary of the Company or such corporation, in
connection   with   any   merger,   consolidation,    acquisition,   separation,
reorganization, liquidation or like occurrence in which the Company is involved.
Notwithstanding  the foregoing or the  provisions of Section 1.6 hereof,  in the
event  such  corporation,  or  parent  or  subsidiary  of the  Company  or  such
corporation,  does not  substitute  new option  rights  for,  and  substantially
equivalent  to, the Options or assume the Options,  the Options shall  terminate
and thereupon  become null and void (i) upon  dissolution  or liquidation of the
Company,   or  similar   occurrence,   (ii)  upon  any  merger,   consolidation,
acquisition, separation, reorganization, or similar occurrence where the Company
will not be a surviving entity, or (iii) upon a transfer of substantially all of
the assets of the Company or more than 80% of the outstanding stock; provided,


                                        2



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<PAGE>



however,  that Yager shall have the right  immediately  prior to or concurrently
with  such  dissolution,   liquidation,   merger,  consolidation,   acquisition,
separation,  reorganization  or similar  occurrence,  to exercise any  unexpired
Options granted hereunder whether or not then exercisable.

               1.6. The existence of the Options shall not affect in any way the
right or power of the Company or its  stockholders  to make or authorize  any or
all  adjustments,  recapitalizations,  reorganizations  or other  changes in the
Company's capital  structure or its business,  or any merger or consolidation of
the Company,  or any issuance of Stock or subscription  rights  thereto,  or any
merger or  consolidation of the Company,  or any issuance of bonds,  debentures,
preferred  or prior  preference  stock  ahead of or  affecting  the Stock or the
rights thereof, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or
transfer of all or any part of its assets or  business,  or any other  corporate
act or  proceeding,  whether  of a similar  character  or  otherwise;  provided,
however,  that if the  outstanding  Stock  of the  Company  shall at any time be
changed  or  exchanged  by  declaration  of  a  stock  dividend,   stock  split,
combination of shares or recapitalization, the number and kind of shares subject
to the Options and the Purchase  Price,  shall be  appropriately  and  equitably
adjusted so as to maintain the  proportionate  number of shares of Stock without
changing the aggregate  Purchase Price.  Adjustments under this Section shall be
made by the Board of Directors of the Company,  whose  determination  as to what
adjustment, if any, shall be made, and the extent thereof, shall be final.

               1.7. The Options shall be subject to the  requirement  that if at
any time the  Board of  Directors  shall in its  discretion  determine  that the
listing,  registration  or  qualification  of  shares of Stock  subject  to such
Options upon any  securities  exchange or under any Federal or state law, or the
approval  of  consent of any  governmental  regulatory  body,  is  necessary  or
desirable  in  connection  with the  issuance  or  purchase  of  shares of Stock
thereunder,  the  Options may not be  exercised  in whole or in part unless such
listing,  registration,  qualification,  approval  or  consent  shall  have been
effected or obtained free from any conditions  not reasonably  acceptable to the
Board of Directors.

               1.8.  Unless at the time of the  exercise  of the Options and the
issuance of the shares of Stock thereby purchased there shall be in effect as to
such shares of Stock a registration  statement under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Act"),  and the rules and  regulations  of the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission,  Yager shall deliver to the Company at the time of exercise
a  certificate  (i)  acknowledging  that the shares of Stock so acquired  may be
"restricted  securities"  within the meaning of Rule 144  promulgated  under the
Act, (ii)  certifying  that he is acquiring the shares of Stock  issuable to him
upon such  exercise for the purpose of  investment  and not with a view to their
sale or  distribution;  and (iii)  containing  his agreement that such shares of
Stock  may not be sold or  otherwise  disposed  of  except  in  accordance  with
applicable  provisions of the Act. The Company shall not be required to issue or
deliver  certificate  for shares of Stock until there shall have been compliance
with all  applicable  laws,  rules  and  regulations,  including  the  rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

               1.9. Yager hereby  acknowledges  that, under existing law, unless
at the time of the exercise of the Options a  registration  statement  under the
Act is in effect as to such  shares:  (i) any  shares  purchased  by Yager  upon
exercise of the Options may be required to be held indefinitely unless

                                        3



<PAGE>
<PAGE>

such shares are subsequently  registered under the Act or an exemption from such
registration  is available;  (ii) any sales of such shares made in reliance upon
Rule 144 promulgated under the act may be made only in accordance with the terms
and conditions of that Rule (which,  under certain  circumstances,  restrict the
number of shares which may be sold);  (iii) in the case of  securities  to which
Rule 144 is not applicable,  compliance with Regulation A promulgated  under the
Act or some other disclosure  exemption will be required;  (iv) certificates for
shares to be issued to Yager  hereunder  shall bear a legend to the effect  that
the shares have not been registered under the Act and that the shares may not be
sold or  otherwise  transferred  in the  absence  of an  effective  registration
statement under the Act relating thereto or an exemption from such registration;
and (v) the Company will place an  appropriate  "stop  transfer"  order with its
transfer  agent  with  respect  to  such  shares.  In  addition,   Yager  hereby
acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to furnish information necessary
to enable Yager to make sales under Rule 144.

               1.10. The Company may establish,  from time to time,  appropriate
procedures to provide for payment or  withholding  of such income or other taxes
as may be required by law to be paid or withheld in connection with the exercise
of the Options.  Yager shall pay the Company all such  amounts  requested by the
Company to permit the Company to take any  deduction  available  to it resulting
from the  exercise of an Option.  The Company may also  establish,  from time to
time,  appropriate  procedures to ensure that the Company receives prompt advice
concerning the occurrence of any event which may create, or affect the timing or
amount of, any  obligation  to pay or withhold  any such taxes or which may make
available to the Company any tax deduction resulting from the occurrence of such
event, and Yager will comply with all such procedures so established.

               1.11. The Company and Benedek represent and warrant to Yager that
(i) Benedek owns 55 shares of Stock and (ii) there are no issued or  outstanding
shares  of Stock  other  than the  shares  owned by  Benedek  nor are  there any
outstanding  options,  warrants,  agreements,  rights or commitments relating to
authorized but unissued  Stock other than warrants (the  "Warrants") to purchase
45 shares of Stock issued to the  purchasers of the Capital  Notes,  Series A of
the Company,  which  Warrants were issued and sold  pursuant to several  Warrant
Agreements dated as of December 18, 1986, as subsequently  amended (the "Warrant
Agreement")  and which the  Company  intends  to redeem in  connection  with the
proposed underwritten public offering of debt.

               1.12.  For purposes of this  Agreement,  Yager shall be deemed to
have become  disabled  when by reason of physical or mental  disability he shall
have been unable to perform his duties  hereunder for a period of 60 consecutive
days  or an  aggregate  of 90  days  in any  consecutive  12-month  period.  Any
disagreement  concerning  the existence of  disability  shall be resolved by two
physicians, one appointed by Yager and the other by the Company. The appointment
of the Company's  physician  shall be determined  solely by Benedek.  If the two
physicians so selected cannot agree,  they shall appoint a third physician whose
decision shall be conclusive.

        2.     STOCK CERTIFICATES. All stock certificates representing shares of
Option Stock hereafter  acquired by Yager shall be subject to this Agreement and
shall be marked prominently with the following legend:

                                        4



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<PAGE>

        "The shares of stock  evidenced by this  certificate or any  certificate
        issued in exchange or transfer therefor are, and will be subject to, and
        may not be transferred  except in accordance with, an agreement dated as
        of June 6, 1996,  by and among the Company and its  stockholders,  which
        agreement provides,  among other things, for certain restrictions on the
        transfer,  encumbrance  and  disposition  of the  shares of stock of the
        Company, a copy of which agreement is on file and may be obtained at the
        principal  office of the Company.  The shares of stock evidenced by this
        certificate  have not been  registered  under the Securities Act of 1933
        and may  not be  sold or  otherwise  transferred  in the  absence  of an
        effective  registration  statement under such Act relating thereto or an
        exemption from such registration."

               3.  RESTRICTIONS ON SALES OR TRANSFERS OF SHARES OF OPTION STOCK.
Yager may not sell, assign, transfer, hypothecate, mortgage, pledge, encumber or
otherwise dispose of any shares of Option Stock at any time owned by him, except
has follows:

               3.1.  If Yager  shall  receive a bona fide  offer (the "Bona Fide
Offer"),  in  writing,  from a third  party in respect of the sale of all of the
shares of Option Stock then owned by Yager (such Option Stock being  hereinafter
referred to as the "Offered  Stock"),  which offer Yager desires to accept,  the
following provisions shall be applicable:

                     3.1.1.  Yager  shall first offer to sell all of the Offered
Stock to the  Company  upon the same  terms as are  contained  in the Bona  Fide
Offer.  The offer shall be in writing and accompanied by a true copy of the Bona
Fide Offer.

                     3.1.2.  The  Company  shall  have  the  right,  but not the
obligation, to accept such offer by written notice of acceptance to Yager within
30 days after  receipt of such  offer.  In the event that the  Company  does not
accept  the  offer,  then  Yager  shall be free to accept  the Bona  Fide  Offer
originally  made by the third party with  respect to all, but not less than all,
of the Offered Stock and all of the restrictions  imposed by this Agreement upon
the Offered Stock shall forthwith  terminate;  provided,  however, if all of the
Offered  Stock is not  disposed of to the third party making such offer upon the
terms set forth therein  within a period of 60 days after the  expiration of the
offer made by Yager to the Company  pursuant to Section above,  then all of such
Offered  Stock  shall again be subject to all of the  restrictions  set forth in
this Agreement.

               3.1.3.  Payment  of the  purchase  price  for any  Offered  Stock
purchased by the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Paragraph 3.1
shall be made at a closing to be held at the  offices of the  attorneys  for the
Company on a date  selected by the Company which shall be not later than 45 days
after the  acceptance  by the Company of any offer made  pursuant to Section 3.1
above.  At the closing,  (i) the Company  shall pay the  purchase  price for the
Offered  Stock in full in cash or by bank  cashier's  check and (ii) Yager shall
deliver all certificates representing the Offered Stock to the Company, free and
clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances, duly endorsed in blank for transfer
or with duly executed  stock powers  attached,  with all necessary  transfer tax
stamps affixed thereto to the purchaser.

                                        5



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<PAGE>

               3.2.  Yager may,  and at the  request  of the  Company if Benedek
shall have  entered  into a similar  arrangement  with  respect to the shares of
Stock owned by him Yager  shall,  pledge any and all shares of Option Stock from
time to time owned by him as  collateral  security  for the  obligations  of the
Company to institutional lenders providing secured financing for the Company. In
such event,  Yager shall execute such pledge agreement and related  documents as
may be reasonably requested by such lenders.

        4.     TAKE-ALONG AND COME-ALONG RIGHTS.

               4.1.  Prior to the sale by the  Company of shares of Stock to the
public  in a  public  offering  registered  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission pursuant to a registration statement on Forms S-1, S-2, S-3 or S-4 or
any successor from thereto (a "Registration Statement"),  whenever Benedek shall
receive  a bona  fide  offer  from a third  party to  purchase  shares  of Stock
beneficially  owned by  Benedek  constituting  more than 50% of the  outstanding
shares of Stock of the  Company  and which  offer he wishes to  accept,  Benedek
shall give  written  notice to Yager to such  effect,  enclosing  a copy of such
offer and  specifying the number of shares of Stock to which such offer relates,
the name of the person or persons to whom such sale is to be made and the dollar
value of the consideration which has been offered in connection therewith.

               4.2.  Upon  receipt of such  notice,  Yager shall have the right,
exercisable  by written  notice to Benedek  within 15 days after the  receipt of
notice  from  Benedek,  to  require  that  Benedek  arrange  for  the  sale of a
proportionate  portion of Yager's holdings of shares of Stock to the prospective
purchaser on the terms and conditions set out in the offer received by Benedek.

               4.3. Benedek shall have the right, exercisable at any time during
the term of this  Agreement,  to  require  that  Yager sell all of the shares of
Stock then owned by him to any bona fide  purchaser to whom  Benedek  intends to
sell shares of Stock  constituting at least 50% of the outstanding  Stock of the
Company,  such sale by Yager to be on the same terms and  conditions as the sale
by Benedek.  Benedek may exercise the right described  herein by giving 15 days'
written notice to Yager.

               5. PUT OPTION.  Subject to the rights of the  Company  under this
Section 5, the Company  hereby  grants to Yager the option,  right and privilege
(the "Right to Put"),  exercisable  by written  notice  during the period May 3,
2003 through May 2, 2004, to require the Company to purchase from Yager the then
unexercised  Options  for a  purchase  price  equal  to the  Formula  Price  (as
hereinafter defined),  provided (i) Yager is then employed by the Company or his
employment by the Company was terminated prior thereto by reason of his death or
disability  while  employed  by the Company and (ii) the Stock of the Company is
not then  registered  pursuant to Section 12 of the  Securities  Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.

               5.1. The Company shall elect,  by written  notice to Yager within
90 days after  receipt of notice from Yager of his exercise of the Right to Put,
to (i) purchase the Stock Options for the Formula Price,  (ii) lend to Yager the
Purchase Price for the Option Stock plus the amount


                                        6



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<PAGE>


necessary  to pay any Federal and state income tax due upon and by reason of the
exercise  by Yager of the  Options (in which event Yager shall be deemed to have
exercised the Options),  or (iii) extend the Expiration Date of the Options.  If
the Company does not make such election  within such 90-day period,  the Company
shall be deemed to have elected to extend the Expiration Date of the Options for
a period of five years.

               5.2.  In the  event  that the  Company  elects  to  purchase  the
Options,  payment of the Formula  Price shall be made at a closing to be held at
the  offices of  attorneys  for the  Company on a date  selected  by the Company
within 30 days after the expiration of the 90-day period  described in Section .
At the closing, the purchase price for the Options shall be paid in full in cash
or by bank cashier's  check. At the closing,  Yager shall execute and deliver an
instrument satisfactory to the Company cancelling and terminating the Options.

                     5.2.1.  The term "Formula Price" means the (i) Value of the
Company  multiplied  by the  Applicable  Ratio,  minus the (ii)  Purchase  Price
multiplied  by the number of shares of Option Stock which are the subject of the
Options to be purchased by the Company.

                     5.2.2.  For purposes of Section 5.2.1,  the following terms
shall have the meanings set forth below:

                          5.2.2.1.  The term  "Applicable  Ratio"  means (i) the
number of shares of Option  Stock  which are the  subject  of the  Options to be
purchased by the Company,  divided by (ii) the sum of the number of  outstanding
shares of Stock and the number of shares of Stock that would be  outstanding  if
all of the then  unexercised  Options  were  exercised  and all of the  Existing
Options were exercised.

                          5.2.2.2.  The term  "Consolidated  Current  Assets" is
defined in the Warrant Agreements.

                          5.2.2.3.   The  term  "Consolidated   Liabilities"  is
defined in the Warrant Agreements.

                          5.2.2.4.  The term "Consolidated  Operating Profit" is
defined in the Warrant Agreements.

                          5.2.2.5.  The term  "Investments"  is  defined  in the
Warrant Agreements.

                          5.2.2.6.  The term  "Operating  Asset Value" means the
Consolidated  Operating  Profit of the Company for the four fiscal quarters most
recently ended prior to the time of determination of such Operating Asset Value.

                                        7



<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                          5.2.2.7.  The term  "Value"  means  (i) the  Operating
Asset  Value of the  Company at such  time,  plus (ii) the  aggregate  amount of
Consolidated  Current Assets and Investments as of the last day of the then most
recently  ended  fiscal  quarter of the  Company,  minus (iii) the  Consolidated
Liabilities as of the end of such quarter.

               5.3.  In the event  that the  Company  elects  to lend  Yager the
amount necessary to pay any Federal and state income taxes due upon the exercise
of the  Options,  the  Company  shall  lend such  amount to Yager  upon 30 days'
written  notice from Yager,  such notice by Yager to be given after the exercise
of the Options and no earlier  than 45 days prior to the date such taxes are due
and  payable.  The  notice  by  Yager  pursuant  to this  Section  5.3  shall be
accompanied  by a (i)  promissory  note in the form of Schedule  5.2.2.  annexed
hereto duly executed by Yager, in the principal amount of the loan to be made by
the Company and  providing  for  repayment of the  principal  amount  thereof in
quarterly  installments  over a period of three  years  with  interest,  payable
quarterly,  at  fluctuating  rate per annum equal to the prime rate as published
from time to time in The Wall Street  Journal,  and (ii) a pledge  agreement  in
form and substance  satisfactory  to the Company duly executed by Yager pursuant
to which Yager shall grant the Company a security  interest in the Option  Stock
as security for the amounts due under the promissory note.

               5.4.  In  the  event  that  the  Company  elects  to  extend  the
Expiration Date of the Options, the Company shall include in its notice to Yager
pursuant  to  Section  5.2 a new  expiration  date  for the  Options  which  new
expiration  date shall be at least five years  after the  Expiration  Date.  The
provisions of this Section 5 shall apply during the last year of exerciseability
of the  Options as extended or as deemed to be extended by the Company and Yager
may exercise  the Right to Put during such year,  in which the event the Company
may make any election permitted under Section .

        6.  REGISTRATION  RIGHTS.  Yager shall have the registration  rights set
forth in this Section  with  respect to shares of Stock of the Company  acquired
upon exercise of the Options.

               6.1. For purposes of this section  "Restricted  Stock" shall mean
shares of Stock issued upon  exercise of the Options  that have not  theretofore
been registered  under the Act, or theretofore  remained unsold while registered
under said Act.

               6.2. If at any time or times, the Company proposes to file one or
more  Registration  Statements for the  registration  under the Act of shares of
Stock owned by Benedek,  whether or not  underwritten,  the Company shall give a
Notice of Registration  (as defined in Section 6.2.4 hereof) to Yager, and shall
include in each Registration Statement referred to in such notice all Restricted
Stock with  respect to which Yager shall have  delivered to the Company a Notice
of Intent to Sell (as defined in Section 6.2.3 hereof)  within 30 days after the
Company has given its Notice of Registration.  Such Notice of Registration shall
be given not later  than 45 days  prior to the  filing of any such  Registration
Statement.  All expenses incurred by the Company and Yager in complying with all
registration  requirements,  including without  limitation filing fees, fees and
disbursements  of counsel for the Company and printing and other  expenses  (but
excluding any underwriting discounts


               8



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<PAGE>

or commissions) in connection with each such registration  shall be borne by the
Company.  The Company shall have no obligation to register the Restricted  Stock
under this  Section 6,  however,  unless  Yager  agrees to join in  underwriting
arrangements  which are, except as otherwise herein provided,  on the same terms
as other  participants in the  distribution,  including,  if the underwriters or
their representative or representatives shall determine,  reasonably and in good
faith that the number of shares of Stock to be included on any such Registration
Statement  exceeds  the  number  of  shares  which  can be  offered  and sold on
reasonable terms and price under prevailing  market  conditions,  a reduction in
the number of shares of  Restricted  Stock to be included  in such  Registration
Statement  to allow  the  orderly  offering  and sale  under  prevailing  market
conditions  by the  Company  of all  shares  of  Stock  it is  requesting  to be
registered,  provided,  however,  that if shares of Stock held by persons  other
than Benedek and Yager are included in the shares  covered by such  Registration
Statement,  such reduction shall be proportionate to the reduction in the number
of shares of Stock of the Company  which such other persons are required to make
by said underwriters.

                     6.2.1.  The Company  shall not be required to maintain  the
effectiveness  of any  Registration  Statement  filed  in  connection  with  the
registration  which  is  the  subject  of  this  Section  6  or  to  amend  such
Registration  Statement or to supplement the prospectus  relating  thereto after
the  expiration  of nine months  from the  effective  date of such  Registration
Statement.

                     6.2.2.  The Company need not include any  Restricted  Stock
owned by Yager in any Registration  Statement  provided for under this Section 6
if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, registration of such shares under
the Act is not  necessary  to dispose of such  shares in a public  offering  and
distribution  in the open market in  compliance  with the Act;  provided in such
case,  the opinion of such  counsel  shall be in writing  addressed to Yager and
shall be rendered  within 20 days after the Notice of Intent to Sell is received
by the Company,  and provided  further that if the Company  declines to register
any Restricted Stock pursuant to this Section 6.2.2, the Company shall indemnify
against any and all losses, damages, liabilities and expenses, including counsel
fees and liability under the Act, that may incur as a result of any sale made in
reliance upon the aforementioned opinion.

                     6.2.3.  "Notice  of  Intent to Sell"  shall  mean a written
notice  signed by Yager (i)  setting  forth the  number of shares of  Restricted
Stock,  if any, which Yager desires to have  registered for sale which number of
shares may not exceed  that  proportion  of the  shares of  Restricted  Stock as
equals the  proportion of shares of Stock owned by Benedek to be included in the
applicable  Registration  Statement,  (ii) representing that Yager has a present
intention  to sell the  same,  and  (iii)  agreeing  to  execute  all  consents,
Registration  Statements  and other  documents  reasonably  required in order to
permit the applicable  Registration  Statement to be made effective and to carry
out the distribution.

                     6.2.4. "Notice of Registration" shall mean a written notice
signed by an officer of the Company, setting forth the approximate date on which
it  intends  to file a  Registration  Statement  for the  registration  of Stock
pursuant to the Act,  and the  approximate  date on which it  contemplates  such
Registration Statement will become effective.

                     9



<PAGE>
<PAGE>


                     6.2.5. The obligation of the Company to register Restricted
Stock for Yager  pursuant to Section  hereof  shall be subject to the receipt by
the Company of an agreement  from Yager,  and the  underwriter of any Restricted
Stock to be  registered  for Yager,  in form and substance  satisfactory  to the
Company, indemnifying the Company against liability arising out of or based upon
any untrue  statement  or  alleged  untrue  statement  of  material  fact in the
Registration  Statement, or the omission or alleged omission to state a material
fact required to be stated  therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein  not  misleading,  if (with  respect  to the  agreement  of Yager)  such
statement or omission was made by the Company in reliance upon and in conformity
with written information  furnished to the Company  specifically for use in such
Registration  Statement  by or on  behalf  of  Yager,  or (with  respect  to the
agreement of any underwriter of any Restricted Stock to be registered for Yager)
by or on behalf of the underwriter.  In connection with the  registration  under
the Act of the  Restricted  Stock owned by Yager,  the Company  hereby agrees to
indemnify Yager and each underwriter thereof against liability arising out of or
based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in
a  Registration  Statement or the omission of any material  fact  required to be
stated  therein  or  necessary  in  order  to make the  statements  therein  not
misleading,  other than any such  statement  included in, or omitted from,  such
Registration  Statement by the Company in reliance upon and in  conformity  with
written information unfurnished to the company, specified for use therein, by or
on  behalf  of  Yager  (with  respect  to  Yager),  or by or on  behalf  of  any
underwriter   of  the  securities   included   therein  (with  respect  to  such
underwriter).  The Company and Yager agree to join in an underwriting  agreement
having  usual  and  customary  terms,   including   customary   representations,
warranties  and  other  agreements   (other  than  agreements  with  respect  to
indemnification which shall be similar to those provided in this Section 6.2.5);
provided that no such agreement  shall require Yager to make any  representation
or  warranty  concerning  the  Company  unless the same be based upon the actual
knowledge  of  Yager.  Reasonably  promptly  (but not more  than 30 days)  after
receipt from a party claiming indemnification under this Section 6.2.5 of notice
of  commencement  of any action,  such  indemnified  party  will,  if a claim in
respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying  party under this Section
6.2.5, notify in writing the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof; and
the omission to notify the indemnifying party will relieve it from any liability
under this Section 6.2.5 as to the particular item for which  indemnification is
then being  sought,  but not from any other  liability  which it may have to any
indemnified  party.  In case any such action is brought  against any indemnified
party,  and  the  indemnified  party  notifies  an  indemnifying  party  of  the
commencement  thereof,  the  indemnifying  party will be entitled to participate
therein and to the extent that it may wish, to assume the defense thereof,  with
counsel who shall be to the reasonable  satisfaction of such indemnified  party,
and  after  receipt  of  actual  notice  from  the  indemnifying  party  to such
indemnified  party  of its  election  so to  assume  the  defense  thereof,  the
indemnifying  party  will not be liable to such  indemnified  party  under  this
Section  6.2.5 for any legal or other  expenses  subsequently  incurred  by such
indemnified  party in connection with the defense  thereof;  provided,  however,
that the indemnified  party shall have the right to employ  separate  counsel to
represent it in connection  with any claim in respect of which  indemnity may be
sought  hereunder if, in the reasonable  judgment of counsel for the indemnified
party,  a  conflict  of  interest  exists  making  it  advisable  for  him to be
represented  by separate  counsel,  in which event the fees and expenses of such
separate counsel shall be borne by the indemnifying party. An indemnifying party
shall not be


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<PAGE>

liable to any  indemnified  party on account of any  settlement  of any claim or
action effected without the consent of such indemnifying party.

                     6.2.6.  In the event the Company  shall at any time fail to
perform fully and  completely its  obligations  under this Section 6, then Yager
shall,  in addition  to all other  rights or  remedies  hereunder,  at all or in
equity,  have the right to petition any court with  jurisdiction in the premises
for an order compelling the Company specifically to perform said obligations, it
being  recognized that monetary  damages are not adequate  compensation  for any
such failure.

        7.     TERMINATION.

               7.1. This Agreement shall commence upon the date hereof and shall
terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

                     7.1.1.  The written  agreement  of the  Company,  Yager and
Benedek;

                     7.1.2. The sale of all or  substantially  all of the assets
of the Company; or

                     7.1.3.  The acquisition by the Company of all of the Option
Stock or all of the  Options  from  Yager in  accordance  with the terms of this
Agreement or the sale of all of the Option Stock to a third party in  accordance
with this Agreement.

               7.2. No termination of this Agreement  shall affect any provision
hereof which by its terms is to be performed or observed after its  termination,
and each such provision  hereof shall remain in full force and effect until such
time as such  provision has been  performed in full or has terminated by its own
terms.

        8. CONFIDENTIAL  INFORMATION.  Yager shall hold in a fiduciary  capacity
for the benefit of the Company all  information,  knowledge and data relating to
or concerned with its operations, sales, business and affairs, and he shall not,
at any time hereafter, use, disclose or divulge any such information,  knowledge
or data to any  person,  firm or  corporation  other than to the  Company or its
designees or except as may otherwise be required in connection with the business
and affairs of the Company.

        9. NOTICES.  All notices,  including  notices of offer,  acceptance  and
rejection  which any party  hereto is  required  or  desires  to send to another
party,  shall be  delivered  in  person,  or  mailed  by  prepaid  certified  or
registered  mail, or sent by express mail service for next day delivery or other
responsible  overnight  delivery  service to the party at its  address set forth
below or at such address as may be designated by notice in accordance  with this
Section 9.

                      If to Yager:
                      6767 Woodcrest Parkway
                      Rockford, Illinois 61109


                                       11



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<PAGE>

                      If to the Company or Benedek:

                      308 West State Street
                      Rockford, Illinois 61101

                      with copies to:

                      Shack & Siegel, P.C.
                      530 Fifth Avenue
                      16th Floor
                      New York, New York 10036

                      Attention:  Paul S. Goodman, Esq.

Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given and received on the day it is
personally  delivered or, if mailed, on the third day after it is mailed, or, if
sent by express mail or overnight  delivery  service,  on the next  business day
after the date of the delivery of the notice to such service.

        10. BENEFITS.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be
binding upon the  respective  heirs,  personal  representatives,  successors and
assigns of the parties hereto.

        11. INJUNCTIVE  RELIEF. In the event of a breach or threatened breach by
any party bound by this Agreement of any of such party's obligations  hereunder,
the parties  hereto  acknowledge  that all other parties bound by this Agreement
will have no adequate  remedy at law and shall be entitled to such equitable and
injunctive  relief as may be  available  to restrain a violation  or  threatened
violation  of the  provisions  of this  Agreement  or to enforce the  provisions
hereof.  Nothing  herein shall be deemed to preclude any party from pursuing any
other remedies,  legal or equitable,  available to such party for such breach or
threatened breach, including the recovery of damages.

        12. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of
the parties  hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings  among the parties or any of them. There are
no  representations,   warranties,   agreements  or  understandings  other  than
expressly contained herein. No termination,  alteration, modification, variation
or waiver of this agreement or any of the  provisions  hereof shall be effective
unless in writing.  Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as an
employment  contract  or an  agreement  by the  Company to employ  Yager for any
period of time.

        13. SEVERABILITY. Should any clause, paragraph or part of this Agreement
be held or declared to be void or illegal  for any  reason,  all other  clauses,
paragraphs or parts of this agreement which can be effected without such illegal
clause,  paragraph or part shall  nevertheless  remain in full force and effect.
If, in the opinion of any court, any clause, paragraph or part of this Agreement
is unreasonable  or  unenforceable,  such court shall have the right,  power and
authority  to excise or modify such  provisions,  or portions  thereof,  of this
Agreement as to the court shall not be reasonable 


                                       12



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<PAGE>

or enforceable and to enforce the remainder of such clause, paragraph or part as
so excised or modified.

        14.  GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance  with the laws of the  State of New  York  applicable  to  agreements
executed and to be performed  entirely  therein and each party hereto,  by their
execution of this Agreement, hereby consents to the personal jurisdiction of the
courts of the State of New York and the Federal courts located within such State
in connection  with any dispute  arising under or related to this  Agreement and
further  agrees  that  service  of  process  in any such  action  may be made by
certified mail to the address set forth herein.

        IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the day and year first above written.

                                      s/  K. James Yager
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                                   K. JAMES YAGER

                                      s/ A. Richard Benedek
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                                   A. RICHARD BENDEK

                                      BENEDEK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION


                                      By:    s/ A. Richard Benedek
                                      ------------------------------------------


                                       13

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<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
We  hereby consent to the use in this  Registration Statement on Form S-4 of our
report dated February 9, 1996, except for Note  A, L and M as to which the  date
is  June  6,  1996,  on  the  financial  statements  of  Benedek  Communications
Corporation and Subsidiary. We also consent  to the reference to our firm  under
the caption 'Experts' in the Prospectus.
 
                                          MCGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP
 
Rockford, Illinois
October 2, 1996
 


<PAGE>



<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
As  independent public accountants, we hereby consent  to the use of our reports
on the TV Division  of Stauffer Communications, Inc.  (and to all references  to
our  Firm) included in or made a part of this Registration Statement (333-09529)
for Benedek Communications Corporation filed on Form S-4.
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Kansas City, Missouri
October 1, 1996
 

<PAGE>



<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.4
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
   
As independent public accountants,  we hereby consent to  the use of our  report
dated  March 8, 1996 (and to all references  to our Firm), included in or made a
part of  this  Amendment No.  2  to Form  S-4  Registration Statement  File  No.
333-09529.
    
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
October 1, 1996




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