GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS INC /GA/
S-1/A, 1996-07-09
TELEVISION BROADCASTING STATIONS
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<PAGE>
   
      AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JULY 9, 1996
    
 
                                                       REGISTRATION NO. 333-4340
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 2
                                       TO
    
                                    FORM S-1
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                        UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             ---------------------
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                       <C>                       <C>
        GEORGIA                     4833                   58-0285030
    (State or other          (Primary Standard          (I.R.S. Employer
    jurisdiction of              Industrial          Identification Number)
    incorporation or        Classification Code
     organization)                Number)
</TABLE>
 
                          126 NORTH WASHINGTON STREET
                             ALBANY, GEORGIA 31701
                                 (912) 888-9390
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   registrant's principal executive offices)
 
                            WILLIAM A. FIELDER, III
                          126 NORTH WASHINGTON STREET
                             ALBANY, GEORGIA 31701
                                 (912) 434-8732
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
                         ------------------------------
 
                          COPIES OF COMMUNICATIONS TO:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                       <C>
        Henry O. Smith III, Esq.                  John J. Kelley III, Esq.
 Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelsohn LLP                King & Spalding
             1585 Broadway                          191 Peachtree Street
        New York, New York 10036                   Atlanta, Georgia 30303
             (212) 969-3000                            (404) 572-4600
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
 AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT.
                            ------------------------
 
    If  any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to  Rule 415 under the Securities Act  of
1933, check the following box. / /
 
    If  this Form  is filed  to register  additional securities  for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list  the  Securities  Act  registration statement  number  of  the  earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. / /
- --------------
 
    If  this Form  is a post-effective  amendment filed pursuant  to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act,  check the following box  and list the Securities  Act
registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. / /
- --------------
 
    If  delivery of the prospectus is expected  to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. / /
                            ------------------------
 
    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  THE REGISTRATION  STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION  8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
                             CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
                  (PURSUANT TO ITEM 501(B) OF REGULATION S-K)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          ITEM NUMBER AND CAPTION                           CAPTION OR LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS
           -----------------------------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------
<S>        <C>                                                    <C>
 1.        Forepart of the Registration Statement and Outside
           Front Cover Page of Prospectus.......................  Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus and Outside
                                                                  Front Cover Page
 2.        Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of
           Prospectus...........................................  Inside Front Cover Page; Available Information
 3.        Summary Information, Risk Factors and Ratio of
           Earnings to Fixed Charges............................  Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors; Not Applicable
 4.        Use of Proceeds......................................  Prospectus Summary; The Phipps Acquisition, the KTVE
                                                                  Sale and the Financing
 5.        Determination of Offering Price......................  Outside Front Cover Page; Risk Factors; Underwriting
 6.        Dilution.............................................  Not Applicable
 7.        Selling Security Holders.............................  Not Applicable
 8.        Plan of Distribution.................................  Outside Front Cover Page; Underwriting
 9.        Description of Securities to be Registered...........  Outside Front Cover Page; Description of Capital
                                                                  Stock
10.        Interests of Named Experts and Counsel...............  Not Applicable
11.        Information with Respect to the Registrant...........  Prospectus Summary; The Phipps Acquisition, the KTVE
                                                                  Sale and the Financing; Capitalization; Pro Forma
                                                                  Financial Data; Selected Historical Financial Data;
                                                                  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                                                                  Condition and Results of Operations; Business;
                                                                  Management; Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
                                                                  Owners and Management; Certain Relationships and
                                                                  Related Transactions; Description of Certain
                                                                  Indebtedness; Description of Capital Stock
12.        Disclosure of Commission Position on Indemnification
           for Securities Act Liabilities.......................  Not Applicable
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
   
                    SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED JULY 9, 1996
    
 
                                3,500,000 SHARES
                                      GRAY
                          COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                              CLASS B COMMON STOCK
                            ------------------------
 
   
    All the 3,500,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, no par value (the "Class B
Common  Stock"),  offered  hereby  (this  "Offering")  are  being  sold  by Gray
Communications Systems, Inc. (the "Company"). Prior to this Offering, there  has
been no public market for the Class B Common Stock. The Company's Class A Common
Stock,  no par value (the "Class A Common  Stock" and, together with the Class B
Common Stock, the "Common Stock"), is listed on The New York Stock Exchange (the
"NYSE") under the symbol "GCS." The initial public offering price of the Class B
Common Stock will be based on the closing  price of the Class A Common Stock  on
the date of the offering and will be determined through negotiations between the
Company  and the underwriters (the  "Underwriters"). See "Underwriting." On July
3, 1996, the last reported  sale price of the Class  A Common Stock on the  NYSE
was  $22.625 per share. The Company intends to  apply to list the Class B Common
Stock  on  the  NYSE.  Concurrently  herewith,  the  Company  is  offering  (the
"Concurrent  Offering")  $150,000,000  principal  amount  of its        % Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2006 (the "Notes"). The Concurrent Offering is being made
by separate prospectus. The closing of this Offering is not conditioned upon the
closing of the Concurrent Offering.
    
 
   
    The Company has two classes of common stock: Class A Common Stock and  Class
B  Common Stock. The Class A Common Stock  is identical to the Company's Class B
Common Stock except with respect to voting power, with the Class A Common  Stock
having  10 votes  per share, and  the Class B  Common Stock having  one vote per
share. Immediately after the  consummation of this  Offering and the  Concurrent
Offering,  the  Class  B  Common  Stock  will  have  approximately  7.3%  of the
outstanding voting power  of the Company.  See "Risk Factors  -- Limited  Voting
Rights  of Class  B Common Shareholders;  Control by  Principal Shareholder" and
"Description of Capital Stock."
    
 
   
    SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 14 FOR CERTAIN INFORMATION THAT  SHOULD
BE  CONSIDERED BY  PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS  OF THE  CLASS B  COMMON STOCK OFFERED
HEREBY.
    
                             ---------------------
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.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          PRICE TO          UNDERWRITING        PROCEEDS TO
                           PUBLIC           DISCOUNT (1)       COMPANY (2)(3)
<S>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Per Share                    $                   $                   $
Total                        $                   $                   $
</TABLE>
 
(1)  See "Underwriting" for  a description of  the indemnification  arrangements
     with the Underwriters.
 
(2)  Before deducting expenses of the Offering payable by the Company, estimated
     to be approximately $       .
 
(3)  The  Company has granted the Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to
     525,000  additional  shares  of  Class  B  Common  Stock  solely  to  cover
     over-allotments,  if any.  If such option  is exercised in  full, the total
     Price to  Public, Underwriting  Discount and  Proceeds to  Company will  be
     $     , $     , and $     , respectively. See "Underwriting."
                         ------------------------------
 
    The  Class B  Common Stock  is offered  severally by  the Underwriters named
herein, subject to prior sale, when, as,  and if received and accepted by  them,
subject  to their right  to reject orders, in  whole or in  part, and to certain
other conditions. It is expected that delivery of the certificates  representing
the Class B Common Stock will be made on or about            , 1996.
                            ------------------------
 
THE ROBINSON-HUMPHREY COMPANY, INC.
                   ALLEN & COMPANY
                   INCORPORATED
                                    J.C. BRADFORD & CO.
                                                               J.P. MORGAN & CO.
 
             , 1996
<PAGE>
   
    [The  graphic material to be  included is a map  of the southeastern part of
the United States with logos of the television stations owned by the Company  or
that are part of the Phipps Business marking where the stations are located.]
    
 
IN  CONNECTION WITH  THIS OFFERING,  THE UNDERWRITERS  MAY OVER-ALLOT  OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE CLASS B  COMMON
STOCK  AT A LEVEL ABOVE  THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE  PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET.
SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NYSE OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF
COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
   
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
    
 
   
    THE  FOLLOWING INFORMATION  IS QUALIFIED IN  ITS ENTIRETY BY,  AND SHOULD BE
READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH, THE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APPEARING ELSEWHERE  IN THIS  PROSPECTUS.  AS USED  HEREIN, UNLESS  THE  CONTEXT
OTHERWISE  REQUIRES, THE "COMPANY"  MEANS GRAY COMMUNICATIONS  SYSTEMS, INC. AND
ITS SUBSIDIARIES. THE COMPANY HAS NOT YET CONSUMMATED THE PHIPPS ACQUISITION  OR
THE  KTVE  SALE (AS  DEFINED)  AND THERE  CAN BE  NO  ASSURANCE THAT  THE PHIPPS
ACQUISITION OR THE KTVE SALE WILL  BE CONSUMMATED. HOWEVER, EXCEPT WITH  RESPECT
TO  HISTORICAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND  UNLESS THE CONTEXT INDICATES OTHERWISE,
THE PHIPPS  BUSINESS (AS  DEFINED) IS  INCLUDED  IN, AND  KTVE (AS  DEFINED)  IS
EXCLUDED  FROM, THE DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY. SEE "THE PHIPPS ACQUISITION, THE
KTVE SALE AND  THE FINANCING."  UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED,  THE INFORMATION  IN
THIS  PROSPECTUS ASSUMES THAT THE UNDERWRITERS' OVER-ALLOTMENT OPTION GRANTED BY
THE COMPANY  TO  THE  UNDERWRITERS  IN  THIS  OFFERING  IS  NOT  EXERCISED.  ALL
INFORMATION  IN THIS PROSPECTUS  HAS BEEN ADJUSTED  TO GIVE EFFECT  TO A 3-FOR-2
SPLIT OF THE  CLASS A COMMON  STOCK, EFFECTED IN  THE FORM OF  A STOCK  DIVIDEND
DECLARED  ON  OCTOBER 2,  1995. UNLESS  OTHERWISE  INDICATED, ALL  STATION RANK,
IN-MARKET SHARE AND  TELEVISION HOUSEHOLD  DATA IN THIS  PROSPECTUS ARE  DERIVED
FROM  THE NIELSEN  STATION INDEX,  VIEWERS IN  PROFILE, DATED  NOVEMBER 1995, AS
PREPARED BY A.C. NIELSEN COMPANY ("NIELSEN").
    
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
   
    The Company owns and  operates seven network-affiliated television  stations
in  medium-size  markets in  the southeastern  United States,  six of  which are
ranked number  one  in  their  respective markets.  Five  of  the  stations  are
affiliated  with the CBS Television Network, a division of CBS, Inc. ("CBS") and
two are affiliated with the NBC  Television Network, a division of the  National
Broadcasting  Company,  Incorporated  ("NBC").  In  connection  with  the Phipps
Acquisition (described  below),  the  Company will  be  required  under  current
regulations  of the Federal Communications Commission  (the "FCC") to divest its
NBC affiliates in Albany, Georgia and Panama City, Florida. For a discussion  of
the  Company's  plans  regarding  such divestiture,  see  "Risk  Factors  -- FCC
Divestiture Requirement"  and "The  Phipps Acquisition,  the KTVE  Sale and  the
Financing."  The  Company also  owns and  operates  three daily  newspapers, two
weekly, advertising only publications ("shoppers"),  and a paging business,  all
located  in the Southeast. The  Company derives significant operating advantages
and cost saving synergies through the  size of its television station group  and
the regional focus of its television and publishing operations. These advantages
and  synergies include  (i) sharing television  production facilities, equipment
and regionally oriented  programming, (ii)  the ability  to purchase  television
programming  for the  group as  a whole,  (iii) negotiating  network affiliation
agreements on a group basis and (iv) purchasing newsprint and other supplies  in
bulk.  In addition,  the Company  believes that  its regional  focus can provide
advertisers with  an  efficient  network  through  which  to  advertise  in  the
fast-growing Southeast.
    
 
    In 1993, after the acquisition of a large block of Class A Common Stock by a
new  investor,  the  Company implemented  a  strategy to  foster  growth through
strategic acquisitions. Since 1994, the Company's significant acquisitions  have
included  three  television  stations and  two  newspapers, all  located  in the
Southeast. As  a result  of the  Company's acquisitions  and in  support of  its
growth strategy, the Company has added certain key members of management and has
greatly  expanded its  operations in  the television  broadcasting and newspaper
publishing businesses.
 
   
    In January 1996,  the Company acquired  (the "Augusta Acquisition")  WRDW-TV
("WRDW"),  a CBS affiliate serving Augusta, Georgia (the "Augusta Business"). In
December 1995, the Company entered into  an asset purchase agreement to  acquire
(the "Phipps Acquisition") two CBS-affiliated stations, WCTV-TV ("WCTV") serving
Tallahassee,  Florida/Thomasville,  Georgia and  WKXT-TV ("WKXT")  in Knoxville,
Tennessee,  a   satellite   broadcasting   business  and   a   paging   business
(collectively,  the  "Phipps Business").  The Company  believes that  the Phipps
Acquisition will  further enhance  the Company's  position as  a major  regional
television  broadcaster  and  is  highly attractive  for  a  number  of reasons,
including (i) the stations' strategic fit in the Southeast, (ii) WCTV's  leading
station  market position and  WKXT's significant growth  potential, (iii) strong
station broadcast cash  flows, (iv) opportunities  for revenue growth  utilizing
the  Company's extensive management expertise  with medium-size stations and (v)
opportunities for synergies  between WCTV  and WKXT and  the Company's  existing
stations  with regard to revenue enhancement and cost controls. The consummation
of the Phipps  Acquisition is  currently expected  to occur  by September  1996,
although there can be no assurance with respect thereto.
    
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
   
    In May 1996, the Company entered into an agreement to sell (the "KTVE Sale")
KTVE,   Inc.  ("KTVE")   serving  Monroe,  Louisiana/El   Dorado,  Arkansas  for
approximately $9.5 million in cash plus the amount of the accounts receivable on
the date of the closing, which is expected to occur by September 1996,  although
there can be no assurance with respect thereto.
    
 
   
    For  the year ended December 31, 1995, on a pro forma basis, the Company had
net revenues, Media Cash Flow (the  sum of broadcast cash flow, publishing  cash
flow and paging cash flow), operating cash flow and net (loss) of $90.6 million,
$30.3  million, $28.1  million and $(3.8)  million, respectively.  For the three
months ended March 31, 1996, on a pro forma basis, the Company had net revenues,
Media Cash  Flow, operating  cash flow  and net  (loss) of  $22.5 million,  $7.6
million,  $6.8 million  and $(810,000),  respectively. Net  revenues, Media Cash
Flow and operating cash flow  on a pro forma basis  for the year ended  December
31,  1995 increased  148.2%, 188.4% and  227.9%, respectively,  while net income
decreased 238.7% from  the historical amounts  for the year  ended December  31,
1994. Net revenues, Media Cash Flow and operating cash flow on a pro forma basis
for  the three months ended  March 31, 1996 increased  71.2%, 110.7% and 119.1%,
respectively, while net income decreased 300.5% from the historical amounts  for
the three months ended March 31, 1995.
    
 
    The following table sets forth certain information for each of the Company's
television stations.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    PRO FORMA
                                                                                     ---------------------------------------
                                                                          IN-MARKET
                                                                            SHARE    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER  THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                STATION      OF           31, 1995          MARCH 31, 1996
                                                                  RANK    HOUSEHOLDS -------------------  ------------------
          NETWORK                  YEAR      DMA     CHANNEL/      IN      VIEWING      NET     OPERATING   NET     OPERATING
STATION   AFFILIATION    MARKET   ACQUIRED RANK(1)   FREQUENCY   DMA(2)      TV      REVENUES   INCOME(6) REVENUES  INCOME(6)
- --------  -------   ------------- -------  --------  ---------  --------  ---------  ---------  --------  --------  --------
                                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)       (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>       <C>       <C>           <C>      <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>
WKYT        CBS     Lexington, KY    1994       68   27/UHF(3)         1        33%    $15,553    $5,247    $3,823    $1,130
WYMT        CBS        Hazard, KY    1994       68   57/UHF(3)       1(4)        24      3,721       831     1,042       230
WRDW        CBS       Augusta, GA    1996      111   12/VHF            1         36      8,888     1,853     2,080       482
WALB (5)    NBC        Albany, GA    1954      152   10/VHF            1         80      9,445     4,795     2,340     1,098
                     Panama City,
WJHG (5)    NBC                FL    1960      159    7/VHF            1         53      3,843       270     1,099       150
PHIPPS
 ACQUISITION
WKXT        CBS     Knoxville, TN               62    8/VHF            3         22      9,269     2,479     1,973       253
                     Tallahassee,
WCTV        CBS               FL/              116    6/VHF            1         60     11,862     3,953     2,801       835
                     Thomasville,
                               GA
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
(1)  Ranking of designated market area as defined by Nielsen ("DMA") served by a
     station  among all DMAs is measured  by the number of television households
     within the DMA based on the November 1995 Nielsen estimates.
   
(2)  Represents station  rank in  DMA  as determined  by November  1995  Nielsen
     estimates  of the number of television  sets tuned to the Company's station
     as a percentage of the number of  television sets in use in the market  for
     the Sunday through Saturday 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. time period.
    
   
(3)  All stations in the market are UHF stations.
    
   
(4)  The  market area served by WYMT is an 18-county trading area, as defined by
     Nielsen, and is  included in  the Lexington, Kentucky  DMA. WYMT's  station
     rank is based upon its position in the 18-county trading area.
    
   
(5)  The  Company will be required under  current FCC regulations to divest WALB
     and WJHG in connection with the Phipps Acquisition. For a discussion of the
     Company's plans, see  "Risk Factors-FCC Divestiture  Requirement" and  "The
     Phipps Acquisition, the KTVE Sale and the Financing."
    
   
(6)  Represents   pro  forma  income   before  miscellaneous  income  (expense),
     allocation of corporate overhead, interest expense and income taxes.
    
 
   
    The Company's three newspapers, THE ALBANY HERALD, THE ROCKDALE CITIZEN  and
the  GWINNETT DAILY POST and two shoppers, had net revenues and operating income
(income before miscellaneous income (expense), allocation of corporate overhead,
interest expense and income taxes) of $21.9 million and $660,000,  respectively,
for  the year  ended December 31,  1995, and  $5.6 million and  $402,000 for the
three months  ended March  31, 1996,  respectively. The  satellite  broadcasting
business  and paging business, which are a  part of the Phipps Business, had net
revenues and  operating income  (income before  miscellaneous income  (expense),
allocation  of corporate  overhead, interest expense  and income  taxes) of $6.2
million and $542,000 for the year ended  December 31, 1995 and $1.8 million  and
$242,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1996, respectively.
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
    The Company's business strategy includes the following key elements:
 
    - STRONG LOCAL PRESENCE.  Each of the Company's television stations seeks to
      achieve  a distinct identity through its  emphasis on local programming. A
      key objective is to  build audience loyalty through  the development of  a
      strong  local news franchise. Strong  local news generates high viewership
      and results in higher  ratings both for  programs preceding and  following
      the news, which increases revenues and Media Cash Flow.
 
    - REGIONAL  FOCUS.  The Company believes  its regional focus has competitive
      advantages, including the ability to purchase and produce programming that
      can be used by multiple Company-owned stations as well as the  opportunity
      to sell advertising on multiple stations as a single buy. In addition, the
      proximity  of the  Company's operations  allows the  sharing of equipment,
      management and marketing expertise.
 
    - TARGETED MARKETING.    The  Company  seeks  to  increase  its  advertising
      revenues  and  Media Cash  Flow by  expanding existing  relationships with
      local and national advertisers and  by attracting new advertisers  through
      targeted  marketing  techniques  and carefully  tailored  programming. The
      Company works closely  with advertisers to  develop advertising  campaigns
      that  match specifically  targeted audience  segments including sponsoring
      and staging various special events such as fishing tournaments, boat shows
      and bridal expositions.
 
    - COST CONTROLS.    Through  its strategic  planning  and  annual  budgeting
      processes,  the Company continually  seeks to identify  and implement cost
      savings opportunities at each of its stations and publications in order to
      increase Media Cash Flow. The Company's ownership of multiple stations and
      publications also benefits each  operation in negotiating favorable  terms
      with   programming  syndicators,   newsprint  suppliers,   national  sales
      representatives and other vendors.
 
    - SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS.  The Company  has focused on acquiring  television
      stations   where  the  Company   believes  there  is   the  potential  for
      improvements in  revenue  share,  audience share  and  cost  control.  The
      Company focuses on southeastern markets of medium size because the Company
      believes  these markets offer superior opportunities in terms of projected
      population  and  economic  growth,  leading  to  higher  advertising   and
      circulation  revenues.  In  assessing  acquisitions,  the  Company targets
      stations and publications where it sees specific opportunities for revenue
      enhancement  while   controlling  expenditures,   utilizing   management's
      significant  experience with local  and national advertising  sales and in
      operating similar businesses.  In appropriate  circumstances, the  Company
      will  dispose of  assets that it  deems non-essential to  its operating or
      growth strategy.
 
            THE PHIPPS ACQUISITION, THE KTVE SALE AND THE FINANCING
 
   
    The Company  has entered  into an  agreement  to acquire  WCTV and  WKXT,  a
satellite  broadcasting business  and a  paging business  in the  Southeast. The
purchase price  for  the  Phipps  Acquisition  is  approximately  $185  million,
including  fees,  expenses  and  working  capital  and  other  adjustments.  The
consummation of the Phipps Acquisition is  expected to occur by September  1996,
although there can be no assurance with respect thereto.
    
 
   
    The  Company has entered  into an agreement,  dated as of  May 15, 1996 (the
"KTVE Agreement"), with  GOCOM Television  of Ouachita,  L.P. to  sell KTVE  for
approximately $9.5 million in cash plus the amount of the accounts receivable on
the  date of the closing (estimated to be approximately $750,000), to the extent
collected by the buyer, to be paid to the Company 150 days following the date of
closing. The closing of the  KTVE Sale is expected  to occur by September  1996,
although  there can  be no  assurance with respect  thereto. For  the year ended
December 31, 1995, KTVE had net  revenues, Media Cash Flow and operating  income
(income  before miscellaneous income (expense  allocation of corporate overhead,
interest expense  and income  taxes)  of $4.2  million, $916,000  and  $437,000,
respectively  and $1.1 million, $213,000 and  $96,000 for the three months ended
March 31, 1996. See "Risk Factors-Possible Non-Consummation of the KTVE Sale."
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
   
    In addition to the consummation of the Phipps Acquisition and the KTVE Sale,
the Company intends to implement a financing plan (the "Financing") to  increase
liquidity  and  improve operating  and  financial flexibility.  Pursuant  to the
Financing, the Company  will (i)  retire approximately  $52.6 million  aggregate
principal  amount  of outstanding  indebtedness  under its  senior  secured bank
credit facility  (the "Old  Credit Facility"),  together with  accrued  interest
thereon,  (ii) retire approximately $25.0  million aggregate principal amount of
outstanding indebtedness under  its senior  note due 2003  (the "Senior  Note"),
together  with accrued  interest thereon and  a prepayment fee,  (iii) issue $10
million liquidation preference of  its Series A preferred  stock (the "Series  A
Preferred  Stock")  in  exchange  for  its  outstanding  $10  million  aggregate
principal amount  8%  subordinated note  (the  "8%  Note") issued  to  Bull  Run
Corporation  ("Bull Run"), a principal shareholder of the Company, (iv) issue to
Bull Run $10.0 million  liquidation preference of its  Series B preferred  stock
(the  "Series B Preferred Stock" and together with the Series A Preferred Stock,
the "Preferred Stock") with warrants to purchase up to 500,000 shares of Class A
Common Stock (representing 10.1% of the currently issued and outstanding Class A
Common Stock after  giving effect  to the exercise  of such  warrants) for  cash
proceeds  of $10.0 million and  (v) enter into a  new senior secured bank credit
facility (the "Senior Credit Facility") to provide for a term loan and revolving
credit  facility  aggregating  $125.0  million.   The  cash  required  for   the
consummation  of  the  Phipps  Acquisition, the  repayment  of  indebtedness and
related transaction costs will be provided by the net proceeds of this Offering,
the Concurrent  Offering, the  sale of  the  Series B  Preferred Stock  and  the
warrants  and the KTVE Sale. For a description of the Senior Credit Facility and
the Preferred  Stock, see  "Description of  Certain Indebtedness"  and  "Certain
Relationships  and  Related  Transactions-Issuances  of  Preferred  Stock."  The
consummation  of  this   Offering  is  not   conditioned  upon  the   concurrent
consummation  of the  Financing, the  KTVE Sale,  the Phipps  Acquisition or the
Concurrent Offering.  If the  Phipps  Acquisition is  not consummated  prior  to
           ,  1996, the Company is  required to redeem the  Notes on or prior to
           , 1996 (the  "Special Redemption  Date") at a  redemption price  (the
"Special  Redemption Price") equal to 101% of  the principal amount of the Notes
plus accrued and  unpaid interest  to the date  fixed for  such redemption  (the
"Trust Funds"). See "Description of the Notes."
    
 
    The  following  table sets  forth the  estimated sources  and uses  of funds
relating to the KTVE Sale, the Phipps Acquisition and the Financing:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              ----------
(IN MILLIONS)                                                     AMOUNT
                                                              ----------
<S>                                                           <C>
SOURCES OF FUNDS:
The Class B Common Stock offered hereby                            $66.5
The Concurrent Offering                                            150.0
Sale of Series B Preferred Stock and Warrants                       10.0
Borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility                         42.2
The KTVE Sale                                                        9.5
                                                              ----------
  TOTAL                                                           $278.2
                                                              ----------
                                                              ----------
USES OF FUNDS:
Consummation of Phipps Acquisition                                $185.0
Retire indebtedness under the Old Credit Facility (1)               52.6
Retire indebtedness under the Senior Note(2)                        25.0
Fees and expenses (3)                                               15.6
                                                              ----------
  TOTAL                                                           $278.2
                                                              ----------
                                                              ----------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
   
(1)  Borrowings under the  Old Credit  Facility bear interest  at formula  rates
     based upon the applicable London inter-bank offered rate ("LIBOR") or prime
     rate at the time of borrowing plus a fixed spread and have a final maturity
     of 2003. As of March 31, 1996, the interest rate was 8.96%.
    
 
   
(2)  The indebtedness under the Senior Note bears interest at 10.7%.
    
 
   
(3)  Fees  and expenses  include underwriting  costs for  this Offering  and the
     Concurrent Offering, fees  payable in connection  with the negotiation  and
     execution  of the Senior  Credit Facility, fees  payable in connection with
     the  retirement  of  the  Senior  Note  and  legal,  accounting  and  other
     transaction  fees. Does  not include estimated  taxes of  $2.8 million with
     respect to the KTVE Sale.
    
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
   
    If the Phipps Acquisition  is not consummated, the  Company will redeem  the
Notes. The following table sets forth the estimated sources and uses of funds to
consummate the KTVE Sale and the Financing and to redeem the Notes if the Phipps
Acquisition is not consummated:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(IN MILLIONS)                                                                               AMOUNT
                                                                                         ------------
<S>                                                                                      <C>
SOURCES OF FUNDS:
The Class B Common Stock offered hereby                                                    $     66.5
The Concurrent Offering                                                                         150.0
Sale of Series B Preferred Stock and Warrants                                                    10.0
Borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility                                                       8.7
The KTVE Sale                                                                                     9.5
                                                                                         ------------
  Total                                                                                    $    244.7
                                                                                         ------------
                                                                                         ------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                     <C>
USES OF FUNDS:
Redemption of the Notes                                                    $ 151.5(1)
Retire indebtedness under the Old Credit Facility (2)                         52.6
Retire indebtedness under the Senior Note(3)                                  25.0
Fees and expenses (4)                                                         15.6
                                                                        ----------
  Total                                                                    $ 244.7
                                                                        ----------
                                                                        ----------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
   
(1)  Amount  shown  excludes interest  accrued  on the  Notes  from the  date of
     issuance to the date of redemption.
    
 
   
(2)  Borrowings under the  Old Credit  Facility bear interest  at formula  rates
     based upon the applicable LIBOR or prime rate at the time of borrowing plus
     a fixed spread and have a final maturity of 2003. As of March 31, 1996, the
     interest rate was 8.96%.
    
 
   
(3)  The indebtedness under the Senior Note bears interest at 10.7%.
    
 
   
(4)  Fees  and expenses  include underwriting  costs for  this Offering  and the
     Concurrent Offering, fees  payable in connection  with the negotiation  and
     execution  of the Senior  Credit Facility, fees  payable in connection with
     the  retirement  of  the  Senior  Note  and  legal,  accounting  and  other
     transaction  fees. Does  not include estimated  taxes of  $2.8 million with
     respect to the KTVE Sale. If the Phipps Acquisition is not consummated  due
     to  a default  by the Company,  the Company  will be required  to pay $10.0
     million as liquidated damages, however such amount is not included above.
    
 
   
Prior to the  consummation of the  Phipps Acquisition, the  net proceeds of  the
Concurrent Offering, together with an amount sufficient to permit the Company to
redeem the Notes on the Special Redemption Date at the Special Redemption Price,
will be held by and pledged to the trustee under the Indenture for the Notes for
the  benefit of the  holders of the Notes.  The Trust Funds  will be invested in
cash equivalents.  Prior to  the  consummation of  the Phipps  Acquisition,  the
proceeds  of this Offering will be  used to fund part of  the Trust Funds and to
repay indebtedness under the Old Credit Facility.
    
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
                                  THE OFFERING
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>
Class B Common Stock offered hereby.........  3,500,000 Shares
Common Stock to be Outstanding after this
 Offering (1)
    Class A Common Stock....................  4,462,832 Shares
    Class B Common Stock....................  3,500,000 Shares
 
      Total.................................  7,962,832 Shares
Use of Proceeds by the Company..............  The Company  intends to  use the  proceeds  of
                                              this  Offering, together with  the proceeds of
                                              the Concurrent  Offering and  the proceeds  of
                                              the  Financing and  the KTVE Sale  for (i) the
                                              consummation of the  Phipps Acquisition,  (ii)
                                              the  retirement of indebtedness  under the Old
                                              Credit  Facility,  (iii)  the  retirement   of
                                              indebtedness  under the  Senior Note  and (iv)
                                              the payment of related fees and expenses.  See
                                              "The Phipps Acquisition, the KTVE Sale and the
                                              Financing."
New York Stock Exchange Symbols:
    Class A Common Stock....................  GCS
    Class B Common Stock (Proposed).........
 
Concurrent Offering.........................  Concurrently  with this  Offering, the Company
                                              is offering  $150,000,000 aggregate  principal
                                              amount  of its  Notes by  separate prospectus.
                                              The  consummation  of  this  Offering  is  not
                                              conditioned  upon the  concurrent consummation
                                              of the Financing,  the KTVE  Sale, the  Phipps
                                              Acquisition or the Concurrent Offering.
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
   
(1)  Excludes  (i) approximately 55,450 shares of  Class A Common Stock issuable
     upon exercise of stock options outstanding under the Company's stock option
     plans as of March 31, 1996 and (ii) 987,500 shares of Class A Common  Stock
     issuable  upon  exercise  of  outstanding  warrants  of  the  Company.  See
     "Management" and "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions."
    
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    See "Risk Factors" for  a discussion of certain  information that should  be
considered by prospective investors.
                            ------------------------
 
    The  Company was  incorporated in Georgia  in 1897.  The principal executive
offices of  the Company  are located  at 126  North Washington  Street,  Albany,
Georgia 31701, telephone number (912) 888-9390.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
                        SUMMARY PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS AND PER SHARE DATA)
 
   
    The   following  table  sets  forth  (i)  unaudited  condensed  consolidated
historical financial  information  of  the  Company  and  certain  data  derived
therefrom, (ii) unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma financial information
of  the Company and  certain data derived  therefrom after giving  effect to the
Augusta Acquisition, this Offering,  the Financing and the  KTVE Sale and  (iii)
unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma combined financial information of the
Company and certain data derived therefrom after giving effect to the foregoing,
the  Phipps Acquisition  and the  Concurrent Offering.  The pro  forma financial
statements of the Company give effect to the Augusta Acquisition, the KTVE Sale,
this Offering, the Financing, the Phipps Acquisition and the Concurrent Offering
as if such transactions had occurred as  of January 1, 1995 with respect to  the
statement  of operations and data derived  therefrom for the year ended December
31, 1995 and as of January 1,  1996 with respect to the statement of  operations
and  data derived therefrom for the three months  ended March 31, 1996 and as of
December 31, 1995  and March 31,  1996 with  respect to the  balance sheet  data
derived therefrom as of such dates.
    
 
    The  Augusta Acquisition and the Phipps  Acquisition are reflected using the
purchase method of accounting for business combinations. The pro forma financial
information is provided for comparative purposes only and does not purport to be
indicative of the results that actually  would have been obtained if the  events
set  forth above had  been effected on  the dates indicated  or of those results
that may be obtained in the future. The pro forma financial statements are based
on preliminary estimates of values  and transaction costs. The actual  recording
of  the transactions will  be based on final  appraisals, values and transaction
costs. Accordingly, the actual recording of the transactions can be expected  to
differ from these pro forma financial statements.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995              MARCH 31, 1996
                                         ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                         HISTORICAL PRO FORMA   PRO FORMA   HISTORICAL PRO FORMA   PRO FORMA
                                          COMPANY    COMPANY     COMBINED    COMPANY    COMPANY     COMBINED
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                      <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>
Operating revenues:
  Broadcasting (less agency
   commissions)........................  $  36,750  $   41,450  $   63,874  $  11,450  $   10,384  $   15,592
  Publishing...........................     21,866      21,866      21,866      5,577       5,577       5,577
  Paging...............................         --          --       4,897         --          --       1,338
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
Total revenues.........................     58,616      63,316      90,637     17,027      15,961      22,507
Total expenses.........................     51,756      55,051      75,224     14,349      13,355      18,534
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
Operating income.......................      6,860       8,265      15,413      2,678       2,606       3,973
Miscellaneous income (expense), net....        143          24          36         63          60          71
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
Income before interest expense and
 income taxes..........................      7,003       8,289      15,449      2,741       2,666       4,044
Interest expense.......................      5,438       1,497      21,252      2,157         333       5,272
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
Income (loss) before income taxes......      1,565       6,792      (5,803)       584       2,333      (1,228)
Income tax expense (benefit)...........        634       2,724      (1,967)       229         933        (418)
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
Net income (loss)......................        931       4,068      (3,836)       355       1,400        (810)
Preferred stock dividends..............         --       1,400       1,400         --         350         350
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
Net income (loss) available to common
 stockholders..........................  $     931  $    2,668  $   (5,236) $     355  $    1,050  $   (1,160)
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
Average shares outstanding.............      4,481       7,999       7,854      4,607       8,107       7,944
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
Earnings (loss) per common share.......  $    0.21  $     0.33  $    (0.67) $    0.08  $     0.13  $    (0.15)
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD):
Working capital (deficiency)...........  $    (221) $   26,766  $    4,462  $   3,056  $   11,103  $    5,814
Total assets...........................     78,240     136,000     299,786    113,517     117,084     300,123
Total debt.............................     54,325      25,953     192,653     88,440      10,790     193,040
Total stockholders' equity.............      8,986      92,612      89,059      9,719      90,645      89,893
OTHER DATA:
Media Cash Flow (1)....................  $  15,559  $   17,448  $   30,345  $   4,965  $    4,752  $    7,553
Operating cash flow (2)................     13,309      15,197      28,094      4,197       3,976       6,784
EBITDA (3).............................     13,140      15,151      28,134      4,133       3,927       6,744
Cash flow provided by (used in):
  Operating activities.................      7,600                   8,943      3,119                   3,379
  Investing activities.................     (8,929)                 (8,477)   (36,013)                 (2,024)
  Financing activities.................      1,331                  (2,945)    34,416                     337
Capital expenditures...................  $   3,280  $    3,202  $    6,390  $     814  $      814  $    1,524
Ratio of Media Cash Flow to interest
 expense...............................        2.9         5.2         1.4        2.3        14.3         1.4
Ratio of operating cash flow to
 interest expense......................        2.4         4.6         1.3        1.9        11.9         1.3
Ratio of total debt to Media Cash
 Flow..................................        3.5         1.5         6.3        5.2(5)        0.6(5)        6.2(5)
Ratio of total debt to operating cash
 flow..................................        4.1         1.7         6.9        6.1(5)        0.7(5)        6.7(5)
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
 (4)...................................        1.3         2.3          --        1.3         6.9          --
</TABLE>
    
 
- ----------------------------------
(1) Media   Cash  Flow   represents  operating  income   plus  depreciation  and
    amortization (including amortization  of program  license rights),  non-cash
    compensation  and  corporate  overhead,  less  payments  of  program license
    liabilities.
(2) Operating  cash  flow   represents  operating   income  plus   depreciation,
    amortization (including amortization of program license rights) and non-cash
    compensation less payments for program license liabilities.
(3) EBITDA  represents operating  income plus (i)  depreciation and amortization
    (excluding  amortization  of  program  license  rights)  and  (ii)  non-cash
    compensation  paid  in common  stock (excluding  such  payments made  to the
    401(k) plan). EBITDA is presented not as a measure of operating results, but
    rather to provide additional information related to the Company's ability to
    service debt. EBITDA should  not be considered as  an alternative to  either
    (x)  operating  income  determined  in  accordance  with  generally accepted
    accounting principles ("GAAP") as an  indicator of operating performance  or
    (y)  cash  flows from  operating activities  (determined in  accordance with
    GAAP) as a measure of liquidity.
   
(4) For purposes of this item  "fixed charges" represent interest, the  interest
    element  of rental  expense, capitalized  interest and  amortization of debt
    issuance costs and "earnings" represent  income (loss) before income  taxes,
    discontinued operations, extraordinary items, cumulative effect of change in
    accounting  principles and fixed charges.  Pro forma combined earnings would
    be insufficient to cover fixed charges for the year ended December 31,  1995
    and  the three months ended March 31, 1996 by $5.8 million and $1.2 million,
    respectively.
    
   
(5) Represents applicable ratios for the 12 month period ended March 31, 1996.
    
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
   
                       SUMMARY HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA
               GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS AND PER SHARE DATA)
    
 
   
    Set forth below are certain selected historical consolidated financial  data
of  the  Company.  This  information  should be  read  in  conjunction  with the
consolidated financial  statements  of the  Company  and related  notes  thereto
appearing   elsewhere  herein  and  "Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis  of
Financial Condition  and  Results of  Operations-Results  of Operations  of  the
Company."  The selected consolidated financial  data for, and as  of the end of,
each of the years in  the four-year period ended  December 31, 1995 are  derived
from  the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company. The selected
consolidated financial data for, and as of the year ended December 31, 1991  are
derived  from unaudited  financial statements  since the  Company had  a June 30
fiscal year end.  The selected consolidated  financial data for,  and as of  the
three  months  ended March  31, 1995  and  1996 are  derived from  the unaudited
consolidated financial statements of the Company  and have been prepared on  the
same  basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion
of the management of the Company,  include all normal and recurring  adjustments
and accruals necessary for a fair presentation of such information.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                            MARCH 31,
                                         --------------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------
                                              1991          1992        1993        1994        1995        1995        1996
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                          (UNAUDITED)                                                         (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                      <C>             <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Operating revenues:
  Broadcasting (less agency
   commissions)........................   $      13,553   $  15,131   $  15,004   $  22,826   $  36,750   $   8,350   $  11,450
  Publishing...........................           8,968       9,512      10,109      13,692      21,866       4,800       5,577
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Total revenues.........................          22,521      24,643      25,113      36,518      58,616      13,150      17,027
Expenses:
  Broadcasting.........................           9,672       9,753      10,029      14,864      23,202       5,590       7,310
  Publishing...........................           6,444       6,752       7,662      11,198      20,016       3,961       4,808
  Corporate and administrative.........           1,889       2,627       2,326       1,959       2,258         493         776
  Depreciation.........................           1,487       1,197       1,388       1,745       2,633         585         848
  Amortization of intangible assets....              14          44         177         396       1,326         294         547
  Non-cash compensation paid in common
   stock...............................              --          --          --          80       2,321         236          60
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Total expenses.........................          19,506      20,373      21,582      30,242      51,756      11,159      14,349
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Operating income.......................           3,015       4,270       3,531       6,276       6,860       1,991       2,678
Miscellaneous income (expense), net....             778      (1,519)        202         189         143          43          63
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income from continuing operations
 before interest expense and income
 taxes.................................           3,793       2,751       3,733       6,465       7,003       2,034       2,741
Interest expense.......................             787       1,486         985       1,923       5,438       1,376       2,157
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income from continuing operations
 before income taxes...................           3,006       1,265       2,748       4,542       1,565         658         584
Income tax expense.....................           1,156         869       1,068       1,776         634         254         229
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income from continuing operations......           1,850         396       1,680       2,766         931         404         355
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                            MARCH 31,
                                         --------------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------
                                              1991          1992        1993        1994        1995        1995        1996
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                          (UNAUDITED)                                                         (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                      <C>             <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Discontinued business:
  Income (loss) from operations of
   discontinued business, net of
   applicable income tax expense
   (benefit) of ($55), ($79) and $30,
   respectively........................             (90)       (129)         48          --          --          --          --
  Gain on disposal of discontinued
   business, net of applicable income
   tax expense of $501.................              --          --         818          --          --          --          --
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Net income.............................   $       1,760   $     267   $   2,546   $   2,766   $     931   $     404   $     355
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Average outstanding common shares......           6,469       4,668       4,611       4,689       4,481       4,308       4,607
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income from continuing operations per
 common share..........................   $        0.29   $    0.09   $    0.36   $    0.59   $    0.21   $    0.09   $    0.08
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Cash dividends per common share........   $        0.05   $    0.07   $    0.07   $    0.07   $    0.08   $    0.02   $    0.02
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD):
Working capital (deficiency)...........   $       6,740   $   2,976   $   2,579   $   1,075   $    (221)  $     177   $   3,056
Total assets...........................          31,548      24,173      21,372      68,789      78,240      71,094     113,517
Total debt.............................          20,378      12,412       7,759      52,940      54,325      53,606      88,440
Total stockholders' equity.............   $       5,853   $   4,850   $   7,118   $   5,001   $   8,986   $   6,067   $   9,719
 
OTHER DATA:
Media Cash Flow (1)....................   $       6,405   $   8,079   $   7,371   $  10,522   $  15,559   $   3,585   $   4,965
Operating cash flow (2)................           4,516       5,452       5,044       8,567      13,309       3,097       4,197
EBITDA (3).............................           4,516       5,512       5,095       8,498      13,140       3,106       4,133
Cash flows provided by (used in):
    Operating activities...............   $       3,499   $   4,832   $   1,324   $   5,798   $   7,600   $   1,520   $   3,119
    Investing activities...............          (2,073)     (1,041)      3,062     (42,770)     (8,929)     (2,369)    (36,013)
    Financing activities...............         (10,424)     (9,300)     (4,932)     37,200       1,331         582      34,416
Capital expenditures...................   $       2,235   $   2,216   $   2,582   $   1,768   $   3,280   $     973   $     814
Ratio of Media Cash Flow to interest
 expense...............................             8.1         5.4         7.5         5.5         2.9         2.6         2.3
Ratio of operating cash flow to
 interest expense......................             5.7         3.7         5.1         4.5         2.4         2.2         1.9
Ratio of total debt to Media Cash
 Flow..................................             3.2         1.5         1.1         5.0         3.5         4.2(5)        5.2(5)
Ratio of total debt to operating cash
 flow..................................             4.5         2.3         1.5         6.2         4.1         5.1(5)        6.1(5)
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
 (4)...................................             4.7         1.8         3.4         3.1         1.3         1.5         1.3
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
(1)  Media   Cash  Flow  represents  operating   income  plus  depreciation  and
     amortization (including amortization of  program license rights),  non-cash
     compensation  and  corporate  overhead, less  payments  of  program license
     liabilities.
 
(2)  Operating  cash  flow  represents   operating  income  plus   depreciation,
     amortization   (including  amortization  of  program  license  rights)  and
     non-cash compensation less payments for program license liabilities.
 
(3)  EBITDA represents operating income  plus (i) depreciation and  amortization
     (excluding  amortization  of  program  license  rights)  and  (ii) non-cash
     compensation paid  in common  stock (excluding  such payments  made to  the
     401(k)  plan). EBITDA is  presented not as a  measure of operating results,
     but rather  to  provide additional  information  related to  the  Company's
     ability  to service debt. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative
     to either (x)  operating income determined  in accordance with  GAAP as  an
     indicator  of  operating  performance  or  (y)  cash  flows  from operating
     activities (determined in accordance with GAAP) as a measure of liquidity.
 
   
(4)  For purposes of this item, "fixed charges" represent interest, the interest
     element of rental  expense, capitalized interest  and amortization of  debt
     issuance  costs and "earnings" represent income (loss) before income taxes,
     discontinued operations, extraordinary items,  cumulative effect of  change
     in accounting principles and fixed charges.
    
 
   
(5)  Represents  applicable ratios for the 12 month periods ended March 31, 1995
     and 1996.
    
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
                              THE PHIPPS BUSINESS
 
   
    Set forth below are certain selected historical financial data of the Phipps
Business. This  information should  be read  in conjunction  with the  Financial
Statements  of the Phipps Business and related notes thereto appearing elsewhere
herein and  "Management's Discussion  and Analysis  of Financial  Condition  and
Results  of  Operations-Results  of  Operations  of  the  Phipps  Business." The
selected financial data  for, and as  of the end  of, each of  the years in  the
three-year period ended December 31, 1995 are derived from the audited financial
statements  of the Phipps Business.  The selected financial data  for, and as of
the end of, each of the years ended December 31, 1991 and 1992 are derived  from
the  unaudited accounting records of the Phipps Business. The selected financial
data for, and as of the three months  ended March 31, 1995 and 1996 are  derived
from  the unaudited  financial statements of  the Phipps Business  and have been
prepared on  the same  basis as  the audited  financial statements  and, in  the
opinion  of management of the Phipps  Business, include all normal and recurring
adjustments and accruals necessary for a fair presentation of such information.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                              THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31                          MARCH 31,
                                                ----------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------
                                                   1991      1992(1)       1993        1994        1995        1995        1996
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                     (UNAUDITED)                                                 (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                             <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Operating revenues:
  Broadcasting (less agency commission).......   $  10,492   $  14,523   $  19,460   $  21,524   $  22,424   $   4,801   $   5,208
  Paging......................................       3,369       3,646       3,788       4,277       4,897       1,238       1,338
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Total revenues................................      13,861      18,169      23,248      25,801      27,321       6,039       6,546
Expenses:
  Broadcasting................................       5,298       7,518      10,734      10,211      10,487       2,451       2,694
  Paging......................................       2,356       2,298       2,529       2,764       3,052         695         835
  Management fee..............................         579         973       2,462       2,486       3,280         769         371
  Depreciation and amortization...............       1,513       1,734       2,836       2,672       3,120         700         759
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Total expenses................................       9,746      12,523      18,561      18,133      19,939       4,615       4,659
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Operating income..............................       4,115       5,646       4,687       7,668       7,382       1,424       1,887
Miscellaneous income (expense), net...........           5           8          16         666          12          (4)         11
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income before interest expense and minority
 interests....................................       4,120       5,654       4,703       8,334       7,394       1,420       1,898
Interest expense..............................         162         442         632         480         499         114          92
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income before minority interests..............       3,958       5,212       4,071       7,854       6,895       1,306       1,806
Minority interests............................          --         331         140         635         547          58          80
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Net income....................................   $   3,958   $   4,881   $   3,931   $   7,219   $   6,348   $   1,248   $   1,726
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Supplemental unaudited pro forma
 information: (2)
  Net income, as above........................   $   3,958   $   4,881   $   3,931   $   7,219   $   6,348   $   1,248   $   1,726
  Pro forma provision for income tax
   expense....................................       1,504       1,855       1,500       2,743       2,413         474         656
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Pro forma net income..........................   $   2,454   $   3,026   $   2,431   $   4,476   $   3,935   $     774   $   1,070
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD):
Working capital...............................   $     595   $     615   $   1,127   $   1,421   $   2,622   $   1,308   $   1,528
Total assets..................................       8,931      25,068      24,819      25,298      27,562      25,626      25,769
Total debt....................................       1,388       7,697       6,542       6,065       4,810       5,731       4,071
Minority interests............................          --       1,154         824         728         586         671         438
Owner's equity................................   $   6,351   $  13,276   $  14,306   $  15,465   $  18,794   $  16,071   $  18,015
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31            MARCH 31,
(IN THOUSANDS)                                    1993       1994       1995       1995       1996
                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<S>                                          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
OTHER DATA:
Media Cash Flow (3)........................  $  10,466  $  12,983  $  13,696  $   2,867  $   3,001
Operating cash flow (4)....................      8,003     10,498     10,416      2,097      2,629
EBITDA (5).................................      7,523     10,340     10,502      2,115      2,646
Cash flows provided by (used in):
    Operating activities...................      7,397      9,808      9,259      2,094      3,337
    Investing activities...................     (2,953)    (2,506)    (3,828)      (965)      (295)
    Financing activities...................     (4,418)    (7,233)    (4,906)    (1,092)    (3,476)
Capital expenditures.......................  $   3,538  $   3,353  $   3,188  $   1,239  $     710
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
(1) Includes the acquisition of a majority interest in WKXT in July 1992,  which
    was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.
 
(2) John H. Phipps, Inc. and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income
    tax return and separate state tax returns. Income tax expense for the Phipps
    Business  is not presented  in the financial statements  as such amounts are
    computed and paid by John H. Phipps, Inc. Pro forma federal and state income
    taxes for the Phipps Business are calculated on a pro forma, separate return
    basis.
 
(3) Media Cash Flow represents operating income plus depreciation,  amortization
    (including  amortization of program license  rights) and corporate overhead,
    less payments of program license liabilities.
 
(4) Operating cash  flow  represents  operating  income  plus  depreciation  and
    amortization   (including  amortization  of  program  license  rights)  less
    payments for program license liabilities.
 
(5) EBITDA  represents  operating  income  plus  depreciation  and  amortization
    (excluding  amortization of program license rights). EBITDA is presented not
    as a  measure  of  operating  results,  but  rather  to  provide  additional
    information  related to the Company's ability to service debt. EBITDA should
    not  be  considered  as  an  alternative  to  either  (x)  operating  income
    determined  in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of operating performance
    or (y) cash flows from  operating activities (determined in accordance  with
    GAAP) as a measure of liquidity.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
   
                                  RISK FACTORS
    
 
   
    IN  ADDITION  TO  CONSIDERING  THE  OTHER  INFORMATION  SET  FORTH  IN  THIS
PROSPECTUS, PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE  CLASS B COMMON STOCK SHOULD  CONSIDER
CAREFULLY  THE FOLLOWING FACTORS BEFORE DECIDING TO INVEST IN THE CLASS B COMMON
STOCK.
    
 
   
    SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE.  The Company  will have substantial indebtedness  upon
the  consummation of this Offering and the  Concurrent Offering. As of March 31,
1996, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the KTVE Sale, this  Offering,
the  Financing, the Phipps Acquisition and  the Concurrent Offering, the Company
and  the  Subsidiary  Guarantors,  on  a  consolidated  basis,  would  have  had
outstanding  $193.0 million  of indebtedness  and stockholders'  equity of $89.9
million, with the ability, subject  to certain limitations described herein,  to
incur  approximately $82.8  million of  additional indebtedness  pursuant to the
Senior Credit Facility, none of which could have been borrowed thereunder due to
the covenant restrictions contained  in the Senior Credit  Facility. As part  of
the  Financing and as a  condition of the Concurrent  Offering, the Company will
replace the Old Credit Facility with the Senior Credit Facility and the  Company
has  entered into a commitment letter  with respect thereto. See "Description of
Certain Indebtedness." On a pro forma  basis after giving effect to the  Augusta
Acquisition, the KTVE Sale, this Offering, the Financing, the Phipps Acquisition
and  the Concurrent Offering for the year  ended December 31, 1995 and the three
months ended March  31, 1996, the  Company's pro forma  combined earnings  would
have  been insufficient to cover fixed charges by $5.9 million and $1.2 million,
respectively. In addition, upon the  consummation of this Offering, the  Company
will  issue  Series  A  and  Series B  Preferred  Stock  having  annual dividend
requirements of $800,000 and  $600,000, respectively, which in  the case of  the
Series  B Preferred Stock, may, at the option  of the Company, be paid in shares
of  Series  B   Preferred  Stock.   See  "Certain   Relationships  and   Related
Transactions--Issuances of Preferred Stock."
    
 
    The   Company  intends  to  pursue  additional  acquisitions  of  television
stations, publications or related businesses  and, in connection therewith,  may
incur  substantial  additional  indebtedness  or  issue  substantial  additional
preferred stock.
 
   
    The degree  to which  the Company  will be  leveraged could  have  important
consequences  to holders of  the Class B Common  Stock, including the following:
(i) the Company's ability to obtain financing in the future for working capital,
capital expenditures  and general  corporate purposes  may be  impaired; (ii)  a
substantial portion of the Company's cash flow from operations must be dedicated
to  the payment of principal and interest on its indebtedness and the payment of
cash dividends on  the Series  A Preferred  Stock; and  (iii) a  high degree  of
leverage  may limit the Company's  ability to react to  changes in the industry,
make the Company more vulnerable to economic downturns and limit its ability  to
withstand competitive pressures.
    
 
   
    The  Company's ability  to service  its debt  and dividend  obligations will
depend  upon  its  future  operating  performance  which  will  be  affected  by
prevailing economic conditions and financial and business factors, many of which
are beyond the Company's control. If the Company cannot generate sufficient cash
flow  from operations to meet its obligations,  then the Company may be required
to restructure or  refinance its debt,  raise additional capital  or take  other
actions  such as  selling assets or  reducing or  delaying capital expenditures.
There can be no assurance, however, that  any of such actions could be  effected
on  satisfactory terms,  if at all,  or would be  permitted by the  terms of the
Senior  Credit  Facility,   the  Indenture   or  the   Company's  other   credit
arrangements.
    
 
   
    Certain  of  the Company's  Senior Debt  and  the Notes  contain restrictive
covenants that,  among  other  things,  limit the  Company's  ability  to  incur
additional   indebtedness,  create  liens  and   make  investments  and  capital
expenditures. Such Senior Debt also requires the Company to comply with  certain
financial  ratios  and tests,  under which  the Company  is required  to achieve
certain financial and  operating results.  The Company's ability  to meet  these
financial  ratios and tests  may be affected  by events beyond  its control, and
there can be no assurance that they  will be met. The Company's ability to  meet
these  financial ratios and tests may be  affected by events beyond its control,
and  there  can  be  no  assurance  that   they  will  be  met.  A  failure   to
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
   
comply  with the  covenants and other  provisions of its  debt instruments could
result  in  events  of  default  under  such  instruments,  which  could  permit
acceleration  of the debt under such  instruments and in some cases acceleration
of debt under other instruments that contain cross default or cross-acceleration
provisions.
    
 
   
    LIMITATIONS  ON   ADDITIONAL   INDEBTEDNESS   --   EFFECT   ON   ACQUISITION
STRATEGY.   The  Company's strategy  includes acquiring  television stations and
publications  in  the  Southeast.  However,  the  Company's  ability  to   incur
additional  indebtedness  will be  limited  by the  terms  of the  Senior Credit
Facility and the Notes. If the Company requires significant additional financing
to fund acquisitions  or operations or  for other purposes,  the consent of  its
lenders,  or  a refinancing  of existing  indebtedness,  would be  required. The
Senior  Credit  Facility  contains  financial  covenants  and  other   operating
restrictions  which must be met, or  consent to their modifications obtained, to
permit acquisitions.  There  can be  no  assurance  that the  Company  would  be
successful  in obtaining such consents or  refinancing. If the Company is unable
to satisfy such financial covenants or  obtain such consents or refinancing,  it
would not be able to pursue its acquisition strategy.
    
 
    CONSUMMATION  OF THE PHIPPS ACQUISITION PRIOR TO FINAL FCC APPROVAL.  If the
requisite FCC approval is obtained, the Company intends to consummate the Phipps
Acquisition prior to the time such approval becomes "final" (that is, during the
time a third party may file a petition for reconsideration of, or the FCC itself
may reconsider, such approval) and the Company may cause the Trustee to  release
the proceeds of the Trust Funds for such purpose. If any such appeals are filed,
the  FCC may, under certain circumstances, reconsider its approval of the Phipps
Acquisition. If any such appeal is successful,  the FCC may impose a variety  of
remedies,  including, among other things, requiring the Company to divest one or
both of the acquired stations.
 
    FCC DIVESTITURE REQUIREMENT.  In connection with the Phipps Acquisition, the
Company is  seeking  FCC approval  granting  the assignment  of  the  television
broadcast  licenses  for  WCTV, which  serves  Tallahassee, Florida/Thomasville,
Georgia, and WKXT, which serves  Knoxville, Tennessee. The television  broadcast
signal  of WCTV overlaps with the  Company's existing stations, WALB-TV ("WALB")
and WJHG-TV ("WJHG"). Due to such overlap, common ownership of such stations  is
prohibited by current FCC regulations. Such regulations will require the Company
to  divest its ownership interest in WALB and WJHG in connection with the Phipps
Acquisition. However, these rules may be  revised by the FCC upon conclusion  of
pending rulemaking proceedings. The Company has applied for six month waivers of
such  regulations. There can be no assurance that these waivers will be granted.
Opposition to such  waiver requests  has been  filed by  a competing  television
station in Panama City, Florida. If granted, the waivers will afford the Company
six  months to  divest WALB  and WJHG following  the consummation  of the Phipps
Acquisition (if such divestiture is necessary in order to comply with FCC  rules
in effect at the expiration of the waiver period).
 
   
    In order to satisfy applicable FCC requirements, the Company, subject to FCC
approval,  intends to  swap such  assets for  assets of  one or  more television
stations of  comparable value  and  with comparable  broadcast  cash flow  in  a
transaction qualifying for deferred capital gains treatment under the "like-kind
exchange"  provision of Section  1033 of the  Internal Revenue Code  of 1986, as
amended (the  "Code").  If the  Company  is unable  to  effect such  a  swap  on
satisfactory  terms within the time period granted by the FCC under the waivers,
the Company may transfer such assets to a trust with a view towards the  trustee
effecting  a swap or  sale of such  assets. Any such  trust arrangement would be
subject to the approval of the FCC. It is anticipated that the Company would  be
required  to  relinquish operating  control of  such assets  to a  trustee while
retaining the economic risks and benefits  of ownership. If the Company or  such
trust  is  required  to  effect  a  sale of  WALB,  the  Company  would  incur a
significant gain and related  tax liability, the payment  of which could have  a
material  adverse effect on  the Company's ability  to acquire comparable assets
without incurring additional indebtedness. WALB and WJHG accounted for 10.4% and
4.3%, respectively, of  the Company's  pro forma  total revenues  and 16.8%  and
1.8%,  respectively, of  the Company's  pro forma Media  Cash Flow  for the year
ended December 31, 1995. On  a pro forma basis for  the year ended December  31,
1995,  the stations  had net income  of $2.6 million  and $51,000, respectively,
while the Company had a  net (loss) of $(3.8)  million. WALB and WJHG  accounted
for  10.4% and 4.9%, respectively of the  Company's pro forma total revenues and
15.5% and 2.9%, respectively of the Company's pro forma Media Cash Flow for  the
three  months ended March  31, 1996. On a  pro forma basis  for the three months
ended March 31,  1996, the  stations had net  income of  $686,000 and  $103,000,
respectively, while the Company had a net (loss)
    
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
   
of  $(810,000).  No assurance  can be  given that  the Company  will be  able to
identify or enter into arrangements regarding suitable assets for a swap or sale
satisfying the  FCC  divestiture requirements.  In  addition, there  can  be  no
assurance  that the  Company could effect  a sale or  swap on a  timely basis or
establish a trust  on satisfactory  terms. See  "Pro Forma  Financial Data"  and
"Business-Federal Regulation of the Company's Business."
    
 
   
    POSSIBLE  NON-CONSUMMATION OF THE  PHIPPS ACQUISITION.   The consummation of
the Phipps Acquisition,  which is  anticipated to  occur by  September 1996,  is
subject  to certain closing conditions, including receipt of FCC approval. There
can be no assurance that FCC approval will be obtained or that the other closing
conditions will be satisfied or waived. Upon the consummation of the  Concurrent
Offering  and pending  the consummation of  the Phipps  Acquisition, the Company
will deposit  the estimated  net proceeds  of $144.7  million (before  deducting
expenses) from the Concurrent Offering plus an amount estimated to be sufficient
to  fund  in full  the  redemption of  the  Notes in  an  interest-bearing trust
account.  If  the  Phipps  Acquisition  is  not  consummated  on  or  prior   to
           ,  1996, the Company will be required  to redeem the Notes for $151.5
million plus accrued and unpaid interest  to the date fixed for redemption.  The
Company  expects that  the interest  rate earned on  the funds  deposited in the
trust account will be less than the interest rate on the Notes. See "Description
of the Notes."
    
 
   
    In addition, if the Phipps Acquisition is  not consummated as a result of  a
default  by the  Company, the  Company will  be required  to pay  $10 million as
liquidated damages.
    
 
   
    For the year  ended December 31,  1995, on  a pro forma  basis after  giving
effect  to the Augusta Acquisition, the  KTVE Sale, the Financing, this Offering
and the Concurrent Offering, the Phipps Business comprised approximately  30.1%,
42.5%  and 45.2% of the Company's total  revenues, Media Cash Flow and operating
income (income before  miscellaneous income (expense),  allocation of  corporate
overhead,  interest expense and income tax expense), respectively. For the three
months ended March 31,  1996, on a  pro forma basis after  giving effect to  the
KTVE  Sale, the Financing, this Offering and the Concurrent Offering, the Phipps
Business comprised approximately 29.1%, 37.0%  and 33.5% of the Company's  total
revenues,  Media  Cash Flow  and operating  income (income  before miscellaneous
income (expense), allocation of corporate overhead, interest expense and  income
tax  expense),  respectively.  If the  Company  does not  consummate  the Phipps
Acquisition, the  Company would  have  lower revenues,  lower Media  Cash  Flow,
higher cash balances and lower long-term debt. See "Pro Forma Financial Data."
    
 
   
    POSSIBLE  NON-CONSUMMATION OF THE  KTVE SALE.  The  Company has entered into
the KTVE Agreement with respect to the KTVE Sale, filed an application with  the
FCC  to approve  the assignment  of KTVE's  television broadcast  license to the
purchaser and  has received  preliminary approval  thereof. The  KTVE  Agreement
includes a number of closing conditions, including final FCC approval, and there
can  be no assurance  that such closing  conditions can be  satisfied or waived.
Neither the  consummation  of  this  Offering nor  the  Concurrent  Offering  is
conditioned upon the KTVE Sale.
    
 
    DEPENDENCE  ON  ADVERTISING REVENUES;  EFFECT OF  ECONOMIC CONDITIONS.   The
television and newspaper industries are cyclical  in nature and are affected  by
prevailing economic conditions. Since the Company relies on sales of advertising
time at its television stations and in its publications for substantially all of
its  revenues, the Company's operating results are sensitive to general economic
conditions and regional conditions  in each of the  local markets served by  its
television stations and publications. In addition, all of the Company's stations
and  publications  are located  in  the Southeast.  As  a result,  the Company's
results of  operations  may  be  adversely  affected  by  recessionary  economic
conditions  either  in  the Southeast,  nationally  or, due  to  the substantial
portion of revenues derived from local advertisers, the local economies in areas
served by its television stations and publications. See "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business."
 
    DEPENDENCE ON  NETWORK  AFFILIATIONS.   Five  of  the  Company's  television
stations are affiliated with CBS and two are affiliated with NBC. The television
viewership  levels  for  each  of the  stations  are  materially  dependent upon
programming provided by the network with which each station is affiliated. There
can be no assurance that such programming will achieve or maintain  satisfactory
viewership  levels in the future. Although the Company expects to continue to be
able to renew these affiliation agreements, no assurance
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
can be given that such renewals will be obtained. Some of the Company's  network
affiliation  agreements are  to be  renewed during  the term  of the  Notes. The
non-renewal or termination  of one or  more of the  Company's stations'  network
affiliation  agreements  may have  a material  adverse  effect on  the Company's
results of operations. See "Business-Network Affiliation of the Stations."
 
    COMPETITIVE NATURE OF AND RISK OF  CHANGES IN THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY.   The
television  industry is  highly competitive  and the  Company's stations compete
with  other  television  stations  as  well  as  other  media  for  viewers  and
advertising  revenues, such  as newspapers,  radio stations,  magazines, outdoor
advertising, transit advertising, yellow page directories, direct mail and local
cable systems. During the past decade, the entry of strong independent broadcast
stations and programming alternatives such  as cable television, home  satellite
delivery,  home  video and,  more recently,  direct broadcast  satellite ("DBS")
television and  video  signals delivered  over  telephone lines  have  subjected
traditional  network-affiliated television stations to new types of competition.
Competition  for  programming   involves  negotiating   with  national   program
distributors or syndicators for exclusive rights to broadcast first-run or rerun
packages of programming in a particular DMA.
 
    The  ability  of  each of  the  Company's stations  to  generate advertising
revenues is dependent, to a significant degree, upon its audience ratings which,
in turn, are dependent  upon successful programming. There  can be no  assurance
that  any of  the Company's stations  will be  able to maintain  or increase its
current quality of programming, audience  share or advertising revenues. To  the
extent  that certain  of the  Company's competitors have,  or may  in the future
obtain, greater resources  than the  Company, the Company's  ability to  compete
successfully    in   its    broadcasting   markets    may   be    impeded.   See
"Business-Competition."
 
    Further advances in  technology and  changes in the  regulatory climate  may
increase  competition  for  household audiences,  programs  and  advertisers. In
addition, the Warner Brothers  Network ("WB") and  the United Paramount  Network
("UPN")  recently have begun operations.  Video compression technology currently
under development,  as  well  as  other  technological  developments,  have  the
potential  to provide vastly expanded  programming to highly targeted audiences.
In addition, competition in the television industry in the future may come  from
interactive  video and data  services that may  provide two-way interaction. The
Company is  unable to  predict  the effect  that  these or  other  technological
changes  will  have on  the television  industry  or the  future results  of the
Company's operations.
 
   
    The FCC  has  proposed  the  adoption of  rules  for  implementing  advanced
(including high-definition television or HDTV) television service ("ATV") in the
United  States.  Implementation of  ATV will  improve  the technical  quality of
television. Under certain circumstances,  however, conversion to ATV  operations
may  reduce a station's geographical coverage  area. While implementation of ATV
will impose additional costs on the Company's television stations providing  the
new service primarily due to increased equipment costs, there is a potential for
increased revenues. On July 26, 1995, the FCC announced the issuance of a Notice
of  Proposed Rule Making ("NPRM")  to invite comment on  a broad range of issues
related to the  implementation of  ATV, particularly the  transition to  digital
broadcasting.  The  FCC also  stated  that the  NPRM  would be  followed  by two
additional proceedings and that a Final  Report and Order which will launch  the
ATV system is anticipated sometime in 1997.
    
 
    The  Company cannot predict how the  combination of business, regulatory and
technological change will affect the broadcast industry or the Company's results
of operations. See "Business-Federal Regulation of the Company's Business."
 
    COMPETITIVE NATURE  OF THE  NEWSPAPER INDUSTRY.   Revenue  in the  newspaper
industry  is derived  primarily from  advertising revenue  and paid circulation.
Competition for  advertising  and  circulation  revenue  comes  from  local  and
regional  newspapers,  radio, broadcast  and cable  television, direct  mail and
other communications  and  advertising media.  The  extent and  nature  of  such
competition  is in large part determined by the demographics and location of the
markets and the media alternatives in those markets. To the extent that  certain
of  the  Company's  competitors  have,  or may  in  the  future  obtain, greater
resources than the Company, the Company's ability to compete successfully in its
publishing markets may be impeded. See "Business-Competition."
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
    The newspaper industry requires  the availability of significant  quantities
of  newsprint. The  variability of  newsprint costs in  recent years  has been a
material factor in the profitability of the newspaper industry generally and has
affected the results of the Company's newspaper operations.
 
    REGULATORY MATTERS.  The broadcasting  and paging industries are subject  to
regulation  by the  FCC under  the Communications Act  of 1934,  as amended (the
"Communications  Act")   and   the   Telecommunications   Act   of   1996   (the
"Telecommunications  Act"). Approval  by the FCC  is required  for the issuance,
renewal, transfer or  assignment of  television station  operating licenses.  In
particular,  the Company's television business  is dependent upon its continuing
ability to hold television broadcast licenses from the FCC, which generally  are
issued  for five-year terms. However, the Telecommunications Act now directs the
FCC to  extend the  term of  television broadcast  licenses to  eight years  for
license  applications filed after May 1, 1995. The Company's existing television
station licenses expire between 1997 and 1999. Although in the vast majority  of
cases  such licenses are renewed by the FCC,  there can be no assurance that any
of the  Company's  television  broadcast  licenses  will  be  renewed  at  their
expiration  dates for the full terms or at all. The non-renewal or limitation of
one or more of the Company's television broadcast licenses could have a material
adverse effect on the Company. The Telecommunications Act also addresses a  wide
variety  of matters (including technological  changes) that affect the operation
and ownership of the Company's  television stations. The Telecommunications  Act
eliminates  the restrictions on the number  of television stations an entity may
own, operate or control and increases the national audience reach limitations to
35%. The  FCC  has been  directed  to adopt  rules  relating to  the  retention,
modification   or  elimination  of  local  ownership  limitations  and  spectrum
flexibility, including how to establish  and collect fees from broadcasters  for
the implementation of ancillary and supplementary services.
 
    The  FCC has  been directed  to revise  its rules  to permit cross-ownership
interests between a broadcast network and  a cable system, and if necessary,  to
revise  its rules to ensure carriage, channel positioning and non-discriminatory
treatment of non-affiliated broadcast stations by cable systems affiliated  with
a  broadcast network. The FCC  has been directed to  review all of its ownership
rules every two  years and  currently has several  broadcast related  rulemaking
proceedings  underway. There  can be no  assurance that any  such rulemakings or
resulting changes would not materially adversely affect the Company.
 
    The Company's paging operations are also  subject to regulation by the  FCC.
The FCC licenses granted to the Company are for varying terms of up to 10 years,
at  the end of which renewal applications  must be approved by the FCC. Although
the Company is  unaware of any  circumstances which could  prevent the grant  of
renewal  applications,  no assurance  can  be given  that  any of  the Company's
licenses will be free of competing applications  or will be renewed by the  FCC.
Futhermore,  the FCC  has the  authority to  restrict the  operation of licensed
facilities or to revoke or modify licenses. See "Business-Federal Regulation  of
the Company's Business."
 
   
    RECENT  ACQUISITION OF  TELEVISION STATIONS  AND PUBLICATIONS.   The Company
acquired one newspaper and  three shoppers in 1995  and consummated the  Augusta
Acquisition  in 1996. The Phipps  Acquisition and the KTVE  Sale are pending and
the Company will be  required under current FCC  regulations to divest WALB  and
WJHG in connection with the Phipps Acquisition. As a result, the majority of the
Company's  assets have, or will have been, recently acquired. Accordingly, there
is no meaningful opportunity  for prospective purchasers of  the Class B  Common
Stock to evaluate the performance of these assets under the Company's management
and  there can  be no  assurance that  the Company's  operating strategy  can be
successfully  implemented  with  respect  to  its  newly  acquired  assets.  See
"Business."
    
 
   
    RISK  OF INABILITY TO FINANCE CHANGE OF  CONTROL OFFER.  A Change of Control
under the Indenture would require  the Company to refinance substantial  amounts
of  indebtedness.  In the  event of  a Change  of Control,  the Company  has the
obligation to offer to purchase  all the outstanding Notes  at a price equal  to
101%  of the principal amount  thereof, plus accrued and  unpaid interest to the
date of  purchase. On  a pro  forma basis  after giving  effect to  the  Augusta
Acquisition, the KTVE Sale, this Offering, the Financing, the Phipps Acquisition
and  the  Concurrent  Offering,  the Company  would  not  have  sufficient funds
available to purchase all of  the outstanding Notes if  they were tendered as  a
result  of a  Change of  Control. In  addition, covenants  in the  Senior Credit
Facility would restrict  the Company's  ability to  make any  such purchase.  In
    
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
   
the  event of a  Change of Control, there  can be no  assurance that the Company
would have  available,  or  be  able  to  obtain,  sufficient  funds  through  a
refinancing of the Notes to be purchased or otherwise, or that the lenders under
the  Senior Credit Facility would permit any  such purchase. A Change of Control
of the Company also may cause an acceleration under other Senior Debt (including
the Senior Credit Facility), in which  case the subordination provisions of  the
Notes  would require payment in full of  all such accelerated Senior Debt before
repurchase of the Notes. The inability to repay Senior Debt, if accelerated, and
to effect  an offer  to repurchase  the Notes  upon a  Change of  Control  would
constitute events of default under the Indenture. Also, the requirement that the
Company  offer to repurchase the Notes and  the obligation to prepay the amounts
owing under  the  Company's  existing  indebtedness and  the  reduction  of  the
commitments  thereunder to zero in the event of a Change of Control may have the
effect of deterring a  third party from acquiring  the Company in a  transaction
that would constitute a Change of Control.
    
 
   
    LIMITED  VOTING RIGHTS OF CLASS B  COMMON SHAREHOLDERS; CONTROL BY PRINCIPAL
SHAREHOLDER.  Holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share
on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders and holders of Class A Common
Stock are entitled to 10 votes per share. Immediately after the consummation  of
this  Offering and the Concurrent  Offering, the Class B  Common Stock will have
approximately 7.3% of the outstanding voting power of the Company. Bull Run  and
its  affiliates collectively beneficially own     % of the outstanding shares of
Class A Common Stock representing approximately     % of the total voting  power
of  the  Company's  common  stock  after  giving  effect  to  this  Offering. In
connection with certain FCC applications, Bull  Run and its affiliates have  (i)
agreed  not to cause more than three of its designees to be elected to the Board
of Directors of the Company, (ii) stated  that Bull Run and its affiliates  have
acquired  the common stock of  the Company for investment  purposes only and not
with the intent to control the Company  and (iii) agreed not to solicit  proxies
for  votes  on  matters  before the  Company's  shareholders.  However,  if such
agreement is terminated for  any reason, subject  to applicable FCC  regulations
that  require  the  FCC's  prior  consent, Bull  Run  and  its  affiliates could
effectively control the election of a  majority of the Company's directors  and,
thus,  the operations and business of the  Company as a whole. In addition, such
stockholders  may  have  the  ability  to  prevent  certain  types  of  material
transactions, including a change of control of the Company.
    
 
   
    The  disproportionate voting rights of the  Class A Common Stock relative to
the Class B Common  Stock may make  the Company a less  attractive target for  a
takeover  than it otherwise might  be, or render more  difficult or discourage a
merger proposal or a tender offer.
    
 
   
    POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF  INTEREST.   Bull Run is  in the  business of  making
significant  investments in existing companies and may from time to time acquire
and  hold   controlling  or   noncontrolling   interests  in   broadcasting   or
broadcasting-related  businesses other than  through the Company,  some of which
may compete with the Company. Bull Run and its affiliates may from time to  time
identify,  pursue and  consummate acquisitions  of television  stations or other
broadcasting related businesses that would  be complementary to the business  of
the  Company and therefore such acquisition  opportunities will not be available
to the  Company. In  addition,  Bull Run  may from  time  to time  identify  and
structure acquisitions for the Company and may receive customary finders fees in
connection  with such transactions. Certain affiliates of Bull Run have entered,
and in the future may enter, into business relationships with the Company or its
subsidiaries. See "Certain Relationship and Related Transactions."
    
 
   
    ANTI-TAKEOVER MEASURES.  The  Company's Articles of Incorporation  authorize
the issuance of up to 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Other than the 1,000
shares  of Series A Preferred  Stock and the 1,000  shares of Series B Preferred
Stock to be issued in the Financing,  the Company has no current plans to  issue
any  additional  shares  of preferred  stock.  However, because  the  rights and
preferences for any series  of preferred stock  may be set by  the Board in  its
sole  discretion, the  Company may  issue preferred  stock which  has rights and
preferences superior to the rights of holders  of the Common Stock and thus  may
adversely  effect the  rights of  holders of  Common Stock.  See "Description of
Capital Stock -- Preferred Stock."
    
 
   
    NO PRIOR PUBLIC MARKET.   Prior to this Offering,  there has been no  public
market  for the Class B  Common Stock. The Company intends  to apply to list the
Class B Common Stock on the NYSE.  Nevertheless, there can no assurance that  an
active  public  trading  market  for  the  Class  B  Common  Stock  will develop
    
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
   
or be sustained. The initial public offering  price of the Class B Common  Stock
will  be based on the closing  price of the Class A  Common Stock on the date of
offering and will be determined through negotiations between the Company and the
Underwriters. There can be  no assurance that  the market price  of the Class  B
Common  Stock subsequent to this Offering will  correlate to the market price of
the Class A Common  Stock. Factors such as  market conditions in the  television
broadcast  industry may  have a  significant impact on  the market  price of the
Class B Common Stock.
    
 
   
    SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE.  Sales of a substantial number of shares of
the Company's Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock in the public  market
following  this Offering could adversely affect the market price for the Class B
Common Stock. At  March 31, 1996,  after giving effect  to this Offering,  there
would  be 4,462,832 shares of Class A Common Stock and 3,500,000 shares of Class
B Common Stock outstanding, of which          shares of Class A Common Stock and
all the Class  B Common Stock  would be  freely transferable. Bull  Run and  its
affiliates  and  the  Company's  executive officers  and  directors  who  in the
aggregate own    shares of Class A Common Stock and hold options or warrants  to
acquire  an additional     shares of Class A Common  Stock have agreed that they
will not sell  or otherwise dispose  of any of  their shares of  Class A  Common
Stock  or securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, Class
A  Common  Stock  or   Class  B  Common  Stock   without  the  consent  of   The
Robinson-Humphrey  Company, Inc. for a period of  180 days from the date of this
Prospectus (the "180-Day Lockup Period"). If presented with such a request,  the
Underwriters would take into consideration the number of shares as to which such
request  related, the  relative demand for  additional shares of  Class A Common
Stock or Class B Common  Stock in the market, and  the price performance of  the
Class B Common Stock in the period following completion of this Offering.
    
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
   
            THE PHIPPS ACQUISITION, THE KTVE SALE AND THE FINANCING
    
 
THE PHIPPS ACQUISITION
 
GENERAL
 
   
    The  Company has entered into an  agreement (the "Asset Purchase Agreement")
to acquire two CBS-affiliated  television stations, WCTV  and WKXT, a  satellite
broadcasting  business and a paging business  in the Southeast. The consummation
of the Phipps Acquisition  is subject to  certain closing conditions,  including
FCC approval. The Phipps Acquisition is currently expected to occur by September
1996;  however, there can  be no assurance  that FCC approval  will be obtained,
that the other closing conditions will be satisfied or waived or that the Phipps
Acquisition will be consummated.
    
 
THE ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
 
   
    On December 15, 1995 the Company entered into the Asset Purchase  Agreement,
which  was amended on March 15, 1996 and provides for the purchase of the Phipps
Business from Media Acquisition Partners,  L.P. ("MAP"). The purchase price  for
the  Phipps Acquisition is approximately  $185 million, including fees, expenses
and working capital and certain other  adjustments. Upon execution of the  Asset
Purchase  Agreement,  the Company  deposited $200,000  with  MAP, which  will be
credited toward  the  purchase  price  or, if  the  Phipps  Acquisition  is  not
consummated,  refunded  to  the  Company  net  of  MAP's  out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in connection with  the transaction. The parties  have agreed that  $15
million  of the purchase price will be  deposited into an escrow account to fund
indemnification payments under the Asset  Purchase Agreement. To the extent  not
utilized to fund such payments, the escrow funds shall be released to MAP over a
seven-year period.
    
 
    Pursuant  to  the Asset  Purchase Agreement,  the  Company will  acquire the
assets constituting the Phipps Business and assume certain liabilities  relating
to  the Phipps  Business. MAP  has agreed to  indemnify the  Company for certain
liabilities incurred by the Company  relating to the Phipps Business,  including
taxes,   liabilities  relating  to  certain   employee  benefit  plans,  certain
environmental matters and undisclosed  liabilities. However, the Asset  Purchase
Agreement  provides that  no party thereto  shall be  liable for indemnification
(which is the exclusive legal remedy thereunder)  in an amount in excess of  the
balance  of escrowed funds.  There can be  no assurance that  the escrowed funds
will be sufficient to satisfy liabilities of the Phipps Business assumed by  the
Company.
 
    Simultaneously  with  the execution  of  the Asset  Purchase  Agreement, MAP
entered into agreements (the "Stock Purchase Agreements") to acquire all of  the
capital  stock  of John  H. Phipps,  Inc. ("Phipps"),  which currently  owns and
operates  the  Phipps  Business,  together  with  certain  limited   partnership
interests in the partnership that owns and operates WKXT (the general partner of
which is Phipps), for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $166 million,
subject  to working capital and certain  other adjustments (of approximately $10
million). The Company established a $10  million standby letter of credit  which
may be drawn upon in full as liquidated damages if the Phipps Acquisition is not
consummated as a result of a default by the Company.
 
   
    The  Asset  Purchase Agreement  and  the Stock  Purchase  Agreements include
representations and warranties with  respect to the  condition and operation  of
the Phipps Business, covenants as to the conduct of the Phipps Business prior to
the closing and various closing conditions (including approval by the FCC).
    
 
DIVESTITURE REQUIREMENTS
 
    In  connection with the Phipps Acquisition,  the Company will be required to
divest WALB  and WJHG  under current  FCC regulations  due to  common  ownership
restrictions  on stations with overlapping signals.  However, these rules may be
revised by the FCC upon conclusion  of pending rulemaking proceedings. In  order
to  satisfy applicable FCC  requirements, the Company,  subject to FCC approval,
intends to swap such  assets for assets  of one or  more television stations  of
comparable  value  and  with comparable  broadcast  cash flow  in  a transaction
qualifying for deferred capital gains  treatment under the "like-kind  exchange"
provision of Section 1033 of the Code. If the Company is unable to effect such a
swap  on satisfactory terms within the time  period granted by the FCC under the
waivers, the Company may transfer such assets to a trust with a view towards the
trustee effecting a  swap or  sale of such  assets. Any  such trust  arrangement
would be
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
subject  to the approval of the FCC. It is anticipated that the Company would be
required to  relinquish operating  control of  such assets  to a  trustee  while
retaining  the economic risks and benefits of  ownership. If the Company or such
trust is  required  to  effect  a  sale of  WALB,  the  Company  would  incur  a
significant  gain and related tax  liability, the payment of  which could have a
material adverse effect on  the Company's ability  to acquire comparable  assets
without  incurring additional indebtedness.  No assurance can  be given that the
Company will be able to identify  or enter into arrangements regarding  suitable
assets  for  a swap  or  sale satisfying  the  FCC divestiture  requirements. In
addition, there can be no assurance that the Company could effect a sale or swap
on a timely basis or establish a trust on satisfactory terms.
 
THE KTVE SALE
 
   
    The Company has entered into the KTVE Agreement to sell KTVE, the  Company's
NBC-affiliated   station  serving  Monroe,  Louisiana/El  Dorado,  Arkansas  for
approximately $9.5 million in cash plus the amount of the accounts receivable on
the date of  closing (estimated  to be  approximately $750,000),  to the  extent
collected by the buyer, to be paid to the Company 150 days following the date of
closing.  The KTVE Agreement includes a  number of closing conditions, including
final FCC approval, and there can  be no assurance that such closing  conditions
can be satisfied or waived. The closing of the KTVE Sale is expected to occur by
September 1996. See "Risk Factors-Possible Non-Consummation of the KTVE Sale."
    
 
THE FINANCING
 
   
    In addition to the consummation of the Phipps Acquisition and the KTVE Sale,
the Company intends to implement the Financing to increase liquidity and improve
operating and financial flexibility. Pursuant to the Financing, the Company will
(i) retire approximately $52.6 million aggregate principal amount of outstanding
indebtedness  under  the Old  Credit  Facility, together  with  accrued interest
thereon, (ii) retire approximately $25.0  million aggregate principal amount  of
outstanding  indebtedness under the Senior  Note, together with accrued interest
thereon and a prepayment fee,  (iii) issue $10.0 million liquidation  preference
of  its Series A Preferred Stock in exchange for the 8% Note issued to Bull Run,
(iv) issue to  Bull Run  $10.0 million liquidation  preference of  its Series  B
Preferred Stock with warrants to purchase up to 500,000 shares of Class A Common
Stock (representing 10.1% of the currently issued and outstanding Class A Common
Stock after giving effect to the exercise of such warrants) for cash proceeds of
$10.0  million and (v)  enter into the  Senior Credit Facility  to provide for a
term loan and  revolving credit  facility aggregating $125.0  million. The  cash
required  for  the  consummation of  the  Phipps Acquisition,  the  repayment of
indebtedness and related transaction costs will be provided by the net  proceeds
of  this Offering, the Concurrent Offering, the sale of Series B Preferred Stock
and the KTVE  Sale. For  a description  of the  Senior Credit  Facility and  the
Preferred   Stock,  see  "Description  of  Certain  Indebtedness"  and  "Certain
Relationships  and  Related  Transactions-Issuances  of  Preferred  Stock."  The
consummation   of  this  Offering   is  not  conditioned   upon  the  concurrent
consummation of the  Financing, the  KTVE Sale,  the Phipps  Acquisition or  the
Concurrent  Offering.  If the  Phipps Acquisition  is  not consummated  prior to
           , 1996, the Company  is required to redeem  the Notes at the  Special
Redemption Price. See "Description of the Notes."
    
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
SOURCES AND USES OF FUNDS FOR THE PHIPPS ACQUISITION, THE KTVE SALE AND THE
FINANCING
 
   
    The  following  table sets  forth the  estimated sources  and uses  of funds
relating to the KTVE Sale, the Phipps Acquisition and the Financing. The  actual
amounts  of sources and  uses of funds may  differ at the  closing due to, among
other things, the actual amount payable  under the Asset Purchase Agreement  and
the amount of indebtedness outstanding under the Old Credit Facility.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions)
SOURCES OF FUNDS                                                                  AMOUNT
                                                                                  ---------
<S>                                                                               <C>
    The Class B Common Stock offered hereby                                       $    66.5
    The Concurrent Offering                                                           150.0
    Sale of Series B Preferred Stock and Warrants                                      10.0
    Borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility                                        42.2
    The KTVE Sale                                                                       9.5
                                                                                  ---------
      TOTAL                                                                       $   278.2
                                                                                  ---------
                                                                                  ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
USES OF FUNDS
    
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                  <C>
     Consummation of Phipps Acquisition                                                              $   185.0
    Retire indebtedness under the Old Credit Facility (1)                                                 52.6
    Retire indebtedness under the Senior Note (2)                                                         25.0
    Fees and expenses (3)                                                                                 15.6
                                                                                                     ---------
      TOTAL                                                                                          $   278.2
                                                                                                     ---------
                                                                                                     ---------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
(1) Borrowings  under the  Old Credit  Facility bear  interest at  formula rates
    based upon the applicable LIBOR or prime rate at the time of borrowing  plus
    a  fixed spread and have a final maturity of 2003. As of March 31, 1996, the
    interest rate was 8.96%.
(2) The indebtedness under the Senior Note bears interest at 10.7%
   
(3) Fees and  expenses include  underwriting  costs for  this Offering  and  the
    Concurrent  Offering, fees  payable in  connection with  the negotiation and
    execution of the Senior Credit Facility, fees payable in connection with the
    retirement of the Senior  Note and legal,  accounting and other  transaction
    fees.  Does not include estimated taxes of  $2.8 million with respect to the
    KTVE Sale.
    
 
   
    If the Phipps Acquisition  is not consummated, the  Company will redeem  the
Notes. The following table sets forth the estimated sources and uses of funds to
consummate the KTVE Sale and the Financing and to redeem the Notes if the Phipps
Acquisition is not consummated:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions)
SOURCES OF FUNDS                                                                   AMOUNT
                                                                                  ---------
<S>                                                                               <C>
    The Class B Common Stock offered hereby                                       $    66.5
    The Concurrent Offering                                                           150.0
    Sale of Series B Preferred Stock and Warrants                                      10.0
    Borrowings under the Senior Circuit Facility                                        8.7
    The KTVE Sale                                                                       9.5
                                                                                  ---------
      TOTAL                                                                       $   244.7
                                                                                  ---------
                                                                                  ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
USES OF FUNDS
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                            <C>
Redemption of the Notes                                                                        $   151.5(1)
Retire indebtedness under the Old Credit Facility (2)                                               52.6
Retire indebtedness under the Senior Note (3)                                                       25.0
Fees and expenses (4)                                                                               15.6
                                                                                               ---------
  TOTAL                                                                                        $   244.7
                                                                                               ---------
                                                                                               ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
   
(1) Amount  shown  excludes  interest accrued  on  the  Notes from  the  date of
    issuance to the date of redemption.
    
   
(2) Borrowings under  the Old  Credit Facility  bear interest  at formula  rates
    based  upon the applicable LIBOR or prime rate at the time of borrowing plus
    a fixed spread and have a final maturity of 2003. As of March 31, 1996,  the
    interest rate was 8.96%.
    
   
(3) The indebtedness under the Senior Note bears interest at 10.7%.
    
   
(4) Fees  and  expenses include  underwriting costs  for  this Offering  and the
    Concurrent Offering, fees  payable in  connection with  the negotiation  and
    execution of the Senior Credit Facility, fees payable in connection with the
    retirement  of the Senior  Note and legal,  accounting and other transaction
    fees. Does not include estimated taxes  of $2.8 million with respect to  the
    KTVE  Sale. If the Phipps Acquisition is not consummated due to a default by
    the Company, the Company will be required to pay $10.0 million as liquidated
    damages, however such amount is not included.
    
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
   
            PRICE RANGE OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND POLICY
    
 
   
    Prior to this Offering, there has been no established public trading  market
for  the Class B Common Stock. The Company  intends to apply to list the Class B
Common Stock on  the NYSE. Since  June 30,  1995, the Company's  Class A  Common
Stock  has  been listed  and  traded on  the NYSE  under  the symbol  "GCS." The
following table sets forth the high and low sale prices (restated to give effect
to the three-for-two stock split) of the Class A Common Stock as reported by the
NYSE for the period after  June 30, 1995 and, prior  to such time, the high  and
low bid quotations as reported on the NASDAQ Small Cap Market.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   CLASS A
                                                                                 COMMON STOCK             CASH
                                                                             --------------------       DIVIDENDS
                                                                               HIGH        LOW     DECLARED PER SHARE
                                                                             ---------  ---------  -------------------
<S>                                                                          <C>        <C>        <C>
FISCAL 1994
    First Quarter..........................................................  $    9.67  $    8.67       $   .0133
    Second Quarter.........................................................       9.33       8.50           .0133
    Third Quarter..........................................................       9.83       9.33           .0133
    Fourth Quarter.........................................................      11.00       9.83           .0267
FISCAL 1995
    First Quarter..........................................................  $   14.50  $   10.67       $     .02
    Second Quarter.........................................................      19.33      14.50             .02
    Third Quarter..........................................................      24.33      16.75             .02
    Fourth Quarter.........................................................      22.38      16.38             .02
FISCAL 1996
    First Quarter..........................................................  $   20.38  $   15.75       $     .02
    Second Quarter.........................................................      23.25      18.73             .02
    Third Quarter (through July 7, 1996)...................................      22.75      22.63          --
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    On  July 3, 1996, the last reported sale  price for the Class A Common Stock
on the NYSE was $22.625 per share. See "Risk Factors -- No Prior Public  Market"
and  "Underwriting" for  a description of  the method of  determing the offering
price of  the Class  B Common  Stock.  As of  March 31,  1996, the  Company  had
4,462,832  outstanding shares of Class A  Common Stock held by approximately 228
shareholders of record.
    
 
   
    The Company has  paid a dividend  on its  Class A Common  Stock since  1967.
There  can  be no  assurance of  the Company's  ability to  continue to  pay any
dividends  on  either  class  of   Common  Stock.  The  Company's  Articles   of
Incorporation require that the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock
receive dividends on a PARI PASSU basis.
    
 
   
    The  Senior  Credit  Facility  and the  Notes  each  contain  covenants that
restrict the  ability of  the Company  to pay  dividends on  its capital  stock.
However,  the Company does not believe  that such covenants currently materially
limit its ability  to pay dividends  at the  recent quarterly rate  of $.02.  In
addition to the foregoing, the declaration and payment of dividends on the Class
A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock are subject to the discretion of the
Board of Directors. Any future payments of dividends will depend on the earnings
and  financial position of  the Company and  such other factors  as the Board of
Directors deems relevant.
    
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
   
                                 CAPITALIZATION
    
 
   
    The  following   table  sets   forth:   (i)  the   historical   consolidated
capitalization  of  the  Company  as  of March  31,  1996;  (ii)  the historical
consolidated capitalization of  the Company as  adjusted to give  effect, as  of
March  31, 1996 to the KTVE Sale, the  Financing and this Offering and (iii) the
historical consolidated  capitalization  of  the Company  as  adjusted  to  give
effect, as of March 31, 1996 to the KTVE Sale, this Offering, the Financing, the
Phipps  Acquisition and  the Concurrent Offering.  This table should  be read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company, including
the notes thereto, and the Pro Forma Financial Statements and other  information
contained in this Prospectus.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         AS OF MARCH 31, 1996
                                           -------------------------------------------------
                                                               PRO FORMA
                                                                COMPANY
                                                              (INCLUDING
                                                            THIS OFFERING,
                                                                  THE          PRO FORMA,
                                             HISTORICAL      KTVE SALE AND      COMBINED
                                               COMPANY      THE FINANCING)     AS ADJUSTED
                                           ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                        <C>              <C>              <C>
Long-term debt:
    Old Credit Facility..................          $52,600          $    --          $    --
    Senior Credit Facility...............               --            9,950           42,200
    Senior Note..........................           25,000               --               --
    The Notes............................               --               --          150,000
    The 8% Note..........................           10,000               --               --
    Other................................              840              840              840
                                           ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
      Total long-term debt (including
       current portion)..................           88,440           10,790          193,040
                                           ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
    Series A Preferred Stock.............               --           10,000           10,000
    Series B Preferred Stock.............               --           10,000           10,000
    Class A Common Stock, no par value;
     authorized 10,000,000 shares;
     historical Company, pro forma
     Company and pro forma as adjusted
     5,126,012 shares (1)................            7,263            7,263            7,263
    Class B Common Stock, no par value;
     authorized 10,000,000 shares;
     historical Company no shares; pro
     forma Company and pro forma as
     adjusted 3,500,000 shares...........               --           61,050           61,050
    Retained earnings....................            9,094            8,970            8,218
    Treasury stock, 663,180 shares of
     Class A Common Stock................           (6,638)          (6,638)          (6,638)
                                           ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
      Total stockholders' equity.........            9,719           90,645           89,893
                                           ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
      Total capitalization...............          $98,159         $101,435         $282,933
                                           ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                           ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
   
(1) Excludes (i) 55,450 shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
    options  outstanding under the Company's stock option plans and (ii) 987,500
    shares of Class A  Common Stock issuable upon  exercise of certain  warrants
    held  by  an  affiliate  at  the  Company.  See  "Management"  and  "Certain
    Relationships and Related Transactions."
    
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
   
                            PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
    
 
   
    The following unaudited condensed combined pro forma financial statements of
the Company  give  effect  to  the Augusta  Acquisition,  the  KTVE  Sale,  this
Offering,  the Phipps Acquisition, the Financing  and the Concurrent Offering as
if such  transactions  had  occurred  (i)  with  respect  to  the  statement  of
operations,  as of January 1,  1995 for the year ended  December 31, 1995, as of
April 1, 1995 for the 12 months ended March 31, 1996, and as of January 1,  1996
for  the three months ended March 31, 1996  and (ii) with respect to the balance
sheet, as of March 31, 1996. The Augusta Acquisition and the Phipps  Acquisition
are reflected using the purchase method of accounting for business combinations.
The  pro forma financial  information is provided  for comparative purposes only
and does not purport to  be indicative of the  results that actually would  have
been  obtained if  the events  set forth  above had  been effected  on the dates
indicated or of those results that may be obtained in the future. The pro  forma
financial   statements  are  based  on   preliminary  estimates  of  values  and
transaction costs. The  actual recording of  the transactions will  be based  on
final   appraisals,  values  and  transaction  costs.  Accordingly,  the  actual
recording of the  transactions can be  expected to differ  from these pro  forma
financial statements.
    
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                                  HISTORICAL              PRO FORMA
                                            -----------------------     ADJUSTMENTS          PRO
                                                            AUGUSTA     FOR AUGUSTA        FORMA                        PRO FORMA
                                             COMPANY       BUSINESS     ACQUISITION      COMPANY        OFFERING          COMPANY
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
<S>                                         <C>         <C>             <C>             <C>          <C>             <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Operating revenues:
  Broadcasting (less agency commissions)    $36,750         $8,660      $   228(1)      $45,638      $    --             $45,638
  Publishing                                 21,866             --           --          21,866           --              21,866
  Paging                                         --             --           --              --           --                  --
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Total revenues                               58,616          8,660          228          67,504           --              67,504
Expenses:
  Broadcasting                               23,202          5,774          228(1)       29,204           --              29,204
  Publishing                                 20,016             --           --          20,016           --              20,016
  Paging                                         --             --           --              --           --                  --
  Corporate and administrative                2,258             --           --           2,258           --               2,258
  Depreciation                                2,633            272          (52)(2)       2,853           --               2,853
  Amortization of intangible assets           1,326            152          769(3)        2,247          (97)(7)           2,150
  Non-cash compensation paid in common
    stock                                     2,321             --           --           2,321           --               2,321
  Management fee                                 --             --           --              --           --                  --
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Total expenses                               51,756          6,198          945          58,899          (97)             58,802
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Operating income                              6,860          2,462         (717)          8,605           97               8,702
Miscellaneous income (expense), net             143           (220)         128(4)           51           --                  51
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Income before interest expense, minority
 interests and income taxes                   7,003          2,242         (589)          8,656           97               8,753
Interest expense                              5,438             --        3,355(5)        8,793       (7,296) (7)          1,497
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Income (loss) before minority interests
 and income taxes                             1,565          2,242       (3,944)           (137)       7,393               7,256
Minority interests                               --             --           --              --           --                  --
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Income (loss) before income taxes             1,565          2,242       (3,944)           (137)       7,393               7,256
Income tax expense (benefit)                    634             --         (675) (6)        (41)       2,950(6)            2,909
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
  Net income (loss)                             931          2,242       (3,269)            (96)       4,443               4,347
Preferred stock dividends                        --             --           --              --        1,400(8)            1,400
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
  Net income (loss) available to common
    stockholders                            $   931         $2,242      $(3,269)        $   (96)     $ 3,043             $ 2,947
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Average shares outstanding (19)               4,481                                       4,354                            7,999
                                            --------                                    --------                     ------------
                                            --------                                    --------                     ------------
Earnings (loss) per share (20)              $  0.21                                     $ (0.02)                         $  0.37
                                            --------                                    --------                     ------------
                                            --------                                    --------                     ------------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                            PRO FORMA        PHIPPS         PRO FORMA        PRO FORMA
                                          KTVE SALE(9)       COMPANY        BUSINESS       ADJUSTMENTS      COMBINED(21)
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
<S>                                         <C>            <C>             <C>            <C>               <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Operating revenues:
  Broadcasting (less agency commissions)      $(4,188)         $41,450         $22,424    $     --              $63,874
  Publishing                                       --           21,866             --           --               21,866
  Paging                                           --               --          4,897           --                4,897
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Total revenues                                 (4,188)          63,316         27,321           --               90,637
Expenses:
  Broadcasting                                 (3,313)          25,891         10,487          220(10)           37,034
                                                                                               436(11)
  Publishing                                       --           20,016             --           --               20,016
  Paging                                           --               --          3,052          143(11)            3,195
  Corporate and administrative                     --            2,258             --           --                2,258
  Depreciation                                   (438)           2,415          2,385         (625)(12)           4,175
  Amortization of intangible assets                --            2,150            735        3,514(13)            6,225
                                                                                              (174)(14)
  Non-cash compensation paid in common
    stock                                          --            2,321             --           --                2,321
  Management fee                                   --               --          3,280       (3,280)(15)              --
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Total expenses                                 (3,751)          55,051         19,939          234               75,224
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Operating income                                 (437)           8,265          7,382         (234)              15,413
Miscellaneous income (expense), net               (27)              24             12           --                   36
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Income before interest expense, minority
 interests and income taxes                      (464)           8,289          7,394         (234)              15,449
Interest expense                                   --            1,497            499         (499)(16)          21,252
                                                                                            19,755(17)
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Income (loss) before minority interests
 and income taxes                                (464)           6,792          6,895      (19,490)              (5,803)
Minority interests                                 --               --            547         (547)(18)              --
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Income (loss) before income taxes                (464)           6,792          6,348      (18,943)              (5,803)
Income tax expense (benefit)                     (185)           2,724             --       (4,691)(6)           (1,967)
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
  Net income (loss)                              (279)           4,068          6,348      (14,252)              (3,836)
Preferred stock dividends                          --            1,400             --           --                1,400
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
  Net income (loss) available to common
    stockholders                              $  (279)         $ 2,668         $6,348     $(14,252)             $(5,236)
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Average shares outstanding (19)                                  7,999                                            7,854
                                                           ------------                                     ------------
                                                           ------------                                     ------------
Earnings (loss) per share (20)                                 $  0.33                                          $ (0.67)
                                                           ------------                                     ------------
                                                           ------------                                     ------------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
   
    The pro forma adjustments to reflect the Augusta Acquisition, this Offering,
the KTVE Sale, the Phipps Acquisition, the Financing and the Concurrent Offering
are as follows:
    
 
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS -- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
1.   Reflects the classification of national sales representative commissions as
    an expense consistent with the presentation by the Company.
 
2.  Reflects decreased  annual depreciation resulting from  the change in  asset
    lives   in  connection  with  the  preliminary  allocation  of  the  Augusta
    Acquisition purchase price to the newly acquired property and equipment,  at
    fair market value.
 
   
3.   Reflects annual amortization of $107,000 on the Augusta Business' financing
    costs over a  seven-year period.  Also reflects the  annual amortization  of
    $813,000  on the intangible  assets associated with  the Augusta Acquisition
    over a 40-year period.
    
 
4.  Reflects the elimination of the corporate allocation to the Augusta Business
    by its previous owner which will not be incurred by the Company.
 
   
5.  Reflects increased annual interest expense of $155,000 for an interest  rate
    adjustment  on the  Senior Note; increased  annual interest  expense of $2.4
    million on the Old Credit Facility at LIBOR plus 3.5%, based on an  increase
    in the debt level subsequent to the Augusta Acquisition; and annual interest
    expense of $800,000 on the 8% Note. Three month LIBOR on January 4, 1996 was
    approximately 5.625%.
    
 
6.    Reflects the  adjustment  of the  income  tax provision  to  the estimated
    effective tax rate.
 
   
7.   Reflects  decreased annual  amortization  of deferred  financing  costs  in
    connection  with  retirement of  the  Senior Note.  Also  reflects decreased
    annual interest expense of $3.8 million on the Old Credit Facility resulting
    from the repayment of $42.6 million in principal on the Old Credit Facility,
    bearing interest at an estimated rate  of 8.96% per annum with the  proceeds
    of  this Offering. Also  reflects a reduction of  annual interest expense of
    $2.7 million  resulting  from  the  retirement of  the  Senior  Note  and  a
    reduction  of annual interest expense of $800,000  on the 8% Note which will
    be converted  into Series  A Preferred  Stock. The  pro forma  statement  of
    operations  for  the  year  ended  December 31,  1995  does  not  include an
    extraordinary  loss  relating  to  a  prepayment  fee  associated  with  the
    retirement of the Senior Note. See Pro Forma Statement of Operations for the
    Three  Months Ended  March 31, 1996.  Also see "The  Phipps Acquisition, the
    KTVE Sale and the Financing -- The Financing" with respect to the retirement
    of the Senior Note.
    
 
   
8.  Reflects annual dividends on the Series A and Series B Preferred Stock.
    
 
   
9.  Reflects the elimination of the results of operations of KTVE. The pro forma
    adjustments exclude an estimated gain  of $5.4 million and estimated  income
    taxes of $2.8 million from the KTVE Sale.
    
 
10.  Reflects additional accounting and  administrative expenses associated with
    the Phipps Business.
 
11. Reflects increased pension expense for the Phipps Business subsequent to the
    Phipps Acquisition. Historical pension expense for the Phipps Business was a
    credit of $449,000 while pension expense for these operations subsequent  to
    the  Phipps  Acquisition  is  expected to  be  an  expense  of approximately
    $130,000.
 
12. Reflects decreased annual  depreciation resulting from  the change in  asset
    lives  in connection with the newly acquired property and equipment (at fair
    market value) of the Phipps Acquisition.
 
13. Reflects annual amortization of intangible assets associated with the Phipps
    Acquisition over a 40-year period.
 
   
14. Reflects decreased annual amortization  of debt acquisition costs  resulting
    from  the retirement of the Old Credit  Facility. The pro forma statement of
    operations for  the  year  ended  December 31,  1995  does  not  include  an
    extraordinary  loss relating to deferred financing costs associated with the
    assumed retirement of the  Old Credit Facility. See  Pro Forma Statement  of
    Operations  for the Three Months Ended March  31, 1996. Also see "The Phipps
    Acquisition, the KTVE Sale and the Financing--The Financing" with respect to
    the retirement of the Old Credit Facility.
    
 
   
15. Reflects elimination  of the  corporate allocation to  the Phipps  Business.
    Such  amounts will  not be  incurred by the  Company in  connection with its
    operations of the Phipps Business.
    
 
   
16. Reflects the elimination of  interest expense associated with borrowings  of
    the Phipps Business which will not be assumed by the Company.
    
 
   
17.  Reflects increased annual  interest expense of $16.7  million on the Notes,
    which includes annual  amortization expense of  $525,000 resulting from  the
    transaction  costs relating  to the issuance  of the  Notes, annual interest
    expense of $2.9 million relating  to additional borrowings of $32.3  million
    at  an  estimated interest  rate of  8.96%  plus amortization  of additional
    deferred financing costs of $214,000. See "The Phipps Acquisition, the  KTVE
    Sale  and the Financing -- The Financing"  with respect to the retirement of
    the Old Credit Facility.
    
 
   
18. Reflects the elimination  of minority interests  associated with the  Phipps
    Business,  because such minority interests will be acquired as a part of the
    Phipps Acquisition.
    
 
   
19. Average outstanding shares used to  calculate pro forma earnings (loss)  per
    share  are based  on weighted average  common shares  outstanding during the
    period, adjusted for this Offering.
    
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
   
20. If the issuance of  Class B Common Stock  and retirement of indebtedness  to
    the  extent outstanding, had taken place at  January 1, 1995, or when issued
    if later,  pro forma  net income  (historical earnings  for the  year  ended
    December  31,  1995 adjusted  for interest  expense  in connection  with the
    payment of debt, to  the extent outstanding, net  of income tax) would  have
    been $4.5 million, or $0.56 per share.
    
 
   
21.  In  connection with  the  Phipps Acquisition,  the  Company is  seeking FCC
    approval of the assignment of the television broadcast licenses for WCTV and
    WKXT. Current  FCC  regulations  will  require the  Company  to  divest  its
    ownership  interest in  WALB and  WJHG. In  order to  satisfy applicable FCC
    requirements, the Company,  subject to  FCC approval, intends  to swap  such
    assets for assets of one or more television stations of comparable value and
    with comparable broadcast cash flow in a transaction qualifying for deferred
    capital  gains treatment under the "like-kind exchange" provision of Section
    1033 of  the Code.  If  the Company  is  unable to  effect  such a  swap  on
    satisfactory  terms within the  time period granted by  the FCC, the Company
    may transfer  such  assets  to a  trust  with  a view  towards  the  trustee
    effecting a swap or sale of such assets. Any such trust arrangement would be
    subject  to  the approval  of the  FCC.  See "Risk  Factors--FCC Divestiture
    Requirement" and "Business--Federal Regulation of the Company's Business."
    
 
Condensed income statement data of WALB and WJHG are as follows:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                YEAR ENDED
                                                            DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                           --------------------
                                                             WALB       WJHG
                                                           ---------  ---------
 
<S>                                                        <C>        <C>
Broadcasting revenues....................................  $   9,445  $   3,843
Expenses.................................................      4,650      3,573
                                                           ---------  ---------
Operating income.........................................      4,795        270
Other income.............................................         17         60
                                                           ---------  ---------
Income before income taxes...............................      4,812        330
                                                           ---------  ---------
                                                           ---------  ---------
Net income...............................................  $   2,984  $     205
                                                           ---------  ---------
                                                           ---------  ---------
Media Cash Flow..........................................  $   5,103  $     549
                                                           ---------  ---------
                                                           ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                                                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996
                                                                            (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                            HISTORICAL                     PRO FORMA                      PRO FORMA        PHIPPS
                                             COMPANY       OFFERING          COMPANY    KTVE SALE(4)       COMPANY        BUSINESS
                                            --------    -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------    -----------
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
<S>                                         <C>         <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>
Operating revenues:
  Broadcasting (less agency
    commissions)........................    $11,450     $    --             $11,450         $(1,066)         $10,384         $5,208
  Publishing............................      5,577          --               5,577              --            5,577             --
  Paging................................         --          --                  --              --               --          1,338
                                            --------    -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------    -----------
Total revenues..........................     17,027          --              17,027          (1,066)          15,961          6,546
Expenses:
  Broadcasting..........................      7,310          --               7,310            (860)           6,450          2,694
  Publishing............................      4,808          --               4,808              --            4,808             --
  Paging................................         --          --                  --              --               --            835
  Corporate and administrative..........        776          --                 776              --              776             --
  Depreciation..........................        848          --                 848            (110)             738            575
  Amortization of intangible assets.....        547         (24)(1)             523              --              523            184
  Non-cash compensation paid in common
    stock...............................         60          --                  60              --               60             --
  Management fee........................         --          --                  --              --               --            371
                                            --------    -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------    -----------
Total expenses..........................     14,349         (24)             14,325            (970)          13,355          4,659
                                            --------    -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------    -----------
Operating income........................      2,678          24               2,702             (96)           2,606          1,887
Miscellaneous income (expense), net.....         63          --                  63              (3)              60             11
                                            --------    -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------    -----------
Income before interest expense, minority
 interests and income taxes.............      2,741          24               2,765             (99)           2,666          1,898
Interest expense........................      2,157      (1,824) (1)            333              --              333             92
                                            --------    -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------    -----------
Income (loss) before minority interests
 and income taxes.......................        584       1,848               2,432             (99)           2,333          1,806
Minority interests......................         --          --                  --              --               --             80
                                            --------    -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------    -----------
Income (loss) before income taxes.......        584       1,848               2,432              --            2,333          1,726
Income tax expense (benefit)............        229         744(2)              973             (40)             933             --
                                            --------    -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------    -----------
  Net income (loss).....................        355       1,104               1,459             (59)           1,400          1,726
Preferred stock dividends...............         --         350(3)              350              --              350             --
                                            --------    -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------    -----------
  Net income (loss) available to common
    stockholders........................    $   355     $   754             $ 1,109         $   (59)         $ 1,050         $1,726
                                            --------    -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------    -----------
                                            --------    -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------    -----------
Average shares outstanding (14).........      4,607                           8,107                            8,107
                                            --------                    ------------                     ------------
                                            --------                    ------------                     ------------
Earnings (loss) per share (15)..........    $  0.08                         $  0.14                          $  0.13
                                            --------                    ------------                     ------------
                                            --------                    ------------                     ------------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                            PRO FORMA        PRO FORMA
                                           ADJUSTMENTS      COMBINED(16)
                                          -------------     ------------
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
<S>                                         <C>             <C>
Operating revenues:
  Broadcasting (less agency
    commissions)........................  $     --              $15,592
  Publishing............................        --                5,577
  Paging................................        --                1,338
                                          -------------     ------------
Total revenues..........................        --               22,507
Expenses:
  Broadcasting..........................        55(5)             9,308
                                               109(6)
  Publishing............................        --                4,808
  Paging................................        36(6)               871
  Corporate and administrative..........        --                  776
  Depreciation..........................      (156)(7)            1,157
  Amortization of intangible assets.....       884(8)             1,554
                                               (37)(9)
  Non-cash compensation paid in common
    stock...............................                             60
  Management fee........................      (371)(10)              --
                                          -------------     ------------
Total expenses..........................       520               18,534
                                          -------------     ------------
Operating income........................      (520)               3,973
Miscellaneous income (expense), net.....        --                   71
                                          -------------     ------------
Income before interest expense, minority
 interests and income taxes.............      (520)               4,044
Interest expense........................       (92)(11)           5,272
                                             4,939(12)
                                          -------------     ------------
Income (loss) before minority interests
 and income taxes.......................    (5,367)              (1,228)
Minority interests......................       (80)(13)              --
                                          -------------     ------------
Income (loss) before income taxes.......    (5,287)              (1,228)
Income tax expense (benefit)............    (1,351)(1)             (418)
                                          -------------     ------------
  Net income (loss).....................    (3,936)                (810)
Preferred stock dividends...............        --                  350
                                          -------------     ------------
  Net income (loss) available to common
    stockholders........................  $ (3,936)             $(1,160)
                                          -------------     ------------
                                          -------------     ------------
Average shares outstanding (14).........                          7,944
                                                            ------------
                                                            ------------
Earnings (loss) per share (15)..........                        $ (0.15)
                                                            ------------
                                                            ------------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
   
    The pro  forma adjustments  to reflect  this Offering,  the KTVE  Sale,  the
Phipps Acquisition, the Financing and the Concurrent Offering are as follows:
    
 
   
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS -- THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996
    
 
   
1.   Reflects  decreased quarterly amortization  of deferred  financing costs in
    connection with  retirement  of the  Senior  Note. Also  reflects  decreased
    quarterly  interest expense of $955,000 on the Old Credit Facility resulting
    from repayment  from the  proceeds  of this  Offering  of $42.6  million  in
    principal  at  an estimated  rate of  8.96%  per annum;  decreased quarterly
    interest expense of  $669,000 resulting  from the retirement  of the  Senior
    Note;  and a reduction of  quarterly interest expense of  $200,000 on the 8%
    Note which will be  converted into Series A  Preferred Stock. The Pro  Forma
    Statement  of Operations for the Three Months  Ended March 31, 1996 does not
    include  an  extraordinary  loss  of  approximately  $2.8  million  (net  of
    estimated income tax benefit of $1.4 million) relating to deferred financing
    costs  and a  prepayment fee associated  with the assumed  retirement of the
    Senior Note. See "The Phipps Acquisition, the KTVE Sale and the Financing --
    The Financing" with respect to the retirement of the Senior Note.
    
 
   
2.   Reflects  the adjustment  of  the income  tax  provision to  the  estimated
    effective tax rate.
    
 
   
3.  Reflects quarterly dividends on the Series A and Series B Preferred Stock.
    
 
   
4.  Reflects the elimination of the results of operations of KTVE. The pro forma
    adjustments  exclude an estimated gain of  $5.4 million and estimated income
    taxes of $2.8 million from the KTVE Sale.
    
 
   
5.  Reflects accounting and  administrative expenses associated with the  Phipps
    Business.
    
 
   
6.  Reflects increased pension expense for the Phipps Business subsequent to the
    Phipps  Acquisition.  Historical quarterly  pension  expense for  the Phipps
    Business was  a credit  of $113,000  while pension  expense for  the  Phipps
    Business  subsequent to the Phipps Acquisition is expected to be a quarterly
    expense of approximately $32,000.
    
 
   
7.  Reflects decreased quarterly depreciation resulting from the change in asset
    lives in connection with the newly acquired property and equipment (at  fair
    market value) of the Phipps Acquisition.
    
 
   
8.   Reflects  quarterly amortization of  intangible assets  associated with the
    Phipps Acquisition over a 40-year period.
    
 
   
9.    Reflects  decreased  quarterly  amortization  of  debt  acquisition  costs
    resulting  from the  retirement of  the Old  Credit Facility.  The pro forma
    statement of operations for the three  months ended March 31, 1996 does  not
    include  an extraordinary loss  of approximately $752,000  (net of estimated
    tax benefit of  $387,000) relating  to deferred  financing costs  associated
    with  the assumed  retirement of  the Old  Credit Facility.  See "The Phipps
    Acquisition, the KTVE Sale and the Financing -- The Financing" with  respect
    to the retirement of the Old Credit Facility.
    
 
   
10.  Reflects elimination  of the corporate  allocation to  the Phipps Business.
    Such amounts will  not be  incurred by the  Company in  connection with  its
    operations of the Phipps Business.
    
 
   
11.  Reflects the  elimination of  interest expense  associated with  the Phipps
    Business which will not be incurred by the Company.
    
 
   
12. Reflects increased quarterly interest expense of $4.2 million on the  Notes,
    which includes quarterly amortization expense of $131,000 resulting from the
    transaction  costs  relating to  the issuance  of  the Notes,  and increased
    quarterly interest  expense of  $722,000 relating  to additional  borrowings
    under the Senior Credit Facility at an estimated interest rate of 8.96% plus
    amortization  of additional  deferred financing  costs of  $54,000. See "The
    Phipps Acquisition, the KTVE Sale and  the Financing -- The Financing"  with
    respect to the retirement of the Old Credit Facility.
    
 
   
13.  Reflects the elimination  of minority interests  associated with the Phipps
    Business, because such minority  interests will be acquired  as part of  the
    Phipps Acquisition.
    
 
   
14.  Average outstanding shares used to  calculate pro forma earnings (loss) per
    share are based  on weighted  average common shares  outstanding during  the
    period, adjusted for this Offering.
    
 
   
15. If the net proceeds from the issuance of Class B Common Stock and retirement
    of  indebtedness had taken place at the  beginning of the three months ended
    March 31, 1996,  pro forma  net income  (historical earnings  for the  three
    months ended March 31, 1996 adjusted for interest expense in connection with
    the  payment of debt, net of income  taxes) would have been $1.2 million, or
    $0.15 per share.
    
 
   
16. In  connection with  the  Phipps Acquisition,  the  Company is  seeking  FCC
    approval of the assignment of the television broadcast licenses for WCTV and
    WKXT.  Current  FCC  regulations  will require  the  Company  to  divest its
    ownership interest in  WALB and  WJHG. In  order to  satisfy applicable  FCC
    requirements,  the Company,  subject to FCC  approval, intends  to swap such
    assets for assets of one or more television stations of comparable value and
    with comparable broadcast cash flow in a transaction qualifying for deferred
    capital gains treatment under the "like-kind exchange" provision of  Section
    1033  of  the Code.  If  the Company  is  unable to  effect  such a  swap on
    satisfactory terms within the  time period granted by  the FCC, the  Company
    may  transfer  such  assets to  a  trust  with a  view  towards  the trustee
    effecting a swap or sale of such assets. Any such trust arrangement would be
    subject to the  approval of the  FCC. See "Risk  Factors -- FCC  Divestiture
    Requirement" and "Business -- Federal Regulation of the Company's Business."
    
 
   
    Condensed income statement data of WALB and WJHG are as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                            MARCH 31, 1996
                                                                       ------------------------
                                                                          WALB         WJHG
                                                                       -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                    <C>          <C>
Broadcasting revenues                                                   $   2,340    $   1,099
Expenses                                                                    1,242          949
                                                                       -----------  -----------
Operating income                                                            1,098          150
Other income                                                                    9           16
                                                                       -----------  -----------
Income before income taxes                                              $   1,107    $     166
                                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                                       -----------  -----------
Net income                                                              $     686    $     103
                                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                                       -----------  -----------
Media Cash Flow                                                         $   1,173    $     222
                                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                                       -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
                                                                     TWELVE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996
                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                                  HISTORICAL              PRO FORMA
                                            -----------------------     ADJUSTMENTS          PRO
                                                            AUGUSTA     FOR AUGUSTA        FORMA                        PRO FORMA
                                             COMPANY       BUSINESS     ACQUISITION      COMPANY        OFFERING          COMPANY
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
<S>                                         <C>         <C>             <C>             <C>          <C>             <C>
Operating revenues:
  Broadcasting (less agency
    commissions)........................    $39,850         $6,763      $   169(1)      $46,782      $    --             $46,782
  Publishing............................     22,643             --           --          22,643           --              22,643
  Paging................................         --             --           --              --           --                  --
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Total revenues..........................     62,493          6,763          169          69,425           --              69,425
Expenses:
  Broadcasting..........................     24,922          4,371          169(1)       29,462           --              29,462
  Publishing............................     20,863             --           --          20,863           --              20,863
  Paging................................         --             --           --              --           --                  --
  Corporate and administrative..........      2,541             --           --           2,541           --               2,541
  Depreciation..........................      2,897            204          (39)(2)       3,062           --               3,062
  Amortization of intangible assets.....      1,579            114          577(3)        2,270          (97)(7)           2,173
  Non-cash compensation paid in common
    stock...............................      2,145             --           --           2,145           --               2,145
  Management fee........................         --             --           --              --           --                  --
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Total expenses..........................     54,947          4,689          707          60,343          (97)             60,246
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Operating income........................      7,546          2,074         (538)          9,082           97               9,179
Miscellaneous income (expense), net.....        164           (208)         114(4)           70           --                  70
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Income before interest expense, minority
 interests and income taxes.............      7,710          1,866         (424)          9,152           97               9,249
Interest expense........................      6,219             --        2,535(5)        8,754       (7,296) (7)          1,458
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Income (loss) before minority interests
 and income taxes.......................      1,491          1,866       (2,959)            398        7,393               7,791
Minority interests......................         --             --           --              --           --                  --
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Income (loss) before income taxes.......      1,491          1,866       (2,959)            398        7,393               7,791
Income tax expense (benefit)............        609             --         (442) (6)        167        2,957(6)            3,124
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
  Net income (loss).....................        882          1,866       (2,517)            231        4,436               4,667
Preferred stock dividends...............         --             --           --              --        1,400(8)            1,400
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
  Net income (loss) available to common
    stockholders........................    $   882         $1,866      $(2,517)        $   231      $ 3,036             $ 3,267
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Average shares outstanding (19).........      4,549                                       4,567                            8,067
                                            --------                                    --------                     ------------
                                            --------                                    --------                     ------------
Earnings (loss) per share (20)..........    $  0.19                                     $  0.05                          $  0.41
                                            --------                                    --------                     ------------
                                            --------                                    --------                     ------------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                            PRO FORMA        PHIPPS         PRO FORMA        PRO FORMA
                                          KTVE SALE(9)       COMPANY        BUSINESS       ADJUSTMENTS      COMBINED(21)
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
<S>                                         <C>            <C>             <C>            <C>               <C>
Operating revenues:
  Broadcasting (less agency
    commissions)........................      $(4,335)         $42,447         $22,840    $     --              $65,287
  Publishing............................           --           22,643             --           --               22,643
  Paging................................           --               --          4,998           --                4,998
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Total revenues..........................       (4,335)          65,090         27,838           --               92,928
Expenses:
  Broadcasting..........................       (3,384)          26,078         10,731          220(10)           37,465
                                                                                               436(11)
  Publishing............................           --           20,863             --           --               20,863
  Paging................................           --               --          3,192          143(11)            3,335
  Corporate and administrative..........           --            2,541             --           --                2,541
  Depreciation..........................         (444)           2,618          2,444         (625)(12)           4,437
  Amortization of intangible assets.....           --            2,173            735        3,519(13)            6,261
                                                                                              (166)(14)
  Non-cash compensation paid in common
    stock...............................           --            2,145             --           --                2,145
  Management fee........................           --               --          2,882       (2,882)(15)              --
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Total expenses..........................       (3,828)          56,418         19,984          645               77,047
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Operating income........................         (507)           8,672          7,854         (645)              15,881
Miscellaneous income (expense), net.....          (27)              43             19           --                   62
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Income before interest expense, minority
 interests and income taxes.............         (534)           8,715          7,873         (645)              15,943
Interest expense........................           --            1,458            477         (477)(16)          21,213
                                                                                            19,755(17)
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Income (loss) before minority interests
 and income taxes.......................         (534)           7,257          7,396      (19,923)              (5,270)
Minority interests......................           --               --            569         (569)(18)              --
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Income (loss) before income taxes.......         (534)           7,257          6,827      (19,354)              (5,270)
Income tax expense (benefit)............         (213)           2,910             --       (4,696)(6)           (1,786)
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
  Net income (loss).....................         (321)           4,347          6,827      (14,658)              (3,484)
Preferred stock dividends...............           --            1,400             --           --                1,400
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
  Net income (loss) available to common
    stockholders........................      $  (321)         $ 2,947         $6,827     $(14,658)             $(4,884)
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Average shares outstanding (19).........                         8,067                                            7,899
                                                           ------------                                     ------------
                                                           ------------                                     ------------
Earnings (loss) per share (20)..........                       $  0.37                                          $ (0.62)
                                                           ------------                                     ------------
                                                           ------------                                     ------------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
   
    The  pro  forma adjustments  to reflect  this Offering,  the KTVE  Sale, the
Phipps Acquisition, the Financing and the Concurrent Offering are as follows:
    
 
   
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS -- TWELVE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996
    
 
   
1.  Reflects the classification of national sales representative commissions  as
    an expense consistent with the presentation by the Company.
    
 
   
2.   Reflects  decreased depreciation  prior to  acquisition resulting  from the
    change in asset lives in connection  with the preliminary allocation of  the
    Augusta  Acquisition  purchase  price  to the  newly  acquired  property and
    equipment, at fair  market value,  for the  nine months  ended December  31,
    1995.
    
 
   
3.    Reflects  amortization prior  to  acquisition  of $81,000  on  the Augusta
    Business financing  costs  over  a  seven-year  period.  Also  reflects  the
    amortization  prior  to acquisition  of  $610,000 on  the  intangible assets
    associated with the Augusta Acquisition over a 40-year period.
    
 
   
4.  Reflects the elimination of overhead allocated to the Augusta Business prior
    to acquisition  by its  previous owner  which will  not be  incurred by  the
    Company.
    
 
   
5.   Reflects increased interest expense prior to the acquisition of the Augusta
    Business of $116,000  for an interest  rate adjustment on  the Senior  Note;
    increased  interest expense prior to the acquisition of the Augusta Business
    of $1.8 million on the Old Credit  Facility at LIBOR plus 3.5%, based on  an
    increase  in  the  debt level  subsequent  to the  Augusta  Acquisition; and
    interest expense  prior  to  the  acquisition of  the  Augusta  Business  of
    $600,000 on the 8% Note.
    
 
   
6.    Reflects the  adjustment  of the  income  tax provision  to  the estimated
    effective tax rate.
    
 
   
7.   Reflects  decreased annual  amortization  of deferred  financing  costs  in
    connection  with  retirement of  the  Senior Note.  Also  reflects decreased
    annual interest expense of $3.8 million on the Old Credit Facility resulting
    from repayment of $42.6 million in  principal at an estimated rate of  8.96%
    per  annum from  the proceeds  of this  Offering; decreased  annual interest
    expense of $2.7 million  resulting from the retirement  of the Senior  Note;
    and  a reduction of annual interest expense of $800,000 on the 8% Note which
    will be converted to  Series A Preferred Stock.  The Pro Forma Statement  of
    Operations  for the Twelve Months  Ended March 31, 1996  does not include an
    extraordinary loss of  approximately $2.8 million  (net of estimated  income
    tax  benefit  of $1.4  milion) relating  to deferred  financing costs  and a
    prepayment fee associated with  the assumed retirement  of the Senior  Note.
    See  "The  Phipps  Acquisition,  the  KTVE Sale  and  the  Financing  -- The
    Financing" with respect to the retirement of the Senior Note.
    
 
   
8.  Reflects annual dividends on the Series A and Series B Preferred Stock.
    
 
   
9.  Reflects the elimination of the results of operations of KTVE. The pro forma
    adjustments exclude an estimated gain  of $5.4 million and estimated  income
    taxes of $2.8 million from the KTVE Sale.
    
 
   
10.  Reflects accounting and administrative  expenses associated with the Phipps
    Business.
    
 
   
11. Reflects increased pension expense for the Phipps Business subsequent to the
    Phipps Acquisition. Historical pension expense for the Phipps Business was a
    credit of $449,000 while pension expense for these operations subsequent  to
    the  Phipps  Acquisition  is  expected to  be  an  expense  of approximately
    $130,000.
    
 
   
12. Reflects decreased annual  depreciation resulting from  the change in  asset
    lives  in connection with the newly acquired property and equipment (at fair
    market value) of the Phipps Acquisition.
    
 
   
13. Reflects annual amortization of intangible assets associated with the Phipps
    Acquisition over a 40-year period.
    
 
   
14. Reflects decreased annual amortization  of debt acquisition costs  resulting
    from  the retirement of the  Old Credit Facility at  March 31, 1996. The Pro
    Forma Statement of  Operations for the  Twelve Months Ended  March 31,  1996
    does  not include  an extraordinary loss  of approximately  $752,000 (net of
    estimated tax  benefit of  $387,000) relating  to deferred  financing  costs
    associated  with the assumed retirement of the Old Credit Facility. See "The
    Phipps Acquisition, the KTVE Sale and  the Financing -- The Financing"  with
    respect to the retirement of the Old Credit Facility.
    
 
   
15.  Reflects elimination  of the corporate  allocation to  the Phipps Business.
    Such amounts will  not be  incurred by the  Company in  connection with  its
    operations of the Phipps Business.
    
 
   
16.  Reflects the  elimination of  interest expense  associated with  the Phipps
    Business which will not be assumed by the Company.
    
 
   
17. Reflects increased annual  interest expense of $16.7  million on the  Notes,
    which  includes annual amortization  expense of $525,000  resulting from the
    transaction costs relating  to the  issuance of the  Notes, annual  interest
    expense  of $2.9  million relating  to the  additional borrowings  under the
    Senior  Credit  Facility  at  an  estimated  interest  rate  of  8.96%  plus
    amortization  of additional deferred  financing costs of  $214,000. See "The
    Phipps Acquisition, the KTVE Sale and  the Financing -- The Financing"  with
    respect to the retirement of the Old Credit Facility.
    
 
   
18.  Reflects the elimination  of minority interests  associated with the Phipps
    Business, because such minority interests will be acquired as a part of  the
    Phipps Acquisition.
    
 
   
19.  Average outstanding shares used to  calculate pro forma earnings (loss) per
    share are based  on weighted  average common shares  outstanding during  the
    period, adjusted for this Offering.
    
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
   
20. If the net proceeds from the issuance of Class B Common Stock and retirement
    of  indebtedness had  taken place  at the beginning  of the  12 months ended
    March 31, 1996  or when issued  if later, pro  forma net income  (historical
    earnings  for the twelve  months ended March 31,  1996 adjusted for interest
    expense in connection with the payment  of debt, to the extent  outstanding,
    net of income taxes) would have been $4.2 million, or $0.53 per share.
    
 
   
21.  In  connection with  the  Phipps Acquisition,  the  Company is  seeking FCC
    approval of the assignment of the television broadcast licenses for WCTV and
    WKXT. Current  FCC  regulations  will  require the  Company  to  divest  its
    ownership  interest in  WALB and  WJHG. In  order to  satisfy applicable FCC
    requirements, the Company,  subject to  FCC approval, intends  to swap  such
    assets for assets of one or more television stations of comparable value and
    with comparable broadcast cash flow in a transaction qualifying for deferred
    capital  gains treatment under the "like-kind exchange" provision of Section
    1033 of  the Code.  If  the Company  is  unable to  effect  such a  swap  on
    satisfactory  terms within the  time period granted by  the FCC, the Company
    may transfer  such  assets  to a  trust  with  a view  towards  the  trustee
    effecting a swap or sale of such assets. Any such trust arrangement would be
    subject  to the approval  of the FCC.  See "Risk Factors  -- FCC Divestiture
    Requirement" and "Business -- Federal Regulation of the Company's Business."
    
 
   
Condensed income statement data of WALB and WJHG are as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                            MARCH 31, 1996
                                                                       ------------------------
                                                                          WALB         WJHG
                                                                       -----------  -----------
 
<S>                                                                    <C>          <C>
Broadcasting revenues................................................   $   9,603    $   4,091
Expenses.............................................................       4,702        3,719
                                                                       -----------  -----------
Operating income.....................................................       4,901          372
Other income.........................................................          20           61
                                                                       -----------  -----------
Income before income taxes...........................................   $   4,921    $     433
                                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                                       -----------  -----------
Net income...........................................................   $   3,049    $     269
                                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                                       -----------  -----------
Media Cash Flow......................................................   $   5,221    $     663
                                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                                       -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
                                                                                    MARCH 31, 1996
                                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)
                                            HISTORICAL                   PRO FORMA           KTVE     PRO FORMA       PHIPPS
                                              COMPANY       OFFERING       COMPANY        SALE(4)       COMPANY     BUSINESS
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
ASSETS:
<S>                                         <C>           <C>            <C>          <C>             <C>           <C>
Cash....................................      $2,082            $--        $2,082         $9,500       $11,582         $187
Trade accounts receivable...............      10,145             --        10,145             --        10,145        4,611
Recoverable income taxes................         957          1,428(1)      2,385         (2,385)           --           --
Inventories.............................         232             --           232             --           232           --
Current portion of program broadcast
 rights.................................       1,327             --         1,327           (130)        1,197          927
Prepaid expenses and other current
 assets.................................         651             --           651            (72)          579          266
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
Total current assets....................      15,394          1,428        16,822          6,913        23,735        5,991
Property and equipment-net..............      19,098             --        19,098         (1,638)       17,460       10,156
Other assets
Deferred acquisition costs..............       1,951             --         1,951             --         1,951           --
Deferred loan costs.....................       1,939           (800)(1)     1,139             --         1,139           --
Goodwill and other intangibles..........      73,939             --        73,939         (2,322)       71,617        9,279
Other...................................       1,196             --         1,196            (14)        1,182          343
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
Total other assets......................      79,025           (800)       78,225         (2,336)       75,889        9,622
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
  Total assets..........................    $113,517           $628      $114,145         $2,939      $117,084      $25,769
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Trade accounts payable..................      $3,373            $--        $3,373            $--        $3,373         $461
Employee compensation and benefits......       4,383             --         4,383             --         4,383           --
Accrued expenses........................         459             --           459             --           459          856
Accrued interest........................       1,384             --         1,384             --         1,384           --
Income taxes payable....................          --             --            --            423           423           --
Current portion of broadcast program
 obligations............................       1,223             --         1,223           (129)        1,094          805
Deferred paging service income..........          --             --            --             --            --          909
Current portion of long-term debt.......       1,516             --         1,516             --         1,516        1,432
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
Total current liabilities...............      12,338             --        12,338            294        12,632        4,463
Long-term debt..........................      86,924        (10,000)(2)     9,274             --         9,274        2,639
                                                            (67,650)(3)
Deferred credits........................       4,536             --         4,536             (3)        4,533          214
Minority interests......................          --             --            --             --            --          438
Stockholders' equity
Series A Preferred Stock................          --         10,000(2)     10,000             --        10,000           --
Series B Preferred Stock................          --         10,000(2)     10,000             --        10,000           --
Class A Common Stock, no par value......       7,263             --         7,263             --         7,263           --
Class B Common Stock, no par value......          --         61,050(2)     61,050             --        61,050           --
Retained earnings.......................       9,094         (2,772)(1)     6,322          2,648         8,970           --
Net equity of acquired operations.......          --             --            --             --            --       18,015
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
                                              16,357         78,278        94,635          2,648        97,283       18,015
Treasury stock..........................      (6,638)            --        (6,638 )           --        (6,638)          --
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
                                               9,719         78,278        87,997          2,648        90,645       18,015
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
  Total liabilities and stockholders'
   equity...............................    $113,517           $628      $114,115         $2,939      $117,084      $25,769
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                            PRO FORMA          PRO FORMA
                                           ADJUSTMENTS        COMBINED(10)
                                          --------------     --------------
ASSETS:
<S>                                         <C>              <C>
Cash....................................  $(185,000)(5)             $2,082
                                            144,750(7)
                                             30,750(8)
                                               (187)(6)
Trade accounts receivable...............         --                 14,756
Recoverable income taxes................         --                     --
Inventories.............................         --                    232
Current portion of program broadcast
 rights.................................         --                  2,124
Prepaid expenses and other current
 assets.................................       (266)(6)                579
                                          --------------     --------------
Total current assets....................     (9,953)                19,773
Property and equipment-net..............         --                 27,616
Other assets
Deferred acquisition costs..............         --                  1,951
Deferred loan costs.....................      5,250(7)               6,750
                                              1,500(8)
                                             (1,139)(9)
Goodwill and other intangibles..........     (9,279) (6)           242,508
                                            170,891(5)
Other...................................         --                  1,525
                                          --------------     --------------
Total other assets......................    167,223                252,734
                                          --------------     --------------
  Total assets..........................   $157,270               $300,123
                                          --------------     --------------
                                          --------------     --------------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Trade accounts payable..................      $(461)(6)             $3,373
Employee compensation and benefits......         --                  4,383
Accrued expenses........................       (856)(6)                459
Accrued interest........................         --                  1,384
Income taxes payable....................       (387)(9)                 36
Current portion of broadcast program
 obligations............................         --                  1,899
Deferred paging service income..........         --                    909
Current portion of long-term debt.......     (1,432)(6)              1,516
                                          --------------     --------------
Total current liabilities...............     (3,136)                13,959
Long-term debt..........................     (2,639)(6)            191,524
                                             32,250(8)
                                            150,000(7)
Deferred credits........................         --                  4,747
Minority interests......................       (438)(6)                 --
Stockholders' equity
Series A Preferred Stock................         --                 10,000
Series B Preferred Stock................         --                 10,000
Class A Common Stock, no par value......         --                  7,263
Class B Common Stock, no par value......         --                 61,050
Retained earnings.......................       (752)(9)              8,218
Net equity of acquired operations.......    (18,015)(5)                 --
                                          --------------     --------------
                                            (18,767)                96,531
Treasury stock..........................         --                 (6,638)
                                          --------------     --------------
                                            (18,767)                89,893
                                          --------------     --------------
  Total liabilities and stockholders'
   equity...............................   $157,270               $300,123
                                          --------------     --------------
                                          --------------     --------------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
   
    The pro  forma adjustments  to reflect  this Offering,  the KTVE  Sale,  the
Phipps Acquisition, the Financing and the Concurrent Offering are as follows:
    
 
   
BALANCE SHEET - MARCH 31, 1996
    
 
   
1.   Reflects the  prepayment fee associated  with the retirement  of the Senior
    Note, the write-off of deferred loan costs in connection with the retirement
    of the Senior Note and the income tax benefit associated with the prepayment
    fee and write-off of deferred loan costs.
    
 
   
2.   Reflects the  issuances, net  of fees  and expenses,  of (i)  approximately
    3,500,000  shares of  Class B  Common Stock  at an  estimated $19  per share
    pursuant to this Offering, (ii) Series A Preferred Stock in exchange for the
    8% Note  and (iii)  $10.0 million  of Series  B Preferred  Stock to  certain
    affiliates of the Company.
    
 
   
3.   Reflects retirement  of $25.0 million  in aggregate principal  amount and a
    prepayment fee of $3.4 million on the Senior Note and a retirement of  $42.6
    million  on the Old Credit Facility with the net proceeds from this Offering
    and the sale of Series B Preferred Stock of $71.0 million.
    
 
   
4.  Reflects  the proposed KTVE  Sale for $9.5  million plus the  amount of  the
    accounts  receivable on the date of  the closing. The transaction is subject
    to regulatory approval and is expected to close by September 1996,  although
    there  can be no assurance with respect thereto. See "Risk Factors--Possible
    Non-Consummation of the KTVE Sale."
    
 
   
5.  Reflects the purchase of the Phipps Business and a preliminary allocation of
    the purchase price of $185.0 million to the tangible assets and  liabilities
    based upon estimates of fair market value at March 31, 1996 as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                     <C>
  Trade accounts receivable...........................................................  $    4,611
  Current portion of program broadcast rights.........................................         927
  Property and equipment..............................................................      10,156
  Goodwill and other intangibles......................................................     170,891
  Other...............................................................................         343
  Current portion of program broadcast obligations....................................        (805)
  Deferred paging service income......................................................        (909)
  Deferred credits....................................................................        (214)
                                                                                        ----------
  Purchase price of Phipps Business including expenses................................  $  185,000
                                                                                        ----------
                                                                                        ----------
  Historical book value of Phipps Business............................................  $  (18,015)
  Assets not acquired and liabilities not assumed--net................................       3,906
                                                                                        ----------
  Net assets acquired.................................................................     (14,109)
  Purchase price of Phipps Business...................................................     185,000
                                                                                        ----------
  Goodwill and other intangibles......................................................  $  170,891
                                                                                        ----------
                                                                                        ----------
</TABLE>
    
 
    The  excess of purchase price over  amounts allocated to net tangible assets
    will be  amortized on  a  straight-line basis  over  a 40-year  period.  The
    allocation  of the  purchase price is  subject to adjustment  based upon the
    results of pending appraisals.
 
   
6.  Reflects the  elimination of certain  of the assets  and liabilities of  the
    Phipps Business, which were not included in the Phipps Acquisition.
    
 
   
7.   Reflects the issuance of the  Notes pursuant to the Concurrent Offering and
    fees and expenses associated with the Concurrent Offering.
    
 
   
8.  Reflects  borrowings of $32.3  million under the  Senior Credit Facility  in
    order  to complete  the Phipps  Acquisition and  estimated expenses  of $1.5
    million in  connection with  the  negotiation and  execution of  the  Senior
    Credit  Facility. See "Description of  Certain Indebtedness -- Senior Credit
    Facility."
    
 
   
9.  Reflects  the write-off of  debt acquisition costs  and related tax  benefit
    resulting from the retirement of the Old Credit Facility at March 31, 1996.
    
 
   
10.  In  connection with  the  Phipps Acquisition,  the  Company is  seeking FCC
    approval of the assignment of the television broadcast licenses for WCTV and
    WKXT. Current  FCC  regulations  will  require the  Company  to  divest  its
    ownership  interest in  WALB and  WJHG. In  order to  satisfy applicable FCC
    requirements, the Company,  subject to  FCC approval, intends  to swap  such
    assets for assets of one or more television stations of comparable value and
    with comparable broadcast cash flow in a transaction qualifying for deferred
    capital  gains treatment under the "like-kind exchange" provision of Section
    1033 of  the Code.  If  the Company  is  unable to  effect  such a  swap  on
    satisfactory  terms within the  time period granted by  the FCC, the Company
    may transfer  such  assets  to a  trust  with  a view  towards  the  trustee
    effecting a swap or sale of such assets. Any such trust arrangement would be
    subject  to  the approval  of the  FCC.  See "Risk  Factors--FCC Divestiture
    Requirement" and "Business--Federal Regulation of the Company's Business."
    
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
   
        Condensed balance sheets of WALB and WJHG are as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            MARCH 31, 1996
                                                                                       ------------------------
                                                                                          WALB         WJHG
                                                                                       -----------  -----------
 
<S>                                                                                    <C>          <C>
Current assets                                                                          $   1,667    $     855
Property and equipment                                                                      1,769        1,078
Other assets                                                                                   76            3
                                                                                       -----------  -----------
Total assets                                                                            $   3,512    $   1,936
                                                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                                                       -----------  -----------
Current liabilities                                                                     $   1,127    $     428
Other liabilities                                                                             228       --
Stockholder's equity                                                                        2,157        1,508
                                                                                       -----------  -----------
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity                                              $   3,512    $   1,936
                                                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                                                       -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
   
                       SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA
                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS AND PER SHARE DATA)
    
 
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA OF THE COMPANY
 
   
    Set  forth below are certain selected historical consolidated financial data
of the  Company.  This  information  should be  read  in  conjunction  with  the
consolidated  financial  statements of  the  Company and  related  notes thereto
appearing  elsewhere  herein  and  "Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis   of
Financial  Condition  and Results  of  Operations-Results of  Operations  of the
Company." The selected consolidated  financial data for, and  as of the end  of,
each  of the years in  the four-year period ended  December 31, 1995 are derived
from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company. The  selected
consolidated  financial data for, and as of the year ended December 31, 1991 are
derived from unaudited  financial statements, since  the Company had  a June  30
fiscal  year end. The  selected consolidated financial  data for, and  as of the
three months  ended March  31, 1995  and  1996 are  derived from  the  unaudited
consolidated  financial statements of the Company  and have been prepared on the
same basis as the audited consolidated  financial statements and in the  opinion
of  the management of  the Company include all  normal and recurring adjustments
and accruals necessary for a fair presentation of such information.
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                       THREE
                                                                                                                       MONTHS
                                                                                                                       ENDED
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                    MARCH 31,
                                                         ----------------------------------------------------------  ----------
                                                            1991        1992        1993        1994        1995        1995
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                                      <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
                                                         (UNAUDITED)                                                 (UNAUDITED)
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Operating revenues:
  Broadcasting (less agency commissions)...............  $   13,553  $   15,131  $   15,004  $   22,826  $   36,750  $    8,350
  Publishing...........................................       8,968       9,512      10,109      13,692      21,866       4,800
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Total revenues.........................................      22,521      24,643      25,113      36,518      58,616      13,150
Expenses:
  Broadcasting.........................................       9,672       9,753      10,029      14,864      23,202       5,590
  Publishing...........................................       6,444       6,752       7,662      11,198      20,016       3,961
  Corporate and administrative.........................       1,889       2,627       2,326       1,959       2,258         493
  Depreciation.........................................       1,487       1,197       1,388       1,745       2,633         585
  Amortization of intangible assets....................          14          44         177         396       1,326         294
  Non-cash compensation paid in common stock...........          --          --          --          80       2,321         236
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Total expenses.........................................      19,506      20,373      21,582      30,242      51,756      11,159
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Operating income.......................................       3,015       4,270       3,531       6,276       6,860       1,991
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Miscellaneous income (expense), net....................         778      (1,519)        202         189         143          43
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income from continuing operations before interest
 expense and income taxes..............................       3,793       2,751       3,733       6,465       7,003       2,034
Interest expense.......................................         787       1,486         985       1,923       5,438       1,376
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income from continuing operations before income
 taxes.................................................       3,006       1,265       2,748       4,542       1,565         658
Federal and state income taxes.........................       1,156         869       1,068       1,776         634         254
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income from continuing operations......................       1,850         396       1,680       2,766         931         404
Discontinued business:
  Income (loss) from operations of discontinued
   business, net of applicable income tax expense
   (benefit) of ($55), ($79) and $30, respectively.....         (90)       (129)         48          --          --          --
  Gain on disposal of discontinued business, net of
   applicable income tax expense of $501...............          --          --         818          --          --          --
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Net income.............................................  $    1,760  $      267  $    2,546  $    2,766  $      931  $      404
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Average outstanding common shares......................       6,469       4,668       4,611       4,689       4,481       4,308
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income from continuing operations per common share.....  $     0.29  $     0.09  $     0.36  $     0.59  $     0.21  $     0.09
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Cash dividends per common share........................  $     0.05  $     0.07  $     0.07  $     0.07  $     0.08  $     0.02
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                            1996
                                                         ----------
<S>                                                      <C>
 
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Operating revenues:
  Broadcasting (less agency commissions)...............  $   11,450
  Publishing...........................................       5,577
                                                         ----------
Total revenues.........................................      17,027
Expenses:
  Broadcasting.........................................       7,310
  Publishing...........................................       4,808
  Corporate and administrative.........................         776
  Depreciation.........................................         848
  Amortization of intangible assets....................         547
  Non-cash compensation paid in common stock...........          60
                                                         ----------
Total expenses.........................................      14,349
                                                         ----------
Operating income.......................................       2,678
                                                         ----------
Miscellaneous income (expense), net....................          63
                                                         ----------
Income from continuing operations before interest
 expense and income taxes..............................       2,741
Interest expense.......................................       2,157
                                                         ----------
Income from continuing operations before income
 taxes.................................................         584
Federal and state income taxes.........................         229
                                                         ----------
Income from continuing operations......................         355
Discontinued business:
  Income (loss) from operations of discontinued
   business, net of applicable income tax expense
   (benefit) of ($55), ($79) and $30, respectively.....          --
  Gain on disposal of discontinued business, net of
   applicable income tax expense of $501...............          --
                                                         ----------
Net income.............................................  $      355
                                                         ----------
                                                         ----------
Average outstanding common shares......................       4,607
                                                         ----------
                                                         ----------
Income from continuing operations per common share.....  $     0.08
                                                         ----------
                                                         ----------
Cash dividends per common share........................  $     0.02
                                                         ----------
                                                         ----------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                       THREE
                                                                                                                       MONTHS
                                                                                                                       ENDED
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                    MARCH 31,
                                                         ----------------------------------------------------------  ----------
                                                            1991        1992        1993        1994        1995        1995
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                         (UNAUDITED)                                                 (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                      <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD):
Working capital (deficiency)...........................  $    6,740  $    2,976  $    2,579  $    1,075  $     (221) $      177
Total assets...........................................      31,548      24,173      21,372      68,789      78,240      71,094
Total debt.............................................      20,378      12,412       7,759      52,940      54,325      53,606
Total stockholders' equity.............................  $    5,853  $    4,850  $    7,118  $    5,001  $    8,986  $    6,067
 
OTHER DATA:
Media Cash Flow (1)....................................  $    6,405  $    8,079  $    7,371  $   10,522  $   15,559  $    3,585
Operating cash flow (2)................................       4,516       5,452       5,044       8,567      13,309       3,097
EBITDA (3).............................................       4,516       5,512       5,095       8,498      13,140       3,106
Cash flows provided by (used in):
  Operating activities.................................       3,499       4,832       1,324       5,798       7,600       1,520
  Investing activities.................................      (2,073)     (1,041)      3,062     (42,770)     (8,929)     (2,369)
  Financing activities.................................     (10,424)     (9,300)     (4,932)     37,200       1,331         582
Capital expenditures...................................  $    2,235  $    2,216  $    2,582  $    1,768  $    3,280  $      973
Ratio of Media Cash Flow to interest expense...........         8.1         5.4         7.5         5.5         2.9         2.6
Ratio of operating cash flow to interest expense.......         5.7         3.7         5.1         4.5         2.4         2.2
Ratio of total debt to Media Cash Flow.................         3.2         1.5         1.1         5.0         3.5         4.2(5)
Ratio of total debt to operating cash flow.............         4.5         2.3         1.5         6.2         4.1         5.1(5)
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (4).................         4.7         1.8         3.4         3.1         1.3         1.5
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                            1996
                                                         ----------
 
<S>                                                      <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD):
Working capital (deficiency)...........................  $    3,056
Total assets...........................................     113,517
Total debt.............................................      88,440
Total stockholders' equity.............................  $    9,719
OTHER DATA:
Media Cash Flow (1)....................................  $    4,965
Operating cash flow (2)................................       4,197
EBITDA (3).............................................       4,133
Cash flows provided by (used in):
  Operating activities.................................       3,119
  Investing activities.................................     (36,013)
  Financing activities.................................      34,416
Capital expenditures...................................  $      814
Ratio of Media Cash Flow to interest expense...........         2.3
Ratio of operating cash flow to interest expense.......         1.9
Ratio of total debt to Media Cash Flow.................         5.2(5)
Ratio of total debt to operating cash flow.............         6.1(5)
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (4).................         1.3
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
(1)  Media  Cash  Flow  represents   operating  income  plus  depreciation   and
     amortization  (including amortization of  program license rights), non-cash
     compensation and  corporate  overhead,  less payments  of  program  license
     liabilities.
(2)  Operating   cash  flow  represents   operating  income  plus  depreciation,
     amortization  (including  amortization  of  program  license  rights)   and
     non-cash compensation, less payments for program license liabilities.
(3)  EBITDA  represents operating income plus  (i) depreciation and amortization
     (excluding amortization  of  program  license  rights)  and  (ii)  non-cash
     compensation  paid in  common stock (excluding  stock payments  made to the
     401(k) plan). EBITDA is  presented not as a  measure of operating  results,
     but  rather  to provide  additional  information related  to  the Company's
     ability to service debt. EBITDA should not be considered as an  alternative
     to  either (x)  operating income determined  in accordance with  GAAP as an
     indicator of  operating  performance  or  (y)  cash  flows  from  operating
     activities (determined in accordance with GAAP) as a measure of liquidity.
   
(4)  For purposes of this item, "fixed charges" represent interest, the interest
     element  of rental expense,  capitalized interest and  amortization of debt
     issuance costs and  "earnings" represent  net income  (loss) before  income
     taxes,  discontinued operations, extraordinary  items, cumulative effect of
     change in accounting principles and fixed charges.
    
   
(5)  Represents applicable ratios for the 12 month periods ended March 31,  1995
     and 1996.
    
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA OF THE PHIPPS BUSINESS
 
   
    Set forth below are certain selected historical financial data of the Phipps
Business.  This information  should be  read in  conjunction with  the financial
statements of the Phipps Business and related notes thereto appearing  elsewhere
herein  and  "Management's Discussion  and Analysis  of Financial  Condition and
Results of  Operations--Results  of  Operations of  the  Phipps  Business."  The
selected  historical financial data for, and as of the end of, each of the years
in the three-year period  ended December 31, 1995  are derived from the  audited
financial  statements of the  Phipps Business. The  selected financial data for,
and as of the  end of, each of  the years ended December  31, 1991 and 1992  are
derived  from  the  unaudited accounting  records  of the  Phipps  Business. The
selected financial data for, and as of the three months ended March 31, 1995 and
1996 are derived from the unaudited financial statements of the Phipps  Business
and have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements and
in  the opinion  of management  of the  Phipps Business  include all  normal and
recurring adjustments and  accruals necessary  for a fair  presentation of  such
information.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                          MARCH 31,
                                       ----------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------
                                          1991      1992(1)       1993        1994        1995        1995        1996
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                    <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
                                            (UNAUDITED)                                                 (UNAUDITED)
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Operating revenues:
  Broadcasting (less agency
   commissions)......................  $   10,492  $   14,523  $   19,460  $   21,524  $   22,424  $    4,801  $    5,208
  Paging.............................       3,369       3,646       3,788       4,277       4,897       1,238       1,338
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Total revenues.......................      13,861      18,169      23,248      25,801      27,321       6,039       6,546
Expenses:
  Broadcasting.......................       5,298       7,518      10,734      10,211      10,487       2,451       2,694
  Paging.............................       2,356       2,298       2,529       2,764       3,052         695         835
  Management fees....................         579         973       2,462       2,486       3,280         769         371
  Depreciation and amortization......       1,513       1,734       2,836       2,672       3,120         700         759
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Total expenses.......................       9,746      12,523      18,561      18,133      19,939       4,615       4,659
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Operating income.....................       4,115       5,646       4,687       7,668       7,382       1,424       1,887
Miscellaneous income (expense),
 net.................................           5           8          16         666          12          (4)         11
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income before interest expense and
 minority interests..................       4,120       5,654       4,703       8,334       7,394       1,420       1,898
Interest expense.....................         162         442         632         480         499         114          92
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income before minority interests.....       3,958       5,212       4,071       7,854       6,895       1,306       1,806
Minority interests...................          --         331         140         635         547          58          80
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Net income...........................  $    3,958  $    4,881  $    3,931  $    7,219  $    6,348  $    1,248  $    1,726
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Supplemental unaudited pro forma
 information: (2)
  Net income, as above...............  $    3,958  $    4,881  $    3,931  $    7,219  $    6,348  $    1,248  $    1,726
  Pro forma provision for income tax
   expense...........................       1,504       1,855       1,500       2,743       2,413         474         656
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Pro forma net income.................  $    2,454  $    3,026  $    2,431  $    4,476  $    3,935  $      774  $    1,070
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF
 PERIOD):
Working capital......................  $      595  $      615  $    1,127  $    1,421  $    2,622  $    1,308  $    1,528
Total assets.........................       8,931      25,068      24,819      25,298      27,562      25,626      25,769
Total debt...........................       1,388       7,697       6,542       6,065       4,810       5,731       4,071
Minority interests...................          --       1,154         824         728         586         671         438
Owner's equity.......................  $    6,351  $   13,276  $   14,306  $   15,465  $   18,794  $   16,071  $   18,015
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,              MARCH 31,
                                                           ----------------------------------  ----------------------
                                                              1993        1994        1995        1995        1996
                                                           ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                                        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
                                                                                                    (UNAUDITED)
OTHER DATA:
Media Cash Flow (3)......................................   $  10,466   $  12,983   $  13,696   $   2,867   $   3,001
Operating cash flow (4)..................................       8,003      10,498      10,416       2,097       2,629
EBITDA (5)...............................................       7,523      10,340      10,502       2,115       2,646
Net cash flows provided by (used in):
  Operating activities...................................       7,397       9,808       9,259       2,094       3,337
  Investing activities...................................      (2,953)     (2,506)     (3,828)       (965)       (295)
  Financing activities...................................      (4,418)     (7,233)     (4,906)     (1,092)     (3,476)
Capital expenditures.....................................   $   3,538   $   3,353   $   3,188   $   1,239   $     710
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
(1) Includes  the acquisition of a majority interest in WKXT in July 1992, which
    was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.
 
(2) John H. Phipps, Inc. and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income
    tax return and separate state tax returns. Income tax expense for the Phipps
    Business is not presented  in the financial statements  as such amounts  are
    computed and paid by John H. Phipps, Inc. Pro forma federal and state income
    taxes for the Phipps Business are calculated on a pro forma, separate return
    basis.
 
(3) Media  Cash Flow represents operating income plus depreciation, amortization
    (including amortization of  program license rights)  and corporate  overhead
    less payments of program license liabilities.
 
(4) Operating  cash  flow  represents  operating  income  plus  depreciation and
    amortization  (including  amortization  of  program  license  rights)   less
    payments for program license liabilities.
 
(5) EBITDA  represents  operating  income  plus  depreciation  and  amortization
    (excluding amortization of program license rights). EBITDA is presented  not
    as  a  measure  of  operating  results,  but  rather  to  provide additional
    information related to the Company's ability to service debt. EBITDA  should
    not  be  considered  as  an  alternative  to  either  (x)  operating  income
    determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of operating  performance
    or  (y) cash flows from operating  activities (determined in accordance with
    GAAP) as a measure of liquidity.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
   
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
    
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY
 
INTRODUCTION
 
    The following analysis of the financial condition and results of  operations
of  the Company  should be read  in conjunction with  the Company's consolidated
financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
   
    The Company  derives  its  revenues from  its  television  broadcasting  and
publishing  operations. As a result of  the Kentucky Acquisition (as defined) in
1994 and  the Augusta  Acquisition, which  was completed  in January  1996,  the
proportion  of the Company's  revenues derived from  television broadcasting has
increased and  this proportion  will continue  to increase  as a  result of  the
Phipps Acquisition, which is expected to occur by September 1996. As a result of
the   higher  operating   margins  associated  with   the  Company's  television
broadcasting operations,  the  profit  contribution of  these  operations  as  a
percentage of revenues, has exceeded, and is expected to continue to exceed, the
profit contribution of the Company's publishing operations. Set forth below, for
the   periods  indicated,   is  certain  information   concerning  the  relative
contributions  of   the  Company's   television  broadcasting   and   publishing
operations.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                              THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                ----------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------
                        1993                  1994                  1995                  1995                  1996
                --------------------  --------------------  --------------------  --------------------  --------------------
(DOLLARS IN                 PERCENT               PERCENT               PERCENT               PERCENT               PERCENT
 THOUSANDS)      AMOUNT    OF TOTAL    AMOUNT    OF TOTAL    AMOUNT    OF TOTAL    AMOUNT    OF TOTAL    AMOUNT    OF TOTAL
                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
TELEVISION
 BROADCASTING
<S>             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Revenues....... $15,003.7      59.8%  $22,826.4      62.5%  $36,750.0      62.7%  $ 8,349.7      63.5%  $11,449.6      67.2%
Operating
 income (1)....   4,070.6      66.9     6,556.0      78.4    10,585.2      94.1     2,067.4      77.4     3,127.4      88.6
 
PUBLISHING
Revenues....... $10,109.4      40.2%  $13,692.0      37.5%  $21,866.2      37.3%  $ 4,800.6      36.5%  $ 5,576.9      32.8%
Operating
 income (1)....   2,009.1      33.1     1,804.0      21.6       660.2       5.9       603.9      22.6       401.3      11.4
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
   
(1)  Excludes any allocation of corporate and administrative expenses.
    
 
TELEVISION BROADCASTING
 
    Set  forth below are the principal  types of broadcasting revenues earned by
the Company's television stations for  the periods indicated and the  percentage
contribution of each to total Company revenues:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                              THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                ----------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------
                        1993                  1994                  1995                  1995                  1996
                --------------------  --------------------  --------------------  --------------------  --------------------
                            PERCENT               PERCENT               PERCENT               PERCENT               PERCENT
                           OF TOTAL              OF TOTAL              OF TOTAL              OF TOTAL              OF TOTAL
(DOLLARS IN                 COMPANY               COMPANY               COMPANY               COMPANY               COMPANY
 THOUSANDS)      AMOUNT    REVENUES    AMOUNT    REVENUES    AMOUNT    REVENUES    AMOUNT    REVENUES    AMOUNT    REVENUES
                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net revenues:
<S>             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
  Local........ $ 7,312.3      29.2%  $12,191.4      33.4%  $20,888.1      35.6%  $ 4,964.4      37.7%  $ 6,675.4      39.2%
  National.....   6,102.8      24.3     7,804.4      21.4    10,881.1      18.6     2,470.0      18.9     3,089.3      18.1
  Network
compensation...   1,286.1       5.1     1,297.5       3.5     2,486.8       4.2       595.7       4.5       866.6       5.1
  Political....      17.7       0.1     1,029.0       2.8     1,174.2       2.0        25.4       0.2       212.9       1.2
  Production
   and other...     284.8       1.1       504.1       1.4     1,319.8       2.3       294.2       2.2       605.4       3.6
                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                $15,003.7      59.8%  $22,826.4      62.5%  $36,750.0      62.7%  $ 8,349.7      63.5%  $11,449.6      67.2%
                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    In  the Company's broadcasting operations, broadcast advertising is sold for
placement  either  preceding  or   following  a  television  stations'   network
programming and within local and syndicated programming.
    
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
Broadcast  advertising is sold in time increments and is priced primarily on the
basis of  a  program's popularity  among  the specific  audience  an  advertiser
desires  to reach,  as measured by  Nielsen. In  addition, broadcast advertising
rates are affected  by the  number of  advertisers competing  for the  available
time,  the size and demographic  makeup of the market  served by the station and
the availability of alternative advertising media in the market area.  Broadcast
advertising  rates are the highest during the most desirable viewing hours, with
corresponding reductions  during other  hours. The  ratings of  a local  station
affiliated  with  a  major  network  can  be  affected  by  ratings  of  network
programming.
 
   
    Most broadcast advertising contracts are short-term, and generally run  only
for  a  few weeks.  The Company  estimates that  approximately 56.5%  and 57.6%,
respectively, of the gross revenues of the Company's television stations for the
year ended December 31,  1995 and the  three months ended  March 31, 1996,  were
generated  from  local advertising,  which is  sold by  a station's  sales staff
directly to local accounts, and  the remainder represents national  advertising,
which  is sold  by a  station's national  advertising sales  representative. The
stations generally pay  commissions to advertising  agencies on local,  regional
and  national advertising and the stations  also pay commissions to the national
sales representative on national advertising.
    
 
    Broadcast advertising  revenues  are generally  highest  in the  second  and
fourth  quarters of each year, due in part to increases in retail advertising in
the spring and in the period leading up to and including the holiday season.  In
addition,  broadcast  advertising  revenues  are  generally  higher  during even
numbered election years due to spending by political candidates, which  spending
typically is heaviest during the fourth quarter.
 
    The   broadcasting  operations'  primary  operating  expenses  are  employee
compensation,  related  benefits  and   programming  costs.  In  addition,   the
broadcasting  operations incur overhead expenses  such as maintenance, supplies,
insurance, rent and utilities. A large portion of the operating expenses of  the
broadcasting operations is fixed.
 
PUBLISHING
 
    Set forth below are the principal types of publishing revenues earned by the
Company's  publishing operations  for the  periods indicated  and the percentage
contribution of each to total Company revenues.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                              THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                ----------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------
                        1993                  1994                  1995                  1995                  1996
                --------------------  --------------------  --------------------  --------------------  --------------------
                            PERCENT               PERCENT               PERCENT               PERCENT               PERCENT
                           OF TOTAL              OF TOTAL              OF TOTAL              OF TOTAL              OF TOTAL
                            COMPANY               COMPANY               COMPANY               COMPANY               COMPANY
                 AMOUNT    REVENUES    AMOUNT    REVENUES    AMOUNT    REVENUES    AMOUNT    REVENUES    AMOUNT    REVENUES
                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
(DOLLARS IN
 THOUSANDS)
<S>             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Revenues:
  Retail
 advertising... $ 5,734.3      22.8%  $ 7,460.3      20.4%  $11,044.2      18.8%  $ 2,443.7      18.6%  $ 2,607.6      15.3%
  Classified...   2,336.5       9.3     3,174.2       8.7     5,323.8       9.1     1,175.4       8.9     1,482.2       8.7
 Circulation...   2,011.8       8.0     2,628.9       7.2     3,783.8       6.5       928.3       7.1     1,114.9       6.6
  Other........      26.8       0.1       428.6       1.2     1,714.4       2.9       253.2       1.9       372.2       7.2
                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                $10,109.4      40.2%  $13,692.0      37.5%  $21,866.2      37.3%  $ 4,800.6      36.5%  $ 5,576.9      32.8%
                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    In the Company's publishing operations, advertising contracts are  generally
annual  and primarily provide for  a commitment as to  the volume of advertising
purchased by a  customer. The  publishing operations'  advertising revenues  are
primarily   generated  from   retail  advertising.  As   with  the  broadcasting
operations, the publishing  operations' revenues  are generally  highest in  the
second and fourth quarters of each year.
    
 
    The   publishing  operations'   primary  operating   expenses  are  employee
compensation, related  benefits and  newsprint  costs. In  addition,  publishing
operations  incur overhead  expenses such  as maintenance,  supplies, insurance,
rent and utilities. A large portion of the operating expenses of the  publishing
operations   is  fixed,   although  the  Company   has  experienced  significant
variability in its newsprint costs in recent years.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
MEDIA CASH FLOW
 
   
    The following table sets forth certain operating data for both the broadcast
and publishing operations for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and  1995,
and the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        THREE MONTHS ENDED
                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,              MARCH 31,
(DOLLARS IN        ---------------------------------   ---------------------
 THOUSANDS)          1993        1994        1995        1995        1996
                   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
Operating
 income..........   $3,530.7   $ 6,276.4   $ 6,859.7    $1,991.1    $2,677.8
<S>                <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Add:
  Amortization of
   program
   license
   rights........      924.9     1,218.0     1,647.0       401.8       646.8
  Depreciation
   and
  amortization...    1,564.8     2,141.6     3,958.9       878.7     1,395.3
  Corporate
   overhead......    2,326.7     1,958.4     2,258.3       493.0       775.6
  Non-cash
   compensation
   and
   contributions
   to the
   Company's
   401(k) plan,
   paid in common
   stock.........          -       109.5     2,612.2       301.4       131.5
Less:
  Payments for
   program
   license
   liabilities...     (976.2)   (1,181.6)   (1,776.8)     (481.3)     (661.6)
                   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
Media Cash Flow
 (1).............   $7,370.9   $10,522.3   $15,559.3    $3,584.7    $4,965.4
                   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
                   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
   
(1) Of  Media  Cash  Flow, $4.9  million,  $8.0  million and  $13.6  million was
    attributable to  the Company's  broadcasting operations  in 1993,  1994  and
    1995,  respectively; and $2.7  million and $4.2  million was attributable to
    the Company's broadcasting  operations during the  three months ended  March
    31, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
    
 
    "Media  Cash  Flow"  is  defined  as  operating  income  from  broadcast and
publishing operations (and includes paging  with regard to the Phipps  Business)
before  income taxes  and interest  expense, plus  depreciation and amortization
(including amortization of  program license rights),  non-cash compensation  and
corporate  overhead, less payments for  program license liabilities. The Company
has included Media  Cash Flow  data because  such data  are commonly  used as  a
measure of performance for broadcast companies and are also used by investors to
measure  a company's ability to service debt. Media Cash Flow is not, and should
not be used as, an indicator or  alternative to operating income, net income  or
cash  flow as reflected in the  consolidated financial statements of the Company
and is not  a measure  of financial  performance under  GAAP and  should not  be
considered  in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared
in accordance with GAAP.
 
ACQUISITIONS
 
   
    Since 1994, the  Company has completed  several broadcasting and  publishing
acquisitions. The operating results of the Company reflect significant increases
in  substantially all line items  between the three months  ended March 31, 1995
and 1996, and the years ended December  31, 1994 and 1995. The principal  reason
for  these increases is  the acquisition by  the Company in  January 1996 of the
Augusta Business  for  $35.9 million  and  the  assumption of  $1.3  million  of
liabilities,  and in  September 1994 of  WKYT and WYMT  (together, the "Kentucky
Business") for $38.1 million and the  assumption of $2.3 million of  liabilities
(the  "Kentucky Acquisition"). In addition, during 1994 the Company acquired THE
ROCKDALE CITIZEN for approximately $4.8 million (May 1994) and four shoppers for
approximately $1.5  million (October  1994) (collectively  the "1994  Publishing
Acquisitions"), and during 1995 the Company acquired the GWINNETT DAILY POST for
approximately  $3.7 million (January  1995) and three  shoppers for an aggregate
purchase price of approximately $1.4 million (September 1995) (collectively  the
"1995  Publishing Acquisitions"). The 1994  Publishing Acquisitions and the 1995
Publishing  Acquisitions  are  collectively  referred  to  as  the   "Publishing
Acquisitions."
    
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
CASH FLOW PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING, INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES.
 
   
    The  following table sets  forth certain operating data  for the Company for
the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 and for the three months  ended
March 31, 1995 and 1996.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           THREE MONTHS ENDED
                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,              MARCH 31,
(DOLLARS IN           ---------------------------------   ---------------------
THOUSANDS)              1993        1994        1995        1995        1996
                      ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
Cash flows provided
 by (used in):
<S>                   <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
    Operating
     activities.....     $1,324      $5,798      $7,600      $1,520      $3,119
    Investing
     activities.....      3,062     (42,770)     (8,929)     (2,369)    (36,013)
    Financing
     activities.....     (4,932)     37,200       1,331         582      34,416
</TABLE>
    
 
   
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995
    
 
   
    REVENUES.    Total  revenues  for  the three  months  ended  March  31, 1996
increased $3.9 million, or  29.5%, over the three  months ended March 31,  1995,
from  $13.1 million to $17.0 million. This  increase was attributable to (i) the
Augusta Acquisition, which  occurred on January  4, 1996 and  (ii) increases  in
publishing  and broadcasting  (excluding the Augusta  Acquisition) revenues. The
Augusta Acquisition  accounted  for  $2.1  million, or  53.6%,  of  the  revenue
increase. Broadcast net revenues increased $3.1 million, or 37.1%, over the same
period of the prior year, from $8.3 million to $11.4 million. Revenues generated
by  the  Augusta  Acquisition  accounted  for $2.1  million,  or  67.1%,  of the
increase. On a pro forma  basis, broadcast net revenues  for WRDW for the  three
months ended March 31, 1996 increased $125,000, or 6.4%, over the same period of
the  prior  year. Broadcast  net  revenues, excluding  the  Augusta Acquisition,
increased $1.0 million, or  12.2%, over the three  months ended March 31,  1995.
Approximately  $627,000  and  $117,000 of  the  $1.0 million  increase  in total
broadcast net revenues, excluding  the Augusta Acquisition,  were due to  higher
local  and political advertising spending, respectively. The Company's broadcast
operations  also  experienced  increased  revenues  of  approximately   $200,000
associated  with a sports programming joint venture which covered the University
of Kentucky's NCAA basketball championship.
    
 
   
    Publishing revenues  increased $776,000,  or 16.2%,  over the  three  months
ended  March  31,  1995, from  $4.8  million  to $5.6  million.  Advertising and
circulation revenues  comprised  $471,000  and $187,000,  respectively,  of  the
revenue  increase. The increase in advertising  revenue was primarily the result
of rate  and  linage  increases  in  classified  advertising.  The  increase  in
circulation revenue can be attributed primarily to price increases over the same
period  of the  prior year and  the conversion of  the GWINNETT DAILY  POST to a
five-day-a-week paper. Approximately $95,000 of the publishing revenue  increase
was the result of higher special events revenue.
    
 
   
    OPERATING EXPENSES.  Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31,
1996  increased $3.2 million,  or 28.6%, over  the three months  ended March 31,
1995, from $11.2 million  to $14.4 million, due  to the Augusta Acquisition  and
increased expenses at the broadcasting and publishing operations.
    
 
   
    Broadcasting  expenses for the  three months ended  March 31, 1996 increased
$1.7 million,  or 30.8%,  over the  same period  of the  prior year,  from  $5.6
million to $7.3 million. This increase was primarily attributable to the Augusta
Acquisition.   On  a  pro  forma  basis,  broadcast  expenses  for  the  Augusta
Acquisition for the  three months ended  March 31, 1996  decreased $133,000,  or
9.1%,  over  the  same  period  of 1995,  from  $1.4  million  to  $1.3 million.
Broadcasting expenses, excluding the Augusta Acquisition, increased $391,000, or
7.0%, primarily as a result of higher payroll related costs.
    
 
   
    Publishing expenses  for the  three months  ended March  31, 1996  increased
$846,000, or 21.4%, over the same period of the prior year, from $4.0 million to
$4.8  million.  This  increase resulted  primarily  from the  conversion  of the
GWINNETT DAILY POST to a five-day-a-week  paper and the acquisition of  shoppers
in  September 1995. Newsprint costs increased 27% while consumption of newsprint
increased 11%. Payroll related costs, promotional costs, product delivery  costs
and outside service costs increased over the same quarter of the prior year.
    
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
   
    Corporate  and administrative expenses for the  three months ended March 31,
1996 increased $283,000, or 57.3%, over the same period of the prior year,  from
$493,000  to $776,000. This increase was  attributable primarily to the addition
of several new officers.
    
 
   
    Depreciation of property and equipment and amorization of intangible  assets
was  $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 1996 compared to $879,000
for the same period of the prior  year, an increase of $516,000, or 58.8%.  This
increase  was primarily the result of  higher depreciation and amorization costs
related to the Augusta Acquisition and $3.3 million of capital expenditures made
in 1995.
    
 
   
    Non-cash compensation  paid  in Class  A  Common Stock  resulting  from  the
Company's  employment agreements with its current President and its former chief
executive officer decreased $176,000, or 74.6%, for the three months ended March
31, 1996, from $236,000  to $60,000. This decrease  resulted from the  Company's
award  in 1995  of 150,000 shares  of Class A  Common Stock to  its former chief
executive officer, the expense for such award was recognized in 1995  (including
$176,000 recognized in the quarter ended March 31, 1995).
    
 
   
    INTEREST  EXPENSE.  Interest expense increased $780,000, or 56.7%, from $1.4
million for the three months ended March 31, 1995 to $2.2 million for the  three
months  ended  March  31,  1996. This  increase  was  attributable  primarily to
increased  levels  of  debt  resulting   from  the  financing  of  the   Augusta
Acquisition.
    
 
   
    NET  INCOME.  Net income  for the Company was  $355,000 for the three months
ended March 31,  1996, compared with  $404,000 for  the same period  in 1995,  a
decrease of $49,000.
    
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
 
   
    REVENUES.   Total  revenues for the  year ended December  31, 1995 increased
$22.1 million,  or 60.5%,  over the  year ended  December 31,  1994, from  $36.5
million  to $58.6 million. This  increase was attributable to  (i) the effect of
owning the Kentucky Business for all of 1995 versus the last four months of 1994
($12.9 million),  (ii)  the Publishing  Acquisitions  ($6.4 million)  and  (iii)
increases  in  total revenues  of  the Company  of  $2.8 million  (excluding the
Kentucky Business and the Publishing Acquisitions). The Kentucky Acquisition and
the Publishing  Acquisitions  accounted for  $19.3  million, or  87.3%,  of  the
revenue increase.
    
 
   
    Broadcast  net revenues  increased $13.9 million,  or 61.0%,  over the prior
year, from $22.8 million  to $36.7 million. Revenues  generated by the  Kentucky
Acquisition  accounted for $12.9  million, or 92.8%,  of the increase.  On a pro
forma basis, broadcast net revenues for the Kentucky Business for the year ended
December 31, 1995 increased $2.7 million, or 16.1%, over the year ended December
31, 1994, from $16.6 million to $19.3 million. Broadcast net revenues, excluding
the Kentucky Acquisition, increased 6.1%, or $1.0 million, over the prior  year.
Approximately  $889,000  and  $304,000 of  the  $1.0 million  increase  in total
broadcast net revenues, excluding the  Kentucky Acquisition, were due to  higher
local and national advertising spending, respectively. Approximately $417,000 of
the  $1.0  million  increase  in total  broadcast  net  revenues,  excluding the
Kentucky Acquisition, is a result  of higher network compensation negotiated  by
the Company with CBS and NBC. These increases were offset by a $617,000 decrease
in political advertising revenues associated with cyclical political activity.
    
 
   
    Publishing  revenues increased $8.2 million, or  59.7%, over the prior year,
from $13.7 million to  $21.9 million. Approximately $6.4  million, or 77.8%,  of
the  increase  was  due  to the  Publishing  Acquisitions.  Publishing revenues,
excluding the Publishing  Acquisitions, increased $1.8  million, or 15.5%,  over
the  prior year. Advertising  and circulation revenue,  excluding the Publishing
Acquisitions, comprised approximately  $885,000 and  $511,000, respectively,  of
the  revenue increase.  This increase in  circulation revenue  can be attributed
primarily to price increases  over the prior year.  This increase in  classified
advertising,  excluding the Publishing Acquisitions, was primarily the result of
rate and  linage  increases. Approximately  $417,000  of the  revenue  increase,
excluding  the Publishing Acquisitions, was the  result of higher special events
and commercial printing revenues.
    
 
   
    OPERATING EXPENSES.  Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 1995
increased $21.5 million, or 71.1%, over  the year ended December 31, 1994,  from
$30.2  million to $51.7 million, primarily due to the Kentucky Acquisition ($9.8
million) and the Publishing Acquisitions ($7.6 million).
    
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
   
    Broadcasting expenses increased $8.3 million, or 56.1%, over the prior year,
from $14.9 million to $23.2 million. The increase was attributable primarily  to
the  Kentucky  Acquisition. On  a pro  forma basis,  broadcast expenses  for the
Kentucky Business for the year ended  December 31, 1995 increased $1.5  million,
or  14.3%, over the  year ended December  31, 1994, from  $10.7 million to $12.2
million. The increase  in broadcast expenses  for the Kentucky  Business can  be
attributed  primarily to increased payroll  related costs and sales commissions.
Broadcasting expenses, excluding the  Kentucky Acquisition, remained  relatively
constant primarily as a result of lower syndicated film programming costs offset
by higher payroll related costs.
    
 
   
    Publishing  expenses increased $8.8 million, or  78.7%, over the prior year,
from $11.2 million to  $20.0 million. Approximately $7.1  million, or 80.6%,  of
the  increase  was  due  to the  Publishing  Acquisitions.  Publishing expenses,
excluding  the  Publishing  Acquisitions,  increased  $1.7  million,  or  18.5%,
primarily  due to  a 40% increase  in newsprint cost,  increased payroll related
costs and product delivery and promotion costs.
    
 
   
    Corporate and administrative expenses increased $300,000, or 15.3%, over the
prior year, from $2.0  million to $2.3 million.  This increase was  attributable
primarily  to the amendment of an employment agreement with the Company's former
chief executive officer, which resulted in a $440,000 charge to expense.
    
 
    Depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets
was $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 1995, compared to $2.1  million
for  the prior year,  an increase of  $1.8 million, or  84.9%. This increase was
primarily the result of  higher depreciation and  amortization costs related  to
the Kentucky Acquisition and the Publishing Acquisitions.
 
    Non-cash  compensation  paid  in  Class A  Common  Stock  resulted  from the
Company's employment agreements with its current President and its former  chief
executive  officer. The  current President's  employment agreement  provides him
with 122,034 shares of  Class A Common Stock  if his employment continues  until
September  1999. The Company will recognize $1.2 million of compensation expense
for this award ratably over such five-year period. This agreement resulted in  a
charge  to expense of $240,000 for the  year ended December 31, 1995 as compared
to $80,000  for the  year ended  December  31, 1994.  In addition,  the  Company
awarded  150,000  shares  of  Class  A Common  Stock,  pursuant  to  the amended
employment agreement with its former chief executive officer, which resulted  in
an expense of $2.1 million, all of which was recognized in 1995.
 
   
    INTEREST  EXPENSE.  Interest expense increased $3.5 million, or 182.8%, from
$1.9 million for the year ended December  31, 1994 to $5.4 million for the  year
ended  December 31, 1995. This increase  was attributable primarily to increased
levels of debt resulting from the financing of the Kentucky Acquisition and  the
Publishing  Acquisitions. The Company entered into a $25 million notional amount
five year interest rate swap agreement on June 2, 1995, to effectively convert a
portion of its floating rate debt to a fixed rate basis. The interest rate  swap
fixed  the LIBOR base rate of the Old Credit Facility at 6.105% for the notional
amount. Additional interest was due  to or received from  the bank based upon  a
comparison  of the  fixed base rate  to the  bank's three-month LIBOR  rate on a
quarterly basis. The Company recorded approximately $34,000 of interest  expense
relative  to the interest rate swap in  1995. The effective interest rate of the
Old  Credit  Facility  and  interest  rate   swap  at  December  31,  1995   was
approximately 8.64% and 9.10%, respectively.
    
 
   
    NET  INCOME.   Net income for  the Company  was $931,000 for  the year ended
December 31, 1995, compared  with $2.8 million for  the year ended December  31,
1994, a decrease of $1.9 million.
    
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993
 
    REVENUES.   Total  revenues for the  year ended December  31, 1994 increased
$11.4 million or 45.4% over the year ended December 31, 1993, from $25.1 million
to $36.5 million.  Excluding the  Kentucky Acquisition and  the 1994  Publishing
Acquisitions, the increase was $3.1 million or 12.3%.
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
    Broadcast  net revenues increased $7.8 million or 52.1% over the prior year,
from $15.0  million to  $22.8  million. Broadcast  net revenues,  excluding  the
Kentucky  Acquisition, increased 9.8%  or $1.5 million over  the prior year. The
Kentucky Acquisition contributed  $6.3 million to  this increase. Excluding  the
Kentucky  Acquisition, approximately $921,000 of the $1.5 million increase was a
result of  higher  levels of  political  advertising spending  due  to  cyclical
election  activity in  the Company's  broadcast markets.  Excluding the Kentucky
Acquisition, local and national  advertising contributed an additional  $668,000
to  the  revenue  increase. These  increases  were offset  by  decreased network
compensation related to the preemption of network programming in favor of  local
advertising.
 
    Publishing  revenues increased  $3.6 million or  35.4% over  the prior year,
from  $10.1  million  to  $13.7   million.  The  1994  Publishing   Acquisitions
contributed  $2.0 million to  this increase. Publishing  revenues, excluding the
1994 Publishing  Acquisitions,  increased  $1.6 million  over  the  prior  year.
Advertising   and   circulation  revenues   comprised  $833,000   and  $436,000,
respectively, of the  revenue increase. Special  events and commercial  printing
services accounted for $344,000 of the revenue increase.
 
   
    OPERATING EXPENSES.  Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 1994
increased  $8.7 million  or 40.1%  over the year  ended December  31, 1993, from
$21.6  million  to  $30.3  million,  attributable  primarily  to  the   Kentucky
Acquisition ($4.4 million) and the 1994 Publishing Acquisitions ($2.1 million).
    
 
    Broadcasting  expenses increased $4.8 million or  48.2% over the prior year,
from $10.0 million to $14.8 million  primarily due to the Kentucky  Acquisition.
Broadcasting   expenses,   excluding   the   Kentucky   Acquisition,   increased
approximately $1.0 million, or 10.0%, over the prior year from $10.0 million  to
$11.0 million. This increase was attributable to increased payroll related costs
associated  with improvement of news programming, costs associated with coverage
of the 1994 flood in Albany, Georgia  and other costs related to on-air  product
upgrades at the stations.
 
    Publishing  expenses increased  $3.5 million or  46.1% over  the prior year,
from $7.7 million to $11.2 million primarily as a result of the 1994  Publishing
Acquisitions.  Publishing expenses, excluding  the 1994 Publishing Acquisitions,
increased approximately $1.6 million or 20.9% during the year ended December 31,
1994, as compared to the prior year. This increase was primarily attributable to
an 11.9% increase in  newsprint usage, payroll related  costs and other  product
improvement costs associated with format changes and expanded market coverage of
THE ALBANY HERALD.
 
    Corporate and administrative expenses decreased $368,000 or 15.8% during the
year  ended December 31, 1994, from $2.3  million to $1.9 million. This decrease
can be attributed to lower professional fees and related expenses.
 
    Depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets
was $2.2 million for the year ended  December 31, 1994 compared to $1.6  million
for  the prior  year, an increase  of $577,000  or 36.9%. This  increase was due
principally from the depreciation and amortization expense related to the assets
acquired in the Kentucky Acquisition and 1994 Publishing Acquisitions.
 
    INTEREST EXPENSE.   Interest expense  was $1.9  million for  the year  ended
December  31,  1994 compared  to $985,000  for  the prior  year, an  increase of
$938,000 or 95.3%. This increase was  due primarily to increased levels of  debt
resulting from the financing of the Kentucky Acquisition and the 1994 Publishing
Acquisitions.  At December 31, 1993 and  1994 the Company's outstanding debt was
$7.3 million and $52.9 million, respectively.
 
   
    NET INCOME.  Net income for the Company was $2.8 million for the year  ended
December  31, 1994, compared with  $2.5 million for the  year ended December 31,
1993, an increase of $300,000.
    
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF THE PHIPPS BUSINESS
 
INTRODUCTION
 
    The following analysis of the financial condition and results of  operations
of  the Phipps Business should be read in conjunction with the Phipps Business's
consolidated financial statements and notes  thereto included elsewhere in  this
Prospectus.
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
    The  Phipps Business derives  its revenues from  its television broadcasting
operations which  consist  of  two CBS-affiliated  television  stations  serving
Tallahassee,  Florida/Thomasville, Georgia and Knoxville, Tennessee, a satellite
broadcasting business based in Tallahassee,  Florida and a paging business  also
based in Tallahassee, Florida.
 
    Set   forth  below,  for  the  periods  indicated,  is  certain  information
concerning the  relative contributions  of  the Phipps  Business's  broadcasting
(including satellite broadcasting) and paging operations.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                        THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                          ----------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------
                                 1993                1994                1995               1995               1996
                          ------------------  ------------------  ------------------  -----------------  -----------------
                                    PERCENT             PERCENT             PERCENT            PERCENT            PERCENT
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)     AMOUNT   OF TOTAL   AMOUNT   OF TOTAL   AMOUNT   OF TOTAL   AMOUNT  OF TOTAL   AMOUNT  OF TOTAL
                          --------- --------  --------- --------  --------- --------  -------- --------  -------- --------
TELEVISION BROADCASTING
<S>                       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>
Revenues................. $19,460.1    83.7%  $21,524.3    83.4%  $22,424.1    82.1%  $4,801.3    79.5%  $5,207.8    79.6%
Operating
 income (1)..............   6,636.4    92.8     9,298.1    91.6     9,635.3    90.4    1,828.8    83.7    1,918.2    84.9
 
PAGING
Revenues................. $ 3,787.9    16.3%  $ 4,276.6    16.6%  $ 4,897.5    17.9%  $1,238.4    20.5%  $1,338.8    20.4%
Operating
 income (1)..............     512.7     7.2       854.9     8.4     1,026.9     9.6      355.2    16.3      340.0    15.1
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
(1)  Excludes any allocation of corporate and administrative expenses.
 
TELEVISION BROADCASTING AND PAGING REVENUES
 
    Set  forth below are the principal types of broadcast net revenues earned by
the Phipps Business's television stations (including the satellite  broadcasting
operation)  for the periods indicated and the percentage contribution of each to
the Phipps Business's total revenues.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                        THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                          ----------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------
                                 1993                1994                1995               1995               1996
                          ------------------  ------------------  ------------------  -----------------  -----------------
                                    PERCENT             PERCENT             PERCENT            PERCENT            PERCENT
                                    OF TOTAL            OF TOTAL            OF TOTAL           OF TOTAL           OF TOTAL
                                    REVENUES            REVENUES            REVENUES           REVENUES           REVENUES
                                       OF                  OF                  OF                 OF                 OF
                                     PHIPPS              PHIPPS              PHIPPS             PHIPPS             PHIPPS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)     AMOUNT   BUSINESS   AMOUNT   BUSINESS   AMOUNT   BUSINESS   AMOUNT  BUSINESS   AMOUNT  BUSINESS
                          --------- --------  --------- --------  --------- --------  -------- --------  -------- --------
TELEVISION BROADCASTING
<S>                       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>
Net revenues:
  Local.................. $ 9,732.8    41.9%  $10,412.2    40.4%  $11,149.2    40.8%  $2,370.2    39.3%  $2,558.3    39.1%
  National...............   7,057.2    30.4     7,217.0    27.9     7,844.9    28.7    1,646.7    27.3    1,691.2    25.8
  Network compensation...   1,164.6     5.0     1,433.2     5.6     1,740.1     6.4      425.6     7.1      393.1     6.0
  Political..............       9.1     0.0     1,147.1     4.4        33.9     0.1         --      --       50.8     0.8
  Production and other
   (1)...................   1,496.4     6.4     1,314.8     5.1     1,656.0     6.1      358.8     5.8      514.4     7.9
                          --------- --------  --------- --------  --------- --------  -------- --------  -------- --------
                          $19,460.1    83.7%  $21,524.3    83.4%  $22,424.1    82.1%  $4,801.3    79.5%  $5,207.8    79.6%
                          --------- --------  --------- --------  --------- --------  -------- --------  -------- --------
                          --------- --------  --------- --------  --------- --------  -------- --------  -------- --------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
   
(1)  Includes satellite broadcasting business.
    
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
    Set forth below  are the principal  types of revenues  earned by the  Phipps
Business's  paging  operations  for  the periods  indicated  and  the percentage
contribution of each to the Phipps Business's total revenues.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                        THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                          ----------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------
                                 1993                1994                1995               1995               1996
                          ------------------  ------------------  ------------------  -----------------  -----------------
                                    PERCENT             PERCENT             PERCENT            PERCENT            PERCENT
                                    OF TOTAL            OF TOTAL            OF TOTAL           OF TOTAL           OF TOTAL
                                    REVENUES            REVENUES            REVENUES           REVENUES           REVENUES
                                       OF                  OF                  OF                 OF                 OF
                                     PHIPPS              PHIPPS              PHIPPS             PHIPPS             PHIPPS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)     AMOUNT   BUSINESS   AMOUNT   BUSINESS   AMOUNT   BUSINESS   AMOUNT  BUSINESS   AMOUNT  BUSINESS
                          --------- --------  --------- --------  --------- --------  -------- --------  -------- --------
PAGING
<S>                       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>
Net revenues:
  Paging lease and
   service............... $ 3,741.6    16.1%  $ 4,201.4    16.3%  $ 5,004.9    18.3%  $1,214.9    20.1%  $1,391.9    21.2%
  Other..................      46.3     0.2        75.2     0.3      (107.4)     (.4)     23.5     0.4      (53.1)    (0.8)
                          --------- --------  --------- --------  --------- --------  -------- --------  -------- --------
                          $ 3,787.9    16.3%  $ 4,276.6    16.6%  $ 4,897.5    17.9%  $1,238.4    20.5%  $1,338.8    20.4%
                          --------- --------  --------- --------  --------- --------  -------- --------  -------- --------
                          --------- --------  --------- --------  --------- --------  -------- --------  -------- --------
</TABLE>
    
 
MEDIA CASH FLOW
 
   
    The following table sets forth certain operating data for the broadcast  and
paging  operations for the years ended December  31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 and for
the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                           ---------------------------------------   -------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)        1993          1994          1995           1995              1996
                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -------------     -------------
Operating income.........     $4,686.9      $7,667.6      $7,381.8        $1,414.7          $1,887.1
<S>                        <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>               <C>
Add:
  Amortization of program
   license rights........      1,552.4       1,021.4         844.8           211.2             231.9
  Depreciation and
   amortization..........      2,836.0       2,672.2       3,120.4           700.3             758.8
  Corporate overhead.....      2,462.2       2,485.4       3,280.4           769.4             371.2
Less:
  Payments for program
   license liabilities...     (1,072.0)       (863.3)       (931.0)         (229.0)           (248.3)
                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -------------     -------------
Media Cash Flow (1)......    $10,465.5     $12,983.3     $13,696.4        $2,866.6          $3,000.6
                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -------------     -------------
                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -------------     -------------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
   
(1)  Of Media  Cash Flow,  $9.2 million,  $11.5 million  and $11.9  million  was
     attributable to the Phipps Business's broadcasting operations in 1993, 1994
     and  1995, respectively. Of Media Cash  Flow, $2.3 million and $2.5 million
     was attributable to the Phipps  Business's broadcasting operations for  the
     three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
    
 
   
CASH FLOW PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING, INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    
 
   
    The  following  table  sets  forth certain  operating  data  for  the Phipps
Business for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 and for the  three
months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                      MARCH 31,
                           ---------------------------------------   -------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)        1993          1994          1995           1995              1996
                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -------------     -------------
Cash flows provided by
 (used in):
<S>                        <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>               <C>
  Operating activities...       $7,397        $9,808        $9,259          $2,094            $3,337
  Investing activities...       (2,953)       (2,506)       (3,828)           (965)             (295)
  Financing activities...       (4,418)       (7,233)       (4,906)         (1,092)           (3,476)
</TABLE>
    
 
   
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31 1995
    
 
   
    REVENUES.    Total  revenues  for  the three  months  ended  March  31, 1996
increased $507,000, or 8.4%,  over the three months  ended March 31, 1995,  from
$6.0  million to $6.5 million. This  increase was attributable to an improvement
in local,  national  and  political  advertising  revenue  in  the  broadcasting
operations   and  the  implementation  of  a  reseller  program  in  the  paging
operations.
    
 
   
    Broadcast net revenues, including production and other, increased  $406,000,
or  8.5%, over  the same  period of the  prior year,  from $4.8  million to $5.2
million. Approximately $188,000, $44,000, $51,000  and $155,000 of the  increase
in  total broadcast  net revenues was  due to higher  local advertising revenue,
national
    
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
   
advertising revenue,  political  advertising revenue  and  production  revenues,
respectively, offset by a $32,000 decrease in network compensation. In addition,
revenues  generated  from  satellite broadcasting  operations  increased  due to
additional equipment coming on line.
    
 
   
    Net paging revenues increased $100,000, or 8.1%, over the same period of the
prior year, from  $1.2 million to  $1.3 million. The  increase was  attributable
primarily  to higher  sales volume generated  by a  reseller program implemented
during 1995.
    
 
   
    OPERATING EXPENSES.  Broadcasting expenses increased $243,000, or 9.9%, over
the same  period of  the prior  year, from  $2.5 million  to $2.7  million.  The
increase  was attributable primarily to higher payroll and related costs, higher
levels of other expenditures  in the sales and  news departments and  additional
costs associated with new equipment.
    
 
   
    Paging  expenses increased $140,000,  or 20.2%, over the  same period of the
prior year, from $695,000 to  $835,000. The increase was attributable  primarily
to higher payroll, sales and operating costs associated with revenue growth.
    
 
   
    Corporate  and administrative expenses for the  three months ended March 31,
1996 decreased $398,000, or 51.8%, from the same period of the prior year,  from
$769,000 to $371,000. The decrease was attributable to lower personnel costs and
the termination of certain executive benefit plans.
    
 
   
    Depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets
for  the three months ended March 31,  1996 increased $59,000, or 8.4%, over the
same period as  the prior  year, from $700,000  to $759,000.  This increase  was
primarily  the  result of  higher depreciation  costs  relating to  property and
equipment purchases and higher amortization  of intangible assets in  connection
with the purchase of certain minority interests of WKXT in Knoxville, Tennessee.
    
 
   
    INTEREST  EXPENSE.   Interest expense decreased  $22,000, or  19.3% from the
same period of the prior year from $114,000 to $92,000.
    
 
   
    NET INCOME.  The net income for the Phipps Business was $1.7 million for the
three months  ended March  31, 1996  compared with  $1.2 million  for the  three
months ended March 31, 1995, an increase of $478,000 or 38.3%.
    
 
   
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
    
 
   
    REVENUES.   Total  revenues for the  year ended December  31, 1995 increased
$1.5 million, or 5.9%, over the year ended December 31, 1994, from $25.8 million
to $27.3 million. This increase was attributable to an improvement in local  and
national   advertising   revenue  in   the   broadcasting  operations   and  the
implementation of a reseller program in the paging operations.
    
 
   
    Broadcast net revenues  increased $900,000,  or 4.2%, over  the prior  year,
from  $21.5 million to $22.4 million. Approximately $737,000, $628,000, $307,000
and $341,000 of the increase in total  broadcast net revenues was due to  higher
local  advertising revenue,  national advertising  revenue, network compensation
and production  revenues, respectively,  offset by  a $1.1  million decrease  in
political  advertising spending associated with  cyclical political activity. In
addition, revenues generated  from satellite  broadcasting operations  increased
due to additional equipment coming on line.
    
 
   
    Net  paging revenues increased $621,000, or 14.5%, over the prior year, from
$4.3 million to $4.9 million. The increase was attributable primarily to  higher
sales volume generated by a reseller program implemented during 1995.
    
 
   
    OPERATING EXPENSES.  Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 1995
increased  $1.8 million, or 10.0%,  over the year ended  December 31, 1994, from
$18.1 million  to $19.9  million.  The increase  was attributable  primarily  to
higher  payroll and related costs and  sales expenses and commissions associated
with higher sales  volumes, increased  corporate overhead  and depreciation  and
amortization costs.
    
 
   
    Broadcasting expenses increased $276,000, or 2.7%, over the prior year, from
$10.2  million  to $10.5  million. The  increase  was attributable  primarily to
higher payroll and  related costs  offset by lower  syndicated film  programming
costs.
    
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
   
    Paging expenses increased $288,000, or 10.4%, over the prior year, from $2.8
million  to  $3.1 million.  The increase  was  attributable primarily  to higher
payroll, sales and operating costs associated with revenue growth.
    
 
   
    Corporate and administrative expenses for  the year ended December 31,  1995
increased  $794,000, or 32.0%, over the year  ended December 31, 1994, from $2.5
million to $3.3 million. The increase was attributable to higher personnel costs
and overhead allocation.
    
 
   
    Depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets
for the year ended December 31, 1995 increased $448,000, or 16.8%, over the year
ended December 31, 1994,  from $2.7 million to  $3.1 million. This increase  was
primarily  the  result of  higher depreciation  costs  relating to  property and
equipment purchases and higher amortization  of intangible assets in  connection
with the purchase of certain minority interests of WKXT in Knoxville, Tennessee.
    
 
    INTEREST  EXPENSE.  Interest expense remained relatively unchanged from year
to year.
 
    NET INCOME.  Net  income for the Phipps  broadcasting and paging  operations
was $6.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1995 compared with $7.2 million
for the year ended December 31, 1994, a decrease of $900,000.
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993
 
   
    REVENUES.   Total  revenues for the  year ended December  31, 1994 increased
$2.6 million,  or 11.0%,  over the  year  ended December  31, 1993,  from  $23.2
million  to  $25.8  million. This  increase  was attributable  to  higher local,
national  and  political  advertising  as   well  as  an  increase  in   network
compensation.  In  addition, paging  revenues  increased as  geographic coverage
expanded.
    
 
   
    Broadcast net  revenues increased  $2.1 million,  or 10.6%,  over the  prior
year,  from $19.5 million to $21.5  million. Approximately $679,000 and $160,000
of the $2.1 million increase  in total broadcast net  revenues is due to  higher
local  and national  advertising spending,  respectively. Approximately $269,000
and $1.1  million  of  the  $2.1  million increase  is  due  to  higher  network
compensation   and  political  advertising  revenues  associated  with  cyclical
political activity, respectively,  offset by  a $182,000  decrease in  satellite
broadcasting revenues.
    
 
   
    Net  paging revenues increased $489,000, or 12.9%, over the prior year, from
$3.8 million to $4.3 million. The increase was attributable primarily to  higher
sales volume due to increased geographical coverage.
    
 
   
    OPERATING EXPENSES.  Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 1994
decreased  $428,000, or 2.3%, from the year  ended December 31, 1993, from $18.6
million to  $18.2 million.  The  decrease was  attributable primarily  to  lower
syndicated  programming costs, offset by slightly  higher paging expenses due to
higher sales volume and lower depreciation.
    
 
    Broadcasting expenses decreased $523,000, or 4.9%, from the prior year, from
$10.7 million to $10.2 million. The  decrease was attributable primarily to  the
write-off of certain syndicated programming in 1993 that was not being utilized.
 
    Paging  expenses increased $235,000, or 9.3%, over the prior year, from $2.5
million to  $2.8  million. The  increase  was attributable  primarily  to  costs
associated with higher sales volume.
 
    Corporate  and  administrative expenses  remained relatively  unchanged from
year to year.
 
    Depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets
for the year ended December 31, 1994 decreased $164,000, or 5.8%, from the  year
ended  December 31, 1993, from  $2.8 million to $2.7  million. This decrease was
primarily the result  of the  completion of  depreciation for  certain items  of
equipment purchased in 1988.
 
    INTEREST  EXPENSE.   Interest expense for  the year ended  December 31, 1994
decreased $152,000,  or 24.0%,  from  the year  ended  December 31,  1993,  from
$632,000  to $480,000. This decrease was  attributable primarily to lower levels
of debt associated with WKXT.
 
   
    NET INCOME.  Net  income for the  Phipps Business was  $7.2 million for  the
year  ended December  31, 1994,  compared with $3.9  million for  the year ended
December 31, 1993, an increase of $3.3 million.
    
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
   
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
    
 
   
    Following  the consummation  of the KTVE  Sale, the  Phipps Acquisition, the
Financing, the Offering and the Concurrent Offering, the Company will be  highly
leveraged.  The Company anticipates that its principal uses of cash for the next
several years  will  be working  capital  and debt  service  requirements,  cash
dividends,   capital  expenditures   and  expenditures   related  to  additional
acquisitions. The Company  anticipates that  its operating  cash flow,  together
with  borrowings available under the Senior  Credit Facility, will be sufficient
for such purposes for the remainder of 1996 and for 1997.
    
 
   
    The Company's working capital (deficiency) was $1.1 million, $(221,000)  and
$3.1  million at December 31,  1994 and 1995, and  March 31, 1996, respectively.
The working capital of  the Phipps Business was  $1.4 million, $2.6 million  and
$1.5  million at December 31,  1994 and 1995, and  March 31, 1996, respectively.
The Company's cash provided  from operations was $5.8  million and $7.6  million
for  the years ended December 31, 1994  and 1995, respectively, and $1.5 million
and  $3.1  million  for  the  three  months  ended  March  31,  1995  and  1996,
respectively.  The  Phipps Business's  cash  provided from  operations  was $9.8
million and  $9.3  million for  the  years ended  December  31, 1994  and  1995,
respectively, and $2.1 million and $3.3 million for the three months ended March
31, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
    
 
   
    The  Company  was  provided $3.0  million  in  cash in  1993  from investing
activities and  used  $42.8  million  and $8.9  million  of  cash  in  investing
activities in 1994 and 1995, respectively. The change of $45.9 million from 1993
to  1994 was due primarily  to the Kentucky Acquisition  and the 1994 Publishing
Acquisitions. The change of $33.9 million from 1994 to 1995 was due primarily to
the Kentucky Acquisition and the 1994 Publishing Acquisitions, partially  offset
by  the  1995 Publishing  Acquisitions  and the  deferred  costs related  to the
Augusta Acquisition. The Phipps Business's cash used in investing activities was
$2.5 million and $3.8 million in 1994 and 1995, respectively. The Company's cash
used in investing activities  was $2.4 million and  $36.0 million for the  three
months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively. The increased usage of $33.6
million was due primarily to the Augusta Acquisition. The Phipps Business's cash
used  in investing  activities was  $965,000 and  $295,000 for  the three months
ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
    
 
   
    The Company  used $4.9  million in  cash  in 1993,  and was  provided  $37.2
million  and $1.3  million in  cash by  financing activities  in 1994  and 1995,
respectively. The use of cash in  1993 resulted primarily from the repayment  of
debt  while  cash  provided  by  financing  activities  in  1994  and  1995  was
principally due  to  increased  borrowings  in  1994  to  finance  the  Kentucky
Acquisition   and  the  1994  Publishing  Acquisitions,  as  well  as  increased
borrowings in 1995 to finance the  1995 Publishing Acquisitions and the  funding
of  the deposit  for the  Augusta Acquisition. On  January 4,  1996, the Company
acquired the Augusta  Business. The  cash consideration  of approximately  $35.9
million,  including acquisition  costs of  approximately $600,000,  was financed
primarily through long-term borrowings under the Old Credit Facility and through
the sale of the 8% Note to Bull Run. Long-term debt was $54.3 million and  $88.4
million  at December 31, 1995  and March 31, 1996,  respectively. The balance of
the Old Credit  Facility was $28.4  million and $52.6  million, at December  31,
1995  and March 31, 1996,  respectively. The effective interest  rate of the Old
Credit Facility was 8.96% at March  31, 1996. Principal maturities on  long-term
debt  at December 31, 1995 included $2.9  million and $5.0 million for the years
ended 1996 and  1997 respectively.  The Company anticipates  that its  operating
cash  flows, together with borrowings available under the Senior Credit Facility
will be sufficient to provide for such payments. For the year ended December 31,
1995, the Augusta Business reported net revenues and broadcast cash flow of $8.7
million and $2.8 million,  respectively. The Phipps  Business used $7.2  million
and   $4.9  million  in  cash  for   financing  activities  in  1994  and  1995,
respectively. The Company  was provided $582,000  and $34.4 million  in cash  by
financing  activities  for  the three  months  ended  March 31,  1995  and 1996,
respectively, due primarily to the funding  of the Gwinnett Acquisition in  1995
and  the Augusta Acquisition in 1996. The  Phipps Business used $1.1 million and
$3.5 million in cash for financing  activities for the three months ended  March
31, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
    
 
   
    Under  the  terms of  the Old  Credit Facility,  the Company  had additional
borrowing capacity at March  31, 1996 of approximately  $4.0 million. Under  the
Old  Credit Facility, after giving effect  to the consummation of this Offering,
the Concurrent Offering, the KTVE Sale  and the Phipps Acquisition, the  Company
would  not have been able to incur additional indebtedness as of March 31, 1996.
Under the terms
    
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
   
of the Old  Credit Facility,  the Company  is allowed  to make  $3.0 million  of
capital expenditures annually. The terms of the Senior Credit Facility allow for
$5.0  million of capital  expenditures annually. The  Company believes that cash
flow from operations will be sufficient to fund such expenditures, which will be
adequate for the Company's normal replacement requirements.
    
 
   
    The Company  regularly  enters  into  program contracts  for  the  right  to
broadcast television programs produced by others and program commitments for the
right  to broadcast  programs in  the future.  Such programming  commitments are
generally made to replace  expiring or canceled  program rights. Payments  under
such  contracts are made in cash or  the concession of advertising spots for the
program provider to  resell, or  a combination of  both. At  December 31,  1995,
payments on program license liabilities due in 1996 and 1997, which will be paid
with cash from operations, were $491,000 and $1.4 million, respectively.
    
 
   
    In  1995, the  Company made $3.3  million in  capital expenditures, relating
primarily to  the broadcasting  operations  and paid  $1.8 million  for  program
broadcast rights. During the three months ended March 31, 1996, the Company made
$814,000 in capital expenditures, relating primarily to broadcasting operations,
and paid $662,000 for program broadcast rights. During 1995, the Phipps Business
made  $3.2  million  in  capital  expenditures  and  paid  $931,000  for program
broadcast rights.  During the  three months  ended March  31, 1996,  the  Phipps
Business  made $710,000  in capital expenditures  and paid  $248,000 for program
broadcast rights. The Company anticipates making an aggregate of $3.0 million in
capital expenditures and $2.7 million  in payments for program broadcast  rights
during  1996.  Subsequent to  the consummation  of  the Phipps  Acquisition, the
Company anticipates that its annual  capital expenditures will approximate  $5.0
million.
    
 
   
    In  addition  to the  consummation of  the  Phipps Acquisition,  the Company
intends to implement the Financing  to increase liquidity and improve  operating
and  financial  flexibility. Pursuant  to the  Financing,  the Company  will (i)
retire approximately $52.6 million principal amount of outstanding  indebtedness
under  the Old  Credit Facility,  together with  accrued interest  thereon, (ii)
retire approximately  $25.0 million  aggregate principal  amount of  outstanding
indebtedness under the Senior Note, together with accrued interest thereon and a
prepayment fee, (iii) issue $10.0 million liquidation preference of its Series A
Preferred  Stock in exchange for  the 8% Note issued to  Bull Run, (iv) issue to
Bull Run $10.0 million  liquidation preference of its  Series B Preferred  Stock
with  warrants  to  purchase  up  to 500,000  shares  of  Class  A  Common Stock
(representing 10.1%  of the  currently  issued and  outstanding Class  A  Common
Stock,  after giving effect to the exercise  of such warrants) for cash proceeds
of $10.0  million and  (v) enter  into  the Senior  Credit Facility  which  will
provide  for  a  term  loan and  revolving  credit  facility  aggregating $125.0
million. See  "The  Phipps Acquisition,  the  KTVE Sale  and  the  Financing-The
Financing."
    
 
   
    The  Old Credit  Facility is  a $55.0 million  line of  credit available for
working capital  requirements and  general corporate  purposes. The  Old  Credit
Facility  matures in March 2003, provides for increasing quarterly amortization,
includes certain customary financial covenants and  bears interest at a rate  of
3.5%  over LIBOR, subject  to adjustment based on  the Company's leverage ratio.
The Old Credit Facility also requires the Company to use its annual Excess  Cash
Flow  (as defined) to repay indebtedness thereunder at the end of each year. The
Senior Credit Facility is guaranteed by  each of the Company's subsidiaries  and
is  secured by liens on  substantially all of the assets  of the Company and its
subsidiaries. As part of the Financing and as a condition of this Offering,  the
Company will replace the Old Credit Facility with the Senior Credit Facility and
the  Company  has entered  into a  commitment letter  with respect  thereto. See
"Description of Certain Indebtedness -- The Senior Credit Facility."
    
 
   
    The  Company  has  entered  into  the  KTVE  Agreement  to  sell  KTVE   for
approximately $9.5 million in cash plus the amount of the accounts receivable on
the  date of the closing, which is expected to occur by September 1996, although
there can be  no assurance  with respect  thereto. The  Company anticipates  the
taxes for the KTVE Sale will aggregate approximately $2.8 million.
    
 
    In  connection with the Phipps Acquisition,  the Company will be required to
divest WALB and WJHG under current FCC regulations. However, these rules may  be
revised  by the FCC upon conclusion  of pending rulemaking proceedings. In order
to satisfy applicable FCC  requirements, the Company,  subject to FCC  approval,
intends  to swap such  assets for assets  of one or  more television stations of
comparable value and
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
with comparable broadcast  cash flow  in a transaction  qualifying for  deferred
capital gains treatment under the "like-kind exchange" provision of Section 1033
of  the Code.  If the Company  is unable to  effect such a  swap on satisfactory
terms within the time period granted by  the FCC under the waivers, the  Company
may  transfer such assets to a trust with a view towards the trustee effecting a
swap or sale of such assets. Any such trust arrangement would be subject to  the
approval  of the FCC.  It is anticipated  that the Company  would be required to
relinquish operating control  of such assets  to a trustee  while retaining  the
economic  risks  and benefits  of ownership.  If  the Company  or such  trust is
required to effect a sale  of WALB, the Company  would incur a significant  gain
and  related tax liability, the  payment of which could  have a material adverse
effect on the Company's ability  to acquire comparable assets without  incurring
additional indebtedness.
 
    The  Company and  its subsidiaries  file a  consolidated federal  income tax
return and such state or local tax returns as are required. On a pro forma basis
after giving effect to  the Augusta Acquisition, the  KTVE Sale, the  Concurrent
Offering,  the Financing, the Phipps Acquisition  and this Offering, the Company
anticipates that it will generate  taxable operating losses for the  foreseeable
future.
 
    The  Company  does  not believe  that  inflation  in past  years  has  had a
significant impact  on the  Company's  results of  operations nor  is  inflation
expected  to have a significant  effect upon the Company's  business in the near
future.
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
   
                                    BUSINESS
    
 
   
    The Company owns and  operates seven network-affiliated television  stations
in  medium-size  markets in  the southeastern  United States,  six of  which are
ranked number  one  in  their  respective markets.  Five  of  the  stations  are
affiliated  with CBS  and two  are affiliated with  NBC. In  connection with the
Phipps Acquisition, the Company  will be required  under current regulations  of
the  FCC  to divest  its  NBC affiliates  in  Albany, Georgia  and  Panama City,
Florida. For a discussion of the Company's plans regarding such divestiture, see
"Risk Factors -- FCC Divestiture  Requirement" and "The Phipps Acquisition,  the
KTVE  Sale and the  Financing." The Company  also owns and  operates three daily
newspapers, two shoppers and  a paging business, all  located in the  Southeast.
The  Company derives significant operating  advantages and cost saving synergies
through the size of its television station  group and the regional focus of  its
television and publishing operations. These advantages and synergies include (i)
sharing  television  production  facilities, equipment  and  regionally oriented
programming, (ii) the ability to  purchase television programming for the  group
as  a whole, (iii)  negotiating network affiliation agreements  on a group basis
and (iv)  purchasing newsprint  and other  supplies in  bulk. In  addition,  the
Company  believes  that  its  regional focus  can  provide  advertisers  with an
efficient network through which to advertise in the fast-growing Southeast.
    
 
    In 1993, after the acquisition of a large block of Class A Common Stock by a
new investor,  the  Company implemented  a  strategy to  foster  growth  through
strategic  acquisitions. Since 1994, the Company's significant acquisitions have
included three  television  stations and  two  newspapers, all  located  in  the
Southeast.  As a  result of  the Company's  acquisitions and  in support  of its
growth strategy, the Company has added certain key members of management and has
greatly expanded its  operations in  the television  broadcasting and  newspaper
publishing businesses.
 
   
    In  January 1996,  the Company  acquired WRDW  serving Augusta,  Georgia for
approximately  $35.9   million  in   cash,   including  acquisition   costs   of
approximately  $600,000, but excluding assumed liabilities of approximately $4.0
million. In December 1995, the Company entered into an asset purchase  agreement
to    acquire   two   CBS-affiliated   stations,   WCTV   serving   Tallahassee,
Florida/Thomasville, Georgia  and  WKXT  in Knoxville,  Tennessee,  a  satellite
broadcasting  business  and a  paging business.  The  Company believes  that the
Phipps Acquisition  will  further enhance  the  Company's position  as  a  major
regional  television  broadcaster  and  is highly  attractive  for  a  number of
reasons, including (i) the  stations' strategic fit  within the Southeast,  (ii)
WCTV's  leading station market position and WKXT's significant growth potential,
(iii) strong station broadcast cash flows, (iv) opportunities for revenue growth
utilizing the Company's extensive management expertise with medium-size stations
and (v) opportunities  for synergies  between WCTV  and WKXT  and the  Company's
existing  stations with  regard to  revenue enhancement  and cost  controls. The
consummation of  the  Phipps  Acquisition  is currently  expected  to  occur  by
September 1996, although there can be no assurance with respect thereto.
    
 
   
    In  May  1996, the  Company entered  into  the KTVE  Agreement to  sell KTVE
serving Monroe, Louisiana/El Dorado, Arkansas for approximately $9.5 million  in
cash  plus the  amount of the  accounts receivable  on the date  of the closing,
which is expected to occur by September 1996, although there can be no assurance
with respect thereto.
    
 
   
    For the year ended December 31, 1995, on a pro forma basis, the Company  had
net  revenues, Media  Cash Flow,  operating cash  flow and  net (loss)  of $90.6
million, $30.3 million, $28.1 million and $(3.8) million, respectively. For  the
three  months ended March  31, 1996, on a  pro forma basis,  the Company had net
revenues, Media Cash Flow, operating cash flow and net (loss) of $22.5  million,
$7.6  million, $6.8  million and  $(810,000), respectively.  Net revenues, Media
Cash Flow  and operating  cash flow  on a  pro forma  basis for  the year  ended
December  31, 1995 increased 148.2%, 188.4%,  and 227.9% respectively, while net
income decreased 238.7% from the historical amounts for the year ended  December
31,  1994. Net revenues, Media Cash Flow and  operating cash flow on a pro forma
basis for the  three months  ended March 31,  1996 increased  71.2%, 110.9%  and
119.1  %, respectively,  while net income  decreased 300.5%  from the historical
amounts for the three months ended March 31, 1995.
    
 
                                       56
<PAGE>
    The following table sets forth certain information for each of the Company's
television stations.
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          PRO FORMA
                                                                                               -------------------------------
                                                                                   IN-MARKET
                                                                                     SHARE               YEAR ENDED
                                                                                      OF              DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                                         STATION   HOUSEHOLDS  -------------------------------
            NETWORK                       YEAR      DMA      CHANNEL/    RANK IN    VIEWING                       OPERATING
STATION   AFFILIATION      MARKET       ACQUIRED  RANK(1)   FREQUENCY    DMA(2)       TV        NET REVENUES      INCOME (6)
- --------  ----------- ----------------  --------  --------  ----------   -------   ---------   --------------   --------------
                                                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>       <C>         <C>               <C>       <C>       <C>          <C>       <C>         <C>              <C>
WKYT          CBS        Lexington, KY    1994         68   27/UHF   (3)     1           33%          $15,553   $      5,247
WYMT          CBS           Hazard, KY    1994         68   57/UHF   (3)     1(4)        24             3,721            831
WRDW          CBS          Augusta, GA    1996        111   12/VHF           1           36             8,888          1,853
WALB(5)       NBC           Albany, GA    1954        152   10/VHF           1           80             9,445          4,795
WJHG(5)       NBC      Panama City, FL    1960        159   7/VHF            1           53             3,843            270
PHIPPS ACQUISITION
WKXT          CBS        Knoxville, TN                 62   8/VHF            3           22             9,269          2,479
              CBS      Tallahassee, FL                116   6/VHF            1           60            11,862          3,953
WCTV                   Thomasville, GA
 
<CAPTION>
           THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                       1996
          -------------------------------
                             OPERATING
STATION    NET REVENUES      INCOME (6)
- --------  --------------   --------------
                  (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>       <C>              <C>
WKYT      $      3,823     $      1,130
WYMT             1,042              230
WRDW             2,080              482
WALB(5)          2,340            1,098
WJHG(5)          1,099              150
PHIPPS A
WKXT             1,973              253
                 2,801              835
WCTV
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
(1)  Ranking of DMA served by a station among all DMAs is measured by the number
     of television households within the DMA based on the November 1995  Nielsen
     estimates.
 
   
(2)  Represents  station  rank in  DMA as  determined  by November  1995 Nielsen
     estimates of the number of television  sets tuned to the Company's  station
     as  a percentage of the number of television  sets in use in the market for
     the Sunday through Saturday 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. time period.
    
 
   
(3)  All stations in the market are UHF stations.
    
 
   
(4)  The market area served by WYMT is an 18-county trading area, as defined  by
     Nielsen,  and is  included in the  Lexington, Kentucky  DMA. WYMT's station
     rank is based upon its position in the 18-county trading area.
    
 
   
(5)  The Company will be required under  current FCC regulations to divest  WALB
     and WJHG in connection with the Phipps Acquisition. For a discussion of the
     Company's  plans, see  "Risk Factors-FCC Divestiture  Requirement" and "The
     Phipps Acquisition, the KTVE Sale and the Financing."
    
 
   
(6)  Represents  pro  forma  income   before  miscellaneous  income   (expense),
     allocation of corporate overhead, interest expense and income taxes.
    
 
   
    The  Company's three newspapers, THE ALBANY HERALD, THE ROCKDALE CITIZEN and
the GWINNETT DAILY POST and two  shoppers had net revenues and operating  income
(income before miscellaneous income (expense), allocation of corporate overhead,
interest  expense and income taxes) of $21.9 million and $660,000, respectively,
for the year ended December  31, 1995, $5.6 million  and $402,000 for the  three
months  ended March 31, 1996,  respectively. The satellite broadcasting business
and paging business, which are part of the Phipps Business, had net revenues and
operating income (income  before miscellaneous income  (expense), allocation  of
corporate  overhead,  interest expense  and income  taxes)  of $6.2  million and
$542,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995 and $1.8 million and $242,000  for
the three months ended March 31, 1996, respectively.
    
 
                                       57
<PAGE>
    The following table sets forth certain information for each of the Company's
publications:
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               PRO FORMA
                                                                               -----------------------------------------
                                                                                                                THREE
                                                                                                               MONTHS
                                                                                                             ENDED MARCH
                                                                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                                                                              31, 1996
                                                                               -----------------------------------------
                                                                                                             -----------
                                                                                                 OPERATING
                                                               PUBLISHED PER                      INCOME
PUBLICATION                COVERAGE AREA      CIRCULATION          WEEK          NET REVENUE    (LOSS) (1)   NET REVENUE
- ------------------------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------------  ---------------  -----------  -----------
<S>                       <C>               <C>               <C>              <C>              <C>          <C>
                                                                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
THE ALBANY HERALD           25 counties in      34,000 daily             7        $  13,535      $   2,010    $   3,518
                                 Southwest     40,000 Sunday
                                   Georgia
THE ROCKDALE CITIZEN         2 counties in            10,000             5            3,854           (212)         795
                            Georgia (metro
                                  Atlanta)
GWINNETT DAILY POST            1 county in            13,000             5            2,432           (913)         695
                            Georgia (metro
                                  Atlanta)
SOUTHWEST GEORGIA           10 counties in            52,000             1            2,045           (224)         569
SHOPPERS                         Southwest
                            Georgia and 10
                               counties in
                             North Florida
 
<CAPTION>
                           OPERATING
                            INCOME
PUBLICATION               (LOSS) (1)
- ------------------------  -----------
<S>                       <C>
THE ALBANY HERALD          $     820
THE ROCKDALE CITIZEN             (69)
GWINNETT DAILY POST             (191)
SOUTHWEST GEORGIA               (158)
SHOPPERS
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
   
(1)  Represents   pro  forma  income   before  miscellaneous  income  (expense),
     allocation of corporate overhead, interest expense and income taxes.
    
 
REGIONAL FOCUS
 
    The Company's television stations  and publications are  all located in  the
fast-growing southeastern United States. The Company believes that this regional
focus  provides it with significant competitive advantages and has enabled it to
develop an expertise in serving medium-size southeastern markets. As a result of
its ownership of seven network-affiliated television stations in the  Southeast,
the Company believes that there are opportunities to sell advertising to certain
sponsors  on  all or  several  of its  stations as  a  single buy.  Further, the
Company's ownership of  multiple publications in  several adjacent  southeastern
communities  provides an attractive and efficient  channel through which to sell
local print advertising.  The Company  capitalizes on its  regional presence  by
transferring management personnel, equipment, programming and news content among
its stations and publications.
 
OPERATING STRATEGY
 
    The  Company has begun  to introduce various  operating strategies that have
been successfully  implemented at  WKYT in  Lexington, Kentucky  throughout  its
station  group. The Company's current President served as the general manager of
WKYT from 1989 to  1995 and developed and  successfully implemented many of  the
strategies  being adopted at  the Company's other stations.  Set forth below are
the Company's operating strategies.
 
   
    STRONG LOCAL PRESENCE.  Each of  the Company's television stations seeks  to
achieve a distinct local identity principally through the depth and focus of its
local  news programming and  by targeting specific  audience groups with special
programs and marketing events. Each station's  local news franchise is the  core
component  of the Company's strategy to strengthen audience loyalty and increase
revenues and Media Cash Flow for each station. Strong local news generates  high
viewership  and  results  in  higher ratings  both  for  programs  preceding and
following the news. All of the Company's stations that offer comprehensive local
news coverage are the dominant local  broadcast news source. WKXT in  Knoxville,
Tennessee  currently does not offer significant local news coverage; the Company
intends to significantly  expand the news  broadcast at this  station after  the
consummation of the Phipps Acquisition.
    
 
                                       58
<PAGE>
    Strong  local news product also differentiates local broadcast stations from
cable system competitors, which generally do not provide this service. The  cost
of  producing local  news programming generally  is lower than  other sources of
programming and the amount  of such local news  programming can be increased  or
decreased  on very short notice, providing  the Company with greater programming
flexibility.
 
    The Company believes  that its  strong commitment to  local broadcasting  is
integral  to its ability to serve each  of the communities in which it operates.
In each of  its markets, the  Company develops information-oriented  programming
which  expands the  Company's hours  of commercially  valuable local programming
with relatively small increases in operating expenses. In addition, each station
utilizes  special  programming   and  marketing  events,   such  as   prime-time
programming  of  local interest  or  sponsored community  events,  to strengthen
community relations and increase advertising  revenues. For example, certain  of
the  Company's stations offer state governor  call-in shows, local medical shows
and cover local sporting events. The Company requires its senior staff to become
actively involved in  community affairs in  an effort to  better understand  the
issues in each community in which it operates.
 
    A  key  component of  the Company's  publishing strategy  is an  emphasis on
strong local content in its  publications. Consequently, the Company focuses  on
local  news, sports and lifestyle issues in  order to foster reader loyalty with
the objective  of  raising  circulation and  advertising  rates.  The  Company's
publications  also sponsor community events such  as bridal expositions with the
objective of  strengthening  community relationships  and  building  advertising
revenues.
 
   
    TARGETED  MARKETING.  The Company seeks to increase its advertising revenues
and Media Cash Flow by expanding existing relationships with local and  national
advertisers  and  by  attracting  new  advertisers  through  targeted  marketing
techniques and  carefully tailored  programming. The  Company sells  advertising
locally  through its sales employees and nationally through representative firms
with which the Company enters into representation agreements. The Company  works
closely   with  advertisers   to  develop   advertising  campaigns   that  match
specifically targeted audience segments with the advertisers' overall  marketing
strategies. With this information, the Company regularly refines its programming
mix  among network, syndicated and locally-produced shows in a focused effort to
attract audiences with demographic characteristics desirable to advertisers.  As
a  result of  implementing this  strategy, WKYT's  share of  advertising dollars
exceeded its in-market share of households viewing television by 15% in 1995.
    
 
    The Company's  success  in  increasing  advertising  revenues  at  both  its
stations  and publications is also attributable,  in part, to the implementation
of training  programs for  its marketing  consultants that  focus on  innovative
sales  techniques, such  as events marketing  and demographic-specific projects,
that target specific advertisers. The  Company trains its marketing  consultants
to sell not only advertising spots, but also non-traditional advertising such as
billboards  for sponsored sports events  and weather forecasts within newscasts.
In  addition,  performance  based  compensation  arrangements  and   performance
accountability  systems have contributed to  the Company's success in increasing
local advertising revenues. The Company  has also benefitted from sharing  ideas
and  information for increasing advertising revenues among its station group and
publications. The Company's targeted marketing focus also includes the following
key elements:
 
    - NON-TRADITIONAL REVENUE  SOURCES.  The  Company  uses  its  stations'  and
      publications'  local promotional power in  order to increase revenues from
      non-traditional sources by sponsoring and staging various special  events,
      such  as  boat  shows,  fitness  shows,  bridal  expositions  and  fishing
      tournaments.  The  Company   derives  revenues   through  the   promotion,
      production and advertising sales generated by these events.
 
    - VENDOR MARKETING. The Company engages in targeted vendor marketing whereby
      it  contacts major vendors that supply a particular store or retail chain,
      and the  management at  a particular  store or  retail chain  in order  to
      arrange  for  the vendors  to purchase  local television  advertising. The
      store or retail chain in turn agrees to purchase additional products  from
      the   vendor  and  also  benefits  from  the  increased  local  television
      advertising presence. As a result of this vendor marketing, the  Company's
      stations  are able to sell advertising  to promote a local retailer, which
      the local retailer would not normally have purchased for itself.
 
                                       59
<PAGE>
    COST  CONTROLS.    Through  its  strategic  planning  and  annual  budgeting
processes,  the Company continually seeks to identify and implement cost savings
opportunities at each  of its  stations and  publications in  order to  increase
Media  Cash Flow. The Company closely monitors  expenses incurred by each of its
stations  and  publications  and  continually  reviews  their  performance   and
productivity.  Additionally, the  Company seeks to  minimize its  use of outside
firms  and  consultants  by  relying  on  its  in-house  production  and  design
capability.
 
    In  order to further  reduce costs, the Company  capitalizes on its regional
focus through its  ability to produce  programming at one  station which can  be
used by many of the Company's other stations. Further, the size of the Company's
station group and its ownership of multiple publications gives it the ability to
negotiate  favorable  terms with  programming syndicators,  newsprint suppliers,
national sales  representatives  and other  vendors.  For example,  the  Company
recently  entered into a  new agreement with  its national sales representative,
which significantly reduced the commissions payable by the Company for  national
advertising.  Due to  the proximity of  the Company's  operations, the Company's
stations and publications share equipment, programming and management expertise.
In addition, each station and  publication reduces its corporate overhead  costs
by  utilizing  group  benefits  such as  insurance  and  employee  benefit plans
provided by the Company.
 
ACQUISITION STRATEGY
 
    The Company  focuses on  medium-size markets  in the  Southeast because  the
Company  believes  these  markets  offer  superior  opportunities  in  terms  of
projected population  and economic  growth, leading  to higher  advertising  and
circulation  revenues. The  Company intends  to continue  to consider additional
acquisitions of television stations and  publications that serve these  markets.
The Company has focused on acquiring television stations where it believes there
is potential for improvements in revenue share, audience share and cost control.
In  assessing acquisitions, the Company targets  stations where it sees specific
opportunities  for  revenue   enhancement  utilizing  management's   significant
experience  in local  and national  advertising sales  and in  operating similar
stations in the Southeast. In addition, projections of growth in the  particular
market   are  taken  into  account.  The   Company  also  targets  stations  and
publications for which it can control expenditures as it expands the operation's
revenue base. Typical cost savings arise  from (i) reducing staffing levels  and
sharing management with other stations and publications, (ii) utilizing in-house
production and design expertise, (iii) substituting more cost effective employee
benefit  programs, (iv) reducing travel and other non-essential expenses and (v)
optimizing the purchase of newsprint and  other supplies. Other than the  Phipps
Acquisition,  the Company does not presently  have any agreements to acquire any
television stations or publications. See "The Phipps Acquisition, the KTVE  Sale
and  the Financing." In  appropriate circumstances, the  Company will dispose of
assets that it deems non-essential to its operating or growth strategy.
 
[Map of certain  states in  the southeast United  States that  sets forth  state
capitals and locations of the Company's stations]
 
TELEVISION BROADCASTING
 
THE COMPANY'S STATIONS AND THEIR MARKETS
 
    AS  USED IN THE TABLES  FOR EACH OF THE  COMPANY'S STATIONS IN THE FOLLOWING
SECTION (I) "GROSS REVENUES" REPRESENT  ALL OPERATING REVENUES EXCLUDING  BARTER
REVENUES; (II) "MARKET REVENUES" REPRESENT GROSS ADVERTISING REVENUES, EXCLUDING
 
                                       60
<PAGE>
BARTER  REVENUES,  FOR  ALL COMMERCIAL  TELEVISION  STATIONS IN  THE  MARKET, AS
REPORTED IN INVESTING IN  TELEVISION 1995 MARKET REPORT,  4TH EDITION JULY  1995
RATINGS  PUBLISHED BY BIA  PUBLICATIONS, INC., EXCEPT  FOR REVENUES IN WYMT-TV'S
("WYMT") 18-COUNTY TRADING  AREA WHICH IS  NOT SEPARATELY REPORTED  IN SUCH  BIA
PUBLICATIONS,  INC.'S  REPORT;  (III)  "IN-MARKET  SHARE  OF  HOUSEHOLDS VIEWING
TELEVISION" REPRESENTS THE PERCENTAGE OF THE STATION'S AUDIENCE AS A  PERCENTAGE
OF  ALL VIEWING BY HOUSEHOLDS IN THE MARKET FROM 6 A.M. TO 2 A.M. SUNDAY THROUGH
SATURDAY, INCLUDING VIEWING OF NON-COMMERCIAL STATIONS, NATIONAL CABLE  CHANNELS
AND OUT-OF-MARKET STATIONS BROADCAST OR CARRIED BY CABLE IN THE MARKET; AND (IV)
"STATION  RANK IN DMA" IS  BASED ON NIELSEN ESTIMATES  FOR NOVEMBER OF EACH YEAR
FOR THE PERIOD FROM 6 A.M. TO 2 A.M. SUNDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          IN-MARKET
                                     COMMERCIAL  STATION                                   SHARE OF
                              DMA     STATIONS   RANK IN   TELEVISION    MARKET REVENUES  HOUSEHOLDS
STATION        MARKET       RANK(1)  IN DMA(2)     DMA    HOUSEHOLDS(3)  IN DMA FOR 1995  VIEWING TV
- --------  ----------------  -------  ----------  -------  -------------  ---------------  ----------
<S>       <C>               <C>      <C>         <C>      <C>            <C>              <C>
                                                                          (IN THOUSANDS)
WKYT         Lexington, KY       68           5        1        387,000          $46,100         33%
WYMT (4)        Hazard, KY       68         N/A        1        169,000            4,100          24
WRDW           Augusta, GA      111           4        1        221,000           26,300          36
WALB (5)        Albany, GA      152           3        1        132,000           12,200          80
WJHG (5)   Panama City, FL      159           4        1        110,000            8,500          53
PHIPPS ACQUISITION(6)
WKXT         Knoxville, TN       62           4        3        429,000           57,900          22
WCTV      Tallahassee, FL/      116           4        1        210,000           19,900          60
           Thomasville, GA
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
(1)  Ranking of DMA served by a station among all DMAs is measured by the number
     of television households based within the DMA on the November 1995  Nielsen
     estimates.
 
(2)  Includes independent broadcasting stations.
 
(3)  Based  upon the approximate  number of television households  in the DMA as
     reported by the November 1995 Nielsen index.
 
(4)  The market area served by WYMT is an 18-county trading area, as defined  by
     Nielsen,  and is  included in the  Lexington, Kentucky  DMA. WYMT's station
     rank is based upon its position in the 18-county trading area.
 
(5)  The Company will be required to divest WALB and WJHG in connection with the
     Phipps Acquisition.  For a  discussion of  the Company's  plans, see  "Risk
     Factors-FCC  Divestiture Requirement" and "The Phipps Acquisition, the KTVE
     Sale and the Financing."
 
   
(6)  The closing of  the Phipps Acquisition  is expected to  occur by  September
     1996, although there can be no assurance with respect thereto.
    
 
    The following is a description of each of the Company's stations:
 
WKYT, THE CBS AFFILIATE IN LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY
 
   
    WKYT,  acquired by the Company in  September 1994, began operations in 1957.
Lexington, Kentucky  is  the  68th  largest  DMA  in  the  United  States,  with
approximately   387,000  television   households  and  a   total  population  of
approximately 1.1 million. Total  Market Revenues in the  Lexington DMA in  1995
were approximately $46.1 million, a 6% increase over 1994. WKYT's gross revenues
for  the year ended December 31, 1995 and  the three months ended March 31, 1996
was approximately $17.6 million and  $4.3 million, respectively, an increase  of
14.6%  and 9.4% from the corresponding  prior periods. WKYT's net income (before
the allocation  of corporate  and administrative  expenses and  after  estimated
income  taxes computed at statutory rates) for  the year ended December 31, 1995
and the three  months ended March  31, 1996 was  approximately $1.2 million  and
$187,000,  respectively, an increase  of 93.8% and  3.7%, respectively, from the
corresponding prior  periods. The  Lexington DMA  has five  licensed  commercial
television  stations, including  WYMT, WKYT's sister  station, all  of which are
affiliated with major networks. The Lexington DMA also has one public television
station.
    
 
                                       61
<PAGE>
    The following table  sets forth Market  Revenues for the  Lexington DMA  and
in-market share and ranking information for WKYT:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                          ----------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)                                       1993        1994        1995
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
Market Revenues in DMA                                       $39,500     $43,500     $46,100
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>         <C>
Market Revenues growth over prior year                            13%         10%          6%
In-market share of households viewing television                  38%         37%         33%
Rank in market                                                     1           1           1
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    MARKET  DESCRIPTION.  The  Lexington DMA consists of  38 counties in central
and eastern  Kentucky.  The Lexington  area  is  a regional  hub  for  shopping,
business, healthcare, education, and cultural activities and has a comprehensive
transportation  network and low commercial utility rates. Major employers in the
Lexington area  include Toyota  Motor Corp.,  Lexmark International,  Inc.,  GTE
Corporation, Square D Company, Ashland, Inc. and International Business Machines
Corporation.  Toyota  Motor  Corp.  operates a  large  production  facility near
Lexington, employing 6,000 people and in  May 1995 announced plans to build  its
next  generation mini-van at this facility. Eight hospitals and numerous medical
clinics are located in Lexington, reinforcing Lexington's position as a regional
medical center. The  University of Kentucky  which is located  in Lexington,  is
also  a major employer with approximately 10,000  employees, and has a full time
enrollment of  approximately  24,000  students. In  addition,  Lexington  is  an
international  center of  the equine  industry with  the Kentucky  Horse Park, a
1,000 acre park that attracts approximately 700,000 visitors annually.
    
 
    STATION PERFORMANCE.    WKYT,  which  operates  on  channel  27,  is  a  CBS
affiliate.  WKYT can  be viewed  on 86  cable systems  in its  DMA and  51 cable
systems outside its DMA. In 1995,  WKYT celebrated its 20th consecutive year  as
the  Lexington DMA's  most watched  local news  program. Every  broadcast of "27
Newsfirst"-at 6 a.m., noon, 5 p.m., 5:30  p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.-continues  to
be  the number one rated  program in its time  period. WKYT's news programs also
provide  support  and   coverage  of   local  events   through  public   service
announcements,   on-air   bulletin   boards  and   special   reports,   such  as
CRIMESTOPPERS, 27 ON THE  TOWN and HOMETOWN HEROES.  Based on the November  1995
Nielsen  index, WKYT is  ranked number one  in its market,  with a 33% in-market
share of households viewing television, which is five percentage points ahead of
the competition. WKYT  received 38% of  the Lexington DMA's  Market Revenues  in
1995.  The  station  attributes its  success  to  the experience  of  its senior
management and local sales staff, which focus on developing strong relationships
with local advertisers  and devoting  significant attention to  the quality  and
content of WKYT's local news programming.
 
    Since  the 1970's WKYT has  been the flagship station  for the University of
Kentucky Sports Network, producing sports events and coaches' shows, such as the
RICK PITINO COACH'S SHOW a half-hour  show featuring the University of  Kentucky
Basketball  coach, that  air on a  10-station network  across Kentucky. Although
WKYT focuses  on  the  most  popular  University  of  Kentucky  Wildcat  sports,
basketball and football, the station also features other intercollegiate sports,
such as baseball, tennis and swimming/diving.
 
    WKYT  has a full mobile  production unit that produces  a variety of events,
including sports events, beauty pageants and horse racing. In addition, WKYT has
a Doppler  Weather Radar  System,  the latest  technology available  in  weather
forecasting.  In 1995,  WKYT spent  over $1.3  million on  capital improvements,
including a complete studio and master control room renovation and the  addition
of Maxigrid, an inventory management system.
 
    Cross-promotion and partnerships with radio, newspapers and businesses are a
source  of non-traditional revenue as well  as a means of community involvement.
WKYT is also party to  the first joint venture  in the Lexington market  through
its  production  of a  10 p.m.  newscast for  WDKY-TV, an  affiliate of  the Fox
Broadcasting Company ("Fox")  in Lexington, which  provides additional  exposure
for the station's news talent as well as a new source of revenue for WKYT.
 
                                       62
<PAGE>
    Local  programming  produced  by  WKYT  includes  SCOTT'S  PLACE,  a  weekly
half-hour children's  show  which  is  carried  on  WALB,  WJHG  and  WRDW,  and
DIRECTIONS  and 27 NEWSMAKERS,  two weekly public  affairs programs dealing with
minority and government  and political issues,  respectively. In addition,  WKYT
also  carries programming provided by  CBS and syndicated programming, including
OPRAH!, JEOPARDY!, WHEEL OF FORTUNE and THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW.
 
    The Company's President  and the current  station manager at  WALB are  both
former members of senior management at WKYT.
 
WYMT, THE CBS AFFILIATE IN HAZARD, KENTUCKY
 
   
    WYMT,  acquired by the Company in  September 1994, began operations in 1985.
WYMT has carved out a niche trading  area comprising 18 counties in eastern  and
southeastern  Kentucky.  This trading  area  is a  separate  market area  of the
Lexington, Kentucky DMA with approximately  169,000 television households and  a
total   population  of  approximately  463,000.  WYMT  is  the  only  commercial
television station in this 18-county trading area. Total Market Revenues in  the
18-county  trading area and WYMT's gross  revenues in the 18-county trading area
for the year ended December 31, 1995  and the three months ended March 31,  1996
was approximately $4.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively, an increase of 9%
and  15%, respectively, from the corresponding  prior periods. WYMT's net income
(before the  allocation  of  corporate and  administrative  expenses  and  after
estimated  income taxes computed at statutory rates) for the year ended December
31, 1995 and the three months ended March 31, 1996 was approximately $32,000 and
$19,000, respectively, a  decrease of  38.1% and 46.1%,  respectively, from  the
corresponding  prior periods. WYMT is the sister station of WKYT and shares many
resources and simulcasts some local programming with WKYT.
    
 
    The following table  sets forth  Market Revenues for  the 18-county  trading
area  and ranking information for WYMT (based upon its position in its 18-county
trading area):
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                          ----------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)                                       1993        1994        1995
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
Market Revenues in the 18-county trading area (1)             $3,500      $3,800      $4,100
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>         <C>
Market Revenues growth over prior year                            12%          8%          9%
In-market share of households viewing television                  25%         20%         24%
Rank in market                                                     1           1           1
</TABLE>
    
 
(1)   Represents  the gross  revenues  of WYMT,  which  is the  only  commercial
    television  station in the 18-county trading  area. The Company is unable to
     determine the amount of Market Revenue for the 18-county trading area which
     may be attributable to other television stations serving the Lexington DMA.
 
     MARKET DESCRIPTION.    The  mountain region  of  eastern  and  southeastern
Kentucky where Hazard is located is on the outer edges of four separate markets:
Bristol-Kingsport-Johnson  City, Charleston-Huntington, Knoxville and Lexington.
Prior to 1985, mountain residents relied primarily on satellite dishes and cable
television carrying distant signals for their television entertainment and news.
Established in 1985, WYMT  is the only broadcast  station which can be  received
over  the air in  a large portion of  its 18-county trading area  and may now be
viewed on 100 cable systems.
 
    The trading area's economy  is centered around  coal and related  industries
and some light manufacturing. In recent years, the coal industry has undergone a
major  restructuring  due  to  consolidation in  the  industry  and  advances in
technology. Approximately 10,700 manufacturing jobs exist in the Hazard  trading
area,  most of which are concentrated in  the Cumberland Valley area, a Kentucky
Area Development  District located  in  the southern  portion of  the  18-county
trading area.
 
    STATION  PERFORMANCE.    WYMT,  which  operates  on  channel  57,  is  a CBS
affiliate. WYMT is ranked number one, based on November 1995 Nielsen  estimates,
in its trading area with a 24% in-market share of households viewing television,
which  is nine  points ahead  of the competition.  WYMT's Mountain  News at 6:30
a.m., 6 p.m. and  11 p.m. is  ranked number one in  the 18-county trading  area.
WYMT's  Mountain News at 6 p.m. is ranked number two in the entire Lexington DMA
by Nielsen, behind  only its sister  station WKYT. In  addition to the  Mountain
News, WYMT simulcasts WKYT's 6 a.m., noon, 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. newscasts Monday
through Friday, all of which rank number one in the 18-county trading area. WYMT
includes local
 
                                       63
<PAGE>
inserts  into these simulcasted news programs in order to add an enhanced degree
of local content. The station attributes its success to its position as the only
commercial broadcaster  in  the  18-county  trading area  and  to  customer  and
community loyalty.
 
    WYMT  considers its news department to be a key component of its operations.
The station is strategically  positioned with a central  newsroom in Hazard  and
two satellite news bureaus, one in Middlesboro, Kentucky (the Cumberland Valley)
and  one in Harold,  Kentucky (the Big  Sandy region). Microwave  links to these
regional news bureaus and to WYMT's sister station WKYT in Lexington,  Kentucky,
provide  the news operation with the ability  to report on, coordinate and share
the latest news information and coverage throughout the mountain region and from
Lexington.
 
    In 1994 WYMT  installed a  state-of-the-art digital playback  system in  its
master  control room. This new system has allowed WYMT to adopt a computer-based
playback format that has  resulted in significant cost  savings and an  improved
on-air appearance.
 
    Strong  local  business and  general  community relations  are  an important
component of WYMT's success. WYMT continues to develop partnerships with current
and potential  new clients  through  the production  of various  special  annual
events  that also  serve to  strengthen community  ties and  enhance advertising
revenue. Examples of such  events include the  Mountain Basketball Classic,  the
Charity Golf Classic and the Boat and RV Show.
 
WRDW, THE CBS AFFILIATE IN AUGUSTA, GEORGIA
 
   
    WRDW,  acquired by  the Company in  January 1996, began  operations in 1954.
Augusta,  Georgia  is  the  111th  largest  DMA  in  the  United  States,   with
approximately   221,000  television   households  and  a   total  population  of
approximately 627,000. Total  Market Revenues in  the Augusta DMA  in 1995  were
approximately  $26.3 million, a 6% increase over 1994. WRDW's gross revenues for
the year ended December 31, 1995 and the three months ended March 31, 1996  were
approximately  $9.6 million and $2.4 million,  respectively, an increase of 5.7%
and 12.0%, respectively, from the corresponding prior periods. WRDW's net income
(loss) (before the allocation of corporate and administrative expenses and after
estimated income taxes computed at statutory rates) for the year ended  December
31,  1995  and the  three months  ended  March 31,  1996 was  approximately $2.2
million  and  $(187,000),  an  increase  of  4.9%  and  a  decrease  of  149.7%,
respectively,  from the  corresponding prior periods.  The Augusta  DMA has four
licensed commercial  television stations,  all of  which are  affiliated with  a
major network. The Augusta DMA also has two public television stations.
    
 
    The  following  table sets  forth Market  Revenues for  the Augusta  DMA and
in-market share and ranking information for WRDW:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                          ----------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)                                          1993        1994        1995
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
Market Revenues in DMA                                       $22,800     $24,800     $26,300
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>         <C>
Market Revenues growth over prior year                             8%          9%          6%
In-market share of households viewing television                  36%         36%         36%
Rank in market                                                     1           1           1
</TABLE>
    
 
    MARKET DESCRIPTION.   The Augusta  DMA consists  of 19  counties in  eastern
Georgia and western South Carolina, including the cities of Augusta, Georgia and
North  Augusta and Aiken,  South Carolina. The  Augusta, Georgia area  is one of
Georgia's major  metropolitan/regional centers,  with a  particular emphasis  on
health  services, manufacturing and the military. The Federal government employs
over 12,500 military and 4,600 civilian personnel at the Department of  Energy's
Savannah  River Site, a nuclear  processing plant, and Fort  Gordon, a U.S. Army
military installation.  Augusta has  eight  large hospitals  which  collectively
employ  20,000 and reinforce  Augusta's status as  a regional healthcare center.
Augusta is also home to the Masters Golf Tournament, which has been broadcast by
CBS for 41 years.
 
                                       64
<PAGE>
    STATION PERFORMANCE.    WRDW,  which  operates  on  channel  12,  is  a  CBS
affiliate.  Based on November 1995 Nielsen  estimates, WRDW is ranked number one
in its market,  with a  36% in-market  share of  households viewing  television,
which is one share point ahead of the competition. WRDW also received 36% of the
Augusta  DMA's  Market Revenues  in 1995.  WRDW can  be viewed  on all  29 cable
systems in its DMA and nine cable  systems outside of its DMA. Since 1992,  WRDW
has  risen from a weak  second-place ranking to the  number one position. WRDW's
weekday news programs at 6 a.m., noon,  5 p.m., 11 p.m., and four weekend  slots
are  ranked number one in household rating and share. WRDW attributes its number
one position in the market to its strong syndicated programming which leads into
and out of its weekly news programs as well as its expanded local news coverage.
WRDW was also the leader in prime  time in the November 1995 Nielsen  estimates.
WRDW  has positioned itself as "Your 24 Hour News Source" in the DMA. In January
1996, WRDW began providing local  cut-ins to the CNN  news slots on cable,  with
all  revenues from commercial inserts going to  the station. In addition, as the
local CBS affiliate in the DMA, WRDW produces local Masters programming, such as
THE GREEN JACKET PROGRAM, a show  hosted by Paul Davis that includes  interviews
with many golf celebrities.
 
    The  station  also  produces  its own  local  programming,  including INSIDE
AGRICULTURE, a weekly  program and  PAINE COLLEGE PRESENTS,  a bi-monthly  local
public  affairs show. In  addition to carrying the  programming provided by CBS,
WRDW carries syndicated programming including: OPRAH!, INSIDE EDITION, WHEEL  OF
FORTUNE and JEOPARDY!
 
WALB, THE NBC AFFILIATE IN ALBANY, GEORGIA
 
   
    WALB  was  founded by  the  Company and  began  operations in  1954. Albany,
Georgia is the 152nd largest DMA in the United States with approximately 132,000
television households and  a total  population of  approximately 380,000.  Total
Market Revenues in the Albany DMA in 1995 were approximately $12.2 million, a 5%
increase  over 1994. WALB's gross revenues for  the year ended December 31, 1995
and for three months  ended March 31, 1996  was approximately $10.5 million  and
$2.6 million, respectively, an increase of 3.5% and 6.7%, respectively, from the
corresponding  prior  periods.  WALB's  net  income  (before  the  allocation of
corporate and administrative expenses and after estimated income taxes  computed
at  statutory rates) for the  year ended December 31,  1995 and for three months
ended March 31, 1996 was approximately $3.0 million and $686,000,  respectively,
a  decrease of 14.6% and an  increase 8.0%, respectively, from the corresponding
prior periods. The Albany DMA has three licensed commercial television stations,
two of which are  affiliated with major  networks. The Albany  DMA also has  two
public television stations.
    
 
    The  following  table sets  forth  Market Revenues  for  the Albany  DMA and
in-market share and ranking information for WALB:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                          ----------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)                                          1993        1994        1995
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
Market Revenues in DMA                                       $10,900     $11,600     $12,200
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>         <C>
Market Revenues growth over prior year                             8%          6%          5%
In-market share of households viewing television                  81%         80%         80%
Rank in market                                                     1           1           1
</TABLE>
    
 
    MARKET DESCRIPTION.  The  Albany DMA, consists of  17 counties in  southwest
Georgia.  Albany,  170  miles  south  of  Atlanta,  is  a  regional  center  for
manufacturing, agriculture, education, health care and military service. Leading
employers in the area  include: The Marine Corps  Logistics Base, Phoebe  Putney
Memorial  Hospital, The Proctor & Gamble Company, Miller Brewing Company, Cooper
Tire & Rubber Company, Bob's Candies, Coats  and Clark Inc., Merck & Co.,  Inc.,
MacGregor  (USA) Inc.  and M&M/Mars.  Albany State  College, Darton  College and
Albany Technical Institute are located within this area.
 
    STATION PERFORMANCE.  WALB,  which operates on channel  10, is the only  VHF
station  in the Albany DMA  and is an NBC affiliate.  Based on the November 1995
Nielsen estimates,  WALB  is  ranked number  one  in  its market,  with  an  80%
in-market share of households viewing television, which is 63 share points ahead
 
                                       65
<PAGE>
of  the competition. WALB has the strongest signal  in its DMA and can be viewed
on all of the 26 cable  systems in its DMA and  51 cable systems outside of  its
DMA. WALB received 86% of the Albany DMA's Market Revenues in 1995.
 
    WALB  is known  as "South Georgia's  Number One News  Source." The station's
news is its primary focus.  WALB is the number one  local news source in all  of
its  time slots. WALB is the only station in its market with both electronic and
satellite news gathering trucks, allowing the Company to provide live  coverage.
WALB broadcasts three hours and 20 minutes of news weekdays and one hour of news
each weekend day.
 
    WALB  considers its dedication to the community to be a key component of its
operations. For example, WALB  devoted substantial resources  in 1994 to  expand
its local news coverage and programming. Such investment allowed WALB to provide
the  most extensive flood coverage available to viewers during the flood in July
1994, which was  one of the  largest natural  disasters to occur  in Georgia  in
recent  history. This coverage  made WALB one  of the top-rated  stations in the
United States in terms  of in-market share of  households viewing television  in
July  1994,  as  measured  by Nielsen.  In  addition,  the  Georgia Broadcasters
Association presented WALB  with two of  its top  awards in 1994:  the "1994  TV
Community Service Award" for its dedication to providing local community service
and  the "1994 TV Station Promotion of  the Year" award for the station's nearly
year long broadcast of its "Learn to Read" program.
 
    The station produces its own local programming including TOWN AND COUNTRY, a
live morning show  that travels to  various locations in  Georgia and DIALOG,  a
weekly  public affairs show focusing on minority issues. In addition to carrying
programming supplied  by NBC,  WALB  carries syndicated  programming,  including
OPRAH!,  ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, THE  ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW,  MONTEL WILLIAMS, RICKI
LAKE, AMERICAN JOURNAL, and HARD COPY.
 
    The Company will be required to divest this station pursuant to existing FCC
regulations. See  "Risk Factors-FCC  Divestiture  Requirement" and  "The  Phipps
Acquisition, the KTVE Sale and the Financing."
 
                                       66
<PAGE>
   
WJHG, THE NBC AFFILIATE IN PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA
    
 
   
    WJHG,  acquired by  the Company  in 1960,  began operations  in 1953. Panama
City, Florida is the 159th largest DMA in the United States, with  approximately
110,000  television households and a  total population of approximately 298,000.
Total Market Revenues  in the Panama  City DMA in  1995 were approximately  $8.5
million,  a 6%  increase over  1994. WJHG's  gross revenues  for the  year ended
December  31,  1995  and  for  the  three  months  ended  March  31,  1996  were
approximately  $4.3 million and $1.2 million,  respectively, an increase of 7.7%
and 28.1%, respectively, from the corresponding prior periods. WJHG's net income
(before the  allocation  of  corporate and  administrative  expenses  and  after
estimated  income taxes computed at statutory rates) for the year ended December
31, 1995  and  for the  three  months ended  March  31, 1996  was  approximately
$205,000  and  $103,000, respectively,  a decrease  of 1.4%  and an  increase of
134.8%, respectively, from the corresponding prior periods. The Panama City  DMA
has  four licensed commercial television stations, three of which are affiliated
with major networks.  In addition,  a CBS  signal is  provided by  a station  in
Dothan,  Alabama,  an adjacent  DMA. The  Panama  City DMA  also has  one public
television station.
    
 
    The following table sets forth Market  Revenues for the Panama City DMA  and
in-market share and ranking information for WJHG:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                          ----------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)                                       1993        1994        1995
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
Market Revenues in DMA                                        $7,400      $8,000      $8,500
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>         <C>
Market Revenues growth over prior year                           11%          8%          6%
In-market share of households viewing television                 51%         46%         53%
Rank in market                                                     1           1           1
</TABLE>
    
 
    MARKET  DESCRIPTION.   The  Panama  City DMA  consists  of nine  counties in
northwest Florida. The Panama  City market stretches  north from Florida's  Gulf
Coast  to  Alabama's southern  border. The  Panama  City economy  centers around
tourism, military bases, manufacturing, education and financial services. Panama
City is the county seat and principal  city of Bay County. Leading employers  in
the  area include:  Tyndall Air  Force Base,  the Navy  Coastal Systems Station,
Sallie Mae  Servicing  Corp.,  Stone  Container  Corporation,  Arizona  Chemical
Corporation,  Russell Corporation and Gulf  Coast Community College. Panama City
is also a spring break destination  for college students and drew  approximately
550,000 students during 1995.
 
    STATION  PERFORMANCE.    WJHG,  which  operates  on  channel  7,  is  an NBC
affiliate. Based on November 1995 Nielsen  estimates, WJHG is ranked number  one
in  its market,  with a  53% in-market  share of  households viewing television,
which is 17  share points ahead  of the  competition. WJHG received  50% of  the
Panama  City DMA's Market Revenues in 1995. WJHG  can be viewed on all of the 36
cable systems in its DMA and on 29 cable systems outside its DMA.
 
    WJHG dominates the Panama City market  in all popular news time periods  and
has twice the audience viewership at 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. as does the competition.
WJHG also has the number one news ranking in its market at 6:30 a.m., 6 p.m. and
on weekends. WJHG's ratings success in its newscasts have allowed it to increase
its  overall  unit rates  and  to negotiate  for  larger shares  of advertisers'
national budgets. WJHG considers  its news department to  be a key component  of
its  operations and in 1994, devoted  substantial resources to redesign the set,
purchase new  cameras,  add  new  graphics, develop  a  new  logo  and  reformat
newscasts.  As part of the continuing growth  of its news product, WJHG recently
introduced the first noon newscast in Panama City.
 
    WJHG has also launched a direct mail campaign to attract new advertisers  to
the  station. As a result of these factors, WJHG increased its gross revenues by
7.7% in 1995. WJHG  is also focusing on  other non-traditional revenue  sources,
such  as developing a health  exposition, a children's fair  and a wedding show,
all of which are scheduled to occur in 1996.
 
    In addition to carrying programming provided by NBC, WJHG carries syndicated
programming, including WHEEL  OF FORTUNE,  JEOPARDY!, HARD  COPY, MAURY  POVICH,
JENNY JONES and RICKI LAKE.
 
                                       67
<PAGE>
    The Company will be required to divest this station pursuant to existing FCC
regulations.  See  "Risk Factors-FCC  Divestiture  Requirement" and  "The Phipps
Acquisition, the KTVE Sale and the Financing."
 
WKXT, THE CBS AFFILIATE IN KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE
 
   
    WKXT, which  will be  acquired  pursuant to  the Phipps  Acquisition,  began
operations  in 1988. Knoxville, Tennessee is the  62nd largest DMA in the United
States, with approximately 429,000 television households and a total  population
of approximately 1.1 million. Total Market Revenues in the Knoxville DMA in 1995
were approximately $57.9 million, a 6% increase over 1994. WKXT's gross revenues
for  the year ended December 31, 1995 and  the three months ended March 31, 1996
were approximately $10.6 million and $1.9 million, respectively, an increase  of
2.3% and a decrease of 0.4%, respectively, from the corresponding prior periods.
WKXT's  net  income  (before  the  allocation  of  corporate  and administrative
expenses and after estimated income taxes  computed at statutory rates) for  the
year  ended December  31, 1995  and the  three months  ended March  31, 1996 was
approximately $1.4 million and $256,000, respectively, an increase of 15.2%  and
a  decrease of  0.6%, respectively,  from the  corresponding prior  periods. The
Knoxville DMA has four licensed commercial television stations, all of which are
affiliated  with  major  networks.  The  Knoxville  DMA  also  has  two   public
broadcasting stations.
    
 
    The  following table  sets forth Market  Revenues for the  Knoxville DMA and
in-market share and ranking information for WKXT:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                          ----------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)                                       1993        1994        1995
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
Market Revenues in DMA                                       $47,900     $54,600     $57,900
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>         <C>
Market Revenues growth over prior year                           14%         14%          6%
In-market share of households viewing television                 24%         23%         22%
Rank in market                                                     3           3           3
</TABLE>
    
 
    MARKET DESCRIPTION.  The Knoxville DMA, consisting of 22 counties in eastern
Tennessee and southeastern Kentucky, includes the cities of Knoxville, Oak Ridge
and Gatlinburg,  Tennessee.  The  Knoxville  area is  a  center  for  education,
manufacturing, healthcare and tourism. The University of Tennessee's main campus
is  located within the city of  Knoxville. It employs approximately 6,400 people
and has an  enrollment of approximately  26,000 students. Leading  manufacturing
employers  in  the  area include:  Lockheed  Martin Energy  Systems,  Inc., Levi
Strauss &  Company,  DeRoyal  Industries, Aluminum  Company  of  North  America,
Phillips  Consumer Electronics  North America Corp.,  Clayton Homes  and Sea Ray
Boats,  Inc.  which  employ  approximately  26,800  people,  collectively.   The
Knoxville  area  also  has  eight hospitals  which  employ  approximately 16,900
employees. Area tourist attractions are the Great Smokey Mountains National Park
and Dollywood, a country-western theme park sponsored by Dolly Parton. The Great
Smokey Mountains National Park and  Dollywood had approximately 9.1 million  and
2.2  million visitors, respectively during 1995. Dollywood employs approximately
1,800 people.
 
    STATION PERFORMANCE.   WKXT is a  CBS affiliate and  operates on channel  8.
WKXT  is one  of three commercial  VHF stations  in the Knoxville  DMA. Based on
November 1995 Nielsen estimates, WKXT is ranked third in its market, with a  22%
in-market share of households viewing television. WKXT can be viewed on 52 cable
systems in its DMA and on 15 cable systems outside its DMA. WKXT received 18% of
the Knoxville DMA's Market Revenues in 1995.
 
    WKXT produces only one hour of news each day. The Company plans to implement
its operating strategy at WKXT by developing comprehensive news programming upon
consummation of the Phipps Acquisition.
 
    In  addition to carrying  network programming supplied  by CBS, WKXT carries
syndicated programming  including BAYWATCH,  NORTHERN EXPOSURE,  REGIS &  KATHIE
LEE,  MAURY POVICH, AMERICAN JOURNAL, ENTERTAINMENT  TONIGHT, HARD COPY, and THE
ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW.
 
   
WCTV, THE CBS AFFILIATE IN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA/THOMASVILLE, GEORGIA
    
 
    WCTV, which  will be  acquired  pursuant to  the Phipps  Acquisition,  began
operations  in  1955.  Tallahassee, Florida/Thomasville,  Georgia  is  the 116th
largest DMA in the United States, with approximately
 
                                       68
<PAGE>
   
210,000 television  households and  total population  of approximately  586,000.
Total   Market  Revenues  in  the   Tallahassee/Thomasville  DMA  in  1995  were
approximately $19.9 million, a 5% increase over 1994. WCTV's gross revenues  for
the  year ended December 31, 1995 and the three months ended March 31, 1996 were
approximately $13.3 million and $4.8 million, respectively, an increase of  3.2%
and  a decrease  of 2.9%,  respectively, from  the corresponding  prior periods.
WCTV's net  income  (before  the  allocation  of  corporate  and  administrative
expenses  and after estimated income taxes  computed at statutory rates) for the
year ended December  31, 1995  and the  three months  ended March  31, 1996  was
approximately  $3.7 million and $784,000, respectively,  an increase of 1.4% and
5.8%,   respectively,    from    the   corresponding    prior    periods.    The
Tallahassee/Thomasville  DMA has  four licensed  commercial television stations,
all of which are affiliated with major networks. The Tallahassee/Thomasville DMA
also has one public station that is owned by the Florida State University  Board
of Regents.
    
 
    The    following    table    sets    forth    Market    Revenues    in   the
Tallahassee/Thomasville DMA  and in-market  share  and ranking  information  for
WCTV:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                          ----------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)                                       1993        1994        1995
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
Market Revenues in DMA                                       $17,200     $18,900     $19,900
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>         <C>
Market Revenues growth over prior year                            4%         10%          5%
In-market share of households viewing television                 64%         65%         60%
Rank in market                                                     1           1           1
</TABLE>
    
 
    MARKET  DESCRIPTION.    The Tallahassee/Thomasville  DMA,  consisting  of 18
counties  in  the   panhandle  of  Florida   and  southwest  Georgia,   includes
Tallahassee,  the capital of Florida,  and Thomasville, Valdosta and Bainbridge,
Georgia. The  Tallahassee/Thomasville economy  centers  around state  and  local
government  as well as state and  local universities which include Florida State
University, Florida  A&M,  Tallahassee  Community  College  and  Valdosta  State
College.  Florida State University is the  largest university located in the DMA
with  total  enrollment   of  approximately  29,000   students.  Florida   State
University's  main campus is  located within the city  of Tallahassee. State and
local  government  agencies  employ  approximately  36,700  and  8,500   people,
respectively, in the Tallahassee area.
 
    STATION  PERFORMANCE.  WCTV  is a CBS  affiliate and operates  on channel 6.
WCTV is  the only  VHF  station in  the  Tallahassee/Thomasville DMA.  Based  on
November 1995 Nielsen estimates, WCTV is ranked number one in its market, with a
60%  in-market share of households viewing television.  WCTV can be viewed on 47
cable systems in its DMA and 32 cable systems outside of its DMA. WCTV  received
67% of the Tallahassee/Thomasville DMA's Market Revenues in 1995.
 
    WCTV  considers its news department to be a key component of its operations;
approximately 43%  of its  employees  are devoted  to  its news  department  and
approximately  40% of the WCTV's revenues are generated by news programming. The
station attributes its  successful news programming  in part to  its bureaus  in
Tallahassee,  Valdosta  and Thomasville  and  its news  gathering  vehicle. WCTV
produces five news programs and six news cut-ins each day which total three  and
one-half  hours of news per weekday. All news programs are closed-captioned. The
station has the number one in-market share in news at 6 a.m., noon, 5:30 p.m., 6
p.m. and 11 p.m. on weekdays and 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. on weekends.
 
    The station produces the BOBBY BOWDEN SHOW, a coach's show for Florida State
University. In addition to  carrying network programming  supplied by CBS,  WCTV
carries syndicated programming including WHEEL OF FORTUNE, JEOPARDY!, OPRAH! and
SEINFELD.
 
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
 
    There  are currently a limited number of channels available for broadcasting
in any one geographic area, and the  license to operate a television station  is
granted  by  the FCC.  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  above 13) of the spectrum,  because
the  former  usually  have  better  signal  coverage  and  operate  at  a  lower
 
                                       69
<PAGE>
transmission cost. However, the improvement  of UHF transmitters and  receivers,
the  complete elimination  from the  marketplace of  VHF-only receivers  and the
expansion of cable television systems have reduced the VHF signal advantage.
 
    Television station revenues are primarily  derived from local, regional  and
national advertising and, to a much lesser extent, from network compensation and
revenues   from  studio  and  tower   space  rental  and  commercial  production
activities. Advertising rates are based upon  a variety of factors, including  a
program's  popularity among  the viewers  an advertiser  wishes to  attract, the
number of advertisers competing for the available time, the size and demographic
makeup of the market served by  the station and the availability of  alternative
advertising  media in the market area. Rates  are also determined by a station's
overall ratings and in-market share, as well as the station's ratings and  share
among  particular  demographic  groups  which an  advertiser  may  be targeting.
Because broadcast stations rely on  advertising revenues, they are sensitive  to
cyclical  changes in  the economy. The  size of advertisers'  budgets, which are
affected by broad economic trends, affect the broadcast industry in general  and
the revenues of individual broadcast television stations.
 
    All  television stations in  the country are grouped  by Nielsen, a national
audience  measuring  service,  into   approximately  210  generally   recognized
television  markets that are ranked in  size according to various formulae based
upon actual or  potential audience.  Each DMA  is an  exclusive geographic  area
consisting  of all counties in which the home-market commercial stations receive
the greatest percentage of total  viewing hours. Nielsen periodically  publishes
data  on  estimated  audiences  for  the  television  stations  in  the  various
television markets throughout the country. The estimates are expressed in  terms
of  the  percentage of  the total  potential  audience in  the market  viewing a
station (the  station's "rating")  and  of the  percentage of  households  using
television  actually  viewing  the  station  (the  station's  "share").  Nielsen
provides such data  on the  basis of  total television  households and  selected
demographic  groupings in the market. Nielsen  uses two methods of determining a
station's ability to attract viewers. In larger geographic markets, ratings  are
determined  by a combination of meters connected directly to selected television
sets and weekly  diaries of television  viewing, while in  smaller markets  only
weekly  diaries are utilized.  All of the Company's  stations operate in markets
where only weekly diaries are used.
 
    Historically, three  major  broadcast  networks,  Capital  Cities/ABC,  Inc.
("ABC"),  NBC and CBS, dominated broadcast  television. In recent years, Fox has
evolved into the fourth major network  by establishing a network of  independent
stations  whose  operating  characteristics  are similar  to  the  major network
affiliate stations, although the number of hours of network programming produced
by Fox for  its affiliates is  less than that  of the three  major networks.  In
addition,  UPN and WB recently have been launched as new television networks. An
affiliate of UPN or WB receives a smaller portion of each day's programming from
its network compared to an affiliate of  a major network. Currently, UPN and  WB
provide  10  and  11.5  hours  of  programming  per  week  to  their affiliates,
respectively.
 
    The affiliation of  a station  with one  of the  four major  networks has  a
significant  impact on the  composition of the  station's programming, revenues,
expenses and operations.  A typical affiliate  of a major  network receives  the
majority  of each  day's programming from  the network.  This programming, along
with cash payments ("network compensation"), is provided to the affiliate by the
network in exchange  for a  substantial majority  of the  advertising time  sold
during  the airing of network programs.  The network then sells this advertising
time and retains the revenues. The affiliate retains the revenues from time sold
during breaks  in  and  between  network programs  and  programs  the  affiliate
produces  or  purchases from  non-network sources.  In acquiring  programming to
supplement programming supplied  by the affiliated  network, network  affiliates
compete  primarily  with  other  affiliates and  independent  stations  in their
markets. Cable  systems  generally  do  not  compete  with  local  stations  for
programming,  although various  national cable networks  from time  to time have
acquired programs that  would have  otherwise been offered  to local  television
stations.  In  addition, a  television station  may acquire  programming through
barter arrangements. Under barter arrangements, which are becoming  increasingly
popular  with  both  network  affiliates and  independents,  a  national program
distributor may  receive advertising  time in  exchange for  the programming  it
supplies, with the station paying a reduced fee for such programming.
 
                                       70
<PAGE>
    In  contrast to  a station  affiliated with  a network,  a fully independent
station purchases  or  produces  all  of the  programming  that  it  broadcasts,
resulting  in  generally  higher  programming  costs.  An  independent  station,
however, retains  its  entire inventory  of  advertising  time and  all  of  the
revenues  obtained therefrom. As  a result of the  smaller amount of programming
provided by its network, an  affiliate of UPN or WB  must purchase or produce  a
greater  amount of  its programming,  resulting in  generally higher programming
costs. These  affiliate  stations,  however,  retain a  larger  portion  of  the
inventory  of advertising time  and the revenues  obtained therefrom compared to
stations affiliated with the major networks.
 
    Through the 1970s, network television broadcasting enjoyed virtual dominance
in viewership and  television advertising  revenues, because  network-affiliated
stations  competed only with each other in  most local markets. Beginning in the
1980s, this level of dominance began to change as the FCC authorized more  local
stations  and  marketplace  choices  expanded  with  the  growth  of independent
stations  and  cable  television  services.  See  "-Federal  Regulation  of  the
Company's Business."
 
    Cable  television systems were first installed in significant numbers in the
1970s and were initially used to retransmit broadcast television programming  to
paying  subscribers  in  areas  with poor  broadcast  signal  reception.  In the
aggregate, cable-originated programming has emerged as a significant  competitor
for  viewers  of  broadcast  television programming,  although  no  single cable
programming network regularly attains audience  levels amounting to more than  a
small  fraction of any single major  broadcast network. The advertising share of
cable networks increased during the 1970s and 1980s as a result of the growth in
cable penetration (the percentage of  television households which are  connected
to  a  cable system).  Notwithstanding such  increases  in cable  viewership and
advertising, over-the-air broadcasting remains the dominant distribution  system
for mass market television advertising.
 
NEWSPAPER PUBLISHING
 
    The  Company owns and operates five publications comprising three newspapers
and two shoppers, all located in the Southeast.
 
THE ALBANY HERALD
 
    THE ALBANY HERALD, located in Albany, Georgia, is the only  seven-day-a-week
newspaper  that  serves southwestern  Georgia.  The Company  changed  THE ALBANY
HERALD from an afternoon newspaper to  a morning newspaper in 1993 and  improved
its  graphics  and layout.  These changes  enabled the  Company to  increase THE
ALBANY HERALD's newsstand  and subscription  prices as well  as its  advertising
rates,  resulting in an increase of revenues from $10.1 million in 1993 to $13.5
million in 1995, a 33.8% increase.  The Company intends to increase  selectively
the  price and advertising rates of THE  ALBANY HERALD in the future. The Albany
market has four  other daily newspapers  with a limited  circulation and  market
area.
 
   
    THE ALBANY HERALD also publishes three other weekly editions in Georgia, THE
LEE  COUNTY HERALD, THE WORTH COUNTY HERALD  and THE CALHOUN-CLAY HERALD, all of
which provide regional news coverage. Other niche publications include (i)  FARM
AND  PLANTATION, an agricultural  paper, (ii) a monthly  COUPON CLIPPER, (iii) a
quarterly, direct mail coupon  book called CASH CUTTERS,  (iv) an annual  dining
guide  and (v) an annual bridal book.  The Company introduced these weeklies and
other niche product publications in order to better utilize THE ALBANY  HERALD's
printing  presses  and  infrastructure  (such  as  sales  and  advertising). The
printing press is approximately 19 years old  and is in good working order.  THE
ALBANY  HERALD  cross-merchandises  its publications,  thereby  increasing total
revenues with only a  small increase in related  expenditures. The Company  also
seeks  to  increase THE  ALBANY HERALD's  circulation  and revenues  through its
sponsorship  of  special  events  of  local  interest,  such  as  bass   fishing
tournaments.
    
 
THE ROCKDALE CITIZEN AND THE GWINNETT DAILY POST
 
    THE  ROCKDALE  CITIZEN  and  the  GWINNETT  DAILY  POST  are five-day-a-week
newspapers that serve communities in the metro Atlanta area with complete  local
news,  sports  and  lifestyles  coverage  together  with  national  stories that
directly impact their local communities.
 
    THE ROCKDALE CITIZEN  is located  in Conyers,  Georgia, the  county seat  of
Rockdale  County, which is 19 miles  east of downtown Atlanta. Rockdale County's
population is estimated to be  64,000 in 1996. Conyers is  the site of the  1996
Olympic equestrian competition.
 
                                       71
<PAGE>
    The GWINNETT DAILY POST, which was purchased by the Company in January 1995,
is located north of Atlanta in Gwinnett County, one of the fastest growing areas
in the nation. Gwinnett's population, which has more than doubled during each of
the  past two  census periods,  was estimated at  457,000 in  1995. In September
1995, the Company increased the frequency  of publication of the GWINNETT  DAILY
POST from three to five days per week in an effort to increase circulation.
 
   
    The  Company's operating strategy  with respect to  THE ROCKDALE CITIZEN and
the GWINNETT  DAILY POST  is  to increase  circulation  by improving  the  print
quality,  increasing the local news content and increasing its telemarketing and
promotional efforts. The Rockdale Citizen's  printing press is approximately  24
years old and is in good working order. The Company has hired a new president of
publishing  for THE  ROCKDALE CITIZEN  and the GWINNETT  DAILY POST  in order to
implement its operating strategy at these newspapers.
    
 
SOUTHWEST GEORGIA SHOPPER
 
    The Southwest Georgia  Shopper, Inc., prints  and distributes two  shoppers,
which  are  direct  mailed and  rack  distributed throughout  north  Florida and
southwest Georgia. These  two shoppers  represent a consolidation  of the  seven
shoppers  that the Company purchased in 1994 and 1995. The Company believes that
print quality is an important criterion to advertisers and consumers and,  since
their  acquisition, the  Company has  accordingly improved  the graphics  of the
shoppers.
 
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
 
    Newspaper publishing is the oldest segment  of the media industry and, as  a
result  of the  focus on local  news, newspapers  in general, remain  one of the
leading media for local advertising. Newspaper advertising revenues are cyclical
and have generally been  affected by changes in  national and regional  economic
conditions. Financial instability in the retail industry, including bankruptcies
of  large retailers  and consolidations among  large retail  chains has recently
resulted in  reduced retail  advertising expenditures.  Classified  advertising,
which  makes up  approximately one-third of  newspaper advertising expenditures,
can be  affected by  an economic  slowdown and  its effect  on employment,  real
estate  transactions and automotive sales. However, growth in housing starts and
automotive sales,  although  cyclical  in nature,  generally  provide  continued
growth in newspaper advertising expenditures.
 
PAGERS AND PAGING SERVICES
 
   
THE PAGING BUSINESS
    
 
   
    The  paging business, which  is a part  of the Phipps  Business, is based in
Tallahassee, Florida  and  operates in  Columbus,  Macon, Albany  and  Valdosta,
Georgia,  in Dothan,  Alabama, in  Tallahassee and  Panama City,  Florida and in
certain contiguous areas.  In 1995  the population of  this geographic  coverage
area  was approximately 2.3 million. In June 1996, the Company's paging business
had approximately 44,000 units  in service, representing  a penetration rate  of
approximately 1.9%.
    
 
   
    The  Company's paging system operates by  connecting a telephone call placed
to a  local telephone  number with  a  local paging  switch. The  paging  switch
processes a caller's information and sends the information to a link transmitter
which  relays the  processed information to  paging transmitters,  which in turn
alert an  individual  pager by  means  of a  coded  radio signal.  This  process
provides  service to a "local coverage area." To enhance coverage further to its
customer base, all of the Company's  local coverage areas are interconnected  or
networked,  providing for "wide area coverage"  or "network coverage." A pager's
coverage area is programmable  and can be customized  to include or exclude  any
particular  paging switch and  its respective geographic  coverage area, thereby
allowing the Company's paging customers a choice of coverage areas. In addition,
the Company  is able  to network  with other  paging companies  which share  the
Company's  paging frequencies in other markets, by means of an industry standard
network paging protocol, in  order to increase the  geographic coverage area  in
which the Company's customers can receive paging service.
    
 
   
    A  subscriber to the Company's paging  services either owns a pager, thereby
paying solely for the use of the  Company's paging services, or leases a  pager,
thereby  paying a periodic charge for both the pager and the paging services. Of
the Company's  pagers currently  in  service, approximately  72% are  owned  and
maintained  by subscribers ("COAM")  with the remainder  being leased. In recent
years, prices for pagers have
    
 
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fallen considerably, and thus there has been a trend toward subscriber ownership
of pagers, allowing  the Company  to maintain  lower inventory  and fixed  asset
levels.  COAM customers historically stay on  service longer, thus enhancing the
stability of  the subscriber  base and  earnings. The  Company is  focusing  its
marketing  efforts on increasing  its base of COAM  users. The Company purchases
all of its  pagers from  two suppliers,  Panasonic and  Motorola, with  Motorola
supplying  a majority of such pagers. Due  to the high demand from the Company's
customers for Motorola pagers,  the Company believes that  its ability to  offer
Motorola pagers is important to its business.
    
 
    The  Company's goal is to increase the number of pagers in service, revenues
and cash flow from  operations by implementing a  plan that focuses on  improved
operating  methods and controls and innovative marketing programs. The Company's
paging business  has grown  in recent  years by:  (i) increasing  the number  of
business  customers;  (ii) expanding  its resale  program; (iii)  increasing its
retail operations; and (iv) increasing geographical coverage.
 
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND.
 
    Paging is a method  of wireless communication which  uses an assigned  radio
frequency  to contact  a paging subscriber  within a designated  service area. A
subscriber carries a pager which receives  messages by the broadcast of a  radio
signal.  To  contact  a subscriber,  a  message  is usually  sent  by  placing a
telephone call to  the subscriber's designated  telephone number. The  telephone
call is received by an electronic paging switch which generates a signal that is
sent  to radio transmitters  in the subscriber's  service area. The transmitters
broadcast a coded signal that is unique  to the pager carried by the  subscriber
and  alerts the subscriber  through a tone  or vibration that  there is a voice,
numeric, alphanumeric or  other message.  Depending upon the  topography of  the
service  area, the operating radius of a radio transmitter typically ranges from
three to 20 miles.
 
   
    Three tiers  of carriers  have emerged  in the  paging industry:  (i)  large
nationwide providers serving multiple markets throughout the United States; (ii)
regional carriers, like the Company's paging business, which operate in regional
markets such as several contiguous states in one geographic region of the United
States;  and (iii) small, single market operators. The Company believes that the
paging industry is undergoing consolidation.
    
 
   
    The paging industry has traditionally  marketed its services through  direct
distribution  by sales representatives. In  recent years, additional channels of
distribution have evolved, including:  (i) carrier-operated retail stores;  (ii)
resellers,  who purchase paging services on  a wholesale basis from carriers and
resell  those  services  on  a  retail  basis  to  their  own  customers;  (iii)
independent  sales agents who solicit customers for carriers and are compensated
on a commission  basis; and (iv)  retail outlets  that often sell  a variety  of
merchandise, including pagers and other telecommunications equipment.
    
 
SATELLITE BROADCASTING
 
    The   Company's  satellite  broadcasting  business  provides  broadcast  and
production services through mobile and fixed production units as well as  C-band
and  Ku-band satellite transmission facilities.  Clients include The Walt Disney
Company, The Golf Channel,  USA Network, Turner  Broadcasting System, CBS,  ABC,
PGA Tour Productions and The Children's Miracle Network.
 
   
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON BUSINESS SEGMENTS
    
 
   
    Reference is made to Note J of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of
the Company for additional information regarding business segments. Reference is
made  to Note  11 of Notes  to Financial  Statements of the  Phipps Business for
additional information regarding business segments.
    
 
COMPETITION
 
TELEVISION INDUSTRY
 
    Competition in the television industry exists on several levels: competition
for audience, competition for programming  (including news) and competition  for
advertisers.  Additional  factors that  are material  to a  television station's
competitive  position  include  signal  coverage  and  assigned  frequency.  The
broadcasting  industry  is  faced  continually  with  technological  change  and
innovation, the possible rise in popularity of
 
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competing entertainment and communications  media and governmental  restrictions
or actions of federal regulatory bodies, including the FCC and the Federal Trade
Commission,  any  of  which  could  have  a  material  effect  on  the Company's
operations. In addition, since early 1994,  there have been a number of  network
affiliation  changes in many of the top 100 television markets. As a result, the
major networks have  sought longer  terms in their  affiliation agreements  with
local  stations and  generally have  increased the  compensation payable  to the
local stations in return for such  longer term agreements. During the same  time
period,  the  rate  of change  of  ownership  of local  television  stations has
increased over past periods.
 
    AUDIENCE.  Stations compete for audience on the basis of program popularity,
which has a  direct effect on  advertising rates. A  substantial portion of  the
daily  programming on each of the Company's  stations is supplied by the network
with which each station  is affiliated. During those  periods, the stations  are
totally  dependent  upon  the performance  of  the network  programs  to attract
viewers. There  can  be no  assurance  that  such programming  will  achieve  or
maintain  satisfactory viewership levels in the future. Non-network time periods
are programmed by the station with  a combination of self-produced news,  public
affairs  and  other  entertainment programming,  including  news  and syndicated
programs purchased for cash, cash and barter, or barter only.
 
    Independent stations, whose number has increased significantly over the past
decade, have  also  emerged  as viable  competitors  for  television  viewership
shares.  In addition, UPN and  WB have been launched  recently as new television
networks. The  Company  is unable  to  predict the  effect,  if any,  that  such
networks will have on the future results of the Company's operations.
 
    In  addition, the development of methods of television transmission of video
programming other  than  over-the-air  broadcasting,  and  in  particular  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. Through the 1970s, television
broadcasting enjoyed virtual dominance in viewership and television  advertising
revenues  because network-affiliated stations  competed only with  each other in
most local markets.  Although cable television  systems initially  retransmitted
broadcast  television  programming  to  paying subscribers  in  areas  with poor
broadcast  signal   reception,  significant   increases  in   cable   television
penetration  in  areas  that did  not  have signal  reception  problems occurred
throughout the 1970s and 1980s. 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. Recently, however, certain cable operators have elected to compete for
such audiences and the increased competition could have an adverse effect on the
Company's advertising revenues.
 
    Other  sources of competition include  home entertainment systems (including
video cassette recorder and  playback systems, video  discs and television  game
devices),   "wireless  cable"  services,  satellite  master  antenna  television
systems, low power television stations, television translator stations and, more
recently, DBS video distribution  services, which transmit programming  directly
to  homes equipped with special receiving  antennas, and video signals delivered
over telephone lines.  Public broadcasting outlets  in most communities  compete
with  commercial  television  stations  for  audience  but  not  for advertising
dollars, although  this  may change  as  the United  States  Congress  considers
alternative means for the support of public television.
 
    Further  advances  in  technology  may  increase  competition  for household
audiences and advertisers. Video compression  techniques are expected to  reduce
the  bandwidth required  for television  signal transmission.  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 could lower entry
barriers  for  new  channels  and  encourage  the  development  of  increasingly
specialized  "niche" programming.  This ability  to reach  very narrowly defined
audiences is expected to alter the
 
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competitive dynamics for advertising  expenditures. In addition, competition  in
the  television  industry in  the  future may  come  from interactive  video and
information and data  services that  may be delivered  by commercial  television
stations,  cable television, DBS,  multipoint distribution systems, multichannel
multipoint distribution systems or other video delivery systems. The Company  is
unable to predict the effect that these or other technological changes will have
on  the broadcast  television industry  or the  future results  of the Company's
operations.
 
    PROGRAMMING.  Competition for programming involves negotiating with national
program distributors or syndicators  that sell first-run  and rerun packages  of
programming.  Each station competes against the broadcast station competitors in
its market for  exclusive access to  off-network reruns (such  as ROSEANNE)  and
first-run  product (such as  ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT). Cable  systems generally do
not compete with local stations for programming, although various national cable
networks from time to time have acquired programs that would have otherwise been
offered to  local television  stations. Competition  exists for  exclusive  news
stories and features as well.
 
    ADVERTISING.   Advertising rates  are based upon  the size of  the market in
which the station  operates, a program's  popularity among the  viewers that  an
advertiser  wishes  to  attract, the  number  of advertisers  competing  for the
available time, the demographic makeup of the market served by the station,  the
availability of alternative advertising media in the market area, aggressive and
knowledgeable  sales  forces  and  the  development  of  projects,  features and
programs that  tie  advertiser  messages to  programming.  Advertising  revenues
comprise  the  primary  source  of  revenues  for  the  Company's  stations. The
Company's stations compete for such  advertising revenues with other  television
stations  and other  media in  their respective  markets. Typically, independent
stations achieve  a  greater proportion  of  the television  market  advertising
revenues  than  network  affiliated  stations relative  to  their  share  of the
market's  audience,  because  independent  stations  have  greater  amounts   of
available  advertising time. The stations  also compete for advertising revenues
with other  media,  such  as  newspapers,  radio  stations,  magazines,  outdoor
advertising, transit advertising, yellow page directories, direct mail and local
cable  systems. Competition for advertising dollars in the broadcasting industry
occurs primarily within individual markets.
 
NEWSPAPER INDUSTRY
 
    The Company's  newspapers compete  for advertisers  with a  number of  other
media  outlets,  including magazines,  radio and  television,  as well  as other
newspapers, which also compete for readers with the Company's publications. Many
of the  Company's  newspaper  competitors  are  significantly  larger  than  the
Company.  The  Company attempts  to  differentiate its  publications  from other
newspapers by  focusing on  local news  and local  sports coverage  in order  to
compete  with its  larger competitors. The  Company also seeks  to establish its
publications as the local newspaper  by sponsoring special events of  particular
community interest.
 
PAGING INDUSTRY
 
    The paging industry is highly competitive. Companies in the industry compete
on  the basis of price, coverage area offered to subscribers, available services
offered in  addition to  basic  numeric or  tone paging,  transmission  quality,
system  reliability and  customer service.  The Company  competes by maintaining
competitive  pricing  of  its  product  and  service  offerings,  by   providing
high-quality,  reliable transmission  networks and  by furnishing  subscribers a
superior level of customer service.
 
    The Company's  primary  competitors  include  those  paging  companies  that
provide  wireless  service in  the same  geographic areas  in which  the Company
operates. The Company experiences  competition from one  or more competitors  in
all  locations  in which  it operates.  Some of  the Company's  competitors have
greater financial and other resources than the Company.
 
    The  Company's   paging   services   also  compete   with   other   wireless
communications  services  such as  cellular service.  The typical  customer uses
paging as a low cost wireless communications alternative either on a stand-alone
basis  or   in  conjunction   with  cellular   services.  Future   technological
developments in the wireless communications industry and enhancements of current
technology,  however, could create  new products and  services, such as personal
communications   services   and   mobile    satellite   services,   which    are
 
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competitive  with the paging  services currently offered  by the Company. Recent
and proposed  regulatory  changes by  the  FCC  are aimed  at  encouraging  such
technological developments and new services and promoting competition. There can
be  no  assurance that  the  Company's paging  business  would not  be adversely
affected by such technological developments or regulatory changes.
 
NETWORK AFFILIATION OF THE STATIONS
 
    Each of the Company's stations is  affiliated with a major network  pursuant
to  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 specific network  compensation payment which  varies
with  the time of  day. Typically, prime-time  programming generates the highest
hourly network compensation payments. Such  payments are subject to increase  or
decrease  by  the  network during  the  term  of an  affiliation  agreement with
provisions for advance notices  and right of termination  by the station in  the
event  of a reduction in such payments.  The NBC affiliation agreements for WALB
and WJHG are renewed  automatically every five years  on September 1 unless  the
station  notifies NBC otherwise. The CBS  affiliation agreements for WKYT, WYMT,
WRDW, WCTV and WKXT expire  on December 31, 2004,  December 31, 2004, March  31,
2005, December 31, 1999, and December 31, 1999, respectively.
 
FEDERAL REGULATION OF THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS
 
TELEVISION BROADCASTING
 
    EXISTING REGULATION.  Television broadcasting is subject to the jurisdiction
of  the FCC  under the  Communications Act  and the  Telecommunications Act. The
Communications Act prohibits the  operation of television broadcasting  stations
except  under a  license issued  by the  FCC and  empowers the  FCC, among other
things, to  issue,  revoke  and  modify  broadcasting  licenses,  determine  the
locations   of  stations,  regulate  the   equipment  used  by  stations,  adopt
regulations to  carry out  the  provisions of  the  Communications Act  and  the
Telecommunications  Act and impose penalties  for violation of such regulations.
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 generally are
granted or renewed for a period of five years; recently extended to eight  years
by  the Telecommunications Act, but  may be renewed for  a shorter period upon a
finding by the FCC that the "public interest, convenience, and necessity"  would
be served thereby. The broadcast licenses for WALB, WJHG, WKYT, WYMT, WRDW, WCTV
and  WKXT are effective until  April 1, 1997, February  1, 1997, August 1, 1997,
August  1,  1997,  April  1,  1997,  February  1,  1997  and  August  1,   1997,
respectively.  The  Telecommunications Act  requires a  broadcast license  to be
renewed if the FCC finds that: (i)  the station has served the public  interest,
convenience  and necessity; (ii) there have been no serious violations of either
the Telecommunications Act or the FCC's  rules and regulations by the  licensee;
and  (iii)  there have  been  no other  violations,  which taken  together would
constitute a pattern of abuse. At the time an application is made for renewal of
a television license, parties in interest  may file petitions to deny, and  such
parties,  including  members of  the public,  may comment  upon the  service the
station has provided during  the preceding license term  and urge denial of  the
application.  If  the  FCC  finds  that the  licensee  has  failed  to  meet the
above-mentioned requirements, it could deny  the renewal application or grant  a
conditional  approval, including  renewal for  a lesser  term. The  FCC will not
consider competing applications  contemporaneously with  a renewal  application.
Only  after  denying  a renewal  application  can  the FCC  accept  and consider
competing applications for the license. Although  in the vast majority of  cases
broadcast  licenses  are renewed  by  the FCC  even  when petitions  to  deny or
competing applications are filed against broadcast license renewal applications,
there can be no assurance that the Company's stations' licenses will be renewed.
The Company is not aware  of any facts or  circumstances that could prevent  the
renewal  of the licenses for its stations at the end of their respective license
terms.
 
    MULTIPLE OWNERSHIP RESTRICTIONS.   Currently, the FCC  has rules that  limit
the  ability of individuals  and entities to  own or have  an ownership interest
above a certain level (an "attributable" interest, as defined more fully  below)
in  broadcast stations, as well as other  mass media entities. The current rules
limit the
 
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number of radio and television stations that may be owned both on a national and
a local basis. On a national basis, the rules preclude any individual or  entity
from  having  an  attributable interest  in  more than  12  television stations.
Moreover, the aggregate audience reach  of co-owned television stations may  not
exceed  25% of all United States households. An individual or entity may hold an
attributable interest  in up  to 14  television stations  (or stations  with  an
aggregate audience reach of 30% of all United States households) if at least two
of  the  stations  are  controlled  by  a  member  of  an  ethnic  minority. The
Telecommunications Act  directs the  FCC  to eliminate  the restriction  on  the
number of television stations which may be owned or controlled nationally and to
increase the national audience reach limitation for television stations to 35%.
 
    On  a local basis, FCC rules currently allow an individual or entity to have
an attributable  interest  in  only  one television  station  in  a  market.  In
addition,  FCC  rules  and  the  Telecommunications  Act  generally  prohibit an
individual or  entity  from having  an  attributable interest  in  a  television
station  and a radio station, daily newspaper or cable television system that is
located in  the  same  local  market area  served  by  the  television  station.
Proposals  currently before the  FCC could substantially  alter these standards.
For example, in a  recently initiated rulemaking  proceeding, the FCC  suggested
narrowing the geographic scope of the local television cross-ownership rule (the
so-called  "duopoly  rule")  from  Grade  B to  Grade  A  contours  and possibly
permitting some two-station combinations  in certain markets.  The FCC has  also
proposed  eliminating  the TV/radio  cross-ownership restriction  (the so-called
"one-to-a-market" rule)  entirely  or  at least  exempting  larger  markets.  In
addition,  the FCC is seeking comment on  issues of control and attribution with
respect to local marketing agreements entered into by television stations. It is
unlikely that this rulemaking  will be concluded until  late 1996 or later,  and
there  can be no assurance that any of  these rules will be changed or what will
be the effect of any such change. The Telecommunications Act expressly does  not
prohibit  any  local marketing  agreements in  compliance with  FCC regulations.
Furthermore, the Telecommunications Act directs the FCC to conduct a  rulemaking
proceeding   to  determine  whether  restricting  ownership  of  more  than  one
television station in the same area should be retained, modified or  eliminated.
It  is the  intent of Congress  that if  the FCC revises  the multiple ownership
rules, it  should  permit co-located  VHF-VHF  combinations only  in  compelling
circumstances, where competition and diversity will not be harmed.
 
    The   Telecommunications   Act  also   directs   the  FCC   to   extend  its
one-to-a-market waiver policy from the top 25  to any of the top 50 markets.  In
addition,  the Telecommunications  Act directs  the FCC  to permit  a television
station to affiliate  with two  or more networks  unless such  dual or  multiple
networks  are composed of  (i) two or  more of the  four existing networks (ABC,
CBS, NBC or Fox) or, (ii) any of  the four existing networks and one of the  two
emerging  networks (UPN  or WBN).  The Company  believes that  Congress does not
intend for  these  limitations  to  apply if  such  networks  are  not  operated
simultaneously, or if there is no substantial overlap in the territory served by
the  group of stations comprising each  of such networks. The Telecommunications
Act also directs the FCC to revise its rules to permit cross-ownership interests
between a  broadcast network  and  a cable  system. The  Telecommunications  Act
further  authorizes  the FCC  to consider  revising its  rules to  permit common
ownership of co-located broadcast stations and cable systems.
 
    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  or Congress may  adopt. Any relaxation  of the FCC's  ownership
rules  may increase the  level of competition in  one or more  of the markets in
which the Company's stations  are located, particularly to  the extent that  the
Company's  competitors may  have greater  resources and  thereby be  in a better
position to capitalize on such changes.
 
   
    Under the FCC's ownership rules, a  direct or indirect purchaser of  certain
types  of securities of the Company (including  the Class B Common Stock offered
hereby) could violate  FCC regulations if  that purchaser owned  or acquired  an
"attributable"  or "meaningful" interest  in other media  properties in the same
areas as stations owned by  the Company or in  a manner otherwise prohibited  by
the  FCC. All officers and directors of a licensee, as well as general partners,
uninsulated limited partners and  stockholders who own five  percent or more  of
the  voting power of the outstanding common stock of a licensee (either directly
or indirectly), generally will be deemed  to have an "attributable" interest  in
the  licensee.  Certain  institutional  investors  which  exert  no  control  or
influence over  a  licensee may  own  up  to 10%  of  the voting  power  of  the
outstanding   common  stock   before  attribution  occurs.   Under  current  FCC
regulations, debt  instruments, non-voting  stock, certain  limited  partnership
interests (provided the licensee certifies that the limited
    
 
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partners  are not "materially  involved" in the management  and operation of the
subject media property) and voting stock held by minority stockholders in  cases
in  which there is  a single majority  stockholder generally are  not subject to
attribution. The FCC's cross-interest policy,  which precludes an individual  or
entity  from having a "meaningful" (even  though not "attributable") interest in
one media  property and  an "attributable"  interest in  a broadcast,  cable  or
newspaper  property in the same area, may be invoked in certain circumstances to
reach interests not expressly covered by the multiple ownership rules.
 
    In January 1995,  the FCC  released a NPRM  designed to  permit a  "thorough
review  of [its] broadcast  media attribution rules." Among  the issues on which
comment was  sought are  (i)  whether to  change  the voting  stock  attribution
benchmarks from five percent to 10% and, for passive investors, from 10% to 20%;
(ii)  whether there are  any circumstances in  which non-voting stock interests,
which  are   currently  considered   non-attributable,  should   be   considered
attributable;  (iii)  whether  the  FCC  should  eliminate  its  single majority
shareholder exception  (pursuant to  which voting  interests in  excess of  five
percent are not considered cognizable if a single majority shareholder owns more
than  50% of the voting  power); (iv) whether to  relax insulation standards for
business development companies and  other widely-held limited partnerships;  (v)
how  to  treat limited  liability  companies and  other  new business  forms for
attribution purposes; (vi)  whether to  eliminate or  codify the  cross-interest
policy;  and, (vii) whether to  adopt a new policy  which would consider whether
multiple "cross interests" or other significant business relationships (such  as
time  brokerage agreements,  debt relationships  or holdings  of nonattributable
interests), which individually do not raise concerns, raise issues with  respect
to diversity and competition. It is unlikely that this inquiry will be concluded
until  late 1996 at the earliest and there can be no assurance that any of these
standards will be changed. Should the attribution rules be changed, the  Company
is  unable to predict what, if  any, effect it would have  on the Company or its
activities. To the best of the Company's knowledge, no officer, director or five
percent stockholder  of  the Company  currently  holds an  interest  in  another
television  station, radio station,  cable television system  or daily newspaper
that is  inconsistent  with the  FCC's  ownership  rules and  policies  or  with
ownership by the Company of its stations.
 
    ALIEN  OWNERSHIP RESTRICTIONS.  The Communications Act restricts the ability
of foreign  entities  or individuals  to  own  or hold  interests  in  broadcast
licenses.   Foreign   governments,  representatives   of   foreign  governments,
non-citizens, representatives of non-citizens, and corporations or  partnerships
organized  under the laws of a foreign  nation are barred from holding broadcast
licenses. Non-citizens, collectively, may directly or indirectly own or vote  up
to  20% of the  capital stock of a  licensee but are  prohibited from serving as
officers or directors of such licensee. In addition, a broadcast license may not
be granted  to  or held  by  any corporation  that  is controlled,  directly  or
indirectly,  by any other corporation (i) that  has a non-citizen as an officer,
(ii) more than one-fourth of whose directors are non-citizens or (iii) more than
one-fourth of whose  capital stock is  owned or voted  by non-citizens or  their
representatives  or  by  foreign  governments or  their  representatives,  or by
non-U.S. corporations, if the FCC finds that the public interest will be  served
by  the refusal or revocation of such license. The Company has been advised that
the FCC  staff has  interpreted  this provision  of  the Communications  Act  to
require an affirmative public interest finding before a broadcast license may be
granted  to  or held  by  any such  corporation  and the  FCC  has made  such an
affirmative public interest finding before a broadcast license may be granted to
or held by any such corporation and the FCC has made such an affirmative finding
only in limited circumstances.  The Company, which serves  as a holding  company
for wholly-owned subsidiaries that are licensees for its stations, therefore may
be  restricted from having (i) more than  one-fourth of its stock owned or voted
directly or indirectly by non-citizens, foreign governments, representatives  of
non-citizens  or foreign governments,  or foreign corporations;  (ii) an officer
who is a non-citizen; or  (iii) more than one-fourth  of its board of  directors
consisting of non-citizens.
 
    RECENT  DEVELOPMENTS.  The FCC recently  decided to eliminate the prime time
access rule  ("PTAR"),  effective  August  30, 1996.  PTAR  currently  limits  a
station's   ability  to  broadcast  network  programming  (including  syndicated
programming previously broadcast over  a network) during  prime time hours.  The
elimination  of PTAR could increase the  amount of network programming broadcast
over a station affiliated with ABC, NBC, CBS or Fox. Such elimination also could
result in (i) an increase  in the compensation paid by  the network (due to  the
additional  prime  time during  which network  programming could  be aired  by a
 
                                       78
<PAGE>
network-affiliated  station)  and  (ii)  increased  competition  for  syndicated
network  programming that  previously was  unavailable for  broadcast by network
affiliates during  prime time.  The  FCC also  recently  announced that  it  was
rescinding  its remaining financial interest  and syndication ("fin\syn") rules.
The original rules, first adopted in 1970, severely restricted the ability of  a
network  to obtain  financial interests  in, or  participate in  syndication of,
prime-time entertainment programming created by independent producers for airing
during the networks' evening schedules. The FCC previously lifted the  financial
interest rules and restraints on foreign syndication.
 
    Congress  has recently enacted  legislation and the  FCC currently has under
consideration or is implementing new  regulations and policies regarding a  wide
variety  of matters that could affect, directly or indirectly, the operation and
ownership of the  Company's broadcast  properties. In addition  to the  proposed
changes  noted above,  such matters  include, for  example, the  license renewal
process (particularly the weight to be given to the expectancy of renewal for an
incumbent broadcast  licensee  and  the  criteria  to  be  applied  in  deciding
contested renewal applications), spectrum use fees, political advertising rates,
potential  advertising restrictions on the advertising of certain products (beer
and wine, for example), the  rules and policies to  be applied in enforcing  the
FCC's  equal employment  opportunity regulations, reinstitution  of the Fairness
Doctrine   (which   requires   broadcasters   airing   programming    concerning
controversial issues of public importance to afford a reasonable opportunity for
the   expression  of  contrasting  viewpoints),  and  the  standards  to  govern
evaluation of television  programming directed toward  children and violent  and
indecent  programming (including  the possible  requirement of  what is commonly
referred to as the  "v-chip," which would permit  parents to program  television
sets  so that  certain programming would  not be accessible  by children). 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 recent  initiation  of  direct
broadcast  satellite service, and the  continued establishment of wireless cable
systems and low power television stations.
 
    The FCC presently is  seeking comment on its  policies designed to  increase
minority  ownership  of mass  media facilities.  Congress also  recently enacted
legislation that eliminated  the minority  tax certificate program  of the  FCC,
which  gave favorable  tax treatment to  entities selling  broadcast stations to
entities controlled by an ethnic minority.  In addition, a recent Supreme  Court
decision has cast doubt upon the continued validity of many of the congressional
programs designed to increase minority ownership of mass media facilities.
 
   
    DISTRIBUTION  OF VIDEO SERVICES  BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES.   Recent actions by
the FCC, Congress and the courts  all presage significant future involvement  in
the  provision  of video  services by  telephone  companies. The  Company cannot
predict either the timing or the extent of such involvement.
    
 
    THE 1992  CABLE  ACT.   On  October  5,  1992, Congress  enacted  the  Cable
Television  Consumer Protection  and Competition  Act of  1992 (the  "1992 Cable
Act"). The FCC began implementing the requirements of the 1992 Cable Act in 1993
and final implementation  proceedings remain  pending regarding  certain of  the
rules  and regulations previously adopted. Certain statutory provisions, such as
signal  carriage,  retransmission  consent  and  equal  employment   opportunity
requirements,  have a direct effect on television broadcasting. Other provisions
are focused exclusively on the regulation  of cable television but can still  be
expected  to have an indirect  effect on the Company  because of the competition
between over-the-air television stations and cable systems.
 
    The signal  carriage, or  "must carry,"  provisions of  the 1992  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  1992  Cable Act  also  includes a  retransmission consent
provision  that  prohibits  cable   operators  and  other  multi-channel   video
programming  distributors  from  carrying broadcast  stations  without obtaining
their consent  in certain  circumstances. The  "must carry"  and  retransmission
consent provisions are related in that
 
                                       79
<PAGE>
a  local television broadcaster,  on a cable  system-by-cable system basis, must
make a choice once every three years  whether to proceed under the "must  carry"
rules  or  to  waive that  right  to  mandatory but  uncompensated  carriage and
negotiate a grant of retransmission consent to permit the cable system to  carry
the  station's signal, in most cases in  exchange for some form of consideration
from the cable  operator. Cable  systems must obtain  retransmission consent  to
carry  all distant commercial stations other than "super stations" delivered via
satellite.
 
    Under rules  adopted  to implement  these  "must carry"  and  retransmission
consent  provisions, local television stations were  required to make an initial
election of "must carry"  or retransmission consent by  June 17, 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. Each  of the Company's  stations elected  "must
carry"  status on certain cable  systems in its DMA.  This election entitles the
Company's stations to  carriage on  those systems  until at  least December  31,
1996.   In  certain  other  situations,  the  Company's  stations  entered  into
"retransmission consent" agreements with cable systems. The Company is unable to
predict whether or not these retransmission consent agreements will be  extended
and, if so, on what terms.
 
    On April 8, 1993, a special three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court for
the  District  of  Columbia upheld  the  constitutionality of  the  "must carry"
provisions of the 1992 Cable Act. However,  on June 27, 1994, the United  States
Supreme  Court in a 5-4 decision vacated the lower court's judgment and remanded
the case to  the District Court  for further proceedings.  Although the  Supreme
Court  found  the "must  carry"  rules to  be  content-neutral and  supported by
legitimate governmental  interests under  appropriate constitutional  tests,  it
also  found that  genuine issues  of material fact  still remained  that must be
resolved in a more detailed evidentiary record. On December 12, 1995, the United
States District  Court for  the District  of Columbia  upheld the  "must  carry"
requirements  compelling  cable systems  to carry  broadcast signals.  The cable
industry plans to appeal this decision. In the meantime, however, the FCC's  new
"must carry" regulations implementing the 1992 Cable Act remain in effect.
 
    The   1992  Cable  Act  also  codified  the  FCC's  basic  equal  employment
opportunity ("EEO") rules and the use  of certain EEO reporting forms  currently
filed  by television broadcast stations. In addition, pursuant to the 1992 Cable
Act's requirements, the FCC has adopted new rules providing for a review of  the
EEO  performance of each television station at the mid-point of its license term
(in addition to renewal time). Such a review will give the FCC an opportunity to
evaluate whether  the  licensee  is  in compliance  with  the  FCC's  processing
criteria  and notify the  licensee of any deficiency  in its employment profile.
Among the  other  rulemaking  proceedings  conducted by  the  FCC  to  implement
provisions  of  the  1992  Cable  Act  have  been  those  concerning  cable rate
regulation, cable  technical  standards,  cable multiple  ownership  limits  and
competitive access to programming.
 
    Among other provisions, the Telecommunications Act redefines the term "cable
system" as "a facility that serves subscribers without using any public right of
way."  It eliminates a single subscriber's  ability to initiate a rate complaint
proceeding at the FCC and  allows a cable operator to  move any service off  the
basic  tier in  its discretion,  other than  local broadcast  signals and access
channels required to be carried on the basic tier.
 
    ADVANCED TELEVISION SERVICE.  The FCC has proposed the adoption of rules for
implementing  advanced  television  ("ATV")   service  in  the  United   States.
Implementation  of digital ATV will improve  the technical quality of television
signals receivable by viewers and  will provide broadcasters the flexibility  to
offer  new services, including high-definition television ("HDTV"), simultaneous
broadcasting of multiple programs of standard definition television ("SDTV") and
data broadcasting.
 
    The FCC must adopt ATV  service rules and a  table of ATV allotments  before
broadcasters  can provide these services enabled  by the new technology. On July
28, 1995, the FCC announced the issuance of a NPRM to invite comment on a  broad
range  of  issues  related  to  the  implementation  of  ATV,  particularly  the
transition to digital broadcasting. The FCC announced that the anticipated  role
of  digital broadcasting will cause  it to revisit certain  decisions made in an
earlier   order.    The   FCC    also   announced    that   broadcasters    will
 
                                       80
<PAGE>
be  allowed greater flexibility in responding to market demand by transmitting a
mix of HDTV, SDTV and perhaps other services. The FCC also stated that the  NPRM
would  be followed  by two  additional proceedings and  that a  Final Report and
Order which will launch the ATV system is anticipated in 1996.
 
    The Telecommunications Act directs the FCC,  if it issues licenses for  ATV,
to  limit  the  initial eligibility  for  such licenses  to  incumbent broadcast
licensees. It also  authorizes the FCC  to adopt regulations  that would  permit
broadcasters to use such spectrum for ancillary or supplementary services. It is
expected  that the  FCC will assign  all existing television  licensees a second
channel on which to provide ATV simultaneously with their current NTSC  service.
It  is possible after a  period of years that  broadcasters would be required to
cease NTSC operations, return  the NTSC channel to  the FCC, and broadcast  only
with  the  newer digital  technology. Some  members  of Congress  have advocated
authorizing the  FCC  to auction  either  NTSC  or ATV  channels;  however,  the
Telecommunications  Act allows the  FCC to determine when  such licenses will be
returned and how to allocate returned spectrum.
 
    Under certain circumstances,  conversion to  ATV operations  would reduce  a
station's  geographical coverage area  but the majority  of stations will obtain
service areas that  match or exceed  the limits of  existing operations. Due  to
additional  equipment costs,  implementation of  ATV will  impose some near-term
financial burdens  on television  stations providing  the service.  At the  same
time,  there  is a  potential for  increased  revenues to  be derived  from ATV.
Although the Company believes the FCC  will authorize ATV in the United  States,
the  Company  cannot  predict  precisely  when  or  under  what  conditions such
authorization might be given,  when NTSC operations must  cease, or the  overall
effect the transition to ATV might have on the Company's business.
 
    DIRECT  BROADCASTING  SATELLITE  SYSTEMS.   The  FCC has  authorized  DBS, a
service  which  provides  video  programming  via  satellite  directly  to  home
subscribers.  Local broadcast stations and broadcast network programming are not
carried on DBS  systems. Proposals recently  advanced in the  Telecommunications
Act  include a  prohibition on restrictions  that inhibit a  viewer's ability to
receive  video  programming  through  DBS   services.  The  FCC  has   exclusive
jurisdiction  over the regulation of DBS service. The Company cannot predict the
impact of this new service upon the Company's business.
 
PAGING
 
    FEDERAL  REGULATION.    The  Company's  paging  operations  are  subject  to
regulation  by the  FCC under  the Communications Act.  The FCC  has granted the
Company licenses to use  the radio frequencies necessary  to conduct its  paging
operations.  Licenses issued by the  FCC to the Company  set forth the technical
parameters, such as signal strength and tower height, under which the Company is
authorized to use those frequencies.
 
   
    LICENSE GRANT AND RENEWAL.  The FCC licenses granted to the Company are  for
varying  terms of up to 10 years, at  the end of which renewal applications must
be approved by the FCC. The Company currently has 23 FCC licenses for its paging
business. Five of such  licenses will expire  in 1997, 12  will expire in  1999,
four  will expire in 2000, one will expire in 2001 and one is currently awaiting
renewal. In the past,  paging license renewal  applications generally have  been
granted  by the FCC  in most cases  upon a demonstration  of compliance with FCC
regulations and adequate service to the public. Although the Company is  unaware
of  any circumstances which could prevent  the grant of renewal applications, no
assurance can  be given  that any  of the  Company's licenses  will be  free  of
competing  applications or will be renewed by  the FCC. Furthermore, the FCC has
the authority to restrict the operation  of licensed facilities or to revoke  or
modify  licenses.  None  of the  Company's  licenses  has ever  been  revoked or
modified involuntarily.
    
 
    The FCC has enacted  regulations regarding auctions for  the award of  radio
spectrum  licenses. Pursuant  to such  rules, the  FCC at  any time  may require
auctions for  new  or existing  services  prior to  the  award of  any  license.
Accordingly,  there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to procure
additional frequencies,  or  to expand  existing  paging networks  operating  on
frequencies  for which the  Company is currently  licensed into new geographical
areas. In March  1994, the  FCC adopted  rules pursuant  to which  the FCC  will
utilize  competitive bidding to select  Commercial Mobile Radio Service ("CMRS")
licensees when more than one entity has filed a timely application for the  same
license. These competitive bidding
 
                                       81
<PAGE>
rules  could require that FCC licensees make significant investments in order to
obtain spectrum.  While  the FCC  has  not yet  applied  these rules  to  paging
licenses,  it could do so at any time.  The Company also believes that this rule
change may increase the number  of competitors which have significant  financial
resources and may provide an added incentive to build out their systems quickly.
 
    RECENT  DEVELOPMENTS.   On February 8,  1996, the FCC  announced a temporary
cessation in the acceptance of applications for new paging stations, and  placed
certain  restrictions on the  extent to which current  licensees can expand into
new territories  on an  existing channel.  The FCC  has initiated  an  expedited
comment  period  in  which it  will  consider whether  these  interim processing
procedures should be relaxed. The FCC is also considering whether CMRS operators
should be obligated to interconnect their systems with others and be  prohibited
from placing restrictions on the resale of their services.
 
    The  FCC recently adopted rules generally revising the classification of the
services offered by paging companies. Traditionally, paging companies have  been
classified either as Private Common Carriers or Private Carrier Paging Operators
or  as resellers.  Pursuant to  the FCC's recently  adopted rules,  which aim to
reduce the disparities in the  regulatory treatment of similar mobile  services,
the  Company's paging services  are or will  be classified as  CMRS. The Company
believes that  such  parity  will remove  certain  regulatory  advantages  which
private   carrier   paging   competitors  have   enjoyed   under   the  previous
classification scheme, although private carrier paging companies will be subject
to  a  transition  period  through  August  1996  before  these  new  rules  are
applicable.
 
    The  recently enacted Telecommunications Act may affect the Company's paging
business. Some aspects of  the new statute could  have beneficial effect on  the
Company's  paging business.  For example, proposed  federal guidelines regarding
antenna siting issues may remove local and state barriers to the construction of
communications facilities,  and efforts  to increase  competition in  the  local
exchange  and interexchange  industries may  reduce the  cost to  the Company of
acquiring necessary communications services and  facilities. On the other  hand,
some  provisions relating  to common  carrier interconnection,  telephone number
portability, equal access, the assignment of new area codes, resale requirements
and auction authority may place additional  burdens upon the Company or  subject
the Company to increased competition.
 
    In  addition to regulation by the FCC, paging systems are subject to certain
Federal  Aviation  Administration  regulations  with  respect  to  the   height,
location, construction, marking and lighting of towers and antennas.
 
    STATE  REGULATION.  As a result of  the enactment by Congress of the Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, the  authority of the states to regulate  the
Company's  paging operations was  severely curtailed as of  August 1994. At this
time the Company is not aware  of any proposed state legislation or  regulations
which  would have  a material adverse  impact on the  Company's paging business.
There can be no  assurance, however, that such  legislation or regulations  will
not be passed in the future.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
    As  of  March 1996,  the  Company (excluding  the  Phipps Business)  had 740
full-time employees, of which 450 were employees of the Company's stations,  280
were  employees  of  the  Company's  publications  and  10  were  corporate  and
administrative personnel. None  of the  Company's employees  are represented  by
unions.  The  Company  believes  that  its  relations  with  its  employees  are
satisfactory.
 
PROPERTIES
 
    The  Company's  principal  executive  offices  are  located  at  126   North
Washington  Street, Albany, Georgia  31701, which is owned  by The Albany Herald
Publishing Company, Inc. (the "Albany Herald"). The Albany Herald also owns  the
adjacent  building on the corner of Pine  Avenue in Albany. The building located
at 126 North  Washington Street  contains administration,  news and  advertising
offices  and the adjacent buildings located  on Pine Avenue contain the printing
press and production facilities, as well as paper storage and maintenance. These
buildings contain approximately 83,000 square feet. In addition, the parking lot
for the employees  and customers  of THE  ALBANY HERALD  is located  immediately
across Pine Avenue from the administration offices.
 
                                       82
<PAGE>
    The  types  of properties  required to  support television  stations include
offices, studios, transmitter sites and  antenna sites. The types of  properties
required  to support  newspaper publishing  include offices,  facilities for the
printing press and  production and  storage. A station's  studios are  generally
housed with its offices in business districts. The transmitter sites and antenna
are  generally located in elevated areas  to provide optimal signal strength and
coverage.
 
    The following table sets forth  certain information regarding the  Company's
properties.
 
TELEVISION BROADCASTING
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   STATION/APPROXIMATE
        PROPERTY                                           OWNED         APPROXIMATE      EXPIRATION
        LOCATION                      USE                OR LEASED          SIZE           OF LEASE
- -------------------------  -------------------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
WKYT
<S>                        <C>                        <C>              <C>              <C>
  Lexington, KY            Office, studio and                  Owned   34,500 sq. ft.                 -
                            transmission tower site                     building on 20
                                                                        acres
WYMT
  Hazard, KY               Office and studio                   Owned   21,200 sq. ft.                 -
                                                                        building
  Hazard, KY               Transmission tower site            Leased          -            June 2015
  Hazard, KY               Transmitter building and            Owned   1,248 sq. ft.                  -
                            improvements
WRDW
  North Augusta, SC        Office and studio                   Owned   17,000 sq. ft.                 -
                           Transmission tower site             Owned   143 acres                      -
WALB
  Albany, GA               Office and studio                   Owned   13,700 sq. ft.                 -
  Albany, GA               Transmission tower site             Owned   21 acres                       -
WJHG
  Panama City, FL          Office and studio                   Owned   14,000 sq. ft.                 -
  Youngstown, FL           Transmission tower site             Owned   17 acres                       -
WKXT
  Knoxville, TN            Office and studio                   Owned   18,300 sq. ft.                --
  Knoxville, TN            Transmission tower site            Leased   Tower space         Dec. 1998
WCTV
  Tallahassee, FL          Office and studio                  Leased   22,000 sq. ft.      Dec. 2014
  Metcalf, GA              Transmission tower site             Owned   182 acres                     --
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       83
<PAGE>
PUBLISHING
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     OWNED         APPROXIMATE      EXPIRATION
COMPANY/PROPERTY LOCATION                       USE                OR LEASED          SIZE           OF LEASE
- -----------------------------------  -------------------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
The Albany Herald Publishing         See above                       See above   See above           See above
 Company, Inc.
<S>                                  <C>                        <C>              <C>              <C>
The Rockdale Citizen Publishing
 Company
  Conyers, GA                        Offices, printing press             Owned   20,000 sq. ft.                --
                                      and production facility
                                      for THE ROCKDALE CITIZEN
Lawrenceville, GA                    Offices and production             Leased   11,000 sq. ft.      Nov. 1997
                                      facilities of the
                                      GWINNETT DAILY POST
The Southwest Georgia Shoppers Inc.
  Tallahassee, FL                    Offices                             Owned   5,500 sq. ft.                 --
</TABLE>
    
 
PAGING
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       OWNED         APPROXIMATE      EXPIRATION
  COMPANY/PROPERTY LOCATION                       USE                OR LEASED          SIZE           OF LEASE
  -----------------------------------  -------------------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
   Albany GA                           Office                              Leased      800 sq. ft.       March 1996
  <S>                                  <C>                        <C>              <C>              <C>
  Columbus, GA                         Office                              Leased    1,000 sq. ft.        July 1997
  Dothan, AL                           Office                              Leased      800 sq. ft.        Feb. 1995
  Macon, GA                            Office                              Leased    1,260 sq. ft.        July 1998
  Tallahassee, GA                      Office                              Leased    2,400 sq. ft.   Month to month
  Thomasville, GA                      Office                              Leased      300 sq. ft.   Month to month
  Valdosta, GA                         Office                              Leased      400 sq. ft.         May 1997
  Panama City, FL                      Office                              Leased    1,050 sq. ft.        Jan. 1998
</TABLE>
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
   
    The  Company  is not  party to  any  legal proceedings  in which  an adverse
outcome would have  a material  adverse effect,  either individually  or in  the
aggregate, upon the Company.
    
 
                                       84
<PAGE>
   
                                   MANAGEMENT
    
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
    Set  forth below is certain information concerning each of the directors and
executive officers of the Company and its subsidiaries.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                  AGE                  TITLE
- -----------------------------------  -----  -----------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>    <C>
Ralph W. Gabbard*                      50   Director and President of the
                                             Company
William A. Fielder III                 37   Vice President and Chief Financial
                                             Officer
Sabra H. Cowart                        29   Controller, Chief Accounting
                                             Officer and Assistant Secretary
Robert A. Beizer                       56   Vice President for Law and
                                             Development and Secretary
Thomas J. Stultz                       44   Vice President
Joseph A. Carriere                     62   Vice President-Corporate Sales
William E. Mayher III*                 56   Chairman of the Board of Directors
Richard L. Boger*+                     49   Director
Hilton H. Howell, Jr.**                34   Director
Howell W. Newton**                     49   Director
Hugh Norton                            63   Director
Robert S. Prather, Jr.*+               51   Director
J. Mack Robinson*+                     72   Director
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 * Member of the Executive Committee
** Member of the Audit Committee
 + Member of the Management Personnel Committee
 
    MR. GABBARD has been President and director of the Company since December 1,
1995. He served as a  Vice President of the Company  and as President and  Chief
Operating  Officer of the Company's broadcast  operations from September 2, 1994
until his election  as President of  the Company. He  was president and  general
manager of Kentucky Central Television, Inc., the former owner of WKYT and WYMT,
from  1982  to 1994.  Mr. Gabbard  is  Chairman of  the National  Association of
Broadcasters Television Board of  Directors and Chairman  of the CBS  Affiliates
Advisory Board.
 
    MR. FIELDER has been a Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer of the
Company  since  August 1993.  From  April 1991  until  his appointment  as Chief
Financial Officer, he was  Controller of the Company.  Prior to being  appointed
controller  of the Company in April 1991, he  was employed by Ernst & Young LLP,
an accounting firm, which are the independent auditors of the Company.
 
    MS. COWART has been Controller and  Chief Accounting Officer of the  Company
since  April 1995. In February 1996 Ms. Cowart was appointed Assistant Secretary
of the Company. From  March 1994 until her  appointment as Controller and  Chief
Accounting  Officer, Ms.  Cowart was  the corporate  accounting manager  for the
Company. Prior to  joining the Company,  she was employed  by Deloitte &  Touche
LLP, an accounting firm, from 1989 to 1994.
 
    MR.  BEIZER has been Vice President for Law and Development and Secretary of
the Company since  February 1996. From  June 1994  to February 1996,  he was  of
counsel  to Venable, Baetjer, Howard & Civiletti,  a law firm, in its regulatory
and legislative practice group. From 1990 to  1994, Mr. Beizer was a partner  at
the  law firm  of Sidley &  Austin and  was head of  its communications practice
group  in  Washington,  D.C.  He  has  represented  newspaper  and  broadcasting
companies,  including the Company, before  the Federal Communications Commission
for over 25  years. He is  a past  president of the  Federal Communications  Bar
Association and a member of the ABA House of Delegates.
 
    MR. STULTZ has been a Vice President of the Company and the President of the
Company's  publishing division  since February 1996.  From 1990 to  1995, he was
employed by Multimedia, Inc. as a vice president and from 1988 to 1990, as  vice
president of marketing.
 
                                       85
<PAGE>
    MR. CARRIERE has been Vice President of Corporate Sales since February 1996.
From  November  1994  until his  appointment  as  Vice President,  he  served as
President and General Manager of KTVE  Inc., a subsidiary of the Company.  Prior
to   joining  the  Company  in  1994,  Mr.  Carriere  was  employed  by  Withers
Broadcasting Company of Colorado  as General Manager from  1991 to 1994. He  has
served as a past chairman of the CBS Advisory Board and the National Association
of Broadcasters.
 
    DR. MAYHER has been a surgeon since prior to 1991 and has been a director of
the  Company since  1990. He has  served as  Chairman of the  Board of Directors
since August 1993.
 
    MR. BOGER  has been  the President  and chief  executive officer  of  Export
Insurance  Services, Inc.,  an insurance  company, and  a director  of CornerCap
Group of Funds, a "Series" investment company since prior to 1991. He has been a
director of the Company since 1991.
 
   
    MR. HOWELL  has  been President  and  Chief Executive  Officer  of  Atlantic
American  Corporation, an insurance holding company, since May 1995. He has been
Executive Vice President  of Delta  Life Insurance  Company and  Delta Fire  and
Casualty  Insurance Company since 1994, and Executive Vice President of Atlantic
American Life Insurance  Company, Bankers  Fidelity Life  Insurance Company  and
Georgia  Casualty & Surety Company  since 1992. In addition,  since 1994, he has
served  as  a  Vice  President  and  Secretary  of  Bull  Run,  a  designer  and
manufacturer  of dot  matrix printers.  He is also  a director  of the following
corporations: Bull Run,  Atlantic American Corporation,  Atlantic American  Life
Insurance Company, Bankers Fidelity Life Insurance Company, Delta Life Insurance
Company,  Delta Fire and  Casualty Insurance Company,  Georgia Casualty & Surety
Company, American  Southern  Insurance  Company and  American  Safety  Insurance
Company.  From 1989 to 1991, Mr. Howell practiced law in Houston, Texas with the
law firm of Liddell, Sapp, Zivley, Hill & LaBoon. He has been a director of  the
Company since 1993. He is the son-in-law of J. Mack Robinson.
    
 
    MR. NEWTON has been the President and Treasurer of Trio Manufacturing Co., a
textile manufacturing company, since prior to 1991 and a director of the Company
since 1991.
 
    MR. NORTON has been the President of Norco, Inc., an insurance agency, since
prior to 1991 and a director of the Company since 1987.
 
    MR.  PRATHER has been the President and  chief executive officer of Bull Run
since July 1992 and a  director of Bull Run since  1992. Prior to that time,  he
was  President  and  chief executive  officer  of Phoenix  Corporation,  a steel
service center. Mr. Prather has been a director of the Company since 1993.
 
   
    MR. ROBINSON has been chairman  of the board of  Bull Run since March  1994,
chairman  of the board and  President of Delta Life  Insurance Company and Delta
Fire and Casualty Insurance Company  since 1958, President of Atlantic  American
Corporation,  an insurance holding company, from 1988 until 1995 and chairman of
the board of Atlantic American Corporation since 1995. He is also a director  of
the  following corporations: Bull Run, Atlantic American Life Insurance Company,
Bankers Fidelity Life  Insurance Company,  Delta Life  Insurance Company,  Delta
Fire and Casualty Insurance Company, Georgia Casualty & Surety Company, American
Southern  Insurance Company and  American Safety Insurance  Company and director
EMERITUS of Wachovia Corporation.  He has been a  director of the Company  since
1993.
    
 
    Each  director holds office  until the Company's next  annual meeting of the
shareholders and  until his  successor is  elected and  qualified. Officers  are
elected  annually by the Board of Directors and hold office at the discretion of
the Board.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
    GENERAL.  The following  table sets forth a  summary of the compensation  of
the  Company's  President,  its former  chief  executive officer  and  the other
executive officers whose total annual compensation exceeded $100,000 during  the
year ended December 31, 1995 ("named executives"). Mr. John T. Williams resigned
as President, Chief Executive Officer and director and was replaced by Mr. Ralph
W. Gabbard effective December 1, 1995.
 
                                       86
<PAGE>
   
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                LONG TERM COMPENSATION
                                                                            ------------------------------
                                                                                        AWARDS
                                                                            ------------------------------
                                                     ANNUAL COMPENSATION                        SECURITIES
                                                                                                UNDERLYING
NAME AND                                            ---------------------     RESTRICTED          OPTIONS/      ALL OTHER
PRINCIPAL POSITION                           YEAR      SALARY       BONUS   STOCK AWARDS           SARS(#)   COMPENSATION
- ----------------------------------------  -------   ---------   ---------   ------------   ---------------  -------------
<S>                                       <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>            <C>              <C>
John T. Williams,                            1995   $ 285,000   $       -   $2,081,250(2)               -   $  606,266(3)
  Former President, Chief Executive          1994     286,867      71,910           -                   -        2,112(4)
  Officer and Director (1)                   1993     258,400     112,500           -                   -        1,950(4)
Ralph W. Gabbard,                            1995(5)   261,000    150,000           -              15,000       12,628(6)
  President, Director                        1994      77,000     118,941           -              30,509    1,200,000(7)
                                             1993(8)         -          -           -                   -            -
William A. Fielder, III,                     1995     105,000      22,050           -               3,000        9,188(9)
  Vice President and Chief Financial         1994      95,000           -           -                   -        6,055(10)
  Officer                                    1993      88,161           -           -               7,500        6,040(11)
Joseph A. Carriere,                          1995     115,000      65,922           -               3,750          878(4)
  Vice President Corporate Sales             1994(12)     6,635         -           -                   -            -
                                             1993(8)         -          -           -                   -            -
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
 
   
(1)  Mr.  Williams resigned his  position as President,  Chief Executive Officer
     and director of the Company effective December 1, 1995.
    
   
(2)  Pursuant to Mr. Williams' employment agreement, Mr. Williams received three
     restricted stock  awards  (the  "Common  Stock  Award")  from  the  Company
     aggregating  150,000 shares of Class A  Common Stock in 1995. In connection
     with Mr. Williams' resignation  from the Company,  the Company removed  the
     restrictions  on the  Common Stock  Award in  December 1995  and the shares
     subject to such Common Stock Award became fully vested.
    
   
(3)  Upon Mr.  Williams'  resignation, the  Company  entered into  a  separation
     agreement  dated  December  1,  1995  (the  "Separation  Agreement"), which
     provided, among other things, for the  payment of $596,000 over a  two-year
     period  ending November 1997 as  consideration for consulting services, his
     resignation and certain non-compete and confidentiality agreements. $3,415,
     $2,117  and  $4,734  represent  payments   by  the  Company  for   matching
     contributions  to the  401(k) plan, term  life insurance  premiums and long
     term disability  premiums, respectively.  The Company  expensed the  entire
     $596,000 in 1995.
    
   
(4)  Represents payments by the Company for term life insurance premiums.
    
   
(5)  Mr.  Gabbard was elected President and  director of the Company in December
     1995. Prior to this election he served as Vice President of the Company and
     President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company's broadcast operations
     from September 2, 1994 to December 1995.
    
   
(6)  $3,750, $2,736 and $6,142  represent payments by  the Company for  matching
     contributions  to the  401(k) plan, term  life insurance  premiums and long
     term disability premiums, respectively.
    
   
(7)  Mr. Gabbard has an employment agreement with the Company which provides him
     with 122,034 shares  of Class  A Common Stock  if his  employment with  the
     Company   continues  until  September  1999.  The  Company  will  recognize
     approximately $1.2 million of compensation expense for this award over  the
     five-year  period.  Approximately  $80,000  and  $240,000  of  expense  was
     recorded in 1994 and 1995, respectively.
    
   
(8)  Not employed by the Company during this year.
    
 
   
(9)  $5,765, $2,406, $378 and $639 represent payments or accruals by the Company
     for supplemental retirement benefits, matching contributions to the  401(k)
     plan,  term  life insurance  premiums  and long  term  disability premiums,
     respectively.
    
   
(10) $5,717  and  $338  represent  payments  or  accruals  by  the  Company  for
     supplemental   retirement  benefits  and   term  life  insurance  premiums,
     respectively.
    
   
(11) $5,700  and  $340  represent  payments  or  accruals  by  the  Company  for
     supplemental   retirement  benefits  and   term  life  insurance  premiums,
     respectively.
    
   
(12) Mr. Carriere joined the Company in  November 1994 as President and  General
     Manager of KTVE
    
 
     STOCK  OPTIONS GRANTED.  The following  table contains information on stock
options granted to the Company's President  and the named executives during  the
year  ended December 31, 1995. Under the Company's 1992 Long Term Incentive Plan
(the "Incentive Plan") all officers and key employees are eligible for grants of
stock options and other stock-based awards. Options granted are exercisable over
a three year period beginning  on the second anniversary  of the grant date  and
expire  one month after termination of employment. The total number of shares of
Class A Common Stock issuable under the Incentive Plan is not to exceed  600,000
shares,  subject to  adjustment in  the event of  any change  in the outstanding
shares  of  such   stock  by   reason  of   a  stock   dividend,  stock   split,
recapitalization,  merger,  consolidation  or  other  similar  changes generally
affecting stockholders of the Company.
 
                                       87
<PAGE>
    The Incentive  Plan  is  administered  by  the  members  of  the  Management
Personnel  Committee of  the Board  of Directors  (the "Committee")  who are not
eligible for selection as participants  under the Incentive Plan. The  Incentive
Plan  is  intended  to  provide additional  incentives  and  motivation  for the
Company's employees. The Committee, by majority action thereof, is authorized in
its sole discretion to  determine the individuals to  whom the benefits will  be
granted,  the type  and amount of  such benefits  and the terms  thereof; and to
prescribe, amend and  rescind rules  and regulations relating  to the  Incentive
Plan, among other things.
 
                       OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE
                                                                                                       AT
                                                                                            ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF
                                    NUMBER OF     % OF TOTAL                                STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION
                                    SECURITIES     OPTIONS                                            FOR
                                    UNDERLYING    GRANTED TO   EXERCISE OR                       OPTION TERM(1)
                                     OPTIONS     EMPLOYEES IN   BASE PRICE    EXPIRATION   --------------------------
NAME                                 GRANTED     FISCAL YEAR    ($/SHARE)        DATE         5%($)         10%($)
- ---------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Ralph W. Gabbard                         15,000         25.8%        $13.33       3/30/00       $55,242      $122,071
William A. Fielder, III                   3,000          5.2%        $13.33       3/30/00       $11,048       $24,414
Joseph A. Carriere                        3,750          6.5%        $13.33       3/30/00       $13,811       $30,518
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
(1) Amounts  reported in  these columns represent  amounts that  may be realized
    upon exercise of options immediately prior  to the expiration of their  term
    assuming  the specified compounded rates of appreciation (5% and 10%) on the
    Class A  Common  Stock over  the  term of  the  options. These  numbers  are
    calculated  based on rules promulgated by  the Commission and do not reflect
    the Company's estimate of future stock  price growth. Actual gains, if  any,
    on stock option exercises and Class A Common Stock holdings are dependent on
    the timing of such exercise and the future performance of the Class A Common
    Stock.  There can be no assurance that  the rates of appreciation assumed in
    this table can be achieved or that the amounts reflected will be received by
    the option holder.
 
    STOCK OPTIONS EXERCISED.  The  following table sets forth information  about
unexercised  stock options held  by the named executives.  No stock options were
exercised by such officers during 1995.
 
              AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
                         FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           VALUE OF UNEXERCISED IN-
                                  NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED     THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT FY
                                  OPTIONS AT FY END(#)        END($) EXERCISABLE/
NAME                            EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE      UNEXERCISABLE(1)
- ------------------------------  -------------------------  -------------------------
<S>                             <C>                        <C>
Ralph W. Gabbard                                 0/45,509                $0/$318,553
William A. Fielder, III                       7,500/3,000            $61,562/$13,625
Joseph A. Carriere                                0/3,750                 $0/$17,031
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Closing price of Class A Common Stock  at December 31, 1995 was $17 7/8  per
    share.
 
   
    SUPPLEMENTAL  PENSION PLAN.   The Company  has entered  into agreements with
certain key employees  to provide these  employees with supplemental  retirement
benefits.   The  benefits  are  disbursed   after  retirement  in  contractually
predetermined payments of equal monthly amounts over the employee's life, or the
life of a  surviving eligible  spouse for  a maximum  of 15  years. The  Company
maintains  life insurance coverage  on these individuals  in adequate amounts to
fund the agreements.
    
 
    RETIREMENT PLAN.   The  Company  sponsors a  defined benefit  pension  plan,
intended  to be tax qualified, for certain of its employees and the employees of
any of its subsidiaries  which have been  designated as participating  companies
under  the plan. A participating employee who  retires on or after attaining age
65 and who has completed five years  of service upon retirement may be  eligible
to  receive during  his lifetime,  in the  form of  monthly payments,  an annual
pension equal to (i) 22% of the employee's average earnings for the highest five
consecutive years during the employee's final 10 years of employment  multiplied
by  a factor, the numerator of which is the employee's years of service credited
under the plan before 1994, the
 
                                       88
<PAGE>
denominator of which is the greater of 25 or the years of service credited under
the plan,  plus (ii)  .9% of  the employee's  monthly average  earnings for  the
highest  five consecutive years in the  employee's final ten years of employment
added to .6% of  monthly average earnings in  excess of Social Security  covered
compensation,  and multiplied by the employee's  years of service credited under
the plan after 1993, with a maximum of 25 years minus years of service  credited
under  (i) above. For participants  as of December 31,  1993, there is a minimum
benefit equal to the projected benefit under  (i) at that time. For purposes  of
illustration,  pensions estimated to be payable upon retirement of participating
employees in specified salary classifications are shown in the following table:
 
                               PENSION PLAN TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           YEARS OF SERVICE
                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REMUNERATION(1)                10            15            20            25            30            35
- ------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
<S>                       <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
$ 15,000                        $1,326        $1,986        $2,646        $3,306        $3,300        $3,300
  25,000                         2,210         3,310         4,410         5,510         5,500         5,500
  50,000                         4,709         6,909         9,109        11,309        11,000        11,000
  75,000                         7,219        10,519        13,819        17,119        16,500        16,500
 100,000                         9,729        14,129        18,529        22,929        22,000        22,000
 150,000                        14,749        21,349        27,949        34,549        33,000        33,000
 200,000                        18,269        27,069        35,869        44,669        41,067        41,486
 250,000 and above              19,622        29,268        38,914        48,560        45,014        45,473
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
(1) Five-year average annual compensation
 
    Employees may  become participants  in  the plan,  provided that  they  have
attained  age 21 and  have completed one  year of service.  Average earnings are
based upon  the salary  paid  to a  participating  employee by  a  participating
company.  Pension compensation for a particular year as used for the calculation
of  retirement  benefits  includes  salaries,  overtime  pay,  commissions   and
incentive  payments received during the year  and the employee's contribution to
the Capital  Accumulation  Plan  (as defined).  Pension  compensation  for  1995
differs  from compensation  reported in the  Summary Compensation  Table in that
pension compensation includes any annual  incentive awards received in 1995  for
services  in 1994 rather than the incentive  awards paid in 1996 for services in
1995. The maximum annual compensation considered for pension benefits under  the
plan in 1995 was $150,000.
 
    As  of December 31, 1995, full years of actual credited service in this plan
are Mr. Williams-3  years; Mr.  Fielder-4 years;  and Mr.  Carriere-1 year.  Mr.
Gabbard  had no full  years of credited  service under the  plan at December 31,
1995.
 
    CAPITAL ACCUMULATION PLAN.  Effective  October 1, 1994, the Company  adopted
the  Gray Communications Systems,  Inc. Capital Accumulation  Plan (the "Capital
Accumulation Plan") for the purpose of providing additional retirement  benefits
for  substantially all employees.  The Capital Accumulation  Plan is intended to
meet the requirements of section 401(k) of the Code.
 
    Contributions to the Capital Accumulation Plan are made by the employees  of
the  Company. The Company  matches a percentage  of each employee's contribution
which does not exceed 6%  of the employee's gross  pay. The percentage match  is
made with a contribution of Class A Common Stock and is declared by the Board of
Directors  before  the beginning  of each  Capital  Accumulation Plan  year. The
percentage match declared  for the  year ended December  31, 1995  was 50%.  The
Company's  matching contributions vest based upon the employees' number of years
of service, over a period not to  exceed five years. The Company has  registered
150,000  shares of Class A Common Stock for issuance to the Capital Accumulation
Plan.
 
                                       89
<PAGE>
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
 
    Directors who  are not  employed by  the Company  receive an  annual fee  of
$6,000.  Nonemployee directors are  paid $500 for attendance  at meetings of the
Board of Directors  and $500  for attendance at  meetings of  Committees of  the
Board.  Committee chairmen, not  employed by the  Company, receive an additional
fee of $800 for  each meeting they  attend. Any outside  director who serves  as
Chairman  of the Board receives an annual retainer of $12,000. Outside directors
are paid 40% of the usual fee  arrangement for attending any special meeting  of
the Board of Directors or any Committee thereof conducted by telephone.
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
   
    In  1995,  pursuant  to  Mr. Williams'  employment  agreement,  Mr. Williams
received the Common  Stock Award. In  December 1995, Mr.  Williams resigned  his
position as President, Chief Executive Officer and director of the Company. Upon
his  resignation, the  Company entered  into the  Separation Agreement  with Mr.
Williams which  provides for  the payment  of $596,000  over a  two-year  period
ending  November 1,  1997 as  consideration for  Mr. Williams'  agreement to (i)
resign from  the  Company  and  terminate  his  employment  agreement,  (ii)  be
available  as a consultant to  the Company from December  1, 1995 until November
30, 1997 and  (iii) not  compete with  the Company's  business and  to keep  all
information  regarding the  Company confidential  while he  is a  consultant. In
addition, under the Separation Agreement, Mr. Williams is to receive health  and
life  insurance coverage with premiums paid by the Company while he is available
as  a  consultant.   Finally,  the  Separation   Agreement  provides  that   the
restrictions  on the Common Stock Award were removed and such Common Stock Award
became fully vested.
    
 
   
    Ralph W. Gabbard and the Company entered into an employment agreement, dated
September 3,  1994, for  a five  year term.  The agreement  provides for  annual
compensation  of $250,000  during the term  of the agreement  (subject to yearly
inflation adjustment) and entitled  Mr. Gabbard to  certain fringe benefits.  In
addition  to his annual compensation, Mr. Gabbard was entitled to participate in
an annual incentive compensation plan and  the Incentive Plan. Under the  annual
incentive  compensation  plan, Mr.  Gabbard was  eligible to  receive additional
compensation if the operating profits of  the broadcasting group of the  Company
reaches  or exceeds  certain goals.  Under the  Incentive Plan,  Mr. Gabbard has
received non-qualified stock options to purchase 30,509 shares of Class A Common
Stock. These  options  are  exercisable  over  a  three  year  period  beginning
September  1996. The exercise  price for such  options is $9.66.  Upon the fifth
anniversary of  Mr. Gabbard's  employment with  the Company,  Mr. Gabbard  shall
receive 122,034 shares of Class A Common Stock.
    
 
   
    In  February  1996, the  Board  of Directors  approved  an amendment  to Mr.
Gabbard's employment  agreement  to  increase Mr.  Gabbard's  base  salary  from
$250,000  to $300,000, effective January  1, 1996 and to  establish a new annual
compensation plan  (the  "Annual  Compensation  Plan")  to  be  based  upon  the
achievement by the Company of a certain operating profit, the amount of which is
to be established by the Board of Directors. Under the Annual Compensation Plan,
if the Company achieves the targeted amount of operating profit in a given year,
Mr.  Gabbard  shall  receive  $200,000 as  additional  compensation.  The Annual
Compensation Plan  further provides  that if  the Company  exceeds the  targeted
amount  of operating profit  in a given  year, Mr. Gabbard  shall be entitled to
receive additional  compensation in  excess of  $200,000, as  determined by  the
Board of Directors. Mr. Gabbard has agreed that during the term of his agreement
and  for two  years thereafter,  he will  be subject  to certain non-competition
provisions.
    
 
    William A. Fielder, III, Vice President  and Chief Financial Officer of  the
Company,  has an employment  agreement with the Company  dated April 1991, which
was amended March  1993, to provide  for the continuation  of his annual  salary
(currently  $135,000)  for a  period of  one  year in  the event  of termination
without cause.
 
   
    Robert A. Beizer and the Company entered into an employment agreement  dated
as  of February  12, 1996,  for a two-year  term which  automatically renews for
three successive one-year  periods, subject to  certain termination  provisions.
The  agreement provides that Mr. Beizer shall  be employed as Vice President for
Law and  Development of  the Company,  with  an initial  annual base  salary  of
$200,000  and a  grant of options  to purchase  15,000 shares of  Class A Common
Stock with an exercise price  of $19.375 per share  under the Incentive Plan  at
the  inception of  his employment. Mr.  Beizer's base salary  shall be increased
yearly, based upon  a cost  of living index  and he  will receive  non-qualified
options  to purchase 7,000  shares of Class  A Common Stock  annually during the
term  of  the  agreement   at  an  exercise  price   per  share  equal  to   the
    
 
                                       90
<PAGE>
   
fair  market value of  the Class A  Common Stock on  the date of  the grant. All
options granted  are  exercisable over  a  three  year period  upon  the  second
anniversary of the grant date. If there is a "change of control" of the Company,
Mr.  Beizer will be paid a lump sum amount equal to his then current base salary
for the remaining term of the agreement and will be granted any remaining  stock
options  to which he  would have been  entitled. For purposes  of the agreement,
"change of control" is defined as any change in the control of the Company  that
would  be  required to  be reported  in response  to Item  6(e) of  Schedule 14A
promulgated under the Exchange Act. Mr.  Beizer has agreed that during the  term
of  his agreement and  for two years  thereafter, he will  be subject to certain
non-competition provisions.
    
 
                                       91
<PAGE>
   
                         SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
                        BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
    
 
   
    The  following  table  sets  forth  certain  information  with  respect   to
stockholders  who are known by  the Company to be  the beneficial owners of more
than 5% of  the outstanding Class  A Common Stock  and the number  of shares  of
Class  A  Common  Stock  beneficially owned  by  directors  and  named executive
officers of the Company, individually, and all directors and executive  officers
of  the Company as a group as of  June 15, 1996. Except as indicated below, none
of such stockholders own,  or have the  right to acquire any  shares of Class  B
Common Stock.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND ADDRESS OF                      SHARES BENEFICIALLY
BENEFICIAL OWNER                                       OWNED           PERCENT OF CLASS
- ----------------------------------  ------------------------   ------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                        <C>
Bull Run Corporation (1)                           1,211,590                       27.1%
George H. Nader (2)                                  240,899                        5.4%
Ralph W. Gabbard                                         918                          *
William A. Fielder III (3)                             8,563                          *
Sabra H. Cowart                                          195                          *
Robert A. Beizer                                          --                          *
Thomas J. Stultz                                       1,500                          *
Joseph A. Carriere                                       594                          *
William E. Mayher III (3)                             16,500                          *
Richard L. Boger (3)                                  24,150                          *
Hilton H. Howell, Jr. (3)(4)(5)(6)                    69,150                        1.6%
Howell W. Newton (3)                                   9,250                          *
Hugh Norton (3)                                       16,500                          *
Robert S. Prather, Jr. (3)(4)(7)                      30,750                          *
J. Mack Robinson (3)(4)(6)(8)                        791,940                       17.7%
John T. Williams (9)                                  78,752                        1.8%
All directors and executive                   (4)-(1,048,7628),
 officers as a group (14 persons)             (10)                                 23.2%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
 *   Less than 1%.
 
   
(1)  Owned  by Bull Run through  its wholly-owned subsidiary, Datasouth Computer
     Corporation. The  address of  Bull  Run is  4370 Peachtree  Road,  Atlanta,
     Georgia  30319. Does not include  warrants subject to shareholder approval.
     See "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions."
    
 
(2)  Mr. Nader's address is P.O. Box 271, 1011 Fifth Avenue, West Point, Georgia
     31833.
 
   
(3)  Includes 7,500 shares subject to currently exercisable options.
    
 
(4)  Excludes shares owned by Bull Run. Messrs. Howell, Prather and Robinson are
     directors and  officers  of Bull  Run.  Messrs. Prather  and  Robinson  are
     principal shareholders of Bull Run.
 
(5)  Includes  39,050 shares owned by Mr. Howell's  wife, as to which shares Mr.
     Howell disclaims beneficial ownership. Excludes 63,000 shares held in trust
     for Mr. Howell's wife.
 
(6)  Excludes as to Mr. Howell, and includes as to Mr. Robinson, an aggregate of
     297,540 shares owned by certain companies of which Mr. Howell is an officer
     and director and Mr.  Robinson is an officer,  director and a principal  or
     sole stockholder.
 
(7)  Includes  150 shares owned  by Mr. Prather's  wife, as to  which shares Mr.
     Prather disclaims beneficial ownership.
 
(8)  Includes an  aggregate  of 256,650  shares  owned by  Mr.  Robinson's  wife
     directly  and  as  trustee for  their  daughters,  as to  which  shares Mr.
     Robinson disclaims  beneficial ownership.  Mr. Robinson's  address is  4370
     Peachtree Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30319.
 
(9)  Mr. Williams resigned his position as President and Chief Executive Officer
     of the Company effective December 1, 1995.
 
   
(10) Includes 60,000 shares subject to currently exercisable options.
    
 
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<PAGE>
   
                 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
    
 
   
    Gray   Kentucky  Television,  Inc.,  a  subsidiary  of  the  Company  ("Gray
Kentucky") is a  party to a  joint venture agreement  with Host  Communications,
Inc.  ("Host")  and  certain  other parties  not  affiliated  with  the Company,
pursuant to which the parties formed a joint venture to exploit Host's rights to
broadcast and market University  of Kentucky football  and basketball games  and
related  activities. Pursuant  to such agreement,  Gray Kentucky  is licensed to
broadcast University  of  Kentucky football  and  basketball games  and  related
activities.  Under  this  agreement,  Gray  Kentucky  also  provides  Host  with
production and  certain  marketing services  and  Host provides  accounting  and
various marketing services. During the year ended December 31, 1995, the Company
received approximately $332,000 from this joint venture.
    
 
    Bull  Run currently  owns 51.5% of  the outstanding common  stock of Capital
Sports Properties, Inc. ("CSP"). CSP's assets consist of all of the  outstanding
preferred  stock of Host  and warrants to  purchase Host common  stock. Bull Run
also owns  approximately  9.4% of  Host's  currently outstanding  common  shares
directly, thereby giving Bull Run total direct and indirect ownership of Host of
approximately   29.7%,   assuming  conversion   of  all   currently  outstanding
exercisable stock options and warrants for  Host common stock. Messrs. Ralph  W.
Gabbard  and Robert S. Prather, Jr., members of the Company's Board of Directors
are also members of the board of directors of both CSP and Host.
 
    The Company's Board of  Directors approved payments to  Bull Run of  finders
fees for the acquisition of the GWINNETT DAILY POST, the Augusta Acquisition and
the  Phipps Acquisition. The Company  agreed to pay finders  fees of $75,000 and
$360,000 for the acquisition  of GWINNETT DAILY  POST and Augusta  Acquisitions,
respectively.  The Board of Directors  has agreed to pay a  finders fee of 1% of
the proposed purchase price of the Phipps Acquisition for services performed, of
which $550,000 was due and included in accounts payable at December 31, 1995.
 
   
    On January 3, 1996, Bull Run purchased for $10 million from the Company  (i)
the  8% Note in  the principal amount of  $10 million due  in January 2005, with
interest payable  quarterly  beginning  March  31, 1996  and  (ii)  warrants  to
purchase 487,500 shares of Class A Common Stock at $17.88 per share, (subject to
customary  antidilution provisions) 300,000 of which are currently fully vested,
with the remaining warrants vesting in five equal annual installments commencing
January 3, 1997, provided that the 8%  Note is outstanding. On January 3,  1996,
the  closing price  of the  Class A  Common Stock  on the  NYSE was  $17.75. The
warrants (which represent 9.9% of the currently issued and outstanding shares of
Class A Common  Stock, after  giving effect to  the exercise  of such  warrants)
expire  in January 2006 and may not  be exercised unless shareholder approval of
the issuance of  the warrants is  obtained, which  is expected to  occur at  the
Company's  next annual meeting of shareholders.  The Company obtained an opinion
from The  Robinson-Humphrey  Company, Inc.,  one  of the  underwriters  of  this
Offering  and the Concurrent Offering, stating  that the terms and conditions of
the 8% Note were fair from a financial point of view to the shareholders of  the
Company. The proceeds from the sale of the 8% Note and the warrants were used to
fund, in part, the Augusta Acquisition.
    
 
   
    In  connection with the issuance by the Company of the $10 million letter of
credit in the Phipps Acquisition, J.  Mack Robinson, a director of the  Company,
executed  a put agreement in favor of the  letter of credit issuer, for which he
received no consideration from the Company.  Pursuant to such agreement, in  the
event  that such  letter of credit  is drawn upon  by the sellers  of the Phipps
Business and the  Company defaults  on the repayment  of such  amounts so  drawn
under  the letter of credit, Mr. Robinson has  agreed to pay such amounts to the
issuer of the letter of credit.
    
 
ISSUANCES OF PREFERRED STOCK
 
   
    As part of the Financing, the 8%  Note will be retired and the Company  will
issue  to Bull  Run, in  exchange therefor, 1,000  shares of  Series A Preferred
Stock. Subject to certain limitations, holders  of the Series A Preferred  Stock
are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out
of  funds of  the Company  legally available for  payment, cash  dividends at an
annual rate of $800 per share. The  Series A Preferred Stock has priority as  to
dividends  over the Common Stock and any  other series or class of the Company's
stock which ranks junior  as to dividends  to the Series  A Preferred Stock.  In
case of the
    
 
                                       93
<PAGE>
   
voluntary  or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company,
holders of  the  Series  A  Preferred  Stock  will  be  entitled  to  receive  a
liquidation  price of $10,000 per share, plus an amount equal to any accrued and
unpaid dividends to the payment date, before any payment or distribution is made
to the holders of  Common Stock or  any other series or  class of the  Company's
stock  which ranks  junior as  to liquidation rights  to the  Series A Preferred
Stock. The  Series A  Preferred  Stock may  be redeemed  at  the option  of  the
Company,  in whole or in part at any  time, at $10,000 per share, plus an amount
equal to  any accrued  and unpaid  dividends  to the  redemption date  and  such
redemption  price may be paid, at the Company's  option, in cash or in shares of
Class A Common Stock. The holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock will not
be entitled to vote on any matter  except (i) with respect to the  authorization
or  issuance of capital stock ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Stock and
with respect to certain amendments  to the Company's Articles of  Incorporation,
(ii) if the Company shall have failed to declare and pay dividends on the Series
A  Preferred Stock  for any  six quarterly payment  periods, in  which event the
holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect two directors
to the Company's Board  of Directors until the  full dividends accumulated  have
been  declared and paid and  (iii) as required by  law. In addition, without the
affirmative vote  of the  holders of  a majority  of the  outstanding shares  of
Series  A Preferred  Stock, the Company  may not  authorize or issue  a class or
series of, or  security convertible into,  capital stock ranking  senior to  the
Series  A Preferred Stock as to the  payment of dividends or the distribution of
assets upon liquidation, or  adversely change the preferences  or powers of  the
Series  A Preferred  Stock. The warrants  issued with  the 8% Note  will vest in
accordance with  the  schedule  described  above, provided  that  the  Series  A
Preferred Stock remains outstanding.
    
 
   
    In  addition, as part of the Financing,  the Company will issue to Bull Run,
an affiliate of the Company, for $10 million, 1,000 shares of Series B Preferred
Stock. Subject to certain limitations, holders  of the Series B Preferred  Stock
are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out
of  funds of the  Company legally available  for payment, dividends  of Series B
Preferred Stock at an annual rate of $600 per share, except that the Company  at
its  option may pay such  dividends in cash or in  additional shares of Series B
Preferred Stock valued, for the purpose of determining the number of shares  (or
fraction  thereof) of such Series B Preferred Stock to be issued, at $10,000 per
share. The Series B Preferred Stock has priority as to dividends over the Common
Stock and any other series or class of the Company's stock which ranks junior as
to dividends  as the  Series B  Preferred Stock.  In case  of the  voluntary  or
involuntary  liquidation, dissolution or  winding up of  the Company, holders of
the Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a liquidation price  of
$10,000  per share, plus an amount equal  to any accrued and unpaid dividends to
the payment date, before any payment or  distribution is made to the holders  of
Common  Stock or any  other series or  class of the  Company's stock which ranks
junior as to liquidation rights  to the Series B  Preferred Stock. The Series  B
Preferred  Stock may be  redeemed at the option  of the Company,  in whole or in
part at any time, at $10,000 per share, plus an amount equal to any accrued  and
unpaid  dividends to the redemption date and  such redemption price may be paid,
at the Company's  option, in  cash or  in shares of  Class A  Common Stock.  The
holders  of shares of Series  B Preferred Stock will not  be entitled to vote on
any matter except (i) with respect  to the authorization or issuance of  capital
stock ranking senior to the Series B Preferred Stock and with respect to certain
amendments to the Company's Articles of Incorporation, (ii) if the Company shall
have failed to declare and pay dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock for any
six  quarterly  payment periods,  in which  event  the holders  of the  Series B
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect two directors to the Company's  Board
of  Directors until the  full dividends accumulated have  been declared and paid
and (iii) as required by law. In  addition, without the affirmative vote of  the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, the
Company may not authorize or issue a class or series of, or security convertible
into,  capital stock ranking  senior to the  Series B Preferred  Stock as to the
payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation or adversely
change the preferences or powers of the Series B Preferred Stock.
    
 
   
    In connection with the issuance of the  Series B Preferred Stock as part  of
the  Financing, (i) the  Company will issue  to Bull Run  warrants entitling the
holder thereof to purchase 500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock at an exercise
price of  $24.00  per share,  (subject  to customary  antidilution  provisions),
representing  10.1% of  the currently issued  and outstanding shares  of Class A
Common Stock, after  giving effect to  the exercise of  such warrants. Of  these
warrants,    300,000   will    vest   upon   issuance,    with   the   remaining
    
 
                                       94
<PAGE>
   
warrants vesting in five equal installments commencing on the first  anniversary
of  the date of issuance.  The issuance of the warrants  must be approved by the
Company's shareholders, which is expected to occur at the Company's next  annual
meeting  of  shareholders.  They  may  not  be  exercised  prior  to  the second
anniversary of the date of issuance and will expire on the tenth anniversary  of
the  date of issuance. The Company expects  to obtain a written opinion from The
Robinson-Humphrey Company, Inc., one  of the underwriters  of this Offering  and
the  Concurrent Offering, stating that the terms  and conditions of the Series B
Preferred Stock and  the warrants are  fair to the  shareholders of the  Company
from a financial point of view.
    
 
                                       95
<PAGE>
   
                      DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS
    
 
THE SENIOR CREDIT FACILITY
 
   
    The  Company has  executed a  commitment letter  with respect  to the Senior
Credit Facility. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will  enter
into the Senior Credit Facility on the terms described herein or at all.
    
 
   
    As of March 31, 1996, approximately $52.6 million of indebtedness (excluding
accrued  interest) was outstanding under the Old Credit Facility. As part of the
Financing, the Company will retire all of the outstanding indebtedness under the
Old Credit Facility and will enter into the Senior Credit Facility.
    
 
   
    The Senior Credit Facility will provide for borrowings of up to an aggregate
of $125.0 million in the form of a seven-year reducing revolving credit facility
in the  amount  of  $53.5  million ("Facility  A")  and  a  seven-year  reducing
revolving  credit/term facility in  the amount of  $71.5 million ("Facility B").
The Senior Credit Facility will also provide for the issuance of standby letters
of credit in an aggregate amount of up to $15.0 million to the extent that there
is borrowing availability under the Senior Credit Facility.
    
 
   
    Funds available under  the Senior  Credit Facility are  available to  retire
indebtedness under the Old Credit Facility and under the Senior Note, to finance
certain  acquisitions,  to fund  the optional  redemption of  the Notes  and for
capital expenditures and working capital  needs. In addition, the Senior  Credit
Facility may be used to fund, in part, the Phipps Acquisition.
    
 
   
    Commitments  under Facility  A will  be reduced  in equal  quarterly amounts
commencing on March 31, 1997 with a final maturity of June 30, 2003. Facility  B
will  convert to a  term loan at  December 31, 1998,  the outstanding balance of
which must thereafter be repaid  on a quarterly basis  with a final maturity  of
June 30, 2003.
    
 
   
    Interest  under the Senior Credit Facility will be payable, at the Company's
option, at LIBOR or  the prime rate,  in each case,  plus a floating  percentage
tied  to the Company's ratio of total  debt to operating cash flow, ranging from
LIBOR plus 3.00% or the prime rate plus 0.75%, based upon a 6.25 to 1 ratio,  to
LIBOR  plus 1.50% or the prime rate, based upon  a 4 to 1 ratio. Pursuant to the
Senior Credit Facility, the Company will be required to enter into interest rate
swap agreements for the purpose of  interest rate protection covering an  amount
of borrowings thereunder of no less than 50% of the outstanding principal amount
of indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facility.
    
 
   
    The Senior Credit Facility will be secured by the pledge of all of the stock
of  the subsidiaries of the Company and a first lien on all of the assets of the
Company and  its subsidiaries.  Each of  the subsidiaries  of the  Company  will
guarantee the Company's obligations under the Senior Credit Facility.
    
 
   
    The  Senior  Credit  Facility  will contain  restrictions  on  the Company's
ability to  pay  dividends and  make  certain acquisitions.  The  Senior  Credit
Facility  will also contain provisions requiring the Company to maintain certain
financial ratios, including a total debt to operating cash flow ratio, a  senior
debt  to operating  cash flow  ratio, an operating  cash flow  to total interest
expense ratio and an operating cash flow to pro forma debt service ratio.
    
 
   
    The Senior Credit Facility will require the  Company to apply at the end  of
each  fiscal year, commencing on December 31,  1997, 50% (if the Company's total
debt to  operating cash  flow ratio  at the  end of  such year  is 4.5  to 1  or
greater)  of its "Excess  Cash Flow" to  reduce outstanding debt,  on a pro rata
basis, under Facilities A and  B. In addition, the  Company will be required  to
apply from the proceeds of any permitted equity issuance an amount sufficient to
reduce  the Company's leverage  to specified levels.  The Senior Credit Facility
will require the Company to use the  proceeds from certain asset sales to  repay
indebtedness  under the Senior Credit Facility.  The Senior Credit Facility will
also  contain  a  number  of   customary  covenants  including,  among   others,
limitations  on investments and advances, mergers  and sales of assets, liens on
assets, affiliate transactions and changes in business.
    
 
                                       96
<PAGE>
                            DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
 
    Pursuant  to the Concurrent  Offering, the Company  is offering $150,000,000
aggregate principal  amount of  its     % Senior  Subordinated Notes  due  2006.
Interest  on  the  Notes  is  payable  semi-annually  on                     and
                    , commencing             , 1996,  at the rate of      %  per
annum.  The Notes  are redeemable,  in whole or  in part,  at the  option of the
Company on or after           , 2001, at the redemption prices set forth in  the
Indenture  pursuant to which the  Notes are to be  issued (the "Indenture") plus
accrued interest to  the date  of redemption. In  addition, at  any time  before
          ,  1999,  the Company,  at its  option, may  redeem up  to 35%  of the
aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued with the net  proceeds
of one or more Public Equity Offerings (as defined in the Indenture), other than
this  Offering, at the redemption prices set forth in the Indenture plus accrued
interest to  the date  of redemption;  provided, however,  that at  least  $97.5
million   in  aggregate  principal  amount   of  the  Notes  remain  outstanding
immediately after any such redemption.
 
   
    The  Notes  will  be  general  unsecured  obligations  of  the  Company  and
subordinated  in  right  of  payment  to all  Senior  Debt  (as  defined  in the
Indenture), including  all indebtedness  of  the Company  under the  New  Credit
Facility.  Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Notes will be guaranteed,
jointly and severally, on  a senior subordinated unsecured  basis by all of  the
Company's subsidiaries (the "Subsidiary Guarantors").
    
 
    Upon  a Change of  Control (as defined  in the Indenture),  each holder will
have the right to  require the Company  to repurchase such  holder's Notes at  a
price  equal to 101% of their principal amount plus accrued interest to the date
of repurchase. If the Phipps Acquisition is not consummated prior to           ,
1996, the  Company  will  be  required  to redeem  the  Notes  on  or  prior  to
          ,  1996 at a redemption price equal to 101% of the principal amount of
the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption.  At
any  time prior to              ,  1996, if the Phipps  Acquisition has not been
consummated, the Company, may, at its option, redeem the Notes, in whole but not
in part, at a  redemption price equal  to 101% of  the principal amount  thereof
plus  accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption. In addition,
the Company will  be obligated to  offer to  repurchase Notes at  100% of  their
principal amount plus accrued interest to the date of repurchase in the event of
certain asset sales.
 
    The  Indenture will impose certain limitations on the ability of the Company
and its subsidiaries to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness,  pay
dividends  or make certain  other restricted payments,  consummate certain asset
sales, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, incur indebtedness  that
is  subordinate in right of payment to  any senior debt or guarantor senior debt
and senior in right of payment to  the Notes or any subsidiary guarantor,  incur
liens,  impose restrictions on the  ability of a subsidiary  to pay dividends or
make certain payments to the Company, merge or consolidate with any other person
or sell,  assign,  transfer,  lease,  convey or  otherwise  dispose  of  all  or
substantially all of the assets of the Company.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
GENERAL
 
    The  following descriptions  of certain terms  of the Class  A Common Stock,
Class B Common Stock, preferred stock (the "Preferred Stock") and the  Company's
warrants  are intended as summaries only and  are qualified in their entirety by
reference to the complete text of  the Articles of Incorporation of the  Company
and such warrants.
 
CLASS A AND CLASS B COMMON STOCK
 
   
    VOTING.  Holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to 10 votes per share.
Holders  of Class B Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share. All actions
submitted to a vote of shareholders are voted on by holders of Class A and Class
B Common Stock voting together as  a single class, except as otherwise  provided
by  law. Immediately after the consummation  of this Offering and the Concurrent
Offering, the  Class  B  Common  Stock  will  have  approximately  7.3%  of  the
outstanding voting power of the Company.
    
 
                                       97
<PAGE>
    DIVIDENDS.   Holders of  Class B Common  Stock are entitled  to receive cash
dividends on an equal per share basis as  Class A Common Stock if and when  such
dividends  are declared  by the  Board of  Directors of  the Company  from funds
legally available therefor.
 
    LIQUIDATION.  Holders of Class  A and Class B  Common Stock share with  each
other  on a ratable  basis as a  single class in  the net assets  of the Company
available for distribution in respect to Class A and Class B Common Stock in the
event of liquidation.
 
   
    CLASS B RIGHTS.  Voting rights  disproportionate to equity ownership may  be
acquired  through  acquisitions of  Class A  Common Stock  without corresponding
purchases of Class B Common  Stock. The Class B Rights  are intended to make  it
more difficult for a buyer who has not acquired 100% of the Class B Common Stock
to  acquire 100% of the Class A Common  Stock. Although the Class B Rights might
make the Company a less attractive target for a takeover bid, the Class B Rights
are intended to help reduce  or eliminate any disparity  in the prices at  which
the  two classes of Common Stock might trade  and to give holders of the Class B
Common Stock the opportunity  to participate in any  premium that might be  paid
for 100% of the Class A Common Stock.
    
 
   
    If,  after  the consummation  of this  Offering, 1996,  any person  or group
acquires  beneficial  ownership  of  100%  of  the  Class  A  Common  Stock   (a
"Significant  Shareholder"), and such person or group does not immediately after
such acquisition beneficially own 100% of the Class B Common Stock, the Class  B
Rights  require  that  such  Significant  Shareholder,  within  a  90-day period
beginning the day after  becoming a Significant  Shareholder, commence a  public
tender  offer to acquire 100% of the Class B Common Stock (a "Class B Protection
Transaction"). The requirement to engage in a Class B Protection Transaction  is
satisfied  by making the requisite offer and purchasing validly tendered shares,
even if the  number of shares  tendered is less  than 100%. The  Class B  Rights
cannot be amended without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Class
B Common Stock, voting separately as a class.
    
 
   
    The  offer  price for  the shares  of Class  B Common  Stock required  to be
purchased by  the  Significant Shareholder  pursuant  to a  Class  B  Protection
Transaction  is  the greater  of (i)  the highest  price per  share paid  by the
Significant Shareholder for either class of Common Stock in the six-month period
ending on the  date such person  or group became  a Significant Shareholder  and
(ii) the highest price per share of either class of Common Stock on The NYSE (or
such  other quotation system  or securities exchange  constituting the principal
trading market for  either class of  Common Stock) during  the 30 calendar  days
preceding  the acquisition of the shares of  Class A Common Stock giving rise to
the Class B Protection Feature.
    
 
   
    If a  Significant  Shareholder  fails  to undertake  a  Class  B  Protection
Transaction,   the  voting  rights  of  the  shares  of  Class  A  Common  Stock
beneficially owned by such Significant  Shareholder that exceeded such  holder's
comparable  percentage  of  Class  B  Common  Stock  would  be  suspended  until
completion of  a Class  B Protection  Transaction or  until divestiture  of  the
shares  of Class A Common Stock that  were in excess of the percentage ownership
of Class B Common Stock.  To the extent that the  voting power of any shares  of
Class  A Common Stock is  so suspended, such shares will  not be included in the
determination of aggregate voting  shares for any purpose.  Neither the Class  B
Protection  Transaction  requirement  not  the related  penalty  applies  to any
increase in percentage ownership of Class A Common Stock resulting solely from a
change in the total amount of Class A Common Stock outstanding.
    
 
   
    For purposes of  the Class B  Rights, the terms  "beneficial ownership"  and
"group"  generally have the same meanings  as used in Regulation 13D promulgated
under the Securities  Exchange Act  of 1934,  as amended  (the "Exchange  Act"),
subject   to  certain  exceptions  set  forth   in  the  Company's  Articles  of
Incorporation. In addition, only  shares of Class B  Common Stock acquired by  a
Significant  Shareholder  for an  "equitable price"  shall  be treated  as being
beneficially owned by such Significant Shareholder. An "equitable price" will be
deemed to have  been paid only  when shares of  Class B Common  Stock have  been
acquired  at a price at least equal to  the greater of (i) the highest price per
share paid by the Significant Shareholder  for either class of the Common  Stock
in  the  six-month period  ending  on the  date such  person  or group  became a
Significant Shareholder and (ii) the highest price per share of either class  of
Common Stock
    
 
                                       98
<PAGE>
   
on  the NYSE (or such other quotation system or securities exchange constituting
the principal trading  market for either  class of Common  Stock) during the  30
calendar  days  preceding the  date such  person or  group became  a Significant
Shareholder.
    
 
   
    The Class B Rights do not prevent any person or group from acquiring 100% of
the Class A Common  Stock, provided such  person or group  acquires 100% of  the
Class  B  Common  Stock at  the  same or  greater  price, undertakes  a  Class B
Protection Transaction or  suffers suspension  of the voting  rights of  certain
shares  of Class A Common Stock as provided by  the Class B Rights. If a Class B
Protection Transaction is required, the purchase price to be paid in such  offer
may  be higher than the price at which a Significant Shareholder might otherwise
be able  to  acquire  100%  of  the Class  B  Common  Stock.  Such  requirement,
therefore, could make an acquisition of a significant or controlling interest in
the Company more expensive and, if a Class B Protection Transaction is required,
time  consuming, than if such requirement  did not exist. Consequently, a person
or group  might be  deterred from  acquiring the  Company as  a result  of  such
requirement.
    
 
    PREEMPTIVE  RIGHTS.   The holders of  the Class  A Common Stock  and Class B
Common Stock do  not have preemptive  rights enabling them  to subscribe for  or
receive  shares of  any class of  stock of  the Company or  any other securities
convertible into shares of any class of stock of the Company.
 
                                       99
<PAGE>
PREFERRED STOCK AND WARRANTS
 
    GENERAL.  The Company is authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of  Preferred
Stock.  The  Board  of Directors  of  the Company,  without  further shareholder
approval, has the authority  to issue, at  any time and from  time to time,  the
Preferred  Stock of any series and, in connection with the creation of each such
series, to fix  the number of  shares of  such series and  the relative  rights,
powers, preferences, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of such series
to  the full  extent now or  hereafter permitted by  the laws of  Georgia. For a
description of the Series  A Preferred Stock, Series  B Preferred Stock and  the
Company's warrants, see "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions."
 
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS
 
    The Articles of Incorporation provide that the directors of the Company will
not  be  personally  liable for  monetary  damages  to the  Company  for certain
breaches of their fiduciary duty as directors, except for liability (i) for  any
appropriation,   in  violation  of  such  director's  duties,  of  any  business
opportunity of the Company, (ii) for acts or omissions which involve intentional
misconduct  or  a  knowing  violation  of  law,  (iii)  for  unlawful  corporate
distributions  or (iv)  for any transaction  from which the  director derived an
improper  personal  benefit.  This  provision  would  have  no  effect  on   the
availability of equitable remedies or non-monetary relief, such as an injunction
or  rescission for breach  of duty of  care. In addition,  the provision applies
only to claims against a director arising out of his role as a director and  not
in any other capacity (such as an officer or employee of the Company). Directors
will,  however, no longer be liable  for monetary damages arising from decisions
involving violations  of  the  duty  of  care  which  could  be  deemed  grossly
negligent.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
    Mellon Securities Trust Company will be the Transfer Agent and Registrar for
the Class B Common Stock.
 
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
   
    Upon  completion  of  this  Offering,  the  Company  will  have  outstanding
4,466,195 shares of  Class A Common  Stock based upon  shares outstanding as  of
June 15, 1996 and 3,500,000 shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding (assuming
no  exercise  of  the  Underwriters' over-allotment  option).  Of  these shares,
         shares of Class A Common Stock and all of the Class B Common Stock sold
in this  Offering will  be freely  tradeable without  restriction or  limitation
under   the  Securities  Act,  except  for  any  shares  held  or  purchased  by
"affiliates" or persons  acting as  "underwriters," as these  terms are  defined
under the Securities Act.
    
 
   
    Approximately              shares of Class  A Common Stock  held by existing
shareholders may not be sold unless they are registered under the Securities Act
or sold  pursuant to  an exemption  from registration,  such as  the  exemptions
provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.
    
 
    In  general, under Rule 144  as currently in effect,  any person (or persons
whose shares are aggregated), including an affiliate, who has beneficially owned
shares for at least a two-year period  (as computed under Rule 144) is  entitled
to sell within any three-month period up to the number of Restricted Shares that
does not exceed the greater of (i) one percent of the then outstanding shares of
Common  Stock of  such class or  (ii) the  average weekly trading  volume in the
related class  of Common  Stock of  such Class  during the  four calendar  weeks
immediately  preceding the date  on which the  notice of sale  is filed with the
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,  subject   to  certain  manner  of   sale
provisions,   notice  requirements  and  the   availability  of  current  public
information about  the  Company.  In addition,  restricted  shares  (within  the
meaning  of Rule 144 under  the Securities Act) that have  been held by a person
who is not an "affiliate"  of the Company for at  least three years may be  sold
under  Rule 144(k)  without regard to  the volume limitations  or current public
information or manner of sale requirements of Rule 144.
 
    In addition, the holders  of            shares of Class  A Common Stock  and
options  or warrants to acquire an additional    shares of Class A Common Stock,
including the Company's directors  and executive officers and  Bull Run and  its
affiliates  have agreed  that they  will not  sell or  otherwise dispose  of any
shares of
 
                                      100
<PAGE>
Class  A  Common  Stock  or  securities  convertible  into,  or  exercisable  or
exchangeable for, Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock without the prior
consent of The Robinson-Humphrey Company, Inc. for a period of 180 days from the
date of this Prospectus. See "Underwriting."
 
    Prior to this Offering, there has not been any public market for the Class B
Common  Stock. No prediction can  be made as to the  effect, if any, that market
sales of shares or the availability of  shares for sale will have on the  market
price  prevailing from time to time.  Nevertheless, sales of substantial amounts
of Class A  Common Stock  or Class  B Common Stock  in the  public market  could
adversely  affect the prevailing market price and  the ability of the Company to
raise equity capital in the future. See "Risk Factors--No Prior Public Market."
 
                                      101
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
    Subject  to  the terms  and conditions  of  the Underwriting  Agreement, the
Underwriters  named  below,  for   whom  The  Robinson-Humphrey  Company,   Inc.
("Robinson-Humphrey"),  Allen &  Company Incorporated ("Allen  & Company"), J.C.
Bradford & Co.  and J.P. Morgan  Securities Inc. ("J.P.  Morgan") are acting  as
representatives  (collectively, the "Representatives"), have severally agreed to
purchase  from  the  Company  and  the  Company  has  agreed  to  sell  to   the
Underwriters,  the number of shares  of Class B Common  Stock set forth opposite
their respective names below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 NUMBER OF SHARES
                                                                                                 -----------------
<S>                                                                                              <C>
The Robinson-Humphrey Company, Inc.............................................................
Allen & Company Incorporated...................................................................
J.C. Bradford & Co.............................................................................
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.....................................................................
                                                                                                        -------
  Total........................................................................................
                                                                                                        -------
                                                                                                        -------
</TABLE>
 
    The Underwriting  Agreement provides  that the  obligations of  the  several
Underwriers  thereunder  are subject  to approval  of  certain legal  matters by
counsel and  to  various  other  conditions. The  nature  of  the  Underwriters'
obligations  is such that they  are committed to purchase  all shares of Class B
Common Stock offered hereby if any are purchased.
 
    The Underwriters  propose  to offer  the  shares  of Class  B  Common  Stock
directly  to the public  at the Price to  Public set forth on  the cover page of
this Prospectus and to certain  dealers at such price  less a concession not  in
excess  of $       per share. The  Underwriters may allow,  and such dealers may
reallow, a concession not in excess of $     per share in sales to certain other
dealers. After the Offering, the Price to Public and other selling terms may  be
changed.
 
    The Company, Bull Run and its affiliates and each of the Company's directors
and  executive officers have agreed that they  will not offer, sell or otherwise
dispose of any shares of Class A Common Stock or securities convertible into, or
exercisable or exchangeable for, Class A  Common Stock or Class B Common  Stock,
subject  to certain exceptions, for  a period of 180 days  from the date of this
Prospectus without the prior written consent of Robinson-Humphrey.
 
    The Company has granted the Underwriters  an option exercisable for 30  days
after the date of this Prospectus to purchase up to 525,000 additional shares of
Class  B Common Stock to cover-allotments, if  any, at the public offering price
less the  underwriting  discount,  as  set  forth on  the  cover  page  of  this
Prospectus.  If  the  Underwriters  exercise  their  over-allotment  option, the
Underwriters have severally agreed, subject  to certain conditions, to  purchase
approximately  the  same percentage  thereof  that the  number  of shares  to be
purchased by  each of  them,  as shown  in the  foregoing  table, bears  to  the
3,500,000  shares of Class  B Common Stock offered  hereby. The Underwriters may
exercise such option only to cover  over-allotments in connection with the  sale
of the shares of Class B Common Stock offered hereby.
 
    Prior  to this  Offering there  has been  no public  market for  the Class B
Common Stock. The initial  offering price of  the Class B  Common Stock will  be
based  on the closing price of the Class  A Common Stock on the date of offering
and will  be  determined  through  negotiations  between  the  Company  and  the
Underwriters.  There can be  no assurance that  the market price  of the Class B
Common Stock subsequent to this Offering  will correlate to the market price  of
the  Class A  Common Stock.  The Company intends  to apply  to list  the Class B
Common Stock on the NYSE. The Underwriters have advised the NYSE that they  will
undertake  to ensure that  the NYSE share distribution  standards required to be
satisfied for initial listing of the Class B Common Stock will be met.
 
    Robinson-Humphrey,  Allen  &   Company  and  J.P.   Morgan  are  acting   as
underwriters  in  connection  with  the  Concurrent  Offering  and  will receive
customary fees  in connection  therewith.  Robinson-Humphrey will  be  rendering
investment  banking advice in  connection with the  exchange of the  8% Note for
Series A
 
                                      102
<PAGE>
Preferred Stock and the sale  of the Series B  Preferred Stock and warrants  and
will receive customary fees in connection therewith. Robinson-Humphrey from time
to time has performed investment banking services for the Company and certain of
its affiliates, for which it has received customary fees.
 
    The  Underwriters do not intend to confirm sales of shares of Class B Common
Stock to any accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.
 
    The Company has agreed to indemnify the several Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
    The validity of the shares  of Class B Common  Stock offered hereby will  be
passed  upon for  the Company  by Heyman  & Sizemore,  Atlanta, Georgia. Certain
other legal matters in connection with this Offering will be passed upon for the
Company by Proskauer Rose  Goetz & Mendelsohn LLP,  New York, New York.  Certain
legal  matters in  connection with  this Offering  will be  passed upon  for the
Underwriters by King & Spalding, Atlanta, Georgia.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The consolidated financial  statements and schedule  of Gray  Communications
Systems,  Inc. at December 31, 1995 and 1994, and for each of the three years in
the  period  ended  December  31,   1995,  appearing  in  this  Prospectus   and
Registration  Statement  have been  audited by  Ernst  & Young  LLP, independent
auditors, as set forth in their  report thereon appearing elsewhere herein,  and
are  included in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm
as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
    The financial statements of  WRDW-TV at December 31,  1995 and for the  year
then  ended appearing  in this Prospectus  and Registration  Statement have been
audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report
thereon appearing  elsewhere herein,  and  are included  in reliance  upon  such
report  given  upon the  authority of  such  firm as  experts in  accounting and
auditing.
 
    The financial  statements of  WRDW-TV (an  operating station  of  Television
Station  Partners, L.P.) at December  31, 1994 and for  the years ended December
31, 1993 and 1994  included in this Prospectus  and Registration Statement  have
been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, and are included in
reliance  upon the report of such firm  given upon their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.
 
    The financial  statements  and  schedule  of  the  Broadcasting  and  Paging
Operations  of John H. Phipps, Inc. at December  31, 1995 and 1994, and for each
of the three  years in the  period ended  December 31, 1995,  appearing in  this
Prospectus  and Registration Statement  have been audited by  Ernst & Young LLP,
independent auditors, as set forth in their reports thereon appearing  elsewhere
herein,  and are included in reliance upon such reports given upon the authority
of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
    The Company  has filed  with  the Securities  and Exchange  Commission  (the
"Commission")   a  Registration   Statement  on  Form   S-1  (the  "Registration
Statement") under the Securities  Act. This Prospectus does  not contain all  of
the  information set forth  in the Registration Statement  and the schedules and
exhibits thereto. For further  information with respect to  the Company and  the
Class B Common Stock, reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and
to  the schedules and exhibits thereto.  Statements contained in this Prospectus
as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to herein are  not
necessarily  complete and where such contract or other document is an exhibit to
the Registration Statement, each such statement is qualified in all respects  by
the  provisions of such  exhibit, to which  reference is hereby  made for a full
statement of the provisions thereof.
 
    The Company is subject to  the informational requirements of the  Securities
Exchange  Act  of  1934, as  amended  (the  "Exchange Act")  and,  in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other
 
                                      103
<PAGE>
information with the  Commission. Such Registration  Statements, reports,  proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company with the Commission may be
inspected and copied at the public reference facilities of the Commission at its
principal  office  at  Room  1024,  Judiciary  Plaza,  450  Fifth  Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's regional offices at Seven  World
Trade  Center, 13th Floor, New  York, New York 10048  and at Room 3190, Citicorp
Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60061. Copies  of
each such document may be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference
Section  of the Commission at its principal office at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.
 
    The Company currently has outstanding Class A Common Stock, which is  listed
on  the NYSE.  Reports, proxy  statements and  other information  concerning the
Company can be inspected at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New  York,
New  York 10005. Prior to  the closing of this  Offering, the Company intends to
amend its Articles  of Incorporation  in order to  provide that  holders of  the
Class  B Common Stock will be entitled to  one vote per share and holders of the
Class A Common Stock will be entitled to 10 votes per share.
 
                                      104
<PAGE>
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                    <C>
GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. (THE "COMPANY")
Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited):
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996......        F-2
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31,
   1995 and 1996.....................................................................        F-3
  Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the three months ended
   March 31, 1996....................................................................        F-4
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March
   31, 1995 and 1996.................................................................        F-5
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements...............................        F-6
Audited Consolidated Financial Statements:
  Report of Independent Auditors.....................................................       F-11
  Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1994 and 1995..........................       F-12
  Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and
   1995..............................................................................       F-13
  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31,
   1993, 1994 and 1995...............................................................       F-14
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994
   and 1995..........................................................................       F-15
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.........................................       F-16
 
WRDW-TV (THE "AUGUSTA BUSINESS")
AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
  Report of Independent Auditors.....................................................       F-34
  Balance Sheet at December 31, 1995.................................................       F-35
  Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 1995...........................       F-36
  Statement of Partnership's Equity for the year ended December 31, 1995.............       F-37
  Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 1995.......................       F-38
  Notes to Financial Statements......................................................       F-39
  Independent Auditors' Report.......................................................       F-42
  Balance Sheet at December 31, 1994.................................................       F-43
  Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994................       F-44
  Statements of Partnership's Equity for the years ended December 31, 1993 and
   1994..............................................................................       F-45
  Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994............       F-46
  Notes to Financial Statements......................................................       F-47
 
BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS OF JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC. (THE "PHIPPS BUSINESS")
Interim Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited):
  Condensed Balance Sheets at December 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996...................       F-51
  Condensed Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 1995 and
   1996..............................................................................       F-52
  Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 1995 and
   1996..............................................................................       F-53
  Notes to Condensed Financial Statements............................................       F-54
Audited Financial Statements:
  Report of Independent Auditors.....................................................       F-55
  Balance Sheets at December 31, 1994 and 1995.......................................       F-56
  Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995..........       F-57
  Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995......       F-58
  Notes to Financial Statements......................................................       F-59
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
   
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                       DECEMBER 31,        MARCH 31,
                                                               1995             1996
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
Current Assets
  Cash and cash equivalents                                $559,991       $2,081,627
  Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for
   doubtful accounts of $450,000 and $623,000,
   respectively                                           9,560,274       10,145,128
  Recoverable income taxes                                1,347,007          957,246
  Inventories                                               553,032          231,964
  Current portion of program broadcast rights             1,153,058        1,326,825
  Other current assets                                      263,600          651,407
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                         13,436,962       15,394,197
Property and equipment                                   37,618,893       40,505,148
  Less allowance for depreciation                       (20,601,819)     (21,406,793)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                         17,017,074       19,098,355
Other assets
  Deferred acquisition costs (includes $910,000
   and $1,050,000 to Bull Run Corporation at
   December 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996,
   respectively) (NOTE C)                                 3,330,481        1,951,164
  Deferred loan costs (NOTE C)                            1,232,261        1,939,173
  Goodwill and other intangibles (NOTE C)                42,004,050       73,938,623
  Other                                                   1,219,650        1,195,139
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                         47,786,442       79,024,099
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                        $78,240,478     $113,516,651
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
 
Current liabilities:
  Trade accounts payable (includes $670,000 and
   $1,050,000 payable to Bull Run Corporation at
   December 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996,
   respectively)                                         $3,752,742       $3,372,917
  Accrued expenses                                        5,839,007        6,226,119
  Current portion of program broadcast obligations        1,205,784        1,222,983
  Current portion of long-term debt                       2,861,672        1,516,325
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                         13,659,205       12,338,344
Long-term debt (including a $10,000,000 8% Note to
 Bull Run Corporation at March 31, 1996)                 51,462,645       86,924,415
Non-current liabilities                                   4,133,030        4,535,319
Commitments and Contingencies (NOTE D)
Stockholders' Equity (NOTE B)
  Class A Common Stock, no par value; authorized
   10,000,000 shares; issued 5,082,756 and
   5,126,012 shares, respectively                         6,795,976        7,262,594
  Retained earnings                                       8,827,906        9,094,263
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                         15,623,882       16,356,857
  Treasury stock, 663,180 shares at cost                 (6,638,284)      (6,638,284)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                          8,985,598        9,718,573
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                        $78,240,478     $113,516,651
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
           See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
    
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
   
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                           THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                               MARCH 31,
                                                               1995             1996
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
Operating revenues:
  Broadcasting (net of agency commissions)               $8,349,661      $11,449,645
  Publishing                                              4,800,644        5,576,934
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                         13,150,305       17,026,579
Expenses:
  Broadcasting                                            5,589,776        7,309,865
  Publishing                                              3,961,563        4,808,062
  Corporate and administrative                              492,951          775,586
  Depreciation and amortization                             878,749        1,395,254
  Non-cash compensation paid in Class A common
   stock (NOTE B)                                           236,158           60,000
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                         11,159,197       14,348,767
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                          1,991,108        2,677,812
Miscellaneous income                                         43,313           63,514
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                          2,034,421        2,741,326
Interest expense                                          1,376,464        2,156,893
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
    INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                              657,957          584,433
Income tax expense                                          254,000          229,000
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
    NET EARNINGS                                           $403,957         $355,433
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Average outstanding common shares                         4,307,595        4,606,773
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
    NET EARNINGS
     PER COMMON SHARE                                          $.09             $.08
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
           See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
    
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
   
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   CLASS A COMMON STOCK           TREASURY STOCK
                                --------------------------  --------------------------      RETAINED
                                      SHARES        AMOUNT        SHARES        AMOUNT      EARNINGS         TOTAL
                                ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
<S>                             <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Balance at December 31, 1995       5,082,756    $6,795,976      (663,180)  $(6,638,284)   $8,827,906    $8,985,598
Net income for the three
 months ended
 March 31, 1996                          -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-       355,433       355,433
Cash dividends ($.02 per
 share)                                  -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-       (89,076)      (89,076)
Issuance of Class A Common
 Stock:
  401(k) Plan                          4,256        78,369           -0-           -0-           -0-        78,369
  Directors stock plan                22,500       228,749           -0-           -0-           -0-       228,749
  Non-qualified stock plan            16,500       159,500           -0-           -0-           -0-       159,500
                                ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Balance at March 31, 1996          5,126,012    $7,262,594      (663,180)  $(6,638,284)   $9,094,263    $9,718,573
                                ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
                                ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
           See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
    
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
   
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
          CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          --------------------------------
                                            THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                     1995             1996
                                          ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                       <C>              <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  Net income                                     $403,957         $355,433
  Items which did not use (provide)
   cash:
    Depreciation                                  584,988          848,427
    Amortization of intangible assets             293,761          546,827
    Amortization of program broadcast
     rights                                       401,838          646,820
    Payments for program broadcast
     rights                                      (481,311)        (661,603)
    Compensation paid in Class A Common
     Stock                                        236,158           60,000
    Supplemental employee benefits                (76,643)        (135,755)
    Class A Common Stock contributed to
     401(k) Plan                                   70,417           78,369
    Deferred income taxes                          91,000          343,850
    (Gain) loss on disposal of assets                (725)         (20,406)
    Changes in operating assets and
     liabilities:
      Receivables, inventories, and
      other current assets                        687,323        1,578,389
      Accounts payable and other current
      liabilities                                (690,692)        (521,496)
                                          ---------------  ---------------
Net cash provided by operating
 activities                                     1,520,071        3,118,855
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  Acquisition of newspaper business            (1,232,509)             -0-
  Acquisition of television business                  -0-      (34,300,713)
  Purchases of property and equipment            (973,437)        (813,588)
  Deferred acquisition costs                          -0-         (931,623)
  Proceeds from asset sales                         1,293          113,297
  Other                                          (164,563)         (80,188)
                                          ---------------  ---------------
Net cash used in investing activities          (2,369,216)     (36,012,815)
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    Dividends paid                                (84,496)         (89,076)
    Class A Common Stock transactions                 -0-          388,249
    Proceeds from borrowings of
     long-term debt                               700,000       36,725,000
    Payments on long-term debt                    (33,652)      (2,608,577)
                                          ---------------  ---------------
  Net cash provided by financing
   activities                                     581,852       34,415,596
                                          ---------------  ---------------
  Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
   equivalents                                   (267,293)       1,521,636
  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
   of period                                      558,520          559,991
                                          ---------------  ---------------
  Cash and cash equivalents at end of
   period                                        $291,227       $2,081,627
                                          ---------------  ---------------
                                          ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
           See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
    
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
   
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
        NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
    
 
   
NOTE A -- BASIS OF PRESENTATION
    
   
    The   accompanying  unaudited  consolidated  financial  statements  of  Gray
Communications Systems, Inc.  (the "Company") have  been prepared in  accordance
with  generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information
and instructions to  Form 10-Q and  Article 10 of  Regulation S-X.  Accordingly,
they  do not include all of the  information and footnotes required by generally
accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion
of  management,  all  adjustments  (consisting  of  normal  recurring  accruals)
considered  necessary  for a  fair  presentation have  been  included. Operating
results for the  three month period  ended March 31,  1996, are not  necessarily
indicative  of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31,
1996. For further  information, refer to  the consolidated financial  statements
and footnotes thereto included herein.
    
 
   
    Certain   amounts  in  the  accompanying  unaudited  consolidated  financial
statements have been reclassified to conform to the 1996 format.
    
 
   
NOTE B -- EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
    
 
   
    During the quarter ended March 31, 1995, the Company awarded 150,000  shares
of  its Class A Common Stock to its former president and chief executive officer
under his employment agreement.  Compensation expense of approximately  $176,000
was recognized for these awards in the quarter ended March 31, 1995.
    
 
   
    The  Company has  an employment agreement  with its  current President which
provides for  an  award  of 122,034  shares  of  Class A  Common  Stock  if  his
employment  with  the  Company  continues  until  September  1999. Approximately
$60,000 of expense was recognized in the first quarter of each of 1995 and  1996
relating  to  this  award and  approximately  $1.2  million of  expense  will be
recognized over the five-year period ending in 1999.
    
 
   
NOTE C -- BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS
    
 
   
    The Company's acquisitions in  1995 and 1996 have  been accounted for  under
the  purchase method of accounting. Under the purchase method of accounting, the
results  of  operations  of  the   acquired  businesses  are  included  in   the
accompanying  unaudited consolidated financial statements as of their respective
acquisition dates.  The  assets  and  liabilities  of  acquired  businesses  are
included based on an allocation of the purchase price.
    
 
   
PENDING ACQUISITIONS
    
 
   
    In  December 1995,  as amended  in March 1996,  the Company  entered into an
asset  purchase   agreement   to   acquire  (the   "Phipps   Acquisition")   two
CBS-affiliated stations, WCTV-TV ("WCTV") serving Tallahassee,
Florida/Thomasville,  Georgia and  WKXT-TV ("WKXT")  in Knoxville,  Tennessee, a
satellite broadcasting business and a paging business (collectively, the "Phipps
Business"). The purchase price is estimated at approximately $185.0 million. The
Company's Board  of Directors  has agreed  to pay  Bull Run  Corporation  ("Bull
Run"), a principal stockholder of the Company, a finder's fee equal to 1% of the
proposed  purchase price for services performed,  of which $1.05 million was due
and included in accounts payable at March 31, 1996.
    
 
   
    The consummation of the  Phipps Acquisition, which is  expected to occur  by
September  1996, is subject to approval  by the appropriate regulatory agencies.
In connection with the Phipps Acquisition, the Company is seeking approval  from
the   Federal  Communications  Commission  ("FCC")  of  the  assignment  of  the
television broadcast licenses for  WCTV and WKXT.  Current FCC regulations  will
require  the Company to divest itself of WALB-TV ("WALB") in Albany, Georgia and
WJHG-TV ("WJHG") in Panama City, Florida due to common ownership restrictions on
stations  with  overlapping  signals.  In   order  to  satisfy  applicable   FCC
requirements,  the Company, subject to FCC approval, intends to swap such assets
for assets
    
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
   
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
  NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
    
 
   
NOTE C -- BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (CONTINUED)
    
   
of one  or more  television stations  of comparable  value and  with  comparable
broadcast  cash  flow in  a transaction  qualifying  for deferred  capital gains
treatment under  the  "like-kind exchange"  provision  of Section  1033  of  the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). If the Company is unable
to  effect such a swap  on satisfactory terms within  the time period granted by
the FCC, the Company may transfer such assets to a trust with a view towards the
trustee effecting a  swap or  sale of such  assets. Any  such trust  arrangement
would be subject to the approval of the FCC.
    
 
   
    Condensed balance sheets of WALB and WJHG are as follows (in thousands):
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
                                                             MARCH 31, 1996
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                               WALB             WJHG
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Current assets                                               $1,667             $855
Property and equipment                                        1,769            1,078
Other assets                                                     76                3
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Total assets                                                 $3,512           $1,936
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Current liabilities                                          $1,127             $428
Other liabilities                                               228                0
Stockholders' equity                                          2,157            1,508
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                   $3,512           $1,936
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    Condensed  income  statement  data  of  WALB and  WJHG  are  as  follows (in
thousands):
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  WALB                              WJHG
                                                              THREE MONTHS                      THREE MONTHS
                                                            ENDED MARCH 31,                   ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                    --------------------------------  --------------------------------
                                                               1995             1996             1995             1996
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
Broadcasting revenues                                        $2,182           $2,340             $851           $1,099
Expenses                                                      1,190            1,242              802              949
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
Operating income                                                992            1,098               49              150
Other income                                                      4                9               15               16
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
Income before income taxes                                      996            1,107               64              166
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
Net income                                                     $618             $686              $40             $103
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    The Phipps Acquisition will be funded with a portion of the anticipated  net
proceeds of proposed public offerings by the Company of $150.0 million principal
amount  of the Company's senior subordinated notes and 3.5 million shares of the
Company's Class B Common Stock, the sale of 1,000 shares of the Company's Series
B Preferred Stock ($10.0 million) and warrants to Bull Run and the sale of  KTVE
Inc.,  the Company's broadcast station in Monroe, Louisiana/El Dorado, Arkansas.
Additionally, the Company plans to retire its existing bank credit facility  and
other  senior indebtedness (See Notes D and E)  and enter into a new bank credit
facility.
    
 
   
    In connection  with the  Phipps Acquisition,  a bank  has provided  a  $10.0
million stand-by letter of credit to the seller of the Phipps Business on behalf
of the Company. The letter of credit will be payable under certain conditions if
the  Phipps Acquisition is not completed. In connection with the issuance of the
letter of
    
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
   
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
  NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
    
 
   
NOTE C -- BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (CONTINUED)
    
   
credit, a stockholder of the Company has executed a put agreement which the bank
can exercise if the Company defaults on  repayment of any amounts that might  be
paid in accordance with the terms of the letter of credit.
    
 
   
1996 ACQUISITIONS
    
 
   
    On January 4, 1996, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of
WRDW-TV,  a  CBS television  affiliate serving  the Augusta,  Georgia television
market (the "Augusta  Acquisition"). The purchase  price of approximately  $35.9
million,  excluding  assumed  liabilities  of  approximately  $1.3  million, was
financed primarily through long-term  borrowings. The assets acquired  consisted
of  office equipment and broadcasting operations located in North Augusta, South
Carolina. Based on a preliminary allocation of the purchase price, the excess of
the purchase  price over  the fair  value of  net tangible  assets acquired  was
approximately  $32.5 million.  In connection  with the  Augusta Acquisition, the
Company's Board of Directors approved the  payment of a $360,000 finders fee  to
Bull Run.
    
 
   
    Funds for the Augusta Acquisition were obtained from the modification of the
Company's  existing  bank  debt to  a  variable rate  reducing  revolving credit
facility (the  "Senior Credit  Facility") and  the sale  to Bull  Run of  an  8%
subordinated  note due January 3, 2005 in  the principal amount of $10.0 million
(the "8% Note"). In connection  with the sale of the  8% Note, the Company  also
issued  warrants to Bull Run to purchase  487,500 shares of Class A Common Stock
at $17.88 per  share, 300,000  shares of which  are currently  vested, with  the
remainder  vesting in five equal annual installments commencing in 1997 provided
that the  8% Note  is outstanding.  The Senior  Credit Facility  provides for  a
credit line up to $55.0 million, of which $52.6 million was outstanding at March
31,  1996. This transaction also required a modification of the interest rate of
the Company's $25.0 million senior  secured note with an institutional  investor
from 10.08% to 10.7%.
    
 
   
    As  part of  the financing arrangements  for the Phipps  Acquisition, the 8%
Note will be retired and the Company will issue to Bull Run, in exchange for the
8% Note, 1,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The warrants issued with  the
8%  Note will vest in accordance with  the schedule described above provided the
Series A Preferred Stock remains outstanding.
    
 
   
    An unaudited pro forma statement of income for the three months ended  March
31,  1995, is presented below and  assumes that the Augusta Acquisition occurred
on January 1, 1995.
    
 
   
    This pro forma unaudited statement of  income does not purport to  represent
the  Company's actual results of operations had the Augusta Acquisition occurred
on January  1,  1995, and  should  not serve  as  a forecast  of  the  Company's
operating  results for any  future periods. The pro  forma adjustments are based
solely upon certain  assumptions that management  believes are reasonable  under
the circumstances at this
    
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
   
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
  NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
    
 
   
NOTE C -- BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (CONTINUED)
    
   
time.  Subsequent  adjustments  are  expected upon  final  determination  of the
allocation of the purchase price. An unaudited pro form statement of income  for
the  three months ended March  31, 1995 is as  follows (in thousands, except per
share data):
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
Operating revenues                                       $15,106
Operating expenses                                        12,906
                                                    ------------
                                                           2,200
Miscellaneous income (expense), net                           45
Interest expense                                           2,197
                                                    ------------
Pro forma income before income taxes                          48
Income tax expense                                            21
                                                    ------------
Pro forma net income                                         $27
                                                    ------------
                                                    ------------
Pro forma average shares outstanding                       4,308
                                                    ------------
                                                    ------------
Pro forma earnings per share                                $.01
                                                    ------------
                                                    ------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
1995 ACQUISITION
    
 
   
    On January 6, 1995, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of
the  GWINNET  POST-TRIBUNE  and  assumed  certain  liabilities  (the   "Gwinnett
Acquisition").  The assets consist of office equipment and publishing operations
located in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The purchase price of $3.7 million, including
assumed liabilities of  approximately $370,000, was  paid by approximately  $1.2
million   in  cash  (financed   through  long-term  borrowings   and  cash  from
operations), the issuance of 44,117 shares of Class A Common Stock (having  fair
value  of  $500,000),  and  $1.5  million payable  to  the  sellers  pursuant to
non-compete agreements. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value  of
net  tangible assets acquired was approximately $3.4 million. In connection with
the Gwinnett Acquisition the Company's  Board of Directors approved the  payment
of a $75,000 finders fee to Bull Run.
    
 
   
NOTE D -- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
    
 
   
    The Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement on June 2, 1995, to
effectively  convert a portion of its floating  rate debt to a fixed rate basis.
The interest rate swap is effective for five years. Approximately $25.0  million
of  the Company's outstanding  long-term debt was subject  to this interest rate
swap agreement  at March  31, 1996.  The  effective rate  of the  Senior  Credit
Facility  and interest rate swap at March  31, 1996, was approximately 8.95% and
9.61%, respectively.  The  unrealized  gain  for  the  interest  rate  swap  was
approximately $109,000 at March 31, 1996, based upon comparison to treasury bond
yields for bonds with similar maturity dates as the interest rate swap.
    
 
   
    The  Company has entered into an agreement  to sell KTVE Inc., the Company's
NBC-affiliated  station  serving  Monroe,  Louisiana/El  Dorado,  Arkansas,  for
approximately $9.5 million in cash plus the amount of the accounts receivable on
the  date  of closing  (estimated to  be approximately  $750,000) to  the extent
collected by the buyer, to be paid to the Company 150 days following the date of
closing. The  sale  agreement  regarding  KTVE  includes  a  number  of  closing
conditions,  including final  FCC approval, and  there can be  no assurance that
such closing conditions can be satisfied or waived. The closing of the KTVE sale
is expected to occur by September 1996.
    
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
   
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
  NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
    
 
   
NOTE D -- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
    
   
    A condensed balance sheet of KTVE is as follows (in thousands):
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    ---------------
                                                     MARCH 31, 1996
                                                    ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>
Current assets                                                 $893
Property and equipment                                        1,647
Other assets                                                    557
                                                    ---------------
Total assets                                                 $3,097
                                                    ---------------
                                                    ---------------
Current liabilities                                            $298
Other liabilities                                               476
Stockholders' equity                                          2,323
                                                    ---------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                   $3,097
                                                    ---------------
                                                    ---------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    Condensed statement of operations data of KTVE is as follows (in thousands):
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              ----------------------
<S>                                           <C>         <C>
                                                THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                    MARCH 31,
                                              ----------------------
                                                    1995        1996
                                              ----------  ----------
 
Broadcasting revenues                               $919      $1,066
Expenses                                             931         970
                                              ----------  ----------
Operating income (loss)                              (12)         96
Other income                                           4           3
                                              ----------  ----------
Income (loss) before income taxes                     (8)         99
                                              ----------  ----------
                                              ----------  ----------
Net income (loss)                                    $(5)        $59
                                              ----------  ----------
                                              ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
NOTE E -- SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
    
 
   
    On May  2, 1996,  the Company  filed two  registration statements  with  the
Securities  and  Exchange Commission  for a  public  offering of  $150.0 million
principal amount  of its  senior subordinated  notes due  2006 and  3.5  million
shares  of its Class B Common Stock. The Company intends to use the net proceeds
from these  offerings  in part  to  fund the  Phipps  Acquisition and  to  repay
indebtedness  under the  Senior Credit Facility.  The remainder  thereof will be
used for working capital and general corporate purposes.
    
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>
                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
Board of Directors and Stockholders
Gray Communications Systems, Inc.
 
    We  have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets  of Gray
Communications Systems, Inc. as  of December 31, 1994  and 1995 and the  related
consolidated  statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each
of the  three years  in the  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   consolidated  financial  position  of   Gray
Communications Systems, Inc. at December 31, 1994 and 1995, and the consolidated
results  of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
                                             ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Columbus, Georgia
February 14, 1996
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
                                       ASSETS
Current assets (NOTE C):
  Cash and cash equivalents                                $558,520         $559,991
  Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for
   doubtful accounts of $694,000 and $450,000,
   respectively                                           8,448,366        9,560,274
  Recoverable income taxes                                      -0-        1,347,007
  Inventories                                               368,202          553,032
  Current portion of program broadcast rights             1,195,633        1,153,058
  Other current assets                                      247,687          263,600
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
      Total current assets                               10,818,408       13,436,962
Property and equipment (NOTES B AND C):
  Land                                                      646,562          758,944
  Buildings and improvements                              8,594,343        8,630,694
  Equipment                                              24,781,964       28,229,255
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                         34,022,869       37,618,893
  Allowance for depreciation                            (17,999,752)     (20,601,819)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                         16,023,117       17,017,074
Other assets (NOTE C):
  Deferred acquisition costs (including $860,000
   to Bull Run Corporation) (NOTE B)                            -0-        3,330,481
  Deferred loan costs                                     1,381,908        1,232,261
  Goodwill and other intangibles (NOTE B)                38,538,413       42,004,050
  Other                                                   2,026,938        1,219,650
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                         41,947,259       47,786,442
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                        $68,788,784      $78,240,478
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
 
                        LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Trade accounts payable (including $670,000
   payable to Bull Run Corporation at December 31,
   1995)                                                 $2,114,008       $3,752,742
  Employee compensation and benefits                      3,150,154        4,213,639
  Accrued expenses                                          512,483          560,877
  Accrued interest                                          985,955        1,064,491
  Current portion of program broadcast obligations        1,687,481        1,205,784
  Current portion of long term debt                       1,293,481        2,861,672
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
      Total current liabilities                           9,743,562       13,659,205
Long-term debt (NOTE C)                                  51,646,265       51,462,645
Other long-term liabilities:
  Program broadcast obligations, less current
   portion                                                   54,489          109,971
  Supplemental employee benefits (NOTE D)                 2,343,379        2,212,685
  Deferred income taxes (NOTE F)                                -0-          201,348
  Other acquisition related liabilities (NOTES B
   AND C)                                                       -0-        1,609,026
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                          2,397,868        4,133,030
Commitments and contingencies (NOTES B, C AND H)
Stockholders' equity (NOTES B, C AND E)
  Class A Common Stock, no par value; authorized
   10,000,000 shares; issued 4,841,785 and
   5,082,756 shares, respectively                         3,393,747        6,795,976
  Retained earnings                                       8,245,626        8,827,906
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                         11,639,373       15,623,882
  Treasury Stock, 663,180 shares, at cost                (6,638,284)      (6,638,284)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                          5,001,089        8,985,598
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                        $68,788,784      $78,240,478
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
    
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    -------------------------------------------------
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1993             1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
Operating revenues:
  Broadcasting (less agency commissions)                $15,003,752      $22,826,392      $36,750,035
  Publishing                                             10,109,368       13,692,073       21,866,220
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                         25,113,120       36,518,465       58,616,255
Expenses:
  Broadcasting                                           10,028,837       14,864,011       23,201,990
  Publishing                                              7,662,127       11,198,011       20,016,137
  Corporate and administrative                            2,326,691        1,958,449        2,258,261
  Depreciation                                            1,387,698        1,745,293        2,633,360
  Amortization of intangible assets                         177,063          396,342        1,325,526
  Non-cash compensation paid in common stock (NOTE
   D)                                                           -0-           80,000        2,321,250
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                         21,582,416       30,242,106       51,756,524
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                          3,530,704        6,276,359        6,859,731
Miscellaneous income, net                                   202,465          188,307          143,612
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                          3,733,169        6,464,666        7,003,343
Interest expense                                            984,706        1,922,965        5,438,374
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
Income from continuing operations before income
 taxes                                                    2,748,463        4,541,701        1,564,969
Federal and state income taxes (NOTE F)                   1,068,000        1,776,000          634,000
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
    INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS                     1,680,463        2,765,701          930,969
Discontinued business (NOTE I):
 Income from operations of discontinued business,
 net of applicable income tax expense
  of $30,000                                                 48,174              -0-              -0-
Gain on disposal of discontinued business, net of
 applicable income tax expense of
  $501,000                                                  817,717              -0-              -0-
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
    NET EARNINGS                                         $2,546,354       $2,765,701         $930,969
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
Average outstanding common shares                         4,610,625        4,689,453        4,481,317
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
Earnings per common share
  Continuing operations                                        $.36             $.59             $.21
  Discontinued operations                                       .01              -0-              -0-
  Gain on disposal of discontinued operations                   .18              -0-              -0-
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
    NET EARNINGS
     PER COMMON SHARE                                          $.55             $.59             $.21
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
    
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   CLASS A COMMON STOCK       RESTRICTED        TREASURY STOCK
                                --------------------------         STOCK  --------------------------      RETAINED
                                      SHARES        AMOUNT     DEFERRALS        SHARES        AMOUNT      EARNINGS         TOTAL
                                ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
<S>                             <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Balance at December 31, 1992       4,610,625    $1,307,071          $-0-           -0-          $-0-    $3,542,901    $4,849,972
Net income                               -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-     2,546,354     2,546,354
Cash dividends ($.07 per
 share)                                  -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-      (307,376)     (307,376)
Issuance of Common Stock-
 Directors Stock Plan (NOTE E)         3,000        29,000           -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-        29,000
                                ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Balance at December 31, 1993       4,613,625     1,336,071           -0-           -0-           -0-     5,781,879     7,117,950
Net income                               -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-     2,765,701     2,765,701
Cash dividends ($.07 share)              -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-      (301,954)     (301,954)
Purchase of Common Stock (NOTE
 E)                                      -0-           -0-           -0-      (663,180)   (6,638,284)          -0-    (6,638,284)
Issuance of Common Stock
 (NOTES B AND G):
  401(k) Plan                          3,160        32,676           -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-        32,676
  Rockdale Acquisition               225,000     2,025,000           -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-     2,025,000
                                ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Balance at December 31, 1994       4,841,785     3,393,747           -0-      (663,180)   (6,638,284)    8,245,626     5,001,089
Net income                               -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-       930,969       930,969
Cash dividends ($.08 share)              -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-      (348,689)     (348,689)
Issuance of Common Stock
 (NOTES B, D, E, AND G):
  401(k) Plan                         18,354       298,725           -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-       298,725
  Directors' Stock Plan               23,500       238,919           -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-       238,919
  Non-qualified Stock Plan             5,000        48,335           -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-        48,335
  Gwinnett Acquisition                44,117       500,000           -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-       500,000
  Restricted Stock Plan              150,000     2,081,250    (2,081,250)          -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-
Amortization of Restricted
 Stock Plan deferrals                    -0-           -0-     2,081,250           -0-           -0-           -0-     2,081,250
Income tax benefits relating
 to stock plans                          -0-       235,000           -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-       235,000
                                ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Balance at December 31, 1995       5,082,756    $6,795,976          $-0-      (663,180)  $(6,638,284)   $8,827,906    $8,985,598
                                ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
                                ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          -------------------------------------------------
                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                     1993             1994             1995
                                          ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                       <C>              <C>              <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  Net income                                   $2,546,354       $2,765,701         $930,969
  Items which did not use (provide)
   cash:
    Depreciation                                1,612,040        1,745,293        2,633,360
    Amortization of intangible assets             177,063          396,342        1,325,526
    Amortization of program broadcast
     rights                                       924,878        1,217,976        1,647,035
    Payments for program broadcast
     rights                                      (976,150)      (1,181,598)      (1,776,796)
    Compensation paid in Common Stock                 -0-           80,000        2,321,250
    Supplemental employee benefits               (608,729)        (454,703)        (370,694)
    Common Stock contributed to 401(k)
     Plan                                             -0-           32,676          298,725
    Deferred income taxes                         196,000          523,000          863,000
    (Gain) loss on asset sales                    (52,819)         (21,419)           1,652
    Changes in operating assets and
     liabilities:
      Trade accounts receivable                  (116,526)      (1,444,159)        (852,965)
      Recoverable income taxes                 (1,066,422)         589,942       (1,347,007)
      Inventories                                 (92,526)        (179,930)        (181,034)
      Other current assets                       (352,174)         (24,361)         (11,208)
      Trade accounts payable                      701,556         (306,493)       1,441,745
      Employee compensation and benefits           10,755        1,246,726        1,011,667
      Accrued expenses                           (163,458)         (45,335)        (414,087)
      Accrued interest                            (97,419)         858,164           78,536
    Reduction in value of net assets of
     discontinued business                      1,135,394              -0-              -0-
    Gain on disposal of warehouse
     operations                                (2,454,111)             -0-              -0-
                                          ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
Net cash provided by operating
 activities                                     1,323,706        5,797,822        7,599,674
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  Acquisitions of newspaper businesses                -0-       (3,442,836)      (2,084,621)
  Acquisition of television business           (1,505,655)     (37,492,643)             -0-
  Purchases of property and equipment          (2,582,225)      (1,767,800)      (3,279,721)
  Proceeds from asset sales                     3,076,764          103,434            2,475
  Deferred acquisition costs                          -0-              -0-       (3,330,481)
  Deferred loan costs                                 -0-       (1,251,287)             -0-
  Proceeds from disposals of operating
   units                                        2,922,893        1,222,697              -0-
  Other                                         1,150,104         (141,767)        (236,904)
                                          ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing
 activities                                     3,061,881      (42,770,202)      (8,929,252)
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  Proceeds from borrowings:
    Short-term debt                               650,000              -0-        1,200,000
    Long-term debt                                    -0-       55,826,260        2,950,000
  Repayments of borrowings:
    Short-term debt                              (170,000)        (480,000)      (1,200,000)
    Long-term debt                             (5,133,349)     (11,206,281)      (1,792,516)
    Dividends paid                               (307,376)        (301,954)        (348,689)
    Common Stock transactions                      29,000       (6,638,284)         522,254
                                          ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
  Net cash provided by (used in)
   financing activities                        (4,931,725)      37,199,741        1,331,049
                                          ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
  Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
   equivalents                                   (546,138)         227,361            1,471
  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
   of year                                        877,297          331,159          558,520
                                          ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
  Cash and cash equivalents at end of
   year                                          $331,159         $558,520         $559,991
                                          ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                          ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
A.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
 
    The  Company's  operations, which  are located  in six  southeastern states,
include six television  stations, three  daily newspapers, and  six area  weekly
advertising only direct mail publications.
 
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
 
    The  consolidated financial statements  include the accounts  of the Company
and its  subsidiaries. All  significant intercompany  accounts and  transactions
have been eliminated.
 
REVENUE RECOGNITION
 
    The Company recognizes revenues as services are performed.
 
USE OF ESTIMATES
 
    The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  generally
accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions  that affect  the amounts reported  in the  financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
    Cash and cash equivalents include cash on deposit with a bank. Deposits with
the bank are generally insured in limited amounts.
 
INVENTORIES
 
    Inventories, principally newsprint and supplies, are stated at the lower  of
cost  or  market. The  Company uses  the last-in,  first-out ("LIFO")  method of
determining costs  for  substantially  all  of  its  inventories.  Current  cost
exceeded  the LIFO value of inventories by approximately $36,000 and $170,000 at
December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
PROGRAM BROADCAST RIGHTS
 
    Rights to programs  available for  broadcast are initially  recorded at  the
amounts  of  total license  fees payable  under the  license agreements  and are
charged to operating expense on the basis of total programs available for use on
the straight-line method. The portion of the unamortized balance expected to  be
charged  to operating expense in the succeeding  year is classified as a current
asset, with the remainder classified as  a non-current asset. The liability  for
program  broadcast rights is  classified as current  or long-term, in accordance
with the payment terms of the various licenses. The liability is not  discounted
for imputation of interest.
 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
    Property  and  equipment  are  carried  at  cost.  Depreciation  is computed
principally by the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes and  by
accelerated methods for income tax purposes.
 
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
    Intangible  assets are  stated at cost,  and with the  exception of goodwill
acquired prior to November 1, 1970 (approximately $2.47 million at December  31,
1994  and  1995),  are amortized  using  the straight-line  method.  Goodwill is
amortized over 40 years.  Loan acquisition fees are  amortized over the life  of
the  applicable indebtedness. Non-compete agreements are amortized over the life
of  the  specific  agreement.  Accumulated  amortization  of  intangible  assets
resulting  from business  acquisitions was $0.4  million and $1.7  million as of
December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
A.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
    If facts and circumstances  indicate that the goodwill  may be impaired,  an
evaluation of continuing value would be performed. If an evaluation is required,
the estimated future undiscounted cash flows associated with this asset would be
compared  to its  carrying amount to  determine if  a write down  to fair market
value or discounted cash flow value is required.
 
INCOME TAXES
 
    Deferred income taxes are provided on the differences between the  financial
statement  and income tax basis  of assets and liabilities.  The Company and its
subsidiaries file a consolidated  federal income tax  return and separate  state
and local tax returns.
 
CAPITAL STOCK
 
    The  Company has authorized 10 million shares of Class B Common Stock and 20
million shares of Preferred  Stock, none of which  have been issued at  December
31,  1995. All references made to Common  Stock in the December 31, 1995 Audited
Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and the Notes thereto refer  to
the Company's Class A Common Stock.
 
    On  August 17, 1995, the Board of Directors declared a 50% stock dividend on
the Company's Common Stock payable October 2, 1995 to stockholders of record  on
September  8, 1995 to effect  a three for two  stock split. All applicable share
and per share data have been adjusted to give effect to the stock split.
 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
 
    Earnings per  common share  are based  on the  weighted average  common  and
common  equivalent  shares outstanding  during the  period determined  using the
treasury stock method.  Common equivalent  shares are attributable  to a  Common
Stock  award to be paid  in 1999 and outstanding stock  options (SEE NOTES D AND
E).
 
STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
    The Company has elected  to follow Accounting  Principles Board Opinion  No.
25,   "Accounting  for  Stock  Issued  to  Employees"  ("APB  25")  and  related
interpretations in  accounting for  its  stock options.  Under  APB 25,  if  the
exercise  price of the  stock options granted  by the Company  equals the market
price of the underlying stock on the date of the grant, no compensation  expense
is recognized.
 
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
 
    The  Company provides advertising  air time to  national, regional and local
advertisers within the geographic areas in which the Company operates. Credit is
extended based  on an  evaluation  of the  customer's financial  condition,  and
generally advance payment is not required. Credit losses are provided for in the
financial   statements   and   consistently   have   been   within  management's
expectations.
 
INTEREST SWAP
 
    The Company has entered into an  interest rate swap agreement to modify  the
interest  characteristics of a portion of its outstanding debt (see Note C). The
agreement involves the exchange  of amounts based on  a fixed interest rate  for
amounts  based on variable interest rates over the life of the agreement without
an exchange  of the  notional amount  upon  which the  payments are  based.  The
differential  to be  paid or  received as interest  rates change  is accrued and
recognized as an adjustment of interest expense related to the debt (the accrual
accounting  method).  The   related  amount  payable   to  or  receivable   from
counter-parties  is included in  other liabilities or assets.  The fair value of
the swap agreement is not recognized  in the financial statements. In the  event
of  the early  extinguishment of a  designated debt obligation,  any realized or
unrealized gain or loss from the  swap would be recognized in income  coincident
with the extinguishment.
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
A.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
    The  Company has adopted FASB Statement No. 107, DISCLOSURE ABOUT FAIR VALUE
OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, which requires disclosure of fair value, to the extent
practical, of certain  of the  Company's financial instruments.  The fair  value
amounts do not necessarily represent the amount that could be realized in a sale
or  settlement. The Company's financial instruments are comprised principally of
an interest rate swap and long-term debt.
 
    The estimated  fair  value of  long-term  bank  debt at  December  31,  1995
approximated  book value  since, in  management's opinion,  such obligations are
subject to fluctuating market rates of interest and can be settled at their face
amounts. The fair value of the Senior Note at December 31, 1995 was estimated by
management to be its carrying value at that date. The Company amended its Senior
Note at January 4, 1996 and  among other things, changed its effective  interest
rate. The Company does not anticipate settlement of long-term debt at other than
book value.
 
    The  fair value of other financial  instruments classified as current assets
or  liabilities  approximates  their  carrying  values  due  to  the  short-term
maturities of these instruments.
 
IMPACT OF RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
    In  March  1995,  the FASB  issued  Statement  No. 121,  ACCOUNTING  FOR THE
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED  ASSETS AND  FOR LONG-LIVED  ASSETS TO  BE DISPOSED  OF
("Statement 121"), which requires impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived
assets  used in  operations when  indicators of  impairment are  present and the
undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less  than
the  asset's carrying  amount. Statement 121  also addresses  the accounting for
long-lived assets  which are  expected  to be  disposed.  The Company  does  not
believe  that the adoption of  Statement 121 will have  a material impact on the
Company's financial position.
 
RECLASSIFICATIONS
 
    Certain amounts in the  accompanying consolidated financial statements  have
been reclassified to conform to the 1995 format.
 
B.  BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS
    The Company's acquisitions have been accounted for under the purchase method
of  accounting.  Under  the  purchase  method  of  accounting,  the  results  of
operations  of  the  acquired  businesses  are  included  in  the   accompanying
consolidated  financial statements as of their respective acquisition dates. The
assets  and  liabilities  of  acquired  businesses  are  included  based  on  an
allocation of the purchase price.
 
PENDING ACQUISITIONS
 
    In December 1995, the Company agreed to acquire certain assets owned by John
H.  Phipps,  Inc.  ("Phipps").  The  assets  include  WCTV-TV,  the  CBS network
affiliate serving the Tallahassee,  Florida and Thomasville, Georgia  television
market,  WKXT-TV,  the  CBS network  affiliate  in Knoxville,  Tennessee,  and a
communications and paging  business located  in three  southeastern states.  The
purchase  price is estimated  at approximately $185.0  million. The transaction,
which is expected to close  in 1996, is subject  to approval by the  appropriate
regulatory  agencies. If  approved, the  Company will  be required  to divest of
certain of its broadcasting operations due to a signal overlap with WCTV, unless
the rules of the Federal Communications Commission are modified to permit common
ownership of television stations with overlapping signals.
 
    The Company plans to fund the costs of this acquisition through the issuance
of debt and equity securities. Additionally,  the Company will amend or  replace
its existing bank credit facilities.
 
    In  connection with  this acquisition, a  bank has provided  a $10.0 million
letter of credit to Phipps on behalf  of the Company. The letter of credit  will
be   payable   under   certain   conditions   if   this   acquisition   is   not
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
B.  BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (CONTINUED)
completed.  In  connection  with  the  issuance  of  the  letter  of  credit,  a
stockholder  of the  Company has  executed a  put agreement  which the  bank can
exercise if the Company defaults on repayment of any amounts that might be  paid
in accordance with the terms of the letter of credit.
 
    In  connection with the proposed acquisition  of assets owned by Phipps, the
Company's Board  of Directors  has agreed  to pay  Bull Run  Corporation  ("Bull
Run"),  a stockholder, a finder's fee equal to 1% of the proposed purchase price
for services  performed, of  which $550,000  was due  and included  in  accounts
payable at December 31, 1995.
 
    On January 4, 1996, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of
WRDW-TV,  a  CBS television  affiliate serving  the Augusta,  Georgia television
market (the "Augusta  Acquisition"). The purchase  price of approximately  $35.9
million,  excluding  assumed  liabilities  of  approximately  $4.0  million, was
financed primarily through long-term  borrowings. The assets acquired  consisted
of  office equipment and broadcasting operations located in North Augusta, South
Carolina. Based on a preliminary allocation of the purchase price, the excess of
the purchase  price over  the fair  value of  net tangible  assets acquired  was
approximately  $32.4 million.  In connection  with the  Augusta Acquisition, the
Company's Board of Directors approved the  payment of a $360,000 finders fee  to
Bull Run.
 
    Funds for the Augusta Acquisition were obtained from the sale to Bull Run of
an 8% subordinated note due January 3, 2005 in principal amount of $10.0 million
(the "Subordinated Note"). In connection with the sale of the Subordinated Note,
the  Company also  issued warrants  to Bull  Run to  purchase 487,500  shares of
Common Stock at $17.88  per share, 300,000 of  which are currently vested,  with
the  remaining warrants  vesting in five  equal installments  commencing in 1997
provided that the  Subordinated Note  is outstanding.  The warrants  may not  be
exercised  prior to  January 3,  1998 and  expire in  January 2006.  The Company
modified its existing  bank debt to  a variable rate  reducing revolving  credit
facility  providing a credit line of $55.0 million (see Note C). The outstanding
credit facility balance subsequent to the Augusta Acquisition was  approximately
$54.0  million; including $28.4 million, which  was outstanding under the credit
facility at December 31, 1995, $25.2  million used for the Augusta  Acquisition,
and  $425,000  used  for the  Company's  working capital.  The  transaction also
required a modification  of the  interest rate  of the  Company's $25.0  million
senior  secured note  with an  institutional investor  (the "Senior  Note") from
10.08% to 10.7%.
 
    An unaudited pro  forma balance  sheet as of  December 31,  1995 and  income
statements  for the years ended  December 31, 1994 and  1995 are presented below
giving effect to the Augusta Acquisition as though it had occurred on January 1,
1994.
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
B.  BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (CONTINUED)
    Pro forma December 31, 1995 balance sheet (in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             AUGUSTA        PRO FORMA         ADJUSTED
                                                               GRAY      ACQUISITION      ADJUSTMENTS        PRO FORMA
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                                                                (Unaudited)
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
Current assets                                              $13,437           $3,061            $(594)         $15,904
Property and equipment                                       17,017            1,778              402           19,197
Goodwill and other intangibles                               46,566            4,129           26,152           76,847
Other long-term assets                                        1,220            2,571           (2,518)           1,273
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                            $78,240          $11,539          $23,442         $113,221
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
Current liabilities                                         $13,659           $1,131             $(41)         $14,749
Long-term debt                                               51,462              -0-           33,729           85,191
Other long-term liabilities                                   4,133            2,680           (2,518)           4,295
Stockholders' equity                                          8,986            7,728           (7,728)           8,986
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                            $78,240          $11,539          $23,442         $113,221
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
    These pro forma unaudited results of operations do not purport to  represent
what  the Company's actual results of operations  would have been if the Augusta
Acquisition had occurred on January 1, 1994, and should not serve as a  forecast
of  the  Company's  operating results  for  any  future periods.  The  pro forma
adjustments are based solely upon  certain assumptions that management  believes
are  reasonable under the circumstances at this time. Subsequent adjustments are
expected upon final determination of the  allocation of the purchase price.  Pro
forma  statement  of operations  for the  year  ended December  31, 1994  are as
follows (in 000's, except per share data):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             AUGUSTA        PRO FORMA         ADJUSTED
                                                               GRAY      ACQUISITION      ADJUSTMENTS        PRO FORMA
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                                                                (Unaudited)
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
Revenues, net                                               $36,518           $8,046             $255          $44,819
Expenses                                                     30,242            5,854              935           37,031
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                              6,276            2,192             (680)           7,788
Miscellaneous income (expense), net                             189              (55)              90              224
Interest expense                                              1,923              -0-            3,156            5,079
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                              4,542            2,137           (3,746)           2,933
Income tax expense (benefit)                                  1,776              -0-             (603)           1,173
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
    NET EARNINGS                                             $2,766           $2,137          $(3,143)          $1,760
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
Average shares outstanding                                    4,689                                              4,689
                                                    ---------------                                    ---------------
                                                    ---------------                                    ---------------
Earnings per share                                             $.59                                               $.38
                                                    ---------------                                    ---------------
                                                    ---------------                                    ---------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
B.  BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (CONTINUED)
    Pro forma statement of operations for  the year ended December 31, 1995  are
as follows (in 000's, except per share data):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             AUGUSTA        PRO FORMA         ADJUSTED
                                                               GRAY      ACQUISITION      ADJUSTMENTS        PRO FORMA
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                                                                (Unaudited)
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
Revenues, net                                               $58,616           $8,660             $227          $67,503
Expenses                                                     51,756            6,198              944           58,898
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                              6,860            2,462             (717)           8,605
Miscellaneous income (expense), net                             143             (220)             128               51
Interest expense                                              5,438              -0-            3,355            8,793
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                              1,565            2,242           (3,944)            (137)
Income tax expense (benefit)                                    634              -0-             (675)             (41)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
    NET EARNINGS (LOSS)                                        $931           $2,242          $(3,269)            $(96)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
Average shares outstanding                                    4,481                                              4,354
                                                    ---------------                                    ---------------
                                                    ---------------                                    ---------------
Earnings (loss) per share                                      $.21                                              $(.02)
                                                    ---------------                                    ---------------
                                                    ---------------                                    ---------------
</TABLE>
 
    The pro forma results presented above include adjustments to reflect (i) the
reclassification of national representative commissions as an expense consistent
with the presentation of the Company, (ii) the incurrence of interest expense to
fund  the  Augusta Acquisition,  (iii) depreciation  and amortization  of assets
acquired, and  (iv) the  income tax  effect of  such pro  forma adjustments  and
income  taxes on the  earnings of the  Augusta Acquisition. With  respect to the
Augusta Acquisition,  the pro  forma adjustments  are based  upon a  preliminary
allocation of the purchase price.
 
1995 ACQUISITIONS
 
    On January 6, 1995, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of
The  Gwinnett  Post-Tribune  and  assumed  certain  liabilities  (the  "Gwinnett
Acquisition").  The  assets  consisted   of  office  equipment  and   publishing
operations   located   in  Lawrenceville,   Georgia.   The  purchase   price  of
approximately $3.7  million,  including  assumed  liabilities  of  approximately
$370,000,  was  paid by  approximately $1.2  million  in cash  (financed through
long-term borrowings and cash from operations), issuance of 44,117 shares of the
Company's Common Stock (having fair value of $500,000), and $1.5 million payable
to the sellers pursuant  to non-compete agreements. The  excess of the  purchase
price over the fair value of net tangible assets acquired was approximately $3.4
million.  In connection  with the Gwinnett  Acquisition, the  Company's Board of
Directors approved the payment of a $75,000  finders fee to Bull Run. Pro  forma
results  of the Gwinnett  Acquisition have not  been presented as  the effect on
prior periods is not significant.
 
    On September 1, 1995, the Company purchased substantially all of the  assets
of  three area  weekly advertising  only direct  mail publications,  and assumed
certain  liabilities  (the  "Tallahassee  Acquisition").  The  tangible   assets
acquired  consist  of land  and office  buildings, office  equipment, mechanical
equipment and automobiles used  in operations located  in southwest Georgia  and
north  Florida. The  purchase price of  approximately $1.4  million consisted of
$833,000 in cash and approximately  $583,000 in assumed liabilities. The  excess
of  the purchase price over  the fair value of  net tangible assets acquired was
approximately $934,000.  Pro  forma results  giving  effect to  the  Tallahassee
Acquisition  have  not been  presented as  the  effect on  prior periods  is not
significant.
 
1994 ACQUISITIONS
 
    On September 2, 1994, the Company purchased substantially all of the  assets
of Kentucky Central Television, Inc. ("Kentucky Central") and assumed certain of
its liabilities (the "Kentucky Acquisition").
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
B.  BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (CONTINUED)
Kentucky  Central operated two  television stations, WKYT  located in Lexington,
Kentucky and WYMT located in Hazard,  Kentucky, both of which are affiliates  of
the  CBS television network. The purchase  price of approximately $38.1 million,
excluding  acquisition  costs   of  approximately  $2.1   million  and   assumed
liabilities  of  approximately  $2.3  million,  was  financed  primarily through
long-term borrowings. The excess  of the purchase price  over the fair value  of
net tangible assets acquired was approximately $31.4 million.
 
    On  May 31, 1994, the  Company purchased substantially all  of the assets of
Citizens Publishing Company, Inc.  and assumed certain  of its liabilities  (the
"Rockdale  Acquisition").  The acquired  assets consist  of  land and  an office
building located in Conyers, Georgia, containing The Rockdale Citizen  newspaper
and  other assets  relating to the  newspaper publishing  business. The purchase
price of approximately  $4.8 million consisted  of a $2.8  million cash  payment
financed  through long-term bank borrowings, and 225,000 shares of the Company's
Common Stock (with a fair value of $2.0 million at the closing date). The excess
of the purchase price over  the fair value of  net tangible assets acquired  was
approximately $4.0 million.
 
    On  October 18, 1994, the Company  purchased substantially all of the assets
of four  area  weekly advertising  only  direct mail  publications  and  assumed
certain of their liabilities. The assets consist of land and an office building,
office  equipment, automobiles,  and publishing operations  located in southwest
Georgia. The  purchase  price  of  approximately $1.5  million  consisted  of  a
$545,000  cash payment and  approximately $1.0 million  financed by the sellers.
The excess of  the purchase price  over the  fair value of  net tangible  assets
acquired was approximately $1.2 million. Pro forma results giving effect to this
acquisition  have not been presented below as the effect on prior periods is not
significant.
 
    Unaudited pro forma statements of income from continuing operations for  the
years  ended December 31, 1993  and 1994, are presented  below, giving effect to
the Rockdale Acquisition  and the Kentucky  Acquisition (collectively the  "1994
Acquisitions") as though they had occurred on January 1, 1993.
 
    These  pro forma unaudited results of operations do not purport to represent
what the Company's  actual results  of operations would  have been  if the  1994
Acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 1993, and should
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
B.  BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (CONTINUED)
not  serve  as a  forecast of  the  Company's operating  results for  any future
periods. The  pro forma  adjustments  are based  upon certain  assumptions  that
management  believes are reasonable  under the circumstances.  The unaudited pro
forma results of  continuing operations  are as  follows (in  000's, except  per
share data):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993
                                                                      KENTUCKY      ROCKDALE     PRO FORMA      ADJUSTED
                                                            GRAY   ACQUISITION   ACQUISITION   ADJUSTMENTS     PRO FORMA
                                                    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                 <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Operating revenues                                       $25,113       $14,526        $2,660          $-0-       $42,299
Operating expenses                                        21,582        10,827         2,646           877        35,932
                                                    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
  Operating income                                         3,531         3,699            14          (877)        6,367
Miscellaneous income, net                                    202           219           -0-           -0-           421
                                                    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                           3,733         3,918            14          (877)        6,788
Interest expense                                             985             4             9         3,187         4,185
                                                    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
  Income from continuing operations before income
   taxes                                                   2,748         3,914             5        (4,064)        2,603
Income tax expense (benefit)                               1,068         1,326           -0-        (1,405)          989
                                                    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Income from continuing operations                         $1,680        $2,588            $5        $2,659        $1,614
                                                    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Average shares outstanding                                 4,611                                                   4,836
                                                    ------------                                            ------------
                                                    ------------                                            ------------
Earnings per common share from continuing
 operations                                                 $.36                                                    $.33
                                                    ------------                                            ------------
                                                    ------------                                            ------------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
                                                                      KENTUCKY      ROCKDALE     PRO FORMA      ADJUSTED
                                                            GRAY   ACQUISITION   ACQUISITION   ADJUSTMENTS     PRO FORMA
                                                    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                 <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Operating revenues                                       $36,518       $10,237          $980          $-0-       $47,735
Operating expenses                                        30,242         7,382           930           559        39,113
                                                    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
  Operating income                                         6,276         2,855            50          (559)        8,622
Miscellaneous income, net                                    189            19           -0-           -0-           208
                                                    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                           6,465         2,874            50          (559)        8,830
Interest expense                                           1,923           -0-             4         2,412         4,339
                                                    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
  Income from continuing operations before income
   taxes                                                   4,542         2,874            46        (2,971)        4,491
Income tax expense (benefit)                               1,776           237           -0-          (208)        1,805
                                                    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
  Net income from continuing operations                   $2,766        $2,637           $46       $(2,763)       $2,686
                                                    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Average shares outstanding                                 4,689                                                   4,780
                                                    ------------                                            ------------
                                                    ------------                                            ------------
Earnings per common share from continuing
 operations                                                 $.59                                                    $.56
                                                    ------------                                            ------------
                                                    ------------                                            ------------
</TABLE>
 
    The pro forma results presented above include adjustments to reflect (i) the
incurrence  of interest expense to fund the 1994 Acquisitions, (ii) depreciation
and amortization of assets acquired, and (iii) the
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
B.  BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (CONTINUED)
income tax effect of such pro forma adjustments. Average outstanding shares used
to calculate earnings  per share from  continuing operations for  1994 and  1993
include the 225,000 shares issued in connection with the Rockdale Acquisition.
 
C.  LONG-TERM DEBT
    Long-term debt consists of the following (in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
Senior Note                                                 $25,000          $25,000
Bank Loan                                                    26,926           28,375
Other                                                         1,013              950
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                             52,939           54,325
Less current portion                                         (1,293)          (2,862)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                            $51,646          $51,463
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
    On September 2, 1994, the Company issued through a private placement with an
institutional  investor, a  $25.0 million  9.33% note  (the "Senior  Note"). The
Senior  Note  provides  for  semi-annual  principal  payments  of  $2.5  million
beginning  March  1999. Interest  is payable  semi-annually  in arrears  and the
Senior Note, as amended on  January 4, 1996, bears  interest at 10.7% (see  Note
B).  The agreement pursuant to which the Senior Note was issued contains certain
restrictive provisions, which,  among other things,  limit capital  expenditures
and  additional indebtedness, and  require minimum levels of  net worth and cash
flows.
 
    On September 2, 1994,  the Company entered into  a bank term loan  agreement
(the  "Bank Loan") which provided for borrowings of approximately $21.4 million.
On November  30, 1994,  the Bank  Loan  was amended  to provide  for  additional
borrowings  of $6.7 million  which were used  to purchase 663,180  shares of the
Company's Common Stock (SEE  NOTE E). The  Bank Loan, as  amended on January  4,
1996,  bears interest, at the Company's option, at  a spread over LIBOR, or at a
spread over the bank's prime rate (8.96%  at January 4, 1996) (see Note B).  The
Bank  Loan is due in  varying, quarterly principal payments  of $750,000 to $2.0
million through September  2002 with  two quarterly installments  of $7  million
payable  starting  December 2002.  The  Bank Loan  provides  for an  annual loan
prepayment based  on  the Company's  cash  flow as  defined  by the  Bank  Loan.
Additionally,  the effective interest rate of the Bank Loan can be changed based
upon the Company's  maintenance of certain  operating ratios as  defined by  the
Bank  Loan, not to exceed  the bank's prime rate plus  1.25% or LIBOR plus 3.5%.
The Bank Loan contains restrictive provisions  similar to the provisions of  the
Senior Note.
 
    The  Senior Note and the  Bank Loan are secured  by substantially all of the
Company's existing and hereafter acquired assets.
 
    The Company entered into a five year interest rate swap agreement on June 2,
1995, to effectively convert a portion of its floating rate debt to a fixed rate
basis. Approximately $25.0 million of  the Company's outstanding debt under  the
Bank Loan was subject to this interest rate swap agreement at December 31, 1995.
The effective rate of the Bank Loan and interest rate swap at December 31, 1995,
was  approximately 8.64%  and 9.10%, respectively.  The unrealized  loss for the
interest rate swap was approximately $565,000  at December 31, 1995, based  upon
comparison  to treasury bond yields for bonds with similar maturity dates as the
interest rate swap.
 
    At December  31,  1995, retained  earnings  of approximately  $500,000  were
available for dividends.
 
                                      F-24
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
C.  LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)
    Aggregate  minimum principal maturities on long-term debt as of December 31,
1995, were as follows (in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                       <C>
1996                                                          $2,862
1997                                                           5,039
1998                                                           6,634
1999                                                          12,615
2000                                                          11,303
Thereafter                                                    15,872
                                                          ----------
                                                             $54,325
                                                          ----------
                                                          ----------
</TABLE>
 
    The Company made interest payments of approximately $902,000, $1.2  million,
and $5.4 million during 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
D.  SUPPLEMENTAL EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND OTHER AGREEMENTS
    The  Company has an  employment agreement with  its President which provides
him 122,034 shares  of the  Company's Common Stock  if his  employment with  the
Company continues until September 1999. The Company will recognize approximately
$1.2  million of compensation expense  for this award over  the five year period
ending in 1999 ($80,000 and $240,000 of  expense was recorded in 1994 and  1995,
respectively).
 
    In  December 1995, the  Company amended an  existing employment agreement to
pay consulting  fees to  its former  chief executive  officer. The  Company  has
recorded  approximately $596,000 of corporate and administrative expenses during
the year ended December 31, 1995 in accordance with the terms of the  employment
agreement.  Additionally, in December 1995 the  Company issued 150,000 shares of
Common Stock  to this  former chief  executive officer  in accordance  with  his
employment   agreement  which  was  amended   to  remove  certain  restrictions,
including,  among  others,   a  time  requirement   for  continued   employment.
Compensation  expense of  approximately $2.1 million  (including $865,000 during
the quarter ended  December 31, 1995),  was recognized in  1995 for the  150,000
shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to this agreement.
 
   
    The Company has entered into supplemental retirement benefit agreements with
certain  key employees. These benefits  are to be paid  in equal monthly amounts
over the employees' life for a period  not to exceed 15 years after  retirement.
The  Company charges against  operations amounts sufficient  to fund the present
value of  the  estimated  lifetime supplemental  benefit  over  each  employee's
anticipated remaining period of employment. The Company maintains life insurance
coverage  on these  individuals (with  a cash  surrender value  of approximately
$280,000 at December 31, 1995) in adequate amounts to fund the agreements.
    
 
                                      F-25
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
D.  SUPPLEMENTAL EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND OTHER AGREEMENTS (CONTINUED)
    The following summarizes activity  relative to certain officers'  agreements
and the supplemental employee benefits (in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    -------------------------------------------------
                                                                      DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1993             1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
Beginning liability                                          $3,495           $2,960           $2,518
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
  Provision                                                     166              184              976
  Forfeitures                                                  (399)            (266)            (169)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
  Net (income) expense                                         (233)             (82)             807
  Payments                                                     (302)            (360)            (387)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
    Net change                                                 (535)            (442)             420
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
Ending liability                                              2,960            2,518            2,938
Less current portion                                           (162)            (175)            (725)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                             $2,798           $2,343           $2,213
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-26
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
E.  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    The  Company has  a Stock  Purchase Plan  which allows  outside directors to
purchase up to  7,500 shares  of the Company's  Common Stock  directly from  the
Company  before the  end of January  following each calendar  year. The purchase
price per share approximates the market price of the Common Stock at the time of
the grant. During 1993, 1994 and 1995, certain directors purchased an  aggregate
of 3,000, -0- and 23,500 shares of Common Stock, respectively, under this plan.
 
    The  Company has  a long-term  incentive plan  (the "Incentive  Plan") under
which 600,000 shares of  the Company's Common Stock  are reserved for grants  to
key personnel for (i) incentive stock options, (ii) non-qualified stock options,
(iii)  stock  appreciation rights,  (iv)  restricted stock  and  (v) performance
awards, as defined by the  Incentive Plan. Stock underlying outstanding  options
or  performance awards are  counted against the  Incentive Plan's maximum shares
while such options  or awards  are outstanding.  Under the  Incentive Plan,  the
options  granted vest after a two year  period and expire three years after full
vesting. Options granted through December 31, 1995, have been granted at a price
which approximates fair market value on the date of the grant.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                        EXERCISE PRICE PER SHARE
                                                    --------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
                                                              $9.67           $13.33
Stock options granted on November 18, 1993                   92,250              -0-
Forfeitures                                                  (3,000)             -0-
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Stock options outstanding at
  December 31, 1993                                          89,250              -0-
  Options granted                                            73,559              -0-
  Forfeitures                                               (16,500)             -0-
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Stock options outstanding at
  December 31, 1994                                         146,309              -0-
  Options granted                                               -0-           58,050
  Options exercised                                          (5,000)             -0-
  Forfeitures                                               (14,250)          (3,900)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 1995              127,059           54,150
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
    At December  31, 1995,  56,500 of  the  $9.67 options  issued in  1993  were
exercisable.
 
    On  December 1, 1994,  the Company repurchased 663,180  shares of its Common
Stock at a price of $10.00 per share for a total purchase price before expenses,
of $6.63 million. The trading value of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Small  Cap
Issues  Market was $10.83  on December 1,  1994. The Common  Stock was purchased
from The Prudential Insurance Company of America and Sandler Associates (420,000
and 243,180 shares, respectively). The purchase  was funded by a bank loan  (SEE
NOTE C).
 
F.  INCOME TAXES
    The  Company uses the liability method in accounting for income taxes. Under
this method,  deferred  tax  assets  and liabilities  are  determined  based  on
differences  between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities
and are measured using  the enacted tax  rates and laws that  will be in  effect
when the differences are expected to reverse.
 
                                      F-27
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
F.  INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
    Federal  and state income tax expense (benefit) included in the consolidated
financial statements are summarized as follows (in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    -------------------------------------------------
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1993             1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
Current
  Federal                                                      $982           $1,093            $(253)
  State                                                         181              160               24
Deferred                                                        436              523              863
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                             $1,599           $1,776             $634
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
    The total  provision  for  income  taxes  for  1993  included  $531,000  for
discontinued operations.
 
    The  components of  deferred income  tax expense  for federal  and state and
local income taxes resulted from the following (in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    -------------------------------------------------
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1993             1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
Accelerated depreciation for tax purposes                       $50              $19             $349
Accelerated amortization for tax purposes                       -0-              164              726
Employee benefits and other agreements                          181               96             (150)
Temporary difference related to loss on sales of
 assets                                                         174              248              -0-
Excess of book over tax deductions for lease                      7               91              -0-
Other                                                            24              (95)             (62)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                               $436             $523             $863
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-28
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
F.  INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
    Significant components of the Company's deferred tax liabilities and  assets
are as follows (in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    -------------------------------------------------
                                                                      DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1993             1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Net book value of property and equipment                     $704             $723           $1,069
  Goodwill                                                      -0-              164              890
  Other                                                         120              120              120
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
    Total deferred tax liabilities                              824            1,007            2,079
Deferred tax assets:
  Liability under supplemental retirement plan                1,125            1,029            1,127
  Allowance for doubtful accounts                               168              335              195
  Difference in basis of assets held for sale                 1,189              941              941
  Other                                                         135              117              368
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
    Total deferred tax assets                                 2,617            2,422            2,631
  Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets                  (753)            (753)            (753)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
    Net deferred tax assets                                   1,864            1,669            1,878
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
  Deferred tax assets (liabilities)                          $1,040             $662            $(201)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
    A  reconciliation of income tax expense  at the statutory federal income tax
rate and income taxes as reflected  in the consolidated financial statements  is
as follows (in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    -------------------------------------------------
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1993             1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
Statutory rate applied to income                             $1,409           $1,544             $532
State and local taxes, net of federal tax benefits              164              195               91
Other items, net                                                 26               37               11
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                             $1,599           $1,776             $634
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
    The  Company made  income tax payments  of approximately  $2.1 million, $1.5
million and $742,000 during 1993, 1994  and 1995, respectively. At December  31,
1995,  the Company  had current recoverable  income taxes  of approximately $1.3
million.
 
G.  RETIREMENT PLANS
 
PENSION PLAN
 
    The Company  has  a retirement  plan  covering substantially  all  full-time
employees.  Retirement benefits are based on years of service and the employees'
highest average  compensation for  five consecutive  years during  the last  ten
years  of employment. The Company's funding policy is to contribute annually the
minimum amounts deductible for federal income tax purposes.
 
                                      F-29
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
G.  RETIREMENT PLANS (CONTINUED)
    The net pension expense includes the following (in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    -------------------------------------------------
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1993             1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
Service costs-benefits earned during the year                  $224             $204             $221
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation                   374              359              384
Actual return on plan assets                                   (377)             (91)            (655)
Net amortization and deferral                                   (63)            (338)             187
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
Net pension expense                                            $158             $134             $137
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
Assumptions:
  Discount rate                                                8.0%             7.0%             8.0%
  Expected long-term rate of return on assets                  8.0%             7.0%             8.0%
  Estimated rate of increase in compensation
   levels                                                      6.0%             5.0%             6.0%
</TABLE>
 
    The following summarizes  the plan's funded  status and related  assumptions
(in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
Actuarial present value of accumulated benefit
 obligation is as follows:
  Vested                                                     $4,452           $5,308
  Other                                                          66              135
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                             $4,518           $5,443
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Plan assets at fair value, primarily mutual funds
 and an unallocated insurance contract                       $5,307           $5,680
Projected benefit obligation                                 (5,015)          (5,904)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Plan assets in excess of (less than) projected
 benefit obligation                                             292             (224)
Unrecognized net (gain) loss                                   (135)             190
Unrecognized net asset                                         (409)            (355)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Pension liability included in consolidated balance
 sheet                                                        $(252)           $(389)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Assumptions:
  Discount rate                                                8.0%             7.0%
  Estimated rate of increase in compensation
   levels                                                      6.0%             5.0%
</TABLE>
 
    Effective  December  31,  1995,  the  Company  changed  certain  assumptions
utilized in the actuarially computed costs  and liabilities. The effect of  such
changes  was to increase the present  value of the projected benefit obligations
by approximately $613,000.
 
CAPITAL ACCUMULATION PLAN
 
    Effective October  1,  1994, the  Company  adopted the  Gray  Communications
Systems,  Inc. Capital Accumulation  Plan (the "Capital  Accumulation Plan") for
the purpose of  providing additional retirement  benefits for substantially  all
employees. The Capital Accumulation Plan is intended to meet the requirements of
section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
                                      F-30
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
G.  RETIREMENT PLANS (CONTINUED)
    Employee contributions to the Capital Accumulation Plan, not to exceed 6% of
the  employees' gross pay,  are matched by  Company contributions. The Company's
percentage match is made by a contribution of the Company's Common Stock, in  an
amount declared by the Company's Board of Directors before the beginning of each
plan  year.  The Company's  percentage match  was  50% for  both the  year ended
December 31, 1995  and the  three months ended  December 31,  1994. The  Company
contributions  vest, based upon each employee's number of years of service, over
a period not to exceed  five years. The Company  has reserved 150,000 shares  of
its Common Stock for issuance under the Capital Accumulation Plan.
 
    Company matching contributions aggregating $32,676 and $298,725 were charged
to expense for 1994 and 1995, respectively, for the issuance of 3,160 and 18,354
shares, respectively of the Company's Common Stock.
 
H. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
    The  Company has various operating lease commitments for equipment, land and
office space which expire through the  year 2027. Future minimum payments  under
operating  leases with initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess
of one year are not material.
 
    The Company  has  entered  into  commitments  for  various  television  film
exhibition  rights  for  which  the  license  periods  have  not  yet commenced.
Obligations under these commitments are payable in the following years:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
1996                                                       $491,360
1997                                                      1,431,983
1998                                                      1,351,273
1999                                                      1,133,860
2000                                                        456,733
                                                    ---------------
                                                         $4,865,209
                                                    ---------------
                                                    ---------------
</TABLE>
 
    The Company is subject  to legal proceedings and  claims which arise in  the
normal  course of  its business.  In the  opinion of  management, the  amount of
ultimate liability, if any,  with respect to these  actions will not  materially
affect the Company's financial position.
 
I.  DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
    On  April 13, 1994, the Company completed the sale of the assets of Gray Air
Service (an operation discontinued in 1993) for approximately $1.2 million,  and
used  the proceeds  to reduce  the Company's  outstanding debt.  During the year
ended December  31,  1993,  the  Company  sold  its  investment  in  undeveloped
farmland, another asset held for sale, for approximately $2.0 million.
 
    On  March  31,  1993,  the  Company  completed  the  sale  of  its warehouse
operations to Gray Distribution Services, Inc., a Georgia corporation, owned  by
a  former  director  and  officer  of  the  Company.  The  net  sales  price  of
approximately $2.9 million was paid in cash at the date of closing. The  Company
recognized  a gain of approximately  $1.5 million, net of  income tax expense of
approximately $932,000, relative to the disposal of the warehouse operations.  A
special  independent committee of the Company's  Board of Directors approved the
terms and conditions of the sale.
 
                                      F-31
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
I.  DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
    The following summarizes information  relative to the discontinued  business
segment for the year ended December 31, 1993 (in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
Operating revenues                                           $1,695
                                                    ---------------
                                                    ---------------
Operating earnings                                             $100
                                                    ---------------
                                                    ---------------
Net earnings                                                    $48
                                                    ---------------
                                                    ---------------
</TABLE>
 
J.  INFORMATION ON BUSINESS SEGMENTS
    The  Company operates in two business segments: broadcasting and publishing.
A transportation segment was discontinued in 1993 (see Note I). The broadcasting
segment operates five television stations  at December 31, 1995. The  Publishing
segment operates three daily newspapers in three different markets, and six area
weekly  advertising only direct mail publications in southwest Georgia and north
Florida. The following tables  present certain financial information  concerning
the Company's two operating segments and its discontinued segment (in 000's).
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    -------------------------------------------------
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1993             1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
OPERATING REVENUE
  Broadcasting                                              $15,004          $22,826          $36,750
  Publishing                                                 10,109           13,692           21,866
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                            $25,113          $36,518          $58,616
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
OPERATING PROFIT (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
  Broadcasting                                               $2,491           $5,241           $7,822
  Publishing                                                  1,040            1,036             (962)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
Total operating profit from continuing operations             3,531            6,277            6,860
Miscellaneous income and expense, net                           202              188              144
Interest expense                                               (985)          (1,923)          (5,439)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
Income from continuing operations before income
 taxes                                                       $2,748           $4,542           $1,565
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-32
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
J.  INFORMATION ON BUSINESS SEGMENTS (CONTINUED)
    Operating  profit  is  total  operating  revenue  less  operating  expenses,
excluding  miscellaneous  income  and  expense  (net)  and  interest.  Corporate
administrative  expenses are allocated to operating  profit based on net segment
revenues.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    -------------------------------------------------
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1993             1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE
  Broadcasting                                                 $904           $1,326           $2,723
  Publishing                                                    438              690            1,190
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                              1,342            2,016            3,913
  Corporate                                                     223              126               46
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                              1,565            2,142            3,959
  Discontinued operations                                       224              -0-              -0-
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
Total depreciation and amortization expense                  $1,789           $2,142           $3,959
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
  Broadcasting                                                 $787           $1,330           $2,285
  Publishing                                                    755              366              973
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                              1,542            1,696            3,258
  Corporate                                                     124               72               22
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                              1,666            1,768            3,280
  Discontinued operations                                       916              -0-              -0-
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
Total capital expenditures                                   $2,582           $1,768           $3,280
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    -------------------------------------------------
                                                                      DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1993             1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS
  Broadcasting                                               $9,984          $53,173          $54,022
  Publishing                                                  4,753           11,878           18,170
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                             14,737           65,051           72,192
  Corporate                                                   5,699            3,738            6,048
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                             20,436           68,789           78,240
  Discontinued operations                                       936              -0-              -0-
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
Total identifiable assets                                   $21,372          $68,789          $78,240
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-33
<PAGE>
                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
Partners of Television Station Partners, L.P.
 
    We  have audited  the accompanying  balance sheet  of WRDW-TV,  an operating
station of Television Station Partners, L.P.,  as of December 31, 1995, and  the
related  statements of income, partnership's equity, and cash flows for the year
then  ended.  These   financial  statements  are   the  responsibility  of   the
Partnership's  management. Our responsibility is to  express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audit.
 
    We conducted  our  audit  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 audit provides 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 WRDW-TV  at December 31,
1995, and the results  of its operations  and its cash flows  for the year  then
ended in conformity with the generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
January 26, 1996
 
                                      F-34
<PAGE>
                                    WRDW-TV
                             (THE AUGUSTA BUSINESS)
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                  <C>
ASSETS
 
Current assets:
  Cash                                                                                                   $333,658
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $117,380                 1,748,208
  Television film exhibition rights                                                                       924,107
  Prepaid and other current assets                                                                         55,342
                                                                                                     ------------
      Total current assets                                                                              3,061,315
Property, buildings and equipment-net (NOTE 3):                                                         1,778,429
Television film exhibition rights                                                                       2,570,850
Intangible assets-net                                                                                   4,128,730
                                                                                                     ------------
      Total                                                                                           $11,539,324
                                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                                     ------------
 
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERSHIP'S EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses (NOTE 4)                                                         $233,197
  Obligations for television film exhibition rights                                                       898,251
                                                                                                     ------------
      Total current liabilities                                                                         1,131,448
Obligations for television film exhibition rights                                                       2,680,267
Commitments and contingencies (NOTE 5)
Partnership's equity (NOTES 1 AND 7)                                                                    7,727,609
                                                                                                     ------------
      Total                                                                                           $11,539,324
                                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                                     ------------
</TABLE>
 
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES.
 
                                      F-35
<PAGE>
                                    WRDW-TV
                             (THE AUGUSTA BUSINESS)
                              STATEMENT OF INCOME
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                  <C>
REVENUES:
  Broadcasting revenues                                                                               $10,059,555
  Less:
    Advertising agency commissions                                                                      1,171,595
    National sales representative commissions                                                             227,368
                                                                                                     ------------
  Total advertising agency and national sales representative commissions                                1,398,963
                                                                                                     ------------
Net operating revenues                                                                                  8,660,592
                                                                                                     ------------
OPERATING EXPENSES:
  Operating, technical and programming costs                                                            3,142,280
  Selling, general and administrative                                                                   2,631,952
  Depreciation                                                                                            272,298
  Amortization of intangible assets                                                                       151,620
                                                                                                     ------------
Total operating expenses                                                                                6,198,150
                                                                                                     ------------
 
INCOME BEFORE OTHER EXPENSES                                                                            2,462,442
Other-expenses, net                                                                                       220,211
                                                                                                     ------------
Net income                                                                                             $2,242,231
                                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                                     ------------
</TABLE>
    
 
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES.
 
                                      F-36
<PAGE>
                                    WRDW-TV
                             (THE AUGUSTA BUSINESS)
                       STATEMENT OF PARTNERSHIP'S EQUITY
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                  <C>
Balance at December 31, 1994                                                                           $7,410,422
  Net income                                                                                            2,242,231
  Distribution to Television Station Partners, L.P.                                                    (1,925,044)
                                                                                                     ------------
Balance at December 31, 1995                                                                           $7,727,609
                                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                                     ------------
</TABLE>
 
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES.
 
                                      F-37
<PAGE>
                                    WRDW-TV
                             (THE AUGUSTA BUSINESS)
                            STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                  <C>
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income                                                                                             $2,242,231
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                                                                       1,359,415
    Provision for bad debt (recoveries)                                                                   (14,000)
    Net trade barter revenue                                                                              (59,356)
    Gain on sale of property and equipment                                                                (12,868)
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
    Accounts receivable                                                                                   (60,155)
    Prepaid and other assets                                                                              102,937
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                                                (359,296)
    Payments of obligations for television film exhibition rights                                      (1,017,754)
    Other                                                                                                 274,956
                                                                                                     ------------
Net cash provided by operating activities                                                               2,456,110
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment                                                               12,868
Capital expenditures                                                                                     (121,987)
                                                                                                     ------------
Net cash used in investing activities                                                                    (109,119)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash transferred to Partnership                                                                        (2,200,000)
                                                                                                     ------------
Net cash used in financing activities                                                                  (2,200,000)
 
NET INCREASE IN CASH                                                                                      146,991
CASH AT BEGINNING OF YEAR                                                                                 186,667
                                                                                                     ------------
CASH AT END OF YEAR                                                                                      $333,658
                                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                                     ------------
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH OPERATING, INVESTING AND FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
  Television film exhibition obligations were incurred when the Station entered into contracts for
   film exhibition rights totaling:                                                                      $387,450
                                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                                     ------------
  Property and equipment was acquired in exchange for advertising time totaling:                          $59,356
                                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                                     ------------
</TABLE>
 
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES.
 
                                      F-38
<PAGE>
                                    WRDW-TV
                             (THE AUGUSTA BUSINESS)
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
1.  STATION ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
    WRDW-TV  (the "Station") is a commercial television station located in North
Augusta, South  Carolina.  The Station  was  owned and  operated  by  Television
Station  Partners,  L.P. (the  "Partnership") from  July 7,  1989 to  January 4,
1996-See Note 8.  The Partnership is  a Delaware limited  partnership which  was
organized  on May 24, 1989 for the  sole purpose of acquiring, owning, operating
and, at  such  time  as  GP  Station Partners  (the  "general  partner"  of  the
Partnership)  determines is appropriate, reselling or otherwise disposing of its
television stations.
 
    The Station was acquired by the Partnership  on July 7, 1989 pursuant to  an
Exchange  Agreement dated  May 24, 1989  between the  Partnership and Television
Station Partners,  a  New  York  partnership  ("TSP").  The  Exchange  Agreement
provided  for the transfer to the partnership of all of TSP's assets in exchange
for all of the units of partnership interest in the Partnership, followed by the
liquidation and distribution of those units to the partners of TSP. For tax  and
accounting  purposes, the Partnership has been treated as a continuation of TSP.
The Station had been operated by TSP since March 23, 1983.
 
    The financial statements of the Station are prepared on the accrual basis of
accounting,  and  include  only  those  assets,  liabilities,  and  results   of
operations that relate to the business of the Station.
 
    The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  generally
accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions  that affect  the amounts reported  in the  financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
TELEVISION FILM EXHIBITION RIGHTS
 
    Television film exhibition rights are recorded at the amount of the  license
fees  payable when purchased and amortized  using the straight-line method based
on the  license  period  or  usage, whichever  yields  the  greater  accumulated
amortization.  Television film exhibition  rights are classified  based upon the
portion of the unamortized balance expected  to be broadcast within the  current
year.
 
PROPERTY, BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT
 
    Property,  buildings  and  equipment  is  stated  at  cost  less accumulated
depreciation. Depreciation is provided  principally by the straight-line  method
over  the estimated useful lives of the  assets. Any gains or losses realized on
disposition are reflected  in operations.  Maintenance and repairs,  as well  as
minor  renewals and betterments,  are charged to  operating expenses directly as
incurred.
 
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
    Intangible  assets  are  comprised  principally  of  Federal  Communications
Commission  licenses and network affiliation agreements and are amortized on the
straight-line basis, primarily over 40 years. Intangible assets are periodically
evaluated for impairments using a measurement  of fair value, calculated at  the
current  market multiple times  operating income. If  this review indicates that
the intangible assets will not be  recoverable, the Company's carrying value  of
the intangible assets would be reduced to its estimated fair value.
 
                                      F-39
<PAGE>
                                    WRDW-TV
                             (THE AUGUSTA BUSINESS)
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
TRADE/BARTER TRANSACTIONS
 
    Trade/barter  transactions  involve  the exchange  of  advertising  time for
products and/or services and are recorded based on the fair market value of  the
products   and/or  services  received.  Revenue  is  recorded  when  advertising
schedules air, and expense is recognized when products and/or services are used.
 
INCOME TAXES
 
    No income tax provision has been included in the financial statements  since
income  or loss of the Station is required to be reported by the partners of the
Partnership on their respective income tax returns.
 
3.  PROPERTY, BUILDINGS, AND EQUIPMENT
    The major classes of property, buildings and equipment at December 31,  1995
are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                               <C>
Land                                                                $190,000
Buildings and tower                                                2,062,613
Automobiles                                                          136,245
Furniture and fixtures                                             5,999,846
Machinery and equipment                                            1,769,175
                                                                  ----------
                                                                  10,157,879
Less accumulated depreciation                                      8,379,450
                                                                  ----------
                                                                  $1,778,429
                                                                  ----------
                                                                  ----------
</TABLE>
 
4.  ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES
    Accounts  payable and accrued  expenses at December 31,  1995 consist of the
following:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                               <C>
Accounts payable                                                     $10,275
Accrued state taxes                                                    9,096
Accrued payroll, commissions, and bonuses                            152,201
Other accrued expenses                                                61,625
                                                                  ----------
                                                                    $233,197
                                                                  ----------
                                                                  ----------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-40
<PAGE>
                                    WRDW-TV
                             (THE AUGUSTA BUSINESS)
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
5.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
FILM EXHIBITION RIGHTS
 
    The obligations for  television film  exhibition rights are  payable in  the
following years:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31                                               AMOUNT
- ----------------------------------------------------------------  ----------
<S>                                                               <C>
  1996                                                              $898,251
  1997                                                               875,838
  1998                                                               838,254
  1999                                                               672,724
  2000                                                               293,451
                                                                  ----------
                                                                  $3,578,518
                                                                  ----------
                                                                  ----------
</TABLE>
 
LITIGATION
 
    The  Station is subject to  legal proceedings and claims  which arise in the
ordinary course of  its business. In  the opinion of  management, the amount  of
ultimate  liability with respect to these actions will not materially affect the
financial statements of the Station.
 
DEBT
 
    The Partnership had indebtedness outstanding  under an Amended and  Restated
Credit  Agreement (the "Agreement"). The Agreement is secured by a first lien on
substantially all  the assets  of the  Partnership. The  Agreement required  the
Partnership  to enter into one or more binding sales contracts for the assets of
each station, satisfactory to the Banks, on or before June 30, 1995. During  the
latter  part of 1994,  the Partnership contracted the  services of Media Venture
Partners for the  purpose of  marketing the stations.  On January  4, 1996,  the
Partnership sold the assets of the Station. (Note 8).
 
6.  TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
    The  Partnership pays various operating and non-operation expenses on behalf
of the Station. These expenses have  been allocated for the year ended  December
31,  1995. The Station is allocated a portion of management fees and expenses in
the amount  of approximately  $90,000  to RP  Television for  financial  support
services  such as accounting. Additionally, the Station transfers excess cash to
the Partnership's headquarters. Excess cash  transferred was $2,200,000 for  the
year  ended December 31,  1995. This money  is primarily used  for principal and
interest payments on the Partnership's debt obligations.
 
7.  PENSION PLAN
    Effective January  1,  1993,  the  defined  contribution  pension  plan  was
converted  to  a  401(k)  salaried  deferral  plan,  covering  substantially all
employees, with a Partnership  profit sharing contribution of  3 1/2 percent  of
the   participants'   salary   per  annum.   Annual   contributions  aggregating
approximately $53,803 were made to the Plan during 1995.
 
8.  SUBSEQUENT EVENT
    On January  4, 1996,  the Partnership  sold the  assets of  WRDW-TV to  Gray
Communication  Systems, Inc., for approximately $34 million plus an amount equal
to the excess of the current assets over the current liabilities assumed by  the
buyer, as defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement.
 
                                      F-41
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
To the Partners' of
 Television Station Partners, L.P.:
 
    We  have audited  the accompanying balance  sheets of  WRDW-TV (an operating
station of Television Station  Partners, L.P.), (the  "Station") as of  December
31,  1994 and the  related statements of income,  partnership's equity, and cash
flows for the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994. These financial statements
are the responsibility of the Partnership'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  from
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, such  financial statements present  fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of the Station as of December 31, 1994, and the
results of their operations  and their cash flows  for the years ended  December
31, 1993 and 1994 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
May 12, 1995
 
                                      F-42
<PAGE>
WRDW-TV
(AN OPERATING STATION OF TELEVISION STATION PARTNERS, L.P.)
BALANCE SHEET
DECEMBER 31, 1994
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         1994
                                                                                                     ------------
 
<S>                                                                                                  <C>
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
 
  Cash                                                                                                   $186,667
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $131,000                 1,674,053
  Television film exhibition rights                                                                       874,495
  Prepaid and other current assets                                                                        158,279
                                                                                                     ------------
      Total current assets                                                                              2,893,494
PROPERTY, BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT-Net (NOTE 3):                                                         1,869,384
TELEVISION FILM EXHIBITION RIGHTS                                                                       3,168,509
INTANGIBLE ASSETS-Net                                                                                   4,280,350
                                                                                                     ------------
      TOTAL                                                                                           $12,211,737
                                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                                     ------------
 
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERSHIP'S EQUITY
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses (NOTE 4)                                                         $592,493
  Obligations for television film exhibition rights (NOTE 5)                                              908,652
                                                                                                     ------------
      Total current liabilities                                                                         1,501,145
OBLIGATIONS FOR TELEVISION FILM EXHIBITION RIGHTS (NOTE 5)                                              3,300,170
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 6)
PARTNERSHIP'S EQUITY (NOTES 1 AND 8)                                                                    7,410,422
                                                                                                     ------------
      Total                                                                                           $12,211,737
                                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                                     ------------
</TABLE>
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 
                                      F-43
<PAGE>
WRDW-TV
(AN OPERATING STATION OF TELEVISION STATION PARTNERS, L.P.)
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993 AND 1994
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          1993          1994
                                                                                      ------------  ------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>           <C>
REVENUES:
  Broadcasting revenues                                                                 $7,933,825    $9,460,307
  Less:
    Advertising agency commissions                                                         943,174     1,158,952
    National sales representative commissions                                              194,516       255,379
                                                                                      ------------  ------------
      Total advertising agency and national sales representative commissions             1,137,690     1,414,331
                                                                                      ------------  ------------
      Net operating revenues                                                             6,796,135     8,045,976
                                                                                      ------------  ------------
 
OPERATING EXPENSES:
  Operating, technical and programming costs                                             2,555,795     2,958,364
  Selling, general and administrative                                                    2,126,770     2,434,477
  Depreciation                                                                             290,730       309,949
  Amortization of intangible assets                                                        151,620       151,620
                                                                                      ------------  ------------
      Total operating expenses                                                           5,124,915     5,854,410
                                                                                      ------------  ------------
INCOME BEFORE OTHER EXPENSES                                                             1,671,220     2,191,566
Other-expenses, net                                                                         77,408        54,570
                                                                                      ------------  ------------
NET INCOME                                                                              $1,593,812    $2,136,996
                                                                                      ------------  ------------
                                                                                      ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
    
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 
                                      F-44
<PAGE>
WRDW-TV
(AN OPERATING STATION OF TELEVISION STATION PARTNERS, L.P.)
STATEMENTS OF PARTNERSHIP'S EQUITY
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993 AND 1994
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     PARTNERSHIP'S
                                                        EQUITY
                                                    ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>
BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 1993                                 $7,829,582
  Net income                                              1,593,812
  Transfer to Television Station Partners, L.P.          (1,909,588)
                                                    ---------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1993                                7,513,806
  Net income                                              2,136,996
  Transfer to Television Station Partners, L.P.          (2,240,380)
                                                    ---------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1994                               $7,410,422
                                                    ---------------
                                                    ---------------
</TABLE>
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 
                                      F-45
<PAGE>
WRDW-TV
(AN OPERATING STATION OF TELEVISION STATION PARTNERS, L.P.)
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993 AND 1994
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          1993          1994
                                                                                      ------------  ------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>           <C>
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  Net income                                                                            $1,593,812    $2,136,996
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                                                        1,355,485     1,345,658
    Provision for bad debt                                                                  24,800        62,000
    Net trade barter revenue                                                               (15,850)      (30,105)
    Gain on sale of property and equipment                                                  (1,137)         (400)
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
      Accounts receivable                                                                 (413,414)     (173,216)
      Prepaid and other assets                                                             (51,535)      (34,480)
      Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                                155,264         2,443
      Payments of obligations for television film exhibition rights                     (2,645,344)   (3,048,878)
                                                                                      ------------  ------------
      Net cash provided by operating activities                                              2,081       260,018
                                                                                      ------------  ------------
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from sale of property and equipment                                               9,470           400
  Capital expenditures                                                                    (230,718)     (176,374)
                                                                                      ------------  ------------
      Net cash used in investing activities                                               (221,248)     (175,974)
                                                                                      ------------  ------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH                                                           (219,167)       84,044
 
CASH, BEGINNING OF YEAR                                                                    321,790       102,623
                                                                                      ------------  ------------
 
CASH, END OF YEAR                                                                         $102,623      $186,667
                                                                                      ------------  ------------
                                                                                      ------------  ------------
 
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
  Cash transferred to Television Station Partners, L.P.                                 $2,075,000    $2,417,500
                                                                                      ------------  ------------
                                                                                      ------------  ------------
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH OPERATING, INVESTING AND FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES:
  Television film exhibition obligations of $1,969,210 and 3,112,615 in 1993 and
   1994, respectively, were incurred when the Station entered into contracts for
   film exhibition rights.
  Property and equipment totaling $15,850 and $30,105 was acquired in 1993 and 1994,
   respectively, in exchange for advertising time.
</TABLE>
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 
                                      F-46
<PAGE>
WRDW-TV
(AN OPERATING STATION OF TELEVISION STATION PARTNERS, L.P.)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993 AND 1994
 
1.  STATION ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
    WRDW-TV  (the "Station") is a commercial television station located in North
    Augusta, South Carolina.  The Station  is owned and  operated by  Television
    Station  Partners, L.P.  (the "Partnership") since  July 7, 1989,  as one of
    four  commercial  television   stations  owned  by   the  Partnership.   The
    Partnership is a Delaware limited partnership which was organized on May 24,
    1989  for the sole purpose of acquiring, owning, operating and, at such time
    as GP Station Partners (the "general partner" of the Partnership) determines
    is appropriate, reselling or otherwise disposing of its television stations.
 
    The Station was acquired by the Partnership  on July 7, 1989 pursuant to  an
    Exchange Agreement dated May 24, 1989 between the Partnership and Television
    Station  Partners, a  New York  partnership ("TSP").  The Exchange Agreement
    provided for  the transfer  to the  partnership of  all of  TSP's assets  in
    exchange  for all of  the units of partnership  interest in the Partnership,
    followed by the liquidation and distribution of those units to the  partners
    of TSP. For tax and accounting purposes, the Partnership has been treated as
    a  continuation of TSP. The Station has been operated by TSP since March 23,
    1983.
 
    The financial statements of the Station are prepared on the accrual basis of
    accounting, and  include  only those  assets,  liabilities, and  results  of
    operations that relate to the business of the Station.
 
2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
    TELEVISION  FILM  EXHIBITION  RIGHTS --  Television  film  exhibition rights
    relating to films which are currently available for telecasting are recorded
    at  the  gross  cost   method  when  purchased   and  amortized  using   the
    straight-line  method  over  the greater  of  the license  period  or usage.
    Television film exhibition rights are  classified based upon the portion  of
    the unamortized balance expected to be broadcast within the current year.
 
    PROPERTY,  BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT --  Property, buildings and equipment are
    stated at  cost  less  accumulated depreciation.  Depreciation  is  provided
    principally  by the straight-line method over  the estimated useful lives of
    the assets. Any  gains or losses  realized on disposition  are reflected  in
    operations.   Maintenance  and  repairs,  as  well  as  minor  renewals  and
    betterments, are charged to operating expenses directly as incurred.
 
    INTANGIBLE ASSETS -- Intangible assets are comprised principally of  Federal
    Communications  Commission licenses  and network  affiliation agreements and
    are  amortized  on  the  straight-line  basis,  primarily  over  40   years.
    Intangible  assets  are  periodically  evaluated  for  impairments  using  a
    measurement of fair value, calculated  at the current market multiple  times
    operating  income. The  current market value  multiple used  at December 31,
    1994 was 8.5 times.
 
    TRADE/BARTER TRANSACTIONS -- Trade/barter transactions involve the  exchange
    of  advertising time for products and/or  services and are recorded based on
    the fair market value of the  products and/or services received. Revenue  is
    recorded  when  advertising schedules  air, and  expense is  recognized when
    products and/or services are used.
 
    INCOME TAXES -- No income tax  provision has been included in the  financial
    statements since income or loss of the Station is required to be reported by
    the partners of the Partnership on their respective income tax returns.
 
                                      F-47
<PAGE>
WRDW-TV
(AN OPERATING STATION OF TELEVISION STATION PARTNERS, L.P.)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993 AND 1994
 
3.  PROPERTY, BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT
    The major classes of property, buildings and equipment are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                             1994
                                                                                        ---------------
<S>                                                                                     <C>
Land                                                                                           $190,000
Buildings and Tower                                                                           2,043,123
Automobiles                                                                                     153,378
Furniture and fixtures                                                                        5,994,475
Machinery and equipment                                                                       1,637,285
                                                                                        ---------------
                                                                                             10,018,261
Less accumulated depreciation                                                                 8,148,877
                                                                                        ---------------
                                                                                             $1,869,384
                                                                                        ---------------
                                                                                        ---------------
</TABLE>
 
4.  ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                             1994
                                                                                        ---------------
<S>                                                                                     <C>
Accounts payable                                                                                $99,042
Accrued state taxes                                                                              25,126
Accrued payroll, commissions, and bonuses                                                       133,473
Other accrued expenses                                                                          334,852
                                                                                        ---------------
                                                                                               $592,493
                                                                                        ---------------
                                                                                        ---------------
</TABLE>
 
5.  OBLIGATIONS FOR TELEVISION FILM EXHIBITION RIGHTS
    Obligation for television film exhibition rights at December 31, 1994 are as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31                                                                       AMOUNT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
<S>                                                                                        <C>
1995                                                                                           $908,652
1996                                                                                            907,886
1997                                                                                            822,655
1998                                                                                            736,849
1999                                                                                            539,332
Thereafter                                                                                      293,448
                                                                                           ------------
                                                                                              4,208,822
Current portion                                                                                 908,652
                                                                                           ------------
Long-term obligations                                                                        $3,300,170
                                                                                           ------------
                                                                                           ------------
</TABLE>
 
6.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
    LITIGATION  -- In March 1990, a suit  was commenced in the Superior Court of
    California, County of Alameda, against the Partnership, GP Station Partners,
    and certain individuals,  in connection  with the July  1989 transaction  in
    which  the  assets  of  TSP  were transferred  to  the  Partnership  and the
    Partnership distributed to the partners a major portion of the proceeds of a
    $72 million borrowing. The plaintiffs in  the suit sought rescission of  the
    asset transfer, the return by the
 
                                      F-48
<PAGE>
WRDW-TV
(AN OPERATING STATION OF TELEVISION STATION PARTNERS, L.P.)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993 AND 1994
 
6.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
    general  partner  of  all  cash  distributions  made  from  the  $72 million
    borrowing, damages and other relief. The suit was subsequently dismissed  on
    the grounds that the California courts were an inconvenient forum.
 
    On  April  8,  1992,  the  plaintiffs in  the  California  suit  and another
    plaintiff commenced an action  in the United States  District Court for  the
    Southern  District of New York  against GP Station Partners  and each of its
    general partners.  The  action,  which the  plaintiffs  purported  to  bring
    individually  and as representatives of the limited partners, sought damages
    and  other  relief.  The  Partnership  Agreement  contains  exculpation  and
    indemnification  provisions relating  to claims against  GP Station Partners
    and its affiliates. In November 1992 the action was settled and discontinued
    following  the  court's   denial  of  the   plaintiff's  motion  for   class
    certification.  The settlement agreement provided for an exchange of general
    releases and for payment  to the original plaintiffs  of an amount equal  to
    their  share of the  July 1989 distribution to  partners (which the original
    Television Station Partners had  been escrowing pending  the outcome of  the
    litigation),  plus  accrued interest,  and those  plaintiffs also  agreed to
    waive all  rights  to  any  further distribution  and  to  relinquish  their
    interest in the Partnership without further consideration. No amount will be
    payable  to the other  plaintiff in the action.  The agreement also provides
    for payment of $75,000 to  the plaintiffs' counsel as partial  reimbursement
    of  legal fees and expenses  incurred in prosecuting the  action. As part of
    the settlement, the limited partners' original investment of $203,000,  plus
    interest  of approximately $63,000 was paid.  As a result of the litigation,
    the Partnership incurred legal fees of approximately $579,000.
 
    The Station is subject  to legal proceedings and  claims which arise in  the
    ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of management, the amount of
    ultimate  liability with respect to these actions will not materially affect
    the financial statements of the Station.
 
    DEBT -- At December  31, 1994 the Partnership  had $71,900,000 of  principal
    indebtedness outstanding under an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the
    "Agreement").  The Agreement is secured by a first lien on substantially all
    the assets of  the Partnership.  The Agreement requires  the Partnership  to
    enter  into  one or  more binding  sales  contracts for  the assets  of each
    station, satisfactory to the Banks, on  or before June 30, 1995. During  the
    latter  part  of  1994, the  Partnership  contracted the  services  of Media
    Venture Partners  for the  purpose of  marketing the  stations. In  February
    1995, the Partnership signed letters of intent for the sale of the assets of
    each station. (Note 9)
 
7.  TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
 
    The  Partnership pays various operating and non-operating expenses on behalf
    of the Station. These expenses  totaled approximately $165,000 and  $177,000
    for  the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994, respectively. Additionally,
    the Station transfers excess cash to the Partnership's headquarters.  Excess
    cash  transferred was $1,909,588 and $2,240,380 for the years ended December
    31, 1993 and 1994, respectively. This money is primarily used for  principal
    and interest payments on the Partnership's debt obligations.
 
                                      F-49
<PAGE>
WRDW-TV
(AN OPERATING STATION OF TELEVISION STATION PARTNERS, L.P.)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993 AND 1994
 
8.  PENSION PLAN
    Effective  January  1,  1993,  the  defined  contribution  pension  plan was
    converted to  a 401(k)  salaried  deferral plan  with a  Partnership  profit
    sharing contribution of 3 1/2 percent of the participants' salary per annum.
    Annual contributions aggregating approximately $40,585 and $57,314 were made
    to the Plan during 1993 and 1994, respectively.
 
9.  SUBSEQUENT EVENT
    On February 10, 1995, the Partnership signed a letter of intent for the sale
    of the assets of WRDW-TV for approximately $34 million, plus an amount equal
    to  the excess of the current assets over the current liabilities assumed by
    the buyer, as defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement, if applicable, to  be
    paid in cash at the closing of the sale.
 
                                      F-50
<PAGE>
                       BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS
                                       OF
                              JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC.
                             (THE PHIPPS BUSINESS)
                      CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                       DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1995   MARCH 31, 1996
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                       ASSETS
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                                $620,015         $186,719
  Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
   accounts of $49,000 and $52,000, respectively          5,152,778        4,611,222
  Program broadcast rights, current portion                 919,281          926,781
  Other current assets                                      347,785          265,976
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                          7,039,859        5,990,698
Property and equipment, net                              10,492,583       10,155,764
Goodwill and other intangibles                            9,454,775        9,279,119
Program broadcast rights, less current portion              575,111          343,165
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                         10,029,886        9,622,284
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                        $27,562,328      $25,768,746
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
 
                           LIABILITIES AND OWNER'S EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses                    $365,468          461,144
  Program broadcast obligations, current portion            921,579          804,477
  Deferred paging service income                            833,264          909,268
  Current portion of long-term debt                       1,389,931        1,431,806
  Other current liabilities                                 907,345          856,214
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                          4,417,587        4,462,909
Long-term debt                                            3,419,918        2,638,623
Program broadcast obligations, less current
 portion                                                    345,140          213,906
Minority interest                                           585,768          438,299
Commitments and contingencies
Owner's equity                                           18,793,915       18,015,009
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                        $27,562,328      $25,768,746
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
           See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.
    
 
                                      F-51
<PAGE>
                       BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS
                                       OF
                              JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC.
                             (THE PHIPPS BUSINESS)
                   CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                           THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                               MARCH 31,
                                                               1995             1996
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
  Revenues:
    Broadcast revenues, net                              $4,442,534       $4,693,371
    Paging operations                                     1,238,394        1,338,766
    Production and other revenues                           358,809          514,437
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                          6,039,737        6,546,574
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
  Expenses:
    Operating, technical and programming                  1,256,758        1,447,337
    Selling, general and administrative                   1,789,947        1,963,261
    Amortization of program broadcast rights                211,204          231,945
    Depreciation and amortization                           700,331          758,773
    Pension credit (NOTE 2)                                (112,250)        (113,000)
    Management fees                                         769,360          371,185
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                          4,615,350        4,659,501
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                          1,424,387        1,887,073
  Interest                                                  113,637           92,342
  Other (income) expense, net                                 4,862          (10,803)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
  Income before minority interests                        1,305,888        1,805,534
  Minority interests                                        (58,040)         (79,767)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
  Net income                                             $1,247,848       $1,725,767
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
  Supplemental pro-forma net income
    Net income, as above                                 $1,247,848       $1,725,767
    Pro-forma provision for income tax expense             (474,200)        (655,800)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
  Pro-forma net income                                     $773,648       $1,069,967
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
           See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.
    
 
                                      F-52
<PAGE>
                       BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS
                                       OF
                              JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC.
                             (THE PHIPPS BUSINESS)
                 CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                           THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                               MARCH 31,
                                                               1995             1996
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income                                               $1,247,848       $1,725,767
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
 provided by operating activities:
  Depreciation and amortization                             700,331          758,773
  Gain (loss) on disposition of fixed assets                (18,192)          53,081
  Amortization of program broadcast rights                  211,204          231,945
  Payments of program broadcast rights obligations         (229,024)        (248,336)
  Minority interests                                         58,040           79,767
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
  Accounts receivable                                       386,008          541,556
  Other current assets                                     (168,767)          74,309
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses                       8,780           95,676
  Other current liabilities                                (165,597)         (51,131)
  Deferred paging income                                     63,539           76,004
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Net cash provided by operating activities                 2,094,170        3,337,411
Investing activities:
  Purchases of property and equipment                    (1,239,028)        (710,169)
  Proceeds from disposition of property and
   equipment                                                274,279          415,165
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
  Net cash used in investing activities                    (964,749)        (295,004)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Financing activities:
  Indebtedness:
    Borrowings                                              931,440           66,576
    Repayments                                           (1,265,694)        (805,996)
  Distributions to minority interests                      (114,894)        (227,236)
  Other                                                      (1,235)          (4,375)
  Payments to J.H. Phipps, Inc., net                       (641,971)      (2,504,672)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Net cash used in financing activities                    (1,092,354)      (3,475,703)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents             37,067         (433,296)
  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period           95,210          620,015
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
  Cash and cash equivalents at end of period               $132,277         $186,719
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
           See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.
    
 
                                      F-53
<PAGE>
   
           BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS OF JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC.
                             (THE PHIPPS BUSINESS)
              NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
    
 
NOTE 1 -- BASIS OF PRESENTATION
   
    The  accompanying unaudited  condensed consolidated  financial statements of
the Broadcasting and  Paging Operations  of John  H. Phipps,  Inc. (the  "Phipps
Business")  have been prepared in  accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles for interim financial information  and with the instructions to  Form
10-Q  and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of
the  information  and  footnotes  required  by  generally  accepted   accounting
principles  for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all
adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a
fair presentation  have been  included. Operating  results for  the three  month
period  ended March 31, 1996, are not necessarily indicative of the results that
may be expected for the year ending December 31, 1996. For further  information,
refer  to the  annual financial statements  and footnotes thereto  of the Phipps
Business included herein.
    
 
NOTE 2 -- EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
    Management of J.H. Phipps, Inc. has elected to terminate the defined benefit
pension plan effective  March 31, 1996  subject to obtaining  approval from  the
appropriate regulatory agencies.
 
NOTE 3 -- SALE OF PHIPPS BUSINESS
 
   
    Pursuant  to an agreement dated December 15, 1995 as amended March 15, 1996,
Gray Communications Systems, Inc. ("Gray") agreed to purchase substantially  all
of  the  assets  and  assume  certain  liabilities  and  commitments  of certain
operations owned by J.H. Phipps, Inc. ("Phipps"). The operations include (i) two
CBS  affiliates-a  VHF  television  station  (WCTV-TV  located  in  Tallahassee,
Florida),  and 74.5%  interest in a  UHF television station  (WKXT-TV located in
Knoxville,  Tennessee),  (the  "Broadcast  Operations");  and  (ii)  a  portable
communications  and  paging  service business  (the  "Paging  Operations"), with
operations in  three  southeastern  states  (collectively  referred  to  as  the
"Broadcasting  and Paging  Operations"). The  purchase is  subject to regulatory
approval.
    
 
    At March  31, 1996,  a Phipps  subsidiary  held the  74.5% interest  in  the
partnership  that  owns  WKXT-TV (the  "Knoxville  Partnership").  The Knoxville
Partnership's remaining 25.5%  interest is  owned by four  limited partners  and
their  ownership is shown as "minority  interests" in the accompanying financial
statements. Gray,  in  separate agreements,  has  also agreed  to  purchase  the
limited partners' interests.
 
   
    Phipps also owns and operates other businesses which are not being purchased
by  Gray.  The  condensed  financial  statements  are  intended  to  present the
Broadcasting and Paging Operations which are to be acquired by Gray pursuant  to
the  letter of intent described above and do not include the other operations of
Phipps.
    
 
   
    The condensed financial statements are derived from the historical books and
records of Phipps and do not give effect to any purchase accounting  adjustments
which  Gray  may  record  as  a  result  of  its  acquisition.  Certain  current
liabilities and long-term debt  on the accompanying balance  sheets will not  be
assumed  by Gray. Such liabilities will be  retained by Phipps or retired at the
closing date of the acquisition by Gray.
    
 
                                      F-54
<PAGE>
                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors
John H. Phipps, Inc.
 
    We  have audited  the accompanying  balance sheets  of the  Broadcasting and
Paging Operations of John H. Phipps, Inc.  (see Note 1) as of December 31,  1994
and 1995 and the related statements of operations and cash flows for each of the
three  years in the  period ended December 31,  1995. These financial statements
are  the  responsibility  of  the  management  of  John  H.  Phipps,  Inc.   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 Broadcasting and Paging
Operations of John H. Phipps, Inc. at December 31, 1994 and 1995 and the results
of their operations  and their cash  flows for each  of the three  years in  the
period  ended December 31, 1995 in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Atlanta,Georgia
February 19, 1996
 
                                      F-55
<PAGE>
                       BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS
                                       OF
                              JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC.
                             (THE PHIPPS BUSINESS)
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                       ASSETS
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                                 $95,210         $620,015
  Accounts receivable, less allowance of $49,000
   for each year                                          4,474,754        5,152,778
  Program broadcast rights, current portion                 521,921          919,281
  Other current assets                                      329,343          347,785
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
      Total current assets                                5,421,228        7,039,859
Program broadcast rights, excluding current
 portion                                                    579,561          575,111
Property and equipment, net (NOTE 3)                     10,720,196       10,492,583
Goodwill and other intangibles (NOTE 3)                   8,576,721        9,454,775
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
      Total assets                                      $25,297,706      $27,562,328
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
 
                           LIABILITIES AND OWNER'S EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses                    $467,300         $365,468
  Program broadcast obligations, current portion            722,676          921,579
  Deferred paging service income                            579,109          833,264
  Current portion of long-term debt (NOTE 4)              1,206,483        1,389,931
  Other current liabilities                               1,025,042          907,345
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
    Total current liabilities                             4,000,610        4,417,587
Long-term debt, less current portion (NOTE 4)             4,858,433        3,419,918
Program broadcast obligations, less current
 portion                                                    245,421          345,140
Commitment and contingencies (NOTES 9 AND 10)
Minority interests                                          728,293          585,768
Owner's equity                                           15,464,949       18,793,915
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
      Total liabilities and owner's equity              $25,297,706      $27,562,328
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-56
<PAGE>
                       BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS
                                       OF
                              JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC.
                             (THE PHIPPS BUSINESS)
                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    -------------------------------------------------
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1993             1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
  Revenues:
    Broadcast revenues, net (NOTE 3)                    $17,963,667      $20,209,523      $20,768,121
    Paging operations                                     3,787,946        4,276,640        4,897,522
    Production and other revenues                         1,496,417        1,314,779        1,655,940
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                         23,248,030       25,800,942       27,321,583
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
  Expenses:
    Operating, technical and programming                  5,221,729        5,306,801        5,449,435
    Selling, general and administrative                   6,919,769        7,056,510        7,693,715
    Amortization of program broadcast rights              1,552,438        1,021,395          844,815
    Depreciation and amortization                         2,835,966        2,672,209        3,120,442
    Pension credit (NOTE 5)                                (431,000)        (409,000)        (449,000)
    Management fees (NOTE 7)                              2,462,195        2,485,423        3,280,354
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                         18,561,097       18,133,338       19,939,761
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                          4,686,933        7,667,604        7,381,822
  Interest                                                  631,333          479,852          498,714
  Other (income) expense, net                               (15,765)        (666,657)         (12,526)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
  Income before minority interests                        4,071,365        7,854,409        6,895,634
  Minority interests                                       (140,586)        (635,302)        (547,045)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
  Net income                                             $3,930,779       $7,219,107       $6,348,589
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
  Supplemental unaudited pro-forma information
   (NOTE 6):
    Net income, as above                                 $3,930,779       $7,219,107       $6,348,589
    Pro-forma provision for income tax expense           (1,500,300)      (2,743,300)      (2,412,500)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
  Pro-forma net income                                   $2,430,479       $4,475,807       $3,936,089
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-57
<PAGE>
                       BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS
                                       OF
                              JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC.
                             (THE PHIPPS BUSINESS)
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    -------------------------------------------------
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1993             1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income                                               $3,930,779       $7,219,107       $6,348,589
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
 provided by operating activities:
  Depreciation and amortization                           2,835,966        2,672,209        3,120,442
  Gain on disposition of fixed assets                       (13,408)        (665,047)          (9,023)
  Amortization of program broadcast rights                1,552,438        1,021,395          844,815
  Payments of program broadcast rights obligations       (1,072,008)        (863,344)        (931,004)
  Minority interests                                        140,586          635,302          547,045
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
  Accounts receivable                                        40,092         (396,373)        (678,024)
  Other current assets                                      (12,091)         (90,846)         (18,442)
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses                    (292,863)        (206,137)        (101,832)
  Other current liabilities                                 219,336          277,681         (117,697)
  Deferred paging income                                     68,136          204,356          254,155
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
  Net cash provided by operating activities               7,396,963        9,808,303        9,259,024
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchases of minority interests                               -0-         (818,000)      (1,780,794)
  Purchases of property and equipment                    (3,537,592)      (3,353,068)      (3,187,596)
  Proceeds from disposition of property and
   equipment                                                584,187        1,665,504        1,140,520
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
  Net cash used in investing activities                  (2,953,405)      (2,505,564)      (3,827,870)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Indebtedness:
  Borrowings                                              6,266,780        5,761,977        3,422,586
  Repayments                                             (7,421,873)      (6,239,305)      (4,677,653)
  Distributions to minority interests                      (495,150)        (539,596)        (505,532)
  Other                                                     134,536         (156,475)        (126,128)
  Payments to J.H. Phipps, Inc., net                     (2,901,945)      (6,060,036)      (3,019,622)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
  Net cash used in financing activities                  (4,417,652)      (7,233,435)      (4,906,349)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
  Increase in cash and cash equivalents                      25,906           69,304          524,805
  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                -0-           25,906           95,210
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
  Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                  $25,906          $95,210         $620,015
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-58
<PAGE>
   
           BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS OF JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC.
                             (THE PHIPPS BUSINESS)
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
    
 
1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION
   
    Pursuant to a letter of intent dated December 15, 1995, Gray  Communications
Systems,  Inc. ("Gray") agreed  to purchase substantially all  of the assets and
assume certain liabilities and commitments  of certain operations owned by  J.H.
Phipps,  Inc. ("Phipps").  The operations include  (i) two  CBS affiliates-a VHF
television station (WCTV-TV located in Tallahassee, Florida), and 74.5% interest
in a  VHF television  station (WKXT-TV  located in  Knoxville, Tennessee),  (the
"Broadcast  Operations"); and (ii) a  portable communications and paging service
business (the "Paging Operations"), with operations in three southeastern states
(collectively referred  to as  the "Broadcasting  and Paging  Operations").  The
purchase is subject to regulatory approval.
    
 
   
    At  December 31, 1995,  a Phipps subsidiary  held the 74.5%  interest in the
partnership that  owns  WKXT-TV  (the "Knoxville  Partnership").  The  Knoxville
Partnership's  remaining 25.5%  interest is owned  by four  limited partners and
their ownership is shown as  "minority interests" in the accompanying  financial
statements.  Gray,  in  separate agreements,  has  also agreed  to  purchase the
limited partners' interests. Phipps' ownership of the Knoxville Partnership  has
increased,  from 65.8% during  1993 to the 74.5%  ownership interest at December
31, 1995,  through purchases  of certain  minority interests  for  approximately
$818,000  in 1994  and approximately  $1.78 million  in 1995.  Goodwill recorded
related to these acquisitions of  minority interests was approximately  $200,000
and $1.78 million in 1994 and 1995, respectively.
    
 
    Phipps also owns and operates other businesses which are not being purchased
by  Gray.  The accompanying  financial statements  are  intended to  present the
Broadcasting and Paging Operations which are to be acquired by Gray pursuant  to
the  letter of intent described above and do not include the other operations of
Phipps.
 
    The accompanying financial statements are derived from the historical  books
and  records  of  Phipps and  do  not  give effect  to  any  purchase accounting
adjustments which  Gray may  record  as a  result  of its  acquisition.  Certain
current  liabilities and long-term debt on  the accompanying balance sheets will
not be assumed by Gray. Such liabilities  will be retained by Phipps or  retired
at the closing date of the acquisition by Gray.
 
2.  ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
USE OF ESTIMATES
 
    The  preparation of  the financial  statements in  conformity with generally
accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions  that affect  the amount  reported in  the financial  statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
REVENUE RECOGNITION
 
   
    Broadcasting revenues are  recognized as the  related advertising  broadcast
services  are  rendered. Agency  commissions  are deducted  from  gross revenue,
reflecting the net amount due for  broadcast services. Revenues from paging  and
communications  services  are  recognized over  the  applicable  service period.
Revenues from  mobile  broadcasting contracts  are  recognized as  services  are
provided.
    
 
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
 
    The  Broadcast Operations provide advertising air time to national, regional
and local  advertisers  within  the  geographic areas  in  which  the  Broadcast
Operations  operate. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of the customer's
financial condition, and generally advance  payment is not required. The  Paging
Operations  provide  services to  individuals and  corporate customers  in three
southeastern
 
                                      F-59
<PAGE>
   
           BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS OF JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC.
                             (THE PHIPPS BUSINESS)
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
    
 
2.  ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
states. Such services  are generally billed  in advance. Credit  losses for  the
Broadcasting  and Paging Operations are provided for in the financial statements
and consistently have been within management's expectations.
 
BARTER ARRANGEMENTS
 
   
    The Broadcasting and Paging Operations, in the ordinary course of  business,
provide  services and advertising air time  to certain customers in exchange for
products or services. In addition, the Broadcasting Operations provide air  time
to certain program syndicators in exchange for program licenses or reductions in
program  license  fees. Barter  transactions are  recorded on  the basis  of the
estimated fair market  value of the  products or services  received. Revenue  is
recognized  as the related advertising is  broadcast and expenses are recognized
when the merchandise or services are received or utilized.
    
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
    Cash and cash equivalents include cash on deposit with banks. Deposits  with
banks  are generally insured in limited  amounts. All liquid investments with an
original maturity of three  months or less when  purchased are considered to  be
cash equivalents.
 
PROGRAM BROADCAST RIGHTS
 
    Rights  to programs  available for broadcast  are initially  recorded at the
amounts of  total license  fees payable  under the  license agreements  and  are
charged to operating expense on the basis of total programs available for use on
the  straight-line method. The portion of the unamortized balance expected to be
charged to operating expense in the  succeeding year is classified as a  current
asset,  with the remainder  classified as a noncurrent  asset. The liability for
program broadcast rights is  classified as current  or long-term, in  accordance
with  the payment terms of the various licenses. The liability is not discounted
for imputation of interest.
 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
    Property and equipment  are stated at  cost, less accumulated  depreciation.
Depreciation  is computed by the straight-line  method over the estimated useful
life of the assets for financial  reporting purposes and by accelerated  methods
for income tax purposes.
 
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
   
    Intangible   assets  are  stated  at  cost   and  are  amortized  using  the
straight-line method.  Goodwill is  amortized over  15 to  40 years.  Intangible
assets  other  than  goodwill,  which  include  broadcasting  licenses,  network
affiliation agreements, and other intangibles carried at an allocated cost based
on appraisals are amortized over 15  years. Loan acquisition fees are  amortized
over the life of the specific agreement.
    
 
    In  the event  that facts  and circumstances  indicate that  the goodwill or
other intangibles may be  impaired, an evaluation of  continuing value would  be
performed.  If an evaluation is required, the estimated future undiscounted cash
flows associated with  this asset would  be compared to  its carrying amount  to
determine  if a write down to fair market value or discounted cash flow value is
required.
 
INTEREST SWAP
 
    The Knoxville Partnership had an interest rate swap agreement to modify  the
interest  characteristics  of a  portion of  its outstanding  debt (see  Note 4.
INDEBTEDNESS). The agreement, which expired  during 1995, involved the  exchange
of amounts based on a fixed interest rate for amounts based on variable interest
rates  over the life of the agreement without an exchange of the notional amount
upon
 
                                      F-60
<PAGE>
   
           BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS OF JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC.
                             (THE PHIPPS BUSINESS)
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
    
 
2.  ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
which the  payments  are based.  The  differential to  be  paid or  received  as
interest  rates changed was accrued and  recognized as an adjustment of interest
expense related to the  debt (the accrual  accounting method). Interest  expense
(income) adjustments resulting from the interest rate swap were $44,385 in 1993,
$(986) in 1994 and $(2,805) in 1995.
 
STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
 
   
    Phipps accounted for its stock Appreciation Rights Plan (see Note 7. PHIPPS'
CORPORATE  ALLOCATIONS) in  accordance with  APB Opinion  No 25,  Accounting for
Stock Issued to Employees and related interpretations.
    
 
INCOME TAXES
 
    Phipps and its subsidiaries  file a consolidated  federal income tax  return
and  separate  state  tax  returns.  The  operating  results  of  the  Knoxville
Partnership are included  in the  income tax returns  of Phipps  based on  their
percentage  ownership. All states where the  Broadcast and Paging Operations are
located have taxes based on income. Income tax expense for the Broadcasting  and
Paging  Operations are not presented in the accompanying financial statements as
such amounts are computed and paid by Phipps. Pro-forma federal and state income
taxes for the  Broadcast and Paging  Operations are calculated  on a  pro-forma,
separate return basis (see Note 6. PRO-FORMA INCOME TAXES).
 
FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
    Phipps  has adopted FASB Statement No.  107, "Disclosure about Fair Value of
Financial Instruments", which requires disclosure  of fair value, to the  extent
practical,  of certain of Phipps' financial  instruments. The fair value amounts
do not necessarily  represent the amount  that could  be realized in  a sale  or
settlement.  Phipps'  financial  instruments  are  comprised  principally  of an
interest rate swap and long-term debt.
 
    The estimated  fair  value of  long-term  bank  debt at  December  31,  1995
approximates  book value  since, in  management's opinion,  such obligations are
subject to fluctuating market rates of interest and can be settled at their face
amounts. The Company does not anticipate  settlement of long-term debt at  other
than book value and currently intends to hold such financial instruments through
maturity.
 
    The  fair value of other financial  instruments classified as current assets
or  liabilities  approximate  their  carrying  values  due  to  the   short-term
maturities of these instruments.
 
IMPACT OF RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
    In  March  1995, the  FASB  issued Statement  No.  121, "Accounting  for the
Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and for  Long-Lived Assets to  Be Disposed  Of"
("Statement 121"), which requires impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived
assets  used in  operations when indicators  of impairments are  present and the
undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less  than
the  asset's carrying  amount. Statement 121  also addresses  the accounting for
long-lived assets that are expected to  be disposed of. Phipps does not  believe
that  the  adoption of  Statement 121  will  have a  material impact  on Phipps'
financial position.
 
                                      F-61
<PAGE>
   
           BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS OF JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC.
                             (THE PHIPPS BUSINESS)
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
    
 
3.  SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION
    Major classifications of property and  equipment and their estimated  useful
lives are summarized as follows (in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    -------------------------------------------------
                                                          ESTIMATED
                                                       USEFUL LIVES            DECEMBER 31,
CLASSIFICATION                                              (YEARS)             1994             1995
- --------------------------------------------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
Land                                                                            $593             $593
Buildings and improvements                                       40            2,630            3,104
Broadcasting equipment and furniture                           5-20           15,440           14,567
Communications and paging equipment                             5-7            4,561            4,739
                                                                     ---------------  ---------------
                                                                              23,224           23,003
Less accumulated depreciation                                                (12,504)         (12,510)
                                                                     ---------------  ---------------
                                                                             $10,720          $10,493
                                                                     ---------------  ---------------
                                                                     ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
    The composition of intangible assets was as follows (in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
Goodwill                                                     $3,050           $4,663
Broadcast licenses and network affiliation
 agreements                                                   6,162            6,162
Other                                                           812              812
Accumulated amortization                                     (1,447)          (2,182)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                             $8,577           $9,455
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
    The composition of other current liabilities is as follows (in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
Customer deposits                                               $63              $85
Accrued bonuses                                                 163              265
Other compensation related accruals                             404              439
Other                                                           395              118
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                             $1,025             $907
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
    The  Broadcast Operations' revenues are  presented net of agency commissions
as follows (in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    -------------------------------------------------
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1993             1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
Broadcast revenues, gross                                   $20,523          $23,131          $23,767
Agency commissions                                           (2,559)          (2,921)          (2,999)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
Broadcast revenues, net                                     $17,964          $20,210          $20,768
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-62
<PAGE>
   
           BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS OF JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC.
                             (THE PHIPPS BUSINESS)
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
    
 
3.  SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
    Components of "Other (income) expense, net" are as follows (in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    -------------------------------------------------
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1993             1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
Interest income                                                 $(2)             $(2)             $(4)
Gain on sale of assets                                          (14)            (665)              (9)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                               $(16)           $(667)            $(13)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
4.  INDEBTEDNESS
    A summary of indebtedness is as follows (in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
Bank Credit Agreement:
  Revolving credit loan                                        $302             $498
  Term loan                                                   4,500            3,202
Partnership Note Payable                                        744              725
PortaPhone Acquisition Debt                                     518              385
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                              6,064            4,810
Less current portion                                         (1,206)          (1,390)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                             $4,858           $3,420
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
BANK CREDIT AGREEMENT
 
    The Knoxville  Partnership has  a bank  credit agreement  (the "Bank  Credit
Agreement") which provides a term loan and a revolving credit facility. The loan
has  provisions which, among other things, requires that the loan be redeemed in
the event of a change in control.
 
    Under the terms of the Bank Credit Agreement, the Knoxville Partnership may,
at its option,  have a  Base Rate Advance  or LIBOR  (London Interbank  Official
Rate)  Advance, as specified by  the bank in the  notice of borrowing. Base Rate
Advances and LIBOR Advances may be outstanding  at the same time with Base  Rate
Advances  bearing interest at the bank's index rate (8.5% at December 31, 1995),
plus .25% or .50% as applicable based on the Partnership's leverage ratio. LIBOR
Advances bear interest at the LIBOR (5.88% at December 31, 1995), plus 1.25%  or
1.5%  as applicable  based on the  Knoxville Partnership's  leverage ratio. Base
Rate Advances and LIBOR Advances totaled  $0 and $3.7 million, respectively,  at
December 31, 1995.
 
    The  Bank Credit Agreement  contains numerous financial  covenants and other
affirmative covenants  with  regard to  payment  of distributions  to  partners,
operating  and capitalized leases, and acquisition of property. The advances are
guaranteed by  Phipps  and collateralized  by  substantially all  the  Knoxville
Partnership's  assets. In connection  with the Phipps  guarantee, Phipps charged
the Knoxville Partnership guaranty fees,  classified as interest expense in  the
accompanying  financial statements, of approximately $55,000 in 1993, $54,000 in
1994 and $42,000 in 1995.
 
PARTNERSHIP NOTE PAYABLE
 
    On  September  30,  1994,  Phipps  acquired  approximately  4.2%  additional
ownership  interest in  the Knoxville  Partnership from  a limited  partner. The
total amount to be paid to the former limited partner by the remaining  partners
is   $2  million  and  is  payable  over  20  years  at  $100,000  a  year.  The
 
                                      F-63
<PAGE>
   
           BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS OF JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC.
                             (THE PHIPPS BUSINESS)
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
    
 
4.  INDEBTEDNESS (CONTINUED)
payment of this  amount is guaranteed  by the Knoxville  Partnership. The  first
payment of $100,000 was made at the time the assignment was executed. Subsequent
payments  are  due annually  at September  30.  The present  value of  the total
purchase price at September 30, 1994 was $1,098,841 based on an interest  factor
of  7.46%  compounded annually.  Phipps Tennessee  has  recorded a  liability of
approximately $725,000 at December 31, 1995  for its portion of the  outstanding
balance.
 
PORTAPHONE ACQUISITION DEBT
 
    In  connection with a 1988 asset  acquisition, PortaPhone is required to pay
the seller a consulting fee of $15,000 monthly for ten years. The liability  for
the  monthly payments required under the  agreement are recorded at a discounted
present value in the accompanying financial statements.
 
    Future scheduled reductions of principal for indebtedness are as follows (in
000's):
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
Year Ended December 31
  1996                                              $         1,390
  1997                                                        1,155
  1998                                                        1,557
  1999                                                           81
  2000 and thereafter                                           627
                                                            -------
                                                    $         4,810
                                                            -------
                                                            -------
</TABLE>
 
    Cash payments of net interest  expense were approximately $339,000 in  1993,
$449,000 in 1994 and $564,000 in 1995.
 
5.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLAN
 
    Phipps  has a defined benefit pension plan that covers substantially all its
full-time employees. Benefits are based on years of service and each  employee's
compensation during the last ten years of employment (average final pay) up to a
maximum of 50% of average final pay.
 
    Benefits  become vested upon completion of five years of service. No vesting
occurs until the employee has completed  five years of service. Phipps'  funding
policy is to make the maximum contribution allowable by applicable regulations.
 
    Total  pension  credit  for  the  Broadcasting  and  Paging  Operations  was
($431,000), ($409,000) and ($449,000) for 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
                                      F-64
<PAGE>
   
           BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS OF JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC.
                             (THE PHIPPS BUSINESS)
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
    
 
5.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
    The following summarizes information for all Phipps operations including the
plan's funded status as of the plan's September 30 year end and assumptions used
to develop the net periodic pension expense credit (in 000's).
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    -------------------------------
                                                             DECEMBER 31,
                                                         1993       1994       1995
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>
Actuarial present value of accumulated benefit
 obligation is as follows:
  Vested                                               $3,691     $3,451     $4,348
  Other                                                   382        284        358
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                       $4,073     $3,735     $4,706
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
Plan assets at fair value, primarily common stocks
 and bonds                                             $9,582     $9,367    $10,206
Projected benefit obligation                           (4,993)    (4,419)    (5,568)
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
Plan assets in excess of projected benefit
 obligation                                             4,589      4,948      4,638
Unrecognized net loss                                     804        688      1,288
Unrecognized net asset                                 (3,394)    (3,149)    (2,904)
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
Pension asset                                          $1,999     $2,487     $3,022
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
    The net pension credit included in the accompanying financial statements  is
calculated as follows (in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    -------------------------------
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                         1993       1994       1995
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>
Service costs-benefits earned during the year            $168       $207       $144
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation             280        306        303
Actual return on plan assets                             (670)      (713)      (687)
Net amortization and deferral                            (209)      (209)      (209)
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
Net pension credit                                      $(431)     $(409)     $(449)
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The  assumptions used to develop the  plan's funded status and expenses were
as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>        <C>        <C>
Assumptions:
  Discount rate                                        7.5%       8.5%       7.5%
  Expected long-term rate of return on assets          9.0%       9.0%       9.0%
  Estimated rate of increase in compensation
   levels                                              4.5%       4.5%       4.5%
</TABLE>
 
401(K) PLAN
 
    The Company also sponsors two  401(k) plans which provide for  discretionary
employer   contributions  equal  to  25%  of  the  first  4%  of  an  employee's
contribution. Contributions by Phipps to the plans are not material.
 
MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE BONUS PLAN
 
    Phipps maintains an incentive  bonus plan in  which managers participate  in
the  performance of the division of Phipps which they manage. Eligible employees
are selected by the Board of Directors,
 
                                      F-65
<PAGE>
   
           BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS OF JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC.
                             (THE PHIPPS BUSINESS)
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
    
 
5.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
and the  bonus formula  is established  and reviewed  annually by  the Board  of
Directors  and key  members of  management. Bonuses  are calculated  in the year
following the year  earned, at which  time one-half of  the calculated bonus  is
paid  as  compensation. The  remaining  portion is  deferred  and earned  by the
employee over  five years  based on  a vesting  schedule adopted  by the  Board.
Employees  become  eligible to  receive payment  of  deferred amounts  upon full
vesting. Deferred  amounts are  recognized as  an expense  in the  year  earned.
Expenses  under this plan were approximately  $128,000 in 1993, $170,000 in 1994
and $233,000 in 1995.
 
    Cumulative amounts vested for the  Broadcasting and Paging Operations  since
the  inception of the plan in 1990, total approximately $303,000 at December 31,
1995 and  are included  as a  current liability  in the  accompanying  financial
statements.
 
6.  PRO-FORMA INCOME TAXES
    Pro-forma  income tax expense differed from the amounts computed by applying
the statutory federal income tax  rate of 34% as a  result of the following  (in
000's):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    -------------------------------
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                         1993       1994       1995
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>
Computed "expected" tax rate                        $   1,342  $   2,454  $   2,159
Increase resulting from:
  State income taxes                                      158        289        253
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                    $   1,500  $   2,743  $   2,412
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
7.  PHIPPS' CORPORATE ALLOCATIONS
    Interest  expense incurred  by Phipps is  allocated to  the Broadcasting and
Paging Operations based on specific borrowings. Such allocated interest  expense
totaled  approximately $134,700  in 1993, $44,000  in 1994 and  $64,500 in 1995.
Pension expense (credit)  is allocated  based on an  actuarial calculation  (see
Note 5. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PLANS)
 
    The corporate operations and employees of Phipps provide certain services to
the  Broadcasting  and Paging  Operations  including executive  management, cash
management, accounting, tax and other corporate services which are allocated  to
the operating units of Phipps. Corporate expenses of Phipps, including corporate
officers  salaries and related employee  benefits (see Stock Appreciation Rights
and Performance Incentive  Agreement below), travel  costs, and related  support
staff  and  operations, are  allocated  to the  operating  units of  Phipps. The
Broadcasting and  Paging Operations  were  charged $2,462,195,  $2,485,423,  and
$3,280,354  for these services during 1993,  1994 and 1995, respectively. In the
opinion of Phipps management, these charges have  been made on a basis which  is
reasonable,  however,  they  are  not necessarily  indicative  of  the  level of
expenses  which  might  have  been  incurred  by  the  Broadcasting  and  Paging
Operations on a stand-alone basis.
 
    Phipps  maintains a Stock Appreciation Rights Plan and Performance Incentive
Agreement for  certain  key  corporate  officers  identified  by  the  Board  of
Directors.   The  expenses  incurred  for  these  plans  are  allocated  to  the
Broadcasting and Paging Operations as part of the management fee allocation  for
Phipps' corporate expenses as discussed above. All amounts due under these plans
were  paid in  December 1995. Compensation  expense recorded for  these plans in
1993, 1994 and  1995 was  approximately $2,828,000,  $2,458,000 and  $2,861,000,
respectively.
 
                                      F-66
<PAGE>
   
           BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS OF JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC.
                             (THE PHIPPS BUSINESS)
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
    
 
8.  SUMMARY ACTIVITY IN OWNER'S EQUITY
    Phipps  provides centralized cash management for the Broadcasting and Paging
Operations.  Substantially  all  cash  receipts  are  remitted  to  Phipps   and
substantially  all  disbursements are  made  by Phipps.  There  are no  terms of
settlement for interest charges on these intercompany accounts. The amounts  due
to/from  Phipps are included as a part of owner's equity as the Broadcasting and
Paging operations are not required to settle these amounts on a current basis.
 
    An analysis of the net transactions in the owner's equity accounts for  each
of the three years in the period ended December 31 is as follows (in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    -------------------------------------------------
                                                               1993             1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
Balance of the beginning of year                            $13,276          $14,306          $15,465
  Payments to Phipps                                         (5,067)          (8,181)          (7,696)
  Phipps' purchase of minority interests                        -0-              -0-            1,781
  Phipps allocations                                          2,166            2,121            2,895
  Net earnings                                                3,931            7,219            6,349
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
Balance at the end of year                                  $14,306          $15,465          $18,794
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
9.  LITIGATION
    At  December 31, 1995,  the Broadcast and Paging  Operations are involved in
various lawsuits  arising  in the  normal  course of  their  business.  However,
management  believes that any potential losses that may occur from such lawsuits
would be covered by insurance and the  final outcome of these lawsuits will  not
have a material effect to the accompanying combined financial statements.
 
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
    Program   rights  payable  for  films   and  syndicated  series,  which  are
noninterest bearing, are due as follows at December 31, 1995 (in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
1996                                                     $922
1997                                                      171
1998 and later                                            174
                                                    ---------
                                                       $1,267
                                                    ---------
                                                    ---------
</TABLE>
 
    Payments related  to commitments  for films  and syndicated  series,  rights
which  are  not yet  available for  broadcast at  December 31,  1995 are  due as
follows (in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
1996                                                    $106
1997                                                     631
1998                                                     515
1999                                                     440
2000                                                     283
                                                  ----------
                                                      $1,975
                                                  ----------
                                                  ----------
</TABLE>
 
    The Paging  Operations  lease  office space,  office  equipment  and  paging
network towers. The Broadcasting Operations lease land and broadcast towers. The
operating  leases  with  unaffiliated  entities  have  various  renewal options.
Certain  of   the   towers   used   in  the   Paging   Operations   are   leased
 
                                      F-67
<PAGE>
   
           BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS OF JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC.
                             (THE PHIPPS BUSINESS)
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
    
 
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
from  Phipps. Written contracts do not exist  for such leases but management has
established that the leases are for five  years and are renewable at the end  of
five years. Rental expense for operating leases was as follows (in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          ----------------------------------
                                                           OTHER
                                              PHIPPS     LESSORS       TOTAL
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>
Year Ended December 31
  1993                                           $58        $384        $442
  1994                                            64         316         380
  1995                                            83         385         468
</TABLE>
 
    The  minimum  aggregate  rentals under  noncancelable  operating  leases are
payable the lessors as follows (in 000's):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          ----------------------------------
                                                           OTHER
                                              PHIPPS     LESSORS       TOTAL
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>
Year Ended December 31
  1996                                          $118        $329        $447
  1997                                           122         240         362
  1998                                           125         190         315
  1999                                           129          61         190
  2000 and thereafter                            133          59         192
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                $627        $879      $1,506
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-68
<PAGE>
   
           BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS OF JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC.
                             (THE PHIPPS BUSINESS)
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
    
 
11. INFORMATION ON BUSINESS SEGMENTS (IN 000'S):
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          ----------------------------------
                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                1993        1994        1995
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>
REVENUES
  Broadcasting Operations                    $19,460     $21,524     $22,424
  Paging Operations                            3,788       4,277       4,898
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
Total revenues                               $23,248     $25,801     $27,322
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
OPERATING PROFIT:
  Broadcasting Operations                     $4,631      $7,287      $7,040
  Paging Operations                               56         381         342
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
Total operating profit                        $4,687      $7,668      $7,382
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE:
  Broadcasting Operations                     $2,089      $2,015      $2,302
  Paging Operations                              747         657         818
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
Total depreciation and amortization
 expense                                      $2,836      $2,672      $3,120
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:
  Broadcasting Operations                     $2,429      $1,515      $1,216
  Paging Operations                            1,109       1,838       1,972
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
Total capital expenditures                    $3,538      $3,353      $3,188
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS (AT END OF YEAR):
  Broadcasting Operations                    $21,003     $21,059     $23,036
  Paging Operations                            3,816       4,239       4,526
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
Total identifiable assets                    $24,819     $25,298     $27,562
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
    
 
    Operating profit  is  total  operating  revenue  less  expenses  and  before
miscellaneous income and expense (net), interest expense and minority interests.
 
                                      F-69
<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
 
    NO  DEALER, SALESPERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON  HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR  TO MAKE  ANY REPRESENTATIONS  IN CONNECTION  WITH THIS  OFFERING
OTHER  THAN  THOSE CONTAINED  IN THIS  PROSPECTUS  AND, IF  GIVEN OR  MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE  COMPANY,  ANY OF  THE  UNDERWRITERS OR  ANY  OTHER PERSON.  NEITHER  THE
DELIVERY  OF  THIS  PROSPECTUS NOR  ANY  SALES  MADE HEREUNDER  SHALL  UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT  THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN  IS
CORRECT  AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO  THE DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN  OFFER  TO  SELL, OR  A  SOLICITATION  OF AN  OFFER  TO  BUY,  ANY
SECURITIES  OTHER THAN THE  SHARES OF CLASS  B COMMON STOCK  OFFERED HEREBY, NOR
DOES IT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR  A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY,  ANY
SHARES  OF CLASS B COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY TO ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION
IN WHICH  IT  IS  UNLAWFUL  TO  MAKE  SUCH  AN  OFFER  OR  SOLICITATION  IN  ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Page
                                            -----
<S>                                      <C>
Prospectus Summary.....................           3
Risk Factors...........................          14
The Phipps Acquisition, the KTVE Sale
 and the Financing.....................          21
Price Range of Class A Common Stock and
 Dividend Policy.......................          24
Capitalization.........................          25
Pro Forma Financial Data...............          26
Selected Historical Financial Data.....          38
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
 Financial Condition and Results of
 Operations............................          42
Business...............................          56
Management.............................          85
Security Ownership of Certain
 Beneficial Owners and Managers........          92
Certain Relationships and Related
 Transactions..........................          93
Description of Certain Indebtedness....          96
Description of the Notes...............          97
Description of Capital Stock...........          97
Shares Eligible for Future Sale........         100
Underwriting...........................         102
Legal Matters..........................         103
Experts................................         103
Available Information..................         103
Index to Financial Statements..........         F-1
</TABLE>
    
 
                                3,500,000 Shares
 
                                      GRAY
                          COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                              CLASS B COMMON STOCK
 
                             ---------------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
                             ---------------------
 
                                ALLEN & COMPANY
                                  INCORPORATED
 
                              J.C. BRADFORD & CO.
 
                               J.P. MORGAN & CO.
 
                                          , 1996
 
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                   INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 13  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
    The  following table sets forth the estimated expenses and costs (other than
underwriting discounts and commissions) expected  to be incurred by the  Company
in  connection with the issuance  and distribution of the  Class B Common Stock.
Except for the SEC and  NASD filing fees, all  expenses have been estimated  and
are subject to future contingencies.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                               <C>
SEC registration fee                                                 $26,371
NASD fee                                                               8,148
NYSE listing fee                                                      *
Legal fees and expenses                                               *
Printing and engraving expenses                                       *
Accounting fees and expenses                                          *
Blue sky fees and expenses                                            *
Transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses                        *
Miscellaneous                                                         *
                                                                  ----------
    Total                                                             $*
                                                                  ----------
                                                                  ----------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
* to be filed by amendment
 
ITEM 14  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
    The  Business Corporation Code  of the State  of Georgia grants corporations
incorporated thereunder  (such  as  the  Company) the  power  to  indemnify  its
officers and directors against liability for certain of their acts.
 
    The Company's Articles of Incorporation eliminate the liability of directors
to  stockholders  or  the  Company  for  monetary  damages  arising  out  of the
directors' breach of their  fiduciary duty of care.  The By-laws of the  Company
authorize  indemnification of its  directors, officers, incorporators, employees
and agents  with respect  to certain  costs, expenses  and amounts  incurred  in
connection  with an action, suit  or proceeding by reason  of the fact that such
person was serving as  a director, officer, incorporator,  employee or agent  of
the Company.
 
    The  Underwriting Agreement provides  for reciprocal indemnification between
the Company and its controlling persons,  on the one hand, and the  Underwriters
and their controlling persons, on the other hand, against certain liabilities in
connection with this offering, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
ITEM 15  RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
 
   
    On  January 3, 1996, Bull Run purchased for $10 million from the Company (i)
an 8% subordinated note in  the principal amount of  $10 million due in  January
2005  (ii) warrants to purchase 487,500 shares of Class A Common Stock at $17.88
per share. On September 2, 1994, the Company sold to one institutional  investor
for  $25 million its note  in the principal amount of  $25 million due 2003. The
Company  believes  that  the  foregoing   transactions  were  exempt  from   the
registration  provisions of the Securities Act  of 1933 pursuant to Section 4(2)
of such Act.
    
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
ITEM 16  EXHIBITS
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>
1**        Form of Underwriting Agreement.
3.1        Articles of Incorporation of Gray Communications Systems, Inc., as amended
            (incorporated by references to Exhibit 3 to the Company's Form 10 dated October
            7, 1991, as amended on January 29, 1992 and March 2, 1992, and Exhibit 3(i) to
            the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1993).
3.2        By-Laws of Gray Communications Systems, Inc., as amended (incorporated by
            references to Exhibit 3(i) to the Company's Form 10 dated October 7, 1991, as
            amended on January 29, 1992 and March 2, 1992, Exhibit 3(i) to the Company's 10-K
            for the period ended June 30, 1993 and Exhibit 3(d) of the Company's 10-K for the
            transition period from July 1, 1993 to December 31, 1993).
5*         Opinion of Heyman & Sizemore re: validity of securities
10.1       Supplemental pension plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the
            Company's Form 10 filed October 7, 1991, as amended January 29, 1992 and March 2,
            1992).
10.2       Employment Agreement, between the Company and John T. Williams (incorporated by
            reference to Exhibit 19 to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
            31, 1992).
10.3       Amendment to employment agreement, between the Company and John T. Williams
            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19(b) to the Company's Form 10-Q for the
            quarter ended March 31, 1992).
10.4       Restricted stock agreement between the Company and John T. Williams (incorporated
            by reference to Exhibit 19(c) to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
            March 31, 1992).
10.5       Long Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(e) to the
            Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1993).
10.6       Asset Purchase Agreement between the Company and The Citizen Publishing Company,
            Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Company's Form 8-K, dated
            May 31, 1994).
10.7       Asset Purchase Agreement between the Company and Kentucky Central Television, Inc.
            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Company's Form 8-K, dated
            September 2, 1994).
10.8       Asset Purchase Agreement, dated January 6, 1995, between the Company and Still
            Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(h) to the 1994 Form
            10-K).
10.9       Asset Purchase Agreement, dated March 23, 1995, between the Company, Television
            Station Partners, L.P. and WRDW Associates (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
            10(i) to the 1994 Form 10-K).
10.10      Capital Accumulation Plan, effective October 1, 1994 (incorporated by reference to
            Exhibit 10(i) to the 1994 Form 10-K).
10.11      Employment Agreement, dated September 3, 1994, between the Company and Ralph W.
            Gabbard (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(j) to the 1994 Form 10-K).
10.12      Asset Purchase Agreement, dated March 15, 1996, by and between the Company and
            Media Acquisition Partners, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(l) to
            the 1995 Form 10-K).
10.13***   Warrant, dated January 4, 1996, to purchase 487,500 shares of Common Stock.
10.14      Form of amendment to employment agreement between the Company and Ralph W.
            Gabbard, dated January 1, 1996 (incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 10(m)
            1995 Form 10-K).
10.15      Indenture for the Notes (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's
            Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-4338)).
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>
10.16      Credit Agreement and first modification of Credit Agreement, dated as of April 22,
            1994, between the Company and Bank South, N.A., and Deposit Guaranty National
            Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(i) to the Company's Form 8-K, dated
            September 2, 1994).
10.17      Note Purchase Agreement and first modification of Note Purchase Agreement between
            the Company and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America
            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(ii) to the Company's Form 8-K, dated
            September 2, 1994).
10.18      Second modification of Credit Agreement, dated November 30, 1994, between the
            Company and Bank South, N.A. and Deposit Guaranty National Bank (incorporated by
            reference to Exhibit 4(c) to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December
            31, 1994 (the "1994 Form 10-K")).
10.19      Second modification of Note Purchase Agreement, dated November 30, 1994, between
            the Company and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (incorporated by
            reference to Exhibit 4(d) to the 1994 Form 10-K).
10.20      Third modification of Credit Agreement, dated January 6, 1995, between the Company
            and Bank South, N.A. and Deposit Guaranty National Bank (incorporated by
            reference to Exhibit 4(e) to the 1994 Form 10-K).
10.21      Fourth modification of Credit Agreement, dated January 27, 1995, between the
            Company and Bank South, N.A. and Deposit Guaranty National Bank (incorporated by
            reference to Exhibit 4(f) to the 1994 Form 10-K).
10.22      Third Modification of Note Purchase Agreement, dated June 15, 1995, between the
            Company and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (incorporated by reference
            to Exhibit 4(a) to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1995).
10.23      Form of Master Agreement, dated as of June 13, 1995, between the Company and
            Society National Bank.
10.24      Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement, dated June 15, 1995, by and among the
            Company, Bank South, N.A., Deposit Guaranty National Bank and Teachers Insurance
            and Annuity Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b) to the
            Company's form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1995).
10.25      Fourth Modification of Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 3, 1996,
            between the Company and Teachers Insurance Annuity Association (incorporated by
            reference to Exhibit 4(h) to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December
            31, 1995 (the "1995 10-K")).
10.26      First Consolidated Modification of Credit Agreement, dated as of January 3, 1996,
            among the Company, Bank South, Deposit Guaranty National Bank and Society
            National Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(i) to the Company's Form
            8-K, dated January 18, 1996).
10.27      Note Purchase between the Company and Bull Run, dated as of January 3, 1996
            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(ii) to the Company's Form 8-K, dated
            January 18, 1996).
10.28***   Employment Agreement, Dated February 12, 1996 between the Company and Robert A.
            Beizer
10.29**    Separation Agreement between the Company and John T. Williams (incorporated by
            reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
            (Registration No. 333-4338)).
12**       Statement re computation of ratios
21**       List of Subsidiaries
23.1**     Consent of Ernst & Young LLP for the financial statements for Gray Communications
            Systems, Inc.
23.2*      Consent of Heyman & Sizemore (contained in opinion filed as Exhibit 5)
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>
23.3**     Consent of Ernst & Young LLP for certain financial statements of WRDW-TV.
23.4**     Consent of Ernst & Young LLP for the financial statements of the Broadcasting and
            Paging Operations of John H. Phipps, Inc.
23.5**     Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP for certain financial statements of WRDW-TV.
24.1***    Power of Attorney
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
  * To be filed by amendment
 ** Filed herewith
   
*** Previously filed
    
 
(b) The financial  statement schedules  filed  as a  part of  this  Registration
    Statement are as follows:
 
        Gray Communications Systems, Inc.:
 
             Report of Independent Auditors
             Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
             All  other  schedules are  omitted as  the required  information is
             inapplicable or is presented in the financial statements or related
             notes.
 
        Broadcasting and Paging Operations of John H. Phipps, Inc.:
 
             Report of Independent Auditors
             Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
             All other  schedules are  omitted as  the required  information  is
             inapplicable  or  its  presented  in  the  financial  statements or
             related notes.
 
ITEM 17  UNDERTAKINGS
 
    Each of the undersigned registrants hereby undertakes that:
 
    (1)  For purposes of determining  any liability under the Securities Act  of
    1933,  the information omitted from the form  of prospectus filed as part of
    this registration statement in  reliance upon Rule 430A  and contained in  a
    form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4)
    or  497(h)  under the  Securities Act  shall be  deemed to  be part  of this
    registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
    (2)  For the purpose of  determining any liability under the Securities  Act
    of  1933, each post-effective  amendment that contains  a form of prospectus
    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.
 
    Insofar  as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may  be permitted to  directors, officers and  controlling persons of  a
registrant  pursuant to the provisions described  in Item 15, or otherwise, each
registrant has been advised that in  the opinion of the Securities and  Exchange
Commission  such indemnification  is against public  policy as  expressed in the
Securities Act of  1933 and is,  therefore, unenforceable. In  the event that  a
claim  for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by a
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, each 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  Securities
Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
    Pursuant  to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned
registrant certifies that it has duly  caused this Registration Statement to  be
signed  on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City
of New York, State of New York, on the 3rd day of July, 1996.
    
 
                                          GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                                          By:        /s/ RALPH W. GABBARD
 
                                             -----------------------------------
                                                      Ralph W. Gabbard
                                                          PRESIDENT
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
    Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of   the  Securities  Act  of  1933,   this
Registration  Statement  has  been  signed  by  the  following  persons  in  the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                       TITLE                         DATE
- ------------------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------  ----------------------
 
<C>                                                     <S>                                <C>
                      /s/ RALPH W. GABBARD
     -------------------------------------------        President and Director (principal       July 3, 1996
                   Ralph W. Gabbard                      executive officer)
 
                  /s/ WILLIAM A. FIELDER III            Vice President and Chief
     -------------------------------------------         Financial Officer (principal           July 3, 1996
                William A. Fielder III                   financial officer)
 
                        /s/ Sabra H. Cowart             Controller and Chief Accounting
     -------------------------------------------         Officer (principal accounting          July 3, 1996
                   Sabra H. Cowart                       officer)
 
                                     *
     -------------------------------------------        Director                                July 3, 1996
                   Richard L. Boger
 
                                     *
     -------------------------------------------        Director                                July 3, 1996
                Hilton H. Howell, Jr.
 
                                     *
     -------------------------------------------        Director                                July 3, 1996
                William E. Mayher III
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                       TITLE                         DATE
- ------------------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------  ----------------------
 
<C>                                                     <S>                                <C>
                                     *
     -------------------------------------------        Director                                July 3, 1996
                   Howell W. Newton
 
                                     *
     -------------------------------------------        Director                                July 3, 1996
                Robert S. Prather, Jr.
 
                                     *
     -------------------------------------------        Director                                July 3, 1996
                   J. Mack Robinson
 
                     /s/ WILLIAM A. FIELDER
     -------------------------------------------
                  William A. Fielder
             *Attorney-in-fact                                                                  July 3, 1996
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT NO.                                             DESCRIPTION                                               PAGE
- --------------  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     -----
 
<C>             <S>                                                                                             <C>
         1**    Form of Underwriting Agreement................................................................
       3.1      Articles of Incorporation of Gray Communications Systems, Inc., as amended (incorporated by
                 references to Exhibit 3 to the Company's Form 10 dated October 7, 1991, as amended on January
                 29, 1992 and March 2, 1992, and Exhibit 3(i) to the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                 ended June 30, 1993).........................................................................
       3.2      By-Laws of Gray Communications Systems, Inc., as amended (incorporated by references to
                 Exhibit 3(i) to the Company's Form 10 dated October 7, 1991, as amended on January 29, 1992
                 and March 2, 1992, Exhibit 3(i) to the Company's 10-K for the period ended June 30, 1993 and
                 Exhibit 3(d) of the Company's 10-K for the transition period from July 1, 1993 to December
                 31, 1993)....................................................................................
         5*     Opinion of Heyman & Sizemore re: validity of securities.......................................
      10.1      Supplemental pension plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company's Form 10
                 filed October 7, 1991, as amended January 29, 1992 and March 2, 1992)........................
      10.2      Employment Agreement, between the Company and John T. Williams (incorporated by reference to
                 Exhibit 19 to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1992)..................
      10.3      Amendment to employment agreement, between the Company and John T. Williams (incorporated by
                 reference to Exhibit 19(b) to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
                 1992)........................................................................................
      10.4      Restricted stock agreement between the Company and John T. Williams (incorporated by reference
                 to Exhibit 19(c) to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1992)............
      10.5      Long Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(e) to the Company's Form
                 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1993)................................................
      10.6      Asset Purchase Agreement between the Company and The Citizen Publishing Company, Inc.
                 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Company's Form 8-K, dated May 31, 1994)......
      10.7      Asset Purchase Agreement between the Company and Kentucky Central Television, Inc.
                 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Company's Form 8-K, dated September 2,
                 1994)........................................................................................
      10.8      Asset Purchase Agreement, dated January 6, 1995, between the Company and Still Publishing,
                 Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(h) to the 1994 Form 10-K)......................
      10.9      Asset Purchase Agreement, dated March 23, 1995, between the Company, Television Station
                 Partners, L.P. and WRDW Associates (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(i) to the 1994
                 Form 10-K)...................................................................................
     10.10      Capital Accumulation Plan, effective October 1, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                 10(i) to the 1994 Form 10-K).................................................................
     10.11      Employment Agreement, dated September 3, 1994, between the Company and Ralph W. Gabbard
                 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(j) to the 1994 Form 10-K)...........................
     10.12      Asset Purchase Agreement, dated March 15, 1996, by and between the Company and Media
                 Acquisition Partners, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(l) to the 1995 Form
                 10-K)........................................................................................
     10.13***   Warrant, dated January 4, 1996, to purchase 487,500 shares of Common Stock....................
     10.14      Form of amendment to employment agreement between the Company and Ralph W. Gabbard, dated
                 January 1, 1996 (incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 10(m) 1995 Form 10-K)..............
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT NO.                                             DESCRIPTION                                               PAGE
- --------------  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     -----
<C>             <S>                                                                                             <C>
     10.15      Indenture for the Notes (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's
                 Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-4338))..............................
     10.16      Credit Agreement and first modification of Credit Agreement, dated as of April 22, 1994,
                 between the Company and Bank South, N.A., and Deposit Guaranty National Bank (incorporated by
                 reference to Exhibit 4(i) to the Company's Form 8-K, dated September 2, 1994)................
     10.17      Note Purchase Agreement and first modification of Note Purchase Agreement between the Company
                 and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (incorporated by reference to
                 Exhibit 4(ii) to the Company's Form 8-K, dated September 2, 1994)............................
     10.18      Second modification of Credit Agreement, dated November 30, 1994, between the Company and Bank
                 South, N.A. and Deposit Guaranty National Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c) to
                 the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 (the "1994 Form 10-K")).........
     10.19      Second modification of Note Purchase Agreement, dated November 30, 1994, between the Company
                 and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(d) to
                 the 1994 Form 10-K)..........................................................................
     10.20      Third modification of Credit Agreement, dated January 6, 1995, between the Company and Bank
                 South, N.A. and Deposit Guaranty National Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(e) to
                 the 1994 Form 10-K)..........................................................................
     10.21      Fourth modification of Credit Agreement, dated January 27, 1995, between the Company and Bank
                 South, N.A. and Deposit Guaranty National Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(f) to
                 the 1994 Form 10-K)..........................................................................
     10.22      Third Modification of Note Purchase Agreement, dated June 15, 1995, between the Company and
                 Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to the
                 Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1995).....................................
     10.23      Form of Master Agreement, dated as of June 13, 1995, between the Company and Society National
                 Bank.........................................................................................
     10.24      Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement, dated June 15, 1995, by and among the Company, Bank
                 South, N.A., Deposit Guaranty National Bank and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association
                 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b) to the Company's form 10-Q for the quarter ended
                 June 30, 1995)...............................................................................
     10.25      Fourth Modification of Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 3, 1996, between the
                 Company and Teachers Insurance Annuity Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(h)
                 to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995 (the "1995 10-K"))...........
     10.26      First Consolidated Modification of Credit Agreement, dated as of January 3, 1996, among the
                 Company, Bank South, Deposit Guaranty National Bank and Society National Bank (incorporated
                 by reference to Exhibit 4(i) to the Company's Form 8-K, dated January 18, 1996)..............
     10.27      Note Purchase between the Company and Bull Run, dated as of January 3, 1996 (incorporated by
                 reference to Exhibit 4(ii) to the Company's Form 8-K, dated January 18, 1996)................
     10.28***   Employment Agreement, Dated February 12, 1996 between the Company and Robert A. Beizer........
     10.29**    Separation Agreement between the Company and John T. Williams (incorporated by reference to
                 Exhibit 10.16 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No.
                 333-4338)).
        12**    Statement re computation of ratios............................................................
        21**    List of Subsidiaries..........................................................................
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT NO.                                             DESCRIPTION                                               PAGE
- --------------  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     -----
<C>             <S>                                                                                             <C>
      23.1**    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP for the financial statements for Gray Communications Systems,
                 Inc..........................................................................................
      23.2*     Consent of Heyman & Sizemore (contained in opinion filed as Exhibit 5)........................
      23.3**    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP for certain financial statements of WRDW-TV......................
      23.4**    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP for the financial statements of the Broadcasting and Paging
                 Operations of John H. Phipps, Inc............................................................
      23.5**    Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP for certain financial statements of WRDW-TV..................
      24.1***   Power of Attorney.............................................................................
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
  * To be filed by amendment
 ** Filed herewith
   
*** Previously filed
    

<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT 1

                                   3,500,000 SHARES

                          GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

                                     COMMON STOCK

                                  _________________

                                UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                ----------------------
                                                              June __, 1996

THE ROBINSON-HUMPHREY COMPANY, INC.
ALLEN & COMPANY INCORPORATED
J.C. BRADFORD & CO.
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.
  As representatives of the several
  Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto,
c/o The Robinson-Humphrey Company, Inc.
3333 Peachtree Road, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30326

Dear Sirs:

    Gray Communications Systems, Inc., a Georgia corporation (the "Company")
proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, to issue and sell
to the Underwriters named in Schedule I (the "Underwriters") an aggregate of
3,500,000 shares of common stock, no par value (the "Common Stock"), of the
Company (the "Firm Shares"), and, at the election of the Underwriters, subject
to the terms and conditions stated herein, to sell to the Underwriters up to
525,000 additional shares of Common Stock (the "Optional Shares") (the Firm
Shares and the Optional Shares that the Underwriters elect to purchase pursuant
to Section 2 hereof are collectively called the "Shares").

    1.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.  The Company represents
and warrants to, and agrees with, each of the Underwriters that:

         (a)  A registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-4340) with
    respect to the Shares, including a prospectus subject to completion, has
    been filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
    "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and
    one or more amendments to such registration statement may have been so
    filed.  After the execution of this Agreement, the Company will file with
    the Commission either (i) if such registration statement, as it may have
    been amended, has 

<PAGE>


    become effective under the Act and information has been omitted therefrom in
    accordance with Rule 430A under the Act, either (A) if the Company relies 
    on Rule 434 under the Act, a term sheet relating to the shares that shall 
    identify the preliminary prospectus that it supplements containing such 
    information as is required or permitted by Rules 434, 430A and 424(b) 
    under the Act or (B) if the Company does not rely on Rule 434 under the 
    Act, a prospectus in the form most recently included in an amendment to 
    such registration statement (or, if no such amendment shall have been 
    filed, in such registration statement) with such changes or insertions as 
    are required by Rule 430A or permitted by Rule 424(b) under the Act and 
    as have been provided to and approved by the Representatives, or (ii) if 
    such registration statement, as it may have been amended, has not become 
    effective under the Act, an amendment to such registration statement, 
    including a form of prospectus, a copy of which amendment has been 
    provided to and approved by the Representatives prior to the execution of 
    this Agreement. The Company may also file a related registration 
    statement with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Act for 
    the purpose of registering certain additional shares of Common Stock, 
    which registration statement will be effective upon filing with the 
    Commission.  As used in this Agreement, the term "Original Registration 
    Statement" means the registration statement initially filed relating to 
    the Common Stock, as amended at the time when it was or is declared 
    effective, including all financial statement schedules and exhibits 
    thereto and including any information omitted therefrom pursuant to Rule 
    430A under the Act and included in the Prospectus (as hereinafter 
    defined); the term "Rule 462(b) Registration Statement" means any 
    registration statement filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) 
    under the Act (including the Original Registration Statement and any 
    Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus incorporated therein at the time 
    such Original Registration Statement becomes effective); the term 
    "Registration Statement" includes both the Original Registration 
    Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement; the term 
    "Preliminary Prospectus" means each prospectus subject to completion 
    included in such registration statement or any amendment or 
    post-effective amendment thereto (including the prospectus subject to 
    completion, if any, included in the Registration Statement at the time it 
    was or is declared effective);  the term "Prospectus" means (A) if the 
    Company relies on Rule 434 of the Act, the Term Sheet (as hereinafter 
    defined) relating to the Shares that is first filed pursuant to Rule 
    424(b)(7) of the Act, together with the Preliminary Prospectus identified 
    therein that such Term Sheet supplements; (B) if the Company does not 
    rely on Rule 434 of the Act, the prospectus first filed with the 
    Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act or (C) if no prospectus 
    is required to be so filed, such term means the prospectus included in 
    the Registration Statement; and the term "Term Sheet" means any term 
    sheet that satisfies the requirements of Rule 434 of the Act.  Any 
    reference to the "date" of a Prospectus that includes a Term Sheet shall 
    mean the date of such Term Sheet.  For purposes of the following 
    representations and warranties, to the extent reference is made to the 
    Prospectus and at the relevant time the Prospectus is not yet in 
    existence, such reference shall be deemed to be to the most recent 
    Preliminary Prospectus.

                                         -2-
<PAGE>

         (b)  No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary
    Prospectus has been issued and no proceeding for that purpose has been
    instituted or threatened by the Commission or the securities authority of
    any state or other jurisdiction.  If the Registration Statement has become
    effective under the Act, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
    Registration Statement or any part thereof has been issued and no
    proceeding for that purpose has been instituted or threatened or, to the
    best knowledge of the Company, contemplated by the Commission or the
    securities authority of any state or other jurisdiction.
    
         (c)  When any Preliminary Prospectus was filed with the Commission it
    (i) contained all statements required to be stated therein in accordance
    with, and complied in all material respects with the requirements of, the
    Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and (ii) did
    not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
    material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
    light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. 
    When the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto was or is declared
    effective, and at each Time of Delivery (as hereinafter defined), it (i)
    contained or will contain all statements required to be stated therein in
    accordance with, and complied or will comply in all material respects with
    the requirements of, the Act and the rules and regulations of the
    Commission thereunder and (ii) did not or will not include any untrue
    statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary
    to make the statements therein not misleading.  When (A) the Prospectus or
    any amendment or supplement thereto is filed with the Commission pursuant
    to Rule 424(b) (or, if the Prospectus or such amendment or supplement is
    not required to be so filed, when the Registration Statement or the
    amendment thereto containing such amendment or supplement to the Prospectus
    was or is declared effective) or (B) any Term Sheet which is a part of the
    Prospectus is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 434, and at each
    Time of Delivery, the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented at any such
    time, (i) contained or will contain all statements required to be stated
    therein in accordance with, and complied or will comply in all material
    respects with the requirements of, the Act and the rules and regulations of
    the Commission thereunder and (ii) did not or will not include any untrue
    statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary
    in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
    under which they were made, not misleading.  The foregoing provisions of
    this paragraph (c) do not apply to statements or omissions made in any
    Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto
    the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any Term Sheet in
    reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
    Company by any Underwriter through you specifically for use therein. 
    
         (d)  If the Company has elected to rely on Rule 462(b) and the Rule
    462(b) Registration Statement has not been declared effective (i) the
    Company has filed a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement in compliance with
    and that is effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) and has received
    confirmation of its receipt; and (ii) the Company has given irrevocable
    instructions for transmission of the applicable filing fee in connection
    with the 


                                         -3-

<PAGE>

    filing of the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, in compliance with 
    Rule 111 promulgated under the Act, or the Commission has received payment
    of such filing fee.

         (e)  The descriptions in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
    of statutes, legal and governmental proceedings or contracts and other
    documents are accurate and fairly present the information required to be
    shown; and there are no statutes or legal or governmental proceedings
    required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
    that are not described as required and no contracts or documents of a
    character that are required to be described in the Registration Statement
    or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement
    that are not described and filed as required. 
    
         (f)  Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has been duly
    incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under
    the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and has full power and
    authority (corporate and other) to own or lease its properties and conduct
    its business as described in the Prospectus.  The Company has full power
    and authority (corporate and other) to enter into this Agreement and to
    perform its obligations hereunder.  Each of the Company and its
    subsidiaries is duly qualified to transact business as a foreign
    corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each other
    jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties, or conducts any
    business, so as to require such qualification, except where the failure to
    so qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the financial
    position, results of operations or business of the Company and its
    subsidiaries.
    
         (g)  The Company's authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock is
    as disclosed in the Prospectus.  All of the issued shares of capital stock
    of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid
    and nonassessable and conform to the description of the capital stock
    contained in the Prospectus.  None of the issued shares of capital stock of
    the Company or any of its subsidiaries has been issued or is owned or held
    in violation of any preemptive rights of shareholders, and no person or
    entity (including any holder of outstanding shares of capital stock of the
    Company or its subsidiaries) has any preemptive or other rights to
    subscribe for any of the Shares.
    
         (h)  All of the issued shares of capital stock of each of the
    Company's subsidiaries have been duly authorized and validly issued, are
    fully paid and nonassessable and are owned beneficially by the Company free
    and clear of all liens, security interests, pledges, charges, encumbrances,
    defects, shareholders' agreements, voting trusts, equities or claims of any
    nature whatsoever.  Other than the subsidiaries listed on Exhibit 21 to the
    Registration Statement, the Company does not own, directly or indirectly,
    any capital stock or other equity securities of any other corporation or
    any ownership interest in any partnership, joint venture or other
    association other than as disclosed in the Prospectus.
    
         (i)  Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, there are no outstanding
    (i) securities or obligations of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
    convertible into or exchangeable for 


                                         -4-

<PAGE>

    any capital stock of the Company or any such subsidiary, (ii) warrants,
    rights or options to subscribe for or purchase from the Company or any such
    subsidiary any such capital stock or any such convertible or exchangeable
    securities or obligations, or (iii) obligations of the Company or any such
    subsidiary to issue any shares of capital stock, any such convertible or
    exchangeable securities or obligations, or any such warrants, rights or
    options. 
    
         (j)  Since the date of the most recent audited financial statements
    included in the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries
    has sustained any material loss or interference with its business from
    fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by
    insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order
    or decree, otherwise than as disclosed in or contemplated by the
    Prospectus.
    
         (k)  Since the respective dates as of which information is given in
    the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, (i) neither the Company nor
    any of its subsidiaries has incurred any liabilities or obligations, direct
    or contingent, or entered into any transactions, not in the ordinary course
    of business, that are material to the Company and its subsidiaries, (ii)
    the Company has not purchased any of its outstanding capital stock or
    declared, paid or otherwise made any dividend or distribution of any kind
    on its capital stock, (iii) there has not been any change in the capital
    stock, long-term debt or short-term debt of the Company or any of its
    subsidiaries, and (iv) there has not been any material adverse change, or
    any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in or
    affecting the financial position, results of operations or business of the
    Company and its subsidiaries, in each case other than as disclosed in or
    contemplated by the Prospectus.
    
         (l)  The Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and
    delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be validly
    issued and fully paid and nonassessable and will conform to the description
    of the Common Stock contained in the Prospectus; and the certificates
    evidencing the Shares will comply with all applicable requirements of
    Georgia law.
    
         (m)  Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, there are no contracts,
    agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting
    such person the right to require the Company to file a registration
    statement under the Act with respect to any securities of the Company owned
    or to be owned by such person or to require the Company to include such
    securities in the securities registered pursuant to the Registration
    Statement (or any such right has been effectively waived) or any securities
    being registered pursuant to any other registration statement filed by the
    Company under the Act.
    
         (n)  All offers and sales of the Company's capital stock prior to the
    date hereof were at all relevant times duly registered under the Act or
    exempt from the registration requirements of the Act by reason of
    Sections 3(b), 4(2) or 4(6) thereof and were duly registered or the subject
    of an available exemption from the registration requirements of the
    applicable state securities or blue sky laws.
    


                                         -5-

<PAGE>

         (o)  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is, or with the
    giving of notice or passage of time or both would be, in violation of its
    Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws or in default under any indenture,
    mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease or other agreement or
    instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to
    which any of their respective properties or assets are subject.
    
         (p)  The issue and sale of the Shares and the performance of this
    Agreement and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated will
    not conflict with, or (with or without the giving of notice or the passage
    of time or both) result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or
    provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed
    of trust, loan agreement, lease or other agreement or instrument to which
    the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of their
    respective properties or assets is subject, nor will such action conflict
    with or violate any provision of (i) the Articles of Incorporation or
    Bylaws of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; (ii) any statute, rule or
    regulation, including, without limitation, the Communications Act of 1934,
    as amended (the "Communications Act"), the Telecommunications Act of 1996
    (the "Telecommunications Act") and the rules and regulations of the Federal
    Communications Commission (the "FCC") thereunder; or (iii) any order,
    judgment or decree of any court or governmental agency or body having
    jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their
    respective properties or assets, including, without limitation, the FCC. 
    Further, the issue and sale of the Shares and the performance of this
    Agreement and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated
    shall not result in the termination or revocation of any of the permits,
    licenses, approvals, orders, certificates, franchises or authorizations of
    governmental or regulatory authorities, including those relating to the
    Communications Act, the Telecommunications Act or the rules and regulations
    of the FCC, owned or held by the Company or any of its subsidiaries in
    order to conduct the publishing or broadcasting operations of the
    television stations or publications owned or operated by them (collectively
    the "Licenses") or result in any other material impairment of the rights of
    the holder of such License.
    
         (q)  The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title
    in fee simple to all real property, if any, and good title to all personal
    property owned by them, in each case free and clear of all liens, security
    interests, pledges, charges, encumbrances, mortgages and defects, except
    such as are disclosed in the Prospectus or such as do not materially and
    adversely affect the value of such property and do not interfere with the
    use made or proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its
    subsidiaries; and any real property and buildings held under lease by the
    Company or any of its subsidiaries are held under valid, subsisting and
    enforceable leases, with such exceptions as are disclosed in the Prospectus
    or are not material and do not interfere with the use made or proposed to
    be made of such property and buildings by the Company or such subsidiary.


                                         -6-

<PAGE>

    
         (r)  No consent, approval, authorization, order or declaration of or
    from, or registration, qualification or filing with, any court or
    governmental agency or body, including, but not limited to, the FCC, is
    required for the issue and sale of the Shares or the consummation of the
    transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except the registration of the
    Shares under the Act (which, if the Registration Statement is not effective
    as of the time of execution hereof, shall be obtained as provided in this
    Agreement) and such as may be required under state securities or blue sky
    laws in connection with the offer, sale and distribution of the Shares by
    the Underwriters.
    
         (s)  Other than as disclosed in the Prospectus, there is no
    litigation, arbitration, claim, proceeding (formal or  informal) or
    investigation pending or threatened (or any basis therefor) in which the
    Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their
    respective properties or assets are the subject which, if determined
    adversely to the Company or any such subsidiary, would individually or in
    the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the financial position,
    results of operations or business of the Company and its subsidiaries. 
    Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of, or in
    default with respect to, any statute, rule, regulation, order, judgment or
    decree, except as described in the Prospectus or such as do not and will
    not individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the
    financial position, results of operations or business of the Company and
    its subsidiaries, and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is
    required to take any action in order to avoid any such violation or
    default.
    
         (t)  Ernst & Young LLP, who have certified certain financial
    statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, the Phipps
    Business and WRDW-TV for the year ended December 31, 1995, and Deloitte &
    Touche LLP, who have certified certain financial statements of WRDW-TV for
    the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1993, are each, and were each during
    the periods covered by their reports included in the Registration Statement
    and the Prospectus, independent public accountants as required by the Act
    and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
    
         (u)  The consolidated financial statements and schedules (including
    the related notes) of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries
    included in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Preliminary
    Prospectus were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
    principles consistently applied throughout the periods involved and fairly
    present the financial position and results of operations of the Company and
    its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, at the dates and for the periods
    presented.  The selected financial data set forth under the caption
    "Selected Historical Financial Data" in the Prospectus fairly present, on
    the basis stated in the Prospectus, the information included therein. The
    unaudited condensed, combined pro forma financial statements included in
    the Prospectus comply as to form in all material respects with the
    applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations
    and management of the Company believes (A) the assumptions underlying the
    pro forma adjustments are reasonable, (B) that such adjustments have been
    properly applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of 


                                         -7-

<PAGE>
    
    such statements and (C) that such statements fairly present, with respect
    to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, the condensed, combined
    pro forma financial position and results of operations and the other
    information purported to be shown therein at the respective dates or for
    the respective periods therein specified.  The financial statements and
    schedules (including the related notes) of each of WRDW-TV and the
    Broadcasting and Paging Operations of John H. Phipps, Inc. included in the
    Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Preliminary Prospectus were
    prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
    consistently applied throughout the periods involved and fairly present the
    financial position and results of WRDW-TV or the Broadcasting and Paging
    Operations of John H. Phipps, Inc., as the case may be, at the dates and
    for the periods presented.
    
         (v)  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
    by the Company and constitutes the valid and binding agreement of the
    Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms,
    subject, as to enforcement, to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
    reorganization and moratorium laws and other laws relating to or affecting
    the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and to general equitable
    principles and except as the enforceability of rights to indemnity and
    contribution under this Agreement may be limited under applicable
    securities laws or the public policy underlying such laws.
    
         (w)  Neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors or
    affiliates has (i) taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to
    cause or result in, or that has constituted or might reasonably be expected
    to constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any
    security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares or
    (ii) since the filing of the Registration Statement (A) sold, bid for,
    purchased or paid anyone any compensation for soliciting purchases of, the
    Shares or (B) paid or agreed to pay to any person any compensation for
    soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Company.
    
         (x)  The Company has obtained for the benefit of the Company and the
    Underwriters from Bull Run Corporation and its affiliates and each of the
    Company's directors and officers a written agreement that for a period of 
    180 days from the date of the Prospectus such director or officer will not,
    without your prior written consent, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell,
    grant any option for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of (or announce any
    offer, pledge, sale, grant of an option to purchase or other disposition),
    directly or indirectly, any shares of Class A Common Stock, no par value
    (the "Class A Common Stock") or Common Stock or securities convertible
    into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, shares of Class A Common Stock or
    Common Stock.
    
         (y)  Neither the Company, any of its subsidiaries, nor any director,
    officer, agent, employee or other person associated with or acting on
    behalf of the Company or any such subsidiary has, directly or indirectly:
    used any corporate funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment
    or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity; made any 


                                         -8-

<PAGE>

    unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees
    or to foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from corporate
    funds; violated any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act  of
    1977, as amended; or made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment,
    kickback or other unlawful payment.
    
         (z)  The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries with respect
    to any real property currently leased or owned or by any means controlled
    by the Company or any subsidiary (the "Real Property") are in compliance
    with all federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations
    relating to occupational health and safety and the environment
    (collectively, "Laws"), and the Company and its subsidiaries have all
    licenses, permits and authorizations necessary to operate under all Laws
    and are in compliance with all terms and conditions of such licenses,
    permits and authorizations; neither the Company nor any subsidiary has
    authorized, conducted or has knowledge of the generation, transportation,
    storage, use, treatment, disposal or release of any hazardous substance,
    hazardous waste, hazardous material, hazardous constituent, toxic
    substance, pollutant, contaminant, petroleum product, natural gas,
    liquified gas or synthetic gas defined or regulated under any environmental
    law on, in or under any Real Property; and there is no pending or
    threatened claim, litigation or any administrative agency proceeding, nor
    has the Company or any subsidiary received any written or oral notice from
    any governmental entity or third party, that: (i) alleges a violation of
    any Laws by the Company or any subsidiary; (ii) alleges the Company or any
    subsidiary is a liable party under the Comprehensive Environmental
    Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 9601 ET SEQ.
    or any state superfund law; (iii) alleges possible contamination of the
    environment by the Company or any subsidiary; or (iv) alleges possible
    contamination of the Real Property.
    
         (aa) The Company and its subsidiaries own or have the right to use all
    patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications,
    tradenames, service marks, copyrights, franchises, trade secrets,
    proprietary or other confidential information and intangible properties and
    assets (collectively, "Intangibles") necessary to their respective
    businesses as presently conducted or as the Prospectus indicates the
    Company or such subsidiary proposes to conduct; to the best knowledge of
    the Company, neither the Company nor any subsidiary has infringed or is
    infringing, and neither the Company nor any subsidiary has received notice
    of infringement with respect to, asserted Intangibles of others; and, to
    the best knowledge of the Company, there is no infringement by others of
    Intangibles of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
    
         (bb) The Company and each of its subsidiaries are insured by insurers
    of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in
    such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they
    are engaged; and neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has any reason
    to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance
    coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage
    from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a
    comparable cost, except as disclosed in the Prospectus.
    

                                         -9-

<PAGE>

         (cc) Each of the Company and its subsidiaries makes and keeps accurate
    books and records reflecting its assets and maintains internal accounting
    controls which provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are
    executed in accordance with management's authorization, (ii) transactions
    are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the Company's
    consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
    accounting principles and to maintain accountability for the assets of the
    Company, (iii) access to the assets of the Company and each of its
    subsidiaries is permitted only in accordance with management's
    authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets of the
    Company and each of its subsidiaries is compared with existing assets at
    reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any
    differences.
    
         (dd) No subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or
    indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other
    distributions on such subsidiary's capital stock, from repaying to the
    Company any loans or advances to such subsidiary or from transferring any
    of such subsidiary's property or assets to the Company or any other
    subsidiary of the Company, except as disclosed in the Prospectus.
    
         (ee) The Company and its subsidiaries have filed all foreign, federal,
    state and local tax returns that are required to be filed by them and have
    paid all taxes shown as due on such returns as well as all other taxes,
    assessments and governmental charges that are due and payable; and no
    deficiency with respect to any such return has been assessed or proposed.
    
         (ff) The Company is not, will not become as a result of the
    transactions contemplated hereby, and does not intend to conduct its
    business in a manner that would cause it to become, an "investment company"
    or a company "controlled" by an "investment company" within the meaning of
    the Investment Company Act of 1940.

         (gg) Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has all necessary
    Licenses and has made all declarations and filings with all federal, state,
    local and other governmental authorities, all self-regulatory organizations
    and all courts and other tribunals, to own, lease, license and use its
    properties and assets and to conduct its business in the manner described
    in the Prospectus, except to the extent that the failure to obtain or file
    would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
    subsidiaries, taken as a whole.  The Licenses issued by the FCC are valid
    and in full force and effect with no restrictions or qualifications which
    would have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries,
    taken as a whole.  The Company and its subsidiaries are not in violation of
    any statutes, orders, rules and regulations relating to or affecting the
    properties, businesses and Licenses of the Company and its subsidiaries and
    are not in breach or in violation of the Licenses, the Communications Act,
    the Telecommunications Act or any orders, rules and regulations of the FCC,
    which in any such case would have a material adverse effect on the Company
    and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.  No event has occurred which
    permits, or with notice or 


                                         -10-

<PAGE>

    lapse of time or both would permit, and no legal or governmental proceeding
    has been instituted or threatened which could cause, the revocation or
    termination of any of the Licenses or which might result in any other
    impairment or modification of the rights of the Company and its
    subsidiaries therein which in any such case would have a material adverse
    effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.  Except as
    described in the Prospectus, the Company has no reason to believe that any
    License issued by the FCC will not be renewed in the ordinary course.

         (hh) The affiliation agreements between each of the broadcast
    television stations of the Company and its subsidiaries and NBC and CBS, as
    applicable, have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
    Company and the subsidiaries, as applicable, and are the valid and legally
    binding obligations of the respective parties thereto and the description
    of such affiliation agreements in the Prospectus under the caption
    "Business-Network Affiliation of the Stations" is a fair and accurate
    summary of the terms thereof.

         (ii) The execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance
    by the Company of its obligations under the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated
    March 15, 1996, by and between the Company and Media Acquisition Partners,
    L.P. ( the "Phipps Agreement") and the Asset Purchase Agreement dated
    _______ __, 1996 by and between the Company and ______________ (the "KTVE
    Agreement"), did not or will not result in a violation of the
    Communications Act, the Telecommunications Act or any order, rule or
    regulation of the FCC.

         (jj) Other than any consent, approval, authorization, order,
    registration or qualification required under the Communications Act, the
    Telecommunications Act or the rules and regulations of the FCC, no consent,
    approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification is required
    for the execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance by
    the Company of its obligations under the Phipps Agreement and the KTVE
    Agreement.

    2.   PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES.  Subject to the terms and conditions
herein set forth, (a) the Company agrees to issue and sell to each of the
Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to
purchase from the Company, at a purchase price of $_________ per share, the
number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in
Schedule I hereto, and (b) in the event and to the extent that the Underwriters
shall exercise the election to purchase Optional Shares as provided below, the
Company agrees to issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the
Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at
the purchase price per share set forth in clause (a) of this Section 2, that
portion of the number of Optional Shares as to which such election shall have
been exercised (to be adjusted by you so as to eliminate fractional shares)
determined by multiplying such number of Optional Shares by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the maximum number of Optional Shares that such
Underwriter is entitled to purchase as set forth opposite the name of such
Underwriter in Schedule I 


                                         -11-

<PAGE>

hereto and the denominator of which is the maximum number of the Optional Shares
that all of the Underwriters are entitled to purchase hereunder.

    The Company hereby grants to the Underwriters the right to purchase at
their election in whole or in part from time to time up to 525,000 Optional
Shares, at the purchase price per share set forth in clause (a) in the paragraph
above, for the sole purpose of covering over-allotments in the sale of Firm
Shares.  Any such election to purchase Optional Shares may be exercised by
written notice from you to the Company, given from time to time within a period
of 30 calendar days after the date of this Agreement and setting forth the
aggregate number of Optional Shares to be purchased and the date on which such
Optional Shares are to be delivered, as determined by you but in no event
earlier than the First Time of Delivery (as hereinafter defined) or, unless you
and the Company otherwise agree in writing, earlier than two or later than ten
business days after the date of such notice.  In the event you elect to purchase
all or a portion of the Optional Shares, the Company agrees to furnish or cause
to be furnished to you the certificates, letters and opinions, and to satisfy
all conditions, set forth in Section 7 hereof at each Subsequent Time of
Delivery (as hereinafter defined).

    3.   OFFERING BY THE UNDERWRITERS.  Upon the authorization by you of the
release of the Shares, the several Underwriters propose to offer the Shares for
sale upon the terms and conditions disclosed in the Prospectus.

    4.   DELIVERY OF SHARES; CLOSING.  Certificates in definitive form for the
Shares to be purchased by each Underwriter hereunder, and in such denominations
and registered in such names as The Robinson-Humphrey Company, Inc. may request
upon at least 48 hours' prior notice to the Company shall be delivered by or on
behalf of the Company to you for the account of such Underwriter, against
payment by such Underwriter on its behalf of the purchase price therefor by
official bank check or checks (payable in next day funds) drawn on an Atlanta,
Georgia bank, payable to the order of the Company in next day available funds. 
The closing of the sale and purchase of the Shares shall be held at the offices
of King & Spalding, 191 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, except that
physical delivery of such certificates shall be made at the office of The
Depository Trust Company, 55 Water Street, New York, New York 10041.  The time
and date of such delivery and payment shall be, with respect to the Firm Shares,
at 10:00 a.m., Atlanta time, on the third full business day after the execution
of this Agreement or at such other time and date as you and the Company may
agree upon in writing, and, with respect to the Optional Shares, at 10:00 a.m.,
Atlanta time, on the date specified by you in the written notice given by you of
the Underwriters' election to purchase all or part of such Optional Shares, or
at such other time and date as you and the Company may agree upon in writing. 
Such time and date for delivery of the Firm Shares is herein called the "First
Time of Delivery," such time and date for delivery of the Optional Shares, if
not the First Time of Delivery, is herein called a "Subsequent Time of
Delivery," and each such time and date for delivery is herein called a "Time of
Delivery."  The Company will make such certificates available for checking and
packaging at least 24 hours prior to each Time of Delivery at the office of The
Depository Trust Company, 55 Water Street, New York, New York 10041 or 


                                         -12-

<PAGE>

at such other location in New York, New York specified by you in writing at
least 48 hours prior to such Time of Delivery.

    5.   COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.  The Company covenants and agrees with each
of the Underwriters:

         (a)  If the Registration Statement has been declared effective prior
    to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will file
    either (A) the Prospectus with the Commission pursuant to and in accordance
    with subparagraph (1) (or, if applicable and if consented to by you,
    subparagraph (4)) of Rule 424(b) or (B) a Term Sheet with the Commission
    pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 434 not later than the earlier of
    (i) the second business day following the execution and delivery of this
    Agreement or (ii) the fifth business day after the date on which the
    Registration Statement is declared effective.  The Company will advise you
    promptly of any such filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) or Rule 434.
    
         (b)  The Company will not file with the Commission the Prospectus or
    the amendment referred to in the second sentence of Section 1(a) hereof,
    any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus, any Term Sheet, any
    amendment to the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration
    Statement unless you have received a reasonable period of time to review
    any such proposed amendment or supplement and consented to the filing
    thereof and will use its best efforts to cause any such amendment to the
    Registration Statement to be declared effective as promptly as possible. 
    Upon the request of the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters,
    the Company will promptly prepare and file with the Commission, in
    accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission, any amendments
    to the Registration Statement or any amendments or supplements to the
    Prospectus or any Term Sheet that  may be necessary or advisable in
    connection with the distribution of the Shares by the several Underwriters
    and will use its best efforts to cause any such amendment to the
    Registration Statement to be declared effective as promptly as possible. 
    If required, the Company will file any amendment or supplement to the
    Prospectus or any Term Sheet with the Commission in the manner and within
    the time period required by Rule 424(b) and Rule 434, as applicable, under
    the Act.  The Company will advise the Representatives, promptly after
    receiving notice thereof, of the time when the Original Registration
    Statement or any amendment thereto or any Rule 462(b) Registration
    Statement has been filed or declared effective or the Prospectus or any
    amendment or supplement thereto has been filed and will provide evidence to
    the Representatives of each such filing or effectiveness. 
    
         (c)  The Company will advise you promptly after receiving notice or
    obtaining knowledge of (i) the issuance by the Commission of any stop order
    suspending the effectiveness of the Original Registration Statement or any
    Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or any part thereof or any order
    preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the
    Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, (ii) the suspension of
    the qualification of the Shares for offer or sale in any jurisdiction or of
    the 


                                         -13-

<PAGE>

    initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose, or
    (iii) any request made by the Commission or any securities authority of any
    other jurisdiction for amending the Original Registration Statement or any
    Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, for amending or supplementing the
    Prospectus or for additional information.  The Company will use its best
    efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order and, if any such
    stop order is issued, to obtain the withdrawal thereof as promptly as
    possible.
    
         (d)  If the delivery of a prospectus relating to the Shares is
    required under the Act at any time prior to the expiration of nine months
    after the date of the Prospectus and if at such time any events have
    occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or
    supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit
    to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
    therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
    misleading, or if for any reason it is necessary during such same period to
    amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with the Act or the rules and
    regulations thereunder, the Company will promptly notify you and upon your
    request (but at the Company's expense) prepare and file with the Commission
    an amendment or supplement to the Prospectus that corrects such statement
    or omission or effects such compliance and will furnish without charge to
    each Underwriter and to any dealer in securities as many copies of such
    amended or supplemented Prospectus as you may from time to time reasonably
    request.  If the delivery of a prospectus relating to the Shares is
    required under the Act at any time nine months or more after the date of
    the Prospectus, upon your request but at the expense of such  Underwriter,
    the Company will prepare and deliver to such Underwriter as many copies as
    you may request of an amended or supplemented Prospectus complying with
    Section 10(a)(3) of the Act.  Neither your consent to, nor the
    Underwriters' delivery of, any such amendment or supplement shall
    constitute a waiver of any of the conditions set forth in Section 7.
    
         (e)  The Company promptly from time to time will take such action as
    you may reasonably request to qualify the Shares for offering and sale
    under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as you may
    request and will continue such qualifications in effect for as long as may
    be necessary to complete the distribution of the Shares, provided that in
    connection therewith the Company shall not be required to qualify as a
    foreign corporation or to file a general consent to service of process in
    any jurisdiction.

         (f)  The Company will promptly provide you, without charge, (i) three
    manually executed copies of the Original Registration Statement and any
    Rule 462(b) Registration Statement as originally filed with the Commission
    and of each amendment thereto, (ii) for each other Underwriter a conformed
    copy of the Original Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b)
    Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto,
    without exhibits, and (iii) so long as a prospectus relating to the Shares
    is required to be delivered under the Act, as many copies of each
    Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement
    thereto as you may reasonably request.
    


                                         -14-

<PAGE>

         (g)  As soon as practicable, but in any event not later than the last
    day of the thirteenth month after the later of the effective date of the
    Original Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement,
    the Company will make generally available to its security holders an
    earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries, if any, covering a
    period of at least 12 months beginning after the later of the effective
    date of the Original Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b)
    Registration Statement (which need not be audited) complying with
    Section 11(a) of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

         (h)  During the period beginning from the date hereof and continuing
    to and including the date 180 days after the date of the Prospectus, the
    Company will not, without your prior written consent, offer, pledge, issue,
    sell, contract to sell, grant any option for the sale of, or otherwise
    dispose of (or announce any offer, pledge, sale, grant of an option to
    purchase or other disposition), directly or indirectly, any shares of Class
    A Common Stock or Common Stock or securities convertible into, exercisable
    or exchangeable for, shares of Class A Common Stock or Common Stock, except
    as provided in Section 2 and except for the issuance of Class A Common
    Stock or Common Stock upon the exercise of stock options or warrants
    outstanding on the date of this Agreement to the extent that such stock
    options or warrants are disclosed in the Prospectus.
    
         (i)  During a period of five years from the later of the effective
    date of the Original Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration
    Statement, the Company will furnish to you and, upon request, to each of
    the other Underwriters, without charge, (i) copies of all reports or other
    communications (financial or other) furnished to shareholders, (ii) as soon
    as they are available, copies of any reports and financial statements
    furnished to or filed with the Commission or any national securities
    exchange, and (iii) such additional information concerning the business and
    financial condition of the Company and its subsidiaries, if any, as you may
    reasonably request.
    
         (j)  Neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors or
    affiliates will (i) take, directly or indirectly, prior to the termination
    of the underwriting syndicate contemplated by this Agreement, any action
    designed to cause or to result in, or that might reasonably be expected to
    constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security
    of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Shares,
    (ii) sell, bid for, purchase or pay anyone any compensation for soliciting
    purchases of, the Shares or (iii) pay or agree to pay to any person any
    compensation for soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the
    Company.
    
         (k)  The Company will apply the net proceeds from the offering in the
    manner set forth under "Use of Proceeds" in the Prospectus.
    
         (l)  The Company will cause the Shares to be listed on the New York
    Stock Exchange, subject to notice of issuance, at each Time of Delivery and
    for at least one year from the date hereof.


                                         -15-

<PAGE>

    
         (m)  If at any time during the period beginning on the date the
    Registration Statement becomes effective and ending on the later of (i) the
    date 30 days after such effective date and (ii) the date that is the
    earlier of (A) the date on which the Company first files with the
    Commission a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q after such effective date and
    (B) the date on which the Company first issues a quarterly financial report
    to shareholders after such effective date, any rumor, publication or event
    relating to or affecting the Company shall occur as a result of which in
    your reasonable opinion the market price of the Common Stock has been or is
    likely to be materially affected (regardless of whether such rumor,
    publication or event necessitates an amendment of or supplement to the
    Prospectus), the Company will, after written notice from you advising the
    Company to the effect set forth above, forthwith prepare, consult with you
    concerning the substance of, and disseminate a press release or other
    public statement, reasonably satisfactory to you, responding to or
    commenting on such rumor, publication or event.

         (n)  If the Company elects to rely upon Rule 462(b), the Company shall
    both file a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement with the Commission in
    compliance with Rule 462(b) and pay the applicable fees in accordance with
    Rule 111 promulgated under the Act  by the earlier of (i) 10:00 P.M.
    Eastern time on the date of this Agreement and (ii) the time confirmations
    are sent or given, as specified by Rule 462(b)(2).

    6.   EXPENSES.  The Company will pay all costs and expenses incident to the
performance of its obligations under this Agreement, whether or not the
transactions contemplated hereby are consummated or this Agreement is terminated
pursuant to Section 10 hereof, including without limitation all costs and
expenses incident to (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company's
counsel and accountants in connection with the registration of the Shares under
the Act and all other expenses in connection with the preparation, printing and,
if applicable, filing of the Original Registration Statement (including all
amendments thereto), any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, any Preliminary
Prospectus, the Prospectus and any amendments and supplements thereto, this
Agreement and any blue sky memoranda; (ii) the delivery of copies of the
foregoing documents to the Underwriters; (iii) the filing fees of the Commission
and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. relating to the Shares;
(iv) the preparation, issuance and delivery to the Underwriters of any
certificates evidencing the Shares, including transfer agent's and registrar's
fees; (v) the qualification of the Shares for offering and sale under state
securities and blue sky laws, including filing fees and fees and disbursements
of counsel for the Underwriters relating thereto; (vi) any listing of the
securities on the New York Stock Exchange and (vii) any expenses for travel,
lodging and meals incurred by the Company and any of its officers, directors and
employees in connection with any meetings with prospective investors in the
Shares.  It is understood, however, that, except as provided in this Section,
Section 8 and Section 10 hereof, the Underwriters will pay all of their own
costs and expenses, including the fees of their counsel, stock transfer taxes on
resale of any of the Shares by them, and any advertising expenses relating to
the offer and sale of the Shares.



                                         -16-

<PAGE>

    7.   CONDITIONS OF THE UNDERWRITERS' OBLIGATIONS.  The obligations of the
Underwriters hereunder to purchase and pay for the Shares to be delivered at
each Time of Delivery shall be subject, in their discretion, to the accuracy of
the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein as of the
date hereof and as of such Time of Delivery, to the accuracy of the statements
of Company officers made pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance
by the Company of its covenants and agreements hereunder, and to the following
additional conditions precedent:

         (a)  If the Original Registration Statement as amended to date has not
    become effective prior to the execution of this Agreement, such Original
    Registration Statement and, if the Company has elected to rely upon Rule
    462(b), the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement shall have been declared
    effective not later than the earlier of (i) 11:00 a.m., Atlanta time, on
    the date of this Agreement and (ii) the time confirmations are sent or
    given as specified by Rule 462(b)(2), or, with respect to the Original
    Registration Statement such later date and/or time as shall have been
    consented to by you in writing.  The Prospectus and any amendment or
    supplement thereto or a Term Sheet shall have been filed with the
    Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) or Rule 434, as applicable, within the
    applicable time period prescribed for such filing and in accordance with
    Section 5(a) of this Agreement; no stop order suspending the effectiveness
    of the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement,
    respectively, or any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceedings
    for that purpose shall have been instituted, threatened or, to the
    knowledge of the Company and the Representatives, contemplated by the
    Commission; and all requests for additional information on the part of the
    Commission shall have been complied with to your reasonable satisfaction.
    
         (b)  King & Spalding, counsel for the Underwriters, shall have
    furnished to you such opinion or opinions, dated such Time of Delivery,
    with respect to the incorporation of the Company, the validity of the
    Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery, the Registration
    Statement, the Prospectus, and other related matters as you may reasonably
    request, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such
    documents as they request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon
    such matters. 
    
         (c)  You shall have received an opinion, dated such Time of Delivery,
    of Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelsohn LLP, counsel for the Company in form
    and substance satisfactory to you and your counsel, to the effect that:
    
                   (i)  The Company has the corporate power and authority to
              own or lease its properties and conduct its business as described
              in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and to enter
              into this Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder.  The
              Company is duly qualified to transact business as a foreign
              corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each other
              jurisdiction in which it owns or leases property, or conducts any
              business, so as to require such 


                                         -17-

<PAGE>

              qualification, except where the failure to so qualify would not
              have a material adverse effect on the financial position, 
              results of operations or business of the Company and its
              subsidiaries.
         
                   (ii)  Each of the subsidiaries of the Company has been duly
              incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation in good
              standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and
              has the corporate power and authority to own or lease its
              properties and conduct its business as described in the
              Registration Statement and the Prospectus.  Each such subsidiary
              is duly qualified to transact business as a foreign corporation
              and is in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction
              in which it owns or leases property, or conducts any business, so
              as to require such qualification, except where the failure to so
              qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the financial
              position, results of operations or business of the Company and
              its subsidiaries.
         
                   (iii) The Company's authorized, issued and outstanding
              capital stock is as disclosed in the Prospectus.  All of the
              issued shares of capital stock of the Company conform to the
              description of the capital stock contained in the Prospectus. 
              None of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company or any
              of its subsidiaries has been issued or is owned or held in
              violation of any preemptive rights of shareholders, and no person
              or entity (including any holder of outstanding shares of capital
              stock of the Company or its subsidiaries) has any preemptive or
              other rights to subscribe for any of the Shares.
         
                   (iv)  All of the issued shares of capital stock of each of
              the Company's subsidiaries are owned beneficially by the Company
              free and clear of all liens, security interests, pledges,
              charges, encumbrances, shareholders' agreements, voting trusts,
              defects, equities or claims of any nature whatsoever.  Other than
              the subsidiaries listed on Exhibit 21 to the Registration
              Statement, the Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any
              capital stock or other equity securities of any other corporation
              or any ownership interest in any partnership, joint venture or
              other association.
         
                   (v)  Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, there are no
              outstanding (A) securities or obligations of the Company or any
              of its subsidiaries convertible into or exchangeable for any
              capital stock of the Company or any such subsidiary,
              (B) warrants, rights or options to subscribe for or purchase from
              the Company or any such subsidiary any such capital stock or any
              such convertible or exchangeable securities or obligations, or
              (C) obligations of the Company or any such subsidiary to issue
              any shares 


                                         -18-

<PAGE>

              of capital stock, any such convertible or exchangeable securities
              or obligations, or any such warrants, rights or options.
         
                   (vi)   The Shares, when issued and delivered against payment
              therefor as provided herein, will conform to the description of
              the Common Stock contained in the Prospectus; the Shares have
              been listed, subject to notice of issuance, on the New York Stock
              Exchange.
         
                   (vii)  Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, there are
              no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company
              and any person granting such person the right to require the
              Company to file a registration statement under the Act with
              respect to any securities of the Company owned or to be owned by
              such person or to require the Company to include such securities
              in the securities registered pursuant to the Registration
              Statement (or any such right has been effectively waived) or in
              any securities being registered pursuant to any other
              registration statement filed by the Company under the Act.

                   (viii) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries
              is, or with the giving of notice or passage of time or both,
              would be, in violation of its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws
              or in default under any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
              agreement, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the
              Company or any such subsidiary is a party or to which any of
              their respective properties or assets is subject.
         
                   (ix)   The issue and sale of the Shares being issued at such
              Time of Delivery and the performance of this Agreement and the
              consummation of the transactions herein contemplated will not
              conflict with, or (with or without the giving of notice or the
              passage of time or both) result in a breach or violation of any
              of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any
              indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease or
              other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any such
              subsidiary is a party or to which any of their respective
              properties or assets is subject, nor will such action conflict
              with or violate any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or
              Bylaws of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any statute,
              rule or regulation or any order, judgment or decree of any court
              or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the
              Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective
              properties or assets.
         
                   (x)    The Company and its subsidiaries have good and
              marketable title in fee simple to all real property and good
              title to all personal property owned by them, in each case free
              and clear of all liens, security interests, 


                                         -19-

<PAGE>

              pledges, charges, encumbrances, mortgages and defects except such
              as are disclosed in the Prospectus or such as do not materially
              and adversely affect the value of such property and do not
              interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such
              property by the Company and its subsidiaries; and any real
              property and buildings held under lease by the Company or any of
              its subsidiaries are held by the Company or such subsidiary under
              valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as
              are disclosed in the Prospectus or are not material and do not
              interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such
              property and buildings by the Company or such subsidiary.
         
                   (xi)   No consent, approval, authorization, order or
              declaration of or from, or registration, qualification or filing
              with, any court or governmental agency or body is required for
              the issue and sale of the Shares or the consummation of the
              transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except the
              registration of the Shares under the Act and such as may be
              required under state securities or blue sky laws in connection
              with the offer, sale and distribution of the Shares by the
              Underwriters.
         
                   (xii)  To such counsel's knowledge and other than as
              disclosed in or contemplated by the Prospectus, there is no
              litigation, arbitration, claim, proceeding (formal or informal)
              or investigation pending or threatened (or any basis therefor) in
              which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of
              which any of their respective properties or assets is the subject
              which, if determined adversely to the Company or any such
              subsidiary, would individually or in the aggregate have a
              material adverse effect on the financial position, results of
              operations or business of the Company and its subsidiaries; and,
              to such counsel's knowledge, neither the Company nor any of its
              subsidiaries is in violation of, or in default with respect to,
              any statute, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree, except
              as described in the Prospectus, nor is the Company or any
              subsidiary required to take any action in order to avoid any such
              violation or default.
         
                   (xiii) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed
              and delivered by the Company.
         
                   (xiv)  The Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b)
              Registration Statement and the Prospectus and each amendment or
              supplement thereto (other than the financial statements and
              related schedules therein, as to which such counsel need express
              no opinion), as of their respective effective or issue dates,
              complied as to form in all material respects with the
              requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. 
              The descriptions in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
              of statutes, 


                                         -20-

<PAGE>

              legal and governmental proceedings or contracts and other
              documents are accurate and fairly present the information
              required to be shown; and such counsel do not know of any
              statutes or legal or governmental proceedings required to be
              described in the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b)
              Registration Statement or Prospectus that are not described as
              required or of any contracts or documents of a character required
              to be described in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or to
              be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement which are not
              described and filed as required.
         
                   (xv)    Each of the Registration Statement and any 
              Rule 462(b) Registration Statement is effective under the Act; 
              any required filing of the Prospectus or any Term Sheet pursuant 
              to Rule 424(b) or Rule 434, as applicable, has been made in the 
              manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) or 
              Rule 434, as applicable; and no stop order suspending the 
              effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) 
              Registration Statement, respectively, or any part thereof has been
              issued and, to such counsel's knowledge, no proceedings for that 
              purpose have been instituted or threatened or are contemplated by 
              the Commission.
         
                   (xvi)   The Company is not, and will not be as a result of
              the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
              Agreement, an "investment company," or a company "controlled" by
              an "investment company," within the meaning of the Investment
              Company Act of 1940.

                   (xvii)  If the Company elects to rely upon Rule 434, the
              Prospectus is not "materially different", as such term is used in
              Rule 434, from the prospectus included in the Registration
              Statement at the time of its effectiveness or an effective post-
              effective amendment thereto (including  such information that is
              permitted to be omitted pursuant to Rule 430A).

                   (xviii) the execution and delivery by the Company of, and
              the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Asset
              Purchase Agreement, dated March 15, 1996, by and between the
              Company and Media Acquisition Partners, L.P. ( the "Phipps
              Agreement") and the Asset Purchase Agreement dated _______ __,
              1996 by and between the Company and ______________ (the "KTVE
              Agreement"), did not or will not result in a violation of the
              Communications Act, the Telecommunications Act or any order, rule
              or regulation of the FCC.

                   (xviv)  other than any consent, approval, authorization,
              order, registration or qualification required under the
              Communications Act, the Telecommunications Act or the rules and
              regulations of the FCC, no

                                         -21-

<PAGE>


              consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or
              qualification is required for the execution and delivery by the
              Company of, and the performance by the Company of its obligations
              under the Phipps Agreement and the KTVE Agreement.

                   (xx)    the Company and its subsidiaries are the holders of 
              the Licenses issued by the FCC listed in an attachment to such
              opinion (the "FCC Licenses"), all of which are validly issued by
              the FCC and in full force and effect, with no material
              restrictions or qualifications other than as described in the
              Prospectus and to the best of such counsel's knowledge, such FCC
              Licenses constitute all of the FCC Licenses necessary for the
              Company and the Subsidiaries to own their properties and to
              conduct their businesses in the manner and to the full extent now
              operated or proposed to be operated as described in the
              Prospectus.

                   (xxi)   to the best of such counsel's knowledge, the
              business and operations of the Company and its subsidiaries
              comply in all material respects with the Communications Act, the
              Telecommunications Act and all published orders, rules and
              regulations of the FCC.

                   (xxii)  other than matters described in the Prospectus and
              except as to any other matters relating to the television
              broadcast industry in general which would not have a material
              adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
              whole, such counsel after due inquiry does not know of (A) any
              proceedings threatened, pending or contemplated before the FCC
              against or involving the properties businesses or Licenses of the
              Company or its subsidiaries or (B) any communications laws or
              regulations of the United States applicable to such properties,
              businesses or Licenses, which in either case could have a
              material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries,
              taken as a whole.

                   (xxiii) to the best of such counsel's knowledge after due
              inquiry, no event has occurred which permits, or with notice or
              lapse of time or both would permit, the revocation or non-renewal
              of any of the FCC Licences, assuming the filing of timely license
              renewal applications and the timely payment of all applicable
              filing and regulatory fees to the FCC, or which might result in
              any other material impairment of the rights of the Company or its
              subsidiaries in the FCC Licenses.

                   (xxiv)  the statement in the Prospectus under the caption
              "Risk Factors - Consummation of the Phipps Acquisition Prior to
              Final FCC Approval," "Risk Factors - FCC Divestiture
              Requirement," "Risk Factors - Regulatory Matters" and "Business -
              Federal Regulation of the Company's 


                                         -22-

<PAGE>

              Business" insofar as such statements constitute summaries of the
              legal matters, documents or proceedings referred to therein,
              fairly present the information called for with respect to such
              legal matters, documents and proceedings and fairly summarize the
              matters referred to therein and such counsel does not believe
              that such statements (A) at the time such amendment became
              effective, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or
              omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
              necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (B) as
              of the date of this opinion, contained an untrue statement of a
              material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in
              order to make the statements therein, in light of the
              circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

         Such counsel shall also state that they have no reason to believe that
    the Registration Statement, or any further amendment thereto made prior to
    such Time of Delivery, on its effective date and as of such time of
    Delivery, contained or contains any untrue statement of a material fact or
    omitted or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein
    or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or that the
    Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto made prior to such Time
    of Delivery, as of its issue date and as of such Time of Delivery,
    contained or contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or
    omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
    therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
    misleading (provided that such counsel need express no belief regarding the
    financial statements and related schedules and other financial data
    contained in the Registration Statement, any amendment thereto, or the
    Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto).

         In rendering any such opinion, such counsel may rely, as to matters of
    fact, to the extent such counsel deem proper, on certificates of
    responsible officers of the Company and public officials and, as to matters
    involving the application of laws of any jurisdiction other than the state
    of New York or the United States, to the extent satisfactory in form and
    scope to counsel for the Underwriters, upon the opinion of [insert name of
    local counsel], provided that such counsel states such counsel believes
    that the Underwriters are justified in relying upon such opinion and copies
    of such opinion are delivered to the Representatives and counsel for the
    Underwriters.

         (d)  You shall have received an opinion, dated such Time of Delivery,
    of Heyman & Sizemore, Georgia counsel for the Company in form and substance
    satisfactory to you and your counsel, to the effect that:

              (i)  All of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company
         have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
         nonassessable.


                                         -23-

<PAGE>


              (ii)  All of the issued shares of capital stock of each of the
         Company's subsidiaries have been duly authorized and validly issued
         and are fully paid and nonassessable.

              (iii) The Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued
         and delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be
         validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable; the certificates
         evidencing the Shares comply with all applicable requirements of
         Georgia law.

              (iv)  The Company has been duly incorporated, is validly existing
         as a corporation in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction
         of incorporation and has the corporate power and authority to own or
         lease its properties and conduct its business as described in the
         Registration Statement and the Prospectus and to enter into this
         Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder.

              (v)   All offers and sales of the Company's capital stock prior to
         the date hereof were at all relevant times duly registered under the
         Act or exempt from the registration requirements of the Act by reason
         of Sections 3(b), 4(2) or 4(6) thereof and were duly registered or the
         subject of an available exemption from the registration requirements
         of the applicable state securities or blue sky laws.

         (e)  (i)   You shall have received from Ernst & Young LLP letters 
         dated, respectively, the date hereof (or, if the Registration Statement
         has been declared effective prior to the execution and delivery of this
         Agreement, dated such effective date and the date of this Agreement)
         and each Time of Delivery, in form and substance satisfactory to you,
         to the effect set forth in Annex I hereto.  In the event that the
         letters referred to in this Section 7(e) set forth any changes,
         decreases or increases in the items specified in paragraph ___ of
         Annex I, it shall be a further condition to the obligations of the
         Underwriters that (i) such letters shall be accompanied by a written
         explanation by the Company as to the significance thereof, unless the
         Representatives deem such explanation unnecessary, and (ii) such
         changes, decreases or increases do not, in your sole judgment, make it
         impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the purchase, sale and
         delivery of the Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery as
         contemplated by the Registration Statement, as amended as of the date
         of such letter.

              (ii)  You shall have received from Deloitte & Touche LLP letters
         dated, respectively, the date hereof (or, if the Registration
         Statement has been declared effective prior to the execution and
         delivery of this Agreement, dated such effective date and the date of
         this Agreement) and each Time of Delivery, in form and substance
         satisfactory to you, to the effect set forth in Annex II hereto.


                                         -24-

<PAGE>

         (f)  Since the date of the latest audited financial statements
    included in the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries
    shall have sustained (i) any loss or interference with their respective
    businesses from fire, explosion, flood, hurricane or other calamity,
    whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or
    governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as disclosed in or
    contemplated by the Prospectus, or (ii) any change, or any development
    involving a prospective change (including without limitation a change in
    management or control of the Company), in or affecting the position
    (financial or otherwise), results of operations, net worth or business
    prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, otherwise than as disclosed
    in or contemplated by the Prospectus, the effect of which, in either such
    case, is in your judgment so material and adverse as to make it
    impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the purchase, sale and
    delivery of the Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery as
    contemplated by the Registration Statement, as amended as of the date
    hereof.
    
         (g)  Subsequent to the date hereof there shall not have occurred any
    of the following: (i) any suspension or limitation in trading in securities
    generally on the New York Stock Exchange, or any setting of minimum prices
    for trading on such exchange, or in the Common Stock by the Commission;
    (ii) a moratorium on commercial banking activities in New York declared by
    either federal or state authorities; (iii) any downgrading in the rating of
    any debt securities of the Company by any "nationally recognized
    statistical rating organization" (as defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)
    under the Act), or any public announcement that any such organization has
    under surveillance or review its rating of any debt securities of the
    Company (other than an announcement with positive implications of a
    possible upgrading, and no implication of a possible downgrading, of such
    rating); or (iv) any outbreak or escalation of hostilities involving the
    United States, declaration by the United States of a national emergency or
    war or any other national or international calamity or emergency if the
    effect of any such event specified in this clause (iv) in your judgment
    makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the purchase, sale
    and delivery of the Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery as
    contemplated by the Registration Statement, as amended as of the date
    hereof.
    
         (h)  The Company shall have furnished to you at such Time of Delivery
    certificates of officers of the Company, satisfactory to you as to the
    accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company herein at and
    as of such Time of Delivery, as to the performance by the Company of all of
    its obligations hereunder to be performed at or prior to such Time of
    Delivery, and as to such other matters as you may reasonably request, and
    the Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished certificates as
    to the matters set forth in subsections (a) and (e) of this Section 7, and
    as to such other matters as you may reasonably request.
    
         (i)  The Shares shall be listed on the New York Stock Exchange,
    subject to notice of issuance.



                                         -25-

<PAGE>

    8.   INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION.  (a)  The Company agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter against any losses, claims, damages
or liabilities, joint or several, to which such Underwriter may become subject,
under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon:
(i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement made by the Company in
Section 1 of this Agreement; (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of any material fact contained in (A) the Registration Statement or
any amendment thereto, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto, or (B) any application or other document, or
any amendment or supplement thereto, executed by the Company or based upon
written information furnished by or on behalf of the Company filed in any
jurisdiction in order to qualify the Shares under the securities or blue sky
laws thereof or filed with the Commission or any securities association or
securities exchange (each an "Application"); or (iii) the omission or alleged
omission to state in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, any
Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto,
or any Application a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse each Underwriter
for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter in
connection with investigating, defending against or appearing as a third-party
witness in connection with any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the
extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of or
is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission made in the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, any Preliminary Prospectus, the
Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or any Application in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any
Underwriter through you expressly for use therein.  The Company will not,
without the prior written consent of each Underwriter, settle or compromise or
consent to the entry of any judgment in any pending or threatened claim, action,
suit or proceeding (or related cause of action or portion thereof) in respect of
which indemnification may be sought hereunder (whether or not such Underwriter
is a party to such claim, action, suit or proceeding), unless such settlement,
compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of such Underwriter from
all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding (or related
cause of action or portion thereof).

    (b)  Each Underwriter, severally but not jointly, agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless the Company against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to
which the Company may become subject under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out
of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any
material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto,
any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement
thereto or any Application or arise out of or are based upon the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the
extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter
through you expressly for use therein; and will 


                                         -26-

<PAGE>

reimburse the Company for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the
Company in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim,
damage, liability or action.

    (c)  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection (a)
and (b) above of notice of the commencement of any  action, such indemnified
party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the
indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in
writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the
indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to
any indemnified party otherwise than under such subsection.  In case any such
action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the
indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be
entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly
with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense
thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not,
except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying
party); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the defendants in any such action include
both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party
shall have reasonably concluded that there may be one or more legal defenses
available to it or other indemnified parties which are different from or
additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party
shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of such
indemnified party and such indemnified party shall have the right to select
separate counsel to defend such action on behalf of such indemnified party. 
After such notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its
election so to assume the defense thereof and approval by such indemnified party
of counsel appointed to defend such action, the indemnifying party will not be
liable to such indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other
expenses, other than reasonable costs of investigation, subsequently incurred by
such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof, unless (i) the
indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the
proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that in
connection with such action the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the
expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to local counsel) in any
one action or separate but substantially similar actions in the same
jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, which
separate counsel shall be designated by the Representatives in the case of
indemnity arising under paragraph (a) of this Section 8) or (ii) the
indemnifying party has authorized the employment of counsel for the indemnified
party at the expense of the indemnifying party.  Nothing in this Section 8(c)
shall preclude an indemnified party from participating at its own expense in the
defense of any such action so assumed by the indemnifying party.

    (d)  If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable
to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or
(b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions
in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result
of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions  in respect thereof)
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received
by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the
offering of the Shares.  If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately
preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law or if the indemnified
party 


                                         -27-

<PAGE>

failed to give the notice required under subsection (c) above, then each
indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such
relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and
the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions
that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The
relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters
on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net
proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company
bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the
Underwriters.  The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among
other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
information supplied by the Company on the one hand or the Underwriters on the
other and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.  The Company and
the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions
pursuant to this subsection (d) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if
the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other
method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations
referred to above in this subsection (d).  The amount paid or payable by an
indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) referred to above in this subsection (d) shall be
deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action
or claim.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d), no Underwriter
shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the
total price at which the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public
were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such
Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.  No person guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation.  The Underwriters' obligations in this
subsection (d) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective
underwriting obligations and not joint.

    (e)  The obligations of the Company under this Section 8 shall be in
addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall extend,
upon the same terms and  conditions, to each person, if any, who controls any
Underwriter within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the
Underwriters under this Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability which
the respective Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same
terms and conditions, to each officer and director of the Company and to each
person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Act.

    9.   DEFAULT OF UNDERWRITERS.  (a) If any Underwriter defaults in its
obligation to purchase Shares at a Time of Delivery, you may in your discretion
arrange for you or another party or other parties to purchase such Shares on the
terms contained herein.  If within thirty-six (36) hours after such default by
any Underwriter you do not arrange for the purchase of such Shares, the Company
shall be entitled to a further period of thirty-six (36) hours within which to
procure another party or 


                                         -28-

<PAGE>

other parties satisfactory to you to purchase such Shares on such terms.  In the
event that, within the respective prescribed periods, you notify the Company
that you have so arranged for the purchase of such Shares, or the Company
notifies you that it has so arranged for the purchase of such Shares, you or the
Company shall have the right to postpone a Time of Delivery for a period of not
more than seven days in order to effect whatever changes may thereby be made
necessary in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any other
documents or arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any
amendments to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus that in your opinion
may thereby be made necessary.  The cost of preparing, printing and filing any
such amendments shall be paid for by the Underwriters.  The term "Underwriter"
as used in this Agreement shall include any person substituted under this
Section with like effect as if such person had originally been a party to this
Agreement with respect to such Shares.

    (b)  If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the
Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by you and the Company as
provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of such Shares which
remains unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate number of
Shares to be purchased at such Time of Delivery, then the Company shall have the
right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the number of
Shares which such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder at such Time of
Delivery and, in addition, to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to
purchase its pro rata share (based on the number of Shares which such
Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder) of the Shares of such defaulting
Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made, but
nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its
default.

    10.  TERMINATION.  (a)  This Agreement may be terminated with respect to
the Firm Shares or any Optional Shares in the sole discretion of the
Representatives by notice to the Company given prior to the First Time of
Delivery or any Subsequent Time of  Delivery, respectively, in the event that
(i) any condition to the obligations of the Underwriters set forth in Section 7
hereof has not been  satisfied, or (ii) the Company shall have failed, refused
or been unable to deliver the Shares or to perform all obligations and satisfy
all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to
such Time of Delivery, in either case other than by reason of a default by any
of the Underwriters.  If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section
10(a), the Company will reimburse the Underwriters severally upon demand for all
out-of-pocket expenses (including counsel fees and disbursements) that shall
have been incurred by them in connection with the proposed purchase and sale of
the Shares.  The Company shall not in any event be liable to any of the
Underwriters for the loss of anticipated profits from the transactions covered
by this Agreement.

    (b)  If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the
Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by you and the Company as
provided in Section 9(a), the aggregate number of such Shares which remains
unpurchased exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate number of Shares to be
purchased at such Time of Delivery, or if the Company shall not exercise the
right described in Section 9(b) to require non-defaulting Underwriters to
purchase Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters, then this Agreement
(or, with respect to a Subsequent Time of Delivery, the obligations of the
Underwriters to purchase and of the Company to sell the Optional

                                         -29-

<PAGE>


Shares) shall thereupon terminate, without liability on the part of any 
non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company, except for the expenses to be 
borne by the Company and the Underwriters as provided in Section 6 hereof and 
the indemnity and contribution agreements in Section 8 hereof; but nothing 
herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

    11.  SURVIVAL.  The respective indemnities, agreements, representations,
warranties and other statements of the Company, its officers and the several
Underwriters, as set forth in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them,
respectively, pursuant to this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect,
regardless of any investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof)
made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any controlling person referred to in
Section 8(e) or the Company, or any officer or director or controlling person of
the Company referred to in Section 8(e), and shall survive delivery of and
payment for the Shares.  The respective agreements, covenants, indemnities and
other statements set forth in Sections 6 and 8 hereof shall remain in full force
and effect, regardless of any termination or cancellation of this Agreement.

    12.  NOTICES.  All communications hereunder shall be in writing and, if
sent to any of the Underwriters, shall be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and
confirmed in writing to you in care of The Robinson-Humphrey Company, Inc., 3333
Peachtree Road, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30326, Attention:  Corporate Finance
Department  (with a copy to King & Spalding, 191 Peachtree Street, Atlanta,
Georgia 30303, Attention:  John J. Kelley III; and if sent to the Company, shall
be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed in writing to the Company at
126 N. Washington Street, P.O. Box 48, Albany, Georgia 31702-0048, Attention:
William A. Fielder III (with a copy to Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelsohn LLP,
1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036, Attention: Henry O. Smith, III).

    13.  REPRESENTATIVES.  You will act for the several Underwriters in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and any action
under this Agreement taken by you jointly or by The Robinson-Humphrey Company,
Inc. will be binding upon all the Underwriters.

    14.  BINDING EFFECT.  This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure
solely to the benefit of, the Underwriters and the Company and to the extent
provided in Sections 8 and 10 hereof, the officers and directors and controlling
persons referred to therein and their respective heirs, executors,
administrators, successors and assigns, and no other person shall acquire or
have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement.  No purchaser of any of the
Shares from any Underwriter shall be deemed a successor or assign by reason
merely of such purchase.

    15.  GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia without giving effect to any
provisions regarding conflicts of laws.

    16.  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed by any one or more of
the parties hereto in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed
to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and
the same instrument.


                                         -30-

<PAGE>

    If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement,
please sign and return to us one of the counterparts hereof, and upon the
acceptance hereof by The Robinson-Humphrey Company, Inc., on behalf of each of
the Underwriters, this letter will constitute a binding agreement among the
Underwriters and the Company.  It is understood that your acceptance of this
letter on behalf of each of the Underwriters is pursuant to the authority set
forth in the Master Agreement among Underwriters, a copy of which shall be
submitted to the Company for examination, upon request, but without warranty on
your part as to the authority of the signers thereof.


                             Very truly yours,
                             
                             GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
                             
                             
                             By:_______________________________
                                Name:
                             
                                Title:


The foregoing Agreement is hereby
confirmed and accepted as of the
date first written above at
Atlanta, Georgia.


THE ROBINSON-HUMPHREY COMPANY, INC.
ALLEN & COMPANY INCORPORATED
J.C. BRADFORD & CO.
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.

By:  The Robinson-Humphrey Company,
      Inc.


By:________________________________
      (Authorized Representative)

On behalf of each of the Underwriters


                                      -31-
<PAGE>

                                      SCHEDULE I


                                                                  Number of
                                                                  Optional
                                                                 Shares to be
                                               Total             Purchased if
                                           Number of Firm          Maximum
                                           Shares to be            Option
Underwriter                                  Purchased            Exercised  
- -----------                               ---------------       -------------
              

The Robinson-Humphrey Company, Inc.
Allen & Company Incorporated
J.C. Bradford & Co.
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.





                                            ___________         ____________

        Total...................            ___________         ____________
                                            ___________         ____________



<PAGE>

                                                                     ANNEX I


    Pursuant to Section 7(e)(i) of the Underwriting Agreement, Ernst & Young
LLP shall furnish letters to the Underwriters to the effect that: 

         (i)  they are independent public accountants with respect to the
    Company and its consolidated subsidiaries within the meaning the Act and
    the applicable published rules and regulations thereunder;
    
         (ii) in their opinion, the consolidated financial statements and
    schedules audited by them and included in the Prospectus and the
    Registration Statement comply as to form in all material respects with the
    applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the related published
    rules and regulations thereunder;

         (iii)      the financial statements of the Company as of and for the
    three-month period ended March 31, 1996 were reviewed by them in accordance
    with the standards established by the American Institute of Certified
    Public Accountants and based upon their review they are not aware of any
    material modifications that should be made to such financial statements for
    them to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, and
    such financial statements comply as to form in all material respects with
    the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the applicable rules
    and regulations thereunder;

         (iv) On the basis of limited procedures, not constituting an audit in
    accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, consisting of a
    reading of the unaudited financial statements and other information
    referred to below, a reading of the latest available interim financial
    statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, inspection of the minute
    books of the Company and its subsidiaries since the date of the latest
    audited  financial statements included in the Prospectus, inquiries of
    officials of the Company and its subsidiaries responsible for financial
    accounting matters and such other inquiries and procedures as may be
    specified in such letter, nothing came to their attention that caused them
    to believe that: 
    
              (A) the unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements of
         the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries included in the
         Registration Statement and the Prospectus do not comply in form in all
         material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the
         Act and the related published rules and regulations thereunder or are
         not in conformity with generally accepted principles applied on a
         basis substantially consistent with that of the audited consolidated
         financial statements included in the Registration Statement and the
         Prospectus;
         
              (B)  as of a specified date not more than 5 days prior to the
         date of such letter, there were any changes in the capital stock
         (other than the issuance of capital stock upon exercise of employee
         stock options that were outstanding on the date of the latest balance
         sheet included in the Prospectus) or any increase in inventories or
         the long-term debt or short-term debt of the Company and its
         subsidiaries, or any decreases in net current assets or net assets or
         other items specified by the Representatives, or any increases in any
         other items specified by the Representatives, 

<PAGE>

         in each case as compared with amounts shown in the latest balance
         sheet included in the Prospectus, except in each case for changes,
         increases or decreases which the Prospectus discloses have occurred or
         may occur, or which are described in such letter; and
         
              (C)  for the period from the date of the latest financial
         statements included in the Prospectus to the  specified date referred
         to in Clause (B) there were any decreases in revenues or operating
         income or the total or per share amounts of net income or other items
         specified by the Representatives, or any increases in any items
         specified by the Representatives, in each case as compared with the
         comparable period of the preceding year and with any other period of
         corresponding length specified by the Representatives, except in each
         case for increases or decreases which the Prospectus discloses have
         occurred or may occur, or which are described in such letter; and
         
         (v)  In addition to the audit referred to in their report(s) included
    in the Prospectus and the limited procedures, inspection of minute books,
    inquiries and other procedures referred to in paragraph (iv) above, they
    have carried out certain specified procedures, not constituting an audit in
    accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, with respect to
    certain amounts, percentages and financial information specified by the
    Representatives that are included in the Registration Statement and the
    Prospectus, or which appear in Part II of, or in exhibits or schedules to,
    the Registration Statement and have compared certain of such amounts,
    percentages and financial information with the accounting records of the
    Company and its subsidiaries and have found them to be in agreement;
    

         (vi) on the basis of a reading of the unaudited pro forma consolidated
    condensed financial statements included in the Registration Statement and
    the Prospectus, carrying out certain specified procedures that would not
    necessarily reveal matters of significance with respect to the comments set
    forth in this paragraph (vi), inquiries of certain officials of the Company
    and its consolidated subsidiaries and WRDW and the Phipps Business who have
    responsibility for financial and accounting matters and preparing the pro
    forma consolidated condensed financial statements, nothing came to their
    attention that caused them to believe that the unaudited pro forma
    consolidated condensed financial statements do not comply as to form in all
    material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of Rule 11-02
    of Regulation S-X or that the pro forma adjustments have not been properly
    applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of such statements.
    
         References to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus in this
    Annex I shall include any amendment or supplement thereto at the date of
    such letter.

<PAGE>
                                                      ANNEX II


    Pursuant to Section 7(e)(ii) of the Underwriting Agreement, Deloitte &
Touche LLP shall furnish letters to the Underwriters to the effect that: 

         (i)  they are independent public accountants with respect to WRDW-TV
    within the meaning the Act and the applicable published rules and
    regulations thereunder and
    
         (ii) in their opinion, the consolidated financial statements and
    schedules audited by them and included in the Prospectus and the
    Registration Statement comply as to form in all material respects with the
    applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the related published
    rules and regulations thereunder.

    References to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus in this
Annex II shall include any amendment or supplement thereto at the date of such
letter.


<PAGE>
                                                                      EXHIBIT 12
 
GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT RATIO DATA)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                      MARCH 31,
                                   1991       1992       1993       1994       1995       1995       1996
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                              <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Consolidated pretax income from
 continuing operations           $   3,006  $   1,265  $   2,748  $   4,542  $   1,565  $     658  $     584
Interest expense                       787      1,486        985      1,923      5,438      1,376      2,157
Interest portion of rental
 expense                                20         18         16         63         89         20         25
Amortization of debt discount           14         45        150        142        163         41         61
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Earnings                       $   3,827  $   2,814  $   3,899  $   6,670  $   7,255  $   2,095  $   2,827
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Interest expense                 $     787  $   1,486  $     985  $   1,923  $   5,438  $   1,376  $   2,157
Interest portion of rental
 expense                                20         18         16         63         89         20         25
Amortization of debt discount           14         45        150        142        163         41         61
Capitalized interest                     0          0          0          0         94          0          0
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Fixed Charges                  $     821  $   1,549  $   1,151  $   2,128  $   5,784  $   1,437  $   2,243
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
 Charges                               4.7        1.8        3.4        3.1        1.3        1.5        1.3
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
PRO FORMA COMBINED COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT RATIO DATA)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    THREE MONTHS
                                                                                   YEAR ENDED          ENDED
                                                                                DECEMBER 31, 1995  MARCH 31, 1996
                                                                                -----------------  --------------
<S>                                                                             <C>                <C>
Consolidated pretax income from continuing operations                              $    (5,803)      $   (1,228)
Interest expense                                                                        21,252            5,272
Interest portion of rental expense                                                         254               69
Amortization of debt discount                                                              739              185
                                                                                      --------     --------------
  Earnings                                                                         $    16,442       $    4,298
                                                                                      --------     --------------
                                                                                      --------     --------------
Interest expense                                                                   $    21,252       $    5,272
Interest portion of rental expense                                                         254               69
Amortization of debt discount                                                              739              185
Capitalized interest                                                                        94                0
                                                                                      --------     --------------
  Fixed Charges                                                                    $    22,339       $    5,526
                                                                                      --------     --------------
                                                                                      --------     --------------
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (1)                                                 --                --
                                                                                      --------     --------------
                                                                                      --------     --------------
(1) Fixed charges exceed earnings by                                               $     5,897       $    1,228
                                                                                      --------     --------------
                                                                                      --------     --------------
</TABLE>
    

<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 21

                             LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES OF
                        GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

                                                    Jurisdiction
                                                    ------------
      Name                                         of Incorporation
      ----                                         ----------------

The Albany Herald                                     Georgia
 Publishing Company, Inc.

The Rockdale Citizen                                  Georgia
 Publishing Company

WALB-TV, Inc.                                         Georgia

WJHG-TV, Inc.                                         Georgia

Gray Real Estate &                                    Georgia
 Development Company

WKXT Licensee Corp.                                   Delaware

WCTV Operating Corp.                                  Delaware

WKXT-TV, Inc.                                         Delaware

Gray Television                                       Delaware
 Management, Inc.

Gray Kentucky                                         Georgia
 Television, Inc.

The Southwest Georgia                                 Georgia
 Shopper, Inc.

WRDW-TV, Inc.                                         Georgia

KTVE, Inc.                                            Arkansas

Gray Transportation                                   Georgia
 Company, Inc.

WALB Licensee Corp.                                   Delaware

WJHG Licensee Corp.                                   Delaware

WKYT Licensee Corp.                                   Delaware

WRDW Licensee Corp.                                   Delaware

WYMT Licensee Corp.                                   Delaware

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
   
    We  consent to the reference to our  firm under the caption "Experts" and to
the use  of our  reports dated  February 14,  1996, in  Amendment No.  2 to  the
Registration  Statement (Form S-1) and related Prospectus of Gray Communications
Systems, Inc. dated July 9, 1996.
    
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
   
Columbus, Georgia
July 9, 1996
    

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3
 
   
    We  consent to the reference to our  firm under the caption "Experts" and to
the use of  our report  dated January  26, 1996  with respect  to the  financial
statements  of WRDW-TV included in Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement
(Form S-1) and  related Prospectus  of Gray Communications  Systems, Inc.  dated
July 9, 1996.
    
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
   
Atlanta, Georgia
July 9, 1996
    

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.4
 
   
    We  consent to the reference to our  firm under the caption "Experts" and to
the use of our  reports dated February  19, 1996 with  respect to the  financial
statements  of the  Broadcasting and Paging  Operations of John  H. Phipps, Inc.
included in Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement (Form S-1) and related
Prospectus of Gray Communications Systems, Inc. dated July 9, 1996.
    
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
   
Atlanta, Georgia
July 9, 1996
    

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.5
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
   
    We  consent to the use in this Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement No.
333-4340 of Gray Communications Systems, Inc.  of our report dated May 12,  1995
on  the balance  sheet of  WRDW-TV (an  operating station  of Television Station
Partners, L.P.), as of December 31,  1994 and the related statements of  income,
partnership's  equity and cash flows  for the years ended  December 31, 1993 and
1994, appearing  in  the  Prospectus,  which is  a  part  of  such  Registration
Statement,  and  to the  reference to  us  under the  heading "Experts"  in such
Prospectus.
    
 
   
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
July 9, 1996
    


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