GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS INC /GA/
S-1/A, 1996-09-13
TELEVISION BROADCASTING STATIONS
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<PAGE>
   
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 13, 1996
    
 
                                                       REGISTRATION NO. 333-4340
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 4
                                       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>
   
                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED SEPTEMBER 13, 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
September 12, 1996, the last reported sale price of the Class A Common Stock  on
the  NYSE was  $   per share.  The Class  B Common  Stock has  been approved for
listing on the  NYSE under  the symbol "GCS.B,"  subject to  official notice  of
issuance.  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 (AS
DEFINED) AND  THERE CAN  BE NO  ASSURANCE THAT  THE PHIPPS  ACQUISITION 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 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 (which  includes two television
stations that  are  part of  the  Phipps Business).  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 (which
is part  of the  Phipps 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. On September  10, 1996, J. Mack  Robinson, a director of
the Company, was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the  Company
on  an interim basis,  to succeed Ralph  W. Gabbard, who  had died suddenly. The
Company expects  to commence  a search  to locate  a new  president as  soon  as
practicable  following this Offering. On September  11, 1996, Robert S. Prather,
Jr.,   a   director   of   the    Company,   was   appointed   Executive    Vice
President-Acquisitions on an interim basis.
    
 
    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
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
   
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 30, 1996,
although there can be no assurance with respect thereto.
    
 
   
    In August 1996, the Company sold the  assets (the "KTVE Sale") of KTVE  Inc.
("KTVE"), a television 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 the closing.
    
 
   
    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 $(3.4)  million,  respectively. For  the six
months ended June 30, 1996, on a pro forma basis, the Company had net  revenues,
Media  Cash Flow,  operating cash  flow and net  income of  $47.3 million, $17.9
million, $16.3 million and $322,000, 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 224.7% 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 six  months ended  June 30,  1996 increased  67.1%, 114.7%  and 122.8%,
respectively, while net income decreased  72.8% from the historical amounts  for
the  six months ended June 30, 1995. The  Company's pro forma net income for its
television stations for the year ended December 31, 1995 and for the six  months
ended June 30, 1996 was $1.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively.
    
 
    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   SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                                STATION      OF           31, 1995          JUNE 30, 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    $7,845    $2,701
WYMT        CBS        Hazard, KY    1994       68   57/UHF(3)       1(4)        24      3,721       831     2,107       530
WRDW        CBS       Augusta, GA    1996      111   12/VHF            1         36      8,888     1,853     4,489     1,149
WALB (5)    NBC        Albany, GA    1954      152   10/VHF            1         80      9,445     4,795     5,099     2,658
                     Panama City,
WJHG (5)    NBC                FL    1960      159    7/VHF            1         53      3,843       270     2,409       476
PHIPPS
 ACQUISITION
WKXT        CBS     Knoxville, TN               62    8/VHF            3         22      9,269     2,204     4,387       903
                     Tallahassee,
WCTV        CBS               FL/              116    6/VHF            1         60     11,862     4,229     6,212     2,254
                     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) on a  pro forma basis  of $21.9 million  and
$660,000,  respectively, for the year ended December 31, 1995, and $11.3 million
and $1.3  million for  the six  months ended  June 30,  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
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
   
income  (expense), allocation of corporate overhead, interest expense and income
taxes) on a  pro forma basis  of $6.2 million  and $542,000 for  the year  ended
December  31, 1995 and $3.5  million and $467,000 for  the six months ended June
30, 1996, respectively.
    
 
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 for programs  both 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 30,
1996, although  there  can be  no  assurance  with respect  thereto.  See  "Risk
Factors--Possible Non-Consummation of the Phipps Acquisition."
    
 
   
    Pursuant  to an agreement, dated as of  May 15, 1996 (the "KTVE Agreement"),
with GOCOM Television of  Ouachita, L.P., in August  1996, the Company sold  the
assets  of KTVE for  approximately $9.5 million  in cash plus  the amount of the
accounts receivable on the date of the closing (approximately $870,000), to  the
extent  collected by the buyer, to be paid to the Company 150 days following the
date of closing. 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 $2.3 million, $598,000
and  $360,000, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 1996. The Company
estimates that  the  gain,  net  of  estimated  taxes,  on  the  KTVE  Sale  was
approximately $2.8 million.
    
 
   
    In  addition to  the KTVE  Sale and the  consummation of  this Offering, the
Concurrent Offering and the Phipps Acquisition, the Company intends to implement
a financing plan (the "Financing") to increase liquidity
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
   
and improve operating and financial flexibility. Pursuant to the Financing,  the
Company  will (i) retire approximately  $49.5 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  $10.0  million
liquidation  preference of its Series A preferred stock (the "Series A Preferred
Stock") in exchange for its outstanding $10.0 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, J. Mack
Robinson, the President, Chief  Executive Officer and  director of the  Company,
and certain of his affiliates $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, borrowings  under the  Senior Credit  Facility and  the
Company's  working capital. For a description  of the Senior Credit Facility and
the  Preferred   Stock,   see   "Description  of   Certain   Indebtedness"   and
"Management--Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation--Issuances  of Preferred Stock." The consummation of this Offering
is not conditioned upon the concurrent consummation of the Financing, the Phipps
Acquisition or  the  Concurrent  Offering.  If the  Phipps  Acquisition  is  not
consummated  prior to December 23,  1996, the Company is  required to redeem the
Notes on or  prior to December  31, 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 Concurrent Offering and the Financing are intended to provide  financing
for  the Phipps Acquisition and  operating and financial flexibility thereafter.
Although the  Concurrent  Offering  may  be  consummated  prior  to  the  Phipps
Acquisition,  the Notes are  subject to the  special redemption described above.
The Financing described above will be implemented in connection with the closing
of the Concurrent Offering, but the Senior Credit Facility will provide that  no
borrowings  may be made thereunder until  the closing of the Phipps Acquisition.
Accordingly, if the  Phipps Acquisition is  not consummated, the  Notes will  be
redeemed  by the Company, the  Old Credit Facility will  remain in place and the
Company will not borrow under the Senior Credit Facility.
 
   
    The following  table sets  forth the  estimated sources  and uses  of  funds
relating  to this Offering, the Concurrent  Offering, the Phipps Acquisition and
the Financing:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(IN MILLIONS)                                                     AMOUNT
                                                              ----------
SOURCES OF FUNDS:
<S>                                                           <C>
The Class B Common Stock offered hereby                            $73.5
The Concurrent Offering                                            150.0
Sale of Series B Preferred Stock and Warrants                       10.0
Borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility                         32.6
Working capital (1)                                                  9.5
                                                              ----------
  TOTAL                                                           $275.6
                                                              ----------
                                                              ----------
USES OF FUNDS:
Consummation of Phipps Acquisition                                $185.0
Retire indebtedness under the Old Credit Facility (2)               49.5
Retire indebtedness under the Senior Note(3)                        25.0
Fees and expenses (4)                                               16.1
                                                              ----------
  TOTAL                                                           $275.6
                                                              ----------
                                                              ----------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------
   
(1)  The source of these funds was the KTVE Sale.
    
 
   
(2)  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 June 30, 1996, the weighted average interest rate was 8.94%.
    
 
   
(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.
    
 
   
    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 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                                                    $     73.5
The Concurrent Offering                                                                         150.0
Sale of Series B Preferred Stock and Warrants                                                    10.0
Working capital (1)                                                                               8.6
                                                                                         ------------
  TOTAL                                                                                    $    242.1
                                                                                         ------------
                                                                                         ------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                     <C>
USES OF FUNDS:
Redemption of the Notes                                                    $ 151.5(2)
Retire indebtedness under the Old Credit Facility (3)                         49.5
Retire indebtedness under the Senior Note(4)                                  25.0
Fees and expenses (5)                                                         16.1
                                                                        ----------
  TOTAL                                                                    $ 242.1
                                                                        ----------
                                                                        ----------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
   
(1)  The source of these funds was the KTVE Sale.
    
 
   
(2)  Amount  shown  excludes interest  accrued  on the  Notes  from the  date of
     issuance to the date of redemption.
    
 
   
(3)  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 June 30, 1996, the
     weighted average interest rate was 8.94%.
    
 
   
(4)  The indebtedness under the Senior Note bears interest at 10.7%.
    
 
   
(5)  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. 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 (as defined in the Indenture) under
the Indenture 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, to repay indebtedness under the  Old Credit Facility and to retire
the Senior Note.
    
 
                                       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....................  4,467,205 Shares
    Class B Common Stock....................  3,500,000 Shares
      Total.................................  7,967,205 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, the Financing and the
                                              Company's  working   capital   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....................  GCS.B
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  consummation  of   the
                                              Financing,   the  Phipps  Acquisition  or  the
                                              Concurrent Offering.
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
   
(1)  Excludes (i) approximately 53,500 shares  of Class A Common Stock  issuable
     upon exercise of stock options outstanding under the Company's stock option
     plans  as of  June 30, 1996,  (ii) 487,500  shares of Class  A Common Stock
     issuable upon exercise of an outstanding  warrant of the Company and  (iii)
     500,000  shares  of Class  A  Common Stock  issuable  upon exercise  of the
     warrant to be issued as part of the Financing. See "Management."
    
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    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.
                            ------------------------
 
    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.
                            ------------------------
 
   
THIS PROSPECTUS CONTAINS CERTAIN FORWARD  LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE  MEANING
OF  THE PRIVATE  SECURITIES LITIGATION  REFORM ACT OF  1995 WITH  RESPECT TO THE
FINANCIAL  CONDITION,  RESULTS  OF  OPERATIONS  AND  BUSINESS  OF  THE  COMPANY,
INCLUDING   STATEMENTS   UNDER  THE   CAPTIONS   "PRO  FORMA   FINANCIAL  DATA,"
"MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION  AND ANALYSIS  OF FINANCIAL  CONDITION AND  RESULTS  OF
OPERATIONS"  AND "BUSINESS."  THESE FORWARD  LOOKING STATEMENTS  INVOLVE CERTAIN
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. NO ASSURANCE CAN BE GIVEN THAT ANY OF SUCH MATTERS WILL
BE REALIZED. FACTORS  THAT MAY CAUSE  ACTUAL RESULTS TO  DIFFER MATERIALLY  FROM
THOSE CONTEMPLATED BY SUCH FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, THE
FOLLOWING  POSSIBILITIES:  (1) COMPETITIVE  PRESSURE  IN THE  COMPANY'S INDUSTRY
INCREASES; (2)  COSTS  RELATED  TO  THE  PHIPPS  ACQUISITION  ARE  GREATER  THAN
EXPECTED;  AND (3) GENERAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS ARE LESS FAVORABLE THAN EXPECTED.
FOR FURTHER  INFORMATION  ON OTHER  FACTORS  WHICH COULD  AFFECT  THE  FINANCIAL
RESULTS OF THE COMPANY AND SUCH FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS, SEE "RISK FACTORS."
    
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
                        SUMMARY PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
                (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  six months ended  June 30, 1996  and as of
December 31, 1995  and June  30, 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>
                                                                                    SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995               JUNE 30, 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  $  24,252  $   21,949  $   33,295
  Publishing...........................     21,866      21,866      21,866     11,262      11,262      11,262
  Paging...............................         --          --       4,897         --          --       2,744
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
Total revenues.........................     58,616      63,316      90,637     35,514      33,211      47,301
Total expenses.........................     51,756      55,051      75,224     28,203      26,211      36,603
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
Operating income.......................      6,860       8,265      15,413      7,311       7,000      10,698
Miscellaneous income (expense), net....        143          24          36         81          80          75
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
Income before interest expense and
 income taxes..........................      7,003       8,289      15,449      7,392       7,080      10,773
Interest expense.......................      5,438         910      20,664      4,445         359      10,236
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
Income (loss) before income taxes......      1,565       7,379      (5,215)     2,947       6,721         537
Income tax expense (benefit)...........        634       2,958      (1,766)     1,146       2,694         215
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
Net income (loss)......................        931       4,421      (3,449)     1,801       4,027         322
Preferred stock dividends..............         --       1,400       1,400         --         700         700
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
Net income (loss) available to common
 stockholders..........................  $     931  $    3,021  $   (4,849) $   1,801  $    3,327  $     (378)
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
Average shares outstanding.............      4,481       7,999       7,854      4,657       8,157       7,954
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
Earnings (loss) per common
 share--primary........................  $    0.21  $     0.38  $    (0.62) $    0.39  $     0.41  $    (0.05)
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
Earnings (loss) per common share--fully
 diluted...............................  $    0.21  $     0.38  $     0.62  $    0.38  $     0.41  $    (0.05)
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD):
Working capital (deficiency)...........  $    (222) $   11,942  $    7,161  $   3,538  $   11,571  $    7,116
Total assets...........................     78,240     116,250     299,786    112,516     116,448     299,267
Total debt.............................     54,324       3,853     186,103     82,846       1,101     183,351
Total stockholders' equity.............      8,986      96,390      95,609     13,813      98,929      98,217
OTHER DATA:
Media Cash Flow (1)....................  $  15,559  $   17,448  $   30,345  $  12,004  $   11,406  $   17,888
Operating cash flow (2)................     13,309      15,197      28,094     10,442       9,844      16,326
EBITDA (3).............................     13,140      15,151      28,134     10,332       9,752      16,363
Cash flow provided by (used in):
  Operating activities.................      7,600      11,593       9,136      6,801       8,178       7,562
  Investing activities.................     (8,929)     (5,964)     (8,011)   (37,490)     (3,190)     (4,029)
  Financing activities.................      1,331      (2,945)     (2,945)    31,416      (3,012)     (3,012)
Capital expenditures...................  $   3,280  $    3,202  $    6,390  $   1,317  $    1,313  $    2,960
Ratio of Media Cash Flow to interest
 expense...............................        2.9        19.2         1.5        2.7        31.8         1.7
Ratio of operating cash flow to
 interest expense......................        2.4        16.7         1.4        2.3        27.4         1.6
Ratio of total debt to Media Cash
 Flow..................................        3.5         0.2         6.1        4.3(5)        0.1        5.6(5)
Ratio of total debt to operating cash
 flow..................................        4.1         0.3         6.6        5.0(5)        0.1        6.2(5)
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
 (4)...................................        1.3         7.3          --        1.6        14.8         1.1
</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
    by $5.2 million.
(5) Represents applicable ratios for the 12 month period ended June 30, 1996.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
                       SUMMARY HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA
               GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                (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 six
months  ended June 30, 1995  and 1996 are derived  from the unaudited accounting
records 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>
                                                                                                         SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
                                                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                               30,
                                         --------------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------
                                              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   $  18,261   $  24,252
  Publishing...........................           8,968       9,512      10,109      13,692      21,866      10,046      11,262
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Total revenues.........................          22,521      24,643      25,113      36,518      58,616      28,307      35,514
Expenses:
  Broadcasting.........................           9,672       9,753      10,029      14,864      23,202      11,410      14,418
  Publishing...........................           6,444       6,752       7,662      11,198      20,016       8,590       9,193
  Corporate and administrative.........           1,889       2,627       2,326       1,959       2,258       1,012       1,571
  Depreciation.........................           1,487       1,197       1,388       1,745       2,633       1,234       1,648
  Amortization of intangible assets....              14          44         177         396       1,326         588       1,253
  Non-cash compensation paid in common
   stock...............................              --          --          --          80       2,321         816         120
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Total expenses.........................          19,506      20,373      21,582      30,242      51,756      23,650      28,203
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Operating income.......................           3,015       4,270       3,531       6,276       6,860       4,657       7,311
Miscellaneous income (expense), net....             778      (1,519)        202         189         143          69          81
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income from continuing operations
 before interest expense and income
 taxes.................................           3,793       2,751       3,733       6,465       7,003       4,726       7,392
Interest expense.......................             787       1,486         985       1,923       5,438       2,768       4,445
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income from continuing operations
 before income taxes...................           3,006       1,265       2,748       4,542       1,565       1,958       2,947
Income tax expense.....................           1,156         869       1,068       1,776         634         776       1,146
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income from continuing operations......           1,850         396       1,680       2,766         931       1,182       1,801
</TABLE>
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
                                                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                               30,
                                         --------------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------
                                              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   $   1,182   $   1,801
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Average outstanding common shares......           6,469       4,668       4,611       4,689       4,481       4,383       4,657
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income from continuing operations per
 common share..........................   $        0.29   $    0.09   $    0.36   $    0.59   $    0.21   $    0.27   $    0.39
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Cash dividends per common share........   $        0.05   $    0.07   $    0.07   $    0.07   $    0.08   $    0.04   $    0.04
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                         --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD):
Working capital (deficiency)...........   $       6,740   $   2,976   $   2,579   $   1,075   $    (222)  $     237   $   3,538
Total assets...........................          31,548      24,173      21,372      68,789      78,240      73,932     112,516
Total debt.............................          20,378      12,412       7,759      52,940      54,324      54,319      82,846
Total stockholders' equity.............   $       5,853   $   4,850   $   7,118   $   5,001   $   8,986   $   7,375   $  13,813
 
OTHER DATA:
Media Cash Flow (1)....................   $       6,405   $   8,079   $   7,371   $  10,522   $  15,559   $   8,333   $  12,004
Operating cash flow (2)................           4,516       5,452       5,044       8,567      13,309       7,329      10,442
EBITDA (3).............................           4,516       5,512       5,095       8,498      13,140       7,296      10,332
Cash flows provided by (used in):
    Operating activities...............           3,499       4,832       1,324       5,798       7,600       3,828       6,801
    Investing activities...............          (2,073)     (1,041)      3,062     (42,770)     (8,929)     (5,377)    (37,490)
    Financing activities...............         (10,424)     (9,300)     (4,932)     37,200       1,331       1,208      31,416
Capital expenditures...................   $       2,235   $   2,216   $   2,582   $   1,768   $   3,280   $   1,852   $   1,317
Ratio of Media Cash Flow to interest
 expense...............................             8.1         5.4         7.5         5.5         2.9         3.0         2.7
Ratio of operating cash flow to
 interest expense......................             5.7         3.7         5.1         4.5         2.4         2.6         2.3
Ratio of total debt to Media Cash
 Flow..................................             3.2         1.5         1.1         5.0         3.5         3.5(5)        4.3(5)
Ratio of total debt to operating cash
 flow..................................             4.5         2.3         1.5         6.2         4.1         4.1(5)        5.0(5)
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
 (4)...................................             4.7         1.8         3.4         3.2         1.3         1.7         1.6
</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 June 30,  1995
     and 1996.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
                              THE PHIPPS BUSINESS
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
    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 six months ended June 30, 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 Company,  include all  normal and  recurring adjustments  and
accruals necessary for a fair presentation of such information.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                            SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                             30,
                                                ----------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------
                                                   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   $  10,774   $  11,346
  Paging......................................       3,369       3,646       3,788       4,277       4,897       2,423       2,744
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Total revenues................................      13,861      18,169      23,248      25,801      27,321      13,197      14,090
Expenses:
  Broadcasting................................       5,298       7,518      10,734      10,211      10,487       5,065       5,412
  Paging......................................       2,356       2,298       2,529       2,764       3,052       1,411       1,780
  Management fee..............................         579         973       2,462       2,486       3,280       1,539         735
  Depreciation and amortization...............       1,513       1,734       2,836       2,672       3,120       1,436       1,530
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Total expenses................................       9,746      12,523      18,561      18,133      19,939       9,451       9,457
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Operating income..............................       4,115       5,646       4,687       7,668       7,382       3,746       4,633
Miscellaneous income (expense), net...........           5           8          16         666          12          (4)         (5)
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income before interest expense and minority
 interests....................................       4,120       5,654       4,703       8,334       7,394       3,742       4,628
Interest expense..............................         162         442         632         480         499         223         159
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income before minority interests..............       3,958       5,212       4,071       7,854       6,895       3,519       4,469
Minority interests............................          --         331         140         635         547         256         296
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Net income....................................   $   3,958   $   4,881   $   3,931   $   7,219   $   6,348   $   3,263   $   4,173
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Supplemental unaudited pro forma
 information: (2)
  Net income, as above........................   $   3,958   $   4,881   $   3,931   $   7,219   $   6,348   $   3,263   $   4,173
  Pro forma provision for income tax
   expense....................................       1,504       1,855       1,500       2,743       2,413       1,240       1,586
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Pro forma net income..........................   $   2,454   $   3,026   $   2,431   $   4,476   $   3,935   $   2,023   $   2,587
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD):
Working capital...............................   $     595   $     615   $   1,257   $   1,421   $   2,622   $   2,228   $   2,902
Total assets..................................       8,931      25,068      24,819      25,298      27,562      27,633      26,306
Total debt....................................       1,388       7,697       6,542       6,065       4,810       5,198       4,034
Minority interests............................          --       1,154         824         728         586         648         655
Owner's equity................................   $   6,351   $  13,276   $  14,306   $  15,465   $  18,794   $  18,764   $  18,666
</TABLE>
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,        JUNE 30,
                                             -------------------------------  --------------------
                                                  1993       1994       1995       1995       1996
                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                  (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
OTHER DATA:
Media Cash Flow (3)........................  $  10,466  $  12,983  $  13,696  $   6,678  $   6,769
Operating cash flow (4)....................      8,003     10,498     10,416      5,140      6,035
EBITDA (5).................................      7,523     10,340     10,502      5,182      6,163
Cash flows provided by (used in):
    Operating activities...................      7,397      9,808      9,259      4,136      6,191
    Investing activities...................     (2,953)    (2,506)    (3,828)    (3,152)      (840)
    Financing activities...................     (4,418)    (7,233)    (4,906)      (917)    (5,309)
Capital expenditures.......................  $   3,538  $   3,353  $   3,188  $   1,902  $   1,647
</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 Phipps Business' 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 OFFERED  HEREBY
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 June  30,
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 its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, would have had outstanding $183.3
million  of indebtedness  and stockholders'  equity of  $98.2 million,  with the
ability, subject to certain limitations described herein, to incur approximately
$92.5 million of additional indebtedness pursuant to the Senior Credit Facility,
$10.1 million  of which  could have  been borrowed  thereunder. As  part of  the
Financing  and as a condition of the Concurrent Offering, the Company will enter
into 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  six months ended  June 30, 1996, the
Company's pro  forma combined  earnings would  have been  insufficient to  cover
fixed charges by $5.2 million and sufficient to cover fixed charges by $537,000,
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  Old
Credit  Facility, the  Senior Credit  Facility, the  Indenture or  the Company's
other credit arrangements.
    
 
    The Company's Old Credit Facility  contains, and the Senior Credit  Facility
and  the Notes  will contain,  restrictive covenants  that, among  other things,
limit the Company's ability to  incur additional indebtedness, create liens  and
make  investments  and  capital  expenditures.  The  Old  Credit  Facility  also
requires, and the  Senior Credit Facility  will require, 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. A failure to 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.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
    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 Old Credit Facility,
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 Old Credit Facility contains  and the Senior Credit Facility will
contain 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). If these  waivers are  not
granted,  it is unlikely that the Company  will be able to consummate the Phipps
Acquisition.
 
   
    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 1031 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 $3.2  million and $218,000,  respectively,
while  the Company had a  net (loss) of $(3.4)  million. WALB and WJHG accounted
for 10.8% and 5.1%, respectively of  the Company's pro forma total revenues  and
15.7%  and 3.5%, respectively of the Company's pro forma Media Cash Flow for the
six months ended June 30,  1996. On a pro forma  basis for the six months  ended
June  30,  1996, the  stations  had net  income  of $1.6  million  and $295,000,
respectively, while the Company had net income of
    
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
   
$322,000. 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 30, 1996, is
subject to certain closing  conditions, including receipt  of FCC approval.  The
Asset  Purchase Agreement (as defined) for  the Phipps Acquisition provides that
either party may terminate the Phipps Acquisition if it has not been consummated
by September 30,  1996. If the  Phipps Acquisition has  not been consummated  by
such  date,  the  Company does  not  currently  intend to  terminate  the Phipps
Acquisition, but the Company has not  discussed with the seller an extension  of
such  date. The Company filed an application  seeking FCC approval of the Phipps
Acquisition on January 16, 1996. Opposition  to such application has been  filed
by  certain competitors of the  Company and the Company  has filed amendments to
its application  in response  thereto.  The Company  has  not yet  received  FCC
approval of its application. There can be no assurance that FCC approval will be
obtained  prior  to  September  30,  1996 or  at  all,  that  the  other closing
conditions will be satisfied or waived or that the closing will occur. 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  December 23, 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  KTVE Sale,  the  Financing,  this Offering  and  the Concurrent
Offering, the Phipps Business comprised approximately 30.1%, 42.5% and 35.7%  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 six months ended
June  30, 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 29.8%, 36.2% and 29.2% 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.  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."
    
 
    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
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
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 can be given that such renewals
will be obtained. 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 substantially  all
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 (which are part of the Phipps Business)  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 Company consummated the  KTVE Sale in August 1996. The
Phipps Acquisition is 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. As of June 30, 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  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 the  event of  a
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
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 47.1% of the outstanding shares of
Class A Common Stock representing approximately 43.7% of the total voting  power
of  the  Company's  capital stock  after  giving  effect to  this  Offering. See
"Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management." 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
shareholders  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  "Management--Compensation Committee  Interlocks  and Insider
Participation" and "Certain Relationships 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 Class B Common Stock has been approved
for listing on the NYSE, subject to official
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
notice of issuance. Nevertheless, there can  no assurance that an active  public
trading  market for the Class  B Common Stock will  develop 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.  At  June 30, 1996, after giving effect  to
this  Offering, there  would be  4,467,205 shares  of Class  A Common  Stock and
3,500,000 shares  of  Class  B  Common  Stock  outstanding.  Bull  Run  and  its
affiliates and each of the Company's executive officers and directors who in the
aggregate  own approximately 2,120,000  shares of Class A  Common Stock and hold
options or warrants (currently outstanding or to be issued upon consummation  of
the  Financing) to acquire  an additional estimated 1,047,500  shares of Class A
Common Stock have agreed that they will not offer, sell or otherwise dispose  of
any  of  their  shares of  Class  A Common  Stock  or  Class B  Common  Stock or
securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, Class A  Common
Stock  or  Class B  Common  Stock, subject  to  certain exceptions,  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"). After the 180-Day  Lockup
Period,  Bull Run  and its affiliates  and the Company's  executive officers and
directors may sell shares of Class A Common Stock, subject to the provisions  of
Rule  144 under the Securities  Act. Sales of a  substantial number of shares of
the 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. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale."
    
 
                                       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. Either  party may terminate  the Asset Purchase  Agreement if  the
Phipps  Acquisition has not  been consummated by September  30, 1996. The Phipps
Acquisition is currently expected to occur by September 30, 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.  See  "Risk  Factors--Possible   Non-Consummation  of  the   Phipps
Acquisition."
    
 
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 1031 of the Code. If the Company is unable to effect such a
swap on satisfactory terms within
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
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. 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
 
   
    In  August 1996, the Company  sold the assets of  KTVE, a television 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
(approximately $870,000), to the  extent collected by the  buyer, to be paid  to
the  Company 150 days following the date  of closing. The Company estimates that
the gain,  net of  estimated taxes,  on  the KTVE  Sale was  approximately  $2.8
million.
    
 
THE FINANCING
 
   
    In  addition to  the KTVE  Sale and the  consummation of  this Offering, the
Concurrent Offering and 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  $49.5   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 J. Mack Robinson, the President, Chief Executive  Officer
and  a director  of the  Company, and  certain of  his affiliates  $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, borrowings  under the Senior
Credit Facility and  the Company's  working capital.  For a  description of  the
Senior  Credit Facility  and the  Preferred Stock,  see "Description  of Certain
Indebtedness" and  "Management--Compensation  Committee Interlocks  and  Insider
Participation-Issuances  of Preferred Stock." The  consummation of this Offering
is not conditioned upon  the consummation of the  Financing, the KTVE Sale,  the
Phipps  Acquisition or the Concurrent Offering. If the Phipps Acquisition is not
consummated prior to December  23, 1996, the Company  is required to redeem  the
Notes at the Special Redemption Price. See "Description of the Notes."
    
 
    The  Concurrent Offering and the Financing are intended to provide financing
for the Phipps Acquisition and  operating and financial flexibility  thereafter.
Although  the  Concurrent  Offering  may  be  consummated  prior  to  the Phipps
Acquisition, the Notes are  subject to the  special redemption described  above.
The Financing described above will be implemented in connection with the closing
of  the Concurrent Offering, but the Senior Credit Facility will provide that no
borrowings may be made thereunder until  the closing of the Phipps  Acquisition.
Accordingly,  if the  Phipps Acquisition is  not consummated, the  Notes will be
redeemed by the Company, the  Old Credit Facility will  remain in place and  the
Company will not borrow under the Senior Credit Facility.
 
                                       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 this Offering, the  Concurrent Offering, 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                                           $    73.5
The Concurrent Offering                                                               150.0
Sale of Series B Preferred Stock and Warrants                                          10.0
Borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility                                            32.6
Working capital (1)                                                                     9.5
                                                                                  ---------
      TOTAL                                                                       $   275.6
                                                                                  ---------
                                                                                  ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
USES OF FUNDS
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                  <C>
Consummation of Phipps Acquisition                                                                   $   185.0
Retire indebtedness under the Old Credit Facility (2)                                                     49.5
Retire indebtedness under the Senior Note (3)                                                             25.0
Fees and expenses (4)                                                                                     16.1
                                                                                                     ---------
      TOTAL                                                                                          $   275.6
                                                                                                     ---------
                                                                                                     ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
   
(1) The source of these funds was the KTVE Sale.
    
   
(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 June 30, 1996, the
    weighted average interest rate was 8.94%.
    
   
(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.
    
 
   
    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 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                                           $    73.5
The Concurrent Offering                                                               150.0
Sale of Series B Preferred Stock and Warrants                                          10.0
Working capital(1)                                                                      8.6
                                                                                  ---------
      TOTAL                                                                       $   242.1
                                                                                  ---------
                                                                                  ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
USES OF FUNDS
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                  <C>
Redemption of the Notes                                                                              $   151.5(2)
Retire indebtedness under the Old Credit Facility (3)                                                     49.5
Retire indebtedness under the Senior Note (4)                                                             25.0
Fees and expenses (5)                                                                                     16.1
                                                                                                     ---------
  TOTAL                                                                                              $   242.1
                                                                                                     ---------
                                                                                                     ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
   
(1) The source of these funds was the KTVE Sale.
    
   
(2) Amount  shown  excludes  interest accrued  on  the  Notes from  the  date of
    issuance to the date of redemption.
    
   
(3) 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 June 30, 1996,  the
    weighted average interest rate was 8.94%.
    
   
(4) The indebtedness under the Senior Note bears interest at 10.7%.
    
   
(5) 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. 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 Class  B Common Stock  has been approved for
listing on the  NYSE, subject  to official notice  of issuance.  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 September  , 1996)..............................      23.12      21.12          --
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    On  September   , 1996, the last  reported sale price for the Class A Common
Stock on the NYSE was $  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 June  30,  1996, the  Company had
4,467,205 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 Old Credit  Facility contains, and  the Senior Credit  Facility and  the
Indenture  will, 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  June  30,  1996;  (ii)  the  historical
consolidated  capitalization of  the Company as  adjusted to give  effect, as of
June 30, 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 June 30, 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 JUNE 30, 1996
                                           -------------------------------------------------
                                                               PRO FORMA
                                                                COMPANY
                                                              (INCLUDING
                                                            THIS OFFERING,
                                                                  THE          PRO FORMA,
                                             HISTORICAL      KTVE SALE AND      COMBINED
                                               COMPANY      THE FINANCING)     AS ADJUSTED
                                           ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                        <C>              <C>              <C>
Long-term debt:
    Old Credit Facility..................          $49,500             $300          $    --
    Senior Credit Facility...............               --               --           32,550
    Senior Note..........................           25,000               --               --
    The Notes............................               --               --          150,000
    The 8% Note..........................            7,545               --               --
    Other................................              801              801              801
                                           ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
      Total long-term debt (including
       current portion)..................           82,846            1,101          183,351
                                           ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
    Series A Preferred Stock.............               --            9,896            9,896
    Series B Preferred Stock.............               --           10,000           10,000
    Class A Common Stock, no par value;
     historical Company, pro forma
     Company and pro forma as adjusted
     5,130,385 shares (1)................           10,000            7,545            7,545
    Class B Common Stock, no par value;
     historical Company no shares; pro
     forma Company and pro forma as
     adjusted 3,500,000 shares...........               --           67,600           67,600
    Retained earnings....................           10,451           10,526            9,814
    Treasury stock, 663,180 shares of
     Class A Common Stock................           (6,638)          (6,638)          (6,638)
                                           ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
      Total stockholders' equity.........           13,813           98,929           98,217
                                           ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
      Total capitalization...............          $96,659         $100,030         $281,568
                                           ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                           ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
   
(1) Excludes (i) 53,500 shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
    options  outstanding under the  Company's stock option plans  as of June 30,
    1996, (ii) 487,500 shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise  of
    an  outstanding warrant of the  Company and (iii) 500,000  shares of Class A
    Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the  warrant to be issued as part  of
    the  Financing.  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
July 1, 1995 for the 12  months ended June 30, 1996,  and as of January 1,  1996
for  the six  months ended June  30, 1996 and  (ii) with respect  to the balance
sheet, as of June 30, 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             --        3,644(5)        9,082       (8,172) (7)            910
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Income (loss) before minority interests
 and income taxes                             1,565          2,242       (4,233)           (426)       8,269               7,843
Minority interests                               --             --           --              --           --                  --
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Income (loss) before income taxes             1,565          2,242       (4,233)           (426)       8,269               7,843
Income tax expense (benefit)                    634             --         (773) (6)       (139)       3,283(6)            3,144
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
  Net income (loss)                             931          2,242       (3,460)           (287)       4,986               4,699
Preferred stock dividends                        --             --           --              --        1,400(8)            1,400
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
  Net income (loss) available to common
    stockholders                            $   931         $2,242      $(3,460)        $  (287)     $ 3,586             $ 3,299
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Average shares outstanding (19)               4,481                                       4,354                            7,981
                                            --------                                    --------                     ------------
                                            --------                                    --------                     ------------
Earnings (loss) per share                   $  0.21                                     $ (0.07)                         $  0.41
                                            --------                                    --------                     ------------
                                            --------                                    --------                     ------------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                            PRO FORMA        PHIPPS         PRO FORMA        PRO FORMA
                                          KTVE SALE(9)       COMPANY        BUSINESS       ADJUSTMENTS      COMBINED(20)
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
<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                                   --              910            499         (499)(16)          20,664
                                                                                            19,754(17)
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Income (loss) before minority interests
 and income taxes                                (464)           7,379          6,895      (19,489)              (5,215)
Minority interests                                 --               --            547         (547)(18)              --
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Income (loss) before income taxes                (464)           7,379          6,348      (18,942)              (5,215)
Income tax expense (benefit)                     (186)           2,958             --       (4,724)(6)           (1,766)
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
  Net income (loss)                              (278)           4,421          6,348      (14,218)              (3,449)
Preferred stock dividends                          --            1,400             --           --                1,400
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
  Net income (loss) available to common
    stockholders                              $  (278)         $ 3,021         $6,348     $(14,218)             $(4,849)
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Average shares outstanding (19)                                  7,981                                            7,854
                                                           ------------                                     ------------
                                                           ------------                                     ------------
Earnings (loss) per share                                      $  0.38                                          $ (0.62)
                                                           ------------                                     ------------
                                                           ------------                                     ------------
</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 $1.1 million 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 $4.4 million on the Old Credit Facility resulting
    from the repayment of $49.2 million in principal on the Old Credit Facility,
    bearing interest at an  estimated weighted average 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  $1.1 million 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 Six Months Ended  June 30, 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 before income  taxes of $5.6 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  Six Months  Ended June 30,  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 under the Senior
    Credit Facility of $32.3 million  at an estimated weighted average  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.  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
    1031 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
                                                                               SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 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)........................    $24,252     $    --             $24,252         $(2,303)         $21,949         $11,346
  Publishing............................     11,262          --              11,262              --           11,262             --
  Paging................................         --          --                  --              --               --          2,744
                                            --------    -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------    -----------
Total revenues..........................     35,514          --              35,514          (2,303)          33,211         14,090
Expenses:
  Broadcasting..........................     14,418          --              14,418          (1,723)          12,695          5,412
  Publishing............................      9,193          --               9,193              --            9,193             --
  Paging................................         --          --                  --              --               --          1,780
  Corporate and administrative..........      1,571          --               1,571              --            1,571             --
  Depreciation..........................      1,648          --               1,648            (220)           1,428          1,168
  Amortization of intangible assets.....      1,253         (49)(1)           1,204              --            1,204            362
  Non-cash compensation paid in common
    stock...............................        120          --                 120              --              120             --
  Management fee........................         --          --                  --              --               --            735
                                            --------    -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------    -----------
Total expenses..........................     28,203         (49)             28,154          (1,943)          26,211          9,457
                                            --------    -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------    -----------
Operating income........................      7,311          49               7,360            (360)           7,000          4,633
Miscellaneous income (expense), net.....         81          --                  81              (1)              80             (5)
                                            --------    -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------    -----------
Income before interest expense, minority
 interests and income taxes.............      7,392          49               7,441            (361)           7,080          4,628
Interest expense........................      4,445      (4,086) (1)            359              --              359            159
                                            --------    -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------    -----------
Income (loss) before minority interests
 and income taxes.......................      2,947       4,135               7,082            (361)           6,721          4,469
Minority interests......................         --          --                  --              --               --            296
                                            --------    -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------    -----------
Income (loss) before income taxes.......      2,947       4,135               7,082            (361)           6,721          4,173
Income tax expense (benefit)............      1,146       1,693(2)            2,839            (145)           2,694             --
                                            --------    -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------    -----------
  Net income (loss).....................      1,801       2,442               4,243            (216)           4,027          4,173
Preferred stock dividends...............         --         700(3)              700              --              700             --
                                            --------    -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------    -----------
  Net income (loss) available to common
    stockholders........................    $ 1,801     $ 1,742             $ 3,543         $  (216)         $ 3,327         $4,173
                                            --------    -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------    -----------
                                            --------    -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------    -----------
Average shares outstanding (14).........      4,657                           8,157                            8,157
                                            --------                    ------------                     ------------
                                            --------                    ------------                     ------------
Earnings (loss) per share--primary......    $  0.39                         $  0.43                          $  0.41
                                            --------                    ------------                     ------------
                                            --------                    ------------                     ------------
Earnings (loss) per share--fully
diluted.................................    $  0.38                         $  0.43                          $  0.41
                                            --------                    ------------                     ------------
                                            --------                    ------------                     ------------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                            PRO FORMA        PRO FORMA
                                           ADJUSTMENTS      COMBINED(15)
                                          -------------     ------------
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
<S>                                         <C>             <C>
Operating revenues:
  Broadcasting (less agency
    commissions)........................  $     --              $33,295
  Publishing............................        --               11,262
  Paging................................        --                2,744
                                          -------------     ------------
Total revenues..........................        --               47,301
Expenses:
  Broadcasting..........................       110(5)            18,350
                                               133(6)
  Publishing............................        --                9,193
  Paging................................        44(6)             1,824
  Corporate and administrative..........        --                1,571
  Depreciation..........................      (312)(7)            2,284
  Amortization of intangible assets.....     1,768(8)             3,261
                                               (73)(9)
  Non-cash compensation paid in common
    stock...............................                            120
  Management fee........................      (735)(10)              --
                                          -------------     ------------
Total expenses..........................       935               36,603
                                          -------------     ------------
Operating income........................      (935)              10,698
Miscellaneous income (expense), net.....        --                   75
                                          -------------     ------------
Income before interest expense, minority
 interests and income taxes.............      (935)              10,773
Interest expense........................      (159)(11)          10,236
                                             9,877(12)
                                          -------------     ------------
Income (loss) before minority interests
 and income taxes.......................   (10,653)                 537
Minority interests......................      (296)(13)              --
                                          -------------     ------------
Income (loss) before income taxes.......   (10,357)                 537
Income tax expense (benefit)............    (2,479)(2)              215
                                          -------------     ------------
  Net income (loss).....................    (7,878)                 322
Preferred stock dividends...............        --                  700
                                          -------------     ------------
  Net income (loss) available to common
    stockholders........................  $ (7,878)             $  (378)
                                          -------------     ------------
                                          -------------     ------------
Average shares outstanding (14).........                          7,954
                                                            ------------
                                                            ------------
Earnings (loss) per share--primary......                        $ (0.05)
                                                            ------------
                                                            ------------
Earnings (loss) per share--fully
diluted.................................                        $ (0.05)
                                                            ------------
                                                            ------------
</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 -- SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
 
1.   Reflects decreased  semiannual amortization of  deferred financing costs in
    connection with  retirement  of the  Senior  Note. Also  reflects  decreased
    semiannual  interest  expense of  $2.2 million  on  the Old  Credit Facility
    resulting from repayment from the proceeds of this Offering of $49.2 million
    in principal at  an estimated weighted  average interest rate  of 8.96%  per
    annum;  decreased semiannual interest expense of $1.3 million resulting from
    the retirement of the  Senior Note; and a  reduction of semiannual  interest
    expense  of $544,000 on  the 8% Note  which will be  converted into Series A
    Preferred Stock. The Pro  Forma Statement of Operations  for the Six  Months
    Ended  June 30, 1996 does not include an extraordinary loss of approximately
    $2.7 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 semiannual 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 before income  taxes of $5.6  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 semiannual  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 semiannual
    expense of approximately $64,000.
    
 
7.   Reflects decreased  semiannual 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 semiannual  amortization of intangible  assets associated with the
    Phipps Acquisition over a 40-year period.
 
   
9.   Reflects  decreased  semiannual  amortization  of  debt  acquisition  costs
    resulting  from the  retirement of  the Old  Credit Facility.  The Pro Forma
    Statement of Operations  for the  Six Months Ended  June 30,  1996 does  not
    include  an extraordinary loss  of approximately $712,000  (net of estimated
    tax benefit of  $366,000) 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 semiannual interest expense of $8.3 million on the Notes,
    which includes semiannual  amortization expense of  $263,000 resulting  from
    the  transaction costs relating to the  issuance of the Notes, and increased
    semiannual  interest  expense  of   $1.4  million  relating  to   additional
    borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility at an estimated weighted average
    interest  rate of 8.96%  plus amortization of  additional deferred financing
    costs of  $107,000. 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.  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
    1031 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>
                                                                           SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                                            JUNE 30, 1996
                                                                       ------------------------
(IN THOUSANDS)                                                            WALB         WJHG
                                                                       -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                    <C>          <C>
Broadcasting revenues                                                   $   5,098    $   2,409
Expenses                                                                    2,440        1,933
                                                                       -----------  -----------
Operating income                                                            2,658          476
Other income                                                                    9           16
                                                                       -----------  -----------
Income before income taxes                                              $   2,667    $     492
                                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                                       -----------  -----------
Net income                                                              $   1,654    $     305
                                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                                       -----------  -----------
Media Cash Flow                                                         $   2,809    $     624
                                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                                       -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
                                                                      TWELVE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 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)........................    $42,741         $4,419      $   110(1)      $47,270      $    --             $47,270
  Publishing............................     23,082             --           --          23,082           --              23,082
  Paging................................         --             --           --              --           --                  --
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Total revenues..........................     65,823          4,419          110          70,352           --              70,353
Expenses:
  Broadcasting..........................     26,211          2,997          110(1)       29,318           --              29,318
  Publishing............................     20,619             --           --          20,619           --              20,619
  Paging................................         --             --           --              --           --                  --
  Corporate and administrative..........      2,817             --           --           2,817           --               2,817
  Depreciation..........................      3,048            135          (26)(2)       3,157           --               3,157
  Amortization of intangible assets.....      1,990             76          384(3)        2,450          (97)(7)           2,353
  Non-cash compensation paid in common
    stock...............................      1,625             --           --           1,625           --               1,625
  Management fee........................         --             --           --              --           --                  --
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Total expenses..........................     56,310          3,208          461          59,986          (97)             59,889
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Operating income........................      9,513          1,211         (358)         10,366           97              10,463
Miscellaneous income (expense), net.....        157           (126)          69(4)          100           --                 100
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Income before interest expense, minority
 interests and income taxes.............      9,670          1,085         (289)         10,466           97              10,563
Interest expense........................      7,115             --        1,859(5)        8,974       (8,172) (7)            802
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Income (loss) before minority interests
 and income taxes.......................      2,555          1,085       (2,148)          1,492        8,269               9,761
Minority interests......................         --             --           --              --           --                  --
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Income (loss) before income taxes.......      2,555          1,085       (2,148)          1,492        8,269               9,761
Income tax expense (benefit)............      1,004             --         (412)(6)         592        3,316(6)            3,908
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
  Net income (loss).....................      1,551          1,085       (1,736)            900        4,953               5,853
Preferred stock dividends...............         --             --           --              --        1,400(8)            1,400
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
  Net income (loss) available to common
    stockholders........................    $ 1,551         $1,085      $(1,736)        $   900      $ 3,553             $ 4,453
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
                                            --------    -----------     -----------     --------     -----------     ------------
Average shares outstanding (19).........      4,624                                       8,124                            8,124
                                            --------                                    --------                     ------------
                                            --------                                    --------                     ------------
Earnings (loss) per share...............    $  0.34                                     $  0.11                          $  0.55
                                            --------                                    --------                     ------------
                                            --------                                    --------                     ------------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                            PRO FORMA        PHIPPS         PRO FORMA        PRO FORMA
                                          KTVE SALE(9)       COMPANY        BUSINESS       ADJUSTMENTS      COMBINED(20)
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
<S>                                         <C>            <C>             <C>            <C>               <C>
Operating revenues:
  Broadcasting (less agency
    commissions)........................      $(4,533)         $42,737         $22,995    $     --              $65,733
  Publishing............................           --           23,082             --           --               23,082
  Paging................................           --               --          5,219           --                5,219
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Total revenues..........................       (4,533)          65,819         28,214           --               94,033
Expenses:
  Broadcasting..........................       (3,399)          25,919         10,835          220(10)           37,326
                                                                                               352(11)
  Publishing............................           --           20,619             --           --               20,619
  Paging................................           --               --          3,420          115(11)            3,535
  Corporate and administrative..........           --            2,817             --           --                2,817
  Depreciation..........................         (442)           2,715          2,462         (625)(12)           4,552
  Amortization of intangible assets.....           --            2,353            753        3,525(13)            6,521
                                                                                              (110)(14)
  Non-cash compensation paid in common
    stock...............................           --            1,625             --           --                1,625
  Management fee........................           --               --          2,476       (2,476)(15)              --
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Total expenses..........................       (3,841)          56,048         19,946        1,001               76,995
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Operating income........................         (692)           9,771          8,268       (1,001)              17,038
Miscellaneous income (expense), net.....          (20)              80             13           --                   93
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Income before interest expense, minority
 interests and income taxes.............         (712)           9,851          8,281       (1,001)              17,131
Interest expense........................           --              802            435         (435)(16)          20,556
                                                                                            19,754(17)
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Income (loss) before minority interests
 and income taxes.......................         (712)           9,049          7,846      (20,320)              (3,425)
Minority interests......................           --               --            587         (587)(18)              --
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Income (loss) before income taxes.......         (712)           9,049          7,259      (19,733)              (3,425)
Income tax expense (benefit)............         (285)           3,623             --       (4,788)(6)           (1,165)
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
  Net income (loss).....................         (427)           5,426          7,259      (14,945)              (2,260)
Preferred stock dividends...............           --            1,400             --           --                1,400
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
  Net income (loss) available to common
    stockholders........................      $  (427)         $ 4,026         $7,259     $(14,945)             $(3,660)
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
                                          ------------     ------------    -----------    -------------     ------------
Average shares outstanding (19).........                         8,124                                            7,926
                                                           ------------                                     ------------
                                                           ------------                                     ------------
Earnings (loss) per share...............                       $  0.50                                          $ (0.46)
                                                           ------------                                     ------------
                                                           ------------                                     ------------
</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 JUNE 30, 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 six months ended December 31, 1995.
 
   
3.    Reflects  amortization prior  to  acquisition  of $54,000  on  the Augusta
    Business' financing  costs  over  a seven-year  period.  Also  reflects  the
    amortization  prior  to acquisition  of  $406,000 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 $77,000  for an  interest rate  adjustment on  the Senior  Note;
    increased  interest expense prior to the acquisition of the Augusta Business
    of $1.2 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
    $544,000 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 $4.4 million on the Old Credit Facility resulting
    from repayment  of  $49.2 million  in  principal at  an  estimated  weighted
    average interest 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
    $1.1 million on the 8%  Note which will be  converted to Series A  Preferred
    Stock.  The Pro  Forma Statement of  Operations for the  Twelve Months Ended
    June 30, 1996 does not include  an extraordinary loss of approximately  $2.7
    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 before income  taxes of $5.6 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 $337,000 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 June  30, 1996. The  Pro
    Forma Statement of Operations for the Twelve Months Ended June 30, 1996 does
    not  include  an  extraordinary  loss  of  approximately  $712,000  (net  of
    estimated tax  benefit of  $366,000) 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 weighted average  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.  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
    1031 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
                                                                            JUNE 30, 1996
                                                                       ------------------------
(IN THOUSANDS)                                                            WALB         WJHG
                                                                       -----------  -----------
 
<S>                                                                    <C>          <C>
Broadcasting revenues                                                   $   9,829    $   4,426
Expenses                                                                    4,735        3,816
                                                                       -----------  -----------
Operating income                                                            5,094          610
Other income                                                                   17           45
                                                                       -----------  -----------
Income before income taxes                                              $   5,111    $     655
                                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                                       -----------  -----------
Net income                                                              $   3,170    $     407
                                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                                       -----------  -----------
Media Cash Flow                                                         $   5,409    $     912
                                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                                       -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
                                                                                    JUNE 30, 1996
                                                                                (DOLLARS 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....................................      $1,287       $     --        $1,287         $9,500       $10,787         $663
Trade accounts receivable...............      10,818             --        10,818             --        10,818        5,188
Recoverable income taxes................         797          1,394(1)      2,191         (2,191)           --           --
Inventories.............................         109             --           109             --           109           --
Current portion of program broadcast
 rights.................................         711             --           711            (56)          655          924
Prepaid expenses and other current
 assets.................................         759             --           759            (50)          709          338
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
Total current assets....................      14,481          1,394        15,875          7,203        23,078        7,113
Property and equipment-net..............      18,798             --        18,798         (1,531)       17,267        9,985
Other assets
Deferred acquisition costs..............       2,819             --         2,819             --         2,819           --
Deferred loan costs.....................       1,882           (804)(1)     1,078             --         1,078           --
Goodwill and other intangibles..........      73,299             --        73,299         (2,322)       70,977        9,097
Other...................................       1,237             --         1,237             (8)        1,229          111
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
Total other assets......................      79,237           (804)       78,433         (2,330)       76,103        9,208
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
  Total assets..........................    $112,516           $590      $113,106         $3,342      $116,448      $26,306
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Trade accounts payable..................      $3,169            $--        $3,169            $--        $3,169         $308
Employee compensation and benefits......       4,114             --         4,114             --         4,114           --
Accrued expenses........................         924             --           924             --           924          996
Accrued interest........................       2,026             --         2,026             --         2,026           --
Income taxes payable....................          --             --            --            617           617           --
Current portion of broadcast program
 obligations............................         710             --           710            (53)          657          458
Deferred paging service income..........          --             --            --             --            --          975
Current portion of long-term debt.......          --             --            --             --            --        1,474
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
Total current liabilities...............      10,943             --        10,943            564        11,507        4,211
Long-term debt..........................      82,846         (7,545)(2)     1,101             --         1,101        2,560
                                                            (74,200)(3)
Deferred credits........................       4,914             --         4,914             (3)        4,911          214
Minority interests......................          --             --            --             --            --          655
Stockholders' equity
Series A Preferred Stock................          --          9,896(2)      9,896             --         9,896           --
Series B Preferred Stock................          --         10,000(2)     10,000             --        10,000           --
Class A Common Stock, no par value......      10,000         (2,455)(2)     7,545             --         7,545           --
Class B Common Stock, no par value......          --         67,600(2)     67,600             --        67,600           --
Retained earnings.......................      10,451         (2,706)(1)     7,745          2,781        10,526           --
Net equity of acquired operations.......          --             --            --             --            --       18,666
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
                                              20,451         82,335       102,786          2,781       105,567       18,666
Treasury stock..........................      (6,638)            --        (6,638 )           --        (6,638)          --
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
                                              13,813         82,335        96,148          2,781        98,929       18,666
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
  Total liabilities and stockholders'
   equity...............................    $112,516           $590      $113,106         $3,342      $116,448      $26,306
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
                                            ---------     ----------     ---------    -----------     ---------     --------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                            PRO FORMA          PRO FORMA
                                           ADJUSTMENTS        COMBINED(10)
                                          --------------     --------------
ASSETS:
<S>                                         <C>              <C>
Cash....................................  $(185,000)(5)             $1,287
                                            144,750(7)
                                             30,750(8)
                                               (663)(6)
Trade accounts receivable...............         --                 16,006
Recoverable income taxes................         --                     --
Inventories.............................         --                    109
Current portion of program broadcast
 rights.................................         --                  1,579
Prepaid expenses and other current
 assets.................................       (338)(6)                709
                                          --------------     --------------
Total current assets....................    (10,501)                19,690
Property and equipment-net..............         --                 27,252
Other assets
Deferred acquisition costs..............         --                  2,819
Deferred loan costs.....................      5,250(7)               6,750
                                              1,500(8)
                                             (1,078)(9)
Goodwill and other intangibles..........     (9,097)(6)            241,416
                                            170,439(5)
Other...................................         --                  1,340
                                          --------------     --------------
Total other assets......................    167,014                252,325
                                          --------------     --------------
  Total assets..........................   $156,513               $299,267
                                          --------------     --------------
                                          --------------     --------------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Trade accounts payable..................      $(308)(6)             $3,169
Employee compensation and benefits......         --                  4,114
Accrued expenses........................       (996)(6)                924
Accrued interest........................         --                  2,026
Income taxes payable....................       (366)(9)                251
Current portion of broadcast program
 obligations............................         --                  1,115
Deferred paging service income..........         --                    975
Current portion of long-term debt.......     (1,474)(6)                 --
                                          --------------     --------------
Total current liabilities...............     (3,144)                12,574
Long-term debt..........................     (2,560)(6)            183,351
                                             32,250(8)
                                            150,000(7)
Deferred credits........................         --                  5,125
Minority interests......................       (655)(6)                 --
Stockholders' equity
Series A Preferred Stock................         --                  9,896
Series B Preferred Stock................         --                 10,000
Class A Common Stock, no par value......         --                  7,545
Class B Common Stock, no par value......         --                 67,600
Retained earnings.......................       (712)(9)              9,814
Net equity of acquired operations.......    (18,666)(5)                 --
                                          --------------     --------------
                                            (19,378)               104,855
Treasury stock..........................         --                 (6,638)
                                          --------------     --------------
                                            (19,378)                98,217
                                          --------------     --------------
  Total liabilities and stockholders'
   equity...............................   $156,513               $299,267
                                          --------------     --------------
                                          --------------     --------------
</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 - JUNE 30, 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 exchange of the Series A Preferred Stock for  the
    8%  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 $21  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  $49.2
    million  on the Old Credit Facility with the net proceeds from this Offering
    and the sale of Series B Preferred Stock of $77.6 million.
 
   
4.  Reflects  the KTVE Sale  for $9.5 million  plus the amount  of the  accounts
    receivable  on the date  of the closing. The  transaction was consummated in
    August 1996.
    
 
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 June 30, 1996 as follows:
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                     <C>
  (IN THOUSANDS)
  Trade accounts receivable...........................................................  $    5,188
  Current portion of program broadcast rights.........................................         924
  Property and equipment..............................................................       9,985
  Goodwill and other intangibles......................................................     170,439
  Other...............................................................................         111
  Current portion of program broadcast obligations....................................        (458)
  Deferred paging service income......................................................        (975)
  Deferred credits....................................................................        (214)
                                                                                        ----------
  Purchase price of Phipps Business including expenses................................  $  185,000
                                                                                        ----------
                                                                                        ----------
  Historical book value of Phipps Business............................................  $  (18,666)
  Assets not acquired and liabilities not assumed--net................................       4,105
                                                                                        ----------
  Net assets acquired.................................................................     (14,561)
  Purchase price of Phipps Business...................................................     185,000
                                                                                        ----------
  Goodwill and other intangibles......................................................  $  170,439
                                                                                        ----------
                                                                                        ----------
</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 June 30, 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
    1031 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>
                                                                                            JUNE 30, 1996
                                                                                       ------------------------
(IN THOUSANDS)                                                                            WALB         WJHG
                                                                                       -----------  -----------
 
<S>                                                                                    <C>          <C>
Current assets                                                                          $   1,801    $     913
Property and equipment                                                                      1,714        1,014
Other assets                                                                                   66            3
                                                                                       -----------  -----------
Total assets                                                                            $   3,581    $   1,930
                                                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                                                       -----------  -----------
Current liabilities                                                                     $   1,756    $     474
Other liabilities                                                                             214       --
Stockholder's equity                                                                        1,611        1,456
                                                                                       -----------  -----------
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity                                              $   3,581    $   1,930
                                                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                                                       -----------  -----------
</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 six
months  ended June 30, 1995  and 1996 are derived  from the unaudited accounting
records 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>
                                                                                                                     SIX MONTHS
                                                                                                                     ENDED JUNE
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                       30,
                                                         ----------------------------------------------------------  ----------
                                                            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  $   18,261
  Publishing...........................................       8,968       9,512      10,109      13,692      21,866      10,046
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Total revenues.........................................      22,521      24,643      25,113      36,518      58,616      28,307
Expenses:
  Broadcasting.........................................       9,672       9,753      10,029      14,864      23,202      11,410
  Publishing...........................................       6,444       6,752       7,662      11,198      20,016       8,590
  Corporate and administrative.........................       1,889       2,627       2,326       1,959       2,258       1,012
  Depreciation.........................................       1,487       1,197       1,388       1,745       2,633       1,234
  Amortization of intangible assets....................          14          44         177         396       1,326         588
  Non-cash compensation paid in common stock...........          --          --          --          80       2,321         816
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Total expenses.........................................      19,506      20,373      21,582      30,242      51,756      23,650
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Operating income.......................................       3,015       4,270       3,531       6,276       6,860       4,657
Miscellaneous income (expense), net....................         778      (1,519)        202         189         143          69
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income from continuing operations before interest
 expense and income taxes..............................       3,793       2,751       3,733       6,465       7,003       4,726
Interest expense.......................................         787       1,486         985       1,923       5,438       2,768
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income from continuing operations before income
 taxes.................................................       3,006       1,265       2,748       4,542       1,565       1,958
Federal and state income taxes.........................       1,156         869       1,068       1,776         634         776
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income from continuing operations......................       1,850         396       1,680       2,766         931       1,182
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  $    1,182
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Average outstanding common shares......................       6,469       4,668       4,611       4,689       4,481       4,383
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income from continuing operations per common share-
 primary...............................................  $     0.29  $     0.09  $     0.36  $     0.59  $     0.21  $     0.27
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income from continuing operations per common
 share-fully diluted...................................  $     0.29  $     0.09  $     0.36  $     0.59  $     0.21  $     0.27
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Cash dividends per common share........................  $     0.05  $     0.07  $     0.07  $     0.07  $     0.08  $     0.04
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                            1996
                                                         ----------
<S>                                                      <C>
 
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Operating revenues:
  Broadcasting (less agency commissions)...............  $   24,252
  Publishing...........................................      11,262
                                                         ----------
Total revenues.........................................      35,514
Expenses:
  Broadcasting.........................................      14,418
  Publishing...........................................       9,193
  Corporate and administrative.........................       1,571
  Depreciation.........................................       1,648
  Amortization of intangible assets....................       1,253
  Non-cash compensation paid in common stock...........         120
                                                         ----------
Total expenses.........................................      28,203
                                                         ----------
Operating income.......................................       7,311
Miscellaneous income (expense), net....................          81
                                                         ----------
Income from continuing operations before interest
 expense and income taxes..............................       7,392
Interest expense.......................................       4,445
                                                         ----------
Income from continuing operations before income
 taxes.................................................       2,947
Federal and state income taxes.........................       1,146
                                                         ----------
Income from continuing operations......................       1,801
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.............................................  $    1,801
                                                         ----------
                                                         ----------
Average outstanding common shares......................       4,657
                                                         ----------
                                                         ----------
Income from continuing operations per common share-
 primary...............................................  $     0.39
                                                         ----------
                                                         ----------
Income from continuing operations per common
 share-fully diluted...................................  $     0.38
                                                         ----------
                                                         ----------
Cash dividends per common share........................  $     0.04
                                                         ----------
                                                         ----------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                     SIX MONTHS
                                                                                                                     ENDED JUNE
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                       30,
                                                         ----------------------------------------------------------  ----------
                                                            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  $     (222) $      237
Total assets...........................................      31,548      24,173      21,372      68,789      78,240      73,932
Total debt.............................................      20,378      12,412       7,759      52,940      54,324      54,319
Total stockholders' equity.............................  $    5,853  $    4,850  $    7,118  $    5,001  $    8,986  $    7,375
 
OTHER DATA:
Media Cash Flow (1)....................................  $    6,405  $    8,079  $    7,371  $   10,522  $   15,559  $    8,333
Operating cash flow (2)................................       4,516       5,452       5,044       8,567      13,309       7,329
EBITDA (3).............................................       4,516       5,512       5,095       8,498      13,140       7,296
Cash flows provided by (used in):
  Operating activities.................................       3,499       4,832       1,324       5,798       7,600       3,828
  Investing activities.................................      (2,073)     (1,041)      3,062     (42,770)     (8,929)     (5,377)
  Financing activities.................................     (10,424)     (9,300)     (4,932)     37,200       1,331       1,208
Capital expenditures...................................  $    2,235  $    2,216  $    2,582  $    1,768  $    3,280  $    1,852
Ratio of Media Cash Flow to interest expense...........         8.1         5.4         7.5         5.5         2.9         3.0
Ratio of operating cash flow to interest expense.......         5.7         3.7         5.1         4.5         2.4         2.6
Ratio of total debt to Media Cash Flow.................         3.2         1.5         1.1         5.0         3.5         3.5(5)
Ratio of total debt to operating cash flow.............         4.5         2.3         1.5         6.2         4.1         4.1(5)
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (4).................         4.7         1.8         3.4         3.2         1.3         1.7
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                            1996
                                                         ----------
 
<S>                                                      <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD):
Working capital (deficiency)...........................  $    3,538
Total assets...........................................     112,516
Total debt.............................................      82,846
Total stockholders' equity.............................  $   13,813
OTHER DATA:
Media Cash Flow (1)....................................  $   12,004
Operating cash flow (2)................................      10,442
EBITDA (3).............................................      10,332
Cash flows provided by (used in):
  Operating activities.................................       6,801
  Investing activities.................................     (37,490)
  Financing activities.................................      31,416
Capital expenditures...................................  $    1,317
Ratio of Media Cash Flow to interest expense...........         2.7
Ratio of operating cash flow to interest expense.......         2.3
Ratio of total debt to Media Cash Flow.................         4.3(5)
Ratio of total debt to operating cash flow.............         5.0(5)
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (4).................         1.6
</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 June 30, 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 six months  ended June 30, 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  Company include all  normal and recurring
adjustments and accruals necessary for a fair presentation of such information.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                             30,
                                       ----------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------
                                          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   $  10,774   $  11,346
  Paging.............................       3,369       3,646       3,788       4,277       4,897       2,423       2,744
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Total revenues.......................      13,861      18,169      23,248      25,801      27,321      13,197      14,090
Expenses:
  Broadcasting.......................       5,298       7,518      10,734      10,211      10,487       5,065       5,412
  Paging.............................       2,356       2,298       2,529       2,764       3,052       1,411       1,780
  Management fees....................         579         973       2,462       2,486       3,280       1,539         735
  Depreciation and amortization......       1,513       1,734       2,836       2,672       3,120       1,436       1,530
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Total expenses.......................       9,746      12,523      18,561      18,133      19,939       9,451       9,457
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Operating income.....................       4,115       5,646       4,687       7,668       7,382       3,746       4,633
Miscellaneous income (expense),
 net.................................           5           8          16         666          12          (4)         (5)
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income before interest expense and
 minority interests..................       4,120       5,654       4,703       8,334       7,394       3,742       4,628
Interest expense.....................         162         442         632         480         499         223         159
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income before minority interests.....       3,958       5,212       4,071       7,854       6,895       3,519       4,469
Minority interests...................          --         331         140         635         547         256         296
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Net income...........................   $   3,958   $   4,881   $   3,931   $   7,219   $   6,348   $   3,263   $   4,173
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Supplemental unaudited pro forma
 information: (2)
  Net income, as above...............   $   3,958   $   4,881   $   3,931   $   7,219   $   6,348   $   3,263   $   4,173
  Pro forma provision for income tax
   expense...........................       1,504       1,855       1,500       2,743       2,413       1,240       1,586
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Pro forma net income.................   $   2,454   $   3,026   $   2,431   $   4,476   $   3,935   $   2,023   $   2,587
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF
 PERIOD):
Working capital......................   $     595   $     615   $   1,257   $   1,421   $   2,622   $   2,228   $   2,902
Total assets.........................       8,931      25,068      24,819      25,298      27,562      27,633      26,306
Total debt...........................       1,388       7,697       6,542       6,065       4,810       5,198       4,034
Minority interests...................          --       1,154         824         728         586         648         655
Owner's equity.......................       6,351      13,276      14,306      15,465      18,794      18,764      18,666
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
                                                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                 30,
                                                           ----------------------------------  ----------------------
                                                              1993        1994        1995        1995        1996
                                                           ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                                        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
                                                                                                    (UNAUDITED)
OTHER DATA:
Media Cash Flow (3)......................................   $  10,466   $  12,983   $  13,696   $   6,678   $   6,769
Operating cash flow (4)..................................       8,003      10,498      10,416       5,140       6,035
EBITDA (5)...............................................       7,523      10,340      10,502       5,182       6,163
Net cash flows provided by (used in):
  Operating activities...................................       7,397       9,808       9,259       4,136       6,191
  Investing activities...................................      (2,953)     (2,506)     (3,828)     (3,152)       (840)
  Financing activities...................................      (4,418)     (7,233)     (4,906)       (917)     (5,309)
Capital expenditures.....................................   $   3,538   $   3,353   $   3,188   $   1,902   $   1,647
</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 Phipps Business' 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 30,  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,                               SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
                ----------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------
                        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%  $18,260.9      64.5%  $24,251.9      68.3%
Operating
 income (1)....   4,070.6      66.9     6,556.0      78.4    10,585.2      94.1     5,416.1      84.8     7,757.3      85.9
 
PUBLISHING
Revenues....... $10,109.4      40.2%  $13,692.0      37.5%  $21,866.2      37.3%  $10,046.1      35.5%  $11,261.8      31.7%
Operating
 income (1)....   2,009.1      33.1     1,804.0      21.6       660.2       5.9       972.2      15.2     1,272.7      14.1
</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,                               SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
                ----------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------
                        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%  $10,294.6      36.4%  $13,745.3      38.7%
  National.....   6,102.8      24.3     7,804.4      21.4    10,881.1      18.6     5,497.4      19.4     6,967.9      19.6
  Network
compensation...   1,286.1       5.1     1,297.5       3.5     2,486.8       4.2     1,247.2       4.4     1,761.0       5.0
  Political....      17.7       0.1     1,029.0       2.8     1,174.2       2.0       437.9       1.5       786.3       2.2
  Production
   and other...     284.8       1.1       504.1       1.4     1,319.8       2.3       783.8       2.8       991.4       2.8
                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                $15,003.7      59.8%  $22,826.4      62.5%  $36,750.0      62.7%  $18,260.9      64.5%  $24,251.9      68.3%
                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    In the Company's broadcasting operations, broadcast advertising is sold  for
placement   either  preceding  or  following   a  television  station's  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. Approximately  56.5% of the  gross revenues  of the  Company's
television  stations for  the year  ended December 31,  1995 and  the six months
ended June 30, 1996, were generated from  local advertising, which is sold by  a
station's  sales staff directly  to local accounts,  and the remainder primarily
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,                               SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
                ----------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------
                        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%  $ 5,089.5      18.0%  $ 5,299.8      14.9%
  Classified...   2,336.5       9.3     3,174.2       8.7     5,323.8       9.1     2,493.7       8.8     3,036.5       8.5
 Circulation...   2,011.8       8.0     2,628.9       7.2     3,783.8       6.5     1,821.6       6.4     2,188.6       6.2
  Other........      26.8       0.1       428.6       1.2     1,714.4       2.9       641.3       2.3       736.9       2.1
                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                $10,109.4      40.2%  $13,692.0      37.5%  $21,866.2      37.3%  $10,046.1      35.5%  $11,261.8      31.7%
                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
</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 six months ended June 30, 1995 and 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                 30,
(DOLLARS IN        ---------------------------------   ---------------------
 THOUSANDS)          1993        1994        1995        1995        1996
                   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
Operating
 income..........   $3,530.7   $ 6,276.4   $ 6,859.7    $4,657.5    $7,311.2
<S>                <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Add:
  Amortization of
   program
   license
   rights........      924.9     1,218.0     1,647.0       768.0     1,279.4
  Depreciation
   and
  amortization...    1,564.8     2,141.6     3,958.9     1,821.7     2,900.7
  Corporate
   overhead......    2,326.7     1,958.4     2,258.3     1,012.0     1,570.8
  Non-cash
   compensation
   and
   contributions
   to the
   Company's
   401(k) plan,
   paid in common
   stock.........          -       109.5     2,612.2       976.4       250.8
Less:
  Payments for
   program
   license
   liabilities...     (976.2)   (1,181.6)   (1,776.8)     (902.8)   (1,309.3)
                   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
Media Cash Flow
 (1).............   $7,370.9   $10,522.3   $15,559.3    $8,332.8   $12,003.6
                   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
                   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
</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 $6.8  million and $9.9  million was attributable to
    the Company's broadcasting operations during  the six months ended June  30,
    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  six months ended June 30, 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 six months  ended
June 30, 1995 and 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                 30,
(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      $3,828      $6,801
    Investing
     activities.....      3,062     (42,770)     (8,929)     (5,377)    (37,490)
    Financing
     activities.....     (4,932)     37,200       1,331       1,208      31,416
</TABLE>
 
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995
 
    REVENUES.   Total revenues for the six  months ended June 30, 1996 increased
$7.2 million, or  25.5%, over the  six months  ended June 30,  1995, from  $28.3
million  to $35.5  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 $4.5 million, or 62.3%, of the revenue increase.
 
    Broadcast net  revenues increased  $6.0  million, or  32.8%, over  the  same
period  of  the  prior  year,  from $18.3  million  to  $24.3  million. Revenues
generated by WRDW accounted for  $4.5 million, or 74.9%,  of the increase. On  a
pro  forma basis, broadcast net revenues for  WRDW for the six months ended June
30, 1996 increased $130,000, or  3.0%, over the same  period of the prior  year.
Broadcast  net  revenues,  excluding  the  Augusta  Acquisition,  increased $1.5
million, or 8.2%, over  the six months ended  June 30, 1995. Approximately  $1.1
million,  $94,000 and $171,000  of the $1.5 million  increase in total broadcast
net revenues,  excluding the  Augusta  Acquisition, were  due to  higher  local,
national   and  political  advertising  spending,  respectively.  The  remaining
increase was due to greater tower rental and special projects revenue.
 
    Publishing revenues increased $1.2  million, or 12.1%,  over the six  months
ended  June  30, 1995,  from  $10.1 million  to  $11.3 million.  Advertising and
circulation revenues  comprised  $766,000  and $367,000,  respectively,  of  the
revenue  increase. The increase in advertising  revenue was primarily the result
of linage increases  in classified  advertising and retail  rate increases.  The
increase  in circulation revenue can be  attributed primarily to price increases
over the  same period  of the  prior year  at two  of the  Company's  publishing
operations  and the conversion  of the GWINNETT DAILY  POST to a five-day-a-week
paper. Approximately $81,000 of the  publishing revenue increase was the  result
of higher special events revenue.
 
    OPERATING  EXPENSES.  Operating  expenses for the six  months ended June 30,
1996 increased $4.6 million, or 19.3%, over the six months ended June 30,  1995,
from  $23.6  million  to  $28.2  million, due  to  the  Augusta  Acquisition and
increased expenses at  the broadcasting  and publishing operations,  as well  as
increased  corporate and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization,
offset by a reduction in non-cash compensation paid in Class A Common Stock.
 
    Broadcasting expenses for the six months ended June 30, 1996 increased  $3.0
million,  or 26.4%, over the same period of the prior year from $11.4 million to
$14.4  million.  This  increase  was  primarily  attributable  to  the   Augusta
Acquisition.  On a  pro forma  basis, broadcast  expenses for  WRDW for  the six
months ended June 30, 1996 decreased $129,000, or 4.5%, over the same period  of
1995,  from $2.9 million to $2.8 million. Broadcasting expenses, excluding WRDW,
increased $243,000, or 2.1%, primarily as  the result of higher payroll  related
costs.
 
    Publishing  expenses  for  the  six months  ended  June  30,  1996 increased
$603,000, or 7.0%, over the same period of the prior year, from $8.6 million  to
$9.2  million.  This  increase resulted  primarily  from the  conversion  of the
GWINNETT  DAILY  POST  to  a  five-day-a-week  paper  and  the  acquisition   of
advertising  only  publications  in September  1995.  Newsprint  costs increased
approximately 12%  while consumption  of newsprint  increased approximately  7%.
Payroll  related costs,  promotional costs,  product delivery  costs and outside
service costs increased over the same period of the prior year.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
    Corporate and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 1996
increased $559,000, or 55.2%, over the same period of the prior year, from  $1.0
million to $1.6 million. This increase was
attributable primarily to the addition of several new officers.
 
    Depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets
was  $2.9  million for  the six  months ended  June 30,  1996, compared  to $1.8
million for the same period  of the prior year, an  increase of $1.1 million  or
59.2%.  This  increase  was  primarily the  result  of  higher  depreciation and
amortization 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  agreement with  its former  President and  the  Separation
Agreement  (as  defined)  with  its  former  chief  executive  officer decreased
$696,000, or 85.3%, for  the six months  ended June 30,  1996, from $816,000  to
$120,000.  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 $696,000 recognized in
the six months ended June 30, 1995).
    
 
   
    INTEREST EXPENSE.  Interest expense  increased $1.7 million, or 60.6%,  from
$2.8  million for the six months ended June 30, 1995 to $4.4 million for the six
months ended  June  30,  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 $1.8 million for the six  months
ended  June 30, 1996, compared with $1.2 million for the same period in 1995, an
increase of $620,000 or 52.5%.
 
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 Separation 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 former  President and its former chief
executive officer. The former President's employment agreement provided him with
122,034 shares  of  Class A  Common  Stock  if his  employment  continued  until
September  1999. 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  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.  Under the  terms of  the interest  rate swap,  amounts were  paid to or
received from Society National Bank ("Society"), the other party to the swap, on
a quarterly basis. The calculation of these amounts was based upon a  comparison
of  the  results of  multiplying  the notional  amount  by (i)  6.105%  and (ii)
Society's current three-month LIBOR rate. If Society's current three-month LIBOR
rate was  lower  than  6.105%,  the Company  paid  Society  the  difference.  If
Society's  current three-month LIBOR  rate was higher  than 6.105%, Society paid
the Company  the difference.  Since  the inception  of  the interest  rate  swap
agreement,  the three-month LIBOR rates charged  by Society have been consistent
with the  three-month LIBOR  rates published  in THE  WALL STREET  JOURNAL.  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 $1.8 million.
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
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%.
 
    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.
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
    NET INCOME.  Net income for the Company was $2.8 million for the year  ended
December  31, 1994, compared with  $2.6 million for the  year ended December 31,
1993, an increase of $200,000.
 
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.
 
    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,                         SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
                          ----------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------
                                 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%  $10,774.3    81.6% $11,345.7    80.5%
Operating
 income (1)..............   6,636.4    92.8     9,297.9    91.6     9,635.3    90.4    4,656.5    88.1    4,740.0    88.3
 
PAGING
Revenues................. $ 3,787.9    16.3%  $ 4,276.6    16.6%  $ 4,897.5    17.9%  $2,422.9    18.4%  $2,743.5    19.5%
Operating
 income (1)..............     512.7     7.2       855.1     8.4     1,026.9     9.6      628.8    11.9      627.1    11.7
</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,                         SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
                          ----------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------
                                 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%  $5,359.3    40.6%  $5,788.6    41.1%
  National...............   7,057.2    30.4     7,217.0    27.9     7,844.9    28.7    3,808.7    28.9    3,597.7    25.5
  Network compensation...   1,164.6     5.0     1,433.2     5.6     1,740.1     6.4      802.2     6.1      819.5     5.8
  Political..............       9.1     0.0     1,147.1     4.4        33.9     0.1        7.7      --      239.2     1.7
  Production and other
   (1)...................   1,496.4     6.4     1,314.8     5.1     1,656.0     6.1      796.4     6.0      900.7     6.4
                          --------- --------  --------- --------  --------- --------  -------- --------  -------- --------
                          $19,460.1    83.7%  $21,524.3    83.4%  $22,424.1    82.1%  $10,774.3    81.6% $11,345.7    80.5%
                          --------- --------  --------- --------  --------- --------  -------- --------  -------- --------
                          --------- --------  --------- --------  --------- --------  -------- --------  -------- --------
</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,                         SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
                          ----------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------
                                 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%  $2,485.3    18.9%  $2,922.8    20.8%
  Other..................      46.3     0.2        75.2     0.3      (107.4)    (0.4)    (62.4)    (0.5)   (179.3)    (1.3)
                          --------- --------  --------- --------  --------- --------  -------- --------  -------- --------
                          $ 3,787.9    16.3%  $ 4,276.6    16.6%  $ 4,897.5    17.9%  $2,422.9    18.4%  $2,743.5    19.5%
                          --------- --------  --------- --------  --------- --------  -------- --------  -------- --------
                          --------- --------  --------- --------  --------- --------  -------- --------  -------- --------
</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 six months ended June 30, 1995 and 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                      JUNE 30,
                           ---------------------------------------   -------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)        1993          1994          1995           1995              1996
                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -------------     -------------
Operating income.........     $4,686.9      $7,667.6      $7,381.8        $3,746.4          $4,632.6
<S>                        <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>               <C>
Add:
  Amortization of program
   license rights........      1,552.4       1,021.4         844.8           422.4             463.9
  Depreciation and
   amortization..........      2,836.0       2,672.2       3,120.4         1,435.5           1,530.0
  Corporate overhead.....      2,462.2       2,485.4       3,280.4         1,538.7             734.5
Less:
  Payments for program
   license liabilities...     (1,072.0)       (863.3)       (931.0)         (464.5)           (592.0)
                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -------------     -------------
Media Cash Flow (1)......    $10,465.5     $12,983.3     $13,696.4        $6,678.5          $6,769.0
                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -------------     -------------
                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -------------     -------------
</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, $5.7 million and $5.8 million
     was attributable to the Phipps  Business's broadcasting operations for  the
     six months ended June 30, 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  six
months ended June 30, 1995 and 1996.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                      JUNE 30,
                           ---------------------------------------   -------------------------------
(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          $4,136            $6,191
  Investing activities...       (2,953)       (2,506)       (3,828)         (3,152)             (840)
  Financing activities...       (4,418)       (7,233)       (4,906)           (917)           (5,309)
</TABLE>
    
 
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995
 
    REVENUES.   Total revenues for the six  months ended June 30, 1996 increased
$893,000, or 6.8%, over the six months  ended June 30, 1995, from $13.2  million
to  $14.1 million. This increase was attributable to an improvement in local and
political  advertising   revenue  in   the  broadcasting   operations  and   the
implementation of a reseller program in the paging operations.
 
    Broadcast  net revenues increased $572,000, or 5.3%, over the same period of
the prior year,  from $10.8  million to $11.4  million. Approximately  $429,000,
$17,000, $232,000 and $104,000 of the increase in total
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
broadcast  net revenues  was due  to higher  local advertising  revenue, network
compensation,   political   advertising   revenue   and   production   revenues,
respectively,  offset by a $211,000 decrease in national advertising revenue. In
addition, revenues generated  from satellite  broadcasting operations  increased
due to additional equipment coming on line.
 
    Net  paging revenues increased  $321,000, or 13.2%, over  the same period of
the prior year, from $2.4 million to $2.7 million. The increase was attributable
primarily to higher  sales volume  generated by a  reseller program  implemented
during 1995.
 
    OPERATING  EXPENSES.  Operating  expenses for the six  months ended June 30,
1996 remained relatively unchanged from the  six months ended June 30, 1995.  An
increase  of $716,000 in broadcast and paging expenses was offset by a reduction
in management fees of $804,000.
 
    Broadcasting expenses increased $347,000, or  6.9%, over the same period  of
the prior year, from $5.1 million to $5.4 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 $369,000, or 26.1%, over the same
period of the prior year,  from $1.4 million to  $1.8 million. The increase  was
attributable  primarily to higher payroll,  sales and operating costs associated
with revenue growth.
 
    Management fees for the six months  ended June 30, 1996 decreased  $804,000,
or 52.3%, from the same period of the prior year, from $1.5 million to $734,000.
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 six months ended June 30, 1996 increased $94,000, or 6.6%, over the same
period of the prior year, from $1.4  million to $1.5 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 decreased  $64,000, or  29.1% from the
same period of the prior year from $223,000 to $158,000.
 
    NET INCOME.  The net income for the Phipps Business was $4.2 million for the
six months ended June  30, 1996 compared  with $3.3 million  for the six  months
ended June 30, 1995, an increase of $910,000 or 27.9%.
 
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 $620,000, 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.
 
    Management fees 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 $871,000.
 
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 $19.4 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  $2.7  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  $2.6 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  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 Old Credit Facility or 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, $(222,000)  and
$3.5 million at December 31, 1994 and 1995, and June 30, 1996, respectively. The
working  capital of the Phipps Business was  $1.4 million, $2.6 million and $2.9
million at December  31, 1994  and 1995, and  June 30,  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 $3.8 million  and
$6.8  million for the six months ended June 30, 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 $4.1
million and  $6.2 million  for the  six months  ended June  30, 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 $45.8 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  $5.4 million and  $37.5 million  for the  six
months  ended June 30, 1995 and 1996, respectively. The increased usage of $32.1
million was due primarily to the Augusta Acquisition. The Phipps Business's cash
used in investing activities  was $3.2 million and  $840,000 for the six  months
ended June 30, 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 $82.8
million at December 31, 1995 and June 30, 1996, respectively. The balance of the
Old Credit Facility was  $28.4 million and $49.5  million, at December 31,  1995
and  June 30, 1996, respectively. The weighted  average interest rate of the Old
Credit Facility was 8.94%  at June 30, 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 with $1.2 million  and $31.4 million  in
cash  by financing activities for  the six months ended  June 30, 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 $917,000 and $5.3
million in cash for financing activities for the six months ended June 30,  1995
and 1996, respectively.
 
    Under  the  terms of  the Old  Credit Facility,  the Company  had additional
borrowing capacity at June  30, 1996 of  approximately $4.8 million.  Borrowings
under  the Senior Credit Facility will be available upon the consummation of the
Phipps Acquisition. The availability of  funds under the Senior Credit  Facility
also  will be  subject to certain  conditions, including the  maintenance by the
Company of certain financial ratios consisting, among others, of a total debt to
operating  cash   flow   ratio,  a   senior   debt  to   operating   cash   flow
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
   
ratio,  an operating cash flow to total  interest expense ratio and an operating
cash flow  to  pro  forma  debt  service  ratio.  See  "Description  of  Certain
Indebtedness  -- The Senior Credit Facility."  Under the Senior Credit Facility,
after giving effect  to the consummation  of the this  Offering, the  Concurrent
Offering,  the KTVE Sale  and the Phipps  Acquisition (of which  there can be no
assurance), the  Company  would  have additional  borrowing  capacity  of  $10.1
million  as of June  30, 1996. Under the  terms of the  Old Credit Facility, the
Company was allowed to  make $3.0 million of  capital expenditures in 1996.  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 $1.2 million and $110,000, 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 six  months ended June 30,  1996, the Company made
$1.3  million  in  capital  expenditures,  relating  primarily  to  broadcasting
operations, and paid $1.3 million 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 six months ended June 30, 1996, the  Phipps
Business made $1.6 million in capital expenditures and paid $592,000 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 $49.5 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 $54.3 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
3.25% over LIBOR at July 31, 1996, 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 Old Credit Facility is and the Senior Credit Facility will  be
guaranteed  by each of the Company's subsidiaries  and is and will be secured by
liens on substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries. As
part of the Financing,  the Company will enter  into 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."
 
   
    In August 1996, the Company sold  the assets of KTVE for approximately  $9.5
million  in cash plus the  amount of the accounts receivable  on the date of the
closing. The Company  estimates that the  gain, net of  estimated taxes and  the
estimated  taxes for the KTVE Sale will aggregate approximately $2.8 million and
$2.8 million, respectively.
    
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
    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  with comparable  broadcast  cash flow  in  a transaction
qualifying for deferred capital gains  treatment under the "like-kind  exchange"
provision of Section 1031 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. As of June 30, 1996,
on a  pro forma  basis after  giving effect  to the  KTVE Sale,  the  Concurrent
Offering,  the Financing,  the Phipps  Acquisition and  this Offering  (of which
there can  be no  assurance),  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 (which  includes two  television
stations  that  are part  of  the Phipps  Business).  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 (which  is part  of the Phipps
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  $1.3
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 30, 1996, although there can be no assurance with respect thereto.
    
 
   
    In August 1996, the  Company sold the assets  of KTVE, a television  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 the closing.
    
 
   
    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 $(3.4) million, respectively. For  the
six  months ended  June 30,  1996, on  a pro  forma basis,  the Company  had net
revenues, Media Cash Flow, operating cash flow and net income of $47.3  million,
$17.9  million, $16.3  million and  $322,000, 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 224.7% 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 six months ended June 30, 1996 increased 67.1%, 114.7% and 122.8%,
respectively, while net income decreased  72.8% from the historical amounts  for
the  six months ended June 30, 1995. The  Company's pro forma net income for its
television stations for the year ended December 31, 1995 and for the six  months
ended June 30, 1996 was $1.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively.
    
 
                                       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          2,204
              CBS      Tallahassee, FL                116   6/VHF            1           60            11,862          4,229
                       Thomasville, GA
WCTV
 
<CAPTION>
          SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
          -------------------------------
                             OPERATING
STATION    NET REVENUES      INCOME (6)
- --------  --------------   --------------
                  (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>       <C>              <C>
WKYT      $      7,845     $      2,701
WYMT             2,107              530
WRDW             4,489            1,149
WALB(5)          5,099            2,658
WJHG(5)          2,409              476
PHIPPS A
WKXT             4,387              903
                 6,212            2,254
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) on a  pro forma basis  of $21.9 million  and
$660,000,  respectively, for the year ended December 31, 1995, $11.3 million and
$1.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 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)  on a  pro forma basis  of $6.2 million  and $542,000 for  the year ended
December 31, 1995 and $3.5  million and $467,000 for  the six months ended  June
30, 1996, respectively.
    
 
                                       57
<PAGE>
    The following table sets forth certain information for each of the Company's
publications:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               PRO FORMA
                                                                               -----------------------------------------
                                                                                                             SIX MONTHS
                                                                                                             ENDED JUNE
                                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                                                                              30, 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    $   7,250
                                 Southwest     40,000 Sunday
                                   Georgia
THE ROCKDALE CITIZEN         2 counties in            10,000             6            3,854           (212)       1,739
                            Georgia (metro
                                  Atlanta)
GWINNETT DAILY POST            1 county in            13,000             5            2,432           (913)       1,400
                            Georgia (metro
                                  Atlanta)
SOUTHWEST GEORGIA           10 counties in            52,000             1            2,045           (224)         873
SHOPPERS                         Southwest
                            Georgia and 10
                               counties in
                             North Florida
 
<CAPTION>
                           OPERATING
                            INCOME
PUBLICATION               (LOSS) (1)
- ------------------------  -----------
<S>                       <C>
THE ALBANY HERALD          $   1,929
THE ROCKDALE CITIZEN              34
GWINNETT DAILY POST             (298)
SOUTHWEST GEORGIA               (392)
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 1982 to  1994 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.
 
    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.
 
                                       58
<PAGE>
    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.
 
    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
 
                                       59
<PAGE>
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 30,
     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 six months ended June 30, 1996 were
approximately $17.6 million and $8.8 million, respectively, an increase of 14.6%
and  a decrease of 1.2% 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 six months ended  June 30, 1996 was approximately $1.2  million
and  $630,000, respectively, a  decrease of 36.7%  and 19.4%, 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.
 
    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
 
                                       62
<PAGE>
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 former 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. WYMT's gross revenues for the
year ended  December 31,  1995  and the  six months  ended  June 30,  1996  were
approximately  $4.1 million and $2.3 million,  respectively, an increase of 8.8%
and 15.8%, 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 six  months ended June 30,  1996 was approximately $32,000  and
$75,000,   respectively,  a  decrease  of  88.9%   and  an  increase  of  32.6%,
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 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.
 
                                       63
<PAGE>
    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 six months ended  June 30, 1996  were
approximately  $9.6 million and $5.0 million,  respectively, an increase of 5.7%
and 6.3%, respectively, from the corresponding prior periods. WRDW'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  was  approximately  $1.4  million,  an  increase  of  4.9%,  from the
corresponding prior period. WRDW's net loss (before the allocation of  corporate
and  administrative  expenses  and  after  estimated  income  taxes  computed at
statutory rates)  for the  six  months ended  June  30, 1996  was  approximately
$372,000  as  compared  to  net  income  of  approximately  $717,000,  from  the
corresponding prior  period.  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.
 
    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%
 
                                       64
<PAGE>
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 six months ended June 30, 1996 were approximately $10.5 million and $5.6
million,  respectively, an  increase of  3.5% and  7.9%, 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  the six  months
ended   June  30,  1996  was  approximately   $3.0  million  and  $1.7  million,
respectively,  an  increase   of  3.8%   and  11.3%,   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
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.
 
                                       65
<PAGE>
    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 six months ended June 30, 1996 were  approximately
$4.3  million and  $2.7 million,  respectively, an  increase of  7.7% and 32.2%,
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 six  months ended  June  30, 1996  was approximately  $205,000 and
$305,000, respectively, an increase of 84.8% and 184.1%, 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 is part  of the Phipps Business,  began operations in 1988.  The
Phipps Acquisition is expected to occur in September 1996, although there can be
no  assurance with respect thereto. 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 six  months
ended  June  30,  1996  were  approximately  $10.6  million  and  $5.0  million,
respectively, an increase of 2.3% and a decrease of 2.2%, 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 six  months
ended  June 30, 1996 was approximately  $1.8 million and $836,000, respectively,
an increase of 8.3% and a decrease of 4.4%, 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.
 
                                       68
<PAGE>
WCTV, THE CBS AFFILIATE IN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA/THOMASVILLE, GEORGIA
 
    WCTV,  which is part of  the Phipps Business, began  operations in 1955. The
Phipps Acquisition is expected to occur in September 1996, although there can be
no assurance with respect thereto. Tallahassee, Florida/Thomasville, Georgia  is
the  116th  largest  DMA  in  the  United  States,  with  approximately  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  six months ended  June 30,  1996 were  approximately
$13.3  million and  $7.0 million,  respectively, an  increase of  3.2% and 9.8%,
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 six months ended June 30,  1996 was approximately $3.8 million and $1.9
million, respectively,  an increase  of 1.4%  and 6.3%,  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  a
significant  portion of  WCTV's revenues is  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.
 
                                       69
<PAGE>
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
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
 
                                       70
<PAGE>
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.
 
    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.
 
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THE ROCKDALE CITIZEN AND THE GWINNETT DAILY POST
 
   
    THE ROCKDALE CITIZEN and the GWINNETT DAILY POST, a six-day-a-week newspaper
and a five-day-a-week  newspaper, respectively, 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 was the site of the  1996
Olympic equestrian competition.
 
    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
 
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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 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.
 
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<PAGE>
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  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
 
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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  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.
 
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<PAGE>
    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  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
 
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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  substantially all  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 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.
 
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    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  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  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
 
                                       78
<PAGE>
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  limited  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  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.
 
                                       79
<PAGE>
    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 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.
 
                                       80
<PAGE>
    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 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 (which are part of the
Phipps Business) 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
 
                                       81
<PAGE>
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 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.
    
 
    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  June  30,  1996,  the Company  (excluding  KTVE)  had  648  full-time
employees,  of  which 376  were employees  of the  Company's stations,  260 were
employees of the Company's publications and 12 were corporate and administrative
personnel. As of June 30, 1996, the  Phipps Business had 201 employees. None  of
the Company's employees are represented by unions. The Company believes that its
relations with its employees are satisfactory.
    
 
                                       82
<PAGE>
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.
 
    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
  PROPERTY LOCATION                               USE                OR LEASED          SIZE           OF LEASE
  -----------------------------------  -------------------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
   Albany GA                           Office                              Leased      800 sq. ft.       March 1997
  <S>                                  <C>                        <C>              <C>              <C>
  Columbus, GA                         Office                              Leased    1,000 sq. ft.        July 1997
  Dothan, AL                           Office                              Leased      800 sq. ft.        Feb. 1997
  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>
J. Mack Robinson*+                     73   President, Chief Executive Officer
                                             and Director
Robert S. Prather, Jr.*+               51   Executive Vice
                                             President--Acquisitions and
                                             Director
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                       45   Vice President
Joseph A. Carriere                     62   Vice President-Corporate Sales
William E. Mayher III*                 57   Chairman of the Board of Directors
Richard L. Boger*+                     49   Director
Hilton H. Howell, Jr.**                34   Director
Howell W. Newton**                     49   Director
Hugh Norton                            64   Director
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 * Member of the Executive Committee
** Member of the Audit Committee
 + Member of the Management Personnel Committee
 
   
    MR.  ROBINSON  was  appointed  President  and  Chief  Executive  Officer  on
September  10, 1996 to succeed the late  Ralph W. Gabbard. 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  1974 until  1995 and chairman  of the  board of Atlantic
American Corporation  since  1974.  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.
    
 
   
    MR. PRATHER was appointed Executive Vice President-Acquisitions on September
11, 1996. 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. 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
 
                                       85
<PAGE>
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.
 
    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.
    
 
   
    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 former 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. Mr. Gabbard died in September 1996.
    
 
                                       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
- ----------------------------------------  -------   ---------   ---------   ------------   ---------------  -------------
John T. Williams,                            1995   $ 285,000   $       -   $2,700,000(2)               -   $  606,601(3)
  Former President, Chief Executive          1994     286,867      71,910           -                   -        2,112(4)
  Officer and Director (1)                   1993     258,400     112,500           -                   -        1,252(4)
<S>                                       <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>            <C>              <C>
Ralph W. Gabbard,                            1995(5)   261,000    150,000   1,200,000(7)           15,000       12,628(6)
  Former President and Director              1994      76,611     168,117           -              30,509            -
                                             1993(8)         -          -           -                   -
William A. Fielder, III,                     1995     106,050      21,000           -               3,000        9,407(9)
  Vice President and Chief Financial         1994      75,127           -           -                   -        6,055(10)
  Officer                                    1993      84,600           -           -               7,500        5,991(11)
Joseph A. Carriere,                          1995     115,075      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.  The Company  paid
    dividends on such shares.
    
   
(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. $3,750,
    $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  and served as  such until his  death in September  1996. 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 had an employment agreement with the Company which provided him
    with 122,034  shares of  Class A  Common Stock  if his  employment with  the
    Company  continued until September 1999. The  market value of such shares at
    December 31,  1995 was  $2,181,358. Approximately  $80,000 and  $240,000  of
    compensation  expense  was  recorded  in 1994  and  1995,  respectively. The
    Company paid dividends on such shares.
    
(8) Not employed by the Company during this year.
 
   
(9) $5,765, $2,625, $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  $291  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
                                         % OF TOTAL                           ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES
                                          OPTIONS                                      OF
                             NUMBER OF   GRANTED TO                               STOCK PRICE
                             SECURITIES  EMPLOYEES    EXERCISE                  APPRECIATION FOR
                             UNDERLYING      IN          OR                      OPTION TERM(1)
                              OPTIONS      FISCAL    BASE PRICE  EXPIRATION  ----------------------
NAME                          GRANTED       YEAR     ($/SHARE)      DATE       5%($)       10%($)
- ---------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Ralph W. Gabbard                 15,000       25.8%      $13.33     3/30/00     $55,242    $122,071
<S>                          <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
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)
- ------------------------------  -------------------------  -------------------------
Ralph W. Gabbard                                 0/45,509                $0/$318,553
<S>                             <C>                        <C>
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 denominator of which is the greater of 25 or the
years   of   service  credited   under   the  plan,   plus   (ii)  .9%   of  the
 
                                       88
<PAGE>
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
- --------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
$ 15,000                  $1,326      $1,986      $2,646      $3,306      $3,300      $3,300
<S>                   <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
  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. Non-employee 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.  In
addition,  the Company  has a Non-Qualified  Stock Option  Plan for non-employee
directors that currently provides for the annual grant of options to purchase up
to 7,500 shares of Class A Common  Stock at a price per share approximating  the
recent market price at the time of grant. Such options are exercisable until the
end  of the first  month following the  close of the  Company's fiscal year. The
Company, subject to  approval by  the Company's shareholders,  intends to  amend
such  Non-Qualified Stock  Option Plan  to provide for  the issuance  of Class B
Common Stock in lieu of Class A Common Stock.
 
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 provided  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
reached or  exceeded  certain  goals.  Under the  Incentive  Plan,  Mr.  Gabbard
received non-qualified stock options to purchase 30,509 shares of Class A Common
Stock. The exercise price for such options is $9.66.
    
 
   
    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
was to be established by the  Board of Directors. Under the Annual  Compensation
Plan,  if the Company  achieved the targeted  amount of operating  profit in any
given year, Mr. Gabbard would  receive $200,000 as additional compensation.  The
Annual  Compensation  Plan further  provided that  if  the Company  exceeded the
targeted amount of  operating profit  in any given  year, Mr.  Gabbard would  be
entitled to receive additional compensation in excess of $200,000, as determined
by the Board of Directors.
    
 
    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
 
                                       90
<PAGE>
Class A Common Stock annually  during the term of  the agreement at an  exercise
price  per share equal to the  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  beginning 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.
 
   
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
    
 
   
    Richard  L.  Boger, Robert  S. Prather,  Jr.  and J.  Mack Robinson  are the
members of the Management Personnel Committee of the Board of Directors.
    
 
   
    Gray  Kentucky  Television,  Inc.,  a  subsidiary  of  the  Company   ("Gray
Kentucky")  is a party  to a rights sharing  agreement with Host Communications,
Inc. ("Host")  and  certain  other  parties not  affiliated  with  the  Company,
pursuant  to which the parties agreed to  exploit Host's rights to broadcast and
market certain University of Kentucky football and basketball games and  related
activities.  Pursuant to such agreement, Gray  Kentucky is licensed to broadcast
certain 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%. Robert S. Prather, Jr., Executive Vice
President-Acquisitions  and a director of  the Company, is also  a member of the
boards 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 and $950,000 was due and included in accounts payable at December
31, 1995 and June 30, 1996, respectively.
    
 
   
    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 9.8% 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  1996 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
(and subsequently appointed  the President  and Chief Executive  Officer 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
    
 
                                       91
<PAGE>
   
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, cumulative 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 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, or  on a  parity with,  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. 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,
J. Mack Robinson and certain of his affiliates 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,
cumulative  dividends  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 to 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, or on a parity with, 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. The shares of  the Series A  Preferred Stock and  Series B Preferred  Stock
will  rank PARI PASSU as to the payment  of dividends and as to distributions of
assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.
    
 
                                       92
<PAGE>
   
    In connection with the issuance of the  Series B Preferred Stock as part  of
the  Financing, (i)  the Company will  issue to  the purchasers of  the Series B
Preferred Stock warrants entitling the holders thereof to purchase an  aggregate
of  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,  an aggregate  of
300,000  will vest  upon issuance, with  the remaining warrants  vesting in five
equal installments commencing on the first anniversary of the date of  issuance.
The warrants 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 has obtained 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.
    
 
                                       93
<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  July 31, 1996. Except as indicated below, none
of such shareholders 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                                      31,427                          *
William A. Fielder III (3)                             8,629                          *
Sabra H. Cowart                                          216                          *
Robert A. Beizer                                          --                          *
Thomas J. Stultz                                       1,500                          *
Joseph A. Carriere                                       642                          *
William E. Mayher III (3)                             16,500                          *
Richard L. Boger (3)                                  24,150                          *
Hilton H. Howell, Jr. (3)(4)(5)(6)                 1,280,740                       28.6%
Howell W. Newton (3)                                   9,250                          *
Hugh Norton (3)                                       16,500                          *
Robert S. Prather, Jr. (3)(4)(7)                   1,242,340                       27.8%
J. Mack Robinson (3)(4)(6)(8)                      2,003,530                       44.8%
John T. Williams (9)                                  78,752                        1.8%
All directors and executive                   (4)-(2,290,9968),
 officers as a group (14 persons)             (10)                                 50.6
</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 to  be  issued as  part  of the
    Financing. See "Management-- Compensation  Committee Interlocks and  Insider
    Participation."
    
 
(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) Includes 1,211,590  shares owned by  Bull Run as  described in footnote  (1)
    above,  because  Messrs.  Howell,  Prather and  Robinson  are  directors and
    officers of Bull  Run and  Messrs. and  Prather and  Robinson are  principal
    shareholders  of Bull Run and,  as such, may be deemed  to have the right to
    vote or dispose of such shares. However, each of Messrs. Howell, Prather and
    Robinson disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by 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.
 
                                       94
<PAGE>
                 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
   
    J.  Mack Robinson, President, Chief Executive  Officer and a director of the
Company, is  Chairman of  the Board  of Bull  Run and  the beneficial  owner  of
approximately  28% of the outstanding shares of common stock, par value $.01 per
share ("Bull Run  Common Stock"), of  Bull Run (including  certain shares as  to
which  such  beneficial  ownership is  disclaimed  by Mr.  Robinson).  Robert S.
Prather, Jr.,  Executive  Vice President--Acquisitions  and  a director  of  the
Company,  is President, Chief Executive  Officer and a director  of Bull Run and
the beneficial owner of approximately 12% of the outstanding shares of Bull  Run
Common  Stock (including certain shares as to which such beneficial ownership is
disclaimed by  Mr. Prather).  Mr.  Prather is  also a  member  of the  Board  of
Directors  of CSP and Host. Hilton H. Howell,  Jr. a director of the Company, is
Vice   President,    Secretary   and    a   director    of   Bull    Run.    See
"Management--Compensation  Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" for a
description of certain  business relationships between  the Company and  Messrs.
Prather and Robinson, Host, CSP and Bull Run.
    
 
                                       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 June 30, 1996, approximately $49.5 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  will be  available upon
consummation of  the Phipps  Acquisition 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 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 3.25% or the prime rate plus 1.0%,  based upon a 6.50 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 all indebtedness.
    
 
    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, an  operating cash flow  to pro  forma debt service  ratio and a
fixed charge coverage 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             , 1997,  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
and unpaid 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 Senior  Credit
Facility.  Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Notes will be guaranteed,
fully and  unconditionally,  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 December
23, 1996,  the Company  will be  required to  redeem the  Notes on  or prior  to
December 31, 1996 at a redemption price equal to 101% of the principal amount of
the  Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase. At any time
prior to December 23, 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
(as defined in the Indenture) 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.
 
                                       97
<PAGE>
                          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.
 
    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 (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, 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 100% of the  shares of Class B Common Stock required  to
be  purchased by  the Significant Shareholder  pursuant to a  Class B Protection
Transaction must be 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 Rights.
 
    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
 
                                       98
<PAGE>
voting  shares  for  any purpose.  Neither  the Class  B  Protection Transaction
requirement nor  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 Rule 13d-1 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
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 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.
 
PREFERRED STOCK AND WARRANTS
 
   
    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 "Management--Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation."
    
 
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 as  such 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.
 
                                       99
<PAGE>
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
    Upon  completion  of  this  Offering,  the  Company  will  have  outstanding
4,467,205  shares of Class  A Common Stock  based upon shares  outstanding as of
June 30, 1996 and 3,500,000 shares of  Class B Common Stock outstanding. All  of
such shares of Class B Common Stock 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  2,260,000 shares of Class A Common Stock held by Bull Run and
its affiliates and the executive officers  and directors of the Company may  not
be  sold unless they are registered under the Securities Act or sold pursuant to
an exemption  from registration,  such as  the exemption  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 (as
defined in Rule 144) 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.
 
   
    The  holders of approximately  2,120,000 shares of Class  A Common Stock and
options or warrants (currently outstanding or to be issued upon consummation  of
the  Financing) to acquire  an additional estimated 1,047,500  shares of Class A
Common Stock, including each of  the Company's directors and executive  officers
and  Bull Run and its affiliates, have agreed  that they will not offer, sell or
otherwise dispose of any shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common  Stock
or  securities convertible  into, or  exercisable or  exchangeable for,  Class A
Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, subject to certain exceptions, 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."
 
                                      100
<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 Class B Common Stock has been approved for listing
on  the  NYSE, subject  to official  notice of  issuance. 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
 
                                      101
<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, as stated in  their
report  thereon appearing elsewhere herein 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 Exchange Act
and,  in  accordance  therewith,  files  reports,  proxy  statements  and  other
information with the Commission. Such Registration
 
                                      102
<PAGE>
Statement, 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.
 
                                      103
<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 June 30, 1996.......        F-2
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the six months ended June 30, 1995
   and 1996..........................................................................        F-3
  Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the six months ended
   June 30, 1996.....................................................................        F-4
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30,
   1995 and 1996.....................................................................        F-5
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements...............................        F-6
Audited Consolidated Financial Statements:
  Report of Independent Auditors.....................................................       F-12
  Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1994 and 1995..........................       F-13
  Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and
   1995..............................................................................       F-14
  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31,
   1993, 1994 and 1995...............................................................       F-15
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994
   and 1995..........................................................................       F-16
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.........................................       F-17
 
WRDW-TV (THE "AUGUSTA BUSINESS")
AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
  Report of Independent Auditors.....................................................       F-35
  Balance Sheet at December 31, 1995.................................................       F-36
  Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 1995...........................       F-37
  Statement of Partnership's Equity for the year ended December 31, 1995.............       F-38
  Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 1995.......................       F-39
  Notes to Financial Statements......................................................       F-40
  Independent Auditors' Report.......................................................       F-43
  Balance Sheet at December 31, 1994.................................................       F-44
  Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994................       F-45
  Statements of Partnership's Equity for the years ended December 31, 1993 and
   1994..............................................................................       F-46
  Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994............       F-47
  Notes to Financial Statements......................................................       F-48
 
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 June 30, 1996....................       F-52
  Condensed Statements of Income for the six months ended June 30, 1995 and 1996.....       F-53
  Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 1995 and
   1996..............................................................................       F-54
  Notes to Condensed Financial Statements............................................       F-55
Audited Financial Statements:
  Report of Independent Auditors.....................................................       F-56
  Balance Sheets at December 31, 1994 and 1995.......................................       F-57
  Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995..........       F-58
  Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995......       F-59
  Notes to Financial Statements......................................................       F-60
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                       DECEMBER 31,         JUNE 30,
                                                               1995             1996
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
Current Assets
  Cash and cash equivalents                                $559,991       $1,287,096
  Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for
   doubtful accounts of $450,000 and $537,000,
   respectively                                           9,560,274       10,817,791
  Recoverable income taxes                                1,347,007          797,455
  Inventories                                               553,032          109,028
  Current portion of program broadcast rights             1,153,058          710,424
  Other current assets                                      263,600          758,808
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                         13,436,962       14,480,602
Property and equipment                                   37,618,893       40,178,694
  Less allowance for depreciation                       (20,601,819)     (21,380,407)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                         17,017,074       18,798,287
Other assets
  Deferred acquisition costs (includes $910,000
   and $1,050,000 to Bull Run Corporation at
   December 31, 1995 and June 30, 1996,
   respectively) (NOTE C)                                 3,330,481        2,818,851
  Deferred loan costs (NOTE C)                            1,232,261        1,881,648
  Goodwill and other intangibles (NOTE C)                42,004,050       73,299,223
  Other                                                   1,219,650        1,237,021
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                         47,786,442       79,236,743
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                        $78,240,478     $112,515,632
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
 
Current liabilities:
  Trade accounts payable (includes $670,000 and
   $950,000 payable to Bull Run Corporation at
   December 31, 1995 and June 30, 1996,
   respectively)                                         $3,752,742       $3,169,283
  Accrued expenses                                        5,839,007        7,063,971
  Current portion of program broadcast obligations        1,205,784          709,782
  Current portion of long-term debt                       2,861,672                0
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                         13,659,205       10,943,036
Long-term debt (including a $10,000,000 principal
 amount 8% Note to Bull Run Corporation at June
 30, 1996) (Notes C and D)                               51,462,645       82,845,688
Non-current liabilities                                   4,133,030        4,913,624
Commitments and Contingencies (NOTE E)
Stockholders' Equity (NOTE B AND D)
  Class A Common Stock, no par value; authorized
   10,000,000 shares; issued 5,082,756 and
   5,130,385 shares, respectively                         6,795,976       10,000,365
  Retained earnings                                       8,827,906       10,451,203
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                         15,623,882       20,451,568
  Treasury stock, 663,180 shares at cost                 (6,638,284)      (6,638,284)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                          8,985,598       13,813,284
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                        $78,240,478     $112,515,632
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
    
 
           See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                           JUNE 30
                                                    ----------------------
                                                          1995        1996
                                                    ----------  ----------
Operating revenues:
<S>                                                 <C>         <C>
  Broadcasting (net of agency commissions)          $18,260,940 $24,251,901
  Publishing                                        10,046,114  11,261,792
                                                    ----------  ----------
                                                    28,307,054  35,513,693
Expenses:
  Broadcasting                                      11,409,511  14,418,200
  Publishing                                         8,589,861   9,192,751
  Corporate and administrative                       1,012,024   1,570,806
  Depreciation and amortization                      1,821,700   2,900,724
  Non-cash compensation paid in common stock (NOTE
   B)                                                  816,474     120,000
                                                    ----------  ----------
                                                    23,649,570  28,202,481
                                                    ----------  ----------
                                                     4,657,484   7,311,212
Miscellaneous income                                    68,514      81,361
                                                    ----------  ----------
                                                     4,725,998   7,392,573
Interest expense                                     2,768,187   4,444,878
                                                    ----------  ----------
    Income before income taxes                       1,957,811   2,947,695
Income tax expense                                     776,000   1,146,000
                                                    ----------  ----------
    Net earnings                                    $1,181,811  $1,801,695
                                                    ----------  ----------
                                                    ----------  ----------
Average outstanding common shares                    4,383,263   4,656,691
                                                    ----------  ----------
                                                    ----------  ----------
Net earnings per common share - primary                  $0.27       $0.39
                                                    ----------  ----------
                                                    ----------  ----------
Net earnings per common share - fully diluted            $0.27       $0.38
                                                    ----------  ----------
                                                    ----------  ----------
</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    $8,985,598
Net income for the six months
 ended
 June 30, 1996                           -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-     1,801,695     1,801,695
Cash dividends ($.04 per
 share)                                  -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-      (178,398)     (178,398)
Issuance of common stock
 warrants (Note C)                       -0-     2,600,000           -0-           -0-           -0-     2,600,000
Income tax benefits relating
 to stock plans                          -0-        62,000           -0-           -0-           -0-        62,000
Issuance of Class A Common
 Stock:
  401(k) Plan                          7,129       139,640           -0-           -0-           -0-       139,640
  Directors stock plan                22,500       228,749           -0-           -0-           -0-       228,749
  Non-qualified stock plan            18,000       174,000           -0-           -0-           -0-       174,000
                                ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Balance at June 30, 1996           5,130,385   $10,000,365      (663,180)  $(6,638,284)  $10,451,203   $13,813,284
                                ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
                                ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
           See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
          CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30
                                                     1995             1996
                                          ---------------  ---------------
Operating activities
<S>                                       <C>              <C>
  Net income                                   $1,181,811       $1,801,695
  Items which did not use (provide)
   cash:
    Depreciation                                1,233,847        1,648,014
    Amortization of intangible assets             587,853        1,252,710
    Amortization of program broadcast
     rights                                       767,964        1,279,357
    Amortization of original issue
     discount on subordinated note                      0          144,444
    Payments for program broadcast
     rights                                      (902,858)      (1,309,364)
    Income tax benefit relating to stock
     plan                                               0           62,000
    Compensation paid in Class A common
     stock                                        816,474          120,000
    Supplemental employee benefits               (154,216)        (203,708)
    Class A common stock contributed to
     401(k) Plan                                  168,023          139,640
    Deferred income taxes                         109,000          676,059
    (Gain) loss on disposal of assets               1,952          (17,968)
    Changes in operating assets and
     liabilities:
      Receivables, inventories, and
      other current assets                       (599,165)       1,081,052
      Accounts payable and other current
      liabilities                                 616,978          126,622
                                          ---------------  ---------------
    Net cash provided by operating
     activities                                 3,827,663        6,800,553
Investing Activities
  Acquisition of newspaper business            (1,232,509)               0
  Acquisition of television business                    0      (34,330,365)
  Purchases of property and equipment          (1,852,431)      (1,317,345)
  Deferred acquisition costs                   (2,033,892)      (1,797,772)
  Proceeds from asset sales                         2,742          113,297
  Other                                          (261,233)        (157,538)
                                          ---------------  ---------------
  Net cash used in investing activities        (5,377,323)     (37,489,723)
Financing Activities
  Dividends paid                                 (172,110)        (178,398)
  Class A common stock transactions                     0          402,749
  Proceeds from settlement of interest
   rate swap                                            0          215,000
  Proceeds from borrowings of long-term
   debt                                         2,200,000       36,725,000
  Payments on long-term debt                     (820,281)      (5,748,076)
                                          ---------------  ---------------
  Net cash provided by financing
   activities                                   1,207,609       31,416,275
                                          ---------------  ---------------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
 equivalents                                     (342,051)         727,105
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
 of period                                        558,520          559,991
                                          ---------------  ---------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
 period                                          $216,469       $1,287,096
                                          ---------------  ---------------
                                          ---------------  ---------------
</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 six month period ended June 30, 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  $696,000
was recognized for these awards in the six months ended June 30, 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 each  quarter 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 condensed 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 and 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  is
included  in  deferred acquisition  costs and  $950,000 is  due and  included in
accounts payable at June 30, 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  of one  or more  television stations  of comparable  value and  with
comparable broadcast cash flow in a
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
  NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE C -- BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (CONTINUED)
transaction qualifying for deferred capital gains treatment under the "like-kind
exchange"  provision of Section  1031 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>
                                                             JUNE 30, 1996
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                               WALB             WJHG
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Current assets                                               $1,801             $913
Property and equipment                                        1,714            1,014
Other assets                                                     66                3
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Total assets                                                 $3,581           $1,930
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Current liabilities                                          $1,756             $474
Other liabilities                                               214                0
Stockholder's equity                                          1,611            1,456
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity                   $3,581           $1,930
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
    Condensed income statement data of WALB is as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                               SIX MONTHS
                                                             ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                               1995             1996
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
Broadcasting revenues                                        $4,715           $5,098
Expenses                                                      2,356            2,440
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Operating income                                              2,359            2,658
Other income                                                      9                9
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Income before income taxes                                    2,368            2,667
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Net income                                                   $1,468           $1,654
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
    Condensed income statement data of WJHG is as follows (in thousands):
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                               SIX MONTHS
                                                             ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                               1995             1996
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
Broadcasting revenues                                        $1,826           $2,409
Expenses                                                      1,690            1,933
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Operating income                                                136              476
Other income                                                     31               16
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Income before income taxes                                      167              492
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Net income                                                     $103             $305
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
  NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE C -- BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (CONTINUED)
    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 E and  F) 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 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 finder's 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 $54.2 million, of which $49.5 million was outstanding at June
30, 1996. This transaction also required a modification of the interest rate  of
the  Company's $25.0  million senior  secured note  (the "Senior  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 six months ended June 30,
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 six months ended June 30, 1995 is as follows (in thousands, except per share
data):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  SIX MONTHS
                                                                                  ENDED JUNE
                                                                                    30, 1995
                                                                                  ----------
Operating revenues                                                                   $32,666
<S>                                                                               <C>
Expenses                                                                              23,906
Depreciation and amortization                                                          2,396
Non-cash compensation paid in Class A Common Stock                                       816
                                                                                  ----------
                                                                                       5,548
Miscellaneous income, net                                                                 33
Interest expense                                                                       4,572
                                                                                  ----------
Pro forma income before income taxes                                                   1,009
Income tax expense                                                                       407
                                                                                  ----------
Pro forma net income                                                                    $602
                                                                                  ----------
                                                                                  ----------
Pro forma average shares outstanding                                                   4,436
                                                                                  ----------
                                                                                  ----------
Pro forma earnings per share                                                           $0.14
                                                                                  ----------
                                                                                  ----------
</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 finder's fee to Bull Run.
 
NOTE D -- STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
    A portion of the funds for the Augusta Acquisition were obtained from the 8%
Note, which included the issuance of detachable 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.
Approximately $2.6 million of the $10.0 million of proceeds from the 8% Note was
allocated to the warrants and increased Class A Common Stock. This allocation of
the proceeds was based on an estimate of the relative fair values of the 8% Note
and the warrants on the date of issuance. The Company is amortizing the original
issue  discount over the period  of time that the 8%  Note is to be outstanding.
During the six months ended June 30, 1996, the Company recognized  approximately
$144,000 in amortization costs for the $2.6 million original issue discount.
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
  NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE E -- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
    The  Company entered  into an  interest rate  swap agreement  (the "Interest
Swap") on June 2, 1995,  to effectively convert a  portion of its floating  rate
debt  to a  fixed rate  basis. The  Interest Swap  is effective  for five years.
Approximately $25.0  million of  the Company's  outstanding long-term  debt  was
subject  to this  Interest Swap.  Effective May  14, 1996,  the Company received
$215,000 as  settlement of  this Interest  Swap, which  will be  reflected as  a
reduction  of interest expense over the  remaining term of the original Interest
Swap.
 
    Upon termination of the Interest Swap, the Company entered into an  interest
rate  cap  agreement (the  "Interest Cap")  on  May 16,  1996, which  expires on
September 6,  1996. Approximately  $25.0 million  of the  Company's  outstanding
long-term  debt is subject to this Interest Cap. This Interest Cap serves to cap
the base rate of the Company's Senior Credit Facility at 7%. The base rate  used
to  compare against the  Interest Cap at  June 30, 1996  was approximately 5.5%.
Accordingly, the Interest Cap had no value at June 30, 1996. The effective  rate
of  the  Senior  Credit  Facility  at June  30,  1996  was  approximately 8.94%.
Effective July 19, 1996,  the Company's interest rates,  based on a spread  over
LIBOR,  were  reduced 0.25%  as the  result  of the  attainment of  certain debt
provisions.
 
   
    On May 15, 1996 the Company entered into an agreement with GOCOM  Television
of  Ouachita, L.P. to sell the assets of 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  included  a number  of closing  conditions.  The
Company  completed the sale of  the assets of KTVE Inc.  on August 20, 1996. The
Company anticipates recognizing  in the  quarter ended September  30, 1996,  the
gain,  net of estimated income taxes, and the estimated income taxes on the KTVE
Sale of approximately $2.8 million and $2.8 million, respectively.
    
 
    A condensed balance sheet of KTVE is as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  ----------
                                                                    JUNE 30,
                                                                        1996
                                                                  ----------
<S>                                                               <C>
Current assets                                                          $864
Property and equipment                                                 1,540
Other assets                                                             550
                                                                  ----------
Total assets                                                          $2,954
                                                                  ----------
                                                                  ----------
Current liabilities                                                     $333
Other liabilities                                                        476
Stockholders' equity                                                   2,145
                                                                  ----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                            $2,954
                                                                  ----------
                                                                  ----------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
  NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE E -- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
    Condensed statement of operations data of KTVE is as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      ----------------------
<S>                                                                   <C>         <C>
                                                                         SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                                             JUNE 30,
                                                                      ----------------------
                                                                            1995        1996
                                                                      ----------  ----------
 
Broadcasting revenues                                                     $1,958      $2,303
Expenses                                                                   1,891       1,943
                                                                      ----------  ----------
Operating income                                                              67         360
Other income                                                                   9           1
                                                                      ----------  ----------
Income before income taxes                                                    76         361
                                                                      ----------  ----------
                                                                      ----------  ----------
Net income                                                                   $47        $224
                                                                      ----------  ----------
                                                                      ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
NOTE F -- SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
   
    On May 2,  1996, the  Company filed a  Registration Statement  (subsequently
amended)  with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on Form S-1 to
register the sale  of 4,025,000  shares of Class  B Common  Stock, including  an
over-allotment  option  granted  by  the Company  to  the  underwriters  of such
offering, subject to  shareholder approval.  Also on  May 2,  1996, the  Company
filed  a Registration Statement (subsequently amended)  with the SEC on Form S-1
to register the sale of $150,000,000 Senior Subordinated Notes due in 2006  (the
"Notes").
    
 
                                      F-11
<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, except for Note K, as
to which the date is August 9, 1996
 
                                      F-12
<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-13
<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-14
<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-15
<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-16
<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-17
<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-18
<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-19
<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-20
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
B.  BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (CONTINUED)
    Pro forma December 31, 1995 balance sheet (in thousands):
 
<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 thousands, 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-21
<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 thousands, 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-22
<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 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-23
<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 thousands, 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-24
<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 thousands):
 
<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-25
<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 thousands):
 
<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).
 
    Pursuant  to the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Williams was awarded
an aggregate of 150,000 shares of Class A Common Stock in three separate  grants
(the "Common Stock Award") based upon the Class A Common Stock attaining certain
designated  values. Upon Mr. Williams' resignation  from the Company in December
1995, the Company entered into a separation agreement with him, which  provided,
among  other things, for the  payment of $596,000 over  a two-year period ending
November  1997  as   consideration  for  consulting   services,  Mr.   Williams'
resignation  and certain non-compete and confidentiality agreements. 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
separation agreement. In  addition, the  separation agreement  provided for  the
removal  of the  restrictions on  the Common Stock  Award and  such Common Stock
Award became fully  vested. Compensation expense  of approximately $2.1  million
(including  $865,000 during the quarter ended December 31, 1995), was recognized
in 1995 for the Common Stock Award.
 
    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-26
<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 thousands):
 
<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-27
<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-28
<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 thousands):
 
<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 thousands):
 
<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-29
<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 thousands):
 
<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 thousands):
 
<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-30
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
G.  RETIREMENT PLANS (CONTINUED)
    The net pension expense includes the following (in thousands):
 
<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 thousands):
 
<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-31
<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-32
<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 thousands):
 
<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
thousands).
 
<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>
 
    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
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-33
<PAGE>
                       GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
J.  INFORMATION ON BUSINESS SEGMENTS (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    -------------------------------------------------
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1993             1994             1995
                                                    ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
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>
 
K. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
    On  May  2,  1996,  the  Company filed  a  Registration  Statement  with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on Form S-1 to register the  sale
of  4,025,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, including an over-allotment option
granted by the  Company to the  underwriters of  such offering. Also  on May  2,
1996,  the Company filed  a Registration Statement  with the SEC  on Form S-1 to
register the sale  of $150,000,000 Senior  Subordinated Notes due  in 2006  (the
"Notes").  On May 13, July 9, and August 9, 1996 the Company filed amendments to
such Registration Statements. The Notes will be jointly and severally guaranteed
(the  "Subsidiary  Guarantees")  by  all  of  the  Company's  subsidiaries  (the
"Subsidiary Guarantors"). The obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors under the
Subsidiary   Guarantees  will  be  subordinated,  to  the  same  extent  as  the
obligations of the Company in respect of the Notes, to the prior payment in full
of all existing and future senior debt of the Subsidiary Guarantors (which  will
include any guarantee issued by such Subsidiary Guarantors of any senior debt).
 
    The  Company  is a  holding company  with no  material independent  asset or
operations, other  than  its  investment in  its  subsidiaries.  The  Subsidiary
Guarantors are, directly or indirectly, wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company
and the Subsidiary Guarantees will be full, unconditional and joint and several.
All  of the current and  future direct and indirect  subsidiaries of the Company
will be guarantors of the  Notes. Accordingly, separate financial statements  of
each  of  the Subsidiary  Guarantors are  not  presented because  management has
determined that they are not material to investors.
 
                                      F-34
<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-35
<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-36
<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-37
<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-38
<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-39
<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-40
<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-41
<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-42
<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-43
<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-44
<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-45
<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-46
<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-47
<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-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
 
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-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
 
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-50
<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-51
<PAGE>
                       BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS
                                       OF
                              JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC.
                             (THE PHIPPS BUSINESS)
                      CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                       DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1995    JUNE 30, 1996
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                       ASSETS
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                                $620,015         $662,576
  Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
   accounts of $49,000 and $53,500, respectively          5,152,778        5,188,446
  Program broadcast rights, current portion                 919,281          924,281
  Other current assets                                      347,785          337,452
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                          7,039,859        7,112,755
Property and equipment, net                              10,492,583        9,985,084
Goodwill and other intangibles                            9,454,775        9,096,855
Program broadcast rights, less current portion              575,111          111,230
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                         10,029,886        9,208,085
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                        $27,562,328      $26,305,924
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
 
                           LIABILITIES AND OWNER'S EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses                    $365,468         $308,308
  Program broadcast obligations, current portion            921,579          458,353
  Deferred paging service income                            833,264          975,000
  Current portion of long-term debt                       1,389,931        1,473,681
  Other current liabilities                                 907,345          995,901
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                          4,417,587        4,211,243
Long-term debt                                            3,419,918        2,560,175
Program broadcast obligations, less current
 portion                                                    345,140          213,906
Minority interest                                           585,768          654,918
Commitments and contingencies
Owner's equity                                           18,793,915       18,665,682
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                        $27,562,328      $26,305,924
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
</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 INCOME (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                                JUNE 30,
                                                               1995             1996
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
  Revenues:
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
    Broadcast revenues, net                              $9,977,857      $10,444,960
    Paging operations                                     2,422,911        2,743,524
    Production and other revenues                           796,437          900,731
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                         13,197,205       14,089,215
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
  Expenses:
    Operating, technical and programming                  2,641,775        2,805,292
    Selling, general and administrative                   3,636,715        4,035,891
    Amortization of program broadcast rights                422,408          463,890
    Depreciation and amortization                         1,435,474        1,530,027
    Pension credit (NOTE 2)                                (224,500)        (113,000)
    Management fees                                       1,538,720          734,502
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                          9,450,592        9,456,602
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                          3,746,613        4,632,613
  Interest                                                  222,592          158,491
  Other expense, net                                          4,862            4,744
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
  Income before minority interests                        3,519,159        4,469,378
  Minority interests                                       (256,219)        (296,387)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
  Net income                                             $3,262,940       $4,172,991
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
  Supplemental pro-forma net income
    Net income, as above                                 $3,262,940       $4,172,991
    Pro-forma provision for income tax expense           (1,239,900)      (1,585,700)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
  Pro-forma net income                                   $2,023,040       $2,587,291
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
           See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.
 
                                      F-53
<PAGE>
                       BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS
                                       OF
                              JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC.
                             (THE PHIPPS BUSINESS)
                 CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                                JUNE 30,
                                                               1995             1996
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
Net income                                               $3,262,940       $4,172,991
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
 provided by operating activities:
  Depreciation and amortization                           1,435,474        1,530,027
  Gain (loss) on disposition of fixed assets                 44,011          179,264
  Amortization of program broadcast rights                  422,408          463,890
  Payments of program broadcast rights obligations         (464,553)        (591,960)
  Minority interests                                        256,219          296,387
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
  Accounts receivable                                      (437,692)         (35,668)
  Other current assets                                     (283,242)           2,833
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses                    (183,408)         (57,160)
  Other current liabilities                                 (43,074)          88,556
  Deferred paging income                                    127,078          141,736
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Net cash provided by operating activities                 4,136,161        6,190,896
Investing activities:
  Purchases of property and equipment                    (1,901,966)      (1,647,485)
  Proceeds from disposition of property and
   equipment                                                530,938          807,978
  Purchase of minority interest                          (1,780,794)              --
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
  Net cash used in investing activities                  (3,151,822)        (839,507)
Financing activities:
  Indebtedness:
    Borrowings                                            1,671,015          386,152
    Repayments                                           (2,538,371)      (1,162,145)
  Distributions to minority interests                      (186,384)        (342,130)
  Other                                                      (1,235)          (4,375)
  Payments to J.H. Phipps, Inc., net                        137,992       (4,186,330)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Net cash used in financing activities                      (916,983)      (5,308,828)
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents             67,356           42,561
  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period           95,210          620,015
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
  Cash and cash equivalents at end of period               $162,566         $662,576
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
                                                    ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
           See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.
 
                                      F-54
<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 six month period
ended June 30, 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  June  30, 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-55
<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-56
<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-57
<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-58
<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-59
<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-60
<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-61
<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-62
<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 thousands):
 
<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 thousands):
 
<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 thousands):
 
<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 thousands):
 
<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-63
<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 thousands):
 
<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 thousands):
 
<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 payment of
this amount is  guaranteed by the  Knoxville Partnership. The  first payment  of
$100,000
 
                                      F-64
<PAGE>
           BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS OF JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC.
                             (THE PHIPPS BUSINESS)
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
4.  INDEBTEDNESS (CONTINUED)
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 is  recorded at a discounted
present value in the accompanying financial statements.
 
    Future scheduled reductions of principal for indebtedness are as follows (in
thousands):
 
<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-65
<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 thousands).
 
<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 thousands):
 
<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-66
<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
thousands):
 
<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-67
<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 thousands):
 
<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 thousands):
 
<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 thousands):
 
<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-68
<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 thousands):
 
<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 thousands):
 
<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-69
<PAGE>
           BROADCASTING AND PAGING OPERATIONS OF JOHN H. PHIPPS, INC.
                             (THE PHIPPS BUSINESS)
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
11. INFORMATION ON BUSINESS SEGMENTS (IN THOUSANDS):
 
<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-70
<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 Management......          94
Certain Relationships and Related
 Transactions..........................          95
Description of Certain Indebtedness....          96
Description of the Notes...............          97
Description of Capital Stock...........          98
Shares Eligible for Future Sale........         100
Underwriting...........................         101
Legal Matters..........................         102
Experts................................         102
Available Information..................         102
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                                                      44,388
Legal fees and expenses                                              265,000
Printing and engraving expenses                                      261,000
Accounting fees and expenses                                         125,000
Blue sky fees and expenses                                            15,000
Transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses                         2,000
Miscellaneous                                                          3,093
                                                                  ----------
    Total                                                           $750,000
                                                                  ----------
                                                                  ----------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
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  and (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 reference 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**      Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Gray Communications
            Systems, Inc. relating to the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock
            and the Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock.
3.4        By-Laws of Gray Communications Systems, Inc., as amended (incorporated by
            reference 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).
3.5        Amendment to the By-Laws of Gray Communications Systems, Inc., dated September 3,
            1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2.1 to the Company's Registration
            Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-4338)).
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 Company's
            Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 (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 Class A Common
            Stock.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>
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)).
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 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)).
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>
10.30      Form of Preferred Stock Exchange and Purchase Agreement (incorporated by reference
            to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
            (Registration No. 333-4338)).
10.31      Form of Warrant to purchase 500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock (incorporated
            by reference to Exhibit 10.18 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)
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>
    
 
- ------------------------
 ** 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
 
    The undersigned registrant 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  the
registrant  pursuant to the  provisions described in Item  14, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in  the opinion of the Securities and  Exchange
Commission  such indemnification  is against public  policy as  expressed in the
Securities Act of  1933 and is,  therefore, unenforceable. In  the event that  a
claim  for  indemnification against  such  liabilities (other  than  the payment
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
by the  registrant  of expenses  incurred  or paid  by  a director,  officer  or
controlling  person of the  registrant in the successful  defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling  person
in  connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
in the  opinion  of its  counsel  the matter  has  been settled  by  controlling
precedent,  submit to a  court of appropriate  jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification  by  it  is  against public  policy  as  expressed  in  the
Securities  Act of 1933 and  will be governed by  the final adjudication of such
issue.
 
                                      II-5
<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 13th day of September, 1996.
    
 
                                          GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
 
   
                                          By:        /s/ J. MACK ROBINSON
    
 
                                             -----------------------------------
   
                                                      J. Mack Robinson
    
                                                          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/ J. MACK ROBINSON
     -------------------------------------------        President and Director (principal    September 13, 1996
                   J. Mack Robinson                      executive officer)
 
                  /s/ WILLIAM A. FIELDER III            Vice President and Chief
     -------------------------------------------         Financial Officer (principal        September 13, 1996
                William A. Fielder III                   financial officer)
 
                        /s/ Sabra H. Cowart             Controller and Chief Accounting
     -------------------------------------------         Officer (principal accounting       September 13, 1996
                   Sabra H. Cowart                       officer)
 
                                     *
     -------------------------------------------        Director                             September 13, 1996
                   Richard L. Boger
 
                                     *
     -------------------------------------------        Director                             September 13, 1996
                Hilton H. Howell, Jr.
 
                                     *
     -------------------------------------------        Director                             September 13, 1996
                William E. Mayher III
 
                                     *
     -------------------------------------------        Director                             September 13, 1996
                   Howell W. Newton
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                       TITLE                         DATE
- ------------------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------  ----------------------
 
<C>                                                     <S>                                <C>
                                     *
     -------------------------------------------        Director                             September 13, 1996
                Robert S. Prather, Jr.
 
                     /s/ WILLIAM A. FIELDER
     -------------------------------------------
                  William A. Fielder
             *Attorney-in-fact                                                               September 13, 1996
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-7
<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
                 reference 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**    Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Gray Communications Systems, Inc.
                 relating to the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock and the Series A Preferred
                 Stock and Series B Preferred Stock...........................................................
       3.4      By-Laws of Gray Communications Systems, Inc., as amended (incorporated by reference 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).
                 .............................................................................................
       3.5      Amendment to the By-Laws of Gray Communications Systems Inc. dated September 3, 1996
                 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
                 S-1 (Registration No. 333-4338))
         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 Company's Form 10-K for the year
                 ended December 31, 1994 (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). ......................................................................................
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT NO.                                             DESCRIPTION                                               PAGE
- --------------  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     -----
<C>             <S>                                                                                             <C>
     10.13***   Warrant, dated January 4, 1996, to purchase 487,500 shares of Class A 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      Form of 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 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)). .................................................................................
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT NO.                                             DESCRIPTION                                               PAGE
- --------------  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     -----
<C>             <S>                                                                                             <C>
     10.30      Form of Preferred Stock Exchange and Purchase Agreement. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                 10.17 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-4338)).......
     10.31      Form of Warrant to purchase 500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock (incorporated by reference
                 to Exhibit 10.18 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). ......................
      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>
    
 
- ------------------------
 ** Filed herewith
*** Previously filed

<PAGE>

                                                         

                                   3,500,000 SHARES

                          GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

                                     COMMON STOCK

                                  _________________

                                UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

                                                           September __, 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 hereto (the "Underwriters") an aggregate
of 3,500,000 shares of Class B common stock, no par value per share (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").

    Concurrently with the offering of the Firm Shares, the Company is offering
(the "Concurrent Offering") $150,000,000 principal amount of its      % Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2006 (the "Notes").  The offering of the Shares is not
conditioned upon the consummation of the Concurrent Offering.  In addition, the
Company intends to implement a financing plan (the "Financing") pursuant to
which it will (i) retire approximately $49,500,000 aggregate principal amount of
outstanding indebtedness under its senior secured bank credit facility, together
with accrued interest thereon, (ii) retire approximately $25,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of outstanding indebtedness under its senior note due 2003,
together with accrued interest thereon and a prepayment fee, (iii) issue
$10,000,000 liquidation preference of its series A preferred stock, no par value
per share  (the "Series A Preferred Stock") in exchange for its outstanding


<PAGE>

$10,000,000 principal amount 8% subordinated note (the "Preferred Stock
Exchange"), (iv) issue $10,000,000 liquidation preference of its series B
preferred stock, no par value per share (the "Series B Preferred Stock"),
together with warrants (the "Warrants") to purchase up to 500,000 shares of the
Company's class A common stock, no par value per share ("the Class A Common
Stock"), for gross cash proceeds of $10,000,000 (the "Preferred Stock Purchase")
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
$125,000,000. 

    The Company has entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the "KTVE
Agreement") with GOCOM Television of Ouachita, L.P. ("GOCOM"), dated May 15,
1996.  Pursuant to the KTVE Agreement, the Company sold (the "KTVE Sale") 
KTVE-TV to GOCOM for approximately $9.5 million in cash plus the amount of the
accounts receivable on the date of the closing, to the extent collected by the
GOCOM.  The Company has also entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the
"Phipps Agreement") with Media Acquisition Partners, L.P., dated March 15, 1996
and amended July 5, 1996.  Pursuant to the terms of the Phipps Agreement, the
Company will acquire (the "Phipps Acquisition") WCTV-TV, WKXT-TV, a satellite
broadcasting business and a paging business (each a "Phipps Business" and
collectively the "Phipps Businesses") for approximately $185,000,000.  The cash
required for the consummation of the Phipps Acquisition, the repayment of
indebtedness pursuant to the Financing and the payment of related transaction
costs will be provided by the net proceeds of the offering of the Firm Shares
and the Optional Shares (if any), the Concurrent Offering, the Preferred Stock
Purchase, the KTVE Sale and borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility.

    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 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 


<PAGE>

    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 Shares, 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 at the effective time of
    such 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 the most recent Preliminary Prospectus.
    
         (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, to the best knowledge of the Company, 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, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened or
    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 


<PAGE>

    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
    in order 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 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 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 there are 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 or 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 



<PAGE>

    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 taken as a whole (a "Material Adverse Effect").
    
         (g)  The Company's number of shares of authorized, issued and
    outstanding capital stock is as disclosed in the Prospectus as of the date
    set forth therein.  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 in all material respects 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 except for any such liens, security interests, pledges,
    charges or encumbrances which exist pursuant to the First Consolidated
    Modification of Credit Agreement among the Company, as Borrower, Bank
    South, Deposit Guaranty National Bank and Society National Bank, as Lenders
    and Bank South as Administrative Agent, dated as of January 3, 1996 or
    except pursuant to pledges to be granted in connection with the Financing. 
    Other than the subsidiaries listed on Exhibit 21 to the Registration
    Statement and other than as disclosed in the Prospectus, 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, except such as are not
    material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
    
         (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 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. 


<PAGE>

         (j)  Since the date of the most recent audited financial statements
    included in the Prospectus, none of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or
    any of the Phipps Businesses 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 and except as described or
    contemplated therein, (i) none of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or
    the Phipps Businesses 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 or to
    the Phipps Businesses, as the case may be, except that the Company has
    transferred the licenses to each of its television stations to separate,
    wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, (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 except pursuant to the terms thereof and except for the declaration
    and payment of a quarterly dividend on the Class A Common Stock consistent
    with past practice, (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 except pursuant to (A) the terms of the instruments governing
    the same, (B) the exercise of outstanding options or warrants, (C) the
    arrangements relating to the Concurrent Offering and the Financing and
    (D) borrowings or incurrence of indebtedness in the ordinary course of
    business, 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 taken as a whole.
    
         (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)  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 


<PAGE>

    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 which would have a Material Adverse Effect.
    
         (o)  The issue and sale of the Shares, the performance of this
    Agreement and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated, the
    consummation of the Concurrent Offering, the performance of the Phipps
    Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated therein and
    the consummation of the Financing 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, any of its
    subsidiaries or any of the Phipps Businesses 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 Certificate 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, any of
    its subsidiaries or any of the Phipps Businesses or any of their respective
    properties or assets, including, without limitation, the FCC.  Further, the
    issue and sale of the Shares, the performance of this Agreement and the
    consummation of the transactions herein contemplated, the consummation of
    the Concurrent Offering, the performance of the Phipps Agreement and the
    consummation of the transactions contemplated therein and the consummation
    of the Financing 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, any of its
    subsidiaries or any of the Phipps Businesses in order to conduct the
    publishing, broadcasting or paging operations of the publications,
    television stations, or paging business owned or operated by them
    (collectively the "Licenses") or result in any other material impairment of
    the rights of the holder of such License.
    
         (p)  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 that is material to the business of the Company and
    its subsidiaries taken as a whole, in each case free and clear of all
    liens, security interests, pledges, charges, encumbrances, mortgages and
    defects, except such as are disclosed or contemplated 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 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 that are material to the business of
    the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole and are held under
    valid, subsisting and enforceable (as against the Company or its subsidiary
    that is party thereto) leases, with such exceptions as are disclosed in the 


<PAGE>

    Prospectus or are not material and do not interfere with the use made of
    such property and buildings by the Company or such subsidiary.  Upon
    consummation of the Phipps Acquisition, the Company and its subsidiaries
    will have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property, if
    any, and good title to all personal property owned or acquired by them that
    is material to the business of the Phipps Businesses, in each case free and
    clear of all liens, security interests, pledges, charges, encumbrances,
    mortgages and defects, except such as are disclosed or contemplated 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 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 that are material to
    the business of the Phipps Businesses will be held under valid, subsisting
    and enforceable (as against the Company or its subsidiary that is party
    thereto) leases, with such exceptions as are disclosed in the Prospectus or
    are not material and do not interfere with the use made of such property
    and buildings by the Company or such subsidiary.
    
         (q)  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, the consummation of the
    transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the consummation of the
    Concurrent Offering, the performance of the Phipps Agreement and the
    consummation of the transactions contemplated therein and the consummation
    of the Financing, 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 and
    except as shall have been received as of the date hereof.
    
         (r)  Other than as disclosed in the Prospectus, there is no
    litigation, arbitration, claim, proceeding (formal or  informal) or
    investigation pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened
    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.

         (s)  Other than as disclosed in the Prospectus, there is no
    litigation, arbitration, claim, proceeding (formal or  informal) or
    investigation pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened
    in which any of the Phipps Businesses is a party or of which any of their
    respective properties or assets are the subject which, if determined
    adversely to any Phipps Business, would individually or in the aggregate
    have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of
    operations or business of the Company, its subsidiaries and the Phipps
    Businesses taken as a whole (a "Consolidated Material Adverse Effect").

         (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 


<PAGE>

    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, to the best knowledge of the Company, 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
    of the Commission thereunder 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 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)  The Company has not (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 


<PAGE>

    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 ("Bull Run") and its affiliates and
    each of the Company's directors and executive officers a written agreement
    ("the Lock-Up Agreement") that for a period of 180 days from the date of
    the Prospectus Bull Run, such affiliate, director or executive officer, as
    the case may be, will not, without your prior written consent, offer, sell,
    contract to sell or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any
    shares of Class A Common Stock, any shares of Common Stock or any security
    or other instrument which by its terms is convertible into, exercisable or
    exchangeable for, any shares of Class A Common Stock or Common Stock of
    which Bull Run, such affiliate, director or executive officer, as the case
    may be, is now, or in the future may become, the beneficial owner (within
    the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
    amended), other than an exercise of stock options or sale of Class A Common
    Stock or Class B Common Stock pursuant to a "cashless exercise" of stock
    options or a gift of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, provided
    that the donee agrees to be bound by the terms of the Lock-Up Agreement.

         (y)  The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries and the Phipps
    Businesses with respect to any real property currently leased or owned or
    by any means controlled by the Company or any subsidiary or any of the
    Phipps Businesses (the "Real Property") are in compliance in all material
    respects 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 and the Phipps
    Businesses have all Licenses which are material for the operation of the
    business of the Company and its subsidiaries and the Phipps Businesses, and
    are in compliance in all material respects with all terms and conditions of
    such Licenses, permits and authorizations; none of the Company, any
    subsidiary or any of the Phipps Businesses 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, except as set forth on Exhibit B hereto, there is no pending or
    threatened claim, litigation or any administrative agency proceeding, nor
    has the Company or any subsidiary or any Phipps Business 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 or any
    Phipps Business; (ii) alleges the Company or any subsidiary or any Phipps
    Business 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 any Phipps Business; or
    (iv) alleges possible contamination of the Real Property.



<PAGE>

         (z)  The Company and its subsidiaries and the Phipps Businesses 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 (i) as presently conducted or, (ii) to the best
    knowledge of the Company, as the Company or such subsidiary or such Phipps
    Business proposes to conduct them as indicated by the Prospectus; to the
    best knowledge of the Company, none of the Company, any of its subsidiaries
    or any of the Phipps Businesses has infringed or is infringing, and none of
    the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any of the Phipps Businesses 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, any of its subsidiaries or any of
    the Phipps Businesses.
    
         (aa) 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.

         (bb) 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.  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.  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.  No event has occurred which permits,
    or with notice or 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.  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.

         (cc) Each of the Phipps Businesses 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 


<PAGE>

    Consolidated Material Adverse Effect.  The Licenses issued by the FCC are
    valid and in full force and effect with no restrictions or qualifications
    which would have a Consolidated Material Adverse Effect.  The Phipps
    Businesses are not in violation of any statutes, orders, rules and
    regulations relating to or affecting the properties, businesses and
    Licenses of the Phipps Businesses 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 Consolidated Material Adverse Effect.  No event has occurred which
    permits, or with notice or 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 Phipps
    Businesses therein which in any such case would have a Consolidated
    Material Adverse Effect.  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.

         (dd) The Phipps 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.

         (ee) The Loan Agreement by and among the Company, as the Borrower,
    Keybank National Association, as Agent, Nationsbank, N.A. (South), as Co-
    Agent and the financial institutions listed therein, dated as of September
    __, 1996 (the "Loan Agreement"), has been duly authorized, executed and
    delivered by the Company and each of the Company's subsidiaries which is a
    party thereto and constitutes the valid and binding agreement of the
    Company and each such subsidiary enforceable against the Company and each
    such subsidiary 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.

         (ff) The Indenture (the "Indenture") to be entered into with respect
    to the Concurrent Offering by and among the Company, as Issuer, certain
    subsidiaries of the Company as Guarantors and Bankers Trust Company, as
    Trustee, has been duly authorized by the Company and, when executed and
    delivered by the Company and each of the Company's subsidiaries which is a
    party thereto, will constitute the valid and binding agreement of the
    Company and each such subsidiary enforceable against the Company and each
    such subsidiary 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.  The Notes to be
    issued pursuant to the Indenture have been duly authorized, and when
    executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the
    Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the purchasers thereof pursuant
    to the 


<PAGE>

    Underwriting Agreement between the Company and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.,
    Allen & Company Incorporated and The Robinson-Humphrey Company, Inc., dated
    September __, 1996 (the "Note Underwriting Agreement"), will constitute
    legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled to the
    benefits of the Indenture, 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.

         (gg) The Preferred Stock Exchange and Purchase Agreement among the
    Company and Bull Run, dated September __, 1996 (the "Preferred Stock
    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.  The
    shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be issued pursuant to the Preferred
    Stock Agreement have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered in
    connection with the Preferred Stock Exchange, will be validly issued and
    fully paid and nonassessable, and the description of the Series A Preferred
    Stock contained in the Prospectus fairly summarizes the terms and
    provisions of the Series A Preferred Stock; and the certificates evidencing
    the shares will comply with all applicable requirements of Georgia law. 
    The shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be issued pursuant to the
    Preferred Stock Agreement have been duly authorized and, when issued and
    delivered in connection with the Preferred Stock Purchase, will be validly
    issued and fully paid and nonassessable, and the description of the Series
    B Preferred Stock contained in the Prospectus fairly summarizes the terms
    and provisions of the Series B Preferred Stock; and the certificates
    evidencing the shares will comply with all applicable requirements of
    Georgia law.  The Warrants to be issued pursuant to the Preferred Stock
    Agreement will, when issued, be binding obligations of the Company,
    enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, and the
    Company has reserved 500,000 shares of its Class A Common Stock for
    issuance upon exercise of the Warrants.

         (hh) The shareholders of the Company have approved each of the matters
    voted on at the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders as set forth in
    the Company's Proxy Statement dated August 14, 1996.

         (ii) The affiliation agreements between certain of  the Company's
    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"
    fairly summarizes the terms thereof.

    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 


<PAGE>

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 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 within a period of 30
calendar days from the date of this Agreement 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 written 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 or a New York City 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 ___________________ 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., New York City time, on the third full business day after the
execution of this 


<PAGE>

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., New York
City 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 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 


<PAGE>

    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 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.


<PAGE>

         (f)  The Company will promptly provide you, without charge, (i) five
    conformed 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.
    
         (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, sell, contract
    to sell or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of
    Class A Common Stock, or any shares of Common Stock or any security or
    other instrument which by its terms is convertible into, exercisable or
    exchangeable for, any shares of Class A Common Stock or Common Stock,
    except as provided in Section 2 and except that such restrictions shall not
    affect the Company's ability to take any such actions in connection with
    any option plan or 401(k) plan in effect at the date of the Prospectus or
    to issue shares 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 and (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.      

         (j)  Neither the Company nor any of its officers or directors 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 


<PAGE>

    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 "The Phipps Acquisition, the KTVE Sale and the
    Financing" 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.

         (m)  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.

    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 


<PAGE>

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)  Each of the subsidiaries of the Company incorporated in
         Delaware and listed on an annex to such opinion (the "Delaware
         Subsidiaries") is validly existing as a corporation in good standing
         under the laws of the State of Delaware 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
         of the Delaware Subsidiaries is duly qualified to transact business as
         a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of the
         jurisdictions listed on such annex to the opinion.

              (ii) All of the issued shares of capital stock of each of the
         Company's subsidiaries are held of record and, to the best knowledge
         of such counsel, owned beneficially by the Company free and clear of
         any liens, security interests, pledges, charges, encumbrances,
         shareholders' agreements, voting trusts, defects, equities or claims
         of any nature whatsoever of which such counsel has knowledge 


<PAGE>

         except as otherwise described in the Prospectus.  Other than the
         subsidiaries listed on Exhibit 21 to the Registration Statement, to
         the best of such counsel's knowledge, 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.
         
              (iii)     Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, to the best of
         such counsel's knowledge, 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 of capital stock, any such convertible or
         exchangeable securities or obligations, or any such warrants, rights
         or options.
         
              (iv) The Shares have been listed, subject to notice of issuance,
         on the New York Stock Exchange.
         
              (v)  Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, to the best of such
         counsel's knowledge, 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 Registration Statement (or any such right has been
         effectively waived).

              (vi) The issue and sale of the Shares being issued at such Time
         of Delivery, the performance of this Agreement and the consummation of
         the transactions herein contemplated, the consummation of the
         Concurrent Offering, the performance of the Phipps Agreement and the
         consummation of the transactions contemplated therein and the
         consummation of the Financing 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 filed as an
         exhibit to the Registration Statement, nor will such action conflict
         with or violate any provision of the Certificates of Incorporation or
         Bylaws of any of the Delaware Subsidiaries or any statute, rule or
         regulation or any order, judgment or decree of which such counsel has
         knowledge 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 except for any such conflict,
         breach, violation or default which would 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
         taken as a whole.



<PAGE>

              (vii)     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, the consummation of the transactions contemplated
         by this Agreement, the consummation of the Concurrent Offering, the
         performance of the Phipps Agreement and the consummation of the
         transactions contemplated therein and the consummation of the
         Financing, 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.
         
              (viii)    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
         taken as a whole.

              (ix) 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 and other
         financial data therein or omitted therefrom, 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. 
         Such counsel does 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.
         
              (x)  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.
         
              (xi) The Company is not, and will not be as a result of the
         consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, an


<PAGE>
          "investment company," or a company "controlled" by an "investment
         company," within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

              (xii)     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).

         Such counsel shall also state that, based upon their participation in
    the preparation of the Registration Statement and meetings with members of
    management of the Company and its independent certified public accountants,
    but without passing upon or assuming any responsibilities for the accuracy,
    completeness or fullness of the information contained in the Registration
    Statement, nothing has come to such counsel's attention which has caused
    them to believe that the Registration Statement, on its effective date,
    contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted 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 or omitted from the
    Registration Statement, any amendment thereto, or the Prospectus, or any
    amendment or supplement thereto).

         In rendering such opinions set forth in subparagraphs (vi) and (vii)
    above, such counsel may state that such opinions do not cover any matters
    governed by the Communications Act, the Telecommunications Act or the rules
    and regulations of the FCC promulgated thereunder.

         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 except for the
    general corporate law of the State of Delaware, the laws of the state of
    New York or the laws of the United States, to the extent satisfactory in
    form and scope to counsel for the Underwriters, upon the opinion of local
    counsel satisfactory to the Underwriters, 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:


<PAGE>

              (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.

              (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.  The issuance of the Shares will not be subject to any
         statutory or, to such counsel's knowledge, contractual preemptive or
         similar rights.

              (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.  Each of the
         subsidiaries of the Company incorporated in Georgia and listed on an
         annex to such opinion (the "Georgia Subsidiaries") has been duly
         incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation in good standing
         under the laws of the State of Georgia 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 of
         the Georgia Subsidiaries and the Company is duly qualified to transact
         business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the
         laws of the jurisdictions listed on such annex to the opinion.

              (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.

              (vi) 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. 

              (vii)     This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
         delivered by the Company.
         
              (viii)    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 


<PAGE>

         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 taken as a whole.

              (ix) The Phipps 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.

              (x)  The Loan Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
         delivered by the Company and each of its subsidiaries which is a party
         thereto and constitutes the valid and binding agreement of the Company
         and each such subsidiary enforceable against the Company and each such
         subsidiary 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.

              (xi) The Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and,
         when  executed and delivered by the Company and each of the Company's
         subsidiaries which is a party thereto, will constitute the valid and
         binding agreement of the Company and each such subsidiary enforceable
         against the Company and each such subsidiary 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.  The Notes to be issued pursuant to the
         Indenture have been duly authorized and when executed and
         authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and
         delivered to and paid for by the purchasers thereof pursuant to the
         Note Underwriting Agreement, will constitute legal, valid and binding
         obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture,
         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.

              (xii)     The Preferred Stock 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.  The shares of Series 


<PAGE>

         A Preferred Stock to be issued pursuant to the Preferred Stock
         Agreement have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered in
         connection with the Preferred Stock Exchange, will be validly issued
         and fully paid and nonassessable and will conform to the description
         of the Series A Preferred Stock contained in the Prospectus; and the
         certificates evidencing the shares will comply with all applicable
         requirements of Georgia law.  The shares of Series B Preferred Stock
         to be issued pursuant to the Preferred Stock Agreement have been duly
         authorized and, when issued and delivered in connection with the
         Preferred Stock Purchase, will be validly issued and fully paid and
         nonassessable and will conform to the description of the Series B
         Preferred Stock contained in the Prospectus; and the certificates
         evidencing the shares will comply with all applicable requirements of
         Georgia law.  The Warrants to be issued pursuant to the Preferred
         Stock Agreement will, when issued, be binding obligations of the
         Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms
         and the Company has reserved 500,000 shares of its Class A Common
         Stock for issuance upon exercise of the Warrants.

              (xiii)    The shareholders of the Company have approved each of
         the matters voted on at the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders
         as set forth in the Company's Proxy Statement dated August 14, 1996.

              (xiv)     The issue and sale of the Shares being issued at such
         Time of Delivery, the performance of this Agreement and the
         consummation of the transactions herein contemplated, the consummation
         of the Concurrent Offering, the performance of the Phipps Agreement
         and the consummation of the transactions contemplated therein and the
         consummation of the Financing 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 Certificate of
         Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
         (ii) any statute, rule or regulation 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 except for any such conflict, breach, violation
         or default which would 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 taken as a
         whole. 

         (e)  You shall have received, an opinion, dated such Time of Delivery
    of Venable, Baetjer, Howard & Civiletti, LLP, special FCC counsel to the
    Company, in form and substance satisfactory to you and your counsel, to the
    effect that:

              (i)  The execution and delivery by the Company and each of its 


<PAGE>

         subsidiaries (to the extent it is a party) of, and the performance by
         each of the Company and each of its subsidiaries (to the extent it is
         a party) of its obligations under this Agreement, the Phipps
         Agreement, the Loan Agreement, the Preferred Stock Agreement, the
         Indenture, the Notes and the Debt Underwriting 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,
         and do not and will not cause any forfeiture or impairment by or
         before the FCC of any FCC license, permit or authorization of any of
         the subsidiaries.

              (ii) No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or
         qualification of or with any governmental agency or body is required
         under the Communications Act, the Telecommunications Act or the rules
         and regulations of the FCC, for the execution and delivery by each of
         the Company and its subsidiaries of this Agreement, the Phipps
         Agreement, the Loan Agreement, the Preferred Stock Agreement, the
         Indenture, the Notes and the Debt Underwriting Agreement.

              (iii)     WALB Licensee Corp., WJHG Licensee Corp., WRDW Licensee
         Corp., WYMT Licensee Corp., WKYT Licensee Corp. and certain of the
         Phipps Signatories (collectively the "Licensees") 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
         Registration Statement, and such FCC Licenses constitute all of the
         FCC Licenses necessary for the Company and the Licensees to own their
         properties and to conduct their businesses as proposed to be owned and
         conducted after giving effect to the Phipps Acquisition in the manner
         and to the full extent now operated or proposed to be operated as
         described in the Prospectus and Registration Statement.

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

              (v)  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, its subsidiaries and the
         Licensees 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 financial
         position, results of operations or business the Company and its
         subsidiaries, taken as a whole.




<PAGE>

              (vi) 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.

              (vii)     The statements in the Registration Statement and
         Prospectus under the caption "Risk Factors - Consummation of the
         Phipps Acquisition Prior to Final FCC Approval," "Risk Factors - FCC
         Divestiture Requirement," "Risk Factors - Competitive Nature of and
         Risk of Changes in the Television Industry," "Risk Factors -
         Regulatory Matters" and "Business - Federal Regulation of the
         Company's Business" insofar as such statements constitute summaries of
         the legal or regulatory 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.

         (f)  (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(f) set forth
         any changes, decreases or increases in the items specified in
         paragraph (iv) 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.


<PAGE>

         (g)  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.
    
         (h)  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.
    
         (i)  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 the first paragraph of this Section 7 and in
    subsection (f) of this Section 7, and as to such other matters as you may
    reasonably request.
    
         (j)  The Shares shall be listed on the New York Stock Exchange,
    subject to notice of issuance.


<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 provided, further, that the
foregoing indemnity agreement with respect to any Preliminary Prospectus shall
not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter from whom the person asserting such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities purchased Shares, if a copy of the
Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished
any amendments or supplements thereto) was not sent or given by or on behalf of
such Underwriter to such person, if required by law so to have been delivered,
at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of the Shares to such
person, and if the Prospectus (as so amended or supplemented) would have cured
the defect giving rise to such losses, claims, damages or liabilities.  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 


<PAGE>

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 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 prior 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 


<PAGE>

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 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.



<PAGE>

    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 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 its or your reasonable 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 


<PAGE>

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 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.


<PAGE>

    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.

    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


<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(f)(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, its consolidated subsidiaries, WRDW and the Phipps Businesses
    within the meaning of 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 interim financial statements of the Company and the
    Phipps Businesses as of and for the six-month period ended June 30, 1996
    were reviewed by them in accordance with the standards established by the
    American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for a review of interim
    financial statements 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, its subsidiaries and the Phipps Businesses,
    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 


<PAGE>

         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, 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 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(f)(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>

                              ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
                                     TO THE
                            ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                        GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

                                       I.

     The name of the corporation is Gray Communications Systems, Inc.

                                       II.

     Effective the date hereof,  the Section entitled "PREFERRED STOCK" of
Article 4 of the Articles of Incorporation of Gray Communications Systems, Inc.
is hereby amended by adding the subsections entitled "SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK"
and "SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK" as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto.

                                      III.

     All other provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, including the
remaining sections of Article 4, shall remain in full force and effect.

                                       IV.

     This Amendment was duly adopted on September 3, 1996 by the Board of
Directors in accordance with the provisions of Section 14-2-602(d) and Section
14-2-1002(9) of the Georgia Business Corporation Code, and pursuant to said code
sections, shareholder action was not required.

                                       V.

     The Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation are further amended by
striking paragraphs one and two of Article 4 and the section entitled "Common
Stock" of Article 4 thereof in their entirety and inserting in lieu thereof
amended paragraphs one and two of Article 4 and an amended section entitled
"Common Stock" of Article 4 as set forth in Exhibit B attached hereto.

                                      1

<PAGE>
















                                        2
<PAGE>

     Upon the filing of these Articles of Amendment with the Secretary of State
of the State of Georgia (the "Effective Date"), and without any further action
on the part of the Corporation or its shareholders, each share of the
Corporation's Class A Common Stock, no par value, one vote per share (the
"Existing Class A Common Stock"), then issued (including shares held in the
treasury of the Corporation) shall automatically be reclassified, changed and
converted into one share of Class A Common Stock, no par value, having ten votes
per share.  Certificates previously representing shares of Existing Class A
Common Stock shall be deemed to represent shares of Class A Common Stock.

                                      VII.

     Upon the Effective Date and without any further action on the part of the
Corporation or its shareholders, each share of the Corporation's Class B Common
Stock, no par value, non voting (the "Existing Class B Common Stock") then
issued (including shares held in the treasury of the Corporation) shall
automatically be reclassified, changed and converted into one share of Class B
Common Stock, no par value, having one vote per share.  Certificates previously
representing shares of Existing Class B Common Stock shall be deemed to
represent shares of Class B Common Stock.

                                      VIII.

     This amendment was duly adopted by the shareholders of the Corporation on
September 3,  1996, in accordance with the provisions of O.C.G.A. Section 14-2-
1003.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles of Amendment
to


                                        3
<PAGE>

be executed by its duly authorized officer on this the 3rd day of September,
1996.

                                        GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

                                        By: ____________________________________
                                            PRESIDENT


                                        4
<PAGE>

                                   Exhibit A

                             SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK

     Section 1.    DESIGNATION AND AMOUNT.  The shares of such series shall be
designated as "Series A Preferred Stock" (the "Series A Preferred Stock"), and
the number of shares constituting the Series A Preferred Stock shall be 1,000.

     Section 2.    RANK.  All Series A Preferred Stock shall rank, as to payment
of dividends and as to distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution, or
winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, (i) on a parity
with the Series B Preferred Stock, no par value, of the Corporation, now or
hereafter issued and (ii) senior to the Class A Common Stock, no par value (the
"Class A Common Stock"), of the Corporation and the Class B Common Stock, no par
value (the "Class B Common Stock" and, together with the Class A Common Stock,
the "Common Stock"), of the Corporation now or hereafter issued.

     Section 3.    DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.  The holders of shares of Series
A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as, and if declared by the
Board of Directors of the Corporation (the "Board of Directors" or the "Board")
out of funds legally available for such purpose, dividends at the rate of
$800.00 per annum per share, and no more, which shall be fully cumulative, shall
accrue without interest from the date of original issuance and shall be payable
in cash quarterly on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each
year commencing December 31, 1996 (except that if any such date is a Saturday,
Sunday, or legal holiday, then such dividend shall be payable on the next day
that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday) to holders of record as they
appear on the stock books of the Corporation on such record dates, not more than
50 nor less than 10 days preceding the payment dates for such dividends, as
shall be fixed by the Board.  The amount of dividends payable per share of
Series


                                        5
<PAGE>

A Preferred Stock for each quarterly dividend period shall be computed by
dividing the annual dividend amount by four.  The amount of dividends payable
for the initial dividend period and any period shorter than a full quarterly
dividend period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-
day months.   No dividends or other distributions, other than dividends payable
solely in shares of Common Stock or capital stock of the Corporation ranking
junior as to dividends to the Series A Preferred Stock (collectively, the
"Junior Dividend Stock"), shall be paid or set apart for payment on, and except
for the use of Common Stock to pay for the exercise of stock options pursuant to
the stock option plans of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, no purchase,
redemption, or other acquisition shall be made by the Corporation of, any shares
of Junior Dividend Stock unless and until all accrued and unpaid dividends on
the Series A Preferred Stock shall have been paid or declared and set apart for
payment.

     If at any time any dividend on any capital stock of the Corporation ranking
senior as to dividends to the Series A Preferred Stock (the "Senior Dividend
Stock") shall be in default, in whole or in part, no dividend shall be paid or
declared and set apart for payment on the Series A Preferred Stock unless and
until all accrued and unpaid dividends with respect to the Senior Dividend
Stock, including the full dividends for the then current dividend period, shall
have been paid or declared and set apart for payment, without interest.  No full
dividends shall be paid or declared and set apart for payment on any class or
series of the Corporation's capital stock ranking, as to dividends, on a parity
with the Series A Preferred Stock (the "Parity Dividend Stock") for any period
unless all accrued but unpaid dividends have been , or contemporaneously are,
paid or declared and set apart for such payment on the Series A Preferred Stock.
No full dividends shall be paid or declared and set apart for payment on the
Series A Preferred Stock for any period unless all accrued but unpaid dividends
have been, or contemporaneously are, paid or


                                        6
<PAGE>

declared and set apart for payment on the Parity Dividend Stock for all dividend
periods terminating on or prior to the date of payment of such full dividends.
When dividends are not paid in full upon the Series A Preferred Stock and the
Parity Dividend Stock, all dividends paid or declared and set apart for payment
upon shares of Series A Preferred Stock and the Parity Dividend Stock shall be
paid or declared and set apart for payment pro rata, so that the amount of
dividends paid or declared and set apart for payment per share on the Series A
Preferred Stock and the Parity Dividend Stock shall in all cases bear to each
other the same ratio that accrued and unpaid dividends per share on the shares
of Series A Preferred Stock and the Parity Dividend Stock bear to each other.

     Any reference to "distribution" contained in this Section 3 shall not be
deemed to include any stock dividend or distributions made in connection with
any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Corporation, whether
voluntary or involuntary.

     Section 4.    LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE.  In the event of a liquidation,
dissolution, or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary,
the holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive out of the
assets of the Corporation, whether such assets constitute stated capital or
surplus of any nature, an amount equal to the dividends accrued and unpaid
thereon to the date of final distribution to such holders, without interest, and
a sum equal to $10,000.00 per share (the "Liquidation Preference"), and no more,
before any payment shall be made or any assets distributed to the holders of
Common Stock or any other class or series of the Corporation's capital stock
ranking junior as to liquidation rights to the Series A Preferred Stock
(collectively, the "Junior Liquidation Stock"); provided, however, that the
holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to such payment only in
the event that the Corporation's payments with respect to the liquidation
preference of the holders of capital stock


                                        7
<PAGE>

of the Corporation ranking senior as to liquidation rights to the Series A
Preferred Stock (the "Senior Liquidation Stock") are fully met.  After the
liquidation preferences of the Senior Liquidation Stock are fully met, the
entire assets of the Corporation available for distribution shall be distributed
ratably among the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and any other class or
series of the Corporation's capital stock having parity as to liquidation rights
with the Series A Preferred Stock in proportion to the respective preferential
amounts to which each is entitled (but only to the extent of such preferential
amounts).  After payment in full of the Liquidation Preference of the shares of
the Series A Preferred Stock, the holders of such shares shall not be entitled
to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Corporation.
Neither a consolidation or merger of the Corporation with another corporation
nor a sale or transfer of all or part of the Corporation's assets for cash,
securities, or other property will be considered a liquidation, dissolution, or
winding up of the Corporation.

     Section 5.    REDEMPTION AT OPTION OF THE CORPORATION.  The Corporation at
its option, may redeem at any time all, or from time to time a portion, of the
Series A Preferred Stock on any date set by the Board of Directors, at the
redemption price of $10,000.00 per share, plus an amount per share equal to all
dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock accrued and unpaid on such share, pro
rata to the date fixed for redemption (the "Redemption Price").  The Redemption
Price shall be payable in cash or, at the option of the Corporation as long as
the Class A Common Stock is registered pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, in the number of shares (rounded up to the nearest whole share) of
Class A Common Stock equal to the amount determined by dividing the Redemption
Price by the Average Market Price.  The "Average Market Price" shall mean the
average of the last reported sales prices regular way of the Class A Common
Stock on each day of the 10-day period preceding the date fixed for redemption
or, in


                                        8
<PAGE>

case no sale takes place on any such day, the average of the closing bid and
asked prices regular way on such day, in either case as reported on the New York
Stock Exchange Composite Tape, or, if the Class A Common Stock is not listed or
admitted to trading on such Exchange, on the principal national securities
exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading, or,
if not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, on the
National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ")
National Market System, or, if not admitted for quotation on the NASDAQ National
Market System, the average of the high bid and low asked prices on such day as
recorded by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. through NASDAQ
or, if the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. through NASDAQ shall
not have reported any bid and asked prices for the Class A Common Stock on such
day, the average of the bid and asked prices for such day as furnished by any
New York Stock Exchange member firm selected from time to time by the
Corporation for such purpose, or, if no such bid and asked prices can be
obtained from any such firm, the fair market value of one share of Class A
Common Stock on such day as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.
Such determination by the Board of Directors shall be conclusive.

     In case of the redemption of less than all of the then outstanding Series A
Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall designate by lot, or in such other manner
as the Board of Directors may determine, the shares to be redeemed, or shall
effect such redemption pro rata.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation
shall not redeem less than all of the Series A Preferred Stock at any time
outstanding until all accrued but unpaid dividends upon all Series A Preferred
Stock then outstanding shall have been paid.

     Not more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to the redemption date, notice
by first class


                                        9
<PAGE>

mail, postage prepaid, shall be given to the holders of record of the Series A
Preferred Stock to be redeemed, addressed to such shareholders at their last
addresses as shown on the books of the Corporation.  Each such notice of
redemption shall specify the date fixed for redemption, the Redemption Price and
the form of payment, the place or places of payment, that payment will be made
upon presentation and surrender of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, that
accrued but unpaid dividends to the date fixed for redemption will be paid on
the date fixed for redemption, and that on and after the redemption date,
dividends will cease to accrue on such shares.

     Any notice which is mailed as herein provided shall be conclusively
presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder of the Series A
Preferred Stock receives such notice; and failure to give such notice by mail,
or any defect in such notice, to the holders of any shares designated for
redemption shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption
of any other shares of Series A Preferred Stock.  On or after the date fixed for
redemption as stated in such notice, each holder of the shares called for
redemption shall surrender the certificate (or certificates) evidencing such
shares to the Corporation at the place designated in such notice and shall
thereupon be entitled to receive payment of the Redemption Price.  If fewer than
all the shares represented by any such surrendered certificate (or certificates)
are redeemed, a new certificate shall be issued representing the unredeemed
shares.  If, on the date fixed for redemption, funds or shares of Class A Common
Stock necessary for the redemption shall be available therefor and shall have
been irrevocably deposited or set aside, then, notwithstanding that the
certificates evidencing any shares so called for redemption shall not have been
surrendered, the dividends with respect to the shares so called shall cease to
accrue after the date fixed for redemption, the shares shall no longer be deemed
outstanding, the holders thereof shall cease to be shareholders, and all rights
whatsoever with respect to the shares so called for


                                       10
<PAGE>

redemption (except the right of the holders to receive the Redemption Price
without interest upon surrender of their certificates therefor) shall terminate.
Any monies or shares of Class A Common Stock deposited by the Corporation
pursuant to the foregoing provision and unclaimed at the end of one year from
the date fixed for redemption shall, to the extent permitted by law, be returned
to the Corporation, after which the holders of shares of Series A Preferred
Stock so called for redemption shall look only to the Corporation for the
payment thereof.  Shares of Series A Preferred Stock redeemed by the Corporation
shall be restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares of Preferred
Stock of the Corporation, without designation as to series, and may thereafter
be reissued, but not as shares of Series A Preferred Stock.

     Section 6.    NO SINKING FUND.  The shares of Series A Preferred Stock
shall not be subject to the operation of a purchase, retirement, or sinking
fund.

     Section 7.    VOTING RIGHTS.  The holders of Series A Preferred Stock will
not have any voting rights except as set forth below or as otherwise from time
to time required by law.  Whenever dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock or
any other class or series of Parity Dividend Stock shall be in arrears in an
amount equal to at least six quarterly dividends, (whether or not consecutive),
the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock (voting separately as a class with
all other affected classes or series of the Parity Dividend Stock upon which
like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) will be entitled to
vote for and elect two additional directors.  Such right of the holders of
Series A Preferred Stock to vote for the election of such two directors may be
exercised at an annual meeting or at any special meeting called for such
purposes as hereinafter provided or at any adjournment thereof, until dividends
in default on such outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have
been paid in full (or such dividends shall have been declared and funds
sufficient therefor set apart for payment), at which


                                       11
<PAGE>

time the term of office of the two directors so elected shall terminate
automatically (subject to revesting in the event of each and every subsequent
default of the character specified in the preceding sentence).  So long as such
right to vote continues, the Secretary of the Corporation may call, and upon the
written request of the holders of record of 10% of the outstanding shares of
Series A Preferred Stock addressed to him at the principal office of the
Corporation shall call, a special meeting of the holders of such shares for the
election of such two directors, as provided herein.  Such meeting shall be held
not less than 45 nor more than 90 days after the accrual of such right, at the
place and upon the notice provided by law and in the By-laws of the Corporation
for the holding of meetings of shareholders.  No such special meeting or
adjournment thereof shall be held on a date less than 30 days before an annual
meeting of shareholders or any special meeting in lieu thereof, provided that at
such annual meeting appropriate provisions are made to allow the holders of the
Series A Preferred Stock to exercise such right at such meeting.  If at any such
annual or special meeting or any adjournment thereof the holders of a majority
of the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to vote in
such election shall be present or represented by proxy, then the authorized
number of directors of the Corporation shall be increased by two, and the
holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect such two
additional directors.  Directors so elected shall serve until the next annual
meeting or until their successors shall be elected and shall qualify, unless the
term of office of the persons so elected as directors shall have terminated by
virtue of the payment in full of all dividends in arrears (or such dividends
shall have been declared and funds sufficient therefor set apart for payment.)
In case of any vacancy occurring among the directors so elected by the holders
of Series A Preferred Stock, the remaining director who shall have been so
elected may appoint a successor to hold office for the unexpired term of the
director whose


                                       12

<PAGE>

place shall be vacant, and such successor shall be deemed to have been 
elected by the holders of Series A Preferred Stock.  If both directors so 
elected by the holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall cease to serve as 
directors before their terms shall expire, the holders of Series A Preferred 
Stock then outstanding and entitled to vote for such directors may, at a 
special meeting of such holders called as provided above, elect successors to 
hold office for the unexpired terms of the directors whose places shall be 
vacant.

      Without the consent or affirmative vote of the holders of at least a 
majority of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting 
separately as a class, the Corporation shall not authorize, create, or issue 
any shares of any other class or series of capital stock ranking senior to or 
on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon 
liquidation.

      The affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least a majority 
of the outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, voting separately 
as a class, will be required for any amendment, alteration, or repeal, 
whether by merger or consolidation or otherwise, of the Corporation's 
Articles of Incorporation if the amendment, alteration, or repeal materially 
and adversely affects the powers, preferences, or special rights of the 
Series A Preferred Stock; provided, however, that any increase in the 
authorized Preferred Stock of the Corporation or the creation and issuance of 
any other capital Stock of the Corporation ranking senior to, on a parity 
with, or junior to the Series A Preferred Stock shall not be deemed to affect 
materially and adversely such powers, preferences, or special rights.      

      Section 8.     OUTSTANDING SHARES.  For purposes hereof all shares of 
Series A Preferred Stock shall be deemed outstanding except that, from the 
date fixed for redemption pursuant to Section 5 hereof, all shares of Series 
A Preferred Stock which have been so called for redemption under Section 5, 
if funds or shares necessary for the redemption of such shares are

                                       13

<PAGE>

available, shall not be deemed to be outstanding.

                            SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK

      Section 1.     DESIGNATION AND AMOUNT.  The shares of such series shall 
be designated as "Series B Preferred Stock" (the "Series B Preferred Stock"), 
and the number of shares constituting the Series B Preferred Stock shall be 
2,500 and if and to the extent further shares are needed in order to pay 
dividends in shares of Series B Preferred Stock as provided for in Section 3 
hereof, the Board of Directors of the Corporation will authorize additional 
shares of Series B Preferred Stock  so that at all times, so long as Series B 
Preferred Stock is outstanding, there will be a sufficient number of Series B 
Preferred Stock authorized and reserved to pay dividends as provided for in 
Section 3 hereof  in shares of Series B Preferred Stock for the next 
succeeding four quarters.

      Section 2.     RANK. All Series B Preferred Stock shall rank, as to 
payment of dividends and as to distribution of assets upon liquidation, 
dissolution, or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or 
involuntary, (i) on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, no par value, 
of the Corporation, now or hereafter issued and (ii) senior to the Class A 
Common Stock, no par value (the "Class A Common Stock"), of the Corporation 
and the Class B Common Stock, no par value (the "Class B Common Stock" and, 
together with the Class A Common Stock, the "Common Stock"), of the 
Corporation now or hereafter issued.

      Section 3.     DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.  The holders of shares of 
Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as, and if 
declared by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the "Board of 
Directors" or the "Board") out of funds legally available for such purpose, 
dividends at the rate of $600.00 per annum per share, which shall be fully 
cumulative, shall accrue without interest from the date of original issuance 
and shall be payable at the 

                                       14 

<PAGE>

Corporation's option in cash, or in additional shares (whether whole or 
fractional) 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 the value of $10,000 per whole share,  
quarterly on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year 
commencing December 31, 1996 (except that if any such date is a Saturday, 
Sunday, or legal holiday, then such dividend shall be payable on the next day 
that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday) to holders of record as 
they appear on the stock books of the Corporation on such record dates, not 
more than 50 nor less than 10 days preceding the payment dates for such 
dividends, as shall be fixed by the Board.  The amount of dividends payable 
per share of Series B Preferred Stock for each quarterly dividend period 
shall be computed by dividing the annual dividend amount by four. The amount 
of dividends payable for the initial dividend period and any period shorter 
than a full quarterly dividend period shall be computed on the basis of a 
360-day year of twelve 30-day months. No dividends or other distributions, 
other than dividends payable solely in shares of Common Stock or capital 
stock of the Corporation ranking junior as to dividends to the Series B 
Preferred Stock (collectively, the "Junior Dividend Stock"), shall be paid or 
set apart for payment on, and except for the use of Common Stock to pay for 
the exercise of stock options pursuant to the stock option plans of the 
Corporation and its subsidiaries, no purchase, redemption, or other 
acquisition shall be made by the Corporation of, any shares of Junior 
Dividend Stock unless and until all accrued and unpaid dividends on the 
Series B Preferred Stock shall have been paid or declared and set apart for 
payment.

      If at any time any dividend on any capital stock of the Corporation 
ranking senior as to dividends to the Series B Preferred Stock (the "Senior 
Dividend Stock") shall be in default, in whole or in part, no dividend shall 
be paid or declared and set apart for payment on the Series B 

                                       15 

<PAGE>

Preferred Stock unless and until all accrued and unpaid dividends with 
respect to the Senior Dividend Stock, including the full dividends for the 
then current dividend period, shall have been paid or declared and set apart 
for payment, without interest.  No full dividends shall be paid or declared 
and set apart for payment on any class or series of the Corporation's capital 
stock ranking, as to dividends, on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock 
(the "Parity Dividend Stock") for any period unless all accrued but unpaid 
dividends have been , or contemporaneously are, paid or declared and set 
apart for such payment on the Series B Preferred Stock.  No full dividends 
shall be paid or declared and set apart for payment on the Series B Preferred 
Stock for any period unless all accrued but unpaid dividends have been, or 
contemporaneously are, paid or declared and set apart for payment on the 
Parity Dividend Stock for all dividend periods terminating on or prior to the 
date of payment of such full dividends. When dividends are not paid in full 
upon the Series B Preferred Stock and the Parity Dividend Stock, all 
dividends paid or declared and set apart for payment upon shares of Series B 
Preferred Stock and the Parity Dividend Stock shall be paid or declared and 
set apart for payment pro rata, so that the amount of dividends paid or 
declared and set apart for payment per share on the Series B Preferred Stock 
and the Parity Dividend Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same 
ratio that accrued and unpaid dividends per share on the shares of Series B 
Preferred Stock and the Parity Dividend Stock bear to each other.

      Any reference to "distribution" contained in this Section 3 shall not 
be deemed to include any stock dividend or distributions made in connection 
with any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Corporation, whether 
voluntary or involuntary.      

      Section 4.     LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE.  In the event of a liquidation, 
dissolution, or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or 
involuntary, the holders of Series B 

                                       16

<PAGE>

Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the 
Corporation, whether such assets constitute stated capital or surplus of any 
nature, an amount equal to the dividends accrued and unpaid thereon to the 
date of final distribution to such holders, without interest, and a sum equal 
to $10,000.00 per share (the "Liquidation Preference") and no more, before 
any payment shall be made or any assets distributed to the holders of Common 
Stock or any other class or series of the Corporation's capital stock ranking 
junior as to liquidation rights to the Series B Preferred Stock 
(collectively, the "Junior Liquidation Stock"); provided, however, that the 
holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to such payment only in 
the event that the Corporation's payments with respect to the liquidation 
preference of the holders of capital stock of the Corporation ranking senior 
as to liquidation rights to the Series B Preferred Stock (the "Senior 
Liquidation Stock") are fully met.  After the liquidation preferences of the 
Senior Liquidation Stock are fully met, the entire assets of the Corporation 
available for distribution shall be distributed ratably among the holders of 
the Series B Preferred Stock and any other class or series of the 
Corporation's capital stock having parity as to liquidation rights with the 
Series B Preferred Stock in proportion to the respective preferential amounts 
to which each is entitled (but only to the extent of such preferential 
amounts).  After payment in full of the Liquidation Preference of the shares 
of the Series B Preferred Stock, the holders of such shares shall not be 
entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the 
Corporation.  Neither a consolidation or merger of the Corporation with 
another corporation nor a sale or transfer of all or part of the 
Corporation's assets for cash, securities, or other property will be 
considered a liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Corporation.

      Section 5.     REDEMPTION AT OPTION OF THE CORPORATION.  The 
Corporation at its option, may redeem at any time all, or from time to time a 
portion, of the Series B Preferred Stock on 

                                       17

<PAGE>

any date set by the Board of Directors, at a redemption price of $10,000 per 
share plus an amount per share equal to all dividends on the Series B 
Preferred Stock accrued and unpaid on such share, pro rata to the date fixed 
for redemption (the "Redemption Price").  The Redemption Price shall be 
payable in cash or, at the option of the Corporation as long as the Class A 
Common Stock is registered pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 
in the number of shares (rounded up to the nearest whole share) of Class A 
Common Stock equal to the amount determined by dividing the Redemption Price 
by the Average Market Price.  The "Average Market Price" shall mean the 
average of the last reported sales prices regular way of the Class A Common 
Stock on each day of the 10-day period preceding the date fixed for 
redemption or, in case no sale takes place on any such day, the average of 
the closing bid and asked prices regular way on such day, in either case as 
reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape, or, if the Class A 
Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on such Exchange, on the 
principal national securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is 
listed or admitted to trading, or, if not listed or admitted to trading on 
any national securities exchange, on the National Association of Securities 
Dealers Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ") National Market System, or, if 
not admitted for quotation on the NASDAQ National Market System, the average 
of the high bid and low asked prices on such day as recorded by the National 
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. through NASDAQ or, if the National 
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. through NASDAQ shall not have 
reported any bid and asked prices for the Class A Common Stock on such day, 
the average of the bid and asked prices for such day as furnished by any New 
York Stock Exchange member firm selected from time to time by the Corporation 
for such purpose, or, if no such bid and asked prices can be obtained from 
any such firm, the fair market value of one share of Class A Common Stock on 
such day as determined in 

                                       18

<PAGE>

good faith by the Board of Directors.  Such determination by the Board of 
Directors shall be conclusive.

      In case of the redemption of less than all of the then outstanding 
Series B Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall designate by lot, or in such 
other manner as the Board of Directors may determine, the shares to be 
redeemed, or shall effect such redemption pro rata. Notwithstanding the 
foregoing, the Corporation shall not redeem less than all of the Series B 
Preferred Stock at any time outstanding until all accrued but unpaid 
dividends upon all Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding shall have been 
paid.

      Not more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to the redemption date, 
notice by first class mail, postage prepaid, shall be given to the holders of 
record of the Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed, addressed to such 
shareholders at their last addresses as shown on the books of the 
Corporation.  Each such notice of redemption shall specify the date fixed for 
redemption, the Redemption Price and the form of payment, the place or places 
of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of the 
shares of Series B Preferred Stock, that accrued but unpaid dividends to the 
date fixed for redemption will be paid on the date fixed for redemption, and 
that on and after the redemption date, dividends will cease to accrue on such 
shares.

      Any notice which is mailed as herein provided shall be conclusively 
presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder of the Series B 
Preferred Stock receives such notice; and failure to give such notice by 
mail, or any defect in such notice, to the holders of any shares designated 
for redemption shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the 
redemption of any other shares of Series B Preferred Stock.  On or after the 
date fixed for redemption as stated in such notice, each holder of the shares 
called for redemption shall surrender the certificate (or certificates) 
evidencing such shares to the Corporation at the place designated in such 
notice and 

                                       19

<PAGE>

shall thereupon be entitled to receive payment of the Redemption Price.  If 
fewer than all the shares represented by any such surrendered certificate (or 
certificates) are redeemed, a new certificate shall be issued representing 
the unredeemed shares.  If, on the date fixed for redemption, funds or shares 
of Class A Common Stock necessary for the redemption shall be available 
therefor and shall have been irrevocably deposited or set aside, then, 
notwithstanding that the certificates evidencing any shares so called for 
redemption shall not have been surrendered, the dividends with respect to the 
shares so called shall cease to accrue after the date fixed for redemption, 
the shares shall no longer be deemed outstanding, the holders thereof shall 
cease to be shareholders, and all rights whatsoever with respect to the 
shares so called for redemption (except the right of the holders to receive 
the Redemption Price without interest upon surrender of their certificates 
therefor) shall terminate.  Any monies or shares of Class A Common Stock 
deposited by the Corporation pursuant to the foregoing provision and 
unclaimed at the end of one year from the date fixed for redemption shall, to 
the extent permitted by law, be returned to the Corporation, after which the 
holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall 
look only to the Corporation for the payment thereof.  Shares of Series B 
Preferred Stock redeemed by the Corporation shall be restored to the status 
of authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock of the Corporation, 
without designation as to series, and may thereafter be reissued, but not as 
shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

      Section 6.     NO SINKING FUND.  The shares of Series B Preferred Stock 
shall not be subject to the operation of a purchase, retirement, or sinking 
fund.

      Section 7.     VOTING RIGHTS.  The holders of Series B Preferred Stock 
will not have any voting rights except as set forth below or as otherwise 
from time to time required by law. Whenever dividends on the Series B 
Preferred Stock or any other class or series of Parity

                                       20

<PAGE>

Dividend Stock shall be in arrears in an amount equal to at least six 
quarterly dividends, (whether or not consecutive),   the holders of the 
Series B Preferred Stock (voting separately as a class with all other 
affected classes or series of the Parity Dividend Stock upon which like 
voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) will be entitled to 
vote for and elect two additional directors. Such right of the holders of 
Series B Preferred Stock to vote for the election of such two directors may 
be exercised at an annual meeting or at any special meeting called for such 
purpose as hereinafter provided or at any adjournment thereof, until 
dividends in default on such outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock 
shall have been paid in full (or such dividends shall have been declared and 
funds sufficient therefor set apart for payment), at which time the term of 
office of the two directors so elected shall terminate automatically (subject 
to revesting in the event of each and every subsequent default of the 
character specified in the preceding sentence).  So long as such right to 
vote continues, the Secretary of the Corporation may call, and upon the 
written request of the holders of record of 10% of the outstanding shares of 
Series B Preferred Stock addressed to him at the principal office of the 
Corporation shall call, a special meeting of the holders of such shares for 
the election of such two directors, as provided herein.  Such meeting shall 
be held not less than 45 nor more than 90 days after the accrual of such 
right, at the place and upon the notice provided by law and in the By-laws of 
the Corporation for the holding of meetings of shareholders.  No such special 
meeting or adjournment thereof shall be held on a date less than 30 days 
before an annual meeting of shareholders or any special meeting in lieu 
thereof, provided that at such annual meeting appropriate provisions are made 
to allow the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock to exercise such right 
at such meeting. If at any such annual or special meeting or any adjournment 
thereof the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Series B 
Preferred Stock 

                                       21

<PAGE>

entitled to vote in such election shall be present or represented by 
proxy, then the authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall be 
increased by two, and the holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall be 
entitled to elect such two additional directors.  Directors so elected shall 
serve until the next annual meeting or until their successors shall be 
elected and shall qualify, unless the term of office of the persons so 
elected as directors shall have terminated by virtue of the payment in full 
of all dividends in arrears (or such dividends shall have been declared and 
funds sufficient therefor set apart for payment.)  In case of any vacancy 
occurring among the directors so elected by the holders of Series B Preferred 
Stock, the remaining director who shall have been so elected may appoint a 
successor to hold office for the unexpired term of the director whose place 
shall be vacant, and such successor shall be deemed to have been elected by 
the holders of Series B Preferred Stock.  If both directors so elected by the 
holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall cease to serve as directors before 
their terms shall expire, the holders of Series B Preferred Stock then 
outstanding and entitled to vote for such directors may, at a special meeting 
of such holders called as provided above, elect successors to hold office for 
the unexpired terms of the directors whose places shall be vacant.

      Without the consent or affirmative vote of the holders of at least a 
majority of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, voting 
separately as a class, the Corporation shall not authorize, create, or issue 
any shares of any other class or series of capital stock ranking senior to or 
on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon 
liquidation.

      The affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least a majority 
of the outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred Stock, voting separately 
as a class, will be required for any amendment, alteration, or repeal, 
whether by merger or consolidation or otherwise, of the Corporation's 
Articles of Incorporation if the amendment, alteration, or repeal materially 
and 

                                       22

<PAGE>

adversely affects the powers, preferences, or special rights of the 
Series B Preferred Stock; provided, however, that any increase in the 
authorized Preferred Stock of the Corporation or the creation and issuance of 
any other capital stock of the Corporation ranking senior to, on a parity 
with, or junior to the Series B Preferred Stock shall not be deemed to affect 
materially and adversely such powers, preferences, or special rights.

      Section 8.     OUTSTANDING SHARES.  For purposes hereof all shares of 
Series B Preferred Stock shall be deemed outstanding except that, from the 
date fixed for redemption pursuant to Section 5 hereof, all shares of Series 
B Preferred Stock which have been so called for redemption under Section 5, 
if funds or shares necessary for the redemption of such shares are available, 
shall not be deemed to be outstanding.

<PAGE>

                                    Exhibit B                     
                                       4.

      The total number of shares of all classes which the Corporation shall 
have authority to issue is 50,000,000 shares, consisting of 15,000,000 shares 
of Class A Common Stock, no par value ("Class A Common Stock"); 15,000,000 
shares of Class B Common Stock, no par value ("Class B Common Stock"); and 
20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock ("Preferred Stock").

      The designations and the preferences, conversion and other rights, 
voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualification, and 
terms and conditions of redemptions of the shares of each class of stock are 
as follows:

                                 COMMON STOCK      

      The powers, preferences and rights of the Class A Common Stock and the 
Class B Common Stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions 
thereof, shall be as follows:

      (a) VOTING.  Holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to ten (10) 
votes per share. Holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to one (1) 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 herein or by law.

      (b) DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS.  Holders of Class A Common Stock 
and holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends and 
other distributions in cash, stock or property of the Corporation as may be 
declared thereon by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available 
therefor.  Each share of Class A Common Stock and each share of Class B 
Common Stock shall have identical rights with respect to dividends and 
distributions (including distributions in connection with any 
recapitalization, and upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, either 
partial or complete, of the Corporation).

                                       24

<PAGE>

      (c) CLASS B RIGHTS.

           (1) If, after the date the Articles of Amendment adding this 
      provision to the Articles are filed with the Secretary of State of 
      Georgia (the "Effective Date"), any person or group acquires beneficial 
      ownership of 100% of the then issued and outstanding shares of Class A 
      Common Stock (such acquisition making such person or group a 
      "Significant Shareholder"), and such person or group does not immediately 
      after such acquisition beneficially own an equal percentage of the then 
      issued and outstanding Class B Common Stock, such Significant 
      Shareholder must, within a 90-day period beginning the day after 
      becoming a Significant Shareholder, commence a public tender offer in 
      compliance with all applicable laws and regulations to acquire additional 
      shares of Class B Common Stock (a "Class B Protection Transaction") as 
      provided in this subsection (c) of the section entitled "Common Stock" 
      of this Article 4.      

           (2) In a Class B Protection Transaction, the Significant 
      Shareholder must offer to acquire from all the other holders of the 
      Class B Common Stock all of the issued and  outstanding shares of Class B 
      Common Stock beneficially owned by them.  The Significant Shareholder 
      must acquire all shares validly tendered.

           (3) The offer price for any shares of Class B Common Stock 
      required to be purchased by a Significant Shareholder pursuant to a 
      Class B Protection Transaction shall be the greater of (i) the highest 
      price per share paid by the Significant Shareholder for any share of 
      Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock (whichever is higher) in the 
      six-month period ending on the date such person or group became a 
      Significant Shareholder and (ii) the highest closing price of a share 
      of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock (whichever is higher) 
      on The New York Stock Exchange (or 

                                       25

<PAGE>

      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.  If the Significant Shareholder has acquired 
      Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock in the six-month period 
      ending on the date such person or group becomes a Significant 
      Shareholder for consideration other than cash, the value of such 
      consideration per share of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock 
      shall be as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

           (4)  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 the 
      number of shares for which tender was sought in the required offer.

            (5) If a Significant Shareholder fails to make an offer required 
       by this such section (c) of the section entitled "Common Stock" of this 
       Article 4, or to purchase shares validly tendered and not withdrawn, 
       such Significant Shareholder shall not be entitled to vote any shares of 
       Class A Common Stock beneficially owned by such Significant Shareholder 
       and acquired by such Significant Shareholder after the Effective Date 
       that exceeded such Significant Shareholder's comparable percentage of 
       Class B Common Stock unless and until such requirements are complied 
       with or unless and until all shares of Class A Common Stock which would 
       require an offer to be made are no longer owned by such Significant 
       Shareholder. 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 under 
       these Articles of 

                                       26

<PAGE>

      Incorporation or the Georgia Business Corporation Code.

           (6) All calculations with respect to percentage ownership of 
      issued and outstanding shares of either class of Common Stock will be 
      based upon the numbers of issued and outstanding shares reported by the 
      Corporation on the last filed of (i) the Corporation's most recent 
      Annual Report on Form 10-K, (ii) its most recent definitive proxy 
      statement, (iii) its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q , or 
      (iv) if any, its most recent Current Report on Form 8-K.  

           (7) For purposes of this subsection (c) of the section entitled " 
      Common Stock" of this Article 4, the term "person" means a natural 
      person, company, government, or political subdivision, agency or 
      instrumentality of a government, or other entity.  The terms 
      "beneficial ownership" and "group" have the same meanings as used in 
      Regulation 13D promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 
      as amended (the "Exchange Act"), subject to the following 
      qualifications: (i) relationships by blood or marriage between 
      or among any persons will not constitute any of such persons a member 
      of a group with any other such persons, absent affirmative attributes 
      of concerted action; (ii) any person acting in his official capacity 
      as a director or officer of the Corporation shall not be deemed to 
      beneficially own shares of Common Stock where such beneficial ownership 
      exists solely by virtue of such person's status as a trustee (or 
      similar position) with respect to shares of Common Stock held by plans 
      or trusts for the general benefit of employees or retirees of the 
      Corporation, and actions taken or agreed  to be taken by him in such 
      official capacity or in any other official capacity will not be deemed 
      to constitute such a person a member of a group with any other person; 
      and (iii) formation of a group will not be deemed to be an acquisition 
      by the group (or any 

                                       27

<PAGE>

        member thereof) of beneficial ownership of any shares of Class A Common 
        Stock then owned by a group member and acquired by such member from the 
        Corporation, by operation of law, by will or the laws of descent or 
        distribution, by charitable contribution or gift, or by foreclosure of 
        a bona fide loan.  Furthermore, for the purposes of calculating the 
        number of shares of Class B Common Stock beneficially owned by such 
        shareholder or group: (a) shares of Class B Common Stock acquired by 
        gift shall be deemed to be beneficially owned by such shareholder or 
        member of such group only if such gift is made in good faith and not 
        for the purposes of circumventing the Class B  Rights; (b) only shares 
        of Class B Common Stock owned of record by such shareholder or member 
        of such group, or held by others as nominees of such shareholder or 
        member and identified as such to the Corporation, shall be deemed to be
        beneficially owned by such shareholder or group (provided that shares 
        with respect to which such shareholder or member has sole investment 
        and voting power shall be deemed to be beneficially owned thereby); and 
        (c) only shares of Class B Common Stock acquired by such shareholder 
        or member of such group for an "equitable price" shall be treated 
        as being beneficially owned by such shareholder or group. 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 in cash or in non-cash consideration for any shares of 
        Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock (whichever is higher) in 
        the six-month period ending on the date such person or group became a 
        Significant Shareholder and (ii) the highest closing price of a share 
        of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock (whichever is higher) 
        on The New York Stock Exchange (or such other quotation system or 
        securities exchange constituting 

                                       28

<PAGE>

      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 with the value of any non-cash consideration 
      in either case being determined by the Board of Directors acting in 
      good faith.

           (d) 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 
      Corporation or any other securities convertible into shares of any 
      class of stock of the Corporation.

           (e) MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION.  In the event of a merger or 
      consolidation of the Corporation with or into another entity (whether 
      or not the Corporation is the surviving entity), or a statutory share 
      exchange involving the Common Stock, the holders of Class B Common 
      Stock shall be entitled to receive the same amount and form of 
      consideration per share as the per share consideration, if any, 
      received by any holder of the Class  A Common Stock in such merger or 
      consolidation.

           (f) SUBDIVISION OF SHARES.  If the Corporation shall in any manner 
      split, subdivide or combine the outstanding shares of Class A Common 
      Stock or Class B Common Stock, the outstanding shares of the other 
      such class of Common Stock shall be proportionally split, subdivided 
      or combined in the same manner and on the same basis as the 
      outstanding shares of the other class of Common Stock have been split,
      subdivided, or combined.

          (g) POWER TO SELL AND PURCHASE SHARES.  The Board of Directors 
      shall have the  power to cause the Corporation to issue and sell all or 
      any part of any class of stock 

                                       29

<PAGE>

      herein or hereafter authorized to such persons, firms, associations, or 
      corporations, and for such consideration, as the Board of Directors shall 
      from time to time, in its discretion, determine, whether or not greater 
      consideration could be received upon the issue or sale of the same number
      of shares of another class, and as otherwise permitted by law.  The Board 
      of Directors shall have the power to cause the Corporation to purchase 
      any class of stock herein or hereafter authorized from such persons,
      firms, associations, or corporations, and for such consideration, as the 
      Board of Directors shall from time to time, in its discretion, determine, 
      whether or not less consideration could be paid upon the purchase of the 
      same number of shares of another class, and as otherwise permitted by law.

           (h) AMENDMENTS.  In addition to any other vote provided for by 
      law, by these Articles or the By-Laws of the Corporation or by the Board 
      of Directors, the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the vote 
      cast by the holder of shares of Class B Common Stock, voting as a 
      separate group, at any meeting of shareholders shall be required to 
      amend, alter, or repeal any provision of Article 4(c).

                                       30




<PAGE>

                                                             Exhibit 5

                          [HEYMAN & SIZEMORE LETTERHEAD]

                                  September 12, 1996


Gray Communications Systems, Inc.
126 North Washington Street
Albany, Georgia 31701

Gentlemen:

    We are acting as your counsel in connection with the Registration Statement
on Form S-1 with exhibits thereto (the "Registration Statement") filed by Gray
Communications Systems, Inc. a Georgia corporation (the "Company"), under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), relating to the
registration under the Securities Act of 4,025,000 shares (the "Shares") of
Class B Common Stock, no par value, of the Company.  The Shares are to be 
issued and sold by the Company pursuant to an underwriting agreement 
("Underwriting Agreement") among the Company and the underwriters party
thereto (the"Underwriters"). A form of the Underwriting Agreement has been 
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

    As such counsel, we have reviewed the Registration Statement and certain
corporate proceedings.  We have also examined and relied upon originals or 
copies, certified or otherwise authenticated to our satisfaction, of certain
public officials and of representatives of the Company and have made such 
investigation of law, and have discussed with representatives of the Company 
and such other persons such questions of fact, as we have deemed proper and 
necessary as a basis for rendering this opinion.

    Based upon, and subject to, the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the
Shares are duly authorized and, upon issuance and sale of the Shares in
accordance with the terms of the Unerwriting Agreement, will be legally issued,
fully paid and non-assessable.

    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm in the prospectus
contained in the registration Statement in the section entitled "Legal Matters".
In giving such consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons
whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.


                                            Very truly yours,



                                            HEYMAN & SIZEMORE


                                            Neal H. Ray




<PAGE>
                                                                      EXHIBIT 12
 
GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT RATIO DATA)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                       JUNE 30,
                                   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  $   1,958  $   2,947
Interest expense                       787      1,486        985      1,923      5,438      2,768      4,445
Interest portion of rental
 expense                                20         18         16         46         89         36         45
Amortization of debt discount           14         45        150        142        163         81        137
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Earnings                       $   3,827  $   2,814  $   3,899  $   6,653  $   7,255  $   4,843  $   7,574
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Interest expense                 $     787  $   1,486  $     985  $   1,923  $   5,438  $   2,768  $   4,445
Interest portion of rental
 expense                                20         18         16         46         89         36         45
Amortization of debt discount           14         45        150        142        163         81        137
Capitalized interest                     0          0          0          0         94          0          0
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Fixed Charges                  $     821  $   1,549  $   1,151  $   2,111  $   5,784  $   2,885  $   4,627
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
 Charges                               4.7        1.8        3.4        3.2        1.3        1.7        1.6
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
PRO FORMA COMBINED COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT RATIO DATA)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     SIX MONTHS
                                                                                   YEAR ENDED          ENDED
                                                                                DECEMBER 31, 1995  JUNE 30, 1996
                                                                                -----------------  --------------
<S>                                                                             <C>                <C>
Consolidated pretax income from continuing operations                              $    (5,215)      $      537
Interest expense                                                                        20,664           10,236
Interest portion of rental expense                                                         255              145
Amortization of debt discount                                                          --                    15
                                                                                      --------     --------------
  Earnings                                                                         $    15,704       $   10,933
                                                                                      --------     --------------
                                                                                      --------     --------------
Interest expense                                                                   $    20,664       $   10,236
Interest portion of rental expense                                                         255              145
Amortization of debt discount                                                                0               15
Capitalized interest                                                                         0                0
                                                                                      --------     --------------
  Fixed Charges                                                                    $    20,919       $   10,396
                                                                                      --------     --------------
                                                                                      --------     --------------
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (1)                                                 --                   1.1
                                                                                      --------     --------------
                                                                                      --------     --------------
(1) Fixed charges exceed earnings by                                               $     5,215       $   --
                                                                                      --------     --------------
                                                                                      --------     --------------
</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

WCTV Licensee Corp.                                   Delaware

Porta-Phone Paging                                    Delaware
 Licensee Corp.

Porta-Phone Paging, Inc.                              Georgia



<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, except for Note K, as to  which
the  date is August  9, 1996, in  Amendment No. 4  to the Registration Statement
(Form S-1) and  related Prospectus  of Gray Communications  Systems, Inc.  dated
September 13, 1996.
    
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
   
Columbus, Georgia
September 13, 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. 4 to the Registration Statement
(Form S-1) and  related Prospectus  of Gray Communications  Systems, Inc.  dated
September 13, 1996.
    
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
   
Atlanta, Georgia
September 13, 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. 4 to the Registration Statement (Form S-1) and related
Prospectus of Gray Communications Systems, Inc. dated September 13, 1996.
    
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
   
Atlanta, Georgia
September 13, 1996
    

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.5
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
   
    We  consent to the use in this Amendment No. 4 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
September 13, 1996
    


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