KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS INC
10-K, 1996-11-14
MOTION PICTURE & VIDEO TAPE DISTRIBUTION
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<PAGE>   1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K
         [X]      ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                  SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [FEE REQUIRED]
                  For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996

         [ ]      TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                  THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]
                  For transition period from           to

                         Commission file number: 1-9244

                          KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           Delaware                                       13-2565808
(State or other jurisdiction of                       (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                       Identification No.)

    1700 Broadway
  New York, New York                                        10019
 (Address of principal                                   (Zip Code)
   executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 212-315-4000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                                                    Name of each exchange
         Title of each class                         on which registered
         -------------------                         -------------------

         Common Stock,                             New York Stock Exchange
         $.01 par value

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                                      None
                                (Title of Class)

                  Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed
all reports to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No ____
<PAGE>   2
                  Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers
pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be
contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K
or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [x]

                  The aggregate market value of the Common Stock of the
registrant held by non-affiliates as of November 1, 1996 was approximately $1.1
billion.

                  As of November 1, 1996, there were 37,344,545 outstanding
shares of the registrant's Common Stock.

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

                  The registrant's definitive proxy statement for its 1997
annual meeting of stockholders (which is to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A
not later than December 29, 1996) is incorporated by reference into Part III of
this Form 10-K.
<PAGE>   3
                                     PART I


Item 1.  BUSINESS

GENERAL

                  King World was founded in 1964 by the late Charles and Lucille
King to distribute or syndicate feature length films and television programs to
television stations. King World currently distributes programming to
approximately 400 television stations in over 200 of the 211 designated
television markets in the United States (as defined by A.C. Nielsen Co.
("Nielsen")) and in Canada and a number of other foreign countries directly and
through sales agents and subdistributors. Three of Mr. and Mrs. King's children,
namely Roger King, King World's Chairman of the Board, Michael King, King
World's President, Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Operating Officer,
and Diana King, a Vice President and the Secretary of King World, are actively
involved in the management of King World. In addition, one other child of King
World's founders, Richard King, serves as a director of the Company and another,
Robert King, is Senior Vice President for Strategic Planning/Acquisitions.

                  King World Productions, Inc., a Delaware corporation, was
incorporated in October 1984 and is the successor to a corporation incorporated
in 1964 under the laws of the State of New Jersey. King World's corporate
headquarters are located at 1700 Broadway, New York, New York 10019 ((212)
315-4000). Except as otherwise indicated or as implied by the context,
references to "King World" or the "Company" include King World Productions,
Inc., its consolidated subsidiaries and its predecessor corporation.

                  The Company operates in only one business segment: production
and distribution of television programming in the United States, Canada and a
number of other foreign countries, and related operations.

PROGRAMMING AND RELATED OPERATIONS

First-run Television Syndication

                  King World's revenues currently are derived primarily from the
first-run strip syndication of the television series The Oprah Winfrey Show,
Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy! and Inside Edition. These series are four of the top
ten series in national syndication, as reported in the July 1996 Nielsen
Designated Market Area Ranking Report. Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! had the
two highest ratings among all syndicated television shows and The Oprah Winfrey
Show had the highest ratings among all national television talk shows. According
to Nielsen, Wheel of Fortune has had the highest ratings among shows in national
syndication for the last 51 consecutive sweeps periods, Jeopardy! has had the
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second highest ratings among such shows for each of the last 44 consecutive
sweeps periods and The Oprah Winfrey Show has had the third highest ratings
among such shows for 31 of the last 39 sweeps periods. Based primarily on the
success of The Oprah Winfrey Show, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!, King World's
revenues have grown from $80.6 million in fiscal 1985 to $663.4 million in
fiscal 1996 and its net income has increased from $9.8 million in fiscal 1985 to
$150.0 million in fiscal 1996. Revenues derived from The Oprah Winfrey Show,
Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy! and Inside Edition (including revenues derived from
the sale of retained advertising time) accounted for approximately 83% of King
World's revenues for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996.

                  At present, King World distributes television programming
primarily to network-owned-and-operated stations and net-work-affiliated
stations. First-run syndicated programming distributed by the Company competes
primarily with other first-run syndicated programming, network reruns and
programming produced by local television stations.

                  The United States television market is served primarily by
network-owned-and-operated stations, network-affiliated stations, independent
stations and cable operators. During hours commonly referred to as "prime-time"
(currently, with limited exceptions, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Eastern and
Pacific time zones and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Central and Mountain time
zones), stations owned and operated by the four major broadcast networks (the
ABC Television Network, the CBS Television Network, the NBC Television Network
and the Fox Broadcasting Company), and stations affiliated with those networks,
broadcast schedules consisting primarily of programming produced for initial
exhibition by the networks. In non-prime time, such stations broadcast network
programming, off-network programming (reruns), programming produced by the local
stations themselves or by independent producers and first-run syndicated
programming (programming produced for initial distribution on a syndicated
basis). Independent television stations, during both prime and non-prime time,
broadcast their own programming, off-network programming and first-run
syndicated programming; some of such stations are affiliated with the WB or the
United Paramount Network, each of which currently supplies its respective
affiliates with prime-time programming three evenings per week and with several
hours per week of non-prime-time programming. Some cable operators, in addition
to other services that they offer, telecast syndicated programming.

                  Nielsen divides the United States into 211 designated market
areas and approximately 29 additional special market areas that, on the basis of
size and the other Nielsen criteria, do not qualify as designated market areas.
The approximately 240




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Nielsen designated and special market areas are referred to below as the
"Nielsen market areas".

                  In the 1983-1984 broadcast season, King World introduced a
syndicated version of Wheel of Fortune, which had premiered on daytime network
television in 1975. For both the 1995-1996 broadcast season and the current
broadcast season, Wheel of Fortune was licensed to television stations in 203
Nielsen market areas in the United States, covering approximately 99% of total
domestic television households.

                  For the 1984-1985 broadcast season, the Company introduced
Jeopardy!, a remake of the successful game show originally broadcast on network
television between 1964 and 1975. For the 1995-1996 broadcast season, Jeopardy!
was licensed to television stations in 196 Nielsen market areas in the United
States, covering approximately 98% of total domestic television households, and
for the current broadcast season has been licensed to television stations in 196
Nielsen market areas, covering approximately 99% of total domestic television
households.

                  For the 1986-1987 broadcast season, King World introduced into
national television syndication The Oprah Winfrey Show, a talk show hosted by
Oprah Winfrey which, until October 1988, was produced by WLS-TV, an ABC
owned-and-operated station. Commencing in October 1988, Harpo, Inc. ("Harpo"),
an entity controlled by Ms. Winfrey, assumed production of the series. For both
the 1995-1996 broadcast season and the current broadcast season, The Oprah
Winfrey Show was licensed to television stations in 207 Nielsen market areas in
the United States, covering more than 99% of total domestic television
households.

                  Inside Edition, a half-hour first-run syndicated newsmagazine
series hosted by Deborah Norville that is produced and distributed by King
World, premiered in January 1989. It is the first television series produced by
King World. Inside Edition is produced at the Company's production facility in
New York and has a correspondent bureau in Los Angeles to enhance the ability of
the program to provide nationwide coverage. For the 1995-1996 broadcast season,
Inside Edition was licensed to television stations in 162 Nielsen market areas,
covering approximately 93% of total domestic television households, and for the
current broadcast season, the series has been licensed to television stations in
122 Nielsen market areas, covering approximately 81% of total domestic
television households.

                  American Journal, a half-hour first-run syndicated
newsmagazine series that is also produced by King World in New York, premiered
in September 1993. American Journal is anchored by Nancy Glass, the Emmy
Award-winning former senior correspondent of Inside Edition. For the 1995-1996
broadcast season, American Journal was licensed to television stations in 125




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Nielsen market areas, covering approximately 87% of total domestic television
households, and for the current broadcast season, the series has been licensed
to television stations in 118 Nielsen market areas, covering approximately 85%
of total domestic television households.

                  Rolonda, a daytime talk show that is also produced by King
World in New York, premiered in January 1994. It is hosted by Rolonda Watts, a
popular broadcast journalist. For the 1995-1996 broadcast season, Rolonda was
licensed to television stations in 86 Nielsen market areas, covering
approximately 73% of total domestic television households. For the current
broadcast season, Rolonda has been licensed to television stations in 95 Nielsen
market areas, covering approximately 75% of total domestic television
households.

                  Each of The Oprah Winfrey Show, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!,
Inside Edition, and American Journal has been licensed to television stations
for exhibition in the current and in future broadcast seasons, commencing with
the 1997-1998 broadcast season and extending, in certain cases, as far into the
future as the 1999-2000 broadcast season. Revenues and related expenses under
such license agreements will not be recognized until the license periods
thereunder have begun and certain other conditions are satisfied. As of October
17, 1996, the gross amount of license fees under such agreements approximated
$1.4 billion, of which approximately $850 million is payable to producers and
others and is to be recognized as an expense. The recognition of such amounts in
the consolidated financial statements of the Company in fiscal years subsequent
to August 31, 1996 is subject to the satisfaction of several conditions,
including, with respect to amounts attributable to The Oprah Winfrey Show, the
commitment of the producer and Ms. Winfrey to continue to produce and host the
show after the 1997-1998 television season (which they are not contractually
obligated to do). Such amounts do not include sales of advertising time retained
during the broadcast of such program material or foreign license fees and do not
reflect the production costs to be incurred for programming produced by King
World.

                  There can be no assurance that any of these programs will be
licensed for additional years through renewal of existing licenses or issuance
of new licenses or, if so licensed, that the terms of the license agreements
will be as favorable to King World as those of the existing licenses. There can
be no assurance that the key personalities on such programs, such as Oprah
Winfrey, Pat Sajak, Vanna White and Alex Trebek, will continue to participate in
the production of their respective programs. If for any reason they do not do
so, there could be a material adverse effect on the Company's business.


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Acquisition and Development of Properties for Distribution

                  King World's business is dependent on obtaining new television
programs and series for distribution. King World may acquire properties for
domestic, foreign or worldwide television distribution by entering into
distribution agreements with independent producers, by producing its own
programs, by co-producing programs in association with others, or by purchasing
distribution rights.

                  The terms under which the Company obtains the right to
distribute programming from independent producers vary in each instance. The
Company distributes The Oprah Winfrey Show pursuant to an agreement with Harpo,
the producer of the series. Under the terms of the agreement currently in
effect, the Company has been granted the exclusive right, and has agreed, to
distribute episodes of The Oprah Winfrey Show produced through the 1999-2000
broadcast season, subject to Harpo's and Ms. Winfrey's right to decline to
produce and host the series in any season after the 1995-1996 season. In October
1995, Harpo and Ms. Winfrey committed to produce and host the series through the
1997-1998 season. It is uncertain whether Harpo and Ms. Winfrey will elect to
produce and host the series for seasons beyond the 1997-1998 season. Their
failure to do so would have a material adverse effect on the Company's results
of operations.

                  The Company's agreement with Harpo establishes, among other
things, the production fees payable to Harpo through the 1996-1997 broadcast
season and commits the Company to guarantee payments to Harpo at levels which,
commencing with the 1995-1996 season, are substantially higher than those
previously in effect. In addition, in the 1997-1998 season and thereafter,
profit sharing arrangements between Harpo and the Company currently in effect
will terminate and the Company will instead receive distribution fees based on a
percentage of gross revenues derived from the series. After the 1999-2000
television season, Harpo will not be obligated to distribute the series through
the Company, if it elects to produce the series at all.

                  Under the terms of the agreement with Harpo, Ms. Winfrey is
subject until the 2000-2001 television season to certain restrictions on her
ability to appear in television shows with the same or similar format as The
Oprah Winfrey Show. In the event of certain corporate transactions constituting
a "change in control" of the Company under the amended agreement, Harpo has the
right to terminate such restrictions and, under certain circumstances, receive
additional consideration for continuing to produce the series.

                  The financial arrangements in the amended agreement with Harpo
are less favorable to the Company than those contained in prior agreements
between the Company and Harpo and, unless


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offset by significant increases in license fees paid by television stations for
the series in forthcoming seasons, increased barter revenues from the series, or
both, the Company's net profits derived from The Oprah Winfrey Show will decline
in the coming years.

                  The Company's agreements with Columbia TriStar Television, the
producer of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!, provide that King World will be the
exclusive distributor for each such series so long as the Company has obtained
sufficient broadcast commitments to cover the production and distribution costs
of that series and that the Company may not, unless otherwise agreed by Columbia
TriStar Television, distribute game shows for first-run strip syndication so
long as the Company is distributing Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy!.

                  In acquiring new programming, King World has attempted, based
on research concerning television programs currently being broadcast, to
identify programs and series that King World believes will have broad-based
audience appeal and satisfy the programming needs of television stations for
particular time periods. Historically, the Company had relied on independent
producers for new programming. In recent years, however, in order to satisfy
what King World believes to be audience demands and station programming needs,
the Company has, for the most part, been developing and producing original
programming on its own or in cooperation with others.

                  The introduction of new television programs requires
substantial capital investment to fund programming development costs, the
production of pilot programs and the production, distribution and promotion of
the initial episodes of programming for syndication. The Company has funded and
intends to continue to fund such capital investments out of its internal cash
resources.

License and Distribution Fees

                  For certain first-run syndicated programs produced by
independent companies for distribution by King World, the Company earns
distribution fees that are based on a percentage of the license fees paid by
television stations for the right to broadcast the program and the amounts paid
by national advertisers for advertising time retained by the Company and sold in
connection with such program. The Company also recoups some or all of the
distribution expenses that it incurs in connection with the distribution of
these series, which consist principally of advertising, promotion, satellite and
tape costs and related expenses. Amounts remaining in excess of King World's
distribution fees and recouped expenses are remitted to the producers of such
series.

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                  In other cases, the Company's fees for distributing first-run
syndicated programming produced by independent companies are based upon a
negotiated percentage of the profits derived from the exploitation of the
programming after recoupment of the production, advertising, promotion and other
distribution fees and expenses of the programming. In such cases, the Company
generally finances all or a substantial portion of the production costs and may
commit itself to advancing the producer and/or talent fixed minimum amounts as
advances against their participation fees, irrespective of the amount of license
fees and other revenues that may actually be generated by the programming. In
acquiring distribution rights for new programming from independent producers,
King World has generally tried to limit its risk by not making major commitments
to independent producers until it has obtained commitments from a substantial
number of television station licensees.

                  In recent years, the new shows introduced by the Company in
first-run syndication have been developed and produced by the Company itself. In
such cases, the Company hires a production team, leases production facilities,
engages talent, assumes all of the costs and expenses of developing, producing,
advertising, promoting and distributing the programming and, after any required
payments to the production team and talent, retains the net profits derived from
the exploitation of the programming.

                  License fees payable by stations for the rights to broadcast
television programs are payable in the form of cash, retained advertising time
or both. A television station that enters into a license agreement for a
particular program becomes obligated to pay the contracted license fee (which
will often depend on the time period in which the program is aired by that
station) and provide advertising time, if applicable, upon the delivery by the
Company of the program in question. Advertising time retained by King World in
connection with program distribution is sold to national advertisers by a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. See "Sale of Advertising Time".

                  In the 1996 fiscal year, approximately 12% of the Company's
revenues were derived from license fees under contracts with television stations
owned by ABC, Inc. No other television station, broadcast group or advertiser
accounted for ten percent or more of the Company's revenues in the fiscal year.

Marketing

                  Sales to domestic television stations are made by the Company
through a sales force that numbered 11 persons as of November 1, 1996. The
Company's marketing strategy concentrates on a select number of programs that
the Company considers to have




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good prospects for high audience ratings and expects will meet television
stations' programming needs for specific time periods.

                  Although the Company has been dependent upon the active
participation of members of the King family since its formation in 1964, the
Company believes that it has significantly lessened its reliance on certain key
executive officers by adding experienced executive, programming and marketing
personnel. Nevertheless, the loss of key personnel might have an adverse effect
on the Company's operations.

Sale of Advertising Time

                  Camelot Entertainment Sales, Inc. ("Camelot"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of King World, sells advertising time within television programs. As
of November 1, 1996, Camelot employed eight salespersons.

                  The value of advertising on any particular program varies
significantly depending on the audience ratings and demographics for such
program and conditions in the market for television advertising time in general.
In order for advertising time on a particular syndicated television program to
be valuable to national advertisers, the program must, as a general rule, be
broadcast in television markets covering at least 70% of the total domestic
television households. For the 1996-1997 broadcast season, The Oprah Winfrey
Show has been licensed to stations covering more than 99% of the total domestic
television households; Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! have each been licensed to
stations covering approximately 99% of the total domestic television households;
Inside Edition has been licensed to stations covering approximately 81% of the
total domestic television households; American Journal has been licensed to
stations covering approximately 85% of the total domestic television households;
and Rolonda has been licensed to stations covering approximately 75% of the
total domestic television households.

                  Fees for advertising time are established on the basis of
household audience ratings or, more frequently, on the basis of the delivery of
a certain demographic category of the viewing audience. The desired household
rating or demographic delivery, as the case may be, is negotiated in advance
with the advertiser or its agency. If the television program does not deliver at
least the agreed-upon audience coverage, Camelot is obligated either to make
available, at no additional cost, additional advertising time within the same
program or other programs that are expected to deliver at least the agreed-upon
audience coverage, or to refund that portion of the advertising fee attributable
to the underdelivery.

                  Generally, a portion of the Company's contracts for the
sale of its advertising time may be cancelled by the advertiser




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upon 90 days' notice. Each television station is obligated to broadcast
advertising time retained by King World even if the program or episode on which
the time was retained is preempted by the station.

                  Historically, Camelot has sold advertising time primarily on
television programs distributed by King World. However, a portion of Camelot's
revenues has in recent years been attributable to commissions earned on sales of
advertising time on television programs distributed by companies other than King
World. Camelot has agreements currently in effect with, among others, Western
International Syndication to sell advertising time in It's Showtime at the
Apollo, a variety program.

Foreign Sales

                  The Company licenses episodes of Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!,
The Oprah Winfrey Show and Inside Edition in Canada and certain other
English-speaking foreign territories. The Company also licenses the production
of foreign versions of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! in a number of other major
foreign territories. Under licenses from King World, Unilever, N.V. licenses the
production of local versions of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! for broadcast in
a number of Western European markets. In addition, the Company has recently
become more active in acquiring rights for the distribution of television
programming solely outside the United States. Revenues from foreign sales
(including Canada) accounted for approximately 7% of King World's revenues in
fiscal 1996.

Merchandising and Film Library

                  The Company has granted licenses to others to produce Wheel of
Fortune and Jeopardy! boxed board games and to exploit certain of its
merchandising rights in The Little Rascals. King World also distributes its own
library of over 60 feature length films and over 200 television programs,
including 14 Sherlock Holmes, 13 The East Side Kids, 9 Mr. Moto and 11 Charlie
Chan feature length films and episodes from The Little Rascals, Topper, Branded
and The Guns of Will Sonnett television series. In acquiring feature length
films and television programs for its own library, the Company has attempted to
emphasize classic programming -- films and television series with broad and
enduring audience appeal. King World holds long-term television and related
distribution rights to the properties in its library. The Company is not
generally required to make any material royalty or similar payments with respect
to the properties in its library. Revenues from merchandising and the film
library accounted for less than 1% of the Company's revenues in fiscal 1996.



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Direct Response Marketing

                  The Company operates King World Direct Inc., a direct response
marketing subsidiary. King World Direct handles key aspects of direct response
marketing campaigns, including production, order fulfillment and media
placement.

                  King World Direct has developed direct response telemarketing
campaigns for, among others, the Wild America video series and Sears Craftsman
Robogrip pliers. Revenue from direct response marketing activities accounted for
approximately 4% of the Company's revenues in fiscal 1996.

Competition

                  The production and distribution of television programming and
the sale of associated advertising time is a highly competitive business. King
World competes with many companies that have resources substantially greater
than those of King World.

                  The most important competitive factors in television program
distribution are marketing, quality and variety of programming and research and
promotional services. King World's success is highly dependent upon those
factors as well as the continuing availability of writers, performers and other
creative talent and the viewing preferences of television audiences. King World
has attempted to concentrate on the distribution of programs that it believes
will have broad or enduring audience appeal in order to reduce its exposure to
changes in viewer preferences. King World has also developed an experienced
television syndication sales organization as well as strong programming
acquisition, research and advertising and promotion departments. See "Marketing"
above.

Regulation of the Television Industry

                  Prime-Time Access Rule/Financial Interest and Syndica-
                  tion Rule

                  Until August 1996, a rule promulgated by the Federal
Communications Commission ("FCC") in the 1970's and known as the "prime-time
access rule" prohibited (subject to certain significant exceptions)
network-owned and network-affiliated television stations in the 50 largest
television markets from broadcasting more than a total of three hours per day of
programming supplied by or previously aired on a network during the prime-time
period (defined under the rule as 7-11 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time and 6-10
p.m. Central and Mountain time). Due to the rule, network-owned and
network-affiliated stations often acquired either one hour or one-half hour of
program material for exhibition during


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the prime-time access period from independent television producers and
syndicators such as the Company.

                  In July 1995, following proceedings looking toward
reconsideration or modification of the prime-time access rule, the FCC issued a
decision concluding that the rule no longer served the public interest because
the networks no longer had market power sufficient to foreclose access by
independent producers and syndicators of first-run programming to the prime-
time access period. In order to permit an orderly transition, the FCC held that
programming supplied by or previously aired on a network may not be aired during
the prime-time access period for 12 months from the August 1995 effective date
of its decision, but during such period stations subject to the rule were
permitted to enter into contracts providing for the airing of such programming
in the access period after August 1996.

                  Pursuant to consent decrees entered into in the mid to late
1970's between the three largest television networks (the ABC Television
Network, the CBS Television Network and the NBC Television Network) and the
United States Department of Justice (the "Consent Decrees"), such networks were,
until mid-November 1993 (when the Decrees were lifted), prohibited from
domestically syndicating television programs and from acquiring financial
interests in such programs or in network programming (other than the right to
network exhibitions) produced by independent production companies. In the mid
1970's, the FCC implemented rules (the "Rules") that substantially paralleled
the prohibitions of the Consent Decrees. The Rules enhanced the Company's
ability to license its programs to stations owned and operated by the major
television networks (licensees that are, in most instances, very important to
the success of a series distributed through first-run syndication).

                  In May 1991, the FCC issued a decision (the "1991 Decision")
to modify, but not to repeal, the Rules. The modified Rules substantially
relaxed the restrictions upon the ability of a network to acquire financial
interests in, and to syndicate, television programs previously aired by that
network (a sector of programming in which King World has not to date had
substantial involvement). However, the 1991 Decision retained stringent
limitations on network involvement in first-run syndication activities, which
remained in place after the FCC further relaxed the Rules in 1993.

                  In August 1995, upon further review of the remaining Rules,
the FCC held that the Rules, including the restrictions on network entry into
first-run syndication activities, were no longer necessary. Under the resulting
FCC order, the Rules expired in August 1995.


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                  As a result of the repeal of the prime-time access rule and
the elimination of the remaining restrictions of the financial interest and
syndication rules, the Company will have more difficulty licensing its
programming to stations owned and operated by the three major television
networks and anticipates that, even if the Company is able to so license its
programming, the profitability of such programming to the Company will, as a
result of terms imposed by such stations, be likely to be reduced.

                  Legislation and Other FCC Rules and Proposals Affecting
                  the Television Industry

                  The Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the "1996 Act"), signed in
February 1996, among other things, requires the FCC to relax its regulation (the
"Multiple Ownership Rules") limiting the aggregate number of television stations
that may be under common ownership. Prior to passage of the 1996 Act, the
Multiple Ownership Rules permitted common ownership of, in most circumstances,
up to twelve television stations, subject (in the case of station groups) to
certain limitations based upon audience reach. As required by the 1996 Act, the
FCC (in March 1996) eliminated the numerical limitation on common ownership and
relaxed the audience reach limitation.

                  The 1996 Act also requires the FCC to re-examine provisions of
the Multiple Ownership Rules which prohibit the common ownership of stations
serving the same market. In proceedings now pending before it, the FCC is
considering relaxing the existing restrictions on common ownership of television
stations serving the same market and permitting, subject to certain
restrictions, joint venture (including joint programming) arrangements between
independently owned stations in circumstances where common ownership would
otherwise be prohibited. King World is unable to predict the outcome of these
proceedings. King World believes that increases in the concentration of
television station ownership by broadcast groups will tend to increase the
relative power of the broadcast groups in the market for television programming
and, consequently, could adversely affect King World's bargaining position
vis-a-vis its principal customers.

                  The 1996 Act requires that (not later than 1998) all
television sets manufactured or imported into the United States be equipped with
a device (the "V-chip") which will enable viewers to block display of certain
programs based upon content. The 1996 Act affords the program production and
distribution industries a period of twelve months (until February 1997) within
which to establish voluntary rules for identifying and rating video programming
that contains sexual, violent or other indecent material and to agree to
voluntarily transmit such ratings in a format capable of being read by the
V-chip technology. If a


                                       12
<PAGE>   15
voluntary code is not established (or if such a code is not acceptable to the
FCC) within that time frame, then the FCC is required, in consultation with an
advisory committee, to establish and enforce a rating code. Although the Company
believes that none of its programming contains sexual, violent or other indecent
material, it is actively participating in industry efforts to establish a
voluntary code. However, the Company is unable to predict the outcome of these
industry deliberations or of any alternative FCC proceedings. To the extent that
program series (or episodes of such series) produced or distributed by King
World are subjected to restrictive ratings, whether voluntary or FCC-imposed,
there may be an adverse effect on viewing of such program or series.

                  In June 1995, the FCC initiated two proceedings in which it is
considering repeal or relaxation of certain of its regulations restricting or
forbidding certain contractual arrangements between a network and its
affiliates. Among the matters under examination are: a rule that forbids a
network from entering into a contract with any affiliate that either enables the
network to reserve any time on the affiliate's station before the network has
committed to use the time, or requires the station to make time available for
network programming in substitution for programming already scheduled by the
affiliate ("Time Optioning Rule"); a rule that forbids a network from penalizing
affiliated stations for rejecting network programming and substituting
programming deemed by the station to be of greater local or national interest;
and a rule that forbids stations from affiliating with any network organization
that operates more than one network. Separately, the FCC is reexamining a rule
that prohibits a network from directly or indirectly controlling the advertising
rates charged by an affiliate in connection with the broadcast of non-network
programming ("Station Rates Rule") and a rule that forbids a network from acting
as a sales representative for affiliated stations for the sale of advertising
time in connection with non-network programming ("Station Rep Rule").

                  The Company is unable to predict the outcome of these
proceedings. Although the Company believes that certain of the conduct
prohibited by the FCC's rules, such as the Station Rates Rule, are proscribed or
curtailed under the anti-trust laws, the Company anticipates that repeal or
substantial relaxation of the Time Optioning Rule and the Station Rep Rule will
tend to increase the relative power of the networks in the market for television
programming and for the sale of advertising time and will consequently adversely
affect King World's bargaining position vis-a-vis network-affiliated stations,
and the sale of King World's barter time.

                  Other Regulatory and Legislative Matters


                                       13
<PAGE>   16
                  In October 1992, Congress enacted legislation imposing certain
new regulations on the cable television industry (the "1992 Cable Act"). The
legislation includes provisions that require each local television station (as
defined) to make an election between demanding carriage on any cable system
within its service area on a "must-carry" basis (for which the station receives
no compensation) or demanding that such cable system obtain the consent of the
station and pay compensation (and/or furnish other consideration) to the station
for the right to carry its signal. The election made by the station as to each
such cable system remains in effect for three years. Since the advent of these
"retransmission consent" provisions, which became operative in October 1993, a
small number of cable systems have refused to or failed to reach carriage
agreements with particular local television stations and consequently ceased the
carriage of such stations, thus resulting in decreased audience for King World
programming aired on those stations, and in the future other cable systems could
refuse or fail to reach such agreements. The Company has suffered no discernible
adverse impact to date.

                  Litigation concerning the constitutionality of the "must
carry" provisions of the 1992 Cable Act is pending in the United States Supreme
Court. In April 1993, a three-judge district court, by a divided vote, upheld
the must carry requirements, against a First Amendment challenge initiated by
Turner Broadcasting System and other cable interests. In June 1994, the United
States Supreme Court overturned that decision and remanded the case to the
district court for further proceedings. In December 1995, the three-judge
district court held that the government has a substantial interest in compelling
cable systems to carry television stations in order to protect the viability of
over-the-air television service in the United States, that the must-carry rules
therefore do not substantially burden the rights of cable operators and that
such rules do not violate the First Amendment. Cable interests have appealed
this second determination to the Supreme Court, which heard oral argument in
October 1996; a decision is expected in early 1997. In a lawsuit that is related
to, but separate from, the litigation concerning must carry, the retransmission
consent provisions of the 1992 Act have been held to be constitutional.

                  The Company is unable to predict the outcome of the litigation
with respect to the must carry rules. However, if those rules are held
unconstitutional, stations which fail to reach carriage agreements with cable
systems (under the retrans- mission consent procedures) will very likely be
deleted from such systems, thus resulting in decreased audience for King World
programming aired on such stations.

                  The FCC has initiated proceedings relating to the
deployment of Advanced Television Technologies ("ATV").  These


                                       14
<PAGE>   17
technologies would, among other things, enable television stations to
simultaneously broadcast more than one program at the same time; and the FCC has
tentatively concluded that it will permit the use of the additional channel
capacity resulting from ATV to be used for entertainment programming purposes.
Because the evolution of ATV technology and the formulation of regulations
governing its deployment and uses is in formative stages, the Company is unable
to predict the outcome of these developments or their impact upon the Company,
if any.

                  The 1996 Act repealed provisions of the Communications Act
that prohibited any telephone company from acquiring financial interests in
video programming and from distributing video programming in the same geographic
area in which such telephone company provides telephone service. Under the 1996
Act, telephone companies are permitted, in most circumstances, to own and
operate cable television systems, in which event they are subject to all of the
requirements applicable to such systems including the must-carry/retransmission
consent requirements of the 1992 Cable Act. Alternatively, the 1996 Act permits
telephone companies to directly enter the multi-channel video distribution
business on a quasi-common carrier basis ("Open Video Systems"), pursuant to
which the Open Video System operator leases channel capacity to programmers on a
non-discriminatory basis; each such operator is required to reserve, in cases
where demand exceeds channel capacity, up to two-thirds of its channel capacity
for programmers with which such operator is not affiliated. The statute also
requires that Open Video System operators extend retransmission
consent/must-carry rights to over-the-air television stations in the market
served. The FCC has initiated proceedings looking toward implementation of,
among other things, the must-carry and retransmission consent requirements as
applicable to Open Video Systems. King World is unable to predict the outcome of
these proceedings. However, to the extent that telephone company entry into the
production and distribution of video programming weakens the position of
over-the-air television stations in the video marketplace or increases the cost
to such stations of access to audience, this could result in decreased audience
for King World programming aired on those stations, or a reduction in the
profitability to King World of such programming.

Employees

                  As of November 1, 1996, the Company employed approximately 490
persons. Of this number, approximately 340 are involved in the production of
Inside Edition, American Journal and Rolonda. Twenty-nine of the Company's
employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements.


Item 2.  DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES


                                       15
<PAGE>   18
                  The Company's corporate headquarters are located in New York,
New York, where it leases office space for executive offices, the operations of
Camelot and the Company's eastern U.S. and foreign sales staff. The Company's
accounting, contract administration and research departments are located in
leased offices in Short Hills, New Jersey. The Company also leases office space
in Los Angeles for executive offices, its advertising and promotion department,
program development and direct response marketing operations and its western
U.S. sales staff, and in Chicago, Boca Raton, Florida and Dallas for regional
sales offices.

                  The Company leases office and production facilities in New
York and Los Angeles for its internally produced programming.


Item 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

                  The Company is not a party to any legal proceedings other than
routine litigation incidental to the conduct of its business.


Item 4.           SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF
                  SECURITY HOLDERS

                  None.


                                       16
<PAGE>   19
                                     PART II

Item 5.           MARKET FOR THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK
                  AND RELATED SECURITY HOLDER MATTERS

                  King World's Common Stock is listed and traded on the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol KWP. The following table sets forth, for the
fiscal periods indicated, the range of high and low closing sale prices for the
Common Stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      High         Low
                                                                     ------       ------
<S>                                                                  <C>         <C>
                    Fiscal 1995
                  First Quarter Ended
                    November 30, 1994.........................       39 1/8      34 5/8
                  Second Quarter Ended
                    February 28, 1995.........................       36 7/8      32 3/4
                  Third Quarter Ended
                    May 31, 1995..............................       43          35 1/8
                  Fourth Quarter Ended
                    August 31, 1995...........................       43 3/8      37 1/2

                    Fiscal 1996
                  First Quarter Ended
                    November 30, 1995.........................       39 7/8      34 3/8
                  Second Quarter Ended
                    February 29, 1996.........................       43 1/4      36 1/8
                  Third Quarter Ended
                    May 31, 1996..............................       44 1/2      39 1/4
                  Fourth Quarter Ended
                    August 31, 1996...........................       41 3/4      34 1/4
</TABLE>

                  As of the close of business on October 17, 1996, there were
641 holders of record of the Company's Common Stock.

                  The Company has no present intention to pay dividends on its
Common Stock. The Company requires capital resources to fund development,
production and promotion costs for its programming, and intends to use its cash
reserves and future earnings to finance such expenses and the development and
expansion of its business. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results
of Operations and Financial Condition -- Liquidity and Capital Resources".

                  On March 27, 1996, the Company issued 450,000 shares of Common
Stock to Ms. Oprah Winfrey and Mr. Jeffrey D. Jacobs in connection with the
exercise of options granted to Ms. Winfey and Mr. Jacobs pursuant to Option
Agreements, each dated January 25, 1996, between the Company and each of Ms.
Winfrey and Mr. Jacobs. The exercise price of the options so exercised was
$25.50 per share. See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Such
issuance was exempt from registration with the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1993.



                                       17
<PAGE>   20
Item 6.           SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

                  The following selected financial data have been derived from
the consolidated financial statements of King World and its subsidiaries for the
five years ended August 31, 1996, which have been audited and reported upon by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants. The unaudited 1995 and 1994
pro forma information presents selected financial data assuming that a change in
accounting for revenue recognition adopted prospectively in the fourth quarter
of fiscal 1994 had not been made. The information set forth below should be read
in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of
Operations and Financial Condition" and the Consolidated Financial Statements
and the Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Statements of Income:                                                Year Ended August 31,
                              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                1995                          1994
                                                                 Pro                          Pro
                                  1996           1995(1)       forma(1)        1994(1)       forma(1)        1993        1992
                                  ----           ----          -----           ----          -----           ----        ----
                                                            (unaudited)                   (unaudited)
                                                           (Dollars in thousands except per share data)
<S>                           <C>              <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>         <C>
Revenues                      $  663,426       $574,186       $575,732       $480,659       $541,390       $474,312    $503,174
Income from operations           191,585        162,416        162,736        127,578        148,151        150,950     152,481
Income before provision
  for income taxes               231,610(3)     183,258        183,578        140,839        161,412        162,592     164,725
Net income                       150,000(3)     117,312        117,490         88,300        101,196        101,936      94,880(2)
                              ==========       ========       ========       ========       ========       ========    ========

Primary earnings
  per share                   $     3.98(3)    $   3.14       $   3.15       $   2.33       $   2.67       $   2.65    $  2.432
                              ==========       ========       ========       ========       ========       ========    ========
<CAPTION>


Balance Sheets:                                                       August 31,
                              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          1995                          1994
                                                           Pro                           Pro
                             1996           1995(1)       forma(1)        1994(1)       forma(1)        1993           1992
                             ----           ----          -----           ----          -----           ----           ----
                                                        (unaudited)                  (unaudited)
                                                                                     (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                        <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Cash and investments       $644,380       $529,025       $529,025       $430,048       $430,048       $384,489       $355,612
Working capital             519,613        477,794        477,972        294,336        307,232        286,348        273,086
Total assets                854,141        686,786        688,332        569,562        630,293        535,546        498,240
Stockholders' equity        737,885        575,737        575,915        459,077        471,973        394,173        342,919
                           ========       ========       ========       ========       ========       ========       ========
</TABLE>


                                       18
<PAGE>   21
- -----------------------

1.       The results of operations for fiscal 1995 and 1994 reflect a change in
         accounting for revenue recognition adopted prospectively in the fourth
         quarter of fiscal 1994. The one-time impact of adopting such change was
         to cause revenues, income from operations, income before provision
         for income taxes, net income and primary earnings per share in the
         fourth quarter of fiscal 1994 to be approximately $60.7 million, $20.6
         million, $20.6 million, $12.9 million and $.34 lower, respectively,
         than they would have been under the Company's prior revenue recognition
         practice. Such revenues were recognized in fiscal 1995 under the
         modified accounting practice. The results of operations for fiscal 1995
         would have been substantially the same as that actually reported if the
         Company's prior revenue recognition practice had been in effect for all
         of fiscal 1995. The unaudited 1995 and 1994 pro forma data are
         presented for comparison purposes only and represent the results of
         operations and balance sheet information assuming the Company's prior
         revenue recognition practice had been in effect in the fourth quarter
         of fiscal 1994 and in fiscal 1995. See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated
         Financial Statements.

2.       Net income and primary earnings per share include the effect of a net
         loss from the deconsolidated operations of Buffalo Broadcasting Co.
         Inc. ("Buffalo"), a former subsidiary of the Company, of approximately
         $7.7 million and $.20, respectively. See Note 8 of Notes to
         Consolidated Financial Statements.

3.       Income before provision for income taxes, net income and primary
         earnings per share include a nonrecurring gain of approximately $14.1
         million, $10.3 million and $.27, respectively, as a result of the
         Company's sale of Buffalo to LIN Television Corporation for $95 million
         in cash which closed in October 1995. See Note 8 of Notes to
         Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       19
<PAGE>   22
Item 7.           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
                  OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

GENERAL

                  The Company's revenues consist principally of fees from the
licensing of syndicated television programs and series which may be in the form
of cash, retained advertising time or both. In addition, revenues include fees
from the sale of advertising time on programs distributed to television stations
by others.

                  The Company typically receives a portion of the fees derived
from the licensing of syndicated television programming in the form of retained
advertising time, which is sold to advertisers by Camelot Entertainment Sales,
Inc. ("Camelot"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Such revenues are
recognized at the same time as the cash portion of the license fees derived from
such programming is recognized, in amounts adjusted for expected ratings. See
Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

COMPARISON OF FISCAL 1996 AND FISCAL 1995

Revenues

                  Revenues for fiscal 1996 increased by approximately 16%
compared to fiscal 1995. Such increase was primarily due to increased cash
license fees from The Oprah Winfrey Show and a general increase in revenues
derived from the sale of retained advertising time primarily on The Oprah
Winfrey Show, Inside Edition and American Journal, as a result of a 50% increase
in the number of 30-second advertising spots retained by the Company in each
such series commencing with the 1995-1996 television season. In addition,
revenues from King World Direct, the Company's direct response marketing
subsidiary, increased substantially in fiscal 1996 compared with fiscal 1995,
due primarily to the successful telemarketing campaigns for the Wild America
video series and the Sears Craftsman Robogrip pliers.

                  The Oprah Winfrey Show, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy! and Inside
Edition accounted for approximately 39%, 19%, 17% and 8%, respectively, of the
Company's revenues for fiscal 1996 compared to 37%, 21%, 18% and 8%,
respectively, for fiscal 1995. American Journal accounted for approximately 4%
of the Company's revenues for each of fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1995, and Rolonda
accounted for approximately 2% of the Company's revenues for fiscal 1996 and 3%
for fiscal 1995. King World Direct accounted for approximately 4% of the
Company's revenues for fiscal 1996 and 1% for fiscal 1995.



                                       20
<PAGE>   23
Producers' fees, programming and other direct operating costs

                  Producers' fees, programming and other direct operating costs
include primarily the producers' share of both cash license fees from the sale
of programming to television stations and revenues derived from the sale of
retained advertising time to advertisers with respect to programming distributed
by the Company; participation payments payable by the Company to producers and
talent; and production and distribution costs for first-run syndicated
programming. The share of revenues payable by the Company to producers, talent
and others is generally paid as cash license fees and revenues derived from the
sale of retained advertising time are received from television stations and
advertisers.

                  Producers' fees, programming and other direct operating costs
increased by approximately 16% in fiscal 1996 compared to fiscal 1995, primarily
as a result of the higher level of revenues generated by The Oprah Winfrey Show
(a portion of which is payable to the producer), increased production fees
associated with The Oprah Winfrey Show in the 1995-1996 television season and
increased operating expenses for King World Direct.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

                  In December 1995, the Company entered into new employment
agreements with its President and Chief Executive Officer and its Chairman of
the Board. The agreements provide, among other things, for performance-based
bonuses, including bonuses payable upon the introduction of new shows and
bonuses which vary depending on the Company's net income and Common Stock price
during preestablished measurement periods. As a result, the Company's
compensation expense will increase if the Company introduces a new series in
syndication, if the Company's net income increases or if the Common Stock price
exceeds the specified levels during the applicable measurement periods. The
Company has recognized the impact of certain of these bonuses in its operating
results for fiscal 1996 which includes all amounts payable in accordance with
the terms of such employment agreements.

                  Selling, general and administrative expenses for fiscal 1996
increased by approximately 6% from fiscal 1995, but decreased as a percentage of
revenues from 12% in fiscal 1995 to 11% in fiscal 1996. The increase in selling,
general and administrative expenses was due to higher advertising and promotion
costs for The Oprah Winfrey Show in the 1995-1996 broadcast season and an
increase in executive compensation under the executive employment agreements
discussed above.



                                       21
<PAGE>   24
Net income and primary earnings per share

                  Due to the factors discussed above, the Company's operating
income for fiscal 1996 increased by approximately 18% compared to fiscal 1995.
In addition, during the first quarter of fiscal 1996, the Company recorded a
nonrecurring gain of approximately $14.1 million on the sale of Buffalo
Broadcasting Co. Inc. ("Buffalo") to LIN Television Corporation.

                  Net income increased by approximately $32.7 million, or 28%,
for fiscal 1996 compared to fiscal 1995, reflecting the increase in operating
income, the nonrecurring gain on the sale of Buffalo and higher interest income
earned on the Company's cash and investments. In addition, the Company's
effective tax rate for fiscal 1996 was slightly lower than in fiscal 1995, due
principally to the nontaxability of a portion of the Buffalo gain. Primary
earnings per share increased by $.84 per share, or approximately 27%, to $3.98
per share in fiscal 1996 compared to fiscal 1995, as a result of the increase in
net income, offset slightly by the greater number of shares outstanding.
Excluding the nonrecurring gain on the sale of Buffalo, net income increased by
approximately $22.4 million, or 19%, for fiscal 1996 compared to fiscal 1995,
and primary earnings per share increased by $.57 per share, or approximately
18%, for fiscal 1996 to $3.71 per share.

                  The Company's results of operations are highly dependent upon
the viewing preferences of television audiences and the Company's ability to
acquire distribution rights to, or itself produce, television programming that
achieves broad and enduring audience acceptance. The success of the Company's
programming could be significantly affected by changes in viewer preferences or
the unavailability of new programming or talent. Moreover, the amount of revenue
derived from the sale of retained advertising time is dependent upon a large
number of factors, such as household ratings, the demographic composition of the
viewing audience and economic conditions in general and in the advertising
business in particular.

                  Due to the success of the shows distributed by the Company and
in order to mitigate the influence of some of the factors referred to above, the
Company has been obtaining multi-year licenses and license renewals from
television stations for its principal distribution properties, extending as far
into the future as the 1999-2000 broadcast season. In general, these licenses
and renewals have been at rates as favorable or more favorable to the Company
than the rates applicable to the 1995-1996 broadcast season. All such licenses
and renewals are contingent upon the continued production of the series by their
respective producers through the broadcast seasons for which the licenses run.


                                       22
<PAGE>   25
                  The Company believes that the impact of inflation on its
operations has not been significant.

COMPARISON OF FISCAL 1995 AND FISCAL 1994

Revenues

                  Revenues for fiscal 1995 increased by approximately 19%
compared to fiscal 1994 due to the adoption of a change in accounting for
revenue recognition on a prospective basis in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1994.
See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Had revenues been
recognized in fiscal 1995 and the fourth quarter of fiscal 1994 on a basis
comparable to that of the first nine months of fiscal 1994, revenues in fiscal
1995 would have been approximately 6% higher than the prior year, due primarily
to increased cash license fees from The Oprah Winfrey Show and, to a lesser
extent, an increase in revenues derived from the sale of retained advertising
time in Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! as a result of the retention of one
additional 30-second advertising spot per episode commencing with the 1994-1995
television season.

                  The Oprah Winfrey Show, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy! and Inside
Edition accounted for approximately 37%, 21%, 18% and 8%, respectively, of the
Company's revenues for fiscal 1995 compared to 41%, 17%, 15% and 9%,
respectively, for fiscal 1994. American Journal accounted for approximately 4%
of the Company's revenues for fiscal 1995 and 5% for fiscal 1994. Rolonda, which
debuted in January 1994, accounted for approximately 3% of the Company's
revenues for fiscal 1995 and 2% for fiscal 1994. The Les Brown Show, which was
canceled in January 1994, accounted for approximately 2% of the Company's
revenues for fiscal 1994. Had the prior method of revenue recognition been
employed in fiscal 1995 and the fourth quarter of fiscal 1994, The Oprah Winfrey
Show, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy! and Inside Edition would have accounted for
approximately 37%, 21%, 18% and 8%, respectively, of the Company's revenues for
fiscal 1995, and 36%, 21%, 18% and 8%, respectively, for fiscal 1994. American
Journal and Rolonda would have accounted for approximately 4% and 3%,
respectively, of the Company's revenues for fiscal 1995 and 4% and 2%,
respectively, for fiscal 1994. The Les Brown Show would have accounted for
approximately 1% of the Company's revenues in fiscal 1994.

Producers' fees, programming and other direct operating costs

                  Producers' fees, programming and other direct operating costs
increased by approximately 22% in fiscal 1995 compared to fiscal 1994. Because
the recognition of these costs generally coincides with the recognition of the
revenues with which they are associated, the adoption of the modified accounting
practice in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1994 caused such costs to be
substantially lower in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1994 than




                                       23
<PAGE>   26
they would have been under the prior revenue recognition practice. On a basis of
accounting comparable to that employed prior to the fourth quarter of fiscal
1994, producers' fees, programming and other direct operating costs would have
increased by approximately 7% in fiscal 1995 over the prior fiscal year,
primarily as a result of the higher level of revenues generated by The Oprah
Winfrey Show, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! (a portion of which is payable to
the producers of such series) and, to a lesser extent, increased production
costs associated with Inside Edition, American Journal and Rolonda.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

                  Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by
approximately 5% in fiscal 1995 from the prior fiscal year primarily due to
lower advertising and promotion costs. On a basis of accounting comparable to
that employed prior to the fourth quarter of fiscal 1994, such expenses would
have been substantially the same as that actually reported.

                  In December 1993, the Company entered into new employment
agreements with four executive officers. The agreements provide, among other
things, for new bonuses intended to qualify as "performance based compensation"
(within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended), including bonuses payable upon the introduction of new shows and
bonuses contingent upon the Company's Common Stock achieving specified target
prices during pre-established measurement periods.

                  As of May 31, 1995, the performance targets associated with
certain stock and stock appreciation units granted in December 1993 to Roger
King, the Company's Chairman of the Board, and Michael King, the Company's
President and Chief Executive Officer, were achieved, resulting in the payment
by the Company subsequent to May 31 of a lump-sum pre-tax cash bonus to each of
them of approximately $5 million. These units had become eligible for redemption
on August 31, 1994 and each of the subsequent fiscal quarters through the third
quarter of fiscal 1995, subject to the achievement of the specified performance
goals. The performance goals specified for the units that became eligible for
redemption on August 31, 1995 were not achieved and the units expired on such
date.

Net income and primary earnings per share

                  The Company's operating income for fiscal 1995 increased by
approximately 27% compared to the prior year, primarily due to the change in
accounting for revenue recognition. Had the prior method of revenue recognition
been employed in fiscal 1995 and the fourth quarter of fiscal 1994, the
Company's operating income would have been approximately 10% higher in fiscal




                                       24
<PAGE>   27
1995 than in fiscal 1994. Reported net income for fiscal 1995 increased by 33%
compared to the prior year. Absent the accounting change, net income would have
been approximately $16.3 million (or 16%) higher than fiscal 1994, reflecting
higher operating income, higher interest income earned on the Company's cash and
investments (due primarily to an increase in interest rates over the prior
year), and a lower effective tax rate for fiscal 1995. Primary earnings per
share, which were $.81 higher in fiscal 1995 compared to fiscal 1994, would have
been $.48 (or 18%) higher in fiscal 1995 compared with fiscal 1994 had the prior
method of revenue recognition been employed, due to the increase in net income
and a smaller number of shares outstanding as a result of the Company's ongoing
stock repurchase program.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

                  The Company requires capital resources to fund development,
production and promotion costs of independently produced programming, including,
in some instances, advances to producers and talent, to produce its own programs
and to acquire distribution rights to new programming. In acquiring distribution
rights from independent producers, King World has tried to avoid making
significant capital commitments to such producers until it has obtained
broadcast commitments from a substantial number of television stations. As a
result of this strategy and the success of its existing syndication properties,
to date, King World has funded substantially all programming acquisition,
development, production and promotion costs and advances from its operations.

                  The distribution of television programming is highly
competitive and the Company may be obliged to offer, among other things,
guarantees and cash advances to acquire, renew or extend distribution rights.
Under the terms of the Company's agreement with Harpo, Inc. ("Harpo"), the
producer of The Oprah Winfrey Show, the Company has the exclusive right, and has
agreed, to distribute episodes of The Oprah Winfrey Show produced through the
1999-2000 television season, subject to Harpo's and Ms. Winfrey's right to
decline to produce and host the show in any season after the 1995-1996 season.
To date, Harpo and Ms. Winfrey have committed to produce and host the show
through the 1997-1998 broadcast season. Under the agreement, the Company has,
among other things, agreed to pay Harpo production fees and to guarantee
participation payments to Harpo at levels which, commencing with the 1995-1996
season, are substantially higher than those previously in effect. In addition,
in the 1997-1998 season and thereafter, the profit sharing arrangements between
Harpo and the Company currently in effect will terminate and the Company will
instead receive distribution fees based on a percentage of gross revenues
derived from the series. These arrangements are less favorable to the Company
than those contained




                                       25
<PAGE>   28
in prior agreements between the Company and Harpo and, unless offset by
significant increases in license fees paid by television stations for the series
in forthcoming seasons, increased barter revenues from the series, or both, the
Company's net profits and cash flow derived from The Oprah Winfrey Show will
decline in the coming years.

                  In fiscal 1994, the Company paid Harpo a $60 million advance
against its minimum participation payments for the 1995-1996 broadcast season,
all of which was recouped during fiscal 1996. In addition, on January 2, 1996,
the Company paid Harpo two advances of $65 million each against its aggregate
minimum participation payments for the 1996-1997 and 1997-1998 broadcast
seasons. Based on the license agreements in place for the seasons covered by
such advances, the Company believes that revenues from the series will be
sufficient to enable the Company to recoup such advances. Such advances are
refundable to the Company by Harpo and Ms. Winfrey if King World terminates the
agreement due to Harpo's failure to deliver episodes of the series.

                  From time to time, the Company has used cash reserves and/or
borrowed funds to make acquisitions of and investments in properties in the
media field, to repurchase shares of its Common Stock and to fund the
development, production and promotion costs of new programming. The Company
continues to evaluate opportunities in these areas, and may seek to raise
capital in public or private securities markets to finance such activities if it
considers it advantageous to do so. The Company recently formed a new division,
King World Ventures, which will have primary responsibility for the Company's
investment and acquisition program including analysis of business opportunities.

                  In December 1992, the Company announced that the Board of
Directors had approved a program to repurchase up to 2,000,000 shares of its
Common Stock from time to time in the open market and in privately negotiated
transactions. By August 31, 1996, the Company had repurchased all 2,000,000
shares authorized to be repurchased under such program. In the fiscal years
ended August 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, 301,200, 180,500 and 753,100 shares,
respectively, of Common Stock were repurchased in open market transactions for
aggregate consideration of approximately $10.9 million (or approximately $36.20
per share), $6.1 million (or approximately $33.80 per share), and $28.9 million
(or approximately $38.40 per share), respectively.

                  The Company has entered into agreements with television
stations for the future distribution of program material in television seasons
commencing with the 1996-1997 season and extending as far into the future as the
1999-2000 broadcast season, under which the revenues and related expenses will
not be recognized until the license periods thereunder have begun and


                                       26
<PAGE>   29
certain other conditions are satisfied. As of October 17, 1996, the gross amount
of license fees under such agreements approximated $1.4 billion, of which
approximately $850 million is payable to producers and others and is to be
recognized as an expense. The recognition of such amounts in the consolidated
financial statements of the Company in fiscal years subsequent to August 31,
1996 is subject to the satisfaction of several conditions, including, with
respect to amounts attributable to The Oprah Winfrey Show, the agreement of the
producer and Ms. Winfrey to continue to produce and host the show after the
1997-1998 television season (which they are not contractually obligated to do).
Such amounts do not include sales of advertising time retained during the
broadcast of such program material or foreign license fees and do not reflect
the production costs to be incurred for programming produced by King World.

           In October 1995, the Company closed its agreement to sell WIVB-TV,
the CBS-affiliated VHF television station in Buffalo, New York, to LIN
Television Corporation for $95 million in cash. As a result of this transaction,
the Company recorded a nonrecurring gain of approximately $14.1 million, of
which approximately $9.8 million represents cash proceeds to the Company from
the sale. The remaining $4.3 million of such gain represents the reversal of
previously recognized accounting losses (with no associated income tax effect)
in excess of the Company's original investment.

Item 8.           FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

                  See the Financial Statements listed in the accompanying Index
to Consolidated Financial Statements which appear elsewhere in this Annual
Report. Information required by the schedules called for under Regulation S-X is
either not applicable or is included in the consolidated financial statements or
notes thereto.


Item 9.           CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
                  ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

                  None.




                                       27
<PAGE>   30
                  KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Page
                                                                 ----
<S>                                                              <C>
Report of Independent Public Accountants . . . . . . . .         29

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 1996
  and 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         30

Consolidated Statements of Income for the years
  ended August 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 . . . . . . . . .         32

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for
  the years ended August 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 . . . .         33

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years
  ended August 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 . . . . . . . . .         34

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . .         35
</TABLE>


                                       28
<PAGE>   31
                    Report of Independent Public Accountants


To King World Productions, Inc.:

                  We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets
of King World Productions, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of
August 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related consolidated statements of income,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended August 31, 1996. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.

                  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.

                  In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of King World
Productions, Inc. and subsidiaries as of August 31, 1996 and 1995, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended August 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.


                                                Arthur Andersen LLP

New York, New York
October 24, 1996




                                       29
<PAGE>   32
                  KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                     ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   August 31,
                                          ----------------------------
                                             1996             1995
                                          ---------        ---------
                                            (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                       <C>              <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents               $ 344,766        $ 446,896
  Short-term investments                    153,969             --
  Accounts receivable (net of
    allowance for doubtful accounts
    of $4,196 in 1996 and 1995)              60,378           51,356
  Producer advances and
    deferred costs                           74,824           90,085
  Other current assets                        1,932              506
                                          ---------        ---------
    Total current assets                    635,869          588,843
                                          ---------        ---------

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS, at cost,
    which approximates market value         145,645           82,129
                                          ---------        ---------

FIXED ASSETS, at cost:
  Furniture and office equipment              7,926            7,558
  Leasehold improvements                      2,832            2,775
  Film and videotape masters                  2,626            2,622
                                          ---------        ---------
                                             13,384           12,955

  Less-accumulated depreciation and
    amortization                            (10,503)          (9,703)
                                          ---------        ---------
                                              2,881            3,252
                                          ---------        ---------

PRODUCER ADVANCES
  AND OTHER ASSETS                           69,746           12,562
                                          ---------        ---------

                                          $ 854,141        $ 686,786
                                          =========        =========
</TABLE>



                The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial
            Statements are an integral part of these balance sheets.




                                       30
<PAGE>   33
                  KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)

                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    August 31,
                                            --------------------------
                                              1996              1995
                                            ---------        ---------
                                              (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                         <C>              <C>
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable and accrued
    liabilities .....................       $  15,237        $  11,070
  Payable to producers and others ...          71,920           74,349
  Income taxes payable:
    Current .........................          29,099           23,986
    Deferred ........................            --              1,644
                                            ---------        ---------
      Total current liabilities .....         116,256          111,049
                                            ---------        ---------


COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
  (Note 4)


STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

  Preferred stock, $.01 par value;
    5,000,000 shares authorized,
    none issued .....................            --               --
  Common stock, $.01 par value;
    75,000,000 shares authorized,
    50,734,739 shares and 49,893,745
    shares issued in 1996 and 1995,
    respectively ....................             507              499
  Paid-in capital ...................         110,666           87,628
  Retained earnings .................         932,651          782,651
  Treasury stock, at cost; 13,442,594
    and 13,141,394 shares in 1996 and
    1995, respectively ..............        (305,939)        (295,041)
                                            ---------        ---------

                                              737,885          575,737

                                            $ 854,141        $ 686,786
                                            =========        =========
</TABLE>


                The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial
            Statements are an integral part of these balance sheets.




                                       31
<PAGE>   34
                  KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Year Ended August 31,
                                         --------------------------------------
                                           1996          1995(1)        1994(1)
                                         --------       --------       --------
                                             (Dollars in thousands except
                                                    per share data)
<S>                                      <C>            <C>            <C>
REVENUES .........................       $663,426       $574,186       $480,659
                                         --------       --------       --------

EXPENSES:
  Producers' fees, programming and
    other direct operating costs .        397,494        341,536        279,465
  Selling, general and admini-
    strative expenses ............         74,347         70,234         73,616
                                         --------       --------       --------
                                          471,841        411,770        353,081
                                         --------       --------       --------

  Income from operations .........        191,585        162,416        127,578

INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME .....         25,965         20,842         13,261

NONRECURRING GAIN - Sale of
  Buffalo Broadcasting Co. Inc. ..         14,060           --             --
                                         --------       --------       --------

  Income before provision for
    income taxes .................        231,610        183,258        140,839


PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES .......         81,610         65,946         52,539
                                         --------       --------       --------

  Net income .....................       $150,000       $117,312       $ 88,300
                                         ========       ========       ========


PRIMARY EARNINGS PER SHARE .......       $   3.98       $   3.14       $   2.33
                                         ========       ========       ========
</TABLE>


(1)    The results of operations for fiscal 1995 and fiscal 1994 reflect a
change in accounting for revenue recognition adopted prospectively in the
fourth quarter of fiscal 1994.  See Note 1.

                The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial
              Statements are an integral part of these statements.

                                       32
<PAGE>   35
                  KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Common Stock            Paid-in        Retained      Treasury
                                     Shares          $          Capital        Earnings       Stock
                                   ----------      -----        -------        --------      -------
                                             (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                <C>              <C>        <C>            <C>            <C>
Balance -
  August 31, 1993 ..........       49,505,363       $495       $ 76,647       $577,039       $(260,008)
  Exercise of stock options           216,855          2          5,524           --              --
  Purchase of treasury stock             --          --            --             --           (28,922)
  Net income ...............             --          --            --           88,300            --
                                   ----------       ----       --------       --------       ---------
Balance -
  August 31, 1994 ..........       49,722,218        497         82,171        665,339        (288,930)
  Exercise of stock options           171,527          2          5,457           --              --
  Purchase of treasury stock             --          --            --             --            (6,111)
  Net income ...............             --          --            --          117,312            --
                                   ----------       ----       --------       --------       ---------
Balance -
  August 31, 1995 ..........       49,893,745        499         87,628        782,651        (295,041)
  Exercise of stock options           840,994          8         23,038           --              --
  Purchase of treasury stock             --          --            --             --           (10,898)
  Net income ...............             --          --            --          150,000            --
                                   ----------       ----       --------       --------       ---------
Balance -
  August 31, 1996 ..........       50,734,739       $507       $110,666       $932,651       $(305,939)
                                   ==========       ====       ========       ========       =========
</TABLE>


                The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial
              Statements are an integral part of these statements.

                                       33
<PAGE>   36
                  KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Year Ended August 31,
                                            -------------------------------------------
                                               1996             1995             1994
                                            ---------        ---------        ---------
                                                       (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                         <C>              <C>              <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income ........................       $ 150,000        $ 117,312        $  88,300
    Items not affecting cash:
       Gain on sale of Buffalo
         Broadcasting Co. Inc. ......         (14,060)            --               --
       Depreciation and amortization              800              606              577
    Change in assets and liabilities:
       Accounts receivable ..........          (9,022          (10,095)          60,298
       Producer advances and
         deferred costs .............         (46,740)          (6,271)         (49,589)
       Accounts payable and accrued
         liabilities ................           4,167           (3,710)           6,948
       Payable to producers and
         others .....................           1,829            4,702          (39,369)
       Income taxes payable .........           3,469             (428)           1,533
       Other, net ...................           3,391             (163)             824
                                            ---------        ---------        ---------
  Net cash provided by operating
    activities ......................          93,834          101,953           69,522
                                            ---------        ---------        ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  (Increase) decrease in investments         (217,485)           6,062           (3,921)
  Proceeds from sale of Buffalo
    Broadcasting Co. Inc. ...........           9,802             --               --
  Additions to fixed assets .........            (429)          (2,324)            (567)
                                            ---------        ---------        ---------
  Net cash (used in) provided by
    investing activities ............        (208,112)           3,738           (4,488)
                                            ---------        ---------        ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from issuance of common
    stock ...........................          23,046            5,459            5,526
  Purchase of treasury stock ........         (10,898)          (6,111)         (28,922)
                                            ---------        ---------        ---------
  Net cash provided by (used in)
    financing activities ............          12,148             (652)         (23,396)
                                            ---------        ---------        ---------

NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND
  CASH EQUIVALENTS ..................        (102,130)         105,039           41,638
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT
  BEGINNING OF YEAR .................         446,896          341,857          300,219
                                            ---------        ---------        ---------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT
  END OF YEAR .......................       $ 344,766        $ 446,896        $ 341,857
                                            =========        =========        =========
</TABLE>



                The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial
              Statements are an integral part of these statements.

                                       34
<PAGE>   37
                 KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1) Summary of significant accounting policies

Principles of consolidation

                  The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of King World Productions, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All significant
intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Unless the context suggests
otherwise, the "Company", as used herein, means King World Productions, Inc.
("King World") and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Revenue recognition

                  Historically, King World had followed a practice of
recognizing license fees from the distribution of first-run syndicated
television properties at the commencement of the license period and as each show
was produced (even though the particular show may not have been broadcast by a
television station for several months). This practice had the effect of creating
variations in the Company's reported revenues and earnings from quarter to
quarter, corresponding to the greater or smaller number of shows that were
produced in a particular quarter, which were not necessarily indicative of
longer term trends in the Company's business.

                  In the fourth quarter of the 1994 fiscal year, the Company
adopted a change in accounting for revenue recognition which was accounted for
prospectively as a change in accounting estimate. Under the modified practice,
license fees from first- run syndicated television properties are recognized at
the commencement of the license period pursuant to noncancelable agreements and
as each show is made available to the licensee via satellite transmission,
rather than at the time the show is produced. Because transmission to the
satellite takes place, on the average, no more than two to three days prior to
the broadcast of the programming and in some cases up to three months after the
programming is produced, the effect of adopting the modified practice is to
cause revenues from certain series to be recognized closer to the air date than
under the prior practice. In addition, the accounting change eliminates the
quarterly revenue and earnings fluctuations that were attributable to variations
in production schedules.

                  The one-time impact of adopting the change was to cause fourth
quarter fiscal 1994 revenues, net income and earnings per share to be
approximately $60.7 million, $12.9 million and $.34 lower, respectively, than
they would have been under the prior practice, with no impact on cash flow. Such
revenues were recognized in fiscal 1995 under the modified accounting practice.
The

                                       35
<PAGE>   38
                  KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


(1)  Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

results of operations for fiscal 1995 would have been substantially the same as
that actually reported if the Company's prior revenue recognition practice had
been in effect for all of fiscal 1995.

                  The following pro forma financial information assumes the
Company's prior revenue recognition practice was in effect for the fourth
quarter of fiscal 1994 and in fiscal 1995:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         Year Ended August 31,
                               -----------------------------------------
                               1995 Pro forma             1994 Pro forma
                               --------------             --------------
                                 (unaudited)                (unaudited)

                               (Dollars in thousands except per share data)
<S>                               <C>                        <C>
Revenues ..................       $575,732                   $541,390
Income from operations ....        162,736                    148,151
Income before provision for
  income taxes ............        183,578                    161,412
Net income ................        117,490                    101,196
                                  ========                   ========

Primary earnings per
  share ...................       $   3.15                   $   2.67
                                  ========                   ========
</TABLE>

                  The Company typically receives a portion of the fees derived
from the licensing of syndicated television programming in the form of retained
advertising time, which is sold to advertisers by Camelot Entertainment Sales,
Inc. ("Camelot"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Such revenues are
recognized at the same time as the cash portion of the license fees derived from
such programming is recognized, in amounts adjusted for expected ratings.

                  License fees for non-first-run syndicated properties are
recognized at the gross contract amount (net of discount to present value for
license periods greater than one year) at the commencement of the license
period.

                  The Company's principal properties are licenses to distribute
The Oprah Winfrey Show, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!; and Inside Edition, a
first-run syndicated series produced and distributed by the Company. The Oprah
Winfrey Show accounted for approximately 39%, 37% and 41% of revenues in fiscal
1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Wheel of Fortune accounted for approximately
19%, 21% and 17% of revenues in fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
Jeopardy! accounted for approximately 17%, 18% and 15% of revenues in fiscal
1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Inside Edition accounted for approximately
8%, 8% and 9% of revenues in fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. American
Journal accounted for approximately 4%, 4% and 5% of

                                       36
<PAGE>   39
                  KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


(1)  Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

revenues in fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Rolonda, which debuted in
January 1994, accounted for approximately 2%, 3% and 2% of revenues for fiscal
1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. On a basis of accounting comparable to that
employed prior to the fourth quarter of fiscal 1994, The Oprah Winfrey Show,
Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, and Inside Edition would have accounted for
approximately 37%, 21%, 18% and 8%, respectively, of the Company's revenues
for fiscal 1995 and 36%, 21%, 18% and 8%, respectively, of the Company's
revenues for fiscal 1994. American Journal and Rolonda would have accounted for
approximately 4% and 3%, respectively, of the Company's revenues for fiscal
1995, and 4% and 2%, respectively, of the Company's revenues for fiscal 1994.

                  The Company distributes The Oprah Winfrey Show pursuant to an
agreement with Harpo, Inc. ("Harpo"), the producer of the series. Under the
terms of the Company's agreement with Harpo, the Company has the exclusive
right, and has agreed, to distribute episodes of The Oprah Winfrey Show produced
through the 1999-2000 television season, subject to Harpo's and Ms. Winfrey's
right to decline to produce and host the show in any season after the 1995-1996
season. To date, Harpo and Ms. Winfrey have committed to produce and host the
show through the 1997-1998 broadcast season. Under the agreement, the Company
has, among other things, agreed to pay Harpo production fees and to guarantee
participation payments to Harpo at levels which, commencing with the 1995-1996
season, are substantially higher than those previously in effect. In addition,
in the 1997-1998 season and thereafter, the profit sharing arrangements between
Harpo and the Company currently in effect will terminate and the Company will
instead receive distribution fees based on a percentage of gross revenues
derived from the series. These arrangements are less favorable to the Company
than those contained in prior agreements between the Company and Harpo and,
unless offset by significant increases in license fees paid by television
stations for the series in forthcoming seasons, increased barter revenues from
the series, or both, the Company's net profits and cash flow derived from The
Oprah Winfrey Show will decline in the coming years.

                  The Company's agreements with Columbia TriStar Television
provide that the Company shall be the exclusive distributor for Wheel of Fortune
and Jeopardy! so long as the Company has obtained sufficient broadcast
commitments to cover such series' respective production and distribution costs
and that the Company may not, unless otherwise agreed by Columbia TriStar
Television, distribute game shows for "strip" first-run syndication so long as
the Company is distributing Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy!.

                                       37
<PAGE>   40
                  KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



(1)  Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)



Producers' fees, programming and other direct operating costs

                  Producers' fees, programming and other direct operating costs
include primarily the producers' share of both cash license fees from the sale
of programming to television stations and revenues derived from the sale of
retained advertising time to advertisers with respect to programming distributed
by the Company; participation fees payable by the Company to producers and
talent; production and distribution costs for first-run syndicated programming;
and the direct operating costs of King World Direct, the Company's direct
response marketing subsidiary. That portion of recognized revenue that is to be
paid to producers and owners of programming is accrued as the license fees are
earned. The share of license fees payable by the Company to such producers and
others is generally paid as cash license fees and revenues derived from the sale
of retained advertising time are received from television stations and
advertisers.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

                  Selling, general and administrative expenses include
advertising and promotion costs associated with programming distributed by the
Company, which amounted to $31,329,000, $28,084,000 and $29,824,000 in fiscal
1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Had the prior method of revenue recognition
been employed in fiscal 1995 and the fourth quarter of fiscal 1994, such costs
would have amounted to $27,831,000 and $31,184,000 in fiscal 1995 and 1994,
respectively. These amounts include the producers' share of such costs.

Cash equivalents and short-term investments

                  Cash equivalents and short-term investments are comprised
principally of municipal obligations, money market funds, money market preferred
investments, commercial paper and United States Treasury and other agency
obligations whose maturities are one year or less and are carried at amortized
cost, which approximates market value. The Company considers its highly liquid
short-term investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be
cash equivalents.

Producer advances and deferred costs

                  Producer advances and deferred costs includes production and
promotion costs, as well as talent and producer participation advances, in
connection with certain first-run syndicated

                                       38
<PAGE>   41
                  KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



(1)  Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

programs distributed by the Company for broadcast during seasons subsequent to
August 31, 1996. Such costs are charged to expense as the revenues from such
programs are earned. Advances are recouped from the share of revenues payable by
the Company to producers, talent and others.

                  In connection with the extension of Harpo's commitment to
produce The Oprah Winfrey Show for the 1995-1996 broadcast season, in fiscal
1994 the Company paid Harpo an advance against its minimum participation
payments for such season in the amount of $60 million, all of which was recouped
during fiscal 1996. In addition, on January 2, 1996, the Company paid Harpo two
advances of $65 million each against its minimum participation payments for each
of the 1996-1997 and 1997-1998 broadcast seasons. Based on license agreements in
place for the seasons covered by such advances, the Company believes that
revenues from the series will be sufficient to enable the Company to recoup such
advances. Such advances are refundable to the Company by Harpo and Ms. Winfrey
if King World terminates the agreement due to Harpo's failure to deliver
episodes of the series.

                  The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 121, "Accounting for the
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of".
The Company believes that the impact of adopting SFAS No. 121 will not be
significant.

Long-term investments

                  Long-term investments are comprised principally of
intermediate-term municipal obligations and United States Treasury and other
agency obligations whose maturities are between one and two years.

                  In fiscal 1995, the Company adopted SFAS No. 115, "Accounting
for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities". Under the provisions of
SFAS No. 115, the Company's investments have been classified as "held to
maturity" and, accordingly, are recorded at amortized cost, which approximates
market value. The effect of adopting SFAS No. 115 was not material.

Fixed assets

                  Fixed assets are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation
and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the
straight-line method for financial reporting

                                       39
<PAGE>   42
                  KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



(1)  Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

purposes and accelerated methods for tax purposes, with estimated useful lives
of 3 to 5 years for furniture and office equipment and 5 years for film and
videotape masters. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of
their useful lives and the lease term. Depreciation and amortization expense was
approximately $800,000, $606,000 and $527,000 in fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively.

Stockholders' equity

                  Primary earnings per share has been computed using the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding of 37,684,000, 37,343,000
and 37,862,000 for the fiscal years ended August 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively, which includes the dilutive effect from the assumed exercise of
vested and unvested stock options outstanding as of the end of each year
reported. The difference between primary and fully diluted earnings per share
for each such fiscal year was not significant.

                  The Company is authorized to issue 5,000,000 shares of
Preferred Stock, $.01 par value. The Board of Directors is empowered, without
further stockholder approval, to establish from time to time one or more series
of Preferred Stock and to determine the powers, preferences and special rights
of any unissued series of Preferred Stock, including voting rights, dividend
rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, conversion rights and the
designation of any such series.

Industry segments and customers

                  The Company operates in one business segment, television
programming. The Company's major customers and principal facilities are located
within the United States. In the 1996, 1995 and 1994 fiscal years, approximately
12%, 14% and 11%, respectively, of the Company's revenues were derived from
license fees under contracts with a single broadcast group.

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 reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

                                       40
<PAGE>   43
                  KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


(2) Pension and profit sharing plans

                  The Company maintains the King World Productions, Inc.
Retirement Savings Plan with an employee pre-tax salary deferral contribution
program under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the plan,
employer matching contributions may not exceed 3% of annual compensation per
employee and employer fixed contributions are limited to 3% of annual salary per
employee, subject to a maximum total employer contribution of approximately
$9,000 per employee for fiscal 1996. The plan covers substantially all of the
Company's employees.

                  Contributions by the Company to the plan were approximately
$491,000, $372,000 and $576,000 in fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

(3) Income taxes

                  The components of the Company's provision for income taxes are
summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Year Ended August 31,
                                 ----------------------------------------
                                   1996            1995            1994
                                 --------        --------        --------
                                          (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                              <C>             <C>             <C>
Federal:
  Current ................       $ 71,525        $ 56,741        $ 51,176
  Deferred ...............         (2,293)           (858)         (7,867)
                                 --------        --------        --------
                                   69,232          55,883          43,309
                                 --------        --------        --------

State and local:
  Current ................         12,511          10,113           9,777
  Deferred ...............           (133)            (50)           (547)
                                 --------        --------        --------
                                   12,378          10,063           9,230
                                 --------        --------        --------

      Total ..............       $ 81,610        $ 65,946        $ 52,539
                                 ========        ========        ========
</TABLE>


                  Deferred income taxes and benefits are provided for any income
and expense items that are recognized in different years for tax return and
financial reporting purposes. For fiscal years prior to 1994, such deferred
income taxes arose primarily due to differences in the revenue recognition
methods employed by the Company with respect to license fee income. As discussed
in Note 1, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1994 the Company prospectively
adopted a change in accounting for revenue recognition. As a result of such
change, license fees are now recognized in the same year for tax return and
financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, as of August 31, 1994, no temporary
difference existed with respect to this item. No other individual temporary
difference gives rise to significant deferred tax assets or liabilities.


                                       41
<PAGE>   44
                  KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                  The current provision in each period presented above does not
include reductions to income taxes payable attributable to the exercise of stock
options. See Note 5.

                  Following is a reconciliation of the Company's provi-
sion for income taxes to the tax computed at the U.S. statutory
rate:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    Year Ended August 31,
                                                          ----------------------------------------
                                                             1996            1995            1994
                                                          --------        --------        --------
                                                                    (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                       <C>             <C>             <C>
Tax at U.S. statutory
  rate ............................................       $ 81,064        $ 64,140        $ 49,293
State tax provision, net
  of Federal benefit ..............................          8,046           6,541           6,000
Tax-exempt interest and
  dividend income .................................         (5,370)         (4,799)         (3,367)
Other, net ........................................         (2,130)             64             613
                                                          --------        --------        --------
                                                          $ 81,610        $ 65,946        $ 52,539
                                                          ========        ========        ========
</TABLE>

                  Income taxes paid approximated $76.8 million, $64.6 million
and $49.8 million in fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

(4) Commitments and contingencies

License fees

                  The Company has entered into agreements with television
stations for the future distribution of program material in television seasons
commencing with the 1996-1997 season and extending as far into the future as the
1999-2000 broadcast season, under which the revenues and related expenses will
not be recognized until the license periods thereunder have begun and certain
other conditions are satisfied. As of October 17 1996, the gross amount of
license fees under such agreements approximated $1.4 billion, of which
approximately $850 million is payable to producers and others and is to be
recognized as an expense. The recognition of such amounts in the consolidated
financial statements of the Company in fiscal years subsequent to August 31,
1996 is subject to the satisfaction of several conditions, including, with
respect to amounts attributable to The Oprah Winfrey Show, the commitment of the
producer and Ms. Winfrey to continue to produce and host the show after the
1997-1998 television season (which they are not contractually obligated to do).
Such amounts do not include sales of advertising time retained during the
broadcast of such program material or foreign

                                       42
<PAGE>   45
                  KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(4)  Commitments and contingencies (continued)

license fees and do not reflect the production costs to be incurred for
programming produced by King World.

Operating leases

                  Rent expense under operating leases covering office
facilities, production studios and equipment amounted to approximately
$2,559,000, $2,548,000 and $2,599,000 for fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively. Office and studio leases are subject to price escalations for
certain costs. Aggregate future minimum rental commitments for these leases as
of August 31, 1996 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Year Ending August 31,
                  ----------------------
                  (Dollars in thousands)
<S>               <C>                                           <C>
                  1997...............................           $2,220
                  1998...............................            1,217
                  1999...............................            1,032
                  2000...............................            1,011
                  2001...............................            1,044
</TABLE>

Employment and production agreements

                  As of August 31, 1996, the Company had entered into employment
agreements and agreements with independent contractors relating to programming
being or to be produced by King World which provide for aggregate minimum annual
compensation as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Year Ending August 31,
                  ----------------------
                  (Dollars in thousands)
<S>               <C>                                         <C>
                  1997..............................          $22,032
                  1998..............................            6,554
                  1999..............................            5,269
                  2000..............................            3,800
                  2001..............................              --
</TABLE>

                  In December 1995, the Company entered into new employment
agreements with its President and Chief Executive Officer and its Chairman of
the Board. The agreements provide, among other things, for performance-based
bonuses, including bonuses payable upon the introduction of new shows and
bonuses which vary depending on the Company's net income and Common Stock price
during preestablished measurement periods. The Company has recognized the impact
of certain of these bonuses in its operating results for fiscal 1996, which
includes all amounts payable in accordance with the terms of such employment
agreements.


                                       43
<PAGE>   46
                  KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(4) Commitments and contingencies (continued)


Legal matters

                  The Company 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, if any, with respect to these actions will not
have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company.

(5) Stock plans

                  In fiscal 1996, the Company adopted the 1995 Amended and
Restated Stock Option and Restricted Stock Purchase Plan (the "Option/Stock
Plan"), which amended and restated the Company's Amended and Restated Stock
Option and Restricted Stock Purchase Plan and reserved 3,000,000 additional
shares for grants and awards thereunder. The Option/Stock Plan provides for
grants of incentive stock options ("ISOs") and non-qualified stock options, as
well as awards of shares of restricted stock, subject to certain conditions. The
Option/Stock Plan is currently administered by the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors.

                  For ISOs granted pursuant to the Option/Stock Plan, the
exercise price of options may not be less than the fair market value of the
shares on the date of grant and the options may not have a term in excess of ten
years. The Compensation Committee has the power to determine the vesting periods
for options granted under the Option/Stock Plan. Only full-time employees of the
Company and its subsidiaries may be granted ISOs under the Option/Stock Plan.
ISOs granted under the Option/Stock Plan are intended to qualify as "incentive
stock options" within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code").

                  For non-qualified options granted pursuant to the Option/Stock
Plan, the exercise price of options may be more than, less than or equal to the
fair market value of the shares on the date of grant (in the discretion of the
Compensation Committee), and the options may be immediately exercisable (in the
discretion of the Compensation Committee) and may not have a term in excess of
ten years and one day. Employees, directors and officers of, and consultants or
suppliers to, the Company and its subsidiaries may be granted non-qualified
options under the Option/Stock Plan.

                  Awards of restricted stock may be granted under the Op-
tion/Stock Plan to purchase shares of Common Stock for a price per share that
may be more than, equal to or less than the fair

                                       44
<PAGE>   47
                  KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



(5)  Stock plans (continued)

market value of such shares on the date of the award. The Compensation Committee
has the right to determine vesting provisions, transfer restrictions and other
conditions or restrictions with respect to each award. To date, no awards of
restricted stock have been granted under the Option/Stock Plan or its
predecessor plans.

                  In fiscal 1989, the Company adopted the Incentive Equity Plan
for Senior Executives, pursuant to which an aggregate 2,550,000 shares of Common
Stock were reserved for issuance to the Company's Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer, upon the exercise of options granted thereunder. Each of the
Chairman of the Board and the President and Chief Executive Officer was granted
non-qualified stock options to purchase 1,200,000 shares of Common Stock,
975,000 at an exercise price of $15.75 (the approximate fair market value on the
date of grant) and 225,000 at an exercise price of $.01; the Executive Vice
President was granted non-qualified stock options to purchase 150,000 shares of
Common Stock, 120,000 at an exercise price of $15.75 and 30,000 at an exercise
price of $.01. No additional options may be granted under the Executive Plan.

                  The following tables set forth options outstanding as well as
options exercisable and available for grant at August 31, 1995 and 1996, and
options forfeited and exercised during fiscal 1995 and 1996, together with the
related option prices:



                                       45
<PAGE>   48
                  KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



(5)  Stock plans (continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Option/Stock
                                   Plan
                        ----------------------------
                                       Non-Qualified         Executive
         Fiscal 1995       ISOs           Options               Plan
         -----------    ----------------------------          -------
<S>                     <C>             <C>                  <C>
Granted ..............      --             91,000                --
  Prices ranging:
    From .............      --          $   35.50                --
    To ...............      --          $   40.13                --
Forfeited ............      --            170,600                --
Exercised ............     9,000          162,527                --
  Prices ranging:
    From .............  $  15.75        $   10.00                --
    To ...............  $  26.59        $   36.38                --
Outstanding at
  August 31, 1995 ....    92,800         1,621,602            510,000
  Prices ranging:
    From .............  $   7.05        $     .01            $    .01
    To ...............  $  37.25        $   40.88            $  15.75
Exercisable at
  August 31, 1995 ....    50,237          746,865             510,000
  Prices ranging:
    From .............  $   7.05        $     .01            $    .01
    To ...............  $  37.25        $   40.88            $  15.75
Available for
  grant at
  August 31, 1995......         1,047,698                         --
                       ---------------------------           --------

<CAPTION>


                               Option/Stock
                                   Plan
                        -----------------------------
                                       Non-Qualified             Executive
         Fiscal 1996         ISOs         Options                  Plan
         -----------    -----------------------------             -------
<S>                     <C>              <C>                 <C>
Granted ..............        --          3,432,500                --
  Prices ranging:
    From .............        --         $    35.38                --
    To ...............        --         $    43.59                --
Forfeited ............      40,563           98,937                --
Exercised ............      35,454          355,540                --
  Prices ranging:
    From .............  $     7.05       $      .01                --
    To ...............  $    24.17       $    40.88                --
Outstanding at
  August 31, 1996 ....      16,783        4,599,625             510,000
  Prices ranging:
    From .............  $     7.06       $     8.55          $      .01
    To ...............  $    37.25       $    43.59          $    15.75
Exercisable at
  August 31, 1996 ....      15,283        1,374,325             510,000
  Prices ranging:
    From .............  $     7.06       $     8.55          $      .01
    To ...............  $    37.25       $    40.88          $    15.75
Available for
  grant at
  August 31, 1996.....             754,698                        --
                        ---------------------------          ----------
</TABLE>

                  In addition, in connection with the extensions of the
Company's rights to distribute The Oprah Winfrey Show for the 1993-1994,
1994-1995 and 1995-1996 broadcast seasons, the Company granted options to the
principals of Harpo to purchase an aggregate 1.5 million shares of Common Stock.
During fiscal 1996, options to purchase 450,000 shares of Common Stock were
exercised at an exercise price of $25.50 per share. As of August 31, 1996,
options to purchase 1.05 million shares of Common Stock remained outstanding,
all of which were fully vested. Options to purchase 550,000 such shares bear
exercise prices of $25.50 per share and

                                       46
<PAGE>   49
                  KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(5)  Stock plans (continued)

the remainder bear exercise prices of $33.625 per share. On October 6, 1995, in
connection with Harpo's and Ms. Winfrey's commitment to continue to produce and
host the show for the 1996-1997 and 1997-1998 broadcast seasons, the Company
granted options to the principals of Harpo to purchase an aggregate 500,000
shares of Common Stock, which options are exercisable at a price of $36.00 per
share (the closing market price of the Common Stock on the date of grant). The
Company has agreed to grant the principals of Harpo options to purchase 250,000
additional shares of Common Stock if Harpo and Ms. Winfrey elect to produce and
host The Oprah Winfrey Show for distribution by the Company in the 1998-1999
broadcast season, and 250,000 additional shares if they elect to produce and
host the show for distribution by the Company in the 1999-2000 broadcast season.
The exercise prices of such options will be the closing market prices of the
Common Stock on the date on which the election to produce and host the series
for the additional season in question is made.

                  The Company realizes a tax benefit in respect of non-qualified
stock options based on the difference between the exercise price of the Common
Stock subject to the option and the market price thereof on the date of
exercise. Tax deductions related to compensation expense in excess of that taken
for financial reporting purposes are added to paid-in capital in the period of
the tax deduction. The amount of such tax deductions added to paid-in capital
approximated $1,342,000, $1,758,000 and $1,162,000 in fiscal 1996, 1995 and
1994, respectively.


(6) Stock repurchases

                  In December 1992, the Company announced that the Board of
Directors had approved a program to repurchase up to 2,000,000 shares of its
Common Stock from time to time in the open market and in privately negotiated
transactions. By August 31, 1996, the Company had purchased all 2,000,000 shares
authorized to be purchased under such program. In the fiscal years ended August
31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, 301,200, 180,500 and 753,100 shares, respectively, of
Common Stock were repurchased in open market transactions for aggregate
consideration of approximately $10.9 million (or approximately $36.20 per
share), $6.1 million (or approximately $33.80 per share), and $28.9 million (or
approximately $38.40 per share), respectively.



                                       47
<PAGE>   50
                  KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(7) Quarterly financial summaries (unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         1st               2nd            3rd            4th           Fiscal
                       Quarter           Quarter        Quarter        Quarter          Year
                       -------           -------        -------        -------          ----
                                    (Dollars in thousands except per share data)
<S>                    <C>               <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Fiscal 1996:
Revenues .......       $162,139          $176,784       $165,763       $158,740       $663,426
Revenues less
  direct costs .         64,048            68,744         67,115         66,025        265,932
Income before
  provision
  for income
  taxes ........         66,320(1)         55,393         55,227         54,670        231,610(1)
Net income .....         43,662(1)         35,162         35,186         35,990        150,000(1)
Primary earnings
  per share ....       $   1.17(1)       $    .93       $    .92       $    .95       $   3.98(1)
                       ========          ========       ========       ========       ========
</TABLE>

(1) Income before provision for income taxes, net income and primary earnings
per share include a nonrecurring gain of approximately $14.1 million, $10.3
million and $.27, respectively, as a result of the Company's sale of Buffalo to
LIN Television Corporation for $95 million in cash which closed in October 1995.
See Note 8.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          1st           2nd             3rd            4th          Fiscal
                        Quarter       Quarter         Quarter        Quarter         Year
                        -------       -------         -------        -------         ----
                                  (Dollars in thousands except per share data)
<S>                    <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Fiscal 1995:
Revenues .......       $147,084       $143,732       $142,632       $140,738       $574,186
Revenues less
  direct costs .         58,646         58,398         58,368         57,238        232,650
Income before
  provision
  for income
  taxes ........         44,555         45,716         45,600         47,387        183,258
Net income .....         27,868         29,891         29,221         30,332        117,312
Primary earnings
  per share ....       $    .75       $    .80       $    .78       $    .81       $   3.14
                       ========       ========       ========       ========       ========
</TABLE>


(8) Buffalo Broadcasting Co. Inc.

           In October 1995 the Company closed its agreement to sell WIVB-TV, the
CBS-affiliated VHF television station in Buffalo, New York, to LIN Television
Corporation for $95 million in cash. As a result of this transaction, the
Company recorded a nonrecurring gain of approximately $14.1 million, of which
approximately $9.8 million represents cash proceeds to the Company from the
sale. The remaining $4.3 million of such gain represents the reversal of
previously recognized accounting losses (with no associated income tax effect)
in excess of the Company's original investment.

         The Company acquired Buffalo Broadcasting Co. Inc. ("Buffalo") in
December 1988 in a highly leveraged transaction. In April 1992, the Company and
Buffalo's lenders entered into an agreement providing for a financial
restructuring of Buffalo effective August 4, 1992. As a result of such
restructuring, Buffalo ceased to be a consolidated subsidiary of King World.

                                       48
<PAGE>   51
                  KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



The Company's investment in Buffalo subsequent to the restructuring was carried
at cost.



                                       49
<PAGE>   52
                                    PART III

                  The information required by Part III of Form 10-K is
incorporated by reference from the registrant's definitive proxy statement for
its 1997 annual meeting of stockholders, which is to be filed pursuant to
Regulation 14A not later than December 29, 1996.

                                     PART IV

Item 10.          EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                  AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

                  (a)(1 and 2)  Financial Statements.  See Index to
Consolidated Financial Statements which appears on page 28 of
this Annual Report.

         (3)      Exhibits:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number            Description
- ------            -----------
<S>               <C>
3.1.              Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorpo-
                  ration (incorporated by reference to Exhib-
                  it 3.1 to the Registrant's Registration
                  Statement No. 2-93987).

3.2.              Certificate of Amendment to the Registrant's
                  Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incor-
                  porated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the
                  Registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-
                  8357).

3.3.              Registrant's By-laws, as amended April 28,
                  1988 and October 10, 1996.

10.1.             Agreement dated July 12, 1984 between Leo A.
                  Gutman, Inc. and the Registrant with exhibits
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to
                  the Registrant's Registration Statement
                  No. 2-93987).

10.2.             Agreements dated August 6, 1970, July 31,
                  1970, and May 29, 1969, between Hal Roach
                  Studios, Inc. and the Registrant, with amend-
                  ment dated June 8, 1983 and exhibits (incor-
                  porated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the
                  Registrant's Registration Statement No. 2-
                  93987).
</TABLE>

                                       50
<PAGE>   53
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number            Description
- ------            -----------
<S>               <C>
10.3.**           Distribution Agreement dated December 15,
                  1982, between Califon Productions, Inc. and
                  the Registrant, with amendment dated July 8,
                  1983 (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant's Registration
                  Statement No. 2-93987).

10.4.**           Amendment, dated April 23, 1990, to the Dis-
                  tribution Agreement dated December 15, 1982,
                  between Califon Productions, Inc. and the
                  Registrant (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant's Annual Re-
                  port on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                  August 31, 1995).

10.5.**           Distribution Agreement dated November 1,
                  1983, between Califon Productions, Inc. and
                  the Registrant, with amendment dated
                  March 26, 1984 (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.9 to the Registrant's Registration
                  Statement No. 2-93987).

10.6.             Employment Agreement, dated December 20,
                  1995, between Mr. Roger King and the Regis-
                  trant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                  10.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended Febru-
                  ary 29, 1996).

10.7.             Employment Agreement, dated December 20,
                  1995, between Mr. Michael King and the Regis-
                  trant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                  10.2 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended Febru-
                  ary 29, 1996).

10.8.             Employment or consulting agreements, date De-
                  cember 23, 1993, between the Registrant and
                  Stephen W. Palley (incorporated by reference
                  to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant's Annual
                  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                  August 31, 1994).
</TABLE>


- -----------------------
* Certain information in this exhibit is deleted pursuant to an order of the
Securities and Exchange Commission granting confidential treatment.

** Certain information in this exhibit is deleted pursuant to a request to the
Securities and Exchange Comission for confidential treatment.

                                       51
<PAGE>   54
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number            Description
- ------            -----------
<S>               <C>

10.9.             Employment between the Registrant and the
                  individuals named below:

                  Name of Employee
                  or Consultant                 Date of Agreement
                  -------------                 -----------------

                  Steven Hirsch . . . . .       September 3, 1996
                  Jonathan Birkhahn . . .       September 1, 1996
                  Michael Spiessbach. . .       September 3, 1996
                  Robert V. Madden. . . .       September 3, 1996

10.10.            King World Productions, Inc. Retirement Sav-
                  ings Plan dated September 17, 1992 (incorpo-
                  rated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the
                  Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                  the fiscal year ended August 31, 1993).

10.11.            Amended and Restated Stock Option and Restricted Stock
                  Purchase Plan of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to
                  the Registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-54691).

10.12.            Incentive Equity Compensation Plan for Senior
                  Executives of the Registrant (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's
                  Registration Statement No. 33-30695).

10.13.            Agreement dated as of May 1, 1991, among the
                  Registrant and the stockholders named there-
                  in.

10.14.            Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and
                  the Registrant's directors (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.15 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10- K
                  for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1992).


10.15.**          Agreement dated January 30, 1987 between the
                  Registrant and Harpo, Inc. and amendment
                  thereto dated July 29, 1988 (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the
</TABLE>

- -----------------------
* Certain information in this exhibit is deleted pursuant to an order of the
Securities and Exchange Commission granting confidential treatment.

** Certain information in this exhibit is deleted pursuant to a request to the
Securities and Exchange Comission for confidential treatment.

                                       52
<PAGE>   55
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number            Description
- ------            -----------
<S>               <C>
                  Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                  the fiscal year ended August 31, 1993)

10.16.**          Amendment dated as of October 15, 1989 to the Agreement dated
                  January 30, 1987 between the Registrant and Harpo, Inc.
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the
                  Registrant's Annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                  ended August 31, 1995).

10.17.*           Agreement dated as of January 28, 1991 be-
                  tween the Registrant and Harpo, Inc.

10.18.**          Agreement dated as of March 17, 1994 between
                  the Registrant and Harpo, Inc. (incorporated
                  by reference to 8-K/A dated May 18, 1994).

10.19.*           Agreement dated as of October 6, 1995 between
                  the Registrant and Harpo, Inc. (incorporated
                  by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the
                  Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A
                  for the fiscal quarter ended February 29,
                  1996).

10.20.            Stock Option Agreement dated as of
                  January 28, 1991 between the registrant and Oprah Winfrey
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's
                  Registration Statement No. 33-71696).

10.21.            Stock Option Agreement dated as of
                  January 28, 1991 between the registrant and
                  Jeffrey D. Jacobs (incorporated by reference
                  to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Registra-
                  tion Statement No. 33-71696).

10.22.            Form of Stock Option Agreement between the registrant and
                  Oprah Winfrey (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to
                  the Registrant's Annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
                  year ended August 31, 1995).
</TABLE>


- -----------------------
* Certain information in this exhibit is deleted pursuant to an order of the
Securities and Exchange Commission granting confidential treatment.

** Certain information in this exhibit is deleted pursuant to a request to the
Securities and Exchange Comission for confidential treatment.

                                       53
<PAGE>   56
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number            Description
- ------            -----------
<S>               <C>

10.23.            Form of Stock Option Agreement between the registrant and
                  Jeffrey D. Jacobs (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20
                  to the Registrant's Annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
                  year ended August 31, 1995).

10.24.*           Agreement dated as of June 2, 1988 between
                  King World F.S.C. Corporation and Unilever
                  N.V. and amendment thereto dated as of June
                  13, 1989 (incorporated by reference to Exhib-
                  it 10.20 to the Registrant's Annual Report on
                  Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August
                  31, 1994).

10.25.*           Amendment dated as of September 19, 1991 to
                  the Agreement dated as of June 2, 1988 be-
                  tween King World F.S.C. Corporation and
                  Unilever N.V. (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.20 to the Registrant's Annual
                  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                  August 31, 1992).

10.26*            Amendment dated June 13, 1994 to the
                  Agreement dated June 2, 1988, as amended as
                  of June 13, 1989 and September 19, 1991,
                  between King World F.S.C. Corporation and
                  Unilever N.V. (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.22 to the Registrant's Annual
                  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                  August 31, 1994).

10.27*            Amendment dated as of July 11, 1995 to the
                  Agreement dated June 2, 1988, as amended as
                  of June 13, 1989, September 19, 1991 and as
                  of June 13, 1994 between King World F.S.C.
                  Corporation and Unilever N.V. (incorporated
                  by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the
                  Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                  the fiscal year ended August 31, 1995).

10.28**           Amendment dated as of September 1, 1996 to
                  the Agreement dated June 2, 1988, as amended
                  as of June 13, 1989, September 19, 1991, June
</TABLE>

- -----------------------
* Certain information in this exhibit is deleted pursuant to an order of the
Securities and Exchange Commission granting confidential treatment.

** Certain information in this exhibit is deleted pursuant to a request to the
Securities and Exchange Comission for confidential treatment.

                                       54
<PAGE>   57
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number            Description
- ------            -----------
<S>               <C>
                  13, 1994 and July 11, 1995 between King World F.S.C.
                  Corporation and Unilever N.V.

10.29.            Restructuring Agreement dated as of April 30,
                  1992 among Buffalo Broadcasting Co. Inc., the
                  Holders named therein and Buffalo Management
                  Enterprises Co., Inc., together with Exhibits
                  thereto.

10.30.            Letter Agreements dated December 18, 1992 be-
                  tween the Registrant and each of Roger King
                  and Michael King and Cross Receipt dated
                  December 18, 1992 (incorporated by reference
                  to Exhibit 10.20 to the Registrant's Annual
                  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                  August 31, 1993).

21.1.             List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

23.1.             Consent of Independent Public Accountants.
</TABLE>



                  (b) Reports on Form 8-K filed during the last quarter of the
fiscal year ended August 31, 1996:

                  None.



                                       55
<PAGE>   58
                           For the purposes of complying with the amendments to
         the rules governing Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
         amended, the undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows, which
         undertaking shall be incorporated by reference into registrant's
         Registration Statements on Form S-8 Nos. 33-30694 and 33-30695 (filed
         August 24, 1990), No. 33-54691 (filed on July 22, 1994) and No.
         333-11363 (filed on September 4, 1996):

                  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
                  Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers
                  and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
                  foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been
                  advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
                  Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
                  expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
                  event that a claim for indemnification against such
                  liabilities (other than for the payment by the registrant of
                  expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
                  controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense
                  of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
                  director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
                  securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
                  the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
                  controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
                  jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it
                  is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be
                  governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                       56
<PAGE>   59
                                   SIGNATURES


                  Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date:  November 14, 1996                      KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC.

                                               By /s/ Michael King
                                                 ------------------------------
                                                      Michael King
                                                      President and Interim
                                                      Chief Operating Officer


                  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of
the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature               Title                        Date
- ---------               -----                        ----
<S>                     <C>                          <C>
                        President and                November 14, 1996
                        Director (principal
/s/ Michael King        executive officer)
- ---------------------
    Michael King



/s/ Roger King          Director                     November 14, 1996
- ---------------------
    Roger King



/s/ Diana King          Director                     November 14, 1996
- ---------------------
    Diana King



/s/ Richard King        Director                     November 14, 1996
- ---------------------
    Richard King



/s/ Ronald S. Konecky   Director                     November 14, 1996
- ---------------------
    Ronald S. Konecky



/s/ James M. Rupp       Director                     November 14, 1996
- ---------------------
    James M. Rupp
</TABLE>


                                       57
<PAGE>   60
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature               Title                        Date
- ---------               -----                        ----
<S>                     <C>                         <C>
/s/ Joel Chaseman       Director                    November 14, 1996
- ---------------------
    Joel Chaseman



/s/ Steven A. LoCascio                     
- ---------------------   Interim Chief Financial     November 14, 1996
    Steven A. LoCascio  Officer (principal
                        financial officer)


/s/ Steven A. Locascio                     
- ---------------------   Vice President and          November 14, 1996
    Steven A. LoCascio  Controller
                        (principal accounting
                         officer)
</TABLE>

                                       58
<PAGE>   61
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
No.               Description                                          
- ---               -----------                                          
<S>               <C>
3.1.              Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorpora-
                  tion (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1
                  to the Registrant's Registration Statement
                  No. 2-93987).

3.2.              Certificate of Amendment to the Registrant's
                  Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorpo-
                  rated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Regi-
                  strant's Registration Statement No. 33-8357).

3.3.              Registrant's By-laws, as amended April 28, 1988
                  and October 10, 1996.

10.1.             Agreement dated July 12, 1984 between Leo A.
                  Gutman, Inc. and the Registrant with exhibits
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to
                  the Registrant's Registration Statement
                  No. 2-93987).

10.2.             Agreements dated August 6, 1970, July 31, 1970,
                  and May 29, 1969, between Hal Roach Studios,
                  Inc. and the Registrant, with amendment dated
                  June 8, 1983 and exhibits (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant's
                  Registration Statement No. 2-93987).

10.3.**           Distribution Agreement dated December 15, 1982,
                  between Califon Productions, Inc. and the Reg-
                  istrant, with amendment dated July 8, 1983
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to
                  the Registrant's Registration Statement
                  No. 2-93987).

10.4.**           Amendment, dated April 23, 1990, to the Distribu-
                  tion Agreement dated December 15, 1982, between 
                  Califon Productions, Inc. and the Registrant 
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to
                  the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
</TABLE>

- -----------------------
* Certain information in this exhibit is deleted pursuant to an order of the
Securities and Exchange Commission granting confidential treatment.

** Certain information in this exhibit is deleted pursuant to a request to the
Securities and Exchange Commission for confidential treatment.
<PAGE>   62
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
No.               Description                                         
- ---               -----------                                         
<S>               <C>
                  10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31,
                  1995).

10.5.**           Distribution Agreement dated November 1, 1983,
                  between Califon Productions, Inc. and the Reg-
                  istrant, with amendment dated March 26, 1984
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to
                  the Registrant's Registration Statement
                  No. 2-93987).

10.6.             Employment Agreement, dated December 20, 1995, 
                  between Mr. Roger King and the Registrant 
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to 
                  the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
                  for the fiscal quarter ended February 29, 1996).

10.7.             Employment Agreement, dated December 20, 1995,
                  between Mr. Michael King and the Registrant
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to
                  the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
                  for the fiscal quarter ended February 29,
                  1996).

10.8.             Employment or consulting agreements, date De-
                  cember 23, 1993, between the Registrant and
                  Stephen W. Palley (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant's Annual Report
                  on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August
                  31, 1994).

10.9.             Employment between the Registrant and the indi-
                  viduals named below:

                  Name of Employee
                  or Consultant                   Date of Agreement
                  -------------                   -----------------

                  Steven Hirsch . . . . .         September 3, 1996
                  Jonathan Birkhahn . . .         September 1, 1996
                  Michael Spiessbach. . .         September 3, 1996
                  Robert V. Madden. . . .         September 3, 1996
</TABLE>

- -----------------------
* Certain information in this exhibit is deleted pursuant to an order of the
Securities and Exchange Commission granting confidential treatment.

** Certain information in this exhibit is deleted pursuant to a request to the
Securities and Exchange Commission for confidential treatment.

                                        2
<PAGE>   63
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
No.               Description                                          
- ---               -----------                                          

<S>               <C>
10.10.            King World Productions, Inc. Retirement Savings
                  Plan dated September 17, 1992 (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant's
                  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                  ended August 31, 1993).

10.11.            Amended and Restated Stock Option and Re-
                  stricted Stock Purchase Plan of the Registrant
                  (incorporated by reference to the Registrant's
                  Registration Statement No. 33-54691).

10.12.            Incentive Equity Compensation Plan for Senior
                  Executives of the Registrant (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's
                  Registration Statement No. 33-30695).

10.13.            Agreement dated as of May 1, 1991, among the
                  Registrant and the stockholders named therein.

10.14.            Form of Indemnification Agreement between the
                  Registrant and the Registrant's directors
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to 
                  the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
                  for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1992).

10.15.**          Agreement dated January 30, 1987 between the 
                  Registrant and Harpo, Inc. and amendment thereto
                  dated July 29, 1988 (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.12 to the Registrant's Annual Report
                  on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31,
                  1993)

10.16.**          Amendment dated as of October 15, 1989 to the
                  Agreement dated January 30, 1987 between the
                  Registrant and Harpo, Inc. (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Registrant's
                  Annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                  ended August 31, 1995).
</TABLE>
- -----------------------
* Certain information in this exhibit is deleted pursuant to an order of the
Securities and Exchange Commission granting confidential treatment.

** Certain information in this exhibit is deleted pursuant to a request to the
Securities and Exchange Commission for confidential treatment.

                                        3
<PAGE>   64
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
No.               Description                                           
- ---               -----------                                           
<S>               <C>
10.17.*           Agreement dated as of January 28, 1991 between
                  the Registrant and Harpo, Inc.

10.18.**          Agreement dated as of March 17, 1994 between
                  the Registrant and Harpo, Inc. (incorporated by
                  reference to 8-K/A dated May 18, 1994).

10.19.*           Agreement dated as of October 6, 1995 between the
                  Registrant and Harpo, Inc. (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's
                  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the fiscal
                  quarter ended February 29, 1996).

10.20.            Stock Option Agreement dated as of January 28,
                  1991 between the registrant and Oprah Winfrey
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the
                  Registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-71696).

10.21.            Stock Option Agreement dated as of January 28,
                  1991 between the registrant and Jeffrey D.
                  Jacobs (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                  10.3 to the Registrant's Registration Statement
                  No. 33-71696).

10.22.            Form of Stock Option Agreement between the 
                  registrant and Oprah Winfrey (incorporated by 
                  reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Registrant's 
                  Annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                  ended August 31, 1995).

10.23.            Form of Stock Option Agreement between the 
                  registrant and Jeffrey D. Jacobs (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Registrant's
                  Annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                  ended August 31, 1995).

10.24.*           Agreement dated as of June 2, 1988 between King
                  World F.S.C. Corporation and Unilever N.V. and
                  amendment thereto dated as of June 13, 1989
</TABLE>
- -----------------------
* Certain information in this exhibit is deleted pursuant to an order of the
Securities and Exchange Commission granting confidential treatment.

** Certain information in this exhibit is deleted pursuant to a request to the
Securities and Exchange Commission for confidential treatment.

                                        4
<PAGE>   65
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
No.               Description                                            
- ---               -----------                                            
<S>               <C>
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to 
                  the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                  the fiscal year ended August 31, 1994).

10.25.*           Amendment dated as of September 19, 1991 to the
                  Agreement dated as of June 2, 1988 between King 
                  World F.S.C. Corporation and Unilever N.V.
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to
                  the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                  the fiscal year ended August 31, 1992).

10.26*            Amendment dated June 13, 1994 to the Agreement
                  dated June 2, 1988, as amended as of June 13,
                  1989 and September 19, 1991, between King World
                  F.S.C. Corporation and Unilever N.V. (incorpo-
                  rated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the
                  Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                  fiscal year ended August 31, 1994).

10.27*            Amendment dated as of July 11, 1995 to the
                  Agreement dated June 2, 1988, as amended as of
                  June 13, 1989, September 19, 1991 and as of
                  June 13, 1994 between King World F.S.C. Corpo-
                  ration and Unilever N.V. (incorporated by ref-
                  erence to Exhibit 10.24 to the Registrant's
                  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                  ended August 31, 1995).

10.28**           Amendment dated as of September 1, 1996 to the
                  Agreement dated June 2, 1988, as amended as of
                  June 13, 1989, September 19, 1991, June 13,
                  1994 and July 11, 1995 between King World
                  F.S.C. Corporation and Unilever N.V.

10.29.            Restructuring Agreement dated as of April 30,
                  1992 among Buffalo Broadcasting Co. Inc., the
                  Holders named therein and Buffalo Management
                  Enterprises Co., Inc., together with Exhibits
                  thereto.
</TABLE>
- -----------------------
* Certain information in this exhibit is deleted pursuant to an order of the
Securities and Exchange Commission granting confidential treatment.

** Certain information in this exhibit is deleted pursuant to a request to the
Securities and Exchange Commission for confidential treatment.

                                        5
<PAGE>   66
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
No.               Description                                          
- ---               -----------                                          
<S>               <C>
10.30.            Letter Agreements dated December 18, 1992 be-
                  tween the Registrant and each of Roger King and
                  Michael King and Cross Receipt dated Decem-
                  ber 18, 1992 (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.20 to the Registrant's Annual Report
                  on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                  August 31, 1993).

21.1.             List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

23.1.             Consent of Independent Public Accountants.
</TABLE>

- -----------------------
* Certain information in this exhibit is deleted pursuant to an order of the
Securities and Exchange Commission granting confidential treatment.

** Certain information in this exhibit is deleted pursuant to a request to the
Securities and Exchange Commission for confidential treatment.

                                        6

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.3

                                    BY-LAWS

                                       OF

                          KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC.

                                   ARTICLE I

                                  Stockholders

         Section 1.1 Annual Meetings. An annual meeting of stockholders shall be
held for the election of directors at such date, time and place either within or
without the State of Delaware as may be designated by the Board of Directors
from time to time. Any other proper business may be transacted at the annual
meeting.

         Section 1.2 Special Meetings. Except as otherwise required by law and
subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of stock having a
preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, special
meetings of the stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called only by
the Chairman of the Board, the President, or a majority of the entire Board of
Directors. Only such business as is specified in the notice of any special
meeting of the stockholders shall come before such meeting.

         Section 1.3 Notice of Meetings. Whenever stockholders are required or
permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall
be given which shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting, and, in the
case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is
called. Unless otherwise provided by law, the written notice of any meeting
shall be given not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the
meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such
notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail,
postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder's address as it
appears on the records of the Corporation.

         Section 1.4 Adjournments. Any meeting of stockholders, annual or
special, may adjourn from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other
place, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time
and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is
taken. At the adjourned meeting the Corporation may transact any business which
might have been transacted at the

                                                
<PAGE>   2
original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or if after
the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice
of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled
to vote at the meeting.

         Section 1.5 Quorum. At each meeting of stockholders, except where
otherwise provided by law or the certificate of incorporation or these By-laws,
the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class of stock
entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy,
shall constitute a quorum. For purposes of the foregoing, two or more classes or
series of stock shall be considered a single class if the holders thereof are
entitled to vote together as a single class at the meeting. In the absence of a
quorum the stockholders so present may, by majority vote, adjourn the meeting
from time to time in the manner provided by Section 1.4 of these By-laws until a
quorum shall attend. Shares of its own capital stock belonging on the record
date for the meeting to the Corporation or to another corporation, if a majority
of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other
corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, shall neither
be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided, however, that
the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation to vote stock,
including but not limited to its own stock, held by it in a fiduciary capacity.

         Section 1.6 Organization. Meetings of stockholders shall be presided
over by the Chairman of the Board, if any, or in the absence of the Chairman of
the Board by the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, or in the absence of the
Vice Chairman of the Board by the President, or in the absence of the President
by a Vice President, or in the absence of the foregoing persons by a chairman
designated by the Board of Directors, or in the absence of such designation by a
chairman chosen at the meeting. The Secretary, or in the absence of the
Secretary an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in
the absence of the Secretary and any Assistant Secretary the chairman of the
meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

         Section 1.7 Voting; Proxies. Unless otherwise provided in the
Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting
of stockholders shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by
such stockholder which has voting power upon the matter in question. Each

                                       2

                                                                                
<PAGE>   3
stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another
person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall
be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy
provides for a longer period. A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it
states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an
interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A stockholder may
revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in
person or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or another duly
executed proxy bearing a later date with the Secretary of the Corporation.
Unless required by law or determined by the chairman of the meeting to be
advisable, the vote on any matter, including the election of directors, need not
be by written ballot. In the case of a vote by written ballot, each ballot shall
be signed by the stockholder voting, or by such stockholder's proxy, and shall
state the number of shares voted. Either the Board of Directors or, in the
absence of a designation of inspectors by the Board, the chairman of any meeting
of stockholders may, in its or such person's discretion, appoint two or more
inspectors to act at any meeting of stockholders. Such inspectors shall perform
such duties as shall be specified by the Board or the chairman of the meeting.
Inspectors need not be stockholders. No director or nominee for the office of
director shall be appointed such inspector. At all meetings of stockholders for
the election of directors a plurality of the votes cast shall be sufficient to
elect. With respect to other matters, unless otherwise provided by law or by the
Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the shares of all classes of stock present in person or
represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter
shall be the act of the stockholders. Where a separate vote by class is
required, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of
each class present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the
act of such class, except as otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of
Incorporation or these By-laws.

         Section 1.8 Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record. In
order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of
or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or
entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment
of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change,
conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action,
the Board of

                                       3

                                                                                
<PAGE>   4
Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty
nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty days
prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed, (1) the record date for
determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of
stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day
on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on
the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held, and (2) the record
date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of
business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto. A
determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a
meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided,
however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

         Section 1.9 List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. The Secretary shall
prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a
complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in
alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number
of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to
the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting,
during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the
meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held,
which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so
specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be
produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time
thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.

                                   ARTICLE II

                               Board of Directors

         Section 2.1 General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation
shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, which may
exercise all such powers of the corporation and do all such lawful acts and
things as are not by law or by the certificate of incorporation of the
corporation directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

                                       4

                                                                                
<PAGE>   5
         Section 2.2 Number, Qualification and Election. Except as otherwise
fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of Article IV of the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation relating to the rights of the holders of any
class or series of stock having preference over the Common Stock as to dividends
or upon liquidation, the number of the directors of the Corporation shall be
seven (7), but, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors, the
number thereof may be increased without limit, or decreased to not less than
three (3), by amendment to this Section 2.2.

         The directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of
shares of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock
of the Corporation as to dividends or upon liquidation pursuant to the terms of
Article IV of the Certificate of Incorporation or any resolution or resolutions
providing for the issuance of such stock adopted by the Board, shall be
classified, with respect to the time for which they severally hold office, into
three classes as follows: one class of two (2) directors shall be originally
elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in
1986, another class of two (2) directors shall be originally elected for a term
expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 1987 and another
class of three (3) directors shall be originally elected for a term expiring at
the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 1988, with each class to hold
office until its successors are elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of
the stockholders of the Corporation, the successors of the class of directors
whose term expires at that meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term
expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year following
the year of their election.

         Each director shall be a least 21 years of age. Directors need not be
stockholders of the Corporation.

         Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of stock
having a preference over the Common Stock of the Corporation as to dividends or
upon liquidation, at each annual meeting of the stockholders there shall be
elected the directors of the class the term of office of which shall then
expire.

         Section 2.3 Notification of Nominations. Subject to the rights of the
holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common
Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, nominations for the election of
directors may

                                       5

                                                                                
<PAGE>   6
be made by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder entitied to vote for
the election of directors. Any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of
directors at a meeting may nominate persons for election as directors only if
written notice of such stockholders's intent to make such nomination is given,
either by personal delivery or by United States mail, postage prepaid, to the
Secretary of the Corporation not later than (i) with respect to an election to
be held at an annual meeting of stockholders, 45 days in advance of such
meeting, and (ii) with respect to an election to be held at a special meeting of
stockholders for the election of directors, the close of business on the seventh
day following the date on which notice of such meeting is first given to
stockholders. Each such notice shall set forth: (a) the name and address of the
stockholder who intends to make the nomination and of the person or persons to
be nominated; (b) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of
stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear
in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified
in the notice; (c) a description of all arrangements or understandings between
the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such
person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be
made by the stockholder; (d) such other information regarding each nominee
proposed by such stockholder as would have been required to be included in a
proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission had each nominee be nominated, or intended to be nominated, by the
Board of Directors; and (e) the consent of each nominee to serve as a director
of the Corporation if so elected. The chairman of the meeting may refuse to
acknowledge the nomination of any person which was not made in accordance with
the foregoing procedure.

         Section 2.4 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of
Directors may be held at such places within or without the State of Delaware and
at such times as the Board may from time to time determine, and if so determined
notice thereof need not be given.

         Section 2.5 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of
Directors may be held at any time or place within or without the State of
Delaware whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, if any, by the Vice
Chairman of the Board, if any, by the President or by a majority of the members
of the Board. Reasonable notice thereof shall be given by the person or persons
calling the meeting.

                                       6

                                                                                
<PAGE>   7
         Section 2.6 Participation in Meetings by Conference Telephone
Permitted. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or
these By-laws, members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by
the Board, may participate in a meeting of the Board or of such committee, as
the case may be, by means of conference telephone or similar communications
equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear
each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this By-law shall
constitute presence in person at such meeting.

         Section 2.7 Quorum; Vote Required for Action. Except as otherwise
provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, at any
meeting of the Board of Directors a majority of the entire Board shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and, except as so provided,
the vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum
is present shall be the act of the Board. In case at any meeting of the Board a
quorum shall not be present, the members of the Board present may adjourn the
meeting from time to time until a quorum shall attend. At any adjourned meeting
at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted which might have
been transacted at the meeting originally called.

         Section 2.8 Organization. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be
presided over by the Chairman of the Board, if any, or in the absence of the
Chairman of the Board by the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, or in the
absence of the Vice Chairman of the Board by the President, or in their absence
by a chairman chosen at the meeting. The Secretary, or in the absence of the
Secretary an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in
the absence of the Secretary and any Assistant Secretary the chairman of the
meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

         Section 2.9 Action by Directors Without a Meeting. Any action required
or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any
committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or
of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the
writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or
committee.

         Section 2.10 Resignations. Any director of the Company may at any
time resign by giving written notice to the Board of Directors, the Chairman of
the Board, the President or

                                       7

                                                                                
<PAGE>   8
the Secretary of the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the time
specified therein or, if the time be not specified, upon receipt thereof; and,
unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not
be necessary to make it effective.

         Section 2.11 Vacancies. Subject to the rights of the holders of any
class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock of the
Corporation as to dividends or upon liquidation, any vacancies on the Board of
Directors resulting from death, resignation, removal or other cause shall only
be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then
in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by a
sole remaining director, and newly created directorships resulting from any
increase in the number of directors shall be filled by the Board, or if not so
filled, by the stockholders at the next annual meeting thereof or at a special
meeting called for that purpose in accordance with 1.2 of these By-laws. Any
director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for
the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the new
directorship was created or the vacancy occurred and until such director's
successor shall have been elected and qualified.

         Section 2.12 Compensation of Directors. The Board of Directors shall
have the authority to fix the compensation of directors.

                                  ARTICLE III

                                   Committees

         Section 3.1 Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution
passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, each
committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The
Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any Committee,
who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the
committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the
member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from
voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may
unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in place
of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent
provided in the resolution of the

                                       8

                                                                                
<PAGE>   9

Board, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in
the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize
the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it;
but no such committee shall have power or authority in reference to amending the
certificate of incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation,
recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or
substantially all the Corporation's property and assets, recommending to the
stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of dissolution,
removing or indemnifying directors or amending these By-laws; and, unless the
resolution expressly so provides, no such committee shall have the power or
authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock. The Board
shall have power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to fill
all vacancies in it and to discharge it, either with or without cause.

         Section 3.2 Committee Rules. Unless the Board of Directors otherwise
provides, each committee designated by the Board may adopt, amend and repeal
rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of a provision by the
Board or a provision in the rules of such committee to the contrary, a majority
of the entire authorized number of members of such committee shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business, the vote of a majority of the members
present at a meeting at the time of such vote if a quorum is then present shall
be the act of such committee, and in other respects each committee shall conduct
its business in the same manner as the Board conducts its business pursuant to
Article II of these By-laws.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                    Officers

         Section 4.1 Officers; Election. As soon as practicable after the annual
meeting of stockholders in each year, the Board of Directors shall elect a
President and a Secretary, and it may, if it so determines, elect from among its
members a Chairman of the Board and a Vice Chairman of the Board. The Board may
also elect one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Vice Presidents,
one or more Assistant Secretaries, a Treasurer and one or more Assistant
Treasurers and such other officers as the Board may deem desirable or
appropriate and may give any of them such further designations or alternate
titles as it considers desirable. Any number of offices may be held by the same
person.

                                       9

                                                                                
<PAGE>   10
         Section 4.2 Term of Office; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies. Except as
otherwise provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors electing any
officer, each officer shall hold office until the first meeting of the Board
after the annual meeting of stockholders next succeeding his or her election and
until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier
resignation or removal. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice
to the Board or to the President or the Secretary of the Corporation. Such
resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, and unless
otherwise specified therein no acceptance of such resignation shall be necessary
to make it effective. The Board may remove any officer with or without cause at
any time. Any such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights
of such officer, if any, with the Corporation, but the election of an officer
shall not of itself create contractual rights. Any vacancy occurring in any
office of the Corporation by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be
filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Board at any regular or
special meeting.

         Section 4.3 Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board, if any,
shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders
at which he or she shall be present and shall have and may exercise such powers
as may, from time to time, be assigned to him or her by the Board and as may be
provided by law.

         Section 4.4 Vice Chairman of the Board. In the absence of the Chairman
of the Board, the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, shall preside at all
meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders at which he or she
shall be present and shall have and may exercise such powers as may, from time
to time, be assigned to him or her by the Board and as may be provided by law.

         Section 4.5 President. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board and
Vice Chairman of the Board, the President shall preside at all meetings of the
Board of Directors and of the stockholders at which he or she shall be present.
The President shall be the chief executive officer and shall have general charge
and supervision of the business of the Corporation and, in general, shall
perform all duties incident to the office of president of a corporation and such
other duties as may, from time to time, be assigned to him or her by the Board
or as may be provided by law.

                                       10

                                                                                
<PAGE>   11
         Section 4.6 Vice Presidents. The Vice President or Vice Presidents, at
the request or in the absence of the President or during the President's
inability to act, shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting
shall have the powers of the President. If there be more than one Vice
President, the Board of Directors may determine which one or more of the Vice
Presidents shall perform any of such duties; or if such determination is not
made by the Board, the President may make such determination; otherwise any of
the Vice Presidents may perform any of such duties. The Vice President or Vice
Presidents shall have such other powers and shall perform such other duties as
may, from time to time, be assigned to him or her or them by the Board or the
President or as may be provided by law.

         Section 4.7 Secretary. The Secretary shall have the duty to record the
proceedings of the meetings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and any
committees in a book to be kept for that purpose, shall see that all notices are
duly given in accordance with the provisions of these By-laws or as required by
law, shall be custodian of the records of the Corporation, may affix the
corporate seal to any document the execution of which, on behalf of the
Corporation, is duly authorized, and when so affixed may attest the same, and,
in general, shall perform all duties incident to the office of secretary of a
corporation and such other duties as may, from time to time, be assigned to him
or her by the Board or the President or as may be provided by law.

         Section 4.8 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have charge of and be
responsible for all funds, securities, receipts and disbursements of the
Corporation and shall deposit or cause to be deposited, in the name of the
Corporation, all moneys or other valuable effects in such banks, trust companies
or other depositories as shall, from time to time, be selected by or under
authority of the Board of Directors. If required by the Board, the Treasurer
shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties, with such
surety or sureties as the Board may determine. The Treasurer shall keep or cause
to be kept full and accurate records of all receipts and disbursements in books
of the Corporation, shall render to the President and to the Board, whenever
requested, an account of the financial condition of the Corporation, and, in
general, shall perform all the duties incident to the office of treasurer of a
corporation and such other duties as may, from time to time, be assigned to him
or her by the Board or the President or as may be provided by law.

                                       11

                                                                                
<PAGE>   12
         Section 4.9 Other Officers. The other officers, if any, of the
Corporation shall have such powers and duties in the management of the
Corporation as shall be stated in a resolution of the Board of Directors which
is not inconsistent with these By-laws and, to the extent not so stated, as
generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the
Board. The Board may require any officer, agent or employee to give security for
the faithful performance of his or her duties.

                                   ARTICLE V

                                     Stock

         Section 5.1 Certificates. Every holder of stock in the Corporation
shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the
Corporation by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any,
or the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant
Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Corporation,
certifying the number of shares owned by such holder in the Corporation. Any of
the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer,
transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been
placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent
or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the
Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer
agent or registrar at the date of issue.

         Section 5.2 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificates; Issuance of
New Certificates. The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in the
place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost,
stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost,
stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner's legal representative, to give
the Corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the
Corporation may direct sufficient to indemnify the Corporation and its transfer
agents or registrars against any claim that may be made against it on account of
the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance
of such new certificate.

         Section 5.3 Transfer of Shares. Transfers of shares of stock of each
class of the Corporation shall be made only on the books of the Corporation by
the holder thereof, or by such

                                       12

                                                                                
<PAGE>   13
holder's attorney thereunto authorized by a power of attorney duly executed and
filed with the Secretary of the Corporation or a transfer agent for such stock,
if any, and on surrender of the certificate or certificates for such shares
properly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed stock transfer power and the
payment of all taxes thereon. The person in whose name shares stand on the books
of the Corporation shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards
the Corporation; provided, however, that whenever any transfer of shares shall
be made for collateral security and not absolutely, and written notice thereof
shall be given to the Secretary or to such transfer agent, such fact shall be
stated in the entry of the transfer. No transfer of shares shall be valid as
against the Corporation, its stockholders and creditors for any purpose, except
to render the transferee liable for the debts of the Corporation to the extent
provided by law, until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the
Corporation by an entry showing from and to whom transferred.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                 Miscellaneous

         Section 6.1 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be
determined by the Board of Directors.

         Section 6.2 Seal. The Corporation may have a corporate seal which shall
have the name of the Corporation inscribed thereon and shall be in such form as
may be approved from time to time by the Board of Directors. The corporate seal
may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or
in any other manner reproduced.

         Section 6.3 Waiver of Notice of Meetings of Stockholders, Directors and
Committees. Whenever notice is required to be given by law or under any
provision of the certificate of incorporation or these By-laws, a written waiver
thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the
time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a
person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except
when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the
beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting
is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at,
nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders,

                                       13

                                                                                
<PAGE>   14
directors, or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any
written waiver of notice unless so required by the certificate of incorporation
or these By-laws.

         Section 6.4 Indemnification of Directors, Officers and Employees. The
Corporation shall indemnify to the full extent authorized by law any person made
or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding, whether
criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that
such person or such person 5 testator or intestate is or was a director, officer
or employee of the Corporation or serves or served at the request of the
Corporation any other enterprise as a director, officer or employee. For
purposes of this By-law, the term "Corporation" shall include any predecessor of
the Corporation and any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a
constituent) absorbed by the Corporation in a consolidation or merger; the term
"other enterprise" shall include any corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust or employee benefit plan; service "at the request of the Corporation"
shall include service as a director, officer or employee of the Corporation
which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer or
employee with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or
beneficiaries; any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee
benefit plan shall be deemed to be indemnifiable expenses; and action by a
person with respect to an employee benefit plan which such person reasonably
believes to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of such
plan shall be deemed to be action not opposed to the best interests of the
Corporation.

         Section 6.5 Interested Directors; Quorum. No contract or transaction
between the Corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between
the Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association or other
organization in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or
officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for
this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or
participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof which
authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his or her or their
votes are counted for such purpose, if: (1) the material facts as to his or her
relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or
are known to the Board or the committee, and the Board or committee in good
faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a
majority of the disinterested directors, even though

                                       14

                                                                                
<PAGE>   15
the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; or (2) the material facts as
to his or her relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are
disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the
contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the
stockholders; or (3) the contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation
as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board, a committee
thereof or the stockholders. Common or interested directors may be counted in
determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board or of a committee
which authorizes the contract or transaction.

         Section 6.6 Form of Records. Any records maintained by the Corporation
in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of
account and minute books, may be kept on, or be in the form of, punch cards,
magnetic tape, photographs, microphotographs or any other information storage
device, provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible
form within a reasonable time. The Corporation shall so convert any records so
kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect the same.

         Section 6.7 Amendment of By-Laws. These By-laws may be amended or
repealed, and new By-laws adopted, by the Board of Directors at any meeting
thereof, provided that such proposed action in respect thereof shall be stated
in the notice of such meeting. The stockholders entitled to vote shall have the
power to adopt additional By-laws and may amend or repeal any By-law, whether or
not adopted by them, only to the extent and in the manner provided in the
Certificate of Incorporation.

                                       15

                                                                                

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.09



                          KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC.
                                  1700 Broadway
                            New York, New York 10019



                                September 3, 1996




Mr. Steven R. Hirsch
c/o Camelot Entertainment Sales, Inc.
1700 Broadway
New York, New York  10019

Dear Steve:

            This letter, when accepted by you, shall constitute an agreement
between you and King World Productions, Inc. ("King World" or the "Company")
with respect to the terms upon which you will be employed by King World during
the Employment Period (as hereinafter defined).

            1. (a) During the Employment Period, King World shall employ you,
and you hereby accept employment by King World, in the capacity of President of
King World's barter advertising sales subsidiary, Camelot Entertainment Sales,
Inc. ("Camelot"), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement. The "Employment Period" shall mean the period commencing on September
1, 1996 and ending on the earlier to occur of the following: (i) August 31, 1999
(or August 31, 2001, if the Company exercises the option provided in Section 
1(b) hereof); and (ii) the date on which this Agreement is terminated pursuant
to the provisions of Section 7(a) hereof. During the Employment Period, you
shall perform such services as shall from time to time be reasonably assigned to
you by King World's Chief Executive Officer, Chairman or Chief Operating
Officer, or by or pursuant to resolution of Camelot's Board of Directors, and
you shall diligently devote your entire business time, skill and attention to
the performance of such services and your duties and obligations hereunder.

                  (b) You hereby grant to the Company an option to extend the
Employment Period for one additional twenty-four month period ending on August
31, 2001 (hereinafter referred to as the "Option Period"). The Company may
exercise the option by written notice to you on or before May 1, 1999. If the
Company exercises
<PAGE>   2
said option, the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect
and shall apply during the Option Period. Except as otherwise expressly provided
herein, as used herein, the term "Employment Period" shall include the Option
Period if said option has been exercised; and shall exclude the Option Period if
said option has not been exercised.

            2. As a consideration for the services rendered by you hereunder,
you shall be entitled to the following:

            (a) Salary compensation at the following annual rates: $500,000
      during the first twelve months of the Employment Period; $525,000 during
      the second twelve months of the Employment Period; $550,000 during the
      third twelve months of the Employment Period; and $600,000 during the
      Option Period (if any). Your salary compensation shall be payable in
      accordance with King World's standard payroll policy from time to time in
      effect.

            (b) As further consideration for the services rendered by you
      pursuant to this Agreement, and in order to induce you to accept
      employment with King World on the terms and conditions set forth herein,
      the Compensation Committee of King World's Board of Directors (the
      "Compensation Committee") has granted to you, subject to your acceptance
      of this Agreement, a stock option (herein called the "Option") under the
      Company's 1995 Amended and Restated Stock Option and Restricted Stock
      Purchase Plan (the "Plan") to purchase 150,000 shares of Common Stock,
      $.01 par value, of the Company ("Common Stock"), at an option exercise
      price equal to $34.75 per share, the closing price of the Common Stock on
      the date hereof, subject to vesting as provided in paragraph (c) below.

            (c) The Option shall have a term of ten years and shall become
      exercisable with respect to 20% of the total number of shares subject
      thereto on August 31, 1997 and each of the two immediately succeeding
      anniversaries of that date, and with respect to the remaining 40% of the
      total number of shares subject thereto on August 31, 2001, provided that
      if you should cease to be a full-time employee of King World or any of its
      subsidiaries or affiliates, you will have the right to exercise the
      unexercised portion of the option only within the thirty (30) day period
      following the date on which you ceased to be a full-time employee, and
      then only to the extent that such unexercised portion of the option was
      vested on the date your full-time employment ceased, except that if your
      full-time employment ceased by reason of your death or disability (within
      the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
      amended), such thirty (30) day period will instead be the
<PAGE>   3
      one-year period following the cessation of your full-time employment.

            (d) In the event that the Company is required to withhold any
      Federal, state or local taxes in respect of any compensation income
      realized by you in respect of the Option granted hereunder or in respect
      of any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option, the Company shall
      deduct the aggregate amount of such Federal, state or local taxes required
      to be so withheld or, if such payments are insufficient to satisfy such
      Federal, state or local taxes, you will be required to pay to the Company,
      or to make other arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding
      payment to the Company of, the aggregate amount of such taxes.

            (e) The terms of the Option are more fully set forth in a definitive
      stock option agreement under the Plan, a copy of which is attached to this
      Agreement. Such stock option agreement and the Plan shall govern your
      rights as an optionee. The Company shall cause the shares of Common Stock
      issuable upon the exercise of the Option to be registered on Form S-8 (or
      any successor form) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
      listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

            3. With respect to each fiscal year of the Company ending within (or
upon the termination of) the Employment Period, you shall be entitled to a
bonus, payable annually, equal to 1% of the net revenues of Camelot for such
fiscal year, such bonus not to exceed $200,000 with respect to any of the first
three fiscal years during the Employment Period, and $250,000 with respect to
either fiscal year of the Option Period. The "net revenues of Camelot" shall
mean, for the purposes of this Agreement, the net revenues of Camelot which are
included in the Company's consolidated financial statements filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

            4. (a) In addition to the bonus payable to you pursuant to Section 
3, with respect to each fiscal year of the Company ending within (or upon the
termination of) the Employment Period, you shall be entitled to a supplemental
bonus as described in this Section 4, not to exceed $150,000 in any fiscal year
of the Company (excluding, for the purpose of such $150,000 per year limitation,
any amounts subsequently recouped pursuant to paragraph (c) below), provided
that (i) the Committee determines that the average daily closing price of the
Common Stock for such year (the "Average Yearly Price") exceeds $32.625 and (ii)
the Company's return on equity for such fiscal year exceeds the S&P Average
Return on Equity.

            (b) If the Average Yearly Price for any such fiscal year equals or
exceeds $38.875, the closing price of the Common
<PAGE>   4
Stock on December 21, 1993, the supplemental bonus for such year shall be equal
to the lesser of 1% of the net revenues of Camelot for such year or $150,000. If
such Average Yearly Price exceeds $32.625, but is less than $38.875, the
supplemental bonus for such year shall be equal to the lesser of 1.0% of the net
revenues of Camelot for such year or $150,000, multiplied by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the excess of such Average Yearly Price over $32.625, and
the denominator of which is $6.25.

            (c) The full amount by which any supplemental bonus payment was
reduced below 1.0% of the net revenues of Camelot for any year or $150,000,
whichever is less, pursuant to the second sentence of paragraph (b) above shall
be payable to you if the Average Yearly Price for any subsequent fiscal year
within the Employment Period equals or exceeds $38.875. A portion of the amount
by which any supplemental bonus payment was reduced pursuant to the second
sentence of paragraph (b) above (and was not previously recouped by you pursuant
to this paragraph (c)) shall be payable to you if the Average Yearly Price for
any subsequent fiscal year or years during the Employment Period is less than
$38.875 but greater than the Average Yearly Price for the year in which such
reduction was made, and the portion of such reduction that shall be payable to
you shall be equal to the full amount of such reduction (or the portion thereof
that was not previously recouped by you pursuant to this paragraph (c)),
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the excess of the Average
Yearly Price for such subsequent year over the Average Yearly Price for the year
in which such reduction was made and the denominator of which is the excess of
$38.875 over the Average Yearly Price for the year in which such reduction was
made. To the extent that a partial recoupment is made in a subsequent fiscal
year, any amounts not recouped under the foregoing formula shall remain
available for recoupment in subsequent years during the term of this Agreement.
Any amounts not recouped by you pursuant to this paragraph (c) on or prior to
the making of the supplemental bonus payment in respect of the fiscal year
ending on August 31, 1999 shall no longer be subject to recoupment and shall not
be paid to you.

            (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in no
event shall aggregate supplemental bonus payments payable pursuant to this
Section 4 exceed $250,000.

            (e) Payments of the supplemental bonus amounts provided herein shall
be made annually, in arrears, as soon as practicable after the after the end of
each fiscal year in which you are eligible for a bonus hereunder.

            5. You shall be entitled to participate, on the same basis and
subject to the same qualifications as King World's other executive officers, in
any pension, life insurance, health insurance or hospitalization plan or other
similar plan from time
<PAGE>   5
to time in effect with respect to King World's executive officers or employees
generally.

            6. The Company shall, during the Employment Period, reimburse you
for such expenses as shall be incurred by you in connection with the performance
of your duties hereunder, provided that you furnish to the Company evidence of
such expenses reasonably satisfactory to it.

            7. (a) The Employment Period shall terminate (i) upon your death,
(ii) thirty (30) days after written notice to you from King World's Board of
Directors in the event that you have been unable to perform the duties required
of you pursuant to this Agreement for ninety (90) days during any twelve-month
period during the Employment Period (whether or not such ninety (90) days are
consecutive) by reason of illness or other incapacity and King World's Board of
Directors determines to terminate the Employment Period for such reason or (iii)
immediately upon written notice to you in the event that King World's Board of
Directors determines to terminate the Employment Period for cause.

            (b) Termination of the Employment Period shall terminate all of your
rights hereunder from and after the effective date of termination except for
your rights to salary and benefits which have accrued but are unpaid at the
effective date of termination, and your rights with respect to the Option (which
shall be governed by the terms of the Plan and the stock option agreement
relating to the Option), and except that in the event that your full-time
employment with the Company is terminated on account of your death, disability
or incapacity, the cash bonus provided for in Section 3 shall continue to be
payable as provided therein through the end of the fiscal year in which your
death, disability or incapacity occurred. (The foregoing is not intended to
relieve or release the Company from any liability for damages to you if the
Company wrongfully terminates the Employment Period.) In no event shall
termination of this Agreement for any reason terminate any of your obligations
under Sections 8, 9, 10 or 11 hereof.

            8. Except as required in connection with the performance of services
hereunder, you shall not, during or after the termination of the Employment
Period, use or disclose to any person any confidential business information or
trade secrets of King World or any of its affiliates or business associates that
you obtained or learned during the Employment Period or in the course of your
employment by the Company, including, but not limited to, confidential business
information regarding the type and nature of the contracts entered into by the
Company or its affiliates for the acquisition or distribution of television
programming (including, without limitation, advertising time within any
television programming irrespective of whether King
<PAGE>   6
World or any of its affiliates distributes such programming to television
stations ("Advertising Time")), the sale or other distribution of television
programming (including, without limitation, Advertising Time), or the basis upon
which King World or any of its affiliates elects to acquire television
programming (including, without limitation, Advertising Time) for sale or other
distribution.

            (b) You also agree that during the Employment Period and for a
period of two (2) years following the termination of the Employment Period, you
will not work for, or render services to or for the benefit of, or otherwise be
interested in (whether as an employee, consultant, proprietor or otherwise
howsoever), any business or portion of a business of any person, firm,
partnership or corporation which supplied television programming (including,
without limitation, Advertising Time) to King World or any of its affiliates at
any time within the two (2) year period preceding the termination of the
Employment Period.

            9. You hereby agree that you shall not (a) during the Employment
Period and for a period of two (2) years following the termination of the
Employment Period, induce, directly or indirectly, any person from whom or from
which King World or any of its affiliates acquired television programming
(including without limitation Advertising Time) to terminate his or its
agreement with King World or such affiliate with respect to such programming, to
refuse to renew any such agreement or to refuse to furnish King World or any of
its affiliates with any other television programming (including without
limitation Advertising Time), or (b) induce, directly or indirectly, any
employee of King World or any affiliate thereof to terminate his or her
employment with King World or such affiliate.

            10. You hereby agree that all ideas, creations, improvements and
other works of authorship created, developed, written or conceived by you at any
time during the Employment Period are works for hire within the scope of your
employment and shall be the property of King World and/or Camelot, free of any
claim whatever by you or any person claiming any rights or interests through
you.

            11. Each of you and King World (the "Indemnitor"), agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless the other from and against any and all loss, damage,
claim, liability, cost and expense, including reasonable attorneys' fees,
incurred by the other as a result of, or arising out of or in connection with, a
violation by the Indemnitor of any term, covenant or condition required by this
Agreement to be performed or observed by the Indemnitor.

            12. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of New York and constitutes the entire
understanding between the parties hereto with
<PAGE>   7
respect to the subject matter hereof. No waiver or modification of any terms
hereof shall be valid unless in writing signed by the party against whom such
waiver is sought to be enforced, and then only to the extent set forth in such
writing. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their successors, assigns, heirs, administrators and
executors.

                                          Yours very truly,

                                          KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC.


                                          By/s/ Michael King
                                            ------------------------------------
Accepted as of the date
  first above written:


/s/ Steven R. Hirsch
- -------------------------
    Steven R. Hirsch
<PAGE>   8
                          KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC.
                                  1700 BROADWAY
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019






                                          As of September 1, 1996




Mr. Jonathan Birkhahn
King World Productions, Inc.
1700 Broadway
New York, New York  10019

Dear Jonathan:

            This letter, when accepted by you, shall amend and restate the
existing employment agreement between King World Productions, Inc. (the
"Company") and you. The Company and you hereby agree as follows:

            1. (a) The Company hereby agrees to employ you as Senior Vice
President, Business Affairs and General Counsel for the period (herein called
the "Employment Period") commencing on September 1, 1996 and terminating on
August 31, 2000. You accept such employment and agree to diligently and
faithfully perform such services as shall from time to time be reasonably
assigned to you by, or pursuant to a resolution of, the Company's Board of
Directors or senior management, and diligently and faithfully devote your entire
business time, skill and attention to the performance of such services. The
Company agrees that during the Employment Period you will be required to report
only to its Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. During the Employment
Period, your base of operations shall be New York City.

                  (b) You hereby grant to the Company an option (the "Option")
to extend the Employment Period for an additional twelve-month period to
commence on September 1, 2000 and to end on August 31, 2001. The Company may
exercise the Option by giving you written notice to such effect not later than
April 1, 2000. In the event that the Company elects to exercise the Option, the
terms and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect and shall apply
during the Employment Period as extended by the exercise of the Option.
<PAGE>   9
               2. (a) Your salary compensation for the period (a) from 
September 1, 1996 through August 31, 1997 shall be payable at the annual rate 
of $340,000, (b) from September 1, 1997 through August 31, 1998 shall be 
payable at the annual rate of $360,000, (c) from September 1, 1998 through 
August 31, 1999 shall be payable at the annual rate of $380,000 and (d) from 
September 1, 1999 through August 31, 2000 shall be payable at the annual rate 
of $400,000. If the Company shall exercise the Option, the Company shall pay 
to you, and you shall accept from the Company, salary compensation at the 
annual rate of $425,000 for the period from September 1, 2000 through 
August 31, 2001. Any compensation payable pursuant to this paragraph 2(a) 
shall be paid in accordance with the Company's normal payroll policy at the 
time in effect.

                  (b) During each year of the Employment Period, you may also be
entitled to a bonus if the Company's Board of Directors, in its sole and
absolute discretion, shall so determine.

                  (c) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph (c), the
Company will grant to you a "non-qualified stock option" under the Company's
Amended and Restated Stock Option and Restricted Stock Purchase Plan (the
"Plan") to purchase 75,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, $.01 par value
(the "Common Stock"), at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the
Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on September 3, 1996. You understand
and agree with respect to such option that:

            (i) your right to exercise such option shall vest as follows: 20% on
      August 31, 1997; 20% on August 31, 1998; 20% on August 31, 1999; and 40%
      on August 31, 2001; and

            (ii) if you shall cease to be a full-time employee of the Company
      and any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, then you shall only have the
      right to exercise the unexercised portion of such option within one month
      after the date on which you ceased to be so employed and then only to the
      extent that such portion was vested (pursuant to the foregoing vesting
      schedule) on the date you ceased to be so employed, and you shall forfeit
      all other rights to and under such option, provided, however, that if your
      full-time employment ceases by reason of your death or "disability"
      (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of
      1986, as amended), then such one month period shall instead be a one-year
      period from the cessation of your employment.

            The foregoing, as well as such other terms and conditions as the
Company shall deem appropriate, shall be set forth in a definitive stock option
agreement. Your rights as an optionee shall be governed by the terms of such
agreement and the Plan.

                  (d) You shall be entitled to participate or continue to
participate, as the case may be, on the same basis as the other employees of the
Company, in any


                                    -2-
<PAGE>   10
pension, profit-sharing, life insurance, health insurance or hospitalization
plan in effect with respect to such employees. You shall be entitled to
reimbursement of expenses reasonably incurred by you in connection with the
performance of your duties hereunder, provided that you promptly furnish
documentation therefor reasonably satisfactory to the Company.

                  (e) You shall be entitled to utilize first-class travel (if
available and if used) for all plane trips with scheduled flying times greater
than three hours and, if applicable, business class air travel for all plane
trips with scheduled flying times of three hours or less.

               3. (a) In the event of your death, this Agreement shall
automatically terminate, effective upon the date of your death.

                  (b) In the event that you are unable to perform the duties
required of you pursuant to this Agreement for ninety (90) days during the
Employment Period (whether or not such ninety (90) days are consecutive) by
reason of illness or other physical incapacity, the Company may, after the
expiration of such ninety (90) days, terminate this agreement on thirty (30)
days written notice to you.

            4. Except as required in connection with the performance of your
services to the Company, you shall not, during or after the termination of the
Employment Period, use or disclose to any person, partnership or corporation any
confidential business information or trade secrets of the Company obtained or
learned by you during the Employment Period, including, without limitation,
information as to the type and nature of the contracts entered into by the
Company in connection with the acquisition of television programming and the
distribution of television programming, or the basis upon which the Company
elects to acquire television programming for distribution.

            5. You hereby agree that you shall not, for a period of two (2)
years following the termination of the Employment Period, (a) induce, directly
or indirectly, any person, partnership or corporation from whom or from which
the Company acquired television programming during the Employment Period, to
terminate its agreement with the Company with respect to such programming, to
refuse to renew any such agreement or to refuse to furnish to the Company any
other television programming or (b) induce, directly or indirectly, any employee
of the Company to terminate his or her employment with the Company.

            6. You hereby agree that all ideas, creations, improvements and
other works of authorship created, developed, written or conceived by you at any
time during the Employment Period are works for hire within the scope of your
employment and shall be the property of the Company free of any claim whatever
by you or any person claiming any rights or interests through you.



                                    -3-
<PAGE>   11
            7. You hereby agree to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from
and against any and all loss, damage, liability, cost and expense, including
reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred by the Company as a result of, arising out
of or in connection with a violation of any term or condition of this Agreement
required to be performed or observed by you. The Company hereby agrees to
indemnify and hold you harmless from and against any and all loss, damage,
liability, cost and expense, including reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred by
you as a result of, arising out of or in connection with a violation of any term
or condition of this Agreement required to be performed or observed by the
Company.

            8. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of New York and constitutes the entire agreement,
and shall supersede any prior agreement, between the parties hereto on the
subject matter hereof. No waiver or modification of the terms or conditions
hereof shall be valid unless in writing signed by the party to be charged and
only to the extent therein set forth. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their successors, assigns, heirs,
administrators and executors.

                                          Yours very truly,

                                          KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC.


                                          By /s/ Robert Madden
                                             ---------------------------
ACCEPTED:


By: /s/ Jonathan Birkhahn
    --------------------------
      Jonathan Birkhahn


                                       -4-
<PAGE>   12



                             KING WORLD CORPORATION
                               830 Morris Turnpike
                          Short Hills, New Jersey 07078



                                September 3, 1996



Mr. Michael F. Spiessbach
38 Far View Road
Millburn, New Jersey  07041

Dear Mike:

            This letter, when accepted by you, shall constitute an agreement
between you and King World Corporation, a New Jersey corporation (the
"Company"), with respect to your employment by the Company for the Employment
Period (as hereinafter defined). As used herein, the term "King World Group"
refers collectively to King World Productions, Inc. ("King World") and its
consolidated subsidiaries (including the Company).

            1. (a) The Company hereby employs you for a term commencing on
September 1, 1996 and terminating at midnight on August 31, 1997, or, if the
option provided in Section 1(b) hereof is exercised in whole or in part, on the
Extension Termination Date determined pursuant to Section 1(b), or such earlier
date on which such term is terminated pursuant to Section 6 hereof (the
"Employment Period"). During the Employment Period, you shall serve as, and
perform the duties of, President--King World Ventures, a newly created division
of King World, and, in such capacity, (i) you shall be responsible for managing
the King World Group's domestic and international acquisitions and investments,
subject to the direction of King World's Board of Directors; and (ii) you shall
report directly to King World's President and Chief Executive Officer, Chairman
and Chief Operating Officer. The implementation of all recommendations made by
you for acquisitions and investments shall be subject to the prior approval of
King World's President and Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. During the
Employment Period, you shall perform such services as shall be reasonably
assigned to you from time to time by King World's Chief Executive Officer,
Chairman or Chief Operating Officer, or by or pursuant to resolution of its
Board of Directors, and you shall diligently devote your entire business time,
skill and attention (except as provided in Section 1(c) below) to the
performance of your duties and obligations hereunder.

                  (b) You hereby grant to the Company four successive
dependent options to extend the Employment Period for one
<PAGE>   13
additional twelve-month period each (each such period being hereinafter called
an "Option Period"). The Company may exercise each option by giving you written
notice to such effect on or before the 30th day of June immediately prior to the
date on which the Employment Period would otherwise terminate. If the Company
does not exercise such option for the next following Option Period, the
remaining options shall automatically terminate. If the Company exercises such
option for a particular Option Period, the terms and provisions of this
Agreement shall remain in effect and shall apply during such Option Period.
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, as used herein, the term
"Employment Period" shall include any Option Period as to which an option to
extend the Employment Period has been exercised, and shall exclude any Option
Period as to which an option to extend the Employment Period has not been
exercised or was terminated; and the term "Extension Termination Date" shall
mean the last day of the last Option Period for which the Company's option
pursuant to this Section 1(b) has been exercised.

                  (c) During the Employment Period, you may serve as a director
of one or more corporations that are not members of the King World Group,
provided that (i) the total number of directorships in which you serve at any
one time shall not exceed three; and (ii) you shall not serve as a director of
any corporation or other entity to which the Company objects in writing, on the
ground that (a) in the reasonable judgement of King World's Board of Directors,
such corporation or other entity, or any of its affiliates, conducts a business
that competes with any business in which any King World Group company is engaged
or proposes to engage, or otherwise detrimentally affects the King World Group
companies, or (b) your service as such a director would conflict with or detract
from the performance of your duties and responsibilities to the Company and King
World. You shall not devote a material amount of your business time to service
on such directorships. In addition, you shall not serve as a director of any
corporation if to do so would violate any law or regulation.

            2. You agree to render services to the Company at such locations as
your duties require; provided that you shall not be required to relocate your
residence. The Company shall provide you with an office and secretarial services
at its offices in Short Hills, New Jersey (or a successor location), which shall
be your home base of operations; shall also make available to you office
facilities in its New York offices when such duties require you to work out of
King World's New York office; and shall provide you with such support personnel
as are necessary to enable you to carry out your duties hereunder.

            3. (a) The Company shall pay to you, and you shall accept, for your
services performed during the Employment Period,
<PAGE>   14
salary compensation at the annual rate of $350,000, which rate shall be
increased by $25,000 over the rate in effect for the prior fiscal year for each
Option Period during the Employment Period. Such salary compensation shall be
paid in accordance with the Company's normal payroll policy at the time in
effect. Any bonus to you shall be payable in the sole discretion of the Company.

                  (b) Subject to your acceptance of this Agreement, the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of King World has granted to
you a "non-qualified stock option" under the King World Productions, Inc. 1995
Amended and Restated Stock Option and Restricted Stock Purchase Plan ("Plan") to
purchase 100,000 shares of King World Common Stock, $.01 par value ("Common
Stock"), at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Common Stock on
the New York Stock Exchange on the date hereof. You understand and agree, with
respect to such stock option, that:

            (i) subject to the provisions of clause (ii) below, your right to
      exercise such option shall vest over a five year period as follows: 20% on
      August 31, 1997; 20% on August 31, 1998; 20% on August 31, 1999; and 40%
      on August 31, 2001; and

          (ii) if you cease for any reason to be employed full time by the
      Company (or one or more of the other King World Group companies), then you
      shall only have the right to exercise the unexercised portion of such
      option within one month after the date on which you ceased to be so
      employed and then only to the extent that such portion was vested
      (pursuant to the foregoing vesting schedule) on the date you ceased to be
      so employed, and you shall forfeit all other rights to and under such
      option, except that if your full-time employment ceases by reason of your
      death or "disability" (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the
      Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended), then such one month period
      shall instead be a one-year period following the cessation of your
      employment.

            The foregoing, as well as such other terms and conditions as the
Company shall deem appropriate, shall be set forth in a definitive stock option
agreement. Your rights as an optionee shall be governed by the terms and
conditions of such agreement and the Plan.

            4. The Company shall, during the Employment Period, reimburse you
for such business expenses as are reasonably incurred by you in connection with
the performance of your duties hereunder, provided that you promptly furnish
documentation therefor reasonably satisfactory to the Company.
<PAGE>   15
            5. During the Employment Period, you shall be entitled to
participate, on the same basis and subject to the same qualifications as the
executive officers of King World, in any pension, profit-sharing, life
insurance, health insurance or hospitalization plan or other similar plan from
time to time in effect with respect to all executive officers of King World.

            6. (a) In the event of your death, the Employment Period shall
automatically terminate, effective upon the date of your death.

                (b) In the event that you are unable to perform the duties
required of you pursuant to this Agreement for any period of ninety (90) days
during any consecutive 12-month period during the Employment Period (whether or
not such ninety (90) days are consecutive) by reason of illness or other
physical or mental incapacity, the Company may, after the expiration of such
ninety (90) days, terminate the Employment Period on thirty (30) days written
notice to you.

            7. Except as required in connection with the performance of your
services for the King World Group companies, you shall not, during or after the
termination of the Employment Period, use or disclose to any person, firm,
partnership or corporation any confidential or proprietary information or trade
secrets of King World or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates obtained or
learned by you or at any time during or prior to the Employment Period,
including, without limitation, the type and nature of the contracts entered into
by King World or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in connection with the
acquisition of television programming (including, without limitation, the
acquisition of advertising time within any television programming irrespective
of whether the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates distributes such
programming to television stations ("Advertising Time")), the sale or other
distribution of television programming (including, without limitation,
Advertising Time), or the basis upon which King World or any of its subsidiaries
or affiliates elects to acquire television programming (including, without
limitation, Advertising Time) for sale or other distribution. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the following shall not be considered confidential or proprietary
information or trade secrets under this provision: information that (i) is
published or otherwise in the public domain, or (ii) becomes lawfully available
from a third party without restriction on its disclosure.

            8. You hereby agree that during and for a period of two (2) years
following the termination of the Employment Period, you shall not (a) induce,
directly or indirectly, any person, firm, partnership or corporation from whom
or from which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates acquired
television programming (including, without limitation, Advertising
<PAGE>   16
Time) during the Employment Period, to terminate its agreement with the Company
or such subsidiary or affiliate with respect to such programming (including any
such Advertising Time), to elect not to renew any such agreement or not to
furnish to the Company or any such subsidiary or affiliate any other television
programming (including, without limitation, Advertising Time) or (b) induce,
directly or indirectly, any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
or affiliates to terminate his or her employment with the Company or any such
subsidiary or affiliate.

            9. You hereby agree that all ideas, creations, improvements and
other works of authorship created, developed, written or conceived, individually
or jointly, by you at any time during the Employment Period for any King World
Group company or otherwise in connection with your duties hereunder, and which
are within the scope of your duties for the Company or any of its subsidiaries
or affiliates are works for hire within the scope of your employment and shall
be the property of the Company (or the appropriate subsidiary or affiliate) free
of any claim whatever by you or any person claiming any rights or interests
through you.

            10. You and the Company (each an "Indemnitor") hereby agree to
indemnify and hold harmless the other from and against any and all loss, damage,
liability, cost and expense, including reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred by
the other as a result of, or arising out of or in connection with, a violation
by the Indemnitor of any material term or condition of this Agreement required
to be performed or observed by him or it, as determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction.

            11. All notices hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed by
first class mail, postage prepaid, Return Receipt Requested or sent by
recognized courier service, addressed, if to the Company, at 830 Morris
Turnpike, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078, Attn. Vice President--Finance, with a
copy to King World Productions, Inc, 1700 Broadway, New York, New York 10019,
Attn. Chief Operating Officer, or if to you, at your address as it appears at
the time on the books and records of the Company. All notices shall be deemed to
have been given three business days after mailing in the manner described above,
or one business day after sending by recognized courier service.

            12. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New Jersey, and constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. No waiver
or modification of the terms or conditions hereof shall be valid unless in
writing signed by the party against whom such waiver is sought to be enforced,
and then only to the extent set forth in such writing. This Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
successors, assigns,
<PAGE>   17
heirs, administrators and executors. You may not assign or delegate any of your
rights or obligations hereunder without the express, written consent of the
Company in each instance. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto
in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but both of which
together shall constitute one and the same settlement.

                                   Yours very truly,

                                    KING WORLD CORPORATION


                                    By/s/ Michael King
                                      -------------------------------
AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED:


/s/ Michael F. Spiessbach
- -------------------------
 Michael F. Spiessbach
<PAGE>   18
                         KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC.
                                 1700 Broadway
                           New York, New York 10019


                               September 3, 1996



Mr. Robert Madden
12400 Wilshire Boulevard
West Los Angeles, California  90025


Dear Bob:

            This letter, when accepted by you, shall constitute an agreement
between you and King World Productions, Inc. ("King World" or the "Company"),
with respect to your employment by the Company for the Employment Period (as
hereinafter defined).
                      
             1. (a) The Company hereby employs you for a term commencing on
September 1, 1996 and terminating at midnight on August 31, 1997, or, if the
option provided in Section 1(d) hereof is exercised in whole or in part, on the
Extension Termination Date determined pursuant to Section 1(d), or such earlier
date on which such term is terminated pursuant to Section 4 hereof (the
"Employment Period"). During the Employment Period, you shall serve as, and
perform the duties of, Senior Vice President--Administration of the Company,
with responsibility for general administrative matters of King World and its
consolidated subsidiaries. In such capacity, you shall undertake and perform
such projects and assignments from time to time assigned to you by the Board of
Directors of King World or its senior management. You hereby agree to accept
such employment and to diligently and faithfully perform the responsibilities
and obligations hereunder.

                (b) You agree to render services to the Company at such
locations as your duties require; provided that your home base of operations
shall be Los Angeles.

                (c) You shall devote at least 80% of your business time to the
performance of your duties hereunder. The remainder of your business time may be
devoted to your other pursuits, including but not limited to the private
practice of law, provided, however, that such other pursuits do not, in the
reasonable judgement of the Board of Directors of the Company, conflict with
your duties and responsibilities to the Company and King World.
<PAGE>   19
                (d) You hereby grant to the Company four successive, dependent
options to extend the Employment Period for one additional twelve-month period
each (each such period being hereinafter called an "Option Period"). The Company
may exercise each option by giving you written notice to such effect on or
before the 30th day of June immediately prior to the date on which the
Employment Period would otherwise terminate. If the Company does not exercise
such option for the next following Option Period, the remaining options shall
automatically terminate. If the Company exercises such option for a particular
Option Period, the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect
and shall apply during such Option Period. Except as otherwise expressly
provided herein, as used herein, the term "Employment Period" shall include any
Option Period as to which an option to extend the Employment Period has been
exercised, and shall exclude any Option Period as to which an option to extend
the Employment Period has not been exercised or was terminated; and the term
"Extension Termination Date" shall mean the last day of the last Option Period
for which the Company's option pursuant to this Section 1(d) has been exercised.

            2. (a) The Company shall pay to you, and you shall accept, for your
services performed during the Employment Period, salary compensation at the
annual rate of $400,000. Such salary compensation shall be paid in accordance
with the Company's normal payroll policy at the time in effect.

                (b) The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of
King World has granted to you, subject to your acceptance of this Agreement, a
"non-qualified stock option" under the King World Productions, Inc. 1995 Amended
and Restated Stock Option and Restricted Stock Purchase Plan ("Plan") to
purchase 100,000 shares of King World Common Stock, $.01 par value ("Common
Stock"), at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Common Stock on
the New York Stock Exchange on the date hereof. You understand and agree, with
respect to such stock option that:

            (i) subject to the provisions of clause (ii) below, your right to
      exercise such option shall vest over a five year period as follows: 20% on
      August 31, 1997; 20% on August 31, 1998; 20% on August 31, 1999; and 40%
      on August 31, 2001; and

            (ii) if you should cease for any reason to be an employee of the
      Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, then you shall only have
      the right to exercise the unexercised portion of such option within one
      month after the date on which you ceased to be so employed and then only
      to the extent that such portion was vested (pursuant to the foregoing
      vesting schedule)
<PAGE>   20
      on the date you ceased to be so employed, and you shall forfeit all other
      rights to and under such option, except that if your full-time employment
      ceases by reason of your death or "disability" (within the meaning of
      Section 22(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended), then
      such one month period shall instead be a one-year period following the
      cessation of your employment.

            The foregoing, as well as such other terms and conditions as the
Company shall deem appropriate, shall be set forth in a definitive stock option
agreement. Your rights as an optionee shall be governed by the terms and
conditions of such agreement and the Plan.

            3. You shall be entitled to participate, on the same basis as the
other employees of the Company and King World, in any pension, profit-sharing,
life insurance, health insurance or hospitalization plan in effect with respect
to such other employees. You shall be entitled to reimbursement of expenses
reasonably incurred by you in connection with the performance of your duties
hereunder, provided that you promptly furnish documentation therefor reasonably
satisfactory to the Company and King World.

            4. (a) In the event of your death, the Employment Period shall
automatically terminate, effective upon the date of your death.

                (b) In the event that you are unable to perform the duties
required of you pursuant to this Agreement for any period of ninety (90) days
during any consecutive 12-month period during the Employment Period (whether or
not such ninety (90) days are consecutive) by reason of illness or other
physical or mental incapacity, the Company may, after the expiration of such
ninety (90) days, terminate the Employment Period on thirty (30) days written
notice to you.

            5. (a) Except as required in connection with the performance of
your services for the Company, you shall not, during or after the termination of
the Employment Period, use or disclose to any person, firm, partnership or
corporation any confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates obtained or learned by you or
at any time during or prior to the Employment Period, including, without
limitation, the type and nature of the contracts entered into by the Company or
any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in connection with the acquisition of
television programming (including, without limitation, the acquisition of
advertising time within any television programming irrespective of whether the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates distributes such programming to
television stations ("Advertising
<PAGE>   21
Time")), the sale or other distribution of television programming (including,
without limitation, Advertising Time), or the basis upon which the Company or
any of its subsidiaries or affiliates elects to acquire television programming
(including, without limitation, Advertising Time) for sale or other
distribution.

                  (b) You also agree that during and for a period of two (2)
years following the termination of the Employment Period, you will not work for,
or render services to or for the benefit of, or otherwise be interested in
(whether as an employee, consultant, independent contractor, proprietor,
investor, lender or in any other manner), any business or portion of a business
of any person, firm, partnership or corporation which supplied television
programming (including, without limitation, Advertising Time) to the Company or
any of its subsidiaries or affiliates at any time within the two (2) year period
preceding the termination of the Employment Period.

            6. You hereby agree that during and for a period of two (2) years
following the termination of the Employment Period, you shall not (a) induce,
directly or indirectly, any person, firm, partnership or corporation from whom
or from which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates acquired
television programming (including, without limitation, Advertising Time) during
the Employment Period, to terminate its agreement with the Company or such
subsidiary or affiliate with respect to such programming (including any such
Advertising Time), to elect not to renew any such agreement or not to furnish to
the Company or any such subsidiary or affiliate any other television programming
(including, without limitation, Advertising Time) or (b) induce, directly or
indirectly, any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates
to terminate his or her employment with the Company or any such subsidiary or
affiliate.

            7. You hereby agree that all ideas, creations, improvements and
other works of authorship created, developed, written or conceived by you at any
time during the Employment Period and which are within the scope of your duties
for the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates are works for hire
within the scope of your employment and shall be the property of the Company (or
the appropriate subsidiary or affiliate) free of any claim whatever by you or
any person claiming any rights or interests through you.

            8. You hereby agree to indemnify and hold the Company and its
subsidiaries and affiliates harmless from and against any and all loss, damage,
liability, cost and expense, including reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred by
them as a result of, arising out of or in connection with a violation of any
term or condition of this Agreement required to be performed or observed by you.
The Company hereby agrees to indemnify and hold you harmless from and against
any and all loss, damage, liability,
<PAGE>   22
cost and expense, including reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred by you in
connection with a violation by the Company of any term or condition of this
Agreement required to be performed or observed by it.

            9. All notices hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed by
first class mail, postage prepaid, or sent by recognized courier service
addressed, if to the Company, at 830 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills, New Jersey
07078, Attn. Vice President--Finance, with a copy to King World Productions,
Inc., 1700 Broadway, New York, New York 10019, Attn. Chief Operating Officer, or
if to you, at your address as it appears at the time on the books and records of
the Company. All notices shall be deemed to have been given three business days
after mailing in the manner described above, or one business day after sending
by recognized courier service.

            10. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York, and constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. No waiver
or modification of the terms or conditions hereof shall be valid unless in
writing signed by the party to be charged and only to the extent therein set
forth.

            This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their successors, assigns, heirs, administrators and
executors. You may not assign or
<PAGE>   23
delegate any of your rights or obligations hereunder without the express,
written consent of the Company in each instance.

                                    Yours very truly,

                                    KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC.


                                    By/s/ Michael King
                                      ----------------------------
AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED:


/s/ Robert V. Madden
- -------------------------
   Robert V. Madden

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.13


            STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT, dated as of May 1, 1991, among ROGER KING,
an individual residing at 1301 Spanish River Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33432,
MICHAEL KING, an individual residing at 28026 Sea Lane, Malibu, California
90265, RICHARD KING, an individual residing at 21 Compass Island, Fort
Lauderdale, Florida 33308 and DIANA KING, an individual residing at Lee's Hill
Road, New Vernon, New Jersey 07920 (said individuals, together with any
transferees thereof who execute and deliver the agreement required by Section 
3(d) hereof and any executor, administrator or personal representative of any of
the foregoing, being sometimes hereinafter referred to individually as a
"Stockholder" and, collectively, as the "Stockholders") and KING WORLD
PRODUCTIONS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company").

            WHEREAS, the Stockholders and the Company, together with certain
other individuals no longer stockholders of record of the Company, were parties
to that certain Stockholders Agreement, dated as of October 25, 1984 (the
"Original Stockholders Agreement"), pursuant to which restrictions were placed
on the resale by the individual parties of shares of Common Stock, $.01 par
value, of the Company ("Common Stock") held by them; and

            WHEREAS, the Company and the individual parties to such agreement
who remain stockholders of record of the Company desire to terminate the
Original Stockholders Agreement; and

            WHEREAS, each of the Stockholders owns such number of shares of
Common Stock, and such number of shares of Common Stock subject to an option to
purchase ("Option Shares"), as is set forth opposite his or her respective name
under the appropriate caption on Schedule I hereto; and

            WHEREAS, the Company and the Stockholders believe that it is in the
best interests of the Company and the Stockholders that provision be made for
the orderly disposition of shares of Common Stock that individual Stockholders
may wish to sell in the public securities markets, while preserving the ability
of each Stockholder to make independent decisions regarding the amount and
timing of any such sales; and for the grant to the Company of a right of first
refusal to purchase any shares of Common Stock that individual Stockholders may
wish to sell;

            NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein
contained, the parties hereby agree as follows:

            SECTION 1. Restrictions on Transfer of Common Stock. The
Stockholders severally agree with each other and with the Company that they will
not, so long as this Agreement is in effect, directly or indirectly sell,
pledge, give, bequeath,
<PAGE>   2
transfer, assign, or in any other way whatsoever encumber or dispose of
(hereinafter collectively called "transfer") any of the shares of Common Stock,
or any interest therein, or any stock certificate or certificates representing
the same, or any voting trust certificate or certificates issued in respect of
any such shares, now or hereafter at any time owned by them, in violation of the
restrictions imposed by this Agreement. The term "Common Stock" as used in this
Agreement shall include Common Stock certificates, scrip representing fractional
shares of Common Stock, Vested Option Shares (as hereinafter defined) and
presently exercisable warrants or other presently exercisable rights to purchase
Common Stock, and Common Stock received by way of dividend or upon an increase,
reduction, substitution or reclassification of stock of the Company or upon any
merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company. References to numbers of
shares of Common Stock, as constituted on the date hereof, shall be
automatically adjusted to take into account any such dividend, increase,
reduction, substitution, reclassification, merger, consolidation or
reorganization.

            SECTION 2. Limit on Sales by Stockholders. (a) Each of the
Stockholders agrees that in the 1991 calendar year, including that portion of
the 1991 calendar year preceding the date hereof, he or she will not sell in
transactions effected on national or foreign securities exchanges or in the
over-the-counter market (hereinafter referred to as "Public Sales"), more than
the greater of (i) 1% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the
date of the Agreement, and (ii) the average weekly reported volume of trading in
the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange during the four calendar week
period ending on May 3, 1991.

            (b) Each of the Stockholders agrees that subsequent to the 1991
calendar year, he or she will not sell in Public Sales (i) in any calendar year,
more than the greater of (x) 200,000 shares and (y) 10% of his or her aggregate
holdings of Common Stock as of January 1 of such year (including, for the
purpose of calculating such aggregate holdings, any Option Shares subject to an
option that is exercisable as of such date ("Vested Option Shares")) and (ii) in
any consecutive three month period, more than 250,000 shares of Common Stock.

            (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the executor or administrator of
the estate of a Stockholder or a trustee of a trust includible in the gross
estate of a deceased Stockholder for federal estate or state inheritance tax
purposes may sell a number of shares of Common Stock not to exceed the aggregate
amount of the federal estate and state inheritance taxes payable on account of
the death of such Stockholder.

            SECTION 3. Right of First Refusal. (a) Subject to the limitations of
Section 2 hereof, any Stockholder (a "Selling
<PAGE>   3
Stockholder") who wishes to sell any shares of Common Stock shall promptly
deliver to the Company a notice of intention to sell (a "Notice of Intention to
Sell") setting forth the securities to be sold ("Subject Shares"), the proposed
date of sale and, if the proposed sale is not by way of Public Sale, the
proposed purchase price and terms of sale, which shall be for cash or
obligations to pay cash. In the case of a proposed sale other than a Public
Sale, upon receipt of the Notice of Intention to Sell the Company shall have the
right to elect to purchase all (but not less than all) of the Subject Shares at
the Offering Price (as hereinafter defined), and upon such other terms and
conditions as are stated in the Notice of Intention to Sell. In the case of a
proposed Public Sale, upon receipt of the Notice of Intention to Sell the
Company shall have the right to elect to purchase all or any portion of the
Subject Shares at the Offering Price. The Company's election hereunder shall be
made (if at all) by notice in accordance with Section 6 hereof (a "Notice of
Election") to the Selling Stockholder within five (5) business days after
receipt by the Company of the Notice of Intention to Sell (the "Acceptance
Period"). For the purpose of this paragraph 3(a), "Offering Price" shall mean
(i) in the case of a sale other than by way of a Public Sale, the price stated
in the Notice of Intention to Sell, and (ii) in the case of a Public Sale, the
highest closing price of the Common Stock on any national securities exchange on
which the Common Stock is listed on the day on which the Notice of Intention to
Sell is given to the Company (or, if such day is not a trading day, on the
trading day preceding such day), or, if the Common Stock is no longer listed on
any national securities exchange, the closing price (or, in the absence of a
closing price, the closing bid price) for the Common Stock in the
over-the-counter market on such day.

            (b) If an effective acceptance is timely received with respect to
all the Subject Shares, then the Selling Stockholder shall sell the Subject
Shares to the Company at the Offering Price and upon the other terms specified
in the Notice of Intention to Sell. If an effective acceptance shall not be
received in respect of all the Subject Shares, then the Selling Stockholder (i)
if the proposed sale is other than a Public Sale, may sell the Subject Shares to
its proposed buyer(s) at a price not less than the Offering Price and on other
terms and conditions not more favorable to such buyer(s) than those stated in
the Notice of Intention to Sell, or (ii) if the proposed sale is a Public Sale,
shall sell to the Company at the Offering Price the number of Subject Shares
specified in the Notice of Election, in either case as soon as practicable
following the receipt of the Notice of Election. Any Subject Shares which the
Company shall not have elected to purchase in a timely Notice of Election may be
sold by the Selling Stockholder in accordance with the method and upon the terms
and conditions specified in the Notice of Intention to Sell, provided, however,
that any Subject Shares that are not sold within ninety (90) days following the
end of
<PAGE>   4
the Acceptance Period shall once again become subject to the provisions of this
Section 3.

            (c) No sale of Common Stock may be effected by a Stockholder except
in accordance with paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 3. No transfer of
Common Stock other than by way of sale may be effected by a Stockholder unless
and until the transferee shall have executed and delivered to the Company and to
each other Stockholder a written instrument whereby such transferee becomes a
party to this Agreement, and agrees to comply with all of the terms and
conditions of this Agreement with respect to all shares of Common Stock at any
time owned by such transferee; provided, however, that any Stockholder may
transfer by gift up to 200,000 shares of Common Stock in any consecutive
twelve-month period free of the provisions of this sentence.

            (d) No transfer of Common Stock may be effected by a Stockholder,
unless and until the transferring Stockholder shall have furnished to the
Company, if requested, an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Company to the effect that the proposed transfer may be effected without
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

            SECTION 4. Legend on Stock Certificates. Each certificate
representing shares of Common Stock held by any Stockholder shall bear the
following legend until such time as the shares represented thereby are no longer
subject to the provisions hereof:

            THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS
            AND CONDITIONS OF A STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF MAY 1, 1991,
            AMONG KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. (THE "CORPORATION") AND CERTAIN
            HOLDERS OF SHARES OF THE OUTSTANDING CAPITAL STOCK OF THE
            CORPORATION. COPIES OF SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED AT NO COST BY
            WRITTEN REQUEST MADE BY THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF THIS CERTIFICATE TO
            THE CORPORATION.

            SECTION 5. Duration of Agreement. The rights and obligations of the
parties under this Agreement shall terminate as to each Stockholder upon the
earlier to occur of (i) the date on which the aggregate ownership of shares of
Common Stock of such Stockholder is reduced below 200,000 shares (including
Vested Option Shares) and (ii) the date on which the Common Stock ceases to be
listed on a national securities exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ automated
quotation system.

            SECTION 6. Representations and Warranties. Each Stockholder
represents and warrants, severally and not jointly, to the Company and to the
other Stockholders as follows:
<PAGE>   5
            (a) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by
such Stockholder will not violate any provision of law, any order of any court
or other agency of government, or any provision of any indenture, agreement or
other instrument to which such Stockholder or any of his or her properties or
assets is bound, or conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (with due
notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any such indenture, agreement
or other instrument, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge
or encumbrance of any nature whatsoever upon any of the properties or assets of
such Stockholder.

            (b) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such
Stockholder and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such
Stockholder, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

            (c) As of the date hereof, the shares of Common Stock listed on
Schedule I hereto opposite the name of such Stockholder constitute all the
shares of Common Stock of the Company owned by such Stockholder, and the Option
Shares listed on Schedule I hereto opposite the name of such Stockholder
constitute all the shares of Common Stock which such Stockholder has a right to
acquire; such shares of Common Stock are owned by such Stockholder free and
clear of any security interest, pledge, lien, claim, encumbrance or interest
whatsoever and may be voted by such Stockholder at his or her discretion without
hindrance of any person, and such Stockholder does not have any right or
obligation to acquire any additional shares of the capital stock of the Company.

            SECTION 7. Notices. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
any and all notices, designations, consents, offers, acceptances or other
communications provided for herein shall be given (i) in writing transmitted by
telecopier, delivered personally or sent by a nationally recognized overnight
courier service, or (ii) orally in person or by telephone, with written
confirmation by one of the means described in (i) above, in either case, if to
the Company, at:

                  1700 Broadway
                  New York, New York 10019
                  Attention: Chief Operating Officer
                  (telecopier number: (212) 247-7674)
or
                  830 Morris Turnpike
                  Short Hills, New Jersey 07078
                  Attention:  Controller
                  (telecopier number: (201) 376-7787)

<PAGE>   6
or, if to any Stockholder, at

Roger King:       1301 Spanish River Road
                  Boca Raton, Florida 33432

Michael King:     3200 Retreat Court
                  Malibu, California 90265

Richard King:     21 Compass Island
                  Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308

Diana King:       Lee's Hill Road
                  New Vernon, New Jersey 07920

Notice shall be deemed given, for all purposes, when received.

            SECTION 8. Benefits of Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and enure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted transferees.

            SECTION 9. Amendment of Agreement. This Agreement may be amended,
modified or revoked in whole or in part, but only by a written instrument that
specifically refers to this Agreement and expressly states that it constitutes
an amendment, modification or revocation hereof, as the case may be, and only if
such written instrument has been signed by each of the Stockholders and the
Company.

            SECTION 10. Interpretation of Agreement. The provisions of this
Agreement shall be applied and interpreted in a manner consistent with each
other so as to carry out the purposes and intent of the parties hereto, but if
for any reason any provision hereof is determined to be unenforceable or
invalid, such provision or such part thereof as may be unenforceable or invalid
shall be deemed severed from this Agreement and the remaining provisions carried
out with the same force and effect as if the severed provision or part thereof
had not been a part of this Agreement.

            SECTION 11. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of
which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

            SECTION 12. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and
supersedes the Original Stockholders Agreement, which is hereby terminated, and
all other previous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof.
<PAGE>   7
            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed and
delivered this Stockholders Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                    KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC.


                                    By /s/ Stephen W. Palley
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                          Executive Vice President
[Corporate Seal]

Attest:


- ------------------------
     Secretary



                                       /s/ Roger King
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                                 Roger King


                                       /s/ Michael King
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                                 Michael King


                                       /s/ Richard King
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                                 Richard King


                                       /s/ Diana King
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                                 Diana King
<PAGE>   8
                                      Schedule I


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Name of              Common          Option
Stockholder             Stock          Shares
- -----------           ---------      ---------
<S>                   <C>            <C>
Roger King            3,122,259      1,200,000

Michael King          3,347,259      1,200,000

Richard King          3,131,506             --

Diana King            3,147,259             --
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.17





         [*Deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.]


HARPO, INC.                                                         [HARPO LOGO]
110 North Carperman Street
Chicago, Illinois 60607
312.633.1030   Fax 312.633.1141


Jeffrey D. Jacobs
President



January 28, 1991

Mr. Steve Palley
King World
1700 Broadway
35th Floor
New York, NY 10019

Dear Steve:

Pursuant to our conversations, may the following serve as a deal memorandum for
the services of Oprah Winfrey and HARPO Productions for an extension of The
Oprah Winfrey Show for the 1993/94 and 1994/95 television seasons, expiring on
August 31, 1995.

1.      HARPO will produce and Oprah Winfrey will host 200 episodes in each of 
        the two additional television seasons.

2.      The production costs for The Oprah Winfrey Show shall be as follows:
                1990/1991 season        *****        
                1991/1992 season        *****
                1992/1993 season        *****
                1993/1994 season        *****
                1994/1995 season        *****

3.      King World to lend HARPO ***** interest free; loan repayable by HARPO
        ***** on ***** and ***** on *****. The loan will be secured by all
        revenues payable to HARPO at any time under the HARPO/King World
        agreement, as well as by the stock issuable under the options set forth
        in paragraph 5 below.

4.      For the 1993/1994 and 1994/1995 broadcast season extensions, King World
        guarantees that HARPO will receive payments of gross revenues of not
        less than ***** in the aggregate for both seasons. At least ***** of
        such guarantee shall be payable not later than December 31, 1994 and the
        balance not later than December 31, 1995.
<PAGE>   2
          [*Deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.]


Mr. Steve Palley
January 28, 1991
Page 2

5.      King World to grant to HARPO options for one million shares of King
        World stock exercisable at the lowest closing price the week of January
        28, 1991, and which will vest as follows:

                August 31, 1991         12.5%
                August 31, 1992         ***** 
                August 31, 1993         ***** 
                August 31, 1994         ***** 
                August 31, 1995         *****
                August 31, 1996         ***** 

        a)      HARPO has the right to pay the exercise price in cash or in King
                World stock if permitted by King World's stock option plan.

        b)      The shares subject to the option will be publicly registered. 
                HARPO and King World shall negotiate in good faith towards
                establishing volume limitations on sales by HARPO of such shares
                commensurate with the size of its holdings of King World stock.

6.      ***** 

7.      The ***** for The Oprah Winfrey Show for the two additional seasons
        shall be split ***** between King World and HARPO *****. Payment
        provisions shall be the same as outlined in paragraph 16 of the July 29,
        1988 amendment modifying paragraph 11 to the January 30, 1987 agreement.


<PAGE>   3
          [*Deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.]


Mr. Steve Palley
January 28, 1991
Page 3

8.      King World agrees that, except for its worldwide first run television
        distribution efforts during the extended term ending August 31, 1995
        (August 31, 1997 for territories outside the United States), it cannot
        distribute or license for distribution the produced episodes of The
        Oprah Winfrey Show in any medium without the express written permission
        of HARPO. Such restrictions shall reciprocally apply to HARPO if HARPO
        acquires any of the episodes of The Oprah Winfrey Show produced by
        WLS-TV. If HARPO and King World mutually agree to distribute shows
        produced during the term after August 31, 1995 (August 31, 1997 for
        territories outside the United States), or in other media; then *****
        shall be paid from ***** and *****. 

9.      HARPO, Inc. shall continue in its role as provider of services to the
        show in the affiliate relations, public and media relations, fan mail
        and on-air promotion services areas.

10.     HARPO and King World agree to increase the on-air promotion and co-op
        budget in an amount to be negotiated in good faith to prepare for the
        additional talk show competition.

11.     There will be no further syndicated HARPO specials following "Nine".

12.     The references to the "Seventh Period" in paragraph 8(b) of the
        existing HARPO/King-World agreement shall be amended to refer to the 
        1994/1995 television season (with the exception to such paragraph 
        being deleted).

Developments

1.      HARPO grants the right of first look/first negotiation to King World
        for the period ending August 31, 1995 In the area of syndicated
        first-run products produced by HARPO. If HARPO and King World fail to
        reach agreement on business terms following any such negotiation, then
        HARPO shall not enter into an agreement with any third party with
        respect to the rights in question unless King



<PAGE>   4
          [*Deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.]

Mr. Steve Palley
January 28, 1991
Page 4


        World has failed, within two business days following its receipt of
        notice of the material financial barriers of the offer made by such
        third party, to match such offer. Except as set forth in the first
        sentence of this paragraph, all retroactive and prospective obligations
        relating to project development and submissions and development fund 
        recoupment and payment shall end, except that HARPO agrees that 
        syndicated first run and home video development costs will come out of
        existing development fund money and that, if HARPO produces a 
        syndicated first run or home video project with a third party, King 
        World shall recoup the portion of such money allocable to develop or 
        produce such project.

2.      Provided that such rights are available, HARPO grants the worldwide
        off-network distribution rights (including home video rights for
        territories outside the United States when King World deems necessary)
        for up to four (4) HARPO-produced network television films designated by
        HARPO to be produced on or before December 1, 1995. King World shall pay
        distribution advances on a cross-collateralized basis among all such
        films distributed, payable by the completion of principal photography of
        ***** for the first television film, ***** for the second, ***** for the
        third, and ***** for the fourth. King World shall receive a *****
        distribution fee for U.S. distribution and ***** for all other
        territories throughout the world.

3.      HOME VIDEO
        King World and HARPO shall mutually agree on the exploitation and
        distribution of Oprah Winfrey Show videos, best of, anthologies and the 
        like, using actual footage.

        King World and HARPO shall split said revenue *****. HARPO shall receive
        a reasonable production fee when shows are edited or re-produced and/or
        a talent fee when Oprah Winfrey appears in new on-camera footage.

        Other home video production will be subject to good faith negotiation.
<PAGE>   5
Mr. Steve Palley
January 28, 1991
Page 5


King World will promptly prepare and submit a document that will endeavor to
combine all previous documents and agreements into one document that includes
all the operative language of previous documents and incorporate the terms,
conditions and amendments contained in this deal memorandum, while removing any
ambiguities identified by HARPO that exist in the boilerplate. Except as
expressly modified by this letter, the agreement between King World and HARPO,
as amended to date, shall remain in full force and effect unless and until
superseded by such combining document.

If the foregoing meets with your approval, please sign a copy of this document
and return it to me.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Very truly yours,

HARPO, INC.

/s/ Jeffrey D. Jacobs

Jeffrey D. Jacobs
President

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED

King World Productions, Inc.

By: /s/ Jonathan Birkhahn 

I hereby confirm that all of the representations, warranties and agreements
made by me in the acknowledgement, dated January 30, 1987, apply to the
foregoing letter agreement.

Dated:  Jan. 29, 1991             /s/ Oprah Winfrey
      --------------------       ------------------------ 
                                  Oprah Winfrey

<PAGE>   1
          [*Deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment]

                         KING WORLD F.S.C. CORPORATION
                              830 Morris Turnpike                EXHIBIT 10.28
                         Short Hills, New Jersey 07078

                                           Dated as of September 1, 1996

Unilever NV
c/o Mr. Pierre-Marie Guiollot
President - Director General
Initiative Media/E.C. Television Paris
131 rue de Bac
75007 Paris
France

Dear Pierre-Marie:

        Reference is made to the agreement between Unilever NV ("Unilever"),
through its then agent Lintas  International Limited ("Lintas"), and King world
F.S.C. Corporation ("KW"), through its then agent Buena Vista International,
Inc. ("BVI"), dated June 2, 1988, as amended as of June 13, 1989, as of
September 19, 1991, as of June 13, 1994 and as of July 11, 1995 (the "Original
Agreement"). Unless otherwise specified herein, all defined terms herein shall
have the meanings set forth in the Original Agreement. All Dollar amounts shall
mean United States Dollars. The amendments set forth hereunder to the Original
Agreement shall become effective on the commencement of the Third Extended
Renewal Period (as defined in Paragraph A below). Unilever and KW agree to
amend the Original Agreement as follows:

        A.      The License Term shall be extended for the period January 1,
1997 through December 31, 1997 (the "Third Extended Renewal Period").

        B.      The guaranteed minimum license fee during the Third Extended
Renewal Period shall be equal to the greater of (i) [*****] and (ii) [*****] of
the actual royalties payable by Unilever under the Original Agreement for
calendar year 1996.

        C.      With respect to telecasts of Wheel in France, the royalty
payable to KW by Unilever (the "French Royalty") for each telecast of each
episode of Wheel during the Third Extended Renewal Period shall be the
applicable rate set forth on Schedule A attached hereto, which rate is [*****]
of the base rate applicable for France for calendar year 1996; provided,
however, that if Unilever presents evidence to KW that is sufficient (as
determined by KW in its sole discretion) to demonstrate that the value to
Unilever of the license for Wheel in France for the Third Extended Renewal
Period, determined as set forth below, has not increased
<PAGE>   2
          [*Deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment]

over the value to Unilever of the license for Wheel in France for calendar year
1996, then the Royalty Rate for Wheel in France for the Third Extended Renewal
Period shall, in lieu of the applicable rate set forth on Schedule A, be
adjusted to the applicable rate for calendar year 1996. If Unilever chooses to
present evidence to KW regarding the value of the license, it shall present
such evidence to KW by the end of each calendar quarter during the Third
Extended Renewal Period, and, if KW determines that the value to Unilever of
the license for such quarter has not increased, then the Royalty Rate for such
quarter shall be adjusted to the applicable rate for calendar year 1996. In
addition, prior to the commencement of the Third Extended Renewal Period,
Unilever shall provide KW with detailed terms of the proposed license for Wheel
in France for such Period; provided, however, that it is understood that if
Unilever chooses not to present the terms of such license to KW, then the
Royalty Rate for Wheel in France for the Third Extended Renewal Period shall be
the applicable rate set forth on Schedule A. The French Royalty for Wheel shall
not be subject to any other increases, adjustments or premiums.

        D.      With respect to telecasts of Wheel and Jeopardy in Belgium, The
Netherlands and Sweden, the royalty payable to KW by Unilever for each telecast
of each episode of the applicable program in the applicable country during the
Third Extended Renewal Period shall be the applicable rate set forth on Schedule
A attached hereto, which rate is [*****] of the base rate applicable for such
program in such country for calendar year 1996; provided, however, that if
Unilever presents evidence to KW that is sufficient (as determined by KW in its
sole discretion) to demonstrate that the value to Unilever of the license for
the Third Extended Renewal Period for a particular program in a particular
country, determined quarterly as set forth below, has not increased over the
value to Unilever of the license for such program in such country for calendar
year 1996, then the Royalty Rate for such program in such country for the Third
Extended Renewal Period shall, in lieu of the applicable rate set forth on
Schedule A, be adjusted to the applicable rate for calendar year 1996. If
Unilever chooses to present evidence to KW regarding the value of the license,
it shall present such evidence to KW by the end of each calendar quarter during
the Third Extended Renewal Period, and, if KW determines that the value to
Unilever of the license for such quarter has not increased, then the Royalty
Rate for such quarter shall be adjusted to the applicable rate for calendar year
1996. In addition, prior to the commencement of the Third Extended Renewal
Period, Unilever shall provide KW with detailed terms of the proposed license
for Wheel in each of Belgium, The Netherlands and Sweden for such Period;
provided, however, that it is understood that if Unilever chooses not to present
the terms of any such license to KW, then the Royalty Rate for the applicable
program in the applicable country for the Third Extended Renewal Period shall be
the applicable rate set forth on Schedule A. The royalty payable to KW by
Unilever with respect to telecasts of Wheel and Jeopardy in Belgium, The
Netherlands and Sweden shall in any event be subject to the [*****] premiums for
barter and number one position payable under the Original Agreement.

        E.      With respect to telecasts of Wheel in Spain, the royalty payable
to KW by Unilever shall be an amount equal to the greater of (i) [*****] of the
license fees for Wheel payable by the applicable Spanish telecaster to Unilever
and (ii) [*****] for each telecast of each episode, with no increases,
adjustments or premiums.


                                      -2-

<PAGE>   3
         [* Deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment]


        F.      With respect to telecasts of Wheel in Italy, the royalty payable
to KW by Unilever shall be an amount equal to the greater of (i) [*****] of the
license fees for Wheel payable by the applicable Italian telecaster to Unilever
and (ii) [*****] for each telecast of each episode, with no increases,
adjustments or premiums.

        G.      (a)     With respect to telecasts of Jeopardy in the German
Speaking Territories: (a) if Unilever enters into a cash license agreement, the
royalty payable to KW by Unilever shall be an amount equal to the greater of (i)
[*****] of the license fees for Jeopardy payable by the applicable telecaster to
Unilever and (ii) [*****] for each telecast of each episode; or (b) if Unilever
enters into a barter license agreement, the royalty payable to KW by Unilever
for each telecast of each episode shall be [*****]; provided that, if the value
to Unilever of any such barter license exceeds [*****] for any episode, then
Unilever shall also pay to KW the [*****] barter premium for that episode
otherwise payable under the Original Agreement. Standard German advertising
industry practices shall be used to determine the value of barter to Unilever.

                (b)     The royalty with respect to telecasts of Jeopardy in
the German Speaking Territories shall not be subject to any other increases,
adjustments or premiums: provided, however, that in the event that Unilever's
licensee receives any advertising revenue from Jeopardy telecasts in any of the
German Speaking Territories (other than Germany), then, in addition to the
applicable German Royalty, Unilever shall pay an additional royalty to KW
calculated as follows: [*****]. Unilever shall provide KW with full and accurate
information regarding any cash or barter license agreement for each of the
German Speaking Territories.

        H.      The per-episode license fee for repeat broadcasts in any
country within the Territory shall be payable by Unilever in accordance with
the following guidelines:

                (a)     With respect to repeat telecasts of an episode during
the summer, the otherwise applicable Royalty Rate shall be reduced
proportionately with the reduction, if any, in the barter and/or cash revenue,
as applicable, payable to Unilever with respect to such telecast (the basis of
calculation for which Unilever shall promptly furnish to KW); provided, however,
that such adjusted royalty shall in no event be less than [*****] of such
otherwise applicable Royalty Rate.

                (b)     With respect to repeat telecasts of an episode on the
same day or prior to noon on the following day, other than repeat telecasts of
Jeopardy in Germany and Wheel in Spain, the royalty for each such repeat
telecast shall be [*****] of the otherwise applicable Royalty Rate.

                (c)     With respect to repeat fees for Jeopardy in Germany,
[*****] of each episode between midnight and noon of any day within [*****] of
the original broadcast of such episode is included at the base license fee, at
no additional cost.

                                      -3-


<PAGE>   4
          [* Deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment]

        (d)     With respect to repeat fees for Wheel in Spain, [*****] of each
episode will be permitted within [*****] the original broadcast of that episode.
The license fees for such repeats are as follows:

        Time Period of Repeat       License Fee
        ---------------------       -----------
        [*****]:00-[*****]:00       [*****] of original per-episode license fee
        [*****]:00-[*****]:00       [*****] of original per-episode license fee
        [*****]:00-[*****]:00       [*****] of original per-episode license fee

        I.      Except with respect to telecasts of Wheel in Spain (the
royalties for which are set forth in Paragraph E above), telecasts of Wheel in
Italy (the royalties for which are set forth in Paragraph F above), and
telecasts of Jeopardy in the German Speaking Territories (the royalties for
which are set forth in Paragraph G above), with respect to all countries within
Territory A, the Royalty Rate for each such country during the Third Extended
Renewal Period shall be applicable rate set forth on Schedule A attached hereto,
which rate, in the case of all countries other than Finland, Denmark and the
United Kingdom, is [*****] of the base rate applicable for such country for
calendar year 1996, in the case of Finland and Denmark is [*****] of the base
rate applicable for such country for calendar year 1996 and in  the case of the
United Kingdom is (i) for episodes [*****] of the base rate applicable for the
United Kingdom for calendar year 1996, (ii) for episodes [*****] of the base
rate applicable for the United Kingdom for calendar year 1996, and (iii) for
episodes [*****] and above, [*****] of the base rate applicable for the United
Kingdom for calendar year 1996; provided, however, that each such Royalty Rate
shall be subject to the adjustments to such Royalty Rate set forth in
subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of Paragraph D of the September 19, 1991 amendment
constituting part of the Original Agreement.

        J.      Unilever shall, during the Third Extended Renewal Period and
any further extension of the License Term, consult with KW on a meaningful
basis on any and all sales presentations made by Unilever, and KW shall be
informed by Unilever of any and all discussions regarding the launch or license
renewal of either Series. Without limitation of the foregoing, in the event
that Unilever licenses either Series in any country in the Territory to a new
telecaster-licensee for a new production, or that the production entity of any
existing production of either Series is proposed to be changed, then, Unilever
shall cause KW to be afforded a right of first negotiation to produce or
co-produce such production. In the event that KW does not itself produce or
co-produce such production. KW shall have the right to approve the production
entity for such production, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld
or delayed (any failure by KW to respond within ten (10) business days to a
request by Unilever for such approval to be deemed approval of such request by
KW).

                                      -4-

<PAGE>   5
        Except as modified hereunder, the Original Agreement shall remain in
full force and effect.




                                        Very truly yours,

                                        KING WORLD F.S.C. CORPORATION

                                        By: /s/   Jonathan Birkhahn 
                                           ---------------------------



ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:

UNILEVER NV

By: E.C. TELEVISION INC.



        By: /s/  Pierre-Marie Guiollot 
           ----------------------------








                                      -5-




<PAGE>   6
          [* Deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment]


                                   SCHEDULE A

                         WHEEL OF FORTUNE and JEOPARDY!
                  LICENSE FEE SCHEDULE FOR CALENDAR YEAR 1997
            (ROYALTY PAYMENT IN US DOLLARS PER EPISODE PER TELECAST)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TERRITORIES                     WHEEL                   JEOPARDY
- -----------                     -----                   --------
<S>                             <C>                       <C>      
Belgium                          [*****]                  [*****]
Denmark                          [*****]                  [*****]
Finland                          [*****]                  [*****]
France                           [*****]                  [*****]
German Speaking Territories      [*****]                  [*****]
Greece                           [*****]                  [*****]
Italy                            [*****]                  [*****]
Netherlands                      [*****]                  [*****]
Portugal                         [*****]                  [*****]
Spain                            [*****]                  [*****]
Sweden & Norway                  [*****]                  [*****]
United Kingdom                   [*****]                  [*****]


</TABLE>


TBD Territories
- ---------------

Andorra
Iceland
Ireland
Lichtenstein
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco







<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.29

                                                                  CONFORMED COPY

                  RESTRUCTURING AGREEMENT dated as of April 30, 1992, among
     BUFFALO BROADCASTING CO. INC., a New York corporation (the "Company"), 
     the holders of notes evidencing indebtedness of the Company listed on 
     the signature pages hereof (each a "Holder" and collectively the 
     "Holders") and BUFFALO MANAGEMENT ENTERPRISES CO. INC., a New York 
     corporation (the "Manager").

         Reference is made to the Trust Indenture dated as of December 1, 1988,
as amended (the "Indenture"), from the Company to State Street Bank and Trust
Company, National Association (as successor to The Connecticut Bank and Trust
Company, National Association), as Trustee. Capitalized terms used herein and
not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in
the Indenture.

         The Company and the Holders are entering into this Agreement in order
to set forth their agreement regarding the terms and conditions of a capital
restructuring of the Company and related matters (such capital restructuring,
including the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, being
referred to herein as the "Restructuring").

         Accordingly, in consideration of the mutual agreements of the parties
hereto and other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto agree as
follows:

         SECTION 1. Actions Prior to Closing. The Manager has been incorporated
as a wholly-owned subsidiary of King World, with a certificate of incorporation
and other organizational documentation substantially in the form of Exhibit A
hereto. Prior to the Closing (as defined below), (a) the Company shall amend and
restate its certificate of incorporation substantially in the form of Exhibit B
hereto (the "Restated Certificate of Incorporation") and amend and restate its
by-laws substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto (the "Restated By-laws")
and (b) the Company shall exercise its best efforts to obtain the approval of
the FCC for the Restructuring.

         SECTION 2. Restructuring Transactions. Upon obtaining FCC approval for
the Restructuring, the Company will promptly notify the Holders thereof and of
the date (the "Closing Date") upon which the Restructuring shall be consummated.
The consummation of the Restructuring, including the transactions contemplated
by this Section and

                                                                                
<PAGE>   2
                                                                               2

the actions to be taken by the parties hereto in connection therewith, are
referred to herein as the "Closing". Unless otherwise agreed, the Closing shall
take place at the offices of Cravath, Swaine & Moore, Worldwide Plaza, 825
Eighth Avenue, New York, New York. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, each of the parties hereto hereby agrees, on the Closing Date, to
take the actions specified below to be taken by such party in connection with
the Closing (it being understood that the Holders shall be responsible for
causing the Trustee to take actions to be taken by it):

         (a) Amendment of Indenture. The Company and the Trustee shall execute
and deliver an amendment to the Indenture (the "First Supplemental Indenture")
substantially in the form attached as Exhibit D hereto, and the Holders shall
instruct the Trustee to execute and deliver such amendment in accordance with
the Indenture. The Holders of the Senior Secured Notes shall surrender such
Notes for cancelation in exchange for, and the Company shall execute and deliver
to such Holders, new Senior Secured Notes in the form contemplated by such
amendment and in the same principal amount, and registered in the same names, as
the Senior Secured Notes so surrendered.

         (b) Issuance of Preferred Stock. The Company shall issue shares of its
Preferred Stock (such term, and other capitalized terms used in this Section 
2(b) and not otherwise defined in the Indenture, being used as defined in the
Restated Certificate of Incorporation) to the Holders and the Manager, as
follows:

                  (i) the Company shall issue to the Holders of the Senior
         Secured Notes all the authorized shares of its Series A Preferred
         Stock, such shares to be issued to such Holders pro rata in accordance
         with the respective outstanding principal amounts of their Senior
         Secured Notes;

                  (ii) the Company shall issue to the Holders of the Series I
         Subordinated Notes and related Warrants all the authorized shares of
         its Series B Preferred Stock, such shares to be issued to such Holders
         pro rata in accordance with the respective outstanding principal
         amounts of their Series I Subordinated Notes;

                  (iii) the Company shall issue to the Holders of the Series II
         Subordinated Notes and the related Warrants all the authorized shares
         of its Series C Preferred

                                                                                
<PAGE>   3
                                                                     3


         Stock, such shares to be issued to such Holders pro rata in accordance
         with the respective outstanding principal amounts of their Series II
         Subordinated Notes; and

                  (iv) the Company shall issue to the Manager all the authorized
         shares of its Series D Preferred Stock.

The shares of Preferred Stock to be issued as provided above shall be
represented by stock certificates (bearing appropriate legends regarding
transfer restrictions and the special powers applicable to the Series D
Preferred Stock) duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Company and
registered in the name of the applicable Holder or the Manager, as the case may
be. In consideration of the foregoing, (A) the Holders of the Senior Secured
Notes shall exchange their Senior Secured Notes for new Senior Secured Notes as
provided in Section 2(a) above, (B) the Holders of the Subordinated Secured
Notes and the Warrants shall surrender the same for cancelation and (C) the
Manager shall enter into the Management Agreement as provided in Section 2(g)
below.

         (c) Voting Trust Agreement. The Manager shall enter into a voting trust
agreement (the "Voting Trust Agreement") substantially in the form of Exhibit E
hereto with the person identified therein as the voting trustee (the "Voting
Trustee") and the Company. King World shall transfer to the Manager all
outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock, and the Manager shall transfer
such shares to the Voting Trustee in accordance with the Voting Trust Agreement,
in each case subject to the Initial Pledge Agreement. The Security Agent (as
defined in the Initial Pledge Agreement) shall surrender to the Company the
stock certificate evidencing such shares in exchange for a new stock certificate
to be held by the Security Agent evidencing such shares (bearing appropriate
legends, as described above with respect to the Preferred Stock) duly executed
and delivered on behalf of the Company and registered in the name of the Voting
Trustee. The Voting Trustee shall issue to the Manager a Voting Trust
Certificate (as defined in the Voting Trust Agreement) representing such shares.

         (d) Restated Pledge Agreement. The Voting Trustee, the Manager and the
Agent and Secured Party (the "Security Agent") under the Initial Pledge
Agreement shall enter into an amended and restated pledge agreement (the
"Assumption, Amendment and Restatement of Pledge Agreement")

                                                                                
<PAGE>   4
                                                                               4

substantially in the form of Exhibit F hereto, amending and restating the
Initial Pledge Agreement. The Voting Trustee shall deliver to the Security Agent
a stock power relating to the shares of the Company's Common Stock pledged under
the Assumption, Amendment and Restatement of Pledge Agreement, duly executed by
the Voting Trustee in blank. The Manager shall deliver to the Security Agent a
stock power relating to the shares of the Company's Preferred Stock pledged
under the Assumption, Amendment and Restatement of Pledge Agreement, duly
executed by the Manager in blank.

         (e) Manager Pledge Agreement. King World and the Trustee, as security
agent, shall enter into a pledge agreement (the "Manager Pledge Agreement")
substantially in the form of Exhibit G hereto. King World shall deliver to the
Trustee, as security agent under the Manager Pledge Agreement, a stock
certificate evidencing all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Manager,
together with a stock power relating thereto duly executed by King World in
blank.

         (f) Shareholders Agreement. The Company, the Manager, King World, the
Voting Trustee and the Holders shall enter into a shareholders agreement (the
"Shareholders Agreement") substantially in the form of Exhibit H hereto.

         (g) Management Agreement. The Company and the Manager shall enter into
a management agreement (the "Management Agreement") substantially in the form of
Exhibit I hereto.

         (h) Other Security Documents. The Company and the Trustee, as security
agent, shall enter into an amendment to the Security Agreement (the "First
Amendment to Security Agreement") substantially in the form of Exhibit J hereto,
providing (among other things) for the assignment by the Company to the Trustee,
as security agent thereunder, of the rights of the Company under the Management
Agreement as security for the Senior Secured Notes. The Company and the Trustee,
as agent and secured party, shall enter into an amendment to the Subsidiary
Stock Pledge Agreement (the "First Amendment to Subsidiary Pledge Agreement")
substantially in the form of Exhibit K hereto. The Company and the Trustee, as
mortgagee, shall enter into an amendment to the Initial Mortgage (the "First
Amendment to Mortgage") substantially in the form of Exhibit L hereto.

                                                                                
<PAGE>   5
                                                                               5

         (i) Prepayment of Senior Secured Notes. On the Closing Date, the
Company shall make a prepayment of principal in respect of the Senior Secured
Notes in an amount equal to the excess of (i) all available cash of the Company
on the Closing Date, over (ii) the sum of the transaction costs (including the
fees and expenses of counsel to all parties) to be paid by the Company in
connection with the Restructuring plus $1,500,000. For purposes of the
foregoing, the Company's available cash on the Closing Date and the transaction
costs to be paid by the Company in connection with the Restructuring shall be
calculated by the Company (which calculation shall be reasonably satisfactory to
the Holders of the Senior Secured Notes) and certified to the Holders of the
Senior Secured Notes at the Closing, and the amount of such transaction costs
may be reasonably estimated by the Company to the extent that invoices have not
been submitted.

         SECTION 3. Conditions. (a) The obligations of each party hereto to take
the actions to be taken by it at the Closing as provided in Section 2 hereof
shall be subject to the performance by the other parties hereto of the actions
to be taken by such other parties in connection with the Restructuring, it being
understood that the actions to be taken at the Closing pursuant to Section 2
hereof are mutually dependent and shall be taken substantially simultaneously.

         (b) In addition, the obligations of each Holder to take the actions to
be taken by such Holder at the Closing as provided in Section 2 hereof shall be
subject to the following conditions:

                  (i) the representations and warranties of the Company
         contained herein shall be true and correct on the Closing Date with the
         same effect as though made on and as of the Closing Date;

                  (ii) the Company shall have delivered to such Holder (A)
         certified copies of its Restated Certificate of Incorporation and
         Restated By-laws, (B) certified copies of resolutions evidencing the
         due authorization of all actions to be taken by the Company in
         connection with the Restructuring and (C) a certificate regarding the
         incumbency of all officers of the Company executing any agreement or
         instrument to be executed by the Company as provided in Section 2
         hereof;

                                                                                
<PAGE>   6
                                                                               6

                  (iii) the Manager shall have delivered to such Holder (A)
         certified copies of its certificate of incorporation and other
         organizational documentation, which shall be substantially in the form
         of Exhibit A hereto (including the resolutions provided for therein
         authorizing the actions to be taken by the Manager in connection with
         the Restructuring) and (B) a certificate regarding the incumbency of
         all officers of the Manager executing any agreement or instrument to be
         executed by the Manager as provided in Section 2 hereof;

                  (iv) the Company shall have delivered to such Holder evidence
         reasonably satisfactory to such Holder that any required consent or
         approval of the FCC to the Restructuring has been obtained and that
         such consent or approval has become final on or before the Closing Date
         (such consent, including consent duly granted by the FCC staff pursuant
         to delegated authority, shall be deemed to have become final if (i) it
         has not been reversed, stayed, enjoined or set aside, (ii) no timely
         request for stay, rehearing or reconsideration of, or appeal from, that
         consent is pending before the FCC or any court of competent
         jurisdiction and (iii) the time for filing any such request, petition
         or appeal, or for sua sponte review by the FCC, has expired);

                  (v) such Holder shall have received from Cravath, Swaine &
         Moore, counsel to the Company, and Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering, special
         FCC counsel to the Company, their respective opinions, dated the
         Closing Date, substantially in the forms attached hereto as Exhibits
         M-1 and M-2, respectively;

                  (vi) the Company shall have duly paid all expenses incurred in
         connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of
         this Agreement and the Restructuring Documents (as hereinafter
         defined), including, but not limited to, all fees and expenses referred
         to in Section 6 hereof;

                  (vii) such Holder shall have received written confirmation, in
         form and substance reasonably satisfactory to it, that the title
         insurance insuring the lien of the Mortgage remains in full force and
         effect after giving effect to the First Amendment to Mortgage;

                                                                                
<PAGE>   7
                                                                               7

                  (viii) a Private Placement Number relating to each series of
         Preferred Stock shall have been duly ordered from Standard & Poor's
         Corporation; and

                  (ix) all documents and instruments to be executed and
         delivered in connection with the Restructuring, the forms and terms of
         which are not otherwise provided for herein, shall be reasonably
         satisfactory in form and substance to such Holder and its counsel.

         SECTION 4.  Representations.  (1)  The Company
hereby represents and warrants to each Holder as follows:

         (a) The Company:

                  (i) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
         good standing under the laws of the State of New York;

                  (ii) has all requisite power and authority and all necessary
         licenses and permits to carry on its business as now conducted and as
         presently proposed to be conducted;

                  (iii) is duly licensed or qualified and is authorized to do
         business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each
         jurisdiction where the character of its properties or the nature of its
         activities makes such qualification or licensing necessary; and

                  (iv) has no Subsidiaries except for Satellite Signals
         Unlimited, Inc., a New York corporation, and owns no equity interests
         in any other Person.

         (b) Since the date of the latest balance sheet provided by the Company,
there has been no material change in the business, operations, or condition,
financial or otherwise, of the Company as shown on the balance sheet as of such
date or the income statement for the period then ended, except changes in the
ordinary course of business, none of which, individually or in the aggregate,
has been materially adverse.

         (c) The financial statements referred to in paragraph (b) above do not,
nor does this Agreement, the First Supplemental Indenture or any other document
or written statement furnished by the Company to the Holders in connection with
the negotiation of the Restructuring, this

                                                                                
<PAGE>   8
                                                                               8

Agreement or the First Supplemental Indenture, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit a material fact necessary to make the statements contained
therein or herein not misleading. Except for generally prevailing economic and
industry conditions, there is no fact peculiar to the Company (whether or not in
connection with the Restructuring) which the Company has not disclosed to the
Holders which materially adversely affects nor, so far as the Company can now
foresee, will materially adversely affect the properties, business, prospects,
profits or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company or the ability of
the Company to enter into and perform this Agreement and the First Supplemental
Indenture.

         (d) There are no proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the
Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or the Station in any court
or before any governmental authority or arbitration board or tribunal which,
either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to
materially and adversely affect the properties, business, prospects, profits or
condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company or the Station, or the ability
of the Company to consummate the transactions or perform and carry out its
obligations contemplated by this Agreement. The Company is not in default with
respect to any order of any court or governmental authority or arbitration board
or tribunal.

         (e)(i) The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the First
Supplemental Indenture, the voting Trust Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement,
the Management Agreement, the Assumption, Amendment and Restatement of Pledge
Agreement, the Manager Pledge Agreement, the First Amendment to Security
Agreement, the First Amendment to Mortgage and the First Amendment to Subsidiary
Pledge Agreement (collectively referred to herein as the "Restructuring
Documents"), in each case to which the Company is or is to be a party:

                  (A) are within the corporate powers of the Company and have
         been duly authorized by proper corporate action on the part of the
         Company; and

                  (B) will not violate any provisions of any law or any order of
         any court or governmental authority or agency and will not conflict
         with or result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or
         provisions of, or constitute a default under, the Restated Certificate
         of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company

                                                                                
<PAGE>   9
                                                                     9


         or any loan agreement, indenture or other material agreement to which
         the Company is a party or by which it may be bound on the Closing Date
         or result in the imposition of any Lien on any property of the Company
         (other than the Liens to be created pursuant to the Restructuring
         Documents as contemplated hereby).

         (ii) This Agreement is, and, on the Closing Date, each of the other
Restructuring Documents to which the Company is to be a party shall be, a legal,
valid and binding agreement and obligation of the Company, enforceable against
the Company in accordance with its terms.

         (f) After giving effect to the Restructuring Documents and the
transactions contemplated thereby, no Default or Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing. After giving effect to each of the Restructuring Documents,
the Company is not in default in the payment of principal or interest on any
Indebtedness for borrowed money and is not in default under any instrument or
instruments or agreements under and subject to which any Indebtedness for
borrowed money has been issued and no event has occurred and is continuing under
the provisions of any such instrument or agreement which with the lapse of time
or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute an event of default
thereunder. The Company is not in violation of any term of any agreement,
charter instrument, regulation or other instrument to which it is a party or by
which it may be bound which violation would have a material adverse effect on
the business or the financial condition of the Company.

         (g) Except for the consent of the FCC, no approval, consent or
withholding of objection on the part of any regulatory body, state, Federal or
local, is necessary in connection with the execution and delivery by the Company
of any Restructuring Document or compliance by the Company with any of the
provisions thereof.

         (h) After giving effect to the Restructuring, the authorized capital
stock of the Company shall be as set forth in the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation. All outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock are duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and, after giving
effect to the Restructuring, shall be owned by the Voting Trustee pursuant to
the terms of the Voting Trust Agreement. After giving effect to the
Restructuring, the Company does not have outstanding any warrants, options,
convertible securities, or other rights for the purchase or acquisition of
shares of its Common

                                                                                
<PAGE>   10
                                                                              10

Stock or Preferred Stock. The shares of Preferred Stock, which are on the
Closing Date being issued to the Holders, have the voting powers, designations,
preferences, special rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions
thereof set forth in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, this Agreement
and the laws of the State of New York. Upon the issuance and delivery of the
Preferred Stock as contemplated in this Agreement, all shares of the Preferred
Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares and will not
be the subject of any restrictive voting agreement, other than the Voting Trust
Agreement and the Shareholders Agreement.

         (2)      The Manager hereby represents and warrants to
each Holder as follows:

         (a) The Manager:

                  (1) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
         good standing under the laws of the State of New York;

                  (2) has all requisite power and authority and (after giving
         effect to the Restructuring) all necessary licenses and permits to
         carry on its business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be
         conducted;

                  (3) is duly licensed or qualified and is authorized to do
         business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each
         jurisdiction where the character of its properties or the nature of its
         activities makes such qualification or licensing necessary; and

                  (4) has no Subsidiaries.

         (b) There are no proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the
Manager, threatened against or affecting the Manager in any court or before any
governmental authority or arbitration board or tribunal which, either
individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to materially and
adversely affect the properties, business, prospects, profits or condition
(financial or otherwise) of the Manager, or the ability of the Manager to
consummate the transactions or perform and carry out its obligations
contemplated by this Agreement. The Manager is not in default with respect to
any order of any court or governmental authority or arbitration board or
tribunal.

                                                                                
<PAGE>   11
                                                                              11

         (c)(i) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other
Restructuring Documents to which it is to be a party:

                  (A) are within the corporate powers of the Manager and have
         been duly authorized by proper corporate action on the part of the
         Manager; and

                  (B) will not violate any provisions of any law or any order of
         any court or governmental authority or agency and will not conflict
         with or result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or
         provisions of, or constitute a default under, the certificate of
         incorporation or by-laws of the Manager or any loan agreement,
         indenture or other agreement to which the Manager will be a party or by
         which it may be bound on the Closing Date or result in the imposition
         of any Lien on any property of the Manager (other than the Liens to be
         created pursuant to the Restructuring Documents as contemplated
         hereby).

         (ii) This Agreement is, and, on the Closing Date, each of the other
     Restructuring Documents to which the Manager is to be a party shall be, a
     legal, valid and binding agreement and obligation of the Manager,
     enforceable against the Manager in accordance with its terms.

         (d) After giving effect to each of the Restructuring Documents and the
transactions contemplated thereby, the Manager will not be in default in the
payment of principal or interest on any Indebtedness for borrowed money and will
not be in default under any instrument or instruments or agreements under and
subject to which any Indebtedness for borrowed money has been issued and no
event will have occurred and be continuing under the provisions of any such
instrument or agreement which with the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or
both, would constitute an event of default thereunder. The Manager is not in
violation of any term of any agreement, charter instrument, regulation or other
instrument to which it is a party or by which it may be bound which violation
would have a material adverse effect on the business or the financial condition
of the Manager.

         (e) Except for the consent of the FCC, no approval, consent or
withholding of objection on the part of any regulatory body, state, Federal or
local, is necessary

                                                                                
<PAGE>   12
                                                                              12

in connection with the execution and delivery by the Manager of any
Restructuring Document or compliance by the Manager with any of the provisions
thereof.

         (3) Each party to this Agreement to whom shares of Preferred Stock are
to be issued hereby represents and warrants to the Company that it is an
"accredited investor" as that term is defined and used in Regulation D
promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, and will acquire such Preferred
Stock for its own account or a sub-account maintained by it, or both, for
investment, but without prejudice to its right at all times to sell or otherwise
dispose of such Preferred Stock in a transaction exempt from the registration
requirements of such Securities Act and subject, however, to the condition that
the disposition of its property shall at all times be in its control (subject to
compliance with applicable Federal and state securities laws and the
Shareholders Agreement).

         SECTION 5. Consent of Holders; Direction to Trustee. By the execution
and delivery of this Agreement, each of the Holders hereby consents to (i) the
Restructuring on the terms set forth in this Agreement, and (ii) the execution
and delivery by the parties thereto, including without limitation State Street
Bank and Trust Company, National Association ("State Street Bank"), as Trustee,
Agent or Secured Party, of each of the Restructuring Documents. Further, by
execution and delivery of this Agreement, each of the Holders authorizes and
directs said State Street Bank, in its capacity as Trustee, Agent or Secured
Party, to execute and deliver all such documents to which it is a party. State
Street Bank shall be entitled to the benefits of, and may rely upon, this
Section 5 as though it were a party to this Agreement.

         SECTION 6. Expenses. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and
expenses of Messrs. Chapman and Cutler, Messrs. Kaye, Scholer, Fierman, Hays &
Handler, Messrs. Cravath, Swaine & Moore and Messrs. Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering,
in connection with the Restructuring.

         SECTION 7. Miscellaneous. (a) This Agreement constitutes the entire
understanding among the parties hereto and no modification, amendment or waiver
of any of the provisions hereof shall be valid unless in writing and signed by
the party against whom enforcement thereof is sought.

                                                                                
<PAGE>   13
                                                                              13

         (b) Subject to paragraph (e) below, this Agreement shall be binding
upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their successors.

         (c) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed
by the laws of the State of New York.

         (d) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute but one
and the same instrument.

         (e) This Agreement shall not be valid or effective for any purpose
until counterparts hereof bearing the signatures of each of the parties hereto
have been delivered to the Company.

         (f) The obligations of each Holder hereunder are several and not joint.

         (g) This Agreement constitutes a subscription agreement pursuant to
which each Holder and the Manager, subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein, subscribes for the shares of Preferred Stock to be issued to it as
provided in Section 2(b) hereof, and the Company hereby accepts such
subscription.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the date first above written.

                                                 BUFFALO BROADCASTING CO., INC.,

                                                  by
                                                    /s/      Jeffrey E. Epstein
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                     Name:
                                                     Title:   President

                                                 BUFFALO MANAGEMENT ENTERPRISES
                                                 CO. INC.,

                                                  by
                                                    /s/      Jeffrey E. Epstein
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                   Name:
                                                   Title:   President

                                                                                
<PAGE>   14
                                                                     14

                                    KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC.,               
                                    
                                    by
                                             /s/      Jeffrey E. Epstein
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:   Chief Financial Officer
                                    
                                    CIG & CO. (as nominee for CIGNA
                                    Property and Casualty Insurance
                                    Company),
                                    
                                    by
                                    
                                             /s/      James R. Kuzemchak
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:   Partner
                                    
                                    CIG & CO. (as nominee for
                                    Connecticut General Life
                                    Insurance Company),
                                    
                                    by
                                    
                                             /s/ James R. Kuzemchak
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:   Partner
                                    
                                    INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH
                                    AMERICA,
                                    
                                    by
                                    
                                             /s/ James R. Kuzemchak
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:   Managing Director
                                    
                                    LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH
                                    AMERICA,
                                    
                                    by
                                    
                                             /s/ James R. Kuzemchak
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:   Managing Director
           
                                                                                
<PAGE>   15
                                                                              15

                                    BARCLAYSAMERICAN/BUSINESS                   
                                    CREDIT, INC.,
                                    
                                    by
                                    
                                             /s/      David Harrington
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:   Vice President
                                    
                                    CHRYSLER CAPITAL CORPORATION,
                                    
                                    by
                                    
                                             /s/     Joseph Skaferowsky
                                             -----------------------------------
                                            Name:
                                            Title:   Business Operations Manager
                                    
                                    OPRAH WINFREY,
                                    
                                    by
                                    
                                             /s/      Oprah Winfrey
                                             -----------------------------------
                                    JEFFREY D. JACOBS,
                                    
                                    by
                                    
                                             /s/      Jeffrey D. Jacobs
                                             -----------------------------------
                                    C. F. FINANCE CORPORATION,
                                    
                                    by
                                    
                                             /s/      G. John Krediet
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:   President
            
                                                                                



<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 21.1


                     List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant


American Journal Inc., a New York corporation.

Camelot Entertainment Sales, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Four Crowns Inc., a Delaware corporation

Inside Edition Inc., a New York corporation.

K.W.M., Inc., a Delaware corporation.

King World Corporation, a Delaware corporation

King World Direct Inc., a Delaware corporation

King World FSC Corporation, a Virgin Islands corporation.

King World/RWS Inc., a New York corporation

King World/LBS Inc., a New York corporation

King World Merchandising, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Quickstead Inc., a California corporation.

Topper Productions Inc., a California corporation

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incor-
poration of our report dated October 24, 1996 included in this Form
10-K, into the Company's previously filed Registration Statements
File No. 33-30694, No. 33-30695, No. 33-71696, No. 33-54691, No.
333-8969 and No. 333-11363.



                                             /s/     ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


New York, New York
November 13, 1996




<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Balance Sheets of King
World Productions, Inc. and its Subsidiaries and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to such financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1996
<CASH>                                         344,766
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   64,574
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,196
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               635,869
<PP&E>                                          13,384
<DEPRECIATION>                                (10,503)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 854,141
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          116,256
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           507
<OTHER-SE>                                     737,378
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   854,141
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               663,426
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  397,494
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                74,347
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                231,610
<INCOME-TAX>                                    81,610
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            150,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   150,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.98
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.98
        

</TABLE>


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