HERITAGE MEDIA CORP
S-3, 1994-03-09
ADVERTISING
Previous: HERITAGE MEDIA CORP, 10-K, 1994-03-09
Next: ENRON OIL & GAS CO, PRE 14A, 1994-03-09



<PAGE>
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MARCH 9, 1994
                                                       REGISTRATION NO. 33-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
                                    FORM S-3
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
                           HERITAGE MEDIA CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
                    IOWA                                        42-1299303
          (State of Incorporation)                 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
</TABLE>

                            ------------------------

                          13355 NOEL ROAD, SUITE 1500
                              DALLAS, TEXAS 75240
                                 (214) 702-7380
       (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area
               code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
                            ------------------------

                               JOSEPH D. MAHAFFEY
              EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                           HERITAGE MEDIA CORPORATION
                          13355 NOEL ROAD, SUITE 1500
                              DALLAS, TEXAS 75240
                                 (214) 702-7380
       (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area
                    code, of registrant's agent for service)

                                   COPIES TO:

<TABLE>
<S>                                    <C>
          BRUCE H. HALLETT                         JOHN P. MEAD
      Crouch & Hallett, L.L.P.                  Sullivan & Cromwell
  717 N. Harwood Street, Suite 1400              125 Broad Street
         Dallas, Texas 75201                 New York, New York 10004
</TABLE>

                            ------------------------

        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT.

    If  the  only securities  being registered  on this  Form are  being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the  following
box.  / /

    If  any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to  Rule 415 under the Securities Act  of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box.  / /
                            ------------------------

                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      PROPOSED
                                                     PROPOSED          MAXIMUM
      TITLE OF EACH                AMOUNT             MAXIMUM         AGGREGATE       AMOUNT OF
   CLASS OF SECURITIES             TO BE          OFFERING PRICE      OFFERING       REGISTRATION
     TO BE REGISTERED            REGISTERED        PER SHARE(1)       PRICE(1)           FEE
<S>                         <C>                   <C>              <C>              <C>
Class A Common Stock,
 $.01 par value...........   4,071,922 shs.(2)        $17.875        $72,785,606      $25,098.67
</TABLE>

(1)  Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the amount of the registration
    fee pursuant to the  provisions of Rule 457(c)  under the Securities Act  of
    1933.

(2)  Includes 371,922 shares which the  underwriters have the option to purchase
    to cover over-allotments.
                            ------------------------

    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY  AMENDS THIS  REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON  SUCH DATE  OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE  A  FURTHER  AMENDMENT  WHICH SPECIFICALLY  STATES  THAT  THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE  IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A)  OF
THE  SECURITIES ACT  OF 1933  OR UNTIL  THE REGISTRATION  STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION  8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                EXPLANATORY NOTE

    The  Prospectus  relating  to  the  shares of  Class  A  Common  Stock being
registered hereby to be  used in connection with  a United States offering  (the
"U.S.  Prospectus") is set forth following this  page. The prospectus to be used
in a  concurrent international  offering (the  "International Prospectus")  will
consist  of  alternate pages  set forth  following the  U.S. Prospectus  and the
balance of the pages included in the  U.S. Prospectus for which no alternate  is
provided.  The U.S.  Prospectus and  the International  Prospectus are identical
except that they contain  different front covers, inside  front covers and  back
cover  pages and different  descriptions of the  plan of distribution (contained
under  the  caption  "Underwriting"  in   both  the  U.S.  Prospectus  and   the
International Prospectus).
<PAGE>
INFORMATION   CONTAINED  HEREIN  IS  SUBJECT   TO  COMPLETION  OR  AMENDMENT.  A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT  RELATING TO  THESE SECURITIES  HAS BEEN  FILED WITH  THE
SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES  MAY NOT BE  SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR  TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT  BECOMES
EFFECTIVE.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  SHALL  NOT  CONSTITUTE AN  OFFER  TO  SELL  OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE  SECURITIES
IN  ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,  SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 9, 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   P   R    O   S    P   E    C   T    U    S
- ---------------------------------------------------------
                                3,700,000 Shares

[logo]                     Heritage Media Corporation

                              Class A Common Stock
                                ($.01 PAR VALUE)

                                 --------------

THE  SHARES  OFFERED HEREBY  ARE BEING  SOLD BY  THE SELLING  STOCKHOLDERS NAMED
HEREIN UNDER "SELLING STOCKHOLDERS." OF THE 3,700,000 SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON
  STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01  PER SHARE (THE "CLASS  A COMMON STOCK"), OF  HERITAGE
  MEDIA  CORPORATION  ("HERITAGE" OR  THE  "COMPANY") BEING  OFFERED HEREBY,
    3,145,000 SHARES (THE "U.S. SHARES")  ARE BEING OFFERED IN THE  UNITED
      STATES AND CANADA BY THE U.S. UNDERWRITERS (THE "U.S. OFFERING") AND
      555,000  SHARES (THE "INTERNATIONAL SHARES") ARE BEING CONCURRENTLY
       OFFERED OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES  AND CANADA BY THE  MANAGERS
           (THE  "INTERNATIONAL OFFERING" AND, TOGETHER WITH THE U.S.
           OFFERING, THE "OFFERINGS").  THE PRICE TO THE PUBLIC AND
             THE UNDERWRITING DISCOUNT PER SHARE ARE IDENTICAL  FOR
                                 THE OFFERINGS.

THE  COMPANY IS AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE TWO  CLASSES OF COMMON STOCK: CLASS A COMMON
STOCK AND CLASS C COMMON STOCK. CLASS C COMMON STOCK IS ENTITLED TO VOTE ONLY
   AS A CLASS ON CERTAIN MATTERS DIRECTLY AFFECTING SUCH CLASS. EACH SHARE OF
   CLASS C COMMON STOCK IS        CONVERTIBLE AT ANY TIME INTO ONE SHARE OF
               CLASS A COMMON STOCK AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDER.

THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK  OF HERITAGE IS LISTED  ON THE AMERICAN STOCK  EXCHANGE
UNDER THE SYMBOL "HTG." ON MARCH 8, 1994, THE    REPORTED LAST SALE PRICE OF
    THE  CLASS A  COMMON STOCK  ON THE AMERICAN  STOCK EXCHANGE  WAS $18 PER
                                     SHARE.

                                 --------------

THESE SECURITIES  HAVE  NOT  BEEN  APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED  BY  THE  SECURITIES
    AND   EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR  ANY   STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  NOR
       HAS  THE  SECURITIES   AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION   OR  ANY   STATE
             SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR AD-
                  EQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
                  REPRESENTATION
                        TO THE  CONTRARY  IS  A  CRIMINAL
                                    OFFENSE.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             PROCEEDS TO
                                   PRICE TO            UNDERWRITING            SELLING
                                    PUBLIC               DISCOUNT          STOCKHOLDERS (1)
<S>                          <C>                   <C>                   <C>
PER SHARE
TOTAL (2)
</TABLE>

(1) THE EXPENSES OF THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS, ESTIMATED AT $250,000, ARE PAYABLE
    BY THE COMPANY.

(2) THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS HAVE GRANTED THE U.S. UNDERWRITERS AND THE MANAGERS
    AN  OPTION, EXERCISABLE BY THE REPRESENTATIVES  OF THE U.S. UNDERWRITERS FOR
    30 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THE PUBLIC OFFERING OF THE SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON
    STOCK OFFERED HEREBY, TO PURCHASE A MAXIMUM OF 371,922 ADDITIONAL SHARES  OF
    CLASS  A COMMON STOCK, IN THE AGGREGATE, SOLELY TO COVER OVER-ALLOTMENTS, IF
    ANY. IF THE OPTION IS EXERCISED IN  FULL, THE TOTAL PRICE TO PUBLIC WILL  BE
    $        , UNDERWRITING  DISCOUNT WILL  BE $        AND PROCEEDS  TO SELLING
    STOCKHOLDERS WILL BE $     . SEE "UNDERWRITING."

                                 --------------

    THE U.S. SHARES ARE OFFERED BY THE SEVERAL U.S. UNDERWRITERS WHEN, AS AND IF
DELIVERED TO AND ACCEPTED BY THE U.S. UNDERWRITERS AND SUBJECT TO THEIR RIGHT TO
REJECT ORDERS IN WHOLE OR IN PART. IT  IS EXPECTED THAT THE U.S. SHARES WILL  BE
READY FOR DELIVERY ON OR ABOUT             , 1994.

CS First Boston
                 Goldman, Sachs & Co.
                                                     J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
- ---------------------------------------------------------
               THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS             , 1994.
<PAGE>
    IN  CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERINGS, CS  FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION ON BEHALF OF
THE U.S. UNDERWRITERS  AND THE  MANAGERS MAY OVER-ALLOT  OR EFFECT  TRANSACTIONS
WHICH  STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE  MARKET PRICE OF THE CLASS  A COMMON STOCK AT A
LEVEL ABOVE  THAT  WHICH  MIGHT  OTHERWISE PREVAIL  IN  THE  OPEN  MARKET.  SUCH
TRANSACTIONS   MAY  BE  EFFECTED   ON  THE  AMERICAN   STOCK  EXCHANGE,  IN  THE
OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR  OTHERWISE. SUCH  STABILIZING, IF  COMMENCED, MAY  BE
DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.

                            ------------------------

                       [PHOTOGRAPHS OF ACTMEDIA PRODUCTS
                         IN A PROTOTYPICAL SUPERMARKET]

                                       2
<PAGE>
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

    The  Annual Report on Form 10-K for  the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993
(the "Form 10-K"), and the description of the Class A Common Stock contained  in
the Company's Registration Statement filed under Section 12(b) of the Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934 (the "Exchange  Act"), filed by Heritage Media Corporation
(the "Company" or "Heritage") with  the Securities and Exchange Commission  (the
"Commission") is hereby incorporated in this Prospectus by reference.

    All  documents hereafter filed by the  Company with the Commission, pursuant
to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of
a post-effective amendment  which indicates that  all securities offered  hereby
have  been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall
be deemed to be incorporated by reference in and to be a part of this Prospectus
from the date  of filing  of such documents.  The Company  will provide  without
charge  to each person, including any  beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus
is delivered, upon the written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any
or all of the documents which  are incorporated by reference herein, other  than
exhibits  to such documents (unless  such exhibits are specifically incorporated
by reference into such documents). Requests should be directed to the Company at
its principal  executive offices,  One Galleria  Tower, 13355  Noel Road,  Suite
1500, Dallas, Texas 75240, Attention: Secretary, telephone: (214) 702-7380.

    Any  statements  contained  in a  document  all  or a  portion  of  which is
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to
be modified or superseded for purposes of  this Prospectus to the extent that  a
statement  contained herein  or in any  other subsequently  filed document which
also is  or  is  deemed to  be  incorporated  by reference  herein  modifies  or
supersedes  such statement. Any such statement so modified shall not be deemed a
part of this Prospectus, except as so modified, and any statement so  superseded
shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this Prospectus.

                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

    The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act
and  in  accordance  therewith  files reports  and  other  information  with the
Commission.  Such  reports,  proxy  statements  and  other  information  can  be
inspected  and  copied  at the  public  reference facilities  maintained  by the
Commission at its offices at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, and at the Commission's  Regional Offices at Northwestern Atrium  Center,
500  West Madison  Street, Suite 1400,  Chicago, Illinois 60661  and Seven World
Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such material  can
be  obtained by mail from the Public  Reference Section of the Commission at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,  D.C. 20549, at  prescribed rates. In  addition,
such  material may also be  inspected and copied at  the offices of the American
Stock Exchange, 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York 10006-1881.

    The Company has filed with the  Commission a registration statement on  Form
S-3  (herein,  together with  all amendments  and exhibits,  referred to  as the
"Registration Statement")  under the  Securities Act  of 1933,  as amended  (the
"Securities  Act"), with respect to  the shares of Class  A Common Stock offered
hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement, certain parts  of which are  omitted in accordance  with
the  rules and regulations of the Commission. For further information, reference
is hereby made to the Registration Statement.

                                       3
<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

    THE  FOLLOWING SUMMARY  IS QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY BY  THE MORE DETAILED
INFORMATION APPEARING ELSEWHERE  IN THIS  PROSPECTUS OR  INCORPORATED HEREIN  BY
REFERENCE.  UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED, ALL REFERENCES IN THIS PROSPECTUS ASSUME NO
EXERCISE OF THE U.S. UNDERWRITERS' AND THE MANAGERS' OVER-ALLOTMENT OPTION.

                                  THE COMPANY

    Heritage  Media  Corporation,  through   its  Actmedia,  Inc.   ("Actmedia")
subsidiary,  is the world's  largest independent provider  of in-store marketing
products and services, primarily to  consumer packaged goods manufacturers.  The
Company  also owns  and operates six  network affiliated  television stations in
small to mid-sized markets and fourteen  radio stations in seven major  markets.
The  Company has acquired three radio stations in its existing markets under the
recently adopted duopoly  regulations of the  Federal Communications  Commission
("FCC")  which permit ownership of more than one AM or one FM station in any one
market, if certain requirements  are met. The Company's  1993 net revenues  were
$291  million, an increase of 16% over  $251 million in 1992. EBITDA (as defined
in Note 4 to "Summary Financial Data") was $68 million, a 26% increase over  $54
million in 1992.

    IN-STORE  MARKETING.   Actmedia  offers  advertisers a  broad  assortment of
in-store advertising and promotional products. Actmedia's products and services,
some or  all of  which are  delivered  in 24,000  supermarkets and  12,000  drug
stores,  are highly effective in increasing  consumer awareness and purchases of
targeted products.  Advertising  products  include print  displays  on  shopping
carts,  aisle directories and  shelves, and audio  advertising played throughout
the store. Promotional  products consist of  customized in-store  demonstrations
and merchandising, as well as coupon and sampling programs. Actmedia can provide
on-line  reporting  to customers  concerning the  sales  impact of  its in-store
programs. Actmedia's full  network of  in-store marketing  products link  sight,
sound  and one-on-one selling to provide  its clients with effective programs to
influence the consumer  at the point-of-purchase.  Actmedia's 1993 net  revenues
were $216 million, an increase of 16% over 1992 net revenues of $186 million.

    The  most important  of the  Company's promotional  products is  the Instant
Coupon Machine (the "ICM"), an electronic  dispenser of coupons that is  mounted
on shelf channels under or near featured products. Market testing indicates that
the  redemption rate for coupons drawn from  the ICM is eight times greater than
that of coupons in free-standing inserts  and that the cost to the  manufacturer
per  redeemed coupon  is substantially lower.  The ICM generated  $63 million of
revenues in 1993,  tripling the  $21 million  level of  1992 when  it was  first
introduced.

    Actmedia  has contracts, generally  extending for three  to five years, with
its retail  supermarket  and drug  store  customers  and is  the  only  in-store
marketing  participant with a  full-time field management  staff supervising its
own national field  service organization (up  to approximately 15,000  available
part-time employees).

    Heritage's  principal  strategy for  its in-store  marketing business  is to
increase the  utilization of  the  ICM, to  develop  new in-store  products  and
product  enhancements, to  pursue in-store  opportunities in  additional markets
outside the U.S., to expand in-store marketing to new classes of stores (such as
mass merchandisers and convenience  stores) and to  increase the utilization  of
its audio in-store product.

                                       4
<PAGE>
    TELEVISION.   The Company's  television segment operates  three NBC, two ABC
and one FOX affiliated stations. The average ratio of EBITDA to net revenues for
the Heritage television stations for the last five years has been  approximately
49%,  which  is  significantly  above  industry  averages  for  comparable sized
markets. This performance is  primarily due to the  stations' emphasis on  local
advertising  revenues and cost controls. Television's 1993 net revenues were $42
million, an increase of 5% over 1992 net revenues of $40 million.

    The Company's  strategy  for  its television  broadcasting  business  is  to
increase  local  advertising revenues  through  market segmentation,  to provide
excellent local news programming and to control operating expenses.

    RADIO.   In the  radio segment,  Heritage has  employed an  acquisition  and
turnaround  strategy to build  a group of nine  FM and five  AM stations, all of
which are located in the top  50 advertising markets. Recently, the Company  has
acquired  three  new  stations,  creating duopoly  ownership  in  its Rochester,
Milwaukee and St. Louis  markets. These acquisitions,  which were allowed  under
recently  adopted  FCC regulations,  provide opportunities  for cost  savings in
these markets and create the  potential for increased advertising revenues.  Due
to  acquisitions and  internal growth,  the 1993  net revenues  of the Company's
radio segment were $33 million, an increase of 35% over 1992 net revenues of $25
million.

    Heritage's strategy for its radio broadcasting  business is to focus on  the
acquisition   of   under   performing  stations,   including   possible  duopoly
opportunities, and  the  subsequent  improvement  in  their  operations  through
overhead  reduction,  programming  redesign  and generation  of  new  sources of
advertising revenues.

    The Company's executive  offices are  located at One  Galleria Tower,  13355
Noel  Road,  Suite  1500,  Dallas,  Texas 75240,  and  its  telephone  number is
214-702-7380.

                                  THE OFFERING

<TABLE>
<S>                                                  <C>
Class A Common Stock Offered by the Selling
 Stockholders:
  U.S. Offering....................................  3,145,000
  International Offering...........................  555,000
    Total..........................................  3,700,000(1)(2)
Number of Shares of Class A Common Stock
 outstanding after Offering........................  16,400,962 shares (3)
American Stock Exchange Symbol.....................  HTG
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1)  Such  shares  of  Class  A  Common  Stock  are  issuable  upon   conversion
     immediately  prior to the  Offerings of 3,700,000 shares  of Class C Common
     Stock.
(2)  Excludes 371,922 shares which the  U.S. Underwriters and the Managers  have
     the option to purchase to cover over-allotments.
(3)  Does  not include (i) 1,398,078 shares  reserved for issuance upon exercise
     of stock  options granted  or available  for grant,  (ii) 1,185,364  shares
     reserved   for  issuance  upon  periodic  contributions  to  the  Company's
     Retirement Savings Plan, (iii) 1,063,362 shares reserved for issuance  upon
     conversion  of Class  C Common Stock  following the Offerings  and (iv) any
     shares which may be issued upon exercise of outstanding Settlement  Rights.
     See "Description of Capital Stock."
</TABLE>

                                       5
<PAGE>
                             SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                       --------------------------------
                                                          1993         1992      1991
                                                       -----------   --------  --------
                                                            (DOLLARS AND SHARES IN
                                                                  THOUSANDS,
                                                            EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                    <C>           <C>       <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net revenues.........................................  $   291,205   $250,891  $222,360
Depreciation.........................................       16,268     14,499    10,900
Amortization of goodwill and other assets............       11,912     11,643    11,413
Operating income.....................................       35,495(1)   28,100   22,300
Income (loss) before extraordinary items.............           77    (14,966)  (19,278)
Net income (loss)....................................          512    (18,560)  (14,958)
Net loss applicable to common stock(2)...............       (4,810)   (25,465)  (20,435)
Loss per share before extraordinary items(2).........        (0.32)     (1.51)    (2.39)
Net loss per share(2)................................        (0.29)     (1.76)    (1.97)
Equivalent shares outstanding(3).....................       16,314     14,449    10,369
SEGMENT DATA:
Net revenues:
  In-store marketing.................................  $   216,319   $186,445  $171,136
  Television.........................................       41,517     39,703    35,319
  Radio..............................................       33,369     24,743    15,905
                                                       -----------   --------  --------
    Total............................................      291,205    250,891   222,360
Operating income (loss):
  In-store marketing.................................       22,370     16,427    14,770
  Television.........................................       10,707     11,357     8,900
  Radio..............................................        5,981      3,260     1,275
  Corporate..........................................       (3,563)    (2,944)   (2,645)
                                                       -----------   --------  --------
    Total............................................       35,495     28,100    22,300
EBITDA(4):
  In-store marketing.................................       42,220     31,525    27,205
  Television.........................................       20,167     19,637    16,801
  Radio..............................................        9,419      5,902     3,644
  Corporate..........................................       (3,453)    (2,822)   (2,547)
                                                       -----------   --------  --------
    Total............................................       68,353     54,242    45,103
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT PERIOD END):
Property and equipment, net..........................  $    57,422   $ 55,832  $ 48,659
Goodwill and other intangibles, net..................      363,667    373,426   375,378
Total assets.........................................      492,849    496,296   481,147
Long-term debt(5)....................................      312,913    318,425   341,044
Settlement rights(6).................................       19,514     18,821    14,997
Stockholders' equity.................................       86,642     91,213    62,022
</TABLE>

                                       6
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                    <C>           <C>       <C>
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1)  Operating  income  for 1993  was  reduced by  a  nonrecurring charge  of $3
     million relating to POP Radio (See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
     Financial Condition and Results of Operations").
(2)  Net loss applicable to common stock and related per share data includes the
     effect of preferred dividends and  accretion of the Settlement Rights.  See
     Note 1(k) of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Form 10-K.
(3)  Excludes  shares reserved  for issuance upon  exercise of  stock options or
     upon conversion  of outstanding  preferred stock,  as the  effect would  be
     antidilutive.
(4)  EBITDA  is defined  as operating income  before depreciation, amortization,
     write-down of  program rights  and non-cash,  nonrecurring charges.  EBITDA
     should  not be considered  by an investor  as an alternative  to net income
     (loss) as an  indicator of  the Company's  operating performance  or as  an
     alternative  to  the  information included  in  the  Company's consolidated
     statements of  cash  flows  and Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis  of
     Financial Condition and Results of Operations as a measure of liquidity.
(5)  Excludes current installments.
(6)  See  "Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition and
     Results of Operations -- Capitalization and Liquidity."
</TABLE>

                                       7
<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS

    The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares
of Class A Common Stock offered hereby.

                      PRICE RANGE OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK

    Shares  of  the Company's  Class  A Common  Stock  have been  listed  on the
American Stock Exchange under the symbol  "HTG" since 1988. The following  table
sets  forth the high and low closing sale prices of the Class A Common Stock, as
reported by the  American Stock Exchange  for the periods  indicated. All  share
prices  have been adjusted  to give effect  to the combination  in March 1992 of
every four shares  of Class  A Common  Stock into one  share of  Class A  Common
Stock.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             HIGH        LOW
                                           --------    --------
<S>                                        <C>         <C>
Year Ended December 31, 1992:
  First Quarter.........................   $ 15 1/2    $ 11 1/2
  Second Quarter........................     12 1/2       7 1/2
  Third Quarter.........................      8 1/2       6 1/8
  Fourth Quarter........................      9 1/8       6
Year Ended December 31, 1993:
  First Quarter.........................   $ 10 5/8    $  8 3/8
  Second Quarter........................     12 1/2       9 3/4
  Third Quarter.........................     15 3/8      10 3/4
  Fourth Quarter........................     19 7/8      14 1/2
Year Ending December 31, 1994:
  First Quarter (through March 8).......     21 5/8      17 1/2
</TABLE>

    On  March 8,  1994, the last  reported sale  price of the  Company's Class A
Common Stock  was  $18  per  share.  At  December  31,  1993,  the  Company  had
approximately 1,000 record owners of its Class A Common Stock.

                                DIVIDEND POLICY

    The  Company has  never paid cash  dividends on  shares of any  class of its
common stock. It presently intends to retain its funds to support the growth  of
its  business, to repay indebtedness or for other general corporate purposes and
therefore does not anticipate  paying cash dividends on  shares of any class  of
its  common stock in the foreseeable future. Additionally, the various financing
agreements to which either the Company or  one or more of its subsidiaries is  a
party may effectively prohibit or limit the Company's ability to pay dividends.

                                       8
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION

    The  following  table  sets  forth the  consolidated  capitalization  of the
Company and  its  subsidiaries  as  of  December  31,  1993,  adjusted  for  the
conversion of the Company's outstanding preferred stock on February 1, 1994. The
Offerings  will not affect the Company's  capitalization, except that the number
of outstanding shares  of Class A  Common Stock will  be increased by  3,766,366
shares,  and the outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock will be decreased by
a like amount.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   DECEMBER
                                                                                   31, 1993
                                                                                   ---------
                                                                                   (DOLLARS
                                                                                      IN
                                                                                   THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                <C>
Current installments of long-term debt..........................................   $  2,076
                                                                                   ---------
Long-term debt (net of current liabilities):
  11% Senior Notes due June 15, 2002............................................    150,000
  Bank indebtedness.............................................................    108,900
  11% Senior Subordinated Notes due October 1, 2002.............................     50,000
  Other.........................................................................      4,013
                                                                                   ---------
      Total long-term debt......................................................    312,913
Settlement Rights(1):...........................................................     19,514
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, no par value. 60,000,000 shares authorized; none
   outstanding(2)...............................................................         --
  Common Stock:
    Class A, $.01 par value. 40,000,000 shares authorized; 12,633,637 shares
     outstanding(3).............................................................        127
    Class C, $.01 par value. 10,000,000 shares authorized; 4,829,728 shares
     outstanding................................................................         48
  Additional paid-in capital....................................................    218,927
  Accumulated deficit...........................................................   (130,862)
  Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments..........................     (1,144)
  Class A Common Stock in treasury at cost (32,828 shares)......................       (454)
                                                                                   ---------
      Total stockholders' equity................................................     86,642
                                                                                   ---------
Total capitalization............................................................   $421,145
                                                                                   ---------
                                                                                   ---------
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1)  See "Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and
     Results of Operations -- Capitalization and Liquidity."
(2)  On  February 1, 1994,  all of the  161,145 shares of  Preferred Stock which
     were outstanding were converted into 429,609 shares of Class A Common Stock
     and 693,560 shares of Class C Common  Stock as the result of the  Company's
     call for redemption of its outstanding Preferred Stock.
(3)  Does  not include (i) 1,399,037 shares  reserved for issuance upon exercise
     of stock  options granted  or available  for grant,  (ii) 1,185,364  shares
     reserved   for  issuance  upon  periodic  contributions  to  the  Company's
     Retirement Savings Plan, (iii) 1,063,362 shares reserved for issuance  upon
     conversion  of Class  C Common Stock  following the Offerings  and (iv) any
     shares which may be issued upon exercise of outstanding Settlement  Rights.
     See "Description of Capital Stock."
</TABLE>

                                       9
<PAGE>
                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

    The  selected financial  data below should  be read in  conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements and notes  thereto included elsewhere in  this
Prospectus.  The selected  financial data  for the  periods presented  below are
derived from  the  consolidated financial  statements  of the  Company  and  its
subsidiaries,  which  have  been  audited  by  KPMG  Peat  Marwick,  independent
certified public accountants. See "Experts."

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                          ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                              1993         1992        1991          1990         1989
                                          ------------   ---------   ---------   ------------   ---------
<S>                                       <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>            <C>
                                             (DOLLARS AND SHARES IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
  Net revenues..........................  $291,205       $ 250,891   $ 222,360   $203,854       $ 165,000
  Depreciation..........................    16,268          14,499      10,900      9,155           7,863
  Amortization of goodwill and other
   assets...............................    11,912          11,643      11,413     11,240          10,869
  Operating income......................    35,495(1)       28,100      22,300     13,651(2)       15,101
  Income (loss) before extraordinary
   items................................        77         (14,966)    (19,278)   (26,009)        (27,190)
  Net income (loss).....................       512         (18,560)    (14,958)   (24,950)        (30,025)
  Net loss applicable to common
   stock(3).............................    (4,810)        (25,465)    (20,435)   (27,929)        (30,918)
  Loss per share before extraordinary
   items(3).............................      (.32)          (1.51)      (2.39)     (2.82)          (3.64)
  Net loss per share(3).................      (.29)          (1.76)      (1.97)     (2.72)          (4.13)
  Equivalent shares outstanding(4)......    16,314          14,449      10,369     10,279           7,478
SEGMENT DATA:
  Net revenues:
    In-store marketing..................  $216,319       $ 186,445   $ 171,136   $152,892       $ 116,100
    Television..........................    41,517          39,703      35,319     35,803          33,324
    Radio...............................    33,369          24,743      15,905     15,159          15,576
                                          ------------   ---------   ---------   ------------   ---------
      Total.............................   291,205         250,891     222,360    203,854         165,000
  Operating income (loss):
    In-store marketing..................    22,370          16,427      14,770      5,854          12,180
    Television..........................    10,707          11,357       8,900      9,854           6,008
    Radio...............................     5,981           3,260       1,275        732            (550)
    Corporate...........................    (3,563)         (2,944)     (2,645)    (2,789)         (2,537)
                                          ------------   ---------   ---------   ------------   ---------
      Total.............................    35,495          28,100      22,300     13,651          15,101
  EBITDA(5):
    In-store marketing..................    42,220          31,525      27,205     23,338          21,454
    Television..........................    20,167          19,637      16,801     18,684          16,247
    Radio...............................     9,419           5,902       3,644      3,076           2,182
    Corporate...........................    (3,453)         (2,822)     (2,547)    (2,503)         (2,249)
                                          ------------   ---------   ---------   ------------   ---------
      Total.............................    68,353          54,242      45,103     42,595          37,634
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT PERIOD END):
  Property and equipment, net...........  $ 57,422       $  55,832   $  48,659   $ 52,144       $  50,134
  Goodwill and other intangibles, net...   363,667         373,426     375,378    378,375         344,869
  Total assets..........................   492,849         496,296     481,147    497,358         463,194
  Long-term debt(6).....................   312,913         318,425     341,044    351,686         282,216
  Settlement rights(7)..................    19,514          18,821      14,997     11,138           8,445
  Stockholders' equity..................    86,642          91,213      62,022     66,339          92,052
<FN>
- ------------------------------
(1)  Operating income  for 1993  was  reduced by  a  nonrecurring charge  of  $3
     million relating to POP Radio (See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
     Financial Condition and Results of Operations").
(2)  Operating  income for  1990 was  reduced by  nonrecurring expenses  of $6.9
     million relating  to  compensation  expense  attributable  to  purchase  of
     employee  stock options in connection with  the POP Radio acquisition and a
     $1 million write-down of barter accounts.
(3)  Net loss applicable to common stock and related per share data includes the
     effect of preferred dividends and  accretion of the Settlement Rights.  See
     Note 1(k) of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Form 10-K.
(4)  Excludes  shares reserved  for issuance upon  exercise of  stock options or
     upon conversion  of outstanding  preferred stock,  as the  effect would  be
     antidilutive.
(5)  EBITDA  is defined  as operating income  before depreciation, amortization,
     write-down of program  rights and non-cash,  non-recurring charges.  EBITDA
     should  not be considered  by an investor  as an alternative  to net income
     (loss) as an  indicator of  the Company's  operating performance  or as  an
     alternative  to  the  information included  in  the  Company's consolidated
     statements of  cash  flows and  "Management's  Discussion and  Analysis  of
     Financial Condition and Results of Operations" as a measure of liquidity.
(6)  Excludes current installments.
(7)  See  "Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition and
     Results of Operations -- Capitalization and Liquidity."
</TABLE>

                                       10
<PAGE>
               MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

GENERAL

    The  Company's net revenues increased from  $222.4 million in 1991 to $291.2
million in 1993, and its operating income increased from $22.3 million to  $35.5
million  over the same  period. This growth is  primarily attributable to growth
from  existing  operations  within  the  Company's  in-store  and   broadcasting
businesses  complemented by  the acquisition  of certain  in-store marketing and
broadcast properties. The Company reported net losses of $15.0 million and $18.6
million and net earnings of $.5 million  for the years ended December 31,  1991,
1992  and  1993,  respectively.  Operating  results  before  extraordinary items
improved from a $19.3 million loss in 1991 to earnings of $77,000 in 1993.

    In August 1991,  the Company  purchased KOKH-TV,  an independent  television
station  serving Oklahoma City, and simultaneously  sold and donated its KAUT-TV
station assets  in this  market to  a non-commercial  educational licensee.  The
Company  retained  its  rights  to broadcast  programming  provided  by  the FOX
Broadcasting Company network over KOKH-TV. Also in August 1991, Actmedia  Canada
acquired BLS Retail Resource Group, a Canadian in-store marketing company.

    On  January  2,  1992,  the  Company  acquired  65%  of  Media  Meervoud,  a
Netherlands in-store  marketing company  ("MMV"). On  June 1,  1992 the  Company
completed  the acquisition  of the  broadcast assets  of radio  stations KCFX-FM
(Kansas City) and WOFX-FM (Cincinnati). Also, during 1992, the Company wrote off
its investment in Supermarket Visions,  Ltd., a U.K. marketing company  ("SVL"),
as SVL ceased operations.

    On  July 22,  1993, the Company  completed the acquisition  of the broadcast
assets of radio station  WKLX-FM. Heritage programmed  and marketed the  station
under a local marketing agreement ("LMA") from May 19, 1993 to the completion of
the acquisition. On October 25, 1993 the Company agreed to acquire radio station
WEZW-FM.  Heritage programmed  and marketed  the station  under an  LMA with the
current owner from such date to the completion of the acquisition on January  1,
1994.  The operating  results of  these stations,  effective with  the LMAs, are
included in the consolidated financial statements.

    Due to the numerous acquisitions and dispositions, the results of operations
from year  to year  are not  comparable. See  Note 2  of Notes  to  Consolidated
Financial  Statements  included  in  the Form  10-K  for  additional information
concerning the Company's acquisitions, dispositions and related transactions.

    Reference is made  to "Item  7 --  Management's Discussion  and Analysis  of
Financial  Condition and Results of Operations"  in the Form 10-K for additional
information, including a comparison of the 1992 and 1991 results of operations.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS: 1993 COMPARED TO 1992

    Consolidated net revenues of $291.2 million represented a 16% increase  over
the  1992  revenues  of  $250.9  million. Cost  of  services  of  $151.1 million
increased 10% in  1993 compared to  1992 due  primarily to the  increase in  net
revenues. Operating income of $35.5 million in 1993 exceeded the comparable 1992
period by 26%. The loss per share was $.29 versus $1.76 in 1992. The improvement
in  the  Company's  operating results  for  the 1993  period  primarily reflects
revenue growth from the Instant Coupon Machine by the In-store Marketing  Group,
increased  local Television  and Radio  Group advertising  revenues and positive
contributions from the radio  station acquisitions. The loss  per share in  1993
was  lower than  1992 due  principally to  $7.4 million  of additional operating
income,  $6  million  lower  interest  expense  and  increased  average   shares
outstanding.  The 1993 period included a  $3 million nonrecurring charge for POP
Radio, a $1.7 million  write-down of television broadcast  program rights and  a
$.4  million extraordinary  gain on the  early extinguishment of  debt. The 1992
period included  the  $3.3 million  write-off  of  the SVL  investment  and  the
extraordinary  losses  of  $3.6 million,  net,  recognized  as a  result  of the
Company's 1992 refinancing activities.

                                       11
<PAGE>
    IN-STORE MARKETING.  The In-store Marketing Group contributed $216.3 million
of revenues in 1993, an increase of 16% compared to $186.4 million in 1992.  The
success of the ICM was a major contributor to this growth. The ICM generated $63
million of revenues in 1993, its first full year of operation, which tripled the
$21  million  level  in  1992.  Revenues  of  Retailers'  Choice  (a cooperative
promotion program)  increased by  16%,  primarily as  a result  of  management's
decision to increase the number of programs compared to 1992. Revenues generated
per  program  registered a  small decrease  from  $3.6 million  in 1992  to $3.5
million in 1993. The international operations produced an additional $.5 million
of revenues in 1993  to a total of  $17.7 million. The international  operations
were  impacted by the world-wide  recession, particularly in Canada. Advertising
revenues in 1993 declined 10% compared  to 1992 reflecting the continuing  trend
toward  promotion and  the shift  to ICM and  away from  the shelf-talk product.
Revenues of Impact  (a product  demonstration program)  declined by  16% to  $53
million in 1993. The number of Impact programs has continued to decline from 141
in 1991 to 133 in 1992 and 108 in 1993. The demonstration business has also seen
increased competition which has adversely affected pricing.

    Net revenues of the POP Radio product increased to $6.6 million in 1993 from
$6.0  million  in  1992.  In  1993 the  Company  announced  that  POP  Radio was
terminating  its  Joint  Operating  Agreement  with  Muzak,  forming   marketing
alliances  with three large music network providers to accelerate the conversion
to satellite delivery and expanding its in-store audio network by  approximately
9,000  stores. As a result of launching this new program, the Company recorded a
one-time nonrecurring  charge  of $3  million  in  the fourth  quarter  of  1993
reflecting  the costs of closing a tape machine servicing center ($1.1 million),
the write-off of obsolete delivery equipment ($1.5 million), and provisions  for
other costs ($.4 million). These actions will reduce the ongoing operating costs
and  long-term  capital requirements  for POP  Radio and  increase the  size and
quality of the in-store audio network.

    In-store Marketing operating income of  $22.4 million increased by 36%  from
$16.4 million in the 1992 period due primarily to increased 1993 revenues, store
operations  efficiencies  and reduced  POP  Radio losses.  The  operating margin
increased to 12% in 1993, excluding the $3 million POP Radio charge, compared to
9% in 1992.

    The In-store Marketing Group contributed  74% of the Company's revenues  and
63%  of  operating income  in  1993, and  it is  expected  that this  group will
contribute a higher percentage of the Company's revenues and operating income in
1994.

    TELEVISION.  The  Television Group  generated $41.5 million  of revenues  in
1993,  a 5% increase compared to $39.7 million in 1992. The Television Bureau of
Advertising Time Sales Survey reported  that industry-wide gross local  revenues
increased  by  4.4% and  national  revenues were  up  1% compared  to  1992. The
Television Group's local revenues increased  13% and national revenues  improved
9%  compared to  the 1992 period.  This favorable  performance was substantially
offset by the decline of political advertising from $2.3 million in 1992 to  $.1
million  in  1993. The  revenue improvement  was produced  by the  Oklahoma City
(KOKH-TV) and  Pensacola  (WEAR-TV)  stations. Pensacola  benefited  from  local
revenue  growth of  9% and  national revenue  growth of  19%. The  Oklahoma City
station generated revenues of $7.3 million  in 1993 compared to $6.3 million  in
1992  primarily as a result of a  21% increase in local revenues. The continuing
emergence of the FOX network and the success of targeting programming to the age
18-49 audience  has  favorably  impacted KOKH-TV's  ratings.  The  group's  1993
results  included a $1.7 million write-down of  the carrying value of the rights
to two television broadcast programs at two stations.

    Operating income of $12.4 million, excluding the write-down, increased by 9%
compared to 1992 primarily as a result of higher revenues. The operating  margin
improved from 29% in 1992 to 30% in 1993 excluding the write-down.

    RADIO.   Net revenues of the Radio Group increased by 35% from $24.7 million
in 1992 to $33.4 million  in 1993 as all  of the Company's stations  experienced
increased  revenues. The  radio stations  acquired in  June 1992  contributed $3
million of the increase  and the 1993 acquisitions  contributed $1.5 million  of
revenues.  Revenues for  the stations  owned for  all of  both periods increased

                                       12
<PAGE>
21% primarily as a  result of improved station  ratings. The St. Louis  stations
improved  revenues from $4.9 million to $7  million in 1993 primarily due to the
achievement by the FM station of the number one ranking in the market.

    Operating income  grew from  $3.3 million  in  1992 to  $6 million  in  1993
primarily as a result of the improved revenues by stations owned for all of both
periods and an additional $.2 million contributed by the acquired stations.

    CORPORATE  EXPENSES.  Corporate  expenses in 1993  of $3.6 million increased
compared to $2.9 million in 1992  due primarily to increased investor  relations
activities and performance related compensation payments.

    OTHER  OPERATING EXPENSES.  As noted above,  the 1993 period included a $1.7
million write-down  of television  program rights  as a  result of  management's
assessment of their realizable value (based upon projected future utilization of
the  programs) and the  $3 million POP Radio  nonrecurring expense. In-store new
product development expenses  were approximately  $.8 million in  1992 and  $1.1
million in 1993.

    DEPRECIATION  AND  AMORTIZATION.   Depreciation  and  amortization  of $28.2
million in 1993 increased by 8% compared to $26.1 million in 1992. The  majority
of  the  increase was  due to  higher depreciation  associated with  the capital
expenditures to support the growth of Instant Coupon Machine revenues.

    INTEREST EXPENSE.  Interest expense consists of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                       -------------------------------
                                                                         1993       1992       1991
                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                    <C>        <C>        <C>
Interest accrued and paid currently..................................  $  30,864  $  32,862  $  26,234
Deferred interest....................................................     --          3,990     11,751
Amortization of deferred financing costs.............................        651        621        655
                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
  Total..............................................................  $  31,515  $  37,473  $  38,640
                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>

    Deferred interest  represents  accretion  of an  8%  subordinated  note  and
13  1/2%  subordinated  debentures. The  decrease  in the  deferred  interest is
primarily a result  of the  retirement of these  debt instruments  in 1992.  The
decrease  in the current interest from 1992 to  1993 is due to lower debt levels
and interest rates.

    OTHER EXPENSES.   Included  in the  1992  results of  operations is  a  $3.3
million  non-cash charge to reflect  the net write-off of  the carrying value of
SVL.

    NET INCOME (LOSS).  Primarily  as a result of  an additional $12 million  of
operating income (excluding write-downs and nonrecurring charges) and $6 million
lower interest expense, the Company improved its operating results from an $18.6
million loss in 1992 to $.5 million earnings in 1993. The loss per share in 1993
is due to the preferred dividend payments and settlement rights accretion.

SEASONALITY AND INFLATION

    The  advertising revenues of  the Company vary over  the calendar year, with
the fourth quarter reflecting the highest revenues for the year. Stronger fourth
quarter results are due in part to In-store having one extra 4-week cycle in the
fourth quarter, increased retail advertising in the fall in preparation for  the
holiday  season, and political  advertising for broadcasting  in election years.
The slowdown  in retail  sales following  the holiday  season accounts  for  the
relatively  weaker  results  generally  experienced in  the  first  quarter. The
Company believes inflation generally has had little effect on its results.

CAPITALIZATION AND LIQUIDITY

    At December 31, 1993, the Company, through its Heritage Media Services, Inc.
subsidiary ("HMSI"),  had  a $130  million  bank credit  facility  (the  "Credit
Agreement"). HMSI is the Company's

                                       13
<PAGE>
subsidiary  which owns Actmedia  and the Company's  broadcasting properties. The
credit facility  was comprised  of an  $80  million term  loan which  begins  to
amortize  on  December 31,  1994, and  a $50  million reducing  revolving credit
facility which begins to  decrease on December 31,  1994. At December 31,  1993,
$80  million of the term loan facility and $30.5 million of the revolving credit
facility were outstanding.  At December  31, 1993, $19.5  million of  additional
borrowings  were  available under  the Credit  Agreement. Effective  February 9,
1994, the  revolving  credit facility  was  increased to  $75  million,  thereby
providing an additional $25 million availability under the Credit Agreement. The
Credit  Agreement includes a number of  financial and other covenants, including
the maintenance of certain operating and financial ratios and limitations on  or
prohibitions  of  dividends,  indebtedness, liens,  capital  expenditures, asset
sales and certain other items. Loans  under the Credit Agreement are  guaranteed
by  the Company and HMSI's domestic subsidiaries  and are secured by a pledge of
the capital stock of HMSI and its domestic subsidiaries.

    On June 22, 1992, HMSI issued $150 million of 11% senior secured notes  (the
"Senior  Notes") due  June 15,  2002. Interest  on the  Senior Notes  is payable
semi-annually. The Senior  Notes rank  on a  parity with  the obligations  under
HMSI's  Credit  Agreement, are  guaranteed by  the  Company and  HMSI's domestic
subsidiaries and  are secured  by a  pledge of  capital stock  of HMSI  and  its
domestic  subsidiaries. The Senior Notes include a number of financial and other
covenants.

    On October 1, 1992 the Company issued $50 million of 11% senior subordinated
notes  (the  "Subordinated  Notes")  due  October  1,  2002.  Interest  on   the
Subordinated   Notes  is  payable  semi-annually.  The  Subordinated  Notes  are
subordinate in right  of payment  to the  prior payment  in full  of the  Credit
Agreement and the Senior Notes.

    In  mid-1989,  the  Company  issued approximately  $7.55  million  in equity
settlement rights (the "Settlement Rights") (7.55 million Settlement Rights)  in
connection  with  the financing  of  the Actmedia  acquisition.  At the  time of
issuance these Settlement Rights  entitled the holders  to approximately 18%  of
the  fair market value of  the business, properties and  assets of Actmedia as a
going concern ("Net Equity")  as determined in 1994  or 1996 in accordance  with
put/call  features of the Settlement Rights purchase agreement. Depending on the
circumstances under which the Settlement Rights are retired, the Company can pay
this value in common stock or cash or subordinated notes convertible into common
stock. To the  extent such  amount is  paid in  common stock,  the valuation  is
required  to be increased by 4%. At  December 31, 1993, the amount of Actmedia's
indebtedness (substantially  all  of  which is  intercompany  indebtedness)  was
approximately $160 million. During the past four years, the Company has acquired
1.6  million of the Settlement Rights at an average price of approximately $2.72
per Settlement Right in privately negotiated transactions, thereby reducing  the
outstanding Settlement Rights to 5.9 million or 14.1% of the Net Equity.

    The  Settlement Rights mature  seven years from the  date of issuance (March
19, 1996), but they may be redeemed at the option of the holder ("put  options")
or  the Company  ("call options") at  certain specified times  during the period
that they are outstanding. The initial put and call options become available  in
1994.  On or after  April 19, 1994 (but  prior to May 19,  1994), the Company is
required to select an  independent appraiser to determine  the Net Equity.  Upon
completion  of the appraisal process, the  holders of the Settlement Rights will
be notified  of the  appraised valuation  of the  Net Equity  and the  resultant
valuation of the Settlement Rights.

    For  a period  of 30  days following such  notification, the  holders of the
Settlement Rights may exercise a put option at such valuation. Also during  that
period,  the  Company may  exercise a  call  option at  such valuation.  The put
options may be paid  in cash or,  at the option  of the Company,  in Class A  or
Class  C common  stock, a combination  of cash  and common stock  or, in certain
circumstances, in subordinated  notes convertible  into common  stock. The  call
options  are to  be paid in  cash unless  such payment would  create an "adverse
contractual effect"  (defined  generally as  default  under, or  conflict  with,
agreements  relating to  the Company's indebtedness)  for the  Company, in which
event, the Company may utilize the same payment process as described for the put
option. To the extent that  neither the put nor  the call options are  exercised
prior to maturity date of the Settlement

                                       14
<PAGE>
Rights, the Company is required to exercise a call option on that date under the
terms  set  forth  above, utilizing  a  valuation determined  by  an independent
appraiser. To the extent the options are paid in cash, the Company will  utilize
cash provided by operations and/or borrowings against the Credit Agreement.

    The  Settlement Rights were initially recorded at their estimated fair value
at the date  of issuance which  approximated $7,550,000. From  time to time  the
Company  estimates the Net Equity and the resultant estimate of the value of the
Settlement Rights.  To  the extent  that  such  estimate of  value  exceeds  the
carrying  value,  such  excess  is  being accreted  by  the  interest  method to
accumulated deficit  over the  appropriate accounting  period. At  December  31,
1993,  the carrying value was $19,514,000.  The Company intends to increase this
carrying value  through additional  accretion, to  approximately $25,000,000  by
June  30, 1994. The Company  will continue to accrete  the carrying value of the
Settlement Rights to their estimated value  until they are liquidated under  one
of the options discussed above.

    If,  as a  result of  the independent  appraisal process  described above, a
valuation is determined that is above or below the accreted carrying value,  the
Company  will reflect such value through adjustment to the carrying value and to
the accumulated deficit  at June 30,  1994. Any such  increase in the  valuation
would  reduce the Company's  net income per  share or increase  the net loss per
share and any such  decrease in the valuation  would increase the Company's  net
income per share or reduce the net loss per share for the six months ending June
30,  1994, and, if the  puts or calls are  exercised, would similarly affect the
amount of common stock to be issued (if the price were paid in common stock)  or
the indebtedness to be incurred (if the price were paid in cash).

    Based upon the foregoing debt and Settlement Rights obligations, the Company
is  currently highly leveraged,  and it is  expected to continue  to have a high
level of debt for the foreseeable future.  As of December 31, 1993, the  Company
had  indebtedness  (long-term  debt, including  current  installments  and notes
payable)  of   approximately  $315.0   million  and   stockholders'  equity   of
approximately  $86.6  million,  and accordingly,  a  consolidated debt-to-equity
ratio of 3.6 to 1. As  a result of its leverage  and in order to repay  existing
indebtedness,  the Company  will be  required to  generate substantial operating
cash  flow,  refinance  its  indebtedness,  make  asset  sales  or  effect  some
combination  of  the  foregoing.  The  ability  of  the  Company  to  meet these
requirements will depend on, among other things, prevailing economic  conditions
and  financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond the control
of the  Company.  Further,  being  primarily  a  holding  company  of  operating
companies through HMSI, the Company's ability to repay its indebtedness incurred
at  the parent company level  will be limited by  restrictions on the ability of
HMSI under  the  Credit  Agreement and  the  Senior  Notes to  declare  and  pay
dividends  to the Company. Under the credit agreement, at December 31, 1993, the
total amount of dividends that  could be paid by HMSI  to the Company was  $22.6
million.  As a result of an amendment  to the credit agreement dated February 9,
1994, the total amount of available  dividends was increased to $50 million,  if
such dividends are required for the purchase or redemption of Settlement Rights.
Under  the Senior  Note Indenture,  at December  31, 1993,  the total  amount of
dividends that could  be paid by  HMSI to  the Company was  $43.3 million.  Such
dividends  are not permitted if,  as a result of  such payments, a default would
occur under  either the  credit agreement  or the  Senior Note  Indenture. As  a
result  of the foregoing restrictions, consolidated  net assets of HMSI totaling
approximately $136.3  million at  December 31,  1993 are  not available  to  the
Company to pay dividends or repay debt.

    On February 1, 1994, the holders of all of the Company's Series B and Series
C  Convertible  Preferred Stock  converted their  161,945 preferred  shares into
429,609 shares of  Class A Common  Stock and  693,560 shares of  Class C  Common
Stock  at  the rate  of  6.94 common  shares  for each  preferred  share thereby
increasing  the  Company's  common  shares  outstanding  to  17.5  million   and
eliminating the Company's annual preferred dividend obligation of $1.8 million.

    The  Company has  focused its growth  strategy on acquiring  media and other
communications-related properties it believes  have the potential for  long-term
appreciation and aggressively managing

                                       15
<PAGE>
the  operations  of these  properties to  improve  their operating  results. The
Company has historically used cash flows  from financing activities to fund  its
acquisitions  and investments while the operations are expected to generate cash
flow sufficient to fund their ongoing expenditure requirements.

    Cash flows provided by  operating activities increased  to $40.9 million  in
1993 from $17.1 million in 1992. The improvement is primarily attributable to an
additional  $14 million of EBITDA, a $4 million decrease in interest payments in
1993 and  improved  receivables collections.  In  1992 cash  flows  provided  by
operating  activities decreased by  $4.1 million compared to  1991 due to higher
interest payments and receivable levels. In 1993 the significant uses of cash in
investing and financing activities included  $9.1 million for the retirement  of
debt  and other liabilities, $2.8 million for the purchase of Settlement Rights,
$5.1 million for  acquisitions and  investments, and $18.5  million for  capital
expenditures.

    In  1992, cash flows from financing activities included $42.1 million of net
proceeds from the issuance  of additional Class A  Common Stock. These  proceeds
were  used primarily to fund the $30  million cash component of the Company's 8%
subordinated note retirement  and to fund  the $7.9 million  acquisition of  the
Kansas  City  and  Cincinnati  radio  stations.  Cash  flows  used  for  capital
expenditures in investing activities  during 1992 were  generated by cash  flows
from  operating activities.  In 1991, cash  flows from  financing activities and
cash flows used in  investing activities reflect  increased bank borrowings  and
proceeds  from the issuance  of the Series  B and Series  C Preferred Stock. The
preferred stock proceeds were utilized, along with the proceeds from the sale of
radio station KDAY-AM, to purchase a portion of HMI's 13.5% debentures at a gain
and to fund  the cash component  of the  KOKH-TV and BLS  Retail Resource  Group
acquisitions.

    Capital  expenditures increased from $15.5 million  in 1992 to $18.5 million
in 1993. This increase was due  primarily to the purchase of additional  Instant
Coupon  Machines.  Also, the  Company completed  two nonrecurring  projects: the
upgrade of the management  information systems of  the In-store Marketing  Group
and  the construction of  new broadcast facilities  for the Pensacola television
station.

    Capital requirements related to  acquisitions in 1994 include  approximately
$2  million  for  the  In-store  Marketing  Group's  Australia  and  New Zealand
acquisitions (completed in February  1994), $5 million  for the Milwaukee  radio
station  acquisition (completed in  January 1994), and $7.2  million for the St.
Louis radio station acquisition scheduled to close  in March 1994. As a part  of
the  commitment  to new  in-store radio  marketing  alliances, the  Company made
payments totaling $.8 million in  1993 and is expecting  to make payments of  $4
million  in 1994 representing  the Company's share  of the cost  of the in-store
radio network upgrade. These payments  are for exclusive marketing rights  which
are  amortized over the term of the  retail chain agreements (five years). These
requirements will be provided by funds generated from operations.

                                       16
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS

GENERAL

    The  Company,  through  its  Actmedia  subsidiary,  is  the  world's largest
independent provider of in-store marketing  products and services, primarily  to
consumer  packaged goods manufacturers.  The Company also  owns and operates six
network affiliated  television  stations  in  small  to  mid-sized  markets  and
fourteen  radio stations in seven major  markets. The Company has acquired three
radio stations in its existing markets under the FCC's recently adopted  duopoly
regulations  which permit ownership of more than one AM or one FM station in any
one market, if  certain requirements are  met. The Company's  1993 net  revenues
were  $291 million, an increase of 16% over $251 million in 1992. EBITDA was $68
million, a 26% increase over $54 million in 1992.

    Reference is made to "Item  1 -- Business" in  the Form 10-K for  additional
information  concerning the Company's  business, including information regarding
competition and regulation.

IN-STORE MARKETING

    In-store marketing includes  advertising displays,  coupons, promotions  and
product  demonstrations provided within  the store. Economic  trends support the
continued growth of  in-store marketing  because this medium  is inexpensive  in
comparison  to  other  marketing  alternatives  such  as  television,  radio and
traditional print advertisements. In-store marketing products and services allow
advertisers to  communicate  with consumers  at  or near  the  point-of-purchase
before,  or as,  purchasing decisions are  made. In  addition, changing shopping
patterns have led to shorter supermarket visits, usually without shopping lists,
and declining brand loyalty, thus increasing the potential of in-store marketing
to influence consumer  purchasing decisions.  Industry sources  estimate that  a
significant percentage of brand purchase decisions are made in the supermarket.

    PRODUCTS  AND SERVICES.   Actmedia offers advertisers  a broad assortment of
in-store advertising and  promotional products,  which are  highly effective  in
increasing  consumer awareness  and purchases of  targeted products. Advertising
products include  print  displays  on  shopping  carts,  aisle  directories  and
shelves, and audio advertising played throughout the store. Promotional products
consist  of  customized in-store  demonstrations and  merchandising, as  well as
coupon  and  sampling  programs.  Actmedia  can  provide  on-line  reporting  to
customers concerning the sales impact of its in-store programs.

    INSTANT  COUPON MACHINE.   The ICM, which  was developed by  Actmedia, is an
electronic dispenser of coupons that is mounted on shelf channels under or  near
featured products. Through independent market research sponsored by the Company,
the  ICM was  shown to increase  brand switching substantially  and to encourage
first-time purchases of featured products.  In market testing, coupons  featured
in  Actmedia's ICM achieved  an average redemption rate  of 17%, versus reported
redemption rates  of  approximately 2%  for  coupons in  free-standing  inserts,
approximately   4%  for  coupons  sent  to  consumers  in  direct  mailings  and
approximately 1%  for run  of press  coupons. The  Company's test  results  also
indicated  that  unit sales  increased an  average  of 35%  over four  weeks for
products using  the ICM.  The ICM  generated $63  million of  revenues in  1993,
tripling the $21 million level of 1992 when first introduced.

    RETAILERS'   CHOICE.     Actmedia's   Retailers'  Choice   program  provides
cooperative in-store coupon  and sampling  programs for  groups of  advertisers,
generally  five times per year. Under these programs, Actmedia's representatives
distribute coupons, samples and premiums inside  the store entrance. Up to  16.5
million  co-op coupon booklets and  up to 16.5 million  solo coupons and samples
are distributed directly to shopping  customers per event. In addition,  product
awareness  is  reinforced  through  the  placement  of  featured  products  on a
free-standing Retailers' Choice display.

    IMPACT.  Impact is the  nation's leading in-store supermarket  demonstration
program,  offering  advertisers complete  customized  events, such  as tastings,
premiums, samplings and demonstrations.  All demonstrations are monitored  every
day   by   full-time   and   part-time   supervisors   at   an   average   ratio

                                       17
<PAGE>
of one  supervisor to  15  demonstrators. Impact's  regular part-time  staff  of
demonstrators,  who implement  the programs, maintain  a consistent professional
appearance (with  matching  aprons and  materials).  Special display  units  are
utilized  in the programs and programs are sold on a store-day basis. Events are
generally conducted at the front of the store but can be located elsewhere.

    CARTS.  Actmedia's 8" by 10", four-color advertisements, mounted in  plastic
frames on the inside and outside of shopping carts, offer advertisers continuous
storewide category-exclusive advertising delivery of a print advertisement.

    AISLEVISION.    AisleVision  features 28"  by  18"  four-color advertisement
posters inserted  in stores'  overhead aisle  directory signs.  An  enhancement,
AisleAction,  allows the manufacturer  to include motion  on the directory sign,
enhancing shopper awareness of the sign.

    SHELFTALK/SHELFTAKE-ONE.    ShelfTalk  features  advertisements  placed   in
plastic  frames mounted on  supermarket or drug store  shelves near its featured
product. ShelfTake-One includes  rebate offers or  recipe ideas which  consumers
may remove from the plastic frame at the site of the featured product.

    ACTRADIO.  Actradio, formerly POP (Point of Purchase) Radio, is the nation's
largest  advertiser-supported,  in-store  radio network.  Actradio  delivers its
in-store audio  advertising in  conjunction  with music  entertainment  services
provided by leading business music providers. Actradio sells advertising time to
manufacturers  in units of 15 second, 20  second, and 30 second commercials each
hour.

    FREEZERVISION.   FreezerVision  is a  triangle-shaped  print  advertisement,
mounted in a plastic frame, on the outside of the glass freezercase door.

    SELECT.  Select is a service which utilizes Actmedia's part-time field force
to  perform  in-store merchandising  tasks for  manufacturers. These  tasks have
included on-pack couponing and stickering, distribution checks and  installation
of point-of-purchase materials.

    IN-STORE  NETWORK.  Actmedia's in-store network  delivers some or all of its
products and services in over 24,000 supermarkets and 12,000 drug stores  across
the  country, a  network substantially  larger than  that of  any other in-store
marketing company. By contracting to purchase the Company's in-store advertising
and promotional products, advertisers gain access to up to approximately 200  of
the nation's 214 ADIs covering over 70% of the households in the United States.

    Actmedia  currently has contracts with approximately 300 store chains, which
contracts generally grant it the exclusive  right to provide its customers  with
those  in-store  advertising  services which  are  contractually  specified. The
contracts are of various durations, generally extending from three to five years
and provide for a revenue-sharing arrangement with the stores. Actmedia's  store
contract  renewals  are  staggered  and  many  of  its  relationships  have been
maintained for almost two decades.

    Actmedia's advertising and promotional programs are executed through one  of
the   nation's   largest   independent   in-store   distribution   and   service
organizations, although certain chains require the Company to utilize their  own
employees.  Actmedia believes  the training, supervision  and size  of its field
service staff  (approximately 300  full-time managers  and up  to  approximately
15,000  available part-time employees) provide it with a significant competitive
advantage as its competitors  generally do not have  a comparable field  service
staff.

    CUSTOMER   BASE.    Actmedia's  customer  base  includes  approximately  250
companies and 700 brands. This customer base includes the 25 largest advertisers
of consumer packaged goods.  In 1993, the  Company's largest customers  included
the following:

<TABLE>
<S>                    <C>                    <C>
Campbell Soup          Kelloggs               Pillsbury
Chesebrough-Pond's     Kraft/General Foods    Proctor & Gamble
General Mills          Lever Brothers         Quaker Oats
Hunt-Wesson            McNeil                 Ralston Purina
Johnson & Johnson      Nestle Foods           RJR Nabisco
</TABLE>

                                       18
<PAGE>
    INTERNATIONAL  OPERATIONS.    The Company  has  set the  establishment  of a
significant business  presence outside  of  the United  States as  an  important
priority  for Actmedia.  The majority  of the  Company's advertisers  are large,
multinational companies  for whom  the  use of  in-store marketing  products  in
overseas  markets is expected to be a logical extension of their advertising and
promotional  budgets.  The  Company's  international  operations  are  conducted
principally in Canada, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand. International
sales  in 1993  accounted for $17.7  million (approximately 8%)  of the In-store
revenues.

TELEVISION

    The  following  table  sets  forth  selected  information  relating  to  the
television stations owned by Heritage:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STATION AND                                        NETWORK     DMA MARKET      STATION MARKET        STATION RANK
LOCATION                                         AFFILIATION     RANK(1)          SHARE(2)           IN MARKET(3)
- -----------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------  -------------------  -------------------
<S>                                              <C>          <C>            <C>                  <C>
KOKH-TV (UHF)..................................         FOX            43                 7                    4
Oklahoma City, OK
WCHS-TV (VHF)..................................         ABC            56                17                    2
Charleston/
 Huntington, WV
WEAR-TV (VHF)..................................         ABC            62                19                    2
Mobile, AL/
 Pensacola, FL
WPTZ-TV (VHF)..................................         NBC          92(4)               17                    2
Burlington, VT/
 Plattsburgh, NY
WNNE-TV (UHF)(5)...............................         NBC          92(4)                4                    4
Hartford, VT/
 Hanover, NH
KDLT-TV (VHF)..................................         NBC           107                11                    3
Sioux Falls/Mitchell, SD
KEVN-TV (VHF)..................................         NBC           173                22                    2
Rapid City, SD
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1)  Source:  Nielsen Television Designated Market  Area ("DMA") Market rankings
     1993-1994.
(2)  "Sign on-Sign off " market shares as reported in the November 1993  Nielsen
     ratings.   Ratings  are  often  quoted  on  a  "sign  on-sign  off"  basis,
     representing the average  percentage of television  households viewing  the
     station  during normal program viewing  periods (approximately 7:00 a.m. to
     1:00 a.m. for  Nielsen). As such,  ratings are one  common measure used  by
     advertisers  and others to compare a  station's overall ranking in a market
     to its competitors.
(3)  Rankings based on relative "sign on-sign off" market shares in the November
     1993 ratings of Nielsen.
(4)  Does not reflect any homes in southern Quebec (including most of  Montreal)
     which received the WPTZ-TV signal off the air or by cable. WPTZ-TV's signal
     is accessible to approximately 3.4 million people in the province of Quebec
     including approximately 2.8 million people in the city of Montreal.
(5)  Operated  as a satellite  of WPTZ-TV, but  maintains some local programming
     and sells advertising locally.
</TABLE>

    Heritage operates its television stations in accordance with a  cost-benefit
strategy   that  stresses  primarily  revenue   and  cash  flow  generation  and
secondarily audience share and ratings. The objective

                                       19
<PAGE>
of this strategy  is to deliver  acceptable profit margins  while maintaining  a
balance  between the large programming investment usually required to maintain a
number one ranking (with  its resultant adverse effect  on profit margins),  and
the unfavorable impact on revenues that results from lower audience ratings.

    Components of the Company's operating strategy include management's emphasis
on obtaining local advertising revenues by market segmentation, which provides a
competitive  advertising  advantage,  focusing  on  local  news  programming and
tightly controlling operating  expenses. By emphasizing  advertising sales  from
local  businesses, the Company's  stations produce a  higher percentage of local
business (approximately 63% local and 37% national) than the national average.

RADIO

    The Company owns and operates five AM and nine FM radio stations in seven of
the top 50 markets. The following table sets forth certain information regarding
Heritage's radio stations:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          FM STATION RANK
                       METRO RANK                                         FM STATION         IN TARGET
LOCATION                   (1)         CALL SIGN          FORMAT        FORMAT RANK (2)    AUDIENCE (3)
- --------------------  -------------  --------------  -----------------  ---------------  -----------------
<S>                   <C>            <C>             <C>                <C>              <C>
Seattle, WA                    13    KULL-AM         Oldies                        2                 7
                                     KRPM-FM         Country
St. Louis, MO                  18    WRTH-AM         Standards                     1                 1
                                     WIL-FM          Country
Cincinnati, OH                 25    WOFX-FM         Classic Rock                  1                 5
Portland, OR                   26    KKSN-AM         Standards                     1                10
                                     KKSN-FM         Oldies
Milwaukee, WI                  28    WEMP-AM         Oldies                        1                 6
                                     WMYX-FM         Adult                         2                10
                                     WEZW-FM         Contemporary
Kansas City, MO                30    KCFX-FM         Classic Rock                  1                 1
Rochester, NY                  45    WBBF-AM         Standards                     1                 1
                                     WBEE-FM         Country                       1                 7
                                     WKLX-FM         Oldies
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1)  Metropolitan areas as defined and ranked by Arbitron, Fall 1993.
(2)  Heritage's FM station ranking against all radio stations in its market with
     the same  programming format,  based on  persons aged  25 to  54  listening
     during  the 6:00 a.m. to midnight  time period. (Source: Fall 1993 Arbitron
     ratings).
(3)  The target  ranking against  all radio  stations in  the market,  based  on
     listenership  by adults aged 25 to 54 during the 6:00 a.m. to midnight time
     period. (Source: Fall 1993 Arbitron ratings).
</TABLE>

    The Company's strategy  is to  identify and acquire  under performing  radio
stations  or groups  and effect management  and operational  changes to increase
their profitability. Implementation  of Heritage's  strategy typically  involves
the  following  four-step  process:  (1)  instituting  operational improvements,
usually including  a  change  in management  personnel  and  additional  capital
investments when appropriate; (2) creating increases in audience ratings through
programming  and promotional changes; (3) improving  revenues as a result of the
turnaround process; and (4) increasing EBITDA. Heritage radio stations strive to
be top rated in their programming formats, and universally program a mass appeal
music format directed  at a target  audience of 25-to-54  year olds.  Presently,
seven of the Company's nine FM stations are format leaders in their markets.

                                       20
<PAGE>
    The  FCC  limits radio  ownership both  in the  number of  stations commonly
owned, operated or controlled in any one market, and in total. In late 1992, the
FCC relaxed its rules to increase the number of AM or FM stations one entity can
own in one  market, if  certain requirements are  met. This  new combination  is
commonly known as a duopoly.

    The Company believes that duopolies can achieve significant cost savings and
also  have the  potential for  increased revenues.  The Company  acquired two FM
stations in 1993  that created duopolies.  In July 1993  it acquired WKLX-FM  in
Rochester,  New York. Effective January 1, 1994, the Company acquired WEZW-FM in
the Milwaukee market. Heritage announced in  January 1994 that it has agreed  to
acquire  radio  station  KRJY-FM in  St.  Louis, Missouri.  This  acquisition is
expected to close during March 1994.

    Each of  Heritage's  FM  facilities  is of  the  highest  class  of  service
permitted by the FCC (B or C) with comprehensive signal coverage of its markets.
The AM stations operate as full-time facilities on regional or clear channels.

                                       21
<PAGE>
                              SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

    The table below sets forth the beneficial ownership of the Company's Class A
Common  Stock by the Selling Stockholders at February 28, 1994, and after giving
effect to the sale  of the shares  of Common Stock offered  hereby. Each of  the
persons  named below has  sole voting and  investment power with  respect to the
shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by it.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   SHARES OWNED      SHARES      SHARES OWNED
                                                    BEFORE THE        BEING       AFTER THE
                                                   OFFERINGS(1)     OFFERED(2)   OFFERINGS(3)
                                                ------------------  ---------- ----------------
NAME                                             NUMBER    PERCENT             NUMBER   PERCENT
- ----------------------------------------------  ---------  -------             -------  -------
<S>                                             <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>
HC Crown Corp.(4).............................  2,736,201    15.7 % 2,486,270  249,931    1.4  %
Tele-Communications, Inc......................  1,335,721     7.6   1,213,730  121,991    0.7
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1)  Gives effect to the conversion,  immediately before the Offerings, of  each
     share  of Class C Common  Stock owned by the  Selling Stockholders into one
     share of Class A Common Stock.
(2)  Assumes  that  the   over-allotment  option  is   not  exercised.  If   the
     over-allotment  option is exercised only  in part, all of  the shares of HC
     Crown Corp. will  be purchased  before any  shares of  Tele-Communications,
     Inc. are purchased.
(3)  Represents the total number of shares subject to the over-allotment option.
     In  the  event  that  the  over-allotment option  is  not  exercised  or is
     partially exercised,  all  of  the  shares  to  be  owned  by  the  Selling
     Stockholders after the Offerings will be Class A Common Stock.
(4)  HC   Crown  Corp.  is   a  wholly  owned   subsidiary  of  Hallmark  Cards,
     Incorporated.
</TABLE>

    The Company is registering the  shares of the Selling Stockholders  pursuant
to  registration rights granted  to them pursuant to  agreements entered into at
the time of the acquisition of their shares.

                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

    The Company's Restated Articles of  Incorporation authorize the issuance  of
up  to 40,000,000  shares of  Class A  Common Stock,  par value  $.01 per share,
10,000,000 shares  of  Class C  Common  Stock, par  value  $.01 per  share,  and
60,000,000  shares  of Preferred  Stock,  no par  value  per share.  A  total of
12,634,596 shares of Class A Common Stock and 4,829,728 shares of Class C Common
Stock and  no  shares of  Preferred  Stock were  issued  and outstanding  as  of
February 28, 1994. A total of 1,398,078 shares of Class A Common Stock have been
reserved  for  issuance  upon  the exercise  of  outstanding  stock  options. An
additional 1,185,364  shares of  Class A  Common Stock  have been  reserved  for
issuance  upon  the Company's  periodic contribution  to its  Retirement Savings
Plan. All of the Company's outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (including
the shares issuable  upon conversion of  Class C Common  Stock) are fully  paid,
nonassessable and listed on the American Stock Exchange.

    CLASS  A COMMON STOCK; CLASS C COMMON STOCK.   The holders of Class A Common
Stock are entitled to one  vote per share. The holders  of Class C Common  Stock
have  no voting rights except  (1) to the extent  such shares are entitled under
Iowa law to vote as a class  on specified matters directly affecting such  class
and  (2) with respect  to any amendments  to the Company's  Restated Articles of
Incorporation which  alter  or amend  dividend  or distribution  rights,  voting
rights,  rights upon  liquidation and/or  merger, transfer  rights or preemptive
rights. Such matters include  amendments of the  Company's Restated Articles  of
Incorporation  to change the number  of authorized shares of  a class, to change
the par value  of the shares  of such class  or to alter  or change the  powers,
preferences  or special rights of the shares of  such class so as to affect them
adversely.

    Subject to  the rights  of the  holders of  any then  outstanding  Preferred
Stock, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may
be  declared by the  Board of Directors. If  dividends are paid  to one class of
common  stock,   whether  in   cash  or   in  property   (including  shares   of

                                       22
<PAGE>
Preferred  Stock but not including shares of  common stock of the Company), then
the holders  of the  other class  of common  stock are  entitled to  receive  an
Equivalent  Proportionate  Dividend  per  share.  An  "Equivalent  Proportionate
Dividend" shall mean a dividend in which the amount payable per share of Class A
Common Stock shall equal the amount payable  per share of Class C Common  Stock.
If  a distribution is to be paid in any  class of common stock to the holders of
Class A or Class C  Common Stock, the Company shall  also pay to the holders  of
the  other class  of common  stock a  distribution per  share of  such number of
shares (the "Distributed Shares") as is equal to the number of shares of  common
stock  per share distributed to such holders of  Class A Common Stock or Class C
Common Stock, as the case may be, provided that the Distributed Shares shall  be
of  the  same class  as  the class  of  common stock  in  respect of  which such
distribution is made. The Company may  not reclassify, subdivide or combine  one
class of common stock without reclassifying, subdividing or combining each other
class of common stock on an equal proportionate per share basis.

    Upon  liquidation, dissolution or winding up  of the affairs of the Company,
whether voluntary or involuntary, and in the event of any reorganization of  the
Company  or merger or  consolidation of the  Company into another  entity or the
sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all
of the  Company's assets  or  the recapitalization  or reclassification  of  the
Company's  capital stock, subject to the rights  of the holders of any preferred
stock, each holder of either  the Class A Common Stock  or Class C Common  Stock
shall  be entitled to receive the same  form of consideration per share, in each
case in the Equivalent Proportionate Distribution, whether such consideration is
in the  form of  cash, property  or securities  or any  combination thereof.  An
"Equivalent  Proportionate Distribution" shall mean  a distribution in which the
amount distributable per share  of Class C Common  Stock shall equal the  amount
distributable per share of Class A Common Stock.

    Each  share of Class  C Common Stock  is convertible at  the holder's option
into one share of Class A Common Stock at any time.

    The Bank of  New York serves  as the  registrar and transfer  agent for  the
Class A Common Stock.

    PREFERRED  STOCK.  The  Board of Directors  of the Company  is authorized to
issue, by resolution and without any action by stockholders, shares of Preferred
Stock and  may  establish  the designations,  dividend  rights,  dividend  rate,
conversion  rights, voting rights, terms  of redemption, liquidation preference,
sinking fund  terms  and all  other  preferences and  rights  of any  series  of
Preferred  Stock. The issuance of shares of Preferred Stock may adversely affect
the rights (including voting rights) of the holders of the Common Stock.

    BUSINESS COMBINATIONS.   The  Company's Restated  Articles of  Incorporation
provide  that the Board of Directors of the Company, when evaluating a tender or
exchange offer by another party for any equity security of the Company, a merger
or consolidation of the Company with another corporation or the purchase of  all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company, may give due consideration to
all  relevant factors including (1) the  anticipated social and economic effects
of the transaction upon the  Company's employees, customers and the  communities
in which the Company operates; (2) the consideration proposed in relation to the
then  market price of the  Company's equity securities, the  future value of the
Company as an independent entity and the then current value of the Company in  a
freely  negotiated transaction, as determined by the Board of Directors; and (3)
relevant aspects of other  acquisitions made by such  party and their course  of
dealing  with acquired businesses  including the effect  thereof on the business
and reputation of the  acquired businesses and their  products and services  and
the  effect of  such acquisitions on  employees, creditors,  customers and other
persons affected by  the acquired  businesses and on  the communities  involved.
These  provisions could have  the effect of delaying,  deferring or preventing a
change in control of the Company and adversely affecting the market price of the
Company's securities.

    LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS.   The Company's  Restated Articles of  Incorporation
provide that a director of the Company shall not be liable to the Company or its
stockholders  for monetary damages  for breach of fiduciary  duty as a director,
except for liability (1) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
Company or its  stockholders, (2) for  acts or  omissions not in  good faith  or
which involve

                                       23
<PAGE>
intentional  misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, (3) for a transaction
from which the director derives an  improper personal benefit or (4) in  respect
of certain unlawful dividend payments or stock redemptions or repurchases. These
provisions further provide that, if the Iowa Business Corporation Act is amended
to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting personal liability
of  directors,  then  the  liability  of a  director  of  the  Company  shall be
eliminated or  limited to  the fullest  extent permitted  by the  Iowa  Business
Corporation  Act  as so  amended.  The effect  of  these provisions  will  be to
eliminate the rights of the Company and its stockholders (through  stockholders'
derivative suits on behalf of the Company) to recover monetary damages against a
director  for  breach  of  fiduciary  duty  as  a  director  (including breaches
resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior) except in the situations
described in clauses (1)-(4) above. These  provisions are not expected to  alter
the  liability  of directors  under  federal securities  laws  or in  respect of
equitable remedies that may be available under state law.

    COMPLIANCE WITH FCC  REGULATIONS.   So long  as the  Company or  any of  its
subsidiaries  holds authority from the FCC (or any successor thereto) to operate
any television  or radio  broadcasting station,  if the  Company has  reason  to
believe that the ownership, or proposed ownership, of shares of capital stock of
the  Company by any stockholder  or any person presenting  any shares of capital
stock of the Company for transfer into his or her name (a "Proposed Transferee")
may be  inconsistent with,  or in  violation of,  any provision  of the  Federal
Communication  Laws (as defined in the  Restated Articles of Incorporation) such
stockholder or Proposed Transferee, upon request of the Company, is required  to
furnish promptly to the Company such information (including, without limitation,
information   with  respect  to  citizenship,   other  ownership  interests  and
affiliations) as the Company shall  reasonably request to determine whether  the
ownership  of, or the exercise of any  rights with respect to, shares of capital
stock of the Company by such stockholder or Proposed Transferee is  inconsistent
with, or in violation of, the Federal Communication Laws. The Company may refuse
to  permit  the transfer  of  shares of  capital stock  of  the Company  to such
Proposed Transferee or may suspend those rights of stock ownership the  exercise
of  which would result in  any inconsistency with, or  violation of, the Federal
Communication Laws (including the right to vote and the payment of dividends  or
other distributions).

    SETTLEMENT  RIGHTS.  In connection with the acquisition of Actmedia in 1989,
the Company issued certain Settlement Rights  which entitle the holders of  such
rights  to receive cash or Class  A Common Stock or Class  C Common Stock of the
Company having a  value equal  to approximately  14.1% of  the aggregate  market
value  of Actmedia's net equity at specified future dates. The Settlement Rights
mature in 1996, but they may be exercised at the option of holders of 20% of the
Settlement Rights or the  Company at certain specified  times during the  period
they  are outstanding, with the initial option  beginning on April 19, 1994. See
"Management's Discussion  and Analysis  of Financial  Condition and  Results  of
Operations -- Capitalization and Liquidity."

    REGISTRATION  RIGHTS.  In  addition to the  shares offered hereby (including
shares covered  by  the over-allotment  option),  the holders  of  approximately
1,400,000 shares of Class A Common Stock either outstanding or issuable upon the
conversion  of other classes of securities of the Company have certain rights to
register those shares under the Securities  Act. All costs and expenses of  such
registration   (other  than  transfer  taxes,  any  underwriting  discounts  and
commissions and the  expense of  any separate counsel  to the  holders) will  be
borne  by the Company. No prediction can be  made as to the effect, if any, that
sales of shares under the registration  statement will have on the market  price
of Class A Common Stock prevailing from time to time.

                                       24
<PAGE>
        CERTAIN FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS

    The  following is  a general discussion  of certain U.S.  federal income tax
consequences of  the ownership  and disposition  of Class  A Common  Stock by  a
person  that,  for U.S.  federal income  tax purposes,  is a  non-resident alien
individual, a foreign corporation, a foreign partnership or a foreign estate  or
trust  (a "non-U.S. holder").  This discussion does  not consider specific facts
and circumstances that  may be relevant  to a particular  holder's tax  position
(including  the tax position of certain U.S. expatriates) and does not deal with
U.S. state and local  or non-U.S. tax  consequences. Furthermore, the  following
discussion  is based on provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code") and administrative  and judicial interpretations as of  the
date  hereof, all  of which  are subject to  change. Each  prospective holder is
urged to consult a tax advisor with respect to the U.S. federal tax consequences
of acquiring, holding and disposing of Class  A Common Stock as well as any  tax
consequences  that may arise under  the laws of any  U.S. state, municipality or
other tax jurisdiction.

DIVIDENDS

    Dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder of Class A Common Stock will be  subject
to  withholding of U.S. federal income  tax at a 30% rate  or such lower rate as
may be specified by  an applicable income tax  treaty, unless the dividends  are
effectively  connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United
States or, if an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a U.S. permanent
establishment of such holder. Dividends that are effectively connected with such
holder's conduct of a trade  or business in the United  States or, if an  income
tax  treaty applies,  are attributable to  a U.S. citizens,  resident aliens and
domestic U.S. corporations, and  are not generally  subject to withholding.  Any
such  effectively  connected dividends  received by  a non-U.S.  corporation may
also, under certain circumstances, be  subject to an additional "branch  profits
tax"  at a  30% rate or  such lower  rate as may  be specified  by an applicable
income tax treaty.

    Under current  United  States Treasury  regulations,  dividends paid  to  an
address  in a  foreign country  are presumed to  be paid  to a  resident of that
country (unless the  payor has knowledge  to the contrary)  for purposes of  the
withholding  discussed above and, under the current interpretation of the United
States Treasury regulations, for purposes of determining the applicability of  a
tax  treaty  rate.  Under  proposed  United  States  Treasury  regulations,  not
currently in effect,  however, a  non-U.S. holder of  Class A  Common Stock  who
wishes  to claim the benefit  of an applicable treaty  rate would be required to
satisfy applicable certification and other requirements.

    A non-U.S. holder of  Class A Common  Stock that is  eligible for a  reduced
rate of U.S. withholding tax pursuant to a tax treaty may obtain a refund of any
excess amounts currently withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with
the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

GAIN ON DISPOSITION OF COMMON STOCK

    A  non-U.S. holder generally will not be  subject to U.S. federal income tax
in respect of gain recognized  on a disposition of  Class A Common Stock  unless
(i)  the gain is effectively connected with  a trade or business of the non-U.S.
holder in the United  States, (ii) in the  case of a non-U.S.  holder who is  an
individual and holds the Class A Common Stock as a capital asset, such holder is
present  in the United  States for 183 or  more days in the  taxable year of the
sale and either  (a) such individual's  "tax home" for  U.S. federal income  tax
purposes is in the United States or (b) the gain is attributable to an office or
other  fixed  place  of  business  maintained  in  the  United  States  by  such
individual, (iii)  the Company  is or  has been  a "U.S.  real property  holding
corporation"  for  federal income  tax purposes  and  the non-U.S.  holder held,
directly or indirectly  at any time  during the five-year  period ending on  the
date  of disposition, more than 5% of the  Class A Common Stock. The Company has
not been, is not, and does not anticipate becoming a "U.S. real property holding
corporation" for federal income tax purposes.

                                       25
<PAGE>
FEDERAL ESTATE TAXES

    Class A Common Stock held by a non-U.S. holder at the time of death will  be
included  in such  holder's gross estate  for U.S. federal  estate tax purposes,
unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise.

U.S. INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING TAX

    U.S. information reporting  requirements, other than  reporting of  dividend
payments for purposes of the withholding tax noted above, and backup withholding
tax  generally will  not apply  to dividends paid  to non-U.S.  holders that are
either subject to a 30% withholding discussed  above or that are not so  subject
because  an  applicable tax  treaty reduces  such withholding.  Otherwise backup
withholding of U.S. federal income tax at  a rate of 31% may apply to  dividends
paid  with respect to the  Class A Common Stock to  holders that are not "exempt
recipients" and that fail to provide certain information (including the holder's
U.S. taxpayer identification  number) in  the manner  required by  U.S. law  and
applicable  regulations. Generally, the  payor of the dividends  may rely on the
payees' address outside the  United States in  determining that the  withholding
discussed   above  applies,  and  consequently,   that  the  backup  withholding
provisions do not apply.

    As a general proposition, U.S. information reporting and backup  withholding
also  will not apply to a payment made outside the United States of the proceeds
of a sale of Class A Common  Stock, through an office outside the United  States
of  a non-U.S. broker. However, U.S. information reporting requirements (but not
backup withholding) will apply  to a payment made  outside the United States  of
the  proceeds of a  sale of Class A  Common Stock through  an office outside the
United States of a broker  that is a U.S. person,  that derives, 50% or more  of
its  gross income for certain periods from the conduct of a trade or business in
the United  States, or  that is  a "controlled  foreign corporation"  as to  the
United  States, unless the  broker has documentary evidence  in its records that
the holder is a non-U.S.  holder and certain conditions  are met, or the  holder
otherwise  establishes an exemption. Payment by a U.S. office of a broker of the
proceeds of a sale  of Class A  Common Stock is currently  subject to both  U.S.
backup  withholding  and  information  reporting  unless  the  holder  certifies
non-U.S.  status  under  penalties  of  perjury  or  otherwise  establishes   an
exemption.

    A  non-U.S.  holder generally  may  obtain a  refund  of any  excess amounts
withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim  for
refund with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

                          NOTICE TO CANADIAN RESIDENTS

RESALE RESTRICTIONS

    The distribution of the Class A Common Stock in Canada is being made only on
a  private placement basis exempt from  the requirement that the Company prepare
and file  a  prospectus  with  the securities  regulatory  authorities  in  each
province where trades of the Class A Common Stock are effected. Accordingly, any
resale  of the Class  A Common Stock in  Canada must be  made in accordance with
applicable  securities  laws   which  will  vary   depending  on  the   relevant
jurisdiction,  and  which may  require  resales to  be  made in  accordance with
available statutory exemptions or pursuant to a discretionary exemption  granted
by  the  applicable  Canadian securities  regulatory  authority.  Purchasers are
advised to seek legal advice prior to any resale of the Class A Common Stock.

REPRESENTATION OF PURCHASERS

    Each purchaser of  Class A Common  Stock in Canada  who receives a  purchase
confirmation   will  be  deemed  to  represent   to  the  Company,  the  Selling
Stockholders and the  dealer from  whom such purchase  confirmation is  received
that  (i) such purchaser is entitled under applicable provincial securities laws
to purchase  such Class  A Common  Stock  without the  benefit of  a  prospectus
qualified  under such  securities laws,  (ii) where  required by  law, that such
purchaser is purchasing as principal and not as agent, and (iii) such  purchaser
has reviewed the text above under "Resale Restrictions."

                                       26
<PAGE>
NOTICE FOR ONTARIO RESIDENTS

    The  securities  being offered  are those  of a  foreign issuer  and Ontario
purchasers will  not  receive the  contractual  right of  action  prescribed  by
section  32 of the Regulation  under the SECURITIES ACT  (Ontario). As a result,
Ontario purchasers must rely on other remedies that may be available,  including
common  law rights of action for damages or rescission or rights of action under
the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws.

    All of the  issuer's directors  and officers as  well as  the experts  named
herein may be located outside of Canada. As a result, it may not be possible for
Ontario purchasers to effect service of process within Canada upon the issuer or
such  persons. All or a substantial portion of the assets of the issuer and such
persons may  be located  outside of  Canada  and, as  a result,  it may  not  be
possible  to satisfy a judgment against the  issuer or such persons in Canada or
to enforce a judgment obtained in Canadian courts against such issuer or persons
outside of Canada.

NOTICE TO BRITISH COLUMBIA RESIDENTS

    A purchaser of  Class A  Common Stock to  whom the  SECURITIES ACT  (British
Columbia)  applies is advised that  such purchaser is required  to file with the
British Columbia Securities Commission a report  within ten days of the sale  of
any  Class  A Common  Stock  acquired by  such  purchaser pursuant  to  the U.S.
Offering. Such  report  must  be  in  the  form  attached  to  British  Columbia
Securities  Commission Blanket Order BOR #88/5, a  copy of which may be obtained
from the Company.  Only one  such report  must be filed  in respect  of Class  A
Common Stock acquired on the same date and under the same prospectus exemption.

                                       27
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITING

    The  Underwriters named below  (the "U.S. Underwriters"),  for whom CS First
Boston Corporation, Goldman,  Sachs & Co.  and J.P. Morgan  Securities Inc.  are
acting as representatives (the "U.S. Representatives"), have severally agreed to
purchase  from  the Selling  Stockholders  the following  respective  numbers of
shares of Class  A Common  Stock (the "U.S.  Shares") set  forth opposite  their
names:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    NUMBER OF
U.S. UNDERWRITERS                                                                  U.S. SHARES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------
<S>                                                                                <C>
CS First Boston Corporation......................................................
Goldman, Sachs & Co. ............................................................
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. .....................................................
                                                                                   -----------
  Total..........................................................................    3,145,000
                                                                                   -----------
                                                                                   -----------
</TABLE>

    The Underwriting Agreement between the Company, the Selling Stockholders and
the  several  U.S.  Underwriters  provides  that  the  obligations  of  the U.S.
Underwriters are  subject to  certain conditions  precedent, and  that the  U.S.
Underwriters  will be obligated to purchase all of the U.S. Shares being offered
hereby if any are purchased.

    The Selling  Stockholders have  granted  to the  U.S. Underwriters  and  the
Managers  of the International Offering  (the "Managers") an option, exercisable
by the U.S. Representatives, expiring at the  close of business on the 30th  day
after the date of the initial public offering of the U.S. Shares, to purchase up
to  371,922 additional shares of Class A  Common Stock (the "Option Shares"), at
the initial public  offering price less  the underwriting discount,  all as  set
forth  on  the  cover page  of  this  Prospectus. The  U.S.  Representatives may
exercise such option only to cover overallotments  in the sale of the shares  of
Class  A Common Stock. To the extent  that this option to purchase is exercised,
each U.S. Underwriter and each Manager will become obligated, subject to certain
conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage of Option Shares being
sold to the U.S. Underwriters and the  Managers as the number set forth next  to
such U.S. Underwriter's name in the preceding table bears to the total number of
shares  in such table and as the number set forth next to such Manager's name in
the corresponding table in the prospectus relating to the International Offering
bears to the total number of shares in such table (the "International Shares").

    The Company  and the  Selling Stockholders  have been  advised by  the  U.S.
Representatives  that the U.S. Underwriters propose  to offer the U.S. Shares to
the public in the United States and  Canada initially at the offering price  set
forth   on  the   cover  page   of  this   Prospectus  and,   through  the  U.S.
Representatives, to certain dealers at such price less a concession of $     per
share  of Class A Common Stock; that  the U.S. Underwriters and such dealers may
allow a discount of $     per  share of Class A Common  Stock on sales to  other
dealers;  and that, after the initial public offering, the public offering price
and concession and discount to dealers may be changed upon the mutual  agreement
of  the U.S. Representatives and  CS First Boston Limited  ("CSFB") on behalf of
the Managers.

                                       28
<PAGE>
    The Company and the  Selling Stockholders have  entered into a  Subscription
Agreement  (the  "Subscription  Agreement")  with  the  Managers  providing  for
concurrent offer and sale of the International Shares outside the United  States
and  Canada. The offering  price, the aggregate  underwriting discount per share
and the per share discount to dealers  for the U.S. Offering and the  concurrent
International  Offering are  identical. The  closing of  the U.S.  Offering is a
condition to the closing of the International Offering, and vice versa.

    Pursuant to  an  Agreement  Between  U.S.  Underwriters  and  Managers  (the
"Agreement  Between") relating to  the Offerings, each  of the U.S. Underwriters
has agreed or will agree  that, as part of the  distribution of the U.S.  Shares
and  subject to certain exceptions, (a) it is not purchasing any shares of Class
A Common Stock for the  account of anyone other than  a U.S. or Canadian  Person
and  (b) it has  not offered or  sold, and will  not offer or  sell, directly or
indirectly, any shares  of Class  A Common  Stock or  distribute any  prospectus
relating  to the Class A Common Stock to any person outside the United States or
Canada or to anyone other than a U.S. or a Canadian Person nor to any dealer who
does not so agree. Each of the Managers  has agreed or will agree that, as  part
of  the  distribution  of  the  International  Shares  and  subject  to  certain
exceptions, (i) it is not purchasing any shares of Class A Common Stock for  the
account  of any U.S. or Canadian Person and (ii) it has not offered or sold, and
will not offer or  sell, directly or  indirectly, any shares  of Class A  Common
Stock, or distribute any prospectus relating to the Class A Common Stock, in the
United  States or Canada or to any U.S. or Canadian Person nor to any dealer who
does not  so agree.  The foregoing  limitations do  not apply  to  stabilization
transactions  or to transactions between the  U.S. Underwriters and the Managers
pursuant to the  Agreement Between. As  used herein, "United  States" means  the
United  States of America  (including the States and  the District of Columbia),
its territories,  possessions  and  other areas  subject  to  its  jurisdiction,
"Canada"  means Canada, its provinces,  territories, possessions and other areas
subject to its jurisdiction,  and "U.S. or Canadian  Person" means a citizen  or
resident  of the  United States or  Canada, a corporation,  partnership or other
entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or  Canada
(other  than a foreign branch of such  an entity) and includes any United States
or Canadian branch of a non-U.S. or non-Canadian Person.

    Pursuant to  the Agreement  Between,  sales may  be  made between  the  U.S.
Underwriters  and the Managers of such number  of shares of Class A Common Stock
as may be  mutually agreed upon.  The price of  any shares so  sold will be  the
public  offering price, less such  amount as may be  mutually agreed upon by the
U.S. Representatives and CSFB, on behalf of the Managers, but not exceeding  the
selling  concession applicable  to such  shares. To  the extent  there are sales
between the  U.S.  Underwriters  and  the Managers  pursuant  to  the  Agreement
Between,  the number of shares  of Class A Common  Stock initially available for
sale by the U.S. Underwriters  or by the Managers may  be more or less than  the
amount  appearing  on  the  cover  page of  this  Prospectus.  Neither  the U.S.
Underwriters nor  the Managers  are obligated  to purchase  from the  other  any
unsold shares of Class A Common Stock.

    The  Company has agreed that, for a period of 60 days after the date of this
Prospectus, it will not,  without the prior written  consent of CS First  Boston
Corporation, on behalf of the U.S. Representatives and the Managers, directly or
indirectly, offer, sell, agree to sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of
any  Class A Common Stock  or any security convertible  into or exchangeable for
Class A  Common  Stock other  than  to the  U.S.  Underwriters or  the  Managers
pursuant  to the  Underwriting and  Subscription Agreements  and other  than (a)
pursuant to any employee  stock option plan, stock  ownership plan, stock  bonus
plan,  stock compensation  plan, dividend  reinvestment plan  of the  Company in
effect on the date  of this Prospectus,  (b) issuances of  Class A Common  Stock
issuable  upon  the  conversion  of  securities  or  the  exercise  of  warrants
outstanding at the date of this Prospectus and (c) issuances of Class A or Class
C Common  Stock issuable  pursuant to  the exercise  of Settlement  Rights.  See
"Description  of Capital Stock  -- Settlement Rights."  In addition, the Selling
Stockholders, the executive officers and directors of the Company and certain of
its principal stockholders (such group owning  approximately 14% of the Class  A
Common  Stock and 100% of  the outstanding Class C  Common Stock) have agreed to
such restriction for 90 days after the date of this Prospectus.

                                       29
<PAGE>
    The Company and the Selling Stockholders  have agreed to indemnify the  U.S.
Underwriters  and  the  Managers against  certain  liabilities,  including civil
liabilities under the Securities  Act of 1933, as  amended, or to contribute  to
payments  that the U.S. Underwriters and the Managers may be required to make in
respect thereof.

    Affiliates of Goldman, Sachs & Co. beneficially owned at February 7, 1994 an
aggregate of 456,168 shares of Class A  Common Stock, 550,375 shares of Class  C
Common  Stock and 909,091  Settlement Rights of the  Company. Affiliates of J.P.
Morgan Securities  Inc. beneficially  owned at  March 7,  1994 an  aggregate  of
55,556  shares of Class A  Common Stock, 512,987 shares  of Class C Common Stock
and 909,091 Settlement  Rights of the  Company. Also, Goldman,  Sachs & Co.  has
from  time  to  time performed,  and  continues to  perform,  various investment
banking services  for the  Company, for  which customary  compensation has  been
received.

                        VALIDITY OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK

    The  validity of the Class A Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon
for the Company by Crouch & Hallett,  L.L.P., Dallas, Texas, and will be  passed
upon  for the  U.S. Underwriters  and the Managers  by Sullivan  & Cromwell, New
York, New York. Crouch & Hallett, L.L.P. and Sullivan & Cromwell may rely as  to
all  matters  of Iowa  law upon  the opinion  of Wayne  Kern, Esq.,  Senior Vice
President and Secretary of the Company.

                                    EXPERTS

    The consolidated  financial  statements  and  schedules  of  Heritage  Media
Corporation  and subsidiaries as of December 31,  1993 and 1992, and for each of
the years in  the three-year  period ended  December 31,  1993, incorporated  by
reference herein have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the
report   of  KPMG  Peat  Marwick,   independent  certified  public  accountants,
incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts
in accounting and auditing.

                                       30
<PAGE>




















                 [United States map showing location of
                  Heritage Media broadcast properties]




<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------

    No  dealer,  salesman  or  other  person has  been  authorized  to  give any
information or to make any representation not contained in this Prospectus  and,
if  given or made, such information or representation must not be relied upon as
having  been  authorized  by  the  Company,  the  Selling  Stockholders  or  the
Underwriters.  This  Prospectus  does  not  constitute an  offer  to  sell  or a
solicitation of an  offer to buy  any of  the securities offered  hereby in  any
jurisdiction  to any person  to whom it is  unlawful to make  such offer in such
jurisdiction. Neither  the  delivery  of  this  Prospectus  nor  any  sale  made
hereunder  shall,  under  any  circumstances, create  any  implication  that the
information herein is correct as  of any time subsequent  to the date hereof  or
that there has been no change in the affairs of the Company since such date.

                                 --------------

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Page
                                                 ---------
<S>                                              <C>
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
 Reference.....................................
Available Information..........................
Prospectus Summary.............................
Use of Proceeds................................
Price Range of Class A Common Stock............
Dividend Policy................................
Capitalization.................................
Selected Financial Data........................
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
 Financial Condition and Results of
 Operations....................................
Business.......................................
Selling Stockholders...........................
Description of Capital Stock...................
Certain Federal Tax Considerations for Non-
 United States Holders.........................
Notice to Canadian Residents...................
Underwriting...................................
Validity of Class A Common Stock...............
Experts........................................
</TABLE>

                                 Heritage Media
                                  Corporation
                                3,700,000 Shares
                              Class A Common Stock
                                ($.01 PAR VALUE)

                          ----------------------------
P R O S P E C T U S
                               ------------------
                                CS First Boston
                              Goldman, Sachs & Co.
                          J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
INFORMATION   CONTAINED  HEREIN  IS  SUBJECT   TO  COMPLETION  OR  AMENDMENT.  A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT  RELATING TO  THESE SECURITIES  HAS BEEN  FILED WITH  THE
SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES  MAY NOT BE  SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR  TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT  BECOMES
EFFECTIVE.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  SHALL  NOT  CONSTITUTE AN  OFFER  TO  SELL  OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE  SECURITIES
IN  ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL
PRIOR TO REGISTRATION  OR QUALIFICATION UNDER  THE SECURITIES LAWS  OF ANY  SUCH
JURISDICTION.
<PAGE>
                  [Alternate Page for International Prospectus]

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 9, 1994
PROSPECTUS

                                3,700,000 Shares

                           Heritage Media Corporation
[Logo]
                              Class A Common Stock
                                ($.01 PAR VALUE)

The  shares  offered hereby  are being  sold by  the Selling  Stockholders named
herein under "Selling Stockholders." Of the  3,700,000 shares of Class A  Common
Stock,  par value $.01 per share (the "Class A Common Stock"), of Heritage Media
Corporation ("Heritage" or the "Company") being offered hereby, 3,145,000 shares
(the "U.S. Shares") are  being offered in  the United States  and Canada by  the
U.S.  Underwriters (the "U.S. Offering")  and 555,000 shares (the "International
Shares") are being concurrently offered outside the United States and Canada  by
the Managers (the "International Offering" and, together with the U.S. Offering,
the  "Offerings"). The  price to  the public  and the  underwriting discount and
commissions per share are identical for the Offerings.

The Company is authorized to issue two  classes of common stock: Class A  Common
Stock and Class C Common Stock. Class C Common Stock is entitled to vote only as
a  class on certain matters directly affecting such class. Each share of Class C
Common Stock is convertible at any time  into one share of Class A Common  Stock
at the option of the holder.

The  Class A Common Stock  of Heritage is listed  on the American Stock Exchange
under the symbol "HTG." On  March 8, 1994, the reported  last sale price of  the
Class A Common Stock on the American Stock Exchange was $18 per share.

THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE  NOT  BEEN APPROVED  OR  DISAPPROVED  BY  THE SECURITIES
   AND  EXCHANGE   COMMISSION  OR   ANY  STATE   SECURITIES  COMMISSION   NOR
      HAS   THE   SECURITIES  AND   EXCHANGE   COMMISSION  OR   ANY  STATE
        SECURITIES  COMMISSION   PASSED  UPON   THE  ACCURACY   OR   AD-
             EQUACY   OF   THIS   PROSPECTUS.   ANY  REPRESENTATION
                       TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       UNDERWRITING
                                                  PRICE TO             DISCOUNT AND        PROCEEDS TO SELLING
                                                   PUBLIC               COMMISSIONS         STOCKHOLDERS (1)
                                            ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
<S>                                         <C>                    <C>                    <C>
Per Share.................................            $                      $                      $
Total (2).................................            $                      $                      $
</TABLE>

- ------------------------
(1) The expenses of the Selling Stockholders, estimated at $250,000, are payable
    by the Company.
(2) The Selling Stockholders have granted the U.S. Underwriters and the Managers
    an option, exercisable by the  representatives of the U.S. Underwriters  for
    30 days from the date of the public offering of the shares of Class A Common
    Stock  offered hereby, to purchase a maximum of 371,922 additional shares of
    Class A Common Stock, in the aggregate, solely to cover over-allotments,  if
    any.  If the option is exercised in full,  the total price to public will be
    $          , underwriting  discount and commissions will  be $           and
    proceeds  to selling stockholders will be  $         . See "Subscription and
    Sale."

The International Shares  are offered by  the several Managers  when, as and  if
delivered  to and accepted by the Managers  and subject to their right to reject
orders in whole or in part. It is expected that the International Shares will be
ready for delivery on or about               , 1994.

                                CS First Boston
Goldman Sachs International                          J.P. Morgan Securities Ltd.

               The date of this Prospectus is             , 1994.
<PAGE>
               [ALTERNATE PAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTUS]

    THE INTERNATIONAL SHARES MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY,
IN  THE UNITED STATES OR CANADA OR TO ANY U.S. OR CANADIAN PERSON AS PART OF THE
DISTRIBUTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL  SHARES. FOR A  FURTHER DISCUSSION OF  CERTAIN
RESTRICTIONS  ON  THE  OFFERING  AND  SALE  OF  THE  INTERNATIONAL  SHARES,  SEE
"SUBSCRIPTION AND SALE."

    NO DEALER,  SALESMAN  OR  OTHER  PERSON HAS  BEEN  AUTHORIZED  TO  GIVE  ANY
INFORMATION  OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND,
IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON  AS
HAVING  BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY,  ANY SELLING STOCKHOLDER OR ANY MANAGER.
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT  CONSTITUTE AN OFFER  TO SELL OR  A SOLICITATION OF  AN
OFFER  TO BUY ANY  OF THE SECURITIES  OFFERED HEREBY IN  ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY
PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO  MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH JURISDICTION.  NEITHER
THE  DELIVERY OF THIS  PROSPECTUS NOR ANY  SALE MADE HEREUNDER  SHALL, UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT  AS
OF  ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE  DATE HEREOF OR THAT THERE  HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN
THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE SUCH DATE.

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             PAGE
                                                             -----
<S>                                                       <C>
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.........
Available Information...................................
Prospectus Summary......................................
Use of Proceeds.........................................
Price Range of Class A Common Stock.....................
Dividend Policy.........................................
Capitalization..........................................
Selected Financial Data.................................
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
 Condition and Results of Operations....................

<CAPTION>
                                                             PAGE
                                                             -----
<S>                                                       <C>
Business................................................
Selling Stockholders....................................
Description of Capital Stock............................
Certain Federal Tax Considerations for Non-United States
 Holders................................................
Notice to Canadian Residents............................
Subscription and Sale...................................
Validity of Class A Common Stock........................
Experts.................................................
</TABLE>

                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

    The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act
and in  accordance  therewith  files  reports and  other  information  with  the
Commission.  Such  reports,  proxy  statements  and  other  information  can  be
inspected and  copied  at the  public  reference facilities  maintained  by  the
Commission at its offices at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549,  and at the Commission's Regional  Offices at Northwestern Atrium Center,
500 West Madison  Street, Suite 1400,  Chicago, Illinois 60661  and Seven  World
Trade  Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such material can
be obtained by mail from the Public  Reference Section of the Commission at  450
Fifth  Street, N.W., Washington,  D.C. 20549, at  prescribed rates. In addition,
such material may also be  inspected and copied at  the offices of the  American
Stock Exchange, 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York 10006-1881.

    The  Company has filed with the  Commission a registration statement on Form
S-3 (herein,  together with  all amendments  and exhibits,  referred to  as  the
"Registration  Statement") under  the Securities  Act of  1933, as  amended (the
"Securities Act"), with respect  to the shares of  Class A Common Stock  offered
hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration  Statement, certain parts  of which are  omitted in accordance with
the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further information,  reference
is hereby made to the Registration Statement.

                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

    The  Annual Report on Form 10-K for  the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993
(the "Form 10-K"), and the description of the Class A Common Stock contained  in
the Company's Registration Statement filed under Section 12(b) of the Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934 (the "Exchange  Act"), filed by Heritage Media Corporation
(the "Company" or "Heritage") with  the Securities and Exchange Commission  (the
"Commission") is hereby incorporated in this Prospectus by reference.

    All  documents hereafter filed by the  Company with the Commission, pursuant
to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of
a post-effective amendment  which indicates that  all securities offered  hereby
have  been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall
be deemed to be incorporated by reference in and to be a part of this Prospectus
from the date  of filing  of such documents.  The Company  will provide  without
charge  to each person, including any  beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus
is delivered, upon the written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any
or all of the documents which  are incorporated by reference herein, other  than
exhibits  to such documents (unless  such exhibits are specifically incorporated
by reference into such documents). Requests should be directed to the Company at
its principal  executive offices,  One Galleria  Tower, 13355  Noel Road,  Suite
1500, Dallas, Texas 75240, Attention: Secretary, telephone: (214) 702-7380.

    Any  statements  contained  in a  document  all  or a  portion  of  which is
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to
be modified or superseded for purposes of  this Prospectus to the extent that  a
statement  contained herein  or in any  other subsequently  filed document which
also is  or  is  deemed to  be  incorporated  by reference  herein  modifies  or
supersedes  such statement. Any such statement so modified shall not be deemed a
part of this Prospectus, except as so modified, and any statement so  superseded
shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this Prospectus.

    IN  CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERINGS, CS  FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION ON BEHALF OF
THE U.S. UNDERWRITERS  AND THE  MANAGERS MAY OVER-ALLOT  OR EFFECT  TRANSACTIONS
WHICH  STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE  MARKET PRICE OF THE CLASS  A COMMON STOCK AT A
LEVEL ABOVE  THAT  WHICH  MIGHT  OTHERWISE PREVAIL  IN  THE  OPEN  MARKET.  SUCH
TRANSACTIONS   MAY  BE  EFFECTED   ON  THE  AMERICAN   STOCK  EXCHANGE,  IN  THE
OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR  OTHERWISE. SUCH  STABILIZING, IF  COMMENCED, MAY  BE
DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.

                                       3
<PAGE>
                 [ALTERNATE PAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTUS]

                             SUBSCRIPTION AND SALE

    The   institutions  named  below  (the   "Managers")  have,  pursuant  to  a
Subscription Agreement dated             , 1994 (the "Subscription  Agreement"),
severally  and not jointly agreed with the Selling Stockholders to subscribe and
pay for the following respective numbers of shares of Class A Common Stock  (the
"International Shares") set forth opposite their names:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          NUMBER OF
                                                                                        INTERNATIONAL
MANAGERS                                                                                   SHARES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------------
<S>                                                                                  <C>
CS First Boston Limited............................................................
Goldman Sachs International........................................................
J.P. Morgan Securities Ltd. .......................................................
                                                                                            --------
  Total............................................................................          555,000
                                                                                            --------
                                                                                            --------
</TABLE>

    The Subscription Agreement provides that the obligations of the Managers are
such  that, subject to certain conditions  precedent, the Managers are severally
committee to take and pay for all of the International Shares if any are  taken.
The  Managers are  entitled to terminate  the Subscription  Agreement in certain
circumstances prior to the purchase of the International Shares.

    The Selling Stockholders have granted  to the U.S. Underwriters (as  defined
below)  and the Managers an option,  exercisable by CS First Boston Corporation,
Goldman, Sachs & Co.  and J.P. Morgan Securities  Inc., as representatives  (the
"U.S.  Representatives") of the U.S. Underwriters, for 30 days after the date of
the initial public offering of  the shares of Class  A Common Stock pursuant  to
the U.S. Offering, to purchase up to 371,922 additional shares of Class A Common
Stock  (the  "Option Shares")  at  the initial  public  offering price  less the
underwriting discount and  commissions, all as  set forth on  the cover page  of
this Prospectus. The U.S. Representatives may exercise such option only to cover
over allotments in the sale of the shares of Class A Common Stock. To the extent
that  this option  to purchase is  exercised, each Manager  and U.S. Underwriter
will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase  approximately
the  same percentage of  Option Shares being  sold to the  Managers and the U.S.
Underwriters as  the  number  set forth  next  to  such Manager's  name  in  the
preceding  table bears to  the total number of  shares in such  table and as the
number set forth next to such U.S. Underwriter's name in the corresponding table
in the prospectus relating  to the U.S.  Offering bears to  the total number  of
shares in such table.

    The  Company  and the  Selling Stockholders  have been  advised by  CS First
Boston Limited  ("CSFB"), on  behalf  of the  Managers,  (i) that  the  Managers
propose  to offer the International Shares  outside the United States and Canada
initially at the offering price set forth  on the cover page of this  Prospectus
and  through the Managers to certain dealers  at such price less a concession of
$    per share of Class A Common Stock and (ii) that such dealers may reallow  a
concession of $    per share on sales to certain other dealers.

                                       28
<PAGE>
                 [ALTERNATE PAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTUS]

    The  Company and the Selling Stockholders  have entered into an Underwriting
Agreement dated             , 1994 (the "Underwriting Agreement") with the  U.S.
Underwriters  for the concurrent offer and sale of the U.S. Shares in the United
States and  Canada. The  closing of  the U.S.  Offering is  a condition  to  the
closing of the International Offering, and vice versa.

    The  public  offering  price  and the  aggregate  underwriting  discount and
commissions per share  for the  International Offering and  the concurrent  U.S.
Offering  are identical. Pursuant to an  Agreement Between the U.S. Underwriters
and Managers (the "Agreement Between") relating to the Offerings, changes in the
public offering price, the aggregate  underwriting discount and commissions  per
share  and reallowance per share will be  made only upon the mutual agreement of
the U.S.  Representatives, on  behalf of  the U.S.  Underwriters, and  CSFB,  on
behalf of the Managers.

    Pursuant  to the Agreement Between, each of  the Managers has agreed or will
agree that, as part of the distribution of the International Shares and  subject
to  certain exceptions, (a)  it is not  purchasing any shares  of Class A Common
Stock for the account of any U.S. or Canadian Person (as defined below) and  (b)
it  has not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly,
any shares of Class A Common Stock or distribute any prospectus relating to  the
Class  A Common Stock, in the United States or Canada or to any U.S. or Canadian
Person nor to any dealer  who does not so agree.  Each of the U.S.  Underwriters
has  agreed or will agree  that, as part of the  distribution of the U.S. Shares
and subject to certain exceptions, (i) it is not purchasing any shares of  Class
A  Common Stock for the  account of anyone other than  a U.S. or Canadian Person
and (ii) it has  not offered or sold,  and will not offer  or sell, directly  or
indirectly,  any shares  of Class A  Common Stock, or  distribute any prospectus
relating to the Class A Common Stock, to any Person outside the United States or
Canada or to anyone other than a U.S.  or Canadian Person nor to any dealer  who
does  not  so agree.  The foregoing  limitations do  not apply  to stabilization
transactions or to transactions between  the U.S. Underwriters and the  Managers
pursuant  to the  Agreement Between. As  used herein, "United  States" means the
United States of America  (including the States and  the District of  Columbia),
its  territories, its possessions  and other areas  subject to its jurisdiction,
"Canada" means Canada, its provinces,  territories, possessions and other  areas
subject  to its jurisdiction, and  "U.S. or Canadian Person"  means a citizen or
resident of the  United States or  Canada, a corporation,  partnership or  other
entity  created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or Canada
(other than a foreign branch of such an entity), and includes any United  States
or Canadian branch of a non-U.S. or non-Canadian Person.

    Pursuant  to  the Agreement  Between,  sales may  be  made between  the U.S.
Underwriters and the Managers of such number  of shares of Class A Common  Stock
as  may be mutually  agreed upon. The  price of any  shares so sold  will be the
public offering price, less such  amount as may be  mutually agreed upon by  the
U.S.  Representatives and CSFB, on behalf of the Managers, but not exceeding the
selling concession applicable  to such  shares. To  the extent  there are  sales
between  the  U.S.  Underwriters  and the  Managers  pursuant  to  the Agreement
Between, the number of  shares of Class A  Common Stock initially available  for
sale  by the U.S. Underwriters or  by the Managers may be  more or less than the
amount appearing  on  the  cover  page of  this  Prospectus.  Neither  the  U.S.
Underwriters  nor  the Managers  are obligated  to purchase  from the  other any
unsold shares of Class A Common Stock.

    Each Manager has represented and agreed or will represent and agree that (i)
it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell in the United Kingdom,  by
means  of any  document, any  International Shares  other than  to persons whose
ordinary business is to buy or  sell shares or debentures (whether as  principal
or  agent) or in  circumstances which do  not constitute an  offer to the public
within the meaning of the Companies Act  of 1985; (ii) it has complied and  will
comply with all applicable provisions of the Financial Services Act of 1986 with
respect  to anything done by it in relation to the International Shares in, from
or otherwise  involving the  United Kingdom;  and (iii)  it has  only issued  or
passed  on and  will only issue  or pass on  in the United  Kingdom any document
received by it in  connection with the  issue of the  International Shares to  a
person who is of a kind described in

                                       29
<PAGE>
                 [ALTERNATE PAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTUS]

Article  9(3) of the Financial Services  Act of 1986 (Investment Advertisements)
(Exemptions) Order 1988 (as  amended by Article 6(c)  of the Financial  Services
Act  of 1986 (Investment Advertisements) Order 1992)  or is a person to whom the
document may otherwise lawfully be issued or passed on.

    The Company has agreed that, for a period of 60 days after the date of  this
Prospectus,  it will not, without  the prior written consent  of CS First Boston
Corporation, on behalf of the U.S. Representatives and the Managers, directly or
indirectly, offer, sell, agree to sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of
any Class A Common  Stock or any security  convertible into or exchangeable  for
Class  A  Common Stock  other  than to  the  U.S. Underwriters  or  the Managers
pursuant to  the Underwriting  and Subscription  Agreements and  other than  (a)
pursuant  to any employee  stock option plan, stock  ownership plan, stock bonus
plan, stock  compensation plan,  dividend reinvestment  plan of  the Company  in
effect  on the date  of this Prospectus,  (b) issuances of  Class A Common Stock
issuable  upon  the  conversion  of  securities  or  the  exercise  of  warrants
outstanding at the date of this Prospectus and (c) issuances of Class A or Class
C  Common  Stock issuable  pursuant to  the exercise  of Settlement  Rights. See
"Description of Capital Stock  -- Settlement Rights."  In addition, the  Selling
Stockholders, the executive officers and directors of the Company and certain of
its  principal stockholders (such group owning  approximately 14% of the Class A
Common Stock and 100% of  the outstanding Class C  Common Stock) have agreed  to
such restriction for 90 days after the date of this Prospectus.

    The  Company and the Selling Stockholders  have agreed to indemnify the U.S.
Underwriters and  the  Managers  against certain  liabilities,  including  civil
liabilities  under the Securities Act  of 1933, as amended,  or to contribute to
payments that the U.S. Underwriters and the Managers may be required to make  in
respect thereof.

    Affiliates of Goldman, Sachs & Co. beneficially owned at February 7, 1994 an
aggregate  of 456,168 shares of Class A  Common Stock, 550,375 shares of Class C
Common Stock and 909,091  Settlement Rights of the  Company. Affiliates of  J.P.
Morgan  Securities  Inc. beneficially  owned at  March 7,  1994 an  aggregate of
55,556 shares of Class A  Common Stock, 512,987 shares  of Class C Common  Stock
and  909,091 Settlement Rights  of the Company.  Also, Goldman, Sachs  & Co. has
from time  to  time performed,  and  continues to  perform,  various  investment
banking  services for  the Company,  for which  customary compensation  has been
received.

                        VALIDITY OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK

    The validity of the Class A Common Stock offered hereby will be passed  upon
for  the Company by Crouch & Hallett,  L.L.P., Dallas, Texas, and will be passed
upon for the  U.S. Underwriters  and the Managers  by Sullivan  & Cromwell,  New
York,  New York. Crouch & Hallett, L.L.P. and Sullivan & Cromwell may rely as to
all matters  of Iowa  law upon  the opinion  of Wayne  Kern, Esq.,  Senior  Vice
President and Secretary of the Company.

                                    EXPERTS

    The  consolidated  financial  statements  and  schedules  of  Heritage Media
Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31,  1993 and 1992, and for each  of
the  years in  the three-year  period ended  December 31,  1993, incorporated by
reference herein have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the
report  of  KPMG  Peat   Marwick,  independent  certified  public   accountants,
incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts
in accounting and auditing.

                                       30
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

    The  following expenses will be paid by  the Company in connection with this
offering:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM                                                                                 AMOUNT
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------
<S>                                                                                <C>
SEC registration fee.............................................................  $    25,099
NASD filing fee..................................................................        7,779
State securities filing fees and expenses........................................       12,500
Printing and engraving expenses..................................................       60,000
Legal fees and expenses..........................................................       30,000
Accounting fees and expenses.....................................................       25,000
Transfer agent fees and expenses.................................................        7,500
Miscellaneous....................................................................       82,122
                                                                                   -----------
  Total..........................................................................  $   250,000
                                                                                   -----------
                                                                                   -----------
</TABLE>

    All amounts estimated except for SEC registration and NASD filing fees.

ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

    Sections 851 and  856 of the  Iowa Business Corporation  Act provide that  a
corporation  has  the  power to  indemnify  its directors  and  officers against
liabilities and  expenses incurred  by  reason of  such  person serving  in  the
capacity of director or officer, if such person has acted in good faith and in a
manner reasonably believed by the individual to be in or not opposed to the best
interests  of the corporation, and in any criminal proceeding if such person had
no reasonable  cause  to believe  the  individual's conduct  was  unlawful.  The
foregoing  indemnity provisions notwithstanding, in  the case of actions brought
by or in the right of the corporation, no indemnification shall be made to  such
director  or officer with respect to any  matter as to which such individual has
been adjudged to be  liable to the  corporation unless, and  only to the  extent
that, the adjudicating court determines that indemnification is proper under the
circumstances.

    Article XIII, Section 2 of the registrant's Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation  and Article  III, Section  13, Subsection  2 of  the registrant's
By-laws provide, in general, that  the registrant shall indemnify its  directors
and officers under the circumstances defined in Sections 851 and 856 of the Iowa
Business Corporation Act.

    Article XIII, Section 1 of the registrant's Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation  and Article  III, Section  13, Subsection  1 of  the registrant's
By-laws provide  that no  director shall  be  liable to  the registrant  or  its
shareholders  for monetary damages  for breach of fiduciary  duty as a director,
provided that the liability of a director  is not eliminated or limited (i)  for
any  breach  of  the  director's  duty  of  loyalty  to  the  registrant  or its
shareholders, (ii) for  acts or  omissions not in  good faith  or which  involve
intentional  misconduct or knowing violation of  law, (iii) any transaction from
which such director derived an improper personal benefit, and (iv) under Section
496A.44 of the Iowa Business Corporation Act.

ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS.

<TABLE>
<C>           <C>        <S>
        1(a)     --      Form of Underwriting Agreement(1)
        1(b)     --      Form of Subscription Agreement(1)
        4(a)     --      Indenture dated as of June 15, 1992 of Heritage Media Services, Inc. ("HMSI")
                         to Bankers Trust Company(2)
        4(b)     --      Indenture dated as of October 1, 1992  of the registrant to Bank of  Montreal
                         Trust Company(3)
</TABLE>

                                      II-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<C>           <C>        <S>
        4(c)     --      Settlement  Rights  Agreement  dated  July  19,  1989  among  the registrant,
                         Actmedia, Inc.,  Citibank,  N.A. and  the  purchasers listed  on  Schedule  I
                         thereto(4)
        4(d)     --      Master  Equity  Registration  Rights Agreement,  dated  as of  July  19, 1989
                         between the registrant and various subscribers(4)
        4(e)     --      Form of  Equity  Subscription  Agreement  dated July  19,  1989  between  the
                         registrant and various subscribers(4)
        5        --      Opinion of Crouch & Hallett, L.L.P.(1)
       23(a)     --      Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick(1)
       23(b)     --      Consent of Crouch & Hallett. L.L.P. (included in opinion filed as Exhibit 5)
       24        --      Power of Attorney (included on page II-4)
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1)  Filed herewith.
(2)  Filed as an Exhibit to the registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-47953
     on Form S-2 and incorporated herein by reference.
(3)  Filed as an Exhibit to the registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-52062
     on Form S-2 and incorporated herein by reference.
(4)  Filed  as  an Exhibit  to the  registrant's  Form 10-K  for the  year ended
     December 31, 1989 and incorporated herein by reference.
</TABLE>

ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.

    (a)  The registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining  any
liability  under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Company's annual
report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual
report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be  a
new  Registration Statement relating  to the securities  offered herein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial  bona
fide offering thereof.

    (b)  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act  of 1933 may be permitted to  directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the provisions set  forth or described in Item 15  of
the  Registration Statement, or otherwise, the  registrant has been advised that
in the opinion of the Commission  such indemnification is against public  policy
as  expressed in the Act  and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a
claim for indemnification against  such liabilities (other  than the payment  by
the  registrant  of  expenses  incurred  or  paid  by  a  director,  officer, or
controlling person of the  registrant in the successful  defense of any  action,
suit,  or  proceeding) is  asserted by  such  director, officer,  or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant  will,
unless  in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a  court of appropriate  jurisdiction the question  whether
such  indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                      II-2
<PAGE>
    (c)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

        (1) For purposes of determining  any liability under the Securities  Act
    of  1933, the information omitted from the  form of prospectus filed as part
    of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
    form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4)
    or 497(h) under the  Securities Act of  1933 shall be deemed  to be part  of
    this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

        (2)  For the purpose  of determining any  liability under the Securities
    Act  of  1933,  each  post-effective  amendment  that  contains  a  form  of
    prospectus  shall be deemed  to be a new  registration statement relating to
    the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at  that
    time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

                                      II-3
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES

    Pursuant  to the requirements of the  Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has  reasonable grounds to  believe that it  meets all of  the
requirements  for  filing on  Form  S-3 and  has  duly caused  this Registration
Statement to  be  signed  on  its behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized  in the City  of Dallas and State  of Texas on the  8th day of March,
1994.

                                          HERITAGE MEDIA CORPORATION

                                          By: ______/s/__JOSEPH D. MAHAFFEY_____
                                                     Joseph D. Mahaffey
                                                EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND
                                                   CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

    Each of the  undersigned hereby  appoints David  N. Walthall  and Joseph  D.
Mahaffey,  and each  of them (with  full power  to act alone),  as attorneys and
agents for the  undersigned, with  full power of  substitution, for  and in  the
name,  place and stead of the undersigned,  to sign and file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 any and all  amendments
(including   post-effective  amendments)  and   exhibits  to  this  Registration
Statement and any and  all applications, instruments and  other documents to  be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pertaining to the registration
of  the  securities covered  hereby, with  full  power and  authority to  do and
perform any and all acts and things whatsoever requisite or desirable.

    Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of   the  Securities  Act  of  1933,   this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons and in the
capacities indicated on March 8, 1994.

<TABLE>
<C>                                             <S>
            /s/JAMES M. HOAK, JR.               Chairman of the Board and Director
              James M. Hoak, Jr.
             /s/DAVID N. WALTHALL               President and Director
              David N. Walthall                  (Principal Executive Officer)
            /s/JOSEPH D. MAHAFFEY               Executive Vice President and Director
              Joseph D. Mahaffey                 (Principal Financial Officer)
               /s/JAMES P. LEHR                 Vice President and Controller
                James P. Lehr                    (Principal Accounting Officer)
                                                Director
               James S. Cownie
                                                Director
               Clark A. Johnson
               /s/ALAN R. KAHN                  Director
                 Alan R. Kahn
              /s/JOSEPH M. GRANT                Director
               Joseph M. Grant
</TABLE>

                                      II-4

<PAGE>


                                                       Draft of March 9, 1994


                               3,145,000 SHARES

                          HERITAGE MEDIA CORPORATION



                             CLASS A COMMON STOCK
                               ($.01 par value)


                           UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT


                                                           _____, 1994


CS FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION,
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.,
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.,

    As Representatives of the Several Underwriters,
       c/o CS First Boston Corporation,
         Park Avenue Plaza,
           New York, N.Y. 10055.

Dear Sirs:

      1.  INTRODUCTORY.  The stockholders listed in Schedule A hereto (the
"Selling Stockholders") propose severally to sell to the several Underwriters
named in Schedule B hereto (the "Underwriters") 3,145,000 shares (the
"Securities") of the Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of
Heritage Media Corporation, an Iowa corporation (the "Company") (such 3,145,000
shares of the Securities being hereinafter referred to as the "U.S. Firm
Securities").  The Selling Stockholders also propose to grant to the
Underwriters and the Managers (as defined below) an option, exercisable by the
Representatives of the Underwriters, to purchase an aggregate of not more than
371,922 additional shares of the Securities (the "Optional Securities") as set
forth below and in Schedule A hereto.  The U.S. Firm Securities and the
Optional Securities that may be sold to the Underwriters (the "U.S. Optional
Securities") are herein collectively called the "U.S. Securities".  The shares
of the Securities to be sold by the Selling Stockholders will be issued by the
Company upon conversion by the Selling Stockholders of shares of the Class C
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (the "Outstanding Class
C Shares").

      It is understood that the Company is concurrently entering into a
Subscription Agreement, dated the date hereof (the "Subscription Agreement"),
with CS First Boston Limited ("CSFB"), Goldman Sachs International and
J.P. Morgan Securities Ltd. and the other managers named therein (the
"Managers") relating to the concurrent sale of 555,000 shares of the
Securities ("International Firm Securities", which together with the Optional
Securities that may be sold to the Managers by the Selling Stockholders (the
"International Optional Securities") are hereinafter called the "International
Securities")


<PAGE>

outside the United States and Canada (the "International Offering").  The U.S.
Securities and the International Securities are collectively referred to as
the "Offered Securities".  To provide for the coordination of their
activities, the Underwriters and the Managers have entered into an Agreement
Between the U.S. Underwriters and Managers which permits them, among other
things, to sell the Offered Securities to each other for purposes of resale.

      In connection therewith and in consideration of the matters set forth
herein, the Selling Stockholders and the Company hereby agree with the several
Underwriters as follows:

      2.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY AND THE SELLING
STOCKHOLDERS.  (a)  The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with,
the Selling Stockholders and the several Underwriters that:

         (i)    A registration statement (No. 33-       ) relating to the
      Offered Securities, including a form of prospectus relating to the U.S.
      Securities and a form of prospectus relating to the International
      Securities being offered in the International Offering, has been filed
      with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") and either
      (A) has been declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933 ("Act")
      and is not proposed to be amended or (B) is proposed to be amended by
      amendment or post-effective amendment. If the Company does not propose
      to amend such registration statement and if any post-effective amendment
      to such registration statement has been filed with the Commission prior
      to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the most recent such
      amendment has been declared effective by the Commission. For purposes of
      this Agreement, "Effective Time" means (A) if the Company has advised
      you that it does not propose to amend such registration statement, the
      date and time as of which such registration statement, or the most
      recent post-effective amendment thereto (if any) filed prior to the
      execution and delivery of this Agreement, was declared effective by the
      Commission, or (B) if the Company has advised you that it proposes to
      file an amendment or post-effective amendment to such registration
      statement, the date and time as of which such registration statement, as
      amended by such amendment or post-effective amendment, as the case may
      be, is declared effective by the Commission. "Effective Date" means the
      date of the Effective Time. Such registration statement, as amended at
      the Effective Time, including all material incorporated by reference
      therein and including all information (if any) deemed to be a part of
      such registration statement as of the Effective Time pursuant to Rule
      430A(b) under the Act, is hereinafter referred to as the "Registration
      Statement", and the form of prospectus relating to the U.S. Securities
      and the form of prospectus relating to the International Securities,
      each as first filed with the Commission pursuant to and in accordance
      with Rule 424(b) ("Rule 424(b)") under the Act or (if no such filing is
      required) as included in the Registration Statement, including all
      material incorporated by reference in each such prospectus, are
      hereinafter referred to as the "U.S. Prospectus" and the "International
      Prospectus", respectively, and collectively as the "Prospectuses".

         (ii)   If the Effective Time is prior to the execution and delivery of
      this Agreement:  (A) on the Effective Date, the Registration Statement
      conformed in all respects to the requirements of the Act and the rules
      and regulations of the Commission ("Rules and Regulations") and did not
      include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
      material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
      statements therein not misleading, and (B) on the date of this
      Agreement, the Registration Statement conforms, and at the time of
      filing of each of the Prospectuses pursuant to Rule 424(b), the
      Registration Statement and each of the Prospectuses




                                       -2-
<PAGE>

      will conform, in all respects to the requirements of the Act and the
      Rules and Regulations, and none of such documents includes, or will
      include, any untrue statement of a material fact or omits, or will omit,
      to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
      make the statements therein not misleading. If the Effective Time is
      subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement:  on the
      Effective Date, the Registration Statement and each of the Prospectuses
      will conform in all respects to the requirements of the Act and the
      Rules and Regulations, and none of such documents will include any
      untrue statement of a material fact or will omit to state any material
      fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
      therein not misleading. The two preceding sentences do not apply to
      statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or either of
      the Prospectuses based upon and in conformity with written information
      furnished to the Company by the Selling Stockholders or by any
      Underwriter through you or by any Manager through CSFB, in each case,
      specifically for use therein.

         (iii)  There are no contracts, agreements or understandings between
      the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the
      Company to file a registration statement under the Act with respect to
      any securities of the Company owned or to be owned by such person or to
      require the Company to include such securities in the securities
      registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or in any securities
      being registered pursuant to any other registration statement filed by
      the Company under the Act except for any such rights which have been
      waived by such person or which are being satisfied by the registration
      of the Offered Securities.

         (iv)   Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sustained
      since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or
      incorporated by reference in either of the Prospectuses any material
      loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or
      other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor
      dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than
      as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectuses; and, since the
      respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration
      Statement and the Prospectuses, there has not been any change in the
      capital stock, short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company or any
      of its subsidiaries or any material adverse change, or any development
      involving a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the
      general affairs, management, financial position, stockholders' equity or
      results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, otherwise
      than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectuses.

         (v)    The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title
      in fee simple to all real property and good and marketable title to all
      personal property owned by them, in each case, free and clear of all
      liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are described in the
      Prospectuses or such as do not materially affect the value of such
      property and do not interfere in any material respect with the use made
      and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its
      subsidiaries; and any real property and buildings held under lease by
      the Company and its subsidiaries are held by them under valid,
      subsisting and enforceable leases with the use made and proposed to be
      made of such property and buildings by the Company and its subsidiaries.

         (vi)   The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing
      as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Iowa,
      with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and
      conduct its business as described in the Prospectuses, and has been duly
      qualified as a foreign corporation for the transaction of business and
      is in good standing under




                                       -3-
<PAGE>

      the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases
      properties, or conducts any business, so as to require such
      qualification, or is subject to no material liability or disability by
      reason of the failure to be so qualified in any such jurisdiction; each
      subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
      existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of its
      jurisdiction of incorporation; and each such subsidiary is duly
      qualified to transact business as a foreign corporation and is in good
      standing in each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases property
      of a nature, or transacts business of a type, that would make such
      qualification necessary, or the Company is subject to no material
      liability or disability by reason of any failure of each such subsidiary
      to be so qualified.

         (vii)  The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in
      the Prospectuses, and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the
      Company, including the Outstanding Class C Shares, have been duly and
      validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and
      conform to the description thereof contained in the Prospectuses; and
      all of the issued shares of capital stock of each subsidiary of the
      Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid
      and non-assessable and (except for directors' qualifying shares and
      except as set forth in each of the Prospectuses) are owned directly or
      indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances,
      equities or claims.

         (viii) The unissued shares of the Securities to be issued upon
      conversion of the Outstanding Class C Shares and sold to the
      Underwriters hereunder and under the Subscription Agreement have been
      duly and validly authorized and, when issued and delivered upon such
      conversion, will be duly and validly issued and fully paid and
      non-assessable and will conform to the description thereof contained in
      the Prospectuses.

         (ix)   The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and
      the Subscription Agreement, the conversion of the Outstanding Class C
      Shares, the issuance of the Offered Securities, and the sale of the
      Offered Securities by the Selling Stockholders and the compliance by the
      Company and the Selling Stockholders with all of the provisions of this
      Agreement and the Subscription Agreement and the consummation of the
      transactions herein and therein contemplated will not conflict with or
      result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or
      constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
      agreement or other agreement or instrument (including, without
      limitation, any license or authorization granted by the Federal
      Communications Commission (the "FCC")) to which the Company or any of
      its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its
      subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the
      Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, nor will such action
      result in any violation of the provisions of the Certificate of
      Incorporation or By-laws of the Company or any statute or any order,
      rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having
      jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their
      properties; and no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration
      or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or
      body is required for the conversion of the Outstanding Class C Shares,
      the issuance of the Offered Securities, the sale of the Offered
      Securities or the consummation by the Company and the Selling
      Stockholders of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
      Subscription Agreement, except the registration under the Act of the
      Offered Securities, such consents, approvals, authorizations,
      registrations or qualifications as may be required under state
      securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and
      distribution of the Offered Securities by the Underwriters and




                                       -4-
<PAGE>

      the Managers, and such authorizations and approvals as may be required
      by the FCC, which have been obtained and which are in full force and
      effect.

         (x)    Other than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectuses,
      there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the
      Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any property
      of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would individually or in the
      aggregate have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial
      position, stockholders' equity or results of operations of the Company
      and its subsidiaries; and, to the best of the Company's knowledge, no
      such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental
      authorities or threatened by others.

         (xi)   The financial statements included and incorporated by reference
      in the Registration Statement present fairly (A) in the case of the
      consolidated financial statements, the consolidated financial position
      of the Company and its subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the
      consolidated results of operations and the cash flows of the Company and
      its subsidiaries for the periods specified and (B) in the case of the
      unconsolidated financial statements of the Company, the financial
      position of the Company as of the dates indicated and the results of
      operations and the cash flows of the Company for the periods specified.
      Such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with
      generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis
      throughout the periods involved.  The financial statement schedules
      incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement present fairly
      the information required to be stated therein.  The selected financial
      data included in the Prospectuses present fairly the information shown
      therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the
      audited consolidated financial statements included and incorporated by
      reference in the Registration Statement.

         (xii)  KPMG Peat Marwick, who have certified certain financial
      statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, are independent public
      accountants as required by the Act and the rules and regulations of the
      Commission thereunder.

         (xiii) This Agreement and the Subscription Agreement have been duly
      authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

         (xiv)  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in default
      in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant
      or condition in any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note,
      lease or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by
      which it may be bound or to which any of its properties may be subject,
      except for such defaults that would not have a material adverse effect
      on the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business affairs or
      business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as
      one enterprise.

         (xv)   The Company and its subsidiaries each own, possess or have
      obtained all material agreements, governmental licenses, permits,
      certificates, consents, orders, approvals and other




                                       -5-
<PAGE>

      authorizations necessary to own or lease, as the case may be, and to
      operate its properties and to carry on its business as presently
      conducted; each of the Company's and its subsidiaries' radio and
      television broadcast properties is being operated in substantial
      compliance with the terms and conditions of the licenses issued therefor
      by the FCC and with all statutes, regulations and governmental
      proceedings or matters involving federal communications laws and
      policies; and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries have
      received any notice of proceedings relating to revocation or
      modification of any such licenses, permits, certificates, consents,
      orders, approvals or authorizations.

         (xvi)  The Company and its subsidiaries each own or possess, or can
      acquire on reasonable terms adequate patent, patent licenses,
      trademarks, service marks and trade names necessary to carry on their
      businesses as presently conducted, and neither the Company nor any of
      its subsidiaries has received any notice of infringement of or conflict
      with asserted rights of others with respect to any patents, patent
      licenses, trademarks, service marks or trade names that in the
      aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding,
      could materially adversely affect the condition (financial or
      otherwise), earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the
      Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise.

      (b)  Each Selling Stockholder severally represents and warrants to, and
agrees with, the several Underwriters that:

         (i)    Such Selling Stockholder has valid and unencumbered title to
      the Outstanding Class C Shares in respect of which the Securities to be
      sold by such Selling Stockholder will be issued, and, on the Closing
      Date hereinafter mentioned will have, valid and unencumbered title to
      the Securities to be sold by such Selling Stockholder and full right,
      power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the Subscription
      Agreement, to convert the Outstanding Class C Shares and to sell,
      assign, transfer and deliver the Securities to be sold by such Selling
      Stockholder hereunder and thereunder; and upon the delivery of and
      payment for the Securities hereunder, the several Underwriters will
      acquire valid and unencumbered title to the shares of the Securities to
      be sold by such Selling Stockholder.

         (ii)   On the Effective Date and at the time of filing of each of the
      Prospectuses pursuant to Rule 424(b), the statements included in the
      Registration Statement and each of the Prospectuses based upon and in
      conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the
      Selling Stockholder specifically for use therein will not include any
      untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
      required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
      therein not misleading.

      3.  PURCHASE, SALE AND DELIVERY OF SECURITIES.  On the basis of the
representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but subject to
the terms and conditions herein set forth, each of the Selling Stockholders
agrees, severally and not jointly, to sell to the Underwriters, and each of
the Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from each
Selling Stockholder, at a purchase price of $            per share, the
respective number of shares of Securities set forth opposite the names of the
Underwriters in Schedule B hereto.

      The Selling Shareholders will deliver the U.S. Firm Securities to you
for the accounts of the several Underwriters, against payment of the purchase
price by certified or official bank check or checks in New York Clearing House
(next day) funds drawn to the order of each of the Selling Shareholders at




                                       -6-
<PAGE>

the office of Sullivan & Cromwell, 125 Broad Street, New York, New York, at
10:00 A.M., New York time, on                 , or at such other time not
later than seven full business days thereafter as you and the Selling
Shareholders determine, such time being herein referred to as the "First
Closing Date".  The certificates for the U.S. Firm Securities so to be
delivered will be in such denominations and registered in such names as you
request and will be made available for checking and packaging at the above
office of CS First Boston Corporation or, at the office of The Depositary
Trust Company, at a reasonable time in advance of the First Closing Date.

      In addition, upon written notice from you given to Selling Stockholders
and the Company not more than 30 days subsequent to the date of the initial
public offering of the Offered Securities, the Underwriters and the Managers
may purchase all or less than all of the Optional Securities, which in the
case of the Underwriters shall be at the purchase price per Security to be
paid for the U.S. Firm Securities.  Unless otherwise agreed between you and
CSFB, the Optional Securities to be so purchased by the Underwriters shall be
in the same proportion as the U.S. Firm Securities bear to the Firm
Securities. If the number of Optional Securities to be purchased is less than
or equal to the number of shares set forth opposite the name of HC Crown
Corp. in Schedule A hereto under the caption "Total Number of Optional
Securities to be Sold" then all of the Optional Securities shall be purchased
from HC Crown Corp. and HC Crown Corp. agrees to sell such shares; to the
extent the number of Optional Securities exceeds such amount, the balance
shall be purchased from Heritage Investments, Inc. and Heritage Investments,
Inc. agrees to sell such shares, up to the number of shares set forth opposite
its name in Schedule A hereto under the caption "Total Number of Optional
Securities to be Sold."  The U.S. Optional Securities shall be purchased for
the account of each Underwriter in the same proportion as the number of shares
of U.S. Firm Securities set forth opposite such Underwriter's name in Schedule
B hereto bears to the total number of shares of U.S. Firm Securities (subject to
adjustment by you to eliminate fractions) and may be purchased by the
Underwriters only for the purpose of covering over-allotments made in
connection with the sale of the U.S. Firm Securities.  No Optional Securities
shall be sold or delivered unless the U.S. Firm Securities and the
International Firm Securities previously have been, or simultaneously are,
sold and delivered.  The right to purchase the Optional Securities or any
portion thereof may be surrendered and terminated at any time upon notice by
you on behalf of Underwriters and the Managers to the Selling Stockholders.

      The time for the delivery of and payment for the U.S. Optional
Securities, being herein referred to as the "Second Closing Date", which may
be the First Closing Date (the First Closing Date and the Second Closing Date,
if any, being sometimes referred to as a "Closing Date"), shall be determined
by you but shall be not later than seven full business days after written
notice of election to purchase Optional Securities is given.  The Selling
Shareholders will deliver the U.S. Optional Securities to you for the accounts
of the several Underwriters, against payment of the purchase price therefor by
certified or official bank check or checks in New York Clearing House (next
day) funds drawn to the order of each of the Selling Stockholders, at the
above office of Sullivan & Cromwell. The certificates for the U.S. Optional
Securities will be in definitive form, in such denominations and registered in
such names as you request upon reasonable notice prior to the Second Closing
Date and will be made available for checking and packaging at the above office
of CS First Boston Corporation, at a reasonable time in advance of the Second
Closing Date.

      4.  OFFERING BY UNDERWRITERS.  It is understood that the several
Underwriters propose to offer the U.S. Securities for sale to the public as
set forth in the U.S. Prospectus.

      5.  CERTAIN AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS.
The Company covenants and agrees with the several Underwriters and the Selling
Stockholders that:



                                       -7-
<PAGE>

          (a)  If the Effective Time is prior to the execution and delivery
      of this Agreement, the Company will file each of the Prospectuses with
      the Commission pursuant to and in accordance with  subparagraph (1) (or,
      if applicable and if consented to by the several Underwriters,
      subparagraph (4)) of Rule 424(b) not later than the earlier of (A) the
      second business day following the execution and delivery of this
      Agreement or (B) the fifth business day after the Effective Date.  The
      Company will advise the several Underwriters promptly of any such filing
      pursuant to Rule 424(b).

          (b)  The Company will advise the several Underwriters promptly of
      any proposal to amend or supplement the registration statement as filed
      or the related prospectuses or the Registration Statement or either of
      the Prospectuses and will not effect such amendment or supplementation
      without the consent of the several Underwriters; and the Company will
      also advise the several Underwriters promptly of the effectiveness of
      the Registration Statement (if the Effective Time is subsequent to the
      execution and delivery of this Agreement) and of any amendment or
      supplementation of the Registration Statement or either of the
      Prospectuses and of the institution by the Commission of any stop order
      proceedings in respect of the Registration Statement and will use its
      best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order and to
      obtain as soon as possible its lifting, if issued.

          (c)  If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Offered
      Securities is required to be delivered under the Act, any event occurs
      as a result of which either or both of the Prospectuses as then amended
      or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or
      omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements
      therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made,
      not misleading, or if it is necessary at any time to amend either or
      both of the Prospectuses to comply with the Act, the Company promptly
      will prepare and file with the Commission an amendment or supplement
      which will correct such statement or omission or an amendment which will
      effect such compliance. Neither the consent of the several Underwriters
      to, nor the Underwriters' delivery of, any such amendment or supplement
      shall constitute a waiver of any of the conditions set forth in Section
      6.

          (d)  As soon as practicable, but not later than the Availability
      Date (as defined below), the Company will make generally available to
      its security-holders an earnings statement covering a period of at least
      12 months beginning after the Effective Date which will satisfy the
      provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act. For the purpose of the preceding
      sentence, "Availability Date" means the 45th day after the end of the
      fourth fiscal quarter following the fiscal quarter that includes the
      Effective Date, except that, if such fourth fiscal quarter is the last
      quarter of the Company's fiscal year, "Availability Date" means the 90th
      day after the end of such fourth fiscal quarter.

          (e)  The Company will furnish to the several Underwriters copies
      of the Registration Statement (four of which will be signed and will
      include all exhibits), each preliminary prospectus relating to the U.S.
      Securities, the U.S. Prospectus and all amendments and supplements to
      such documents, in each case as soon as available and in such quantities
      as the several Underwriters request.

          (f)  The Company will arrange for the qualification of the Offered
      Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as the several
      Underwriters designate and will continue such qualifications in effect
      so long as required for the distribution.



                                       -8-
<PAGE>

            (g)  During the period of five years hereafter, the Company will
      furnish to the Underwriters, as soon as practicable after the end of
      each fiscal year, a copy of its annual report to stockholders for such
      year; and the Company will furnish to the Underwriters (i) as soon as
      available, a copy of each report or definitive proxy statement of the
      Company filed with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of
      1934 or mailed to stockholders, and (ii) from time to time, such other
      information concerning the Company as the Underwriters may reasonably
      request.

          (h)  The Company will use its best efforts to list, subject to
      notice of issuance, the Offered Securities on the American Stock
      Exchange.

          (i)  The Company will pay all expenses incident to the performance
      of the obligations of the Company and the Selling Stockholders under
      this Agreement and will reimburse the Underwriters for any expenses
      (including fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred by them in
      connection with the qualification of the Offered Securities for sale
      under the laws of such jurisdictions as you designate and the printing
      of memoranda relating thereto, for the filing fee of the National
      Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. relating to the Offered
      Securities and for expenses incurred in distributing preliminary
      prospectuses and the Prospectuses (including any amendments and
      supplements thereto) to the Underwriters.

      Each of the Company and the Selling Stockholders agrees with the several
Underwriters that it will not offer, hypothecate, sell, agree to sell,
contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any additional shares of its Class A
Common Stock or any security convertible into or exchangeable for Class A
Common Stock without your prior written consent for a period of 90 days in the
case of the Selling Stockholders, and 60 days in the case of the Company, after
the date of each of the Prospectuses other than to the Underwriters or the
Managers pursuant to the Underwriting and Subscription Agreements and other
than (a) pursuant to any employee stock option plan, stock ownership plan,
stock bonus plan, stock compensation plan, dividend reinvestment plan of the
Company in effect on the date of the Prospectuses, (b) issuances of Class A
Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of securities or the exercise of
warrants (if any) outstanding at the date of the Prospectuses and (c)
issuances of Class A Common Stock or Class C Common Stock issuable pursuant to
the exercise of Settlement Rights.

      Each Selling Stockholder agrees with the several Underwriters that it
will deliver to you on or prior to the Closing Date a properly completed and
executed United States Treasury Department Form W-9 (or other applicable form
or statement specified by Treasury Department regulations in lieu thereof).

      Notwithstanding the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement,
dated as of February 28, 1992, between the Company and Heritage Investments,
Inc. ("HHI") and the Master Equity Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of
July 19, 1989, among the Company and the stockholders identified therein,
including HC Crown Corp. ("HC Crown") relating the priority of participation
among stockholders, the Selling Stockholders agree to the allocation of the
U.S. Firm Securities and the Optional Securities as set forth in Schedule A
hereto and of the International Firm Securities and the International Optional
Securities set forth in Schedule A of the Subscription Agreement.

      6.  CONDITIONS OF THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE UNDERWRITERS.  The
obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the U.S. Firm
Securities on the First Closing Date and the U.S. Optional Securities on the
Second Closing Date will be subject to the accuracy of the representations and
warranties on the part of the Company and the Selling Stockholders herein, to
the accuracy of the statements of Company officers made pursuant to the
provisions hereof, to the performance by the




                                       -9-
<PAGE>

Company and the Selling Stockholders of their obligations hereunder and to the
following additional conditions precedent:

          (a)  You shall have received a letter, dated the date of delivery
      thereof (which, if the Effective Time is prior to the execution and
      delivery of this Agreement, shall be on or prior to the date of this
      Agreement or, if the Effective Time is subsequent to the execution and
      delivery of this Agreement, shall be prior to the filing of the
      amendment or post-effective amendment to the registration statement to
      be filed shortly prior to the Effective Time), of KPMG Peat Marwick
      confirming that they are independent public accountants within the
      meaning of the Act and the applicable published Rules and Regulations
      thereunder and stating in effect that:

                (i)    in their opinion the financial statements and schedules
            examined by them and included or incorporated in the Registration
            Statement comply in form in all material respects with the
            applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the related
            published Rules and Regulations;

                (ii)   on the basis of a reading of the latest available interim
            financial statements of the Company, inquiries of officials of the
            Company who have responsibility for financial and accounting
            matters and other specified procedures, nothing came to their
            attention that caused them to believe that:

                       (A)  at the date of the latest available balance sheet
                  read by such accountants, or at a subsequent specified date
                  not more than five days prior to the date of this Agreement,
                  there was any change in the capital stock or any increase in
                  short-term indebtedness or long-term debt of the Company and
                  its subsidiaries consolidated or, at the date of the latest
                  available balance sheet read by such accountants, there was
                  any decrease in consolidated net current assets or net
                  assets, as compared with amounts shown on the latest balance
                  sheet included in the Prospectuses; or

                       (B)  for the period from the closing date of the
                  latest income statement included in the Prospectuses to the
                  closing date of the latest available income statement read
                  by such accountants there were any decreases, as compared
                  with the corresponding period of the previous year and with
                  the period of corresponding length ended the date of the
                  latest income statement in the Prospectuses, in consolidated
                  net sales or net operating income or in the total or per
                  share amounts of consolidated income before extraordinary
                  items or net income;

            except in all cases set forth in clauses (A) and (B) above for
            changes, increases or decreases which the Prospectuses discloses
            have occurred or may occur or which are described in such letter;
            and

                (iii)  they have compared specified dollar amounts (or
            percentages derived from such dollar amounts) and other financial
            information contained or incorporated in the Registration Statement
            (in each case to the extent that such dollar amounts, percentages
            and other financial information are derived from the general
            accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries subject to
            the internal controls of the Company's accounting system or are
            derived directly from such records by analysis or computation)
            with the results obtained




                                      -10-
<PAGE>

            from inquiries, a reading of such general accounting records and
            other procedures specified in such letter and have found such
            dollar amounts, percentages and other financial information to be
            in agreement with such results, except as otherwise specified in
            such letter.

      For purposes of this subsection, if the Effective Time is subsequent to
      the execution and delivery of this Agreement, "Registration Statement"
      shall mean the registration statement as proposed to be amended by the
      amendment or post-effective amendment to be filed shortly prior to the
      Effective Time, and "Prospectuses" shall mean the prospectuses included
      in the Registration Statement. All financial statements and schedules
      included in material incorporated by reference into the Prospectuses
      shall be deemed included in the Registration Statement for purposes of
      this subsection.

          (b)  If the Effective Time is not prior to the execution and
      delivery of this Agreement, the Effective Time shall have occurred not
      later than 10:00 P.M., New York time, on the date of this Agreement or
      such later date as shall have been consented to by you. If the Effective
      Time is prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, each of
      the Prospectuses shall have been filed with the Commission in accordance
      with the Rules and Regulations and Section 5(a) of this Agreement. Prior
      to such Closing Date, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
      Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for
      that purpose shall have been instituted or, to the knowledge of any
      Selling Stockholder, the Company or you, shall be contemplated by the
      Commission.

          (c)  Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
      there shall not have occurred (i) any change, or any development
      involving a prospective change, in or affecting particularly the
      business or properties of the Company or its subsidiaries which, in the
      judgment of a majority in interest of the Underwriters including you,
      materially impairs the investment quality of the Securities; (ii) any
      downgrading in the rating of any debt securities of the Company by any
      "nationally recognized statistical rating organization" (as defined for
      purposes of Rule 436(g) under the Act), or any public announcement that
      any such organization has under surveillance or review its rating of any
      debt securities of the Company (other than an announcement with positive
      implications of a possible upgrading, and no implication of a possible
      downgrading, of such rating); (iii) any suspension or limitation of
      trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange or the
      American Stock Exchange, or any setting of minimum prices for trading on
      such exchange, or any suspension of trading of any securities of the
      Company on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market; (iv) any
      banking moratorium declared by Federal or New York authorities; or (v)
      any outbreak or escalation of major hostilities in which the United
      States is involved, any declaration of war by Congress or any other
      substantial national or international calamity or emergency if, in the
      judgment of a majority in interest of the Underwriters including you,
      the effect of any such outbreak, escalation, declaration, calamity or
      emergency makes it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with completion
      of the sale of and payment for the U.S. Securities.

          (d)  You shall have received an opinion, dated such Closing Date,
      of Crouch & Hallett, L.L.P., counsel for the Company, to the effect
      that:



                                      -11-
<PAGE>

                (i)    The Company has been duly incorporated and is an existing
            corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Iowa,
            with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its
            properties and conduct its business as described in the
            Prospectuses;

                (ii)   The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth
            in the Prospectuses, the Offered Securities and all other
            outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company have
            been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and
            nonassessable, conform to the description thereof contained in the
            Prospectuses, and are listed on the American Stock Exchange and
            registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and the
            stockholders of the Company have no preemptive rights with respect
            to the Offered Securities;

                (iii)  Each subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated
            and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under
            the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation; and all of the
            issued shares of capital stock of each such subsidiary have been
            duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and
            non-assessable, and (except for directors' qualifying shares and
            except as otherwise set forth in the Prospectuses) are owned
            directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all
            liens, encumbrances, equities or claims except as otherwise set
            forth or contemplated in the Prospectuses (such counsel being
            entitled to rely in respect of the opinion in this clause upon
            opinions of local counsel and in respect of matters of fact upon
            certificates of officers of the Company or its subsidiaries,
            provided that such counsel shall state that they believe that both
            you and they are justified in relying upon such opinions and
            certificates);

                (iv)   To the best of such counsel's knowledge and other than as
            set forth in the Prospectuses, there are no legal or governmental
            proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its
            subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company or
            any of its subsidiaries is the subject which, if determined
            adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would
            individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on
            the consolidated financial position, stockholders' equity or
            results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries; and, to
            the best of such counsel's knowledge, no such proceedings are
            threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities or
            threatened by others;

                (v)    This Agreement and the Subscription Agreement have been
            duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;

                (vi)   There are no contracts, agreements or understandings
            known to such counsel between the Company and any person granting
            such person the right to require the Company to file a
            registration statement under the Act with respect to any
            securities of the Company owned or to be owned by such person or
            to require the Company to include such securities in the
            securities registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or in
            any securities being registered pursuant to any other registration
            statement filed by the Company under the Act except for any such
            rights which have been waived by such person or which are being
            satisfied by the registration of the Offered Securities;

                (vii)  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
            and the Subscription Agreement and the consummation of the
            transactions herein and therein




                                      -12-
<PAGE>

            contemplated will not conflict with or result in a breach or
            violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a
            default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
            agreement or other agreement or instrument known to such counsel
            to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by
            which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which
            any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its
            subsidiaries is subject, nor will such action result in any
            violation of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or
            By-laws of the Company or any statute or any order, rule or
            regulation known to such counsel of any court or governmental
            agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its
            subsidiaries or any of their properties;

                (viii) No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration
            or qualification of or with any court or governmental agency or
            body is required for the sale of the Offered Securities or the
            consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by
            this Agreement and the Subscription Agreement, except the
            registration under the Act of the Securities, such consents,
            approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may
            be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection
            with the purchase and distribution of the Offered Securities by
            the Underwriters and the Managers, and such authorizations and
            approvals as may be required by the FCC;

                (ix)   The documents incorporated by reference in the
            Prospectuses (other than the financial statements and related
            schedules therein, as to which such counsel need express no
            opinion), when they were filed with the Commission, complied as to
            form in all material respects with the requirements of the
            Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
            thereunder; and they have no reason to believe that any of such
            documents, when such documents were so filed, contained an untrue
            statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
            necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
            the circumstances under which they were made when such documents
            were so filed, not misleading;

                (x)    The statements contained in the Prospectuses under the
            captions "Description of Capital Stock" and "Underwriting" are
            accurate, complete and fair insofar as they relate to documents
            therein described; and

                (xi)  The Registration Statement and the Prospectuses and any
            further amendments and supplements thereto made by the Company
            prior to such Closing Date (other than the financial statements
            and related schedules therein, as to which such counsel need
            express no opinion) comply as to form in all material respects
            with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations
            thereunder; they have no reason to believe that, as of its
            effective date, the Registration Statement or any further
            amendment thereto made by the Company prior to such Closing Date
            (other than the statements contained in the Prospectuses under the
            captions "Description of Capital Stock" and "Underwriting", as to
            which such counsel need express only the opinion set forth in
            paragraph (x) of this Section 6(d), and other than the financial
            statements and related statements and related




                                      -13-
<PAGE>

            schedules therein, as to which such counsel need express no
            opinion) contained an untrue statement of a material fact or
            omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
            necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or that,
            as of their respective dates, the Prospectuses or any further
            amendment or supplement thereto made by the Company prior to such
            Closing Date (other than the statements contained in the
            Prospectuses under the captions "Description of Capital Stock" and
            "Underwriting", as to which such counsel need express only the
            opinion set forth in paragraph (x) of this Section 6(d), and other
            than the financial statements and related schedules therein, as to
            which such counsel need express no opinion) contained an untrue
            statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
            necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
            circumstances in which they were made, not misleading or that, as
            of such Closing Date, either the Registration Statement or the
            Prospectuses or any further amendment or supplement thereto made
            by the Company prior to such Closing Date (other than the
            statements contained in the Prospectuses under the captions
            "Description of Capital Stock" and "Underwriting", as to which
            such counsel need express only the opinion set forth in paragraph
            (x) of this Section 6(d), and other than the financial statements
            and related schedules therein, as to which such counsel need
            express no opinion) contains an untrue statement of a material
            fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the
            statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they
            were made, not misleading; and they do not know of any amendment
            to the Registration Statement required to be filed or of any
            contracts or other documents of a character required to be filed
            as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or required to be
            incorporated by reference into the Prospectuses or required to be
            described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectuses which
            are not filed or incorporated by reference or described as
            required.

            In rendering such opinion, such counsel may state that they
      express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction outside the United
      States and that, with respect to all matters of Iowa law, they have
      relied upon the opinion delivered to you pursuant to paragraph (e) of
      this Section 6, provided that such counsel shall state that they believe
      that both you and they are justified in relying upon such opinion for
      such matters;

            (e)  You shall have received an opinion, dated such Closing Date,
      of Wayne Kern, Senior Vice President and Secretary of the Company, to
      the effect that:

                (i)    The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
            existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the
            State of Iowa, with power and authority (corporate and other) to
            own its properties and conduct its business as described in the
            Prospectuses;

                (ii)   The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth
            in the Prospectuses, and all of the issued shares of capital stock
            of the Company (including the Securities being delivered at such
            Closing Date) have been duly and validly authorized and issued and
            are fully paid and non-assessable; and the Offered Securities
            conform to the description thereof contained in the Prospectuses;

                (iii)  The Company has been duly qualified as a foreign
            corporation for the transaction of business and is in good
            standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction




                                      -14-
<PAGE>

            in which it owns or leases properties, or conducts any business,
            so as to require such qualification, or is subject to no material
            liability or disability by reason of the failure to be so
            qualified in any such jurisdiction (such counsel being entitled to
            rely in respect of the opinion in this clause upon opinions of
            local counsel and in respect of matters of fact upon certificates
            of officers of the Company, provided that such counsel shall state
            that he believes that you and he are justified in relying upon
            such opinions and certificates);

                (iv)   Each subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated
            and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under
            the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation; and all of the
            issued shares of capital stock of each such subsidiary have been
            duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and
            non-assessable, and (except for directors' qualifying shares and
            except as otherwise set forth in the Prospectuses) are owned
            directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all
            liens, encumbrances, equities or claims except as otherwise set
            forth or contemplated in the Prospectuses (such counsel being
            entitled to rely in respect of the opinion in this clause upon
            opinions of local counsel and in respect of matters of fact upon
            certificates of officers of the Company or its subsidiaries,
            provided that such counsel shall state that he believes that both
            you and he are justified in relying upon such opinions and
            certificates);

                (v)    The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable
            title in fee simple to all real property owned by them, in each
            case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except
            such as are described in the Prospectuses or such as do not
            materially affect the value of such property and do not interfere
            in any material respect with the use made and proposed to be made
            of such property by the Company and its subsidiaries; and any real
            property and buildings held under lease by the Company and its
            subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and
            enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do
            not interfere in any material respect with the use made and
            proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company
            and its subsidiaries (in giving the opinion in this clause, such
            counsel may state that no examination of record titles for the
            purpose of such opinion has been made, and that he is relying upon
            a general review of the titles of the Company and its
            subsidiaries, upon opinions of local counsel and abstracts,
            reports and policies of title companies rendered or issued at or
            subsequent to the time of acquisition of such property by the
            Company or its subsidiaries, upon opinions of counsel to the
            lessors of such property and, in respect of matters of fact, upon
            certificates of officers of the Company or its subsidiaries,
            provided that such counsel shall state that he believes that both
            you and he are justified in relying upon such opinions, abstracts,
            reports, policies and certificates). The Company and each of its
            subsidiaries own, or possess adequate rights to use, all patents,
            trademarks, service marks and rights material to them, taken as a
            whole, necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses as
            described in the Prospectuses;

                (vi)   To the best of such counsel's knowledge and other than as
            set forth in the Prospectuses, there are no legal or governmental
            proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its
            subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company or
            any of its subsidiaries is the subject which, if determined
            adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would
            individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on
            the consolidated financial position, stockholders' equity or
            results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries; and, to
            the best of such counsel's knowledge, no




                                      -15-
<PAGE>

            such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental
            authorities or threatened by others;

                (vii)  This Agreement and the Subscription Agreement have been
            duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;

                (viii) The sale of the Offered Securities being delivered at
            such Closing Date by the Selling Stockholders and the compliance
            by the Company with all of the provisions of this Agreement and
            the Subscription Agreement and the consummation of the
            transactions herein and therein contemplated will not conflict
            with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or
            provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture,
            mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or
            instrument (including, without limitation, any license or
            authorization granted by the FCC) known to such counsel to which
            the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the
            Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the
            property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
            subject, nor will such action result in any violation of the
            provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the
            Company or any statute or any order, rule or regulation known to
            such counsel of any court or governmental agency or body having
            jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of
            their properties;

                (ix)   No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration
            or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency
            or body is required for the sale of the Offered Securities or the
            consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by
            this Agreement and the Subscription Agreement, except the
            registration under the Act of the Securities, such consents,
            approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may
            be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection
            with the purchase and distribution of the Offered Securities by
            the Underwriters and the Managers, and such authorizations and
            approvals as may be required by the FCC, which have been obtained
            and are in full force and effect; and

                (x)    Each of the Company and its subsidiaries own, possess or
            have obtained all material agreements, governmental licenses,
            permits, certificates, consents, orders, approvals and other
            authorizations necessary to own or lease, as the case may be, and
            to operate its properties and to carry on its business as
            presently conducted; each of the Company's and its subsidiaries'
            radio and television broadcast properties is being operated in
            substantial compliance with the terms and conditions of the
            licenses issued therefor by the FCC and with all statutes,
            regulations and governmental proceedings or matters involving
            federal communications laws and policies; and neither the Company
            nor any of its subsidiaries have received any notice of
            proceedings relating to revocation or modification of any such
            licenses, permits, certificates, consents, orders, approvals or
            authorizations.

            In rendering such opinion, such counsel may state that he
      expresses no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction outside the
      United States and that, with respect to all matters of New York and
      Texas law, he has relied upon the opinion delivered to you pursuant to
      paragraph (d) of this Section 6.



                                     -16-
<PAGE>

            (f)  You shall have received an opinion, dated the Closing Date,
      of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, special regulatory counsel for the
      Company, to the effect that:

                (i)    The Company and its subsidiaries have such licenses and
            authorizations from the FCC and other governmental authorities as
            are necessary to own their radio and television broadcast
            properties and to conduct their broadcasting business in the
            manner described in the Prospectus, and such licenses and
            authorizations contain no materially burdensome restrictions not
            adequately described in the Registration Statement and the
            Prospectuses;

                (ii)   No authorization or approval of the FCC is required in
            connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated
            by this Agreement, the Subscription Agreement or the Prospectuses,
            except for those as have been obtained, which are in full force
            and effect;

                (iii)  The statements in the Prospectuses under the captions
            "Business -- Television" and "-- Radio" or in the Company's
            1993 Form 10-K under the captions "BROADCASTING" and "RADIO"
            insofar as they are, or relate to, statutes, regulations and
            governmental proceedings or matters involving federal
            communications laws and policies and the impact thereof on the
            business in which the Company and its subsidiaries operate, have
            been prepared or reviewed by such counsel and are correct and
            complete descriptions thereof and fairly represent the
            communications laws and policies applicable to the Company and its
            subsidiaries as disclosed in the Prospectuses; and the
            descriptions in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses of
            all radio and television broadcast licenses and authorizations
            held by the Company and its subsidiaries are accurate in all
            material respects and fairly present the information shown and
            required to be shown; and

                (iv)   To the best of such counsel's knowledge and other than as
            set forth in the Prospectuses, there are no legal, governmental or
            other proceedings pending involving communications laws and
            policies to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a
            party or to which the radio and television broadcast properties or
            broadcast licenses of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
            subject; and, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, no such
            proceedings are threatened or contemplated by the FCC or other
            governmental authorities or threatened by others.

            (g)  The several Underwriters and the Company shall have received
      an opinion, dated such Closing Date, of ____________, counsel for HC
      Crown Corp. and ____________, counsel for Heritage Investments, Inc., to
      the effect that:

                (i)    Such Selling Stockholder had valid and unencumbered title
            to the shares of Securities sold by such Selling Stockholder and
            had full right, power and authority to sell, assign, transfer and
            deliver such shares of Securities hereunder; and the several
            Underwriters have acquired valid and unencumbered title to the
            shares of Securities purchased by them hereunder;

                (ii)   No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or
            filing with, any governmental agency or body or any court is
            required to be obtained or made by such Selling




                                     -17-
<PAGE>

            Stockholder for the consummation of the transactions contemplated
            by this Agreement and the Subscription Agreement in connection
            with the sale of the Securities, except such as have been obtained
            and made under the Act such as may be required under state
            securities laws and such as may be required by the FCC;

                (iii)  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
            and the Subscription Agreement by such Selling Stockholder and the
            consummation by such Selling Stockholder of the transactions
            herein and therein contemplated will not result in a breach or
            violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a
            default under, any statute, any rule, regulation or order of any
            governmental agency or body or any court having jurisdiction over
            such Selling Stockholder or any of its properties or any agreement
            or instrument to which such Selling Stockholder is a party or by
            which such Selling Stockholder is bound or to which any of the
            properties of such Selling Stockholder is subject, or the charter
            or by-laws of such Selling Stockholder which is a corporation; and

                (iv)   This Agreement and the Subscription Agreement have been
            duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Selling
            Stockholder.

            (h)  You shall have received from Sullivan & Cromwell, counsel for
      the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated such Closing Date,
      with respect to the incorporation of the Company, the validity of the
      Offered Securities delivered on such Closing Date, the Registration
      Statement, the Prospectuses and other related matters as you may
      require, and the Selling Stockholders and the Company shall have
      furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for the purpose
      of enabling them to pass upon such matters. In rendering such opinion,
      Sullivan & Cromwell may rely as to all matters governed by Texas law
      upon the opinion of Crouch & Hallett, L.L.P. referred to in paragraph
      (d) of this Section 7 and as to all matters governed by Iowa law upon
      the opinion of Wayne Kern referred to in paragraph (e) of this Section 7.

            (i)  You shall have received a certificate, dated such Closing
      Date, of the President or any Vice-President and a principal financial
      or accounting officer of the Company in which such officers, to the best
      of their knowledge after reasonable investigation, shall state that the
      representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement and the
      Subscription Agreement are true and correct, that the Company has
      complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to
      be performed or satisfied hereunder or thereunder at or prior to such
      Closing Date, that no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
      Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that
      purpose have been instituted or are contemplated by the Commission and
      that, subsequent to the respective dates of the most recent financial
      statements in the Prospectuses, there has been no material adverse
      change in the financial position or results of operations of the Company
      and its subsidiaries except as set forth in or contemplated by the
      Prospectuses or as described in such certificate.

            (j)  You shall have received a letter, dated the Closing Date, of
      KPMG Peat Marwick which meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this
      Section, except that the specified date referred to in such subsection
      will be a date not more than five days prior to the Closing Date for the
      purposes of this subsection.



                                     -18-
<PAGE>

            (k)  On such Closing Date, the Managers shall have purchased the
      International Firm Securities or the International Optional Securities,
      as the case may be, pursuant to the Subscription Agreement.

The Selling Stockholders and the Company will furnish you with such conformed
copies of such opinions, certificates, letters and documents as you reasonably
request.

      7.  INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION.  (a)  The Company will indemnify
and hold harmless each Underwriter against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, joint or several, to which such Underwriter may become subject,
under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in
the Registration Statement, either of the Prospectuses, or any amendment or
supplement thereto, or any related preliminary prospectus, or arise out of or
are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, and will reimburse each Underwriter for any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter in connection with
investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action
as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Company will not be
liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or
liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement in or omission or alleged omission from any of such documents in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company by any Underwriter through you specifically for use therein.

      (b)  The Selling Stockholders will severally indemnify and hold harmless
each Underwriter against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or
several, to which such Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions
in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Registration
Statement, either of the Prospectuses, or any amendment or supplement thereto,
or any related preliminary prospectus, or arise out of or are based upon the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in
each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by
such Selling Stockholder specifically for use therein, and will reimburse each
Underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such
Underwriter in connection with investigating or defending any such loss,
claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred.

      (c)  Each Underwriter will severally indemnify and hold harmless the
Company and each Selling Stockholder against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities to which the Company or such Selling Stockholder may become subject,
under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in
the Registration Statement, either of the Prospectuses, or any amendment or
supplement thereto, or any related preliminary prospectus, or arise out of or
are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the
extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through you
specifically for use therein, and will reimburse the Company and each Selling
Stockholder for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company
or such Selling Stockholder in




                                     -19-
<PAGE>

connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage,
liability or action as such expenses are incurred.

      (d)  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section
of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a
claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under
subsection (a), (b) or (c) of this Section, notify the indemnifying party of
the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party
will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified
party otherwise than under subsection (a), (b) or (c) of this Section. In case
any such action is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies an
indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be
entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly
with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense
thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not,
except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the
indemnifying party), and after notice from the indemnifying party to such
indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the
indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this
Section for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable
costs of investigation.  No indemnifying party shall, without the prior
written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending
or threatened action in respect of which any indemnified party is or could
have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such
indemnified party unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of
such indemnified party from all liability on any claims that are the subject
matter of such action.

      (e)  If the indemnification provided for in this Section is unavailable
or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a),
(b) or (c) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount
paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims,
damages or liabilities referred to in subsection (a), (b) or (c) above (i) as
between the Company and the Selling Stockholder on the one hand and the
Underwriters on the other, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative benefits received by the Selling Stockholder on the one hand and the
Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Securities or (ii) if the
allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in
such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits
referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and
the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in
connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations.  The relative benefits received by the Selling Stockholder on
the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the
same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering of the U.S.
Securities (before deducting expenses) received by the Selling Stockholder
bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the
Underwriters.  The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among
other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
information supplied by the Company, the Selling Stockholder, or the
Underwriters and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or
omission.  The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of the losses,
claims, damages or liabilities referred to in the first sentence of this
subsection (e) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating
or defending any action or claim which is the subject of this subsection (e).
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (e), no Underwriter shall be
required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total
price at which the shares of the U.S. Securities underwritten by it and
distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any
damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been




                                     -20-
<PAGE>

required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or
omission or alleged omission.  No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be
entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.  The Underwriters' obligations in this subsection (e) to
contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting
obligations and not joint.

      (f)  The obligations of the Company, the Selling Stockholders and the
several Underwriters under this Section shall be in addition to any liability
which the Company, the Selling Stockholders or the several Underwriters may
otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each
director of the Company, to each officer of the Company who has signed the
Registration Statement and to each person, if any, who controls the Company
within the meaning of the Act, to each director of the Selling Stockholders
and to each person, if any, who controls the Selling Stockholder within the
meaning of the Act, and to each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter
within the meaning of the Act.

      8.  DEFAULT OF UNDERWRITERS.  If any Underwriter or Underwriters
default in their obligations to purchase U.S. Securities hereunder on either
the First or Second Closing Date and the aggregate number of shares of U.S.
Securities that such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed
to purchase does not exceed 10% of the total number of U.S. Securities that
the Underwriters are obligated to purchase on such Closing Date, you may make
arrangements satisfactory to the Selling Stockholders for the purchase of such
U.S. Securities by other persons, including any of the Underwriters, but if no
such arrangements are made by such Closing Date the non-defaulting
Underwriters shall be obligated severally, in proportion to their respective
commitments hereunder, to purchase the U.S. Securities that such defaulting
Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase on such Closing Date. If any
Underwriter or Underwriters so default and the aggregate number of shares of
U.S. Securities with respect to which such default or defaults occur exceeds
10% of the total number of U.S. Securities that the Underwriters are obligated
to purchase on such Closing Date and arrangements satisfactory to you and the
Selling Stockholders for the purchase of such U.S. Securities by other persons
are not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement will terminate
without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Selling
Stockholders, except as provided in Section 9 (provided that if such default
occurs with respect to the U.S. Optional Securities after the First Closing
Date, this Agreement will not terminate as to the U.S. Firm Securities). As
used in this Agreement, the term "Underwriter" includes any person substituted
for an Underwriter under this Section. Nothing herein will relieve a
defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

      9.  SURVIVAL OF CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS.  The
respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other
statements of the Selling Stockholders, of the Company or its officers and of
the several Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will
remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation, or statement
as to the results thereof, made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, any
Selling Stockholder, the Company or any of their respective representatives,
officers or directors or any controlling person, and will survive delivery of
and payment for the U.S. Securities. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant
to Section 8 or if for any reason the purchase of the U.S. Securities by the
Underwriters is not consummated, the Selling Stockholders shall remain
responsible for the expenses to be paid or reimbursed by them pursuant to
Section 5 and the respective obligations of the Selling Stockholders and the
Underwriters under Section 7 shall remain in effect. If the purchase of the
U.S. Securities by the Underwriters is not consummated for any reason other
than solely because of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8
or the occurrence of any event specified in clause (iii), (iv) or (v) of
Section 6(c), the Selling Stockholders will, jointly and




                                     -21-
<PAGE>

severally, reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket expenses
(including fees and disbursements of counsel) reasonably incurred by them in
connection with the offering of the U.S. Securities.

      10.  NOTICES.  All communications hereunder will be in writing and, if
sent to the Underwriters, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and
confirmed to you, c/o CS First Boston Corporation, Park Avenue Plaza, New
York, N.Y. 10055, Attention:  Investment Banking Department - New Issue
Processing Group, or, if sent to the Company, will be mailed, delivered or
telegraphed and confirmed to it at 13355 Noel Road, Suite 1500, Dallas, Tx
75240, Attention:  Secretary, or, if sent to the Selling Stockholders,
or either of them, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and
confirmed to both Heritage Investments, Inc. at _________________ and to
HC Crown Corp. at ________________; provided, however, that any notice to an
Underwriter pursuant to Section 7 will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and
confirmed to such Underwriter.

      11.  SUCCESSORS.  This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the
officers and directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 7, and
no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

      12.  REPRESENTATION.  You will act for the several Underwriters in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and any
action under this Agreement taken by you jointly or by CS First Boston
Corporation will be binding upon all the Underwriters.

      13.  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement.

      14.  APPLICABLE LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.



                                     -22-
<PAGE>

      If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our
agreement, kindly sign and return to us one of the counterparts hereof,
whereupon it will become a binding agreement among the Selling Stockholders,
the Company and the several Underwriters in accordance with its terms.


                                    Very truly yours,


                                          HC CROWN CORP.


                                          By

                                             -------------------------


                                          HERITAGE INVESTMENTS, INC.



                                          By
                                             -------------------------


                                          HERITAGE MEDIA CORPORATION


                                          By
                                             -------------------------


The foregoing Underwriting Agreement
   is hereby confirmed and accepted as of
   the date first above written.


      CS FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION,
      GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.,
      J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.,
        Acting on behalf of themselves and
          as the Representatives of the
          several Underwriters.


      By  CS FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION


            By

               ---------------------------
               Acting on behalf of itself
               and as the Representatives
               of the Several Underwriters




                                     -23-
<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE A

<TABLE>

<CAPTION>
                                             TOTAL NUMBER OF    TOTAL NUMBER OF
                                               U.S. FIRM           OPTIONAL
                                               SECURITIES      SECURITIES TO BE
SELLING STOCKHOLDER                            TO BE SOLD            SOLD
- -------------------                          ---------------   ----------------
<S>                                          <C>               <C>
HC Crown Corp...............................   2,113,330           249,931

Heritage Investments, Inc...................   1,031,670           121,991



















                                              -----------          -------

       Total                                   3,145,000           371,922
                                              -----------          -------
                                              -----------          -------
</TABLE>






<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE B


<TABLE>

<CAPTION>
                                               TOTAL NUMBER OF
                                                  U.S. FIRM
                                                 SECURITIES
UNDERWRITER                                    TO BE PURCHASED
- -----------                                    ---------------
<S>                                            <C>
CS First Boston Corporation.................

Goldman, Sachs & Co.........................

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc..................




















                                               ---------------

       Total                                    3,145,000
                                               ---------------
                                               ---------------
</TABLE>









<PAGE>


                                                        DRAFT OF MARCH 9, 1994


                              555,000 SHARES

                         HERITAGE MEDIA CORPORATION



                            CLASS A COMMON STOCK
                              ($.01 par value)


                           SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

                                                                 London, England
                                                           _______________, 1994




TO:   CS FIRST BOSTON LIMITED
      GOLDMAN SACHS INTERNATIONAL
      J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LTD.


C/O:  CS First Boston Limited ("CSFB")
      2A Great Titchfield Street
      London W1P 7AA

Dear Sirs:

      The stockholders listed in Schedule A hereto (the "Selling
Stockholders") propose severally to sell  to the several Managers named in
Schedule B hereto (the "Managers") 555,000 shares (the "Securities") of the
Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of Heritage Media Corporation,
an Iowa corporation (the "Company") (such 555,000 shares of the Securities being
hereinafter referred to as the "International Firm Securities"). The Selling
Stockholders also propose to grant to the U.S. Underwriters (as defined below)
and the Managers an option, exercisable by the U.S. Representatives (as
defined below), to purchase an aggregate of not more than 371,922 additional
shares of Securities (the "Optional Securities") as set forth below and in
Schedule A hereto. The International Firm Securities and the Optional
Securities that may be sold to the U.S. Underwriters (the "International
Optional Securities") are herein collectively called the "International
Securities". The shares of the Securities to be sold by the Selling
Stockholders will be issued by the Company upon conversion by the Selling
Stockholders of shares of the Class C Common Stock, par value $.01 per share,
of the Company (the "Outstanding Class C Shares").

      It is understood that the Company is concurrently entering into an
Underwriting Agreement, dated the date hereof (the "Underwriting Agreement"),
with certain underwriters listed in Schedule A thereto (the "U.S.
Underwriters"), for whom CS First Boston Corporation, Goldman Sachs & Co. and
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. are acting as representatives (the "U.S.
Representatives"), relating to the concurrent sale of 3,145,000 shares of
the Securities (the "U.S. Firm Securities", which together with the Optional
Securities that may be sold to the U.S. Underwriters by the Selling
Stockholders (the "U.S. Optional Securities") are hereinafter called the "U.S.
Securities") in the United States and Canada (the "U.S. Offering"). The U.S.
Securities and the International Securities are collectively referred to as
the "Offered Securities". To provide for the coordination of their activities,
the U.S. Underwriters and the Managers have entered into an Agreement Between
the U.S. Underwriters and Managers which permits them, among other things, to
sell the Offered Securities to each other for purposes of resale.



<PAGE>

      The Company, the Selling Stockholders and the Managers wish to record
the arrangements agreed to between them for the subscription and issue of the
International Securities as follows:

1 .   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY AND THE SELLING
STOCKHOLDERS.

            (A)  The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with,
      the Selling Stockholders and the Managers that:

                (I)    A registration statement (No. 33-       ) relating to
            the Offered Securities, including a form of prospectus relating to
            the U.S. Securities and a form of prospectus relating to the
            International Securities being offered in the International
            Offering, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
            Commission ("Commission") and either (A) has been declared
            effective under the Securities Act of 1933 ("Act") and is not
            proposed to be amended or (B) is proposed to be amended by
            amendment or post-effective amendment. If the Company does not
            propose to amend such registration statement and if any
            post-effective amendment to such registration statement has been
            filed with the Commission prior to the execution and delivery of
            this Agreement, the most recent such amendment has been declared
            effective by the Commission. For purposes of this Agreement,
            "Effective Time" means (A) if the Company has advised you that it
            does not propose to amend such registration statement, the date
            and time as of which such registration statement, or the most
            recent post-effective amendment thereto (if any) filed prior to
            the execution and delivery of this Agreement, was declared
            effective by the Commission, or (B) if the Company has advised you
            that it proposes to file an amendment or post-effective amendment
            to such registration statement, the date and time as of which such
            registration statement, as amended by such amendment or
            post-effective amendment, as the case may be, is declared
            effective by the Commission. "Effective Date" means the date of
            the Effective Time. Such registration statement, as amended at the
            Effective Time, including all material incorporated by reference
            therein and including all information (if any) deemed to be a part
            of such registration statement as of the Effective Time pursuant
            to Rule 430A(b) under the Act, is hereinafter referred to as the
            "Registration Statement", and the form of prospectus relating to
            the U.S. Securities and the form of prospectus relating to the
            International Securities, each as first filed with the Commission
            pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 424(b) ("Rule 424(b)")
            under the Act or (if no such filing is required) as included in
            the Registration Statement, including all material incorporated by
            reference in each such prospectus, are hereinafter referred to as
            the "U.S. Prospectus" and the "International Prospectus",
            respectively, and collectively as the "Prospectuses".

                (II)   If the Effective Time is prior to the execution and
            delivery of this Agreement:  (A) on the Effective Date, the
            Registration Statement conformed in all respects to the
            requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of the
            Commission ("Rules and Regulations") and did not include any
            untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
            fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
            statements therein not misleading, and (B) on the date of this
            Agreement, the Registration Statement conforms, and at the time of
            filing of each of the Prospectuses pursuant to Rule 424(b), the
            Registration Statement and each of the Prospectuses will conform,
            in all respects to the requirements of the Act and the Rules and
            Regulations, and none of such documents includes, or will include,
            any untrue statement of a material fact or omits, or will omit, to
            state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
            to make the statements therein not misleading. If the Effective
            Time is subsequent to the execution and delivery of this
            Agreement:  on the Effective Date, the Registration Statement and
            each of the Prospectuses will conform




                                       -2-
<PAGE>

            in all respects to the requirements of the Act and the Rules and
            Regulations, and none of such documents will include any untrue
            statement of a material fact or will omit to state any material
            fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
            statements therein not misleading. The two preceding sentences do
            not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration
            Statement or either of the Prospectuses based upon and in
            conformity with written information furnished to the Company by
            the Selling Stockholders or by any U.S. Underwriter through you or
            by any Manager through CSFB, in each case, specifically for use
            therein.

                (III)  There are no contracts, agreements or understandings
            between the Company and any person granting such person the right
            to require the Company to file a registration statement under the
            Act with respect to any securities of the Company owned or to be
            owned by such person or to require the Company to include such
            securities in the securities registered pursuant to the
            Registration Statement or in any securities being registered
            pursuant to any other registration statement filed by the Company
            under the Act except for any such rights which have been waived by
            such person or which are being satisfied by the registration of
            the Offered Securities.

                (IV)   Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has
            sustained since the date of the latest audited financial
            statements included or incorporated by reference in either of the
            Prospectuses any material loss or interference with its business
            from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not
            covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or
            governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth
            or contemplated in the Prospectuses; and, since the respective
            dates as of which information is given in the Registration
            Statement and the Prospectuses, there has not been any change in
            the capital stock, short-term debt or long-term debt of the
            Company or any of its subsidiaries or any material adverse change,
            or any development involving a prospective material adverse
            change, in or affecting the general affairs, management, financial
            position, stockholders' equity or results of operations of the
            Company and its subsidiaries, otherwise than as set forth or
            contemplated in either of the Prospectuses.

                (V)    The Company and its subsidiaries have good and
            marketable title in fee simple to all real property and good and
            marketable title to all personal property owned by them, in each
            case, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except
            such as are described in the Prospectuses or such as do not
            materially affect the value of such property and do not interfere
            in any material respect with the use made and proposed to be made
            of such property by the Company and its subsidiaries; and any real
            property and buildings held under lease by the Company and its
            subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and
            enforceable leases with the use made and proposed to be made of
            such property and buildings by the Company and its subsidiaries.

                (VI)   The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
            existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the
            State of Iowa, with power and authority (corporate and other) to
            own its properties and conduct its business as described in the
            Prospectuses, and has been duly qualified as a foreign corporation
            for the transaction of business and is in good standing under the
            laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases
            properties, or conducts any business, so as to require such
            qualification, or is subject to no material liability or
            disability by reason of the failure to be so qualified in any such
            jurisdiction; each subsidiary of the Company has been duly
            incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good
            standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation; and
            each such subsidiary is




                                       -3-
<PAGE>

            duly qualified to transact business as a foreign corporation and
            is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which it owns or
            leases property of a nature, or transacts business of a type, that
            would make such qualification necessary, or the Company is subject
            to no material liability or disability by reason of any failure of
            each such subsidiary to be so qualified.

                (VII)  The Company has an authorized capitalization as set
            forth in the Prospectuses, and all of the issued shares of capital
            stock of the Company, including the Outstanding Class C Shares
            have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid
            and non-assessable and conform to the description thereof
            contained in the Prospectuses; and all of the issued shares of
            capital stock of each subsidiary of the Company have been duly and
            validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable
            and (except for directors' qualifying shares and except as set
            forth in each of the Prospectuses) are owned directly or
            indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens,
            encumbrances, equities or claims.

                (VIII) The unissued shares of the Securities to be issued upon
            conversion of the Outstanding Class C Shares and sold to the
            Underwriters hereunder and under the Subscription Agreement have
            been duly and validly authorized and, when issued and delivered
            upon such conversion, will be duly and validly issued and fully
            paid and non-assessable and will conform to the description
            thereof contained in the Prospectuses.

                (IX)   The execution, delivery and performance of this
            Agreement and the Underwriting Agreement, the conversion of the
            Outstanding Class C Shares, the issuance of the Offered
            Securities, and the sale of the Offered Securities by the Selling
            Stockholders and the compliance by the Company and the Selling
            Stockholders with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the
            Underwriting Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
            herein and therein contemplated will not conflict with or result
            in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or
            constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of
            trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument (including,
            without limitation, any license or authorization granted by the
            Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC")) to which the
            Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the
            Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the
            property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
            subject, nor will such action result in any violation of the
            provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the
            Company or any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any
            court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the
            Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties; and
            no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or
            qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or
            body is required for the conversion of the Outstanding Class C
            Shares, the issuance of the Offered Securities, the sale of the
            Offered Securities or the consummation by the Company and the
            Selling Stockholders of the transactions contemplated by this
            Agreement and the Underwriting Agreement, except the registration
            under the Act of the Offered Securities, such consents, approvals,
            authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required
            under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the
            purchase and distribution of the Offered Securities by the U.S.
            Underwriters and the Managers, and such authorizations and
            approvals as may be required by the FCC, which have been obtained
            and which are in full force and effect.

                (X)    Other than as set forth or contemplated in the
            Prospectuses, there are no legal or governmental proceedings
            pending to which the Company or any of its




                                       -4-
<PAGE>

            subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company or
            any of its subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate
            have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial
            position, stockholders' equity or results of operations of the
            Company and its subsidiaries; and, to the best of the Company's
            knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by
            governmental authorities or threatened by others.



                (XI)   The financial statements included and incorporated by
            reference in the Registration Statement present fairly (A) in the
            case of the consolidated financial statement, the consolidated
            financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries as of the
            dates indicated and the consolidated results of operations and the
            cash flows of the Company and its subsidiaries for the periods
            specified and (B) in the case of the unconsolidated financial
            statements of the Company, the financial position of the Company
            as of the dates indicated and the results of operations and the
            cash flows of the Company for the periods specified. Such
            financial statements have been prepared in conformity with
            generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent
            basis throughout the periods involved. The financial statement
            schedules incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement
            present fairly the information required to be stated therein. The
            selected financial data included in the Prospectuses present
            fairly the information shown therein and have been compiled on a
            basis consistent with that of the audited consolidated financial
            statements included and incorporated by reference in the
            Registration Statement.

                (XII)  KPMG Peat Marwick, who have certified certain financial
            statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, are independent
            public accountants as required by the Act and the rules and
            regulations of the Commission thereunder.

                (XIII) This Agreement and the Underwriting Agreement have been
            duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

                (XIV)  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in
            default in the performance or observance of any obligation,
            agreement, covenant or condition in any contract, indenture,
            mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other agreement or
            instrument to which it is a party or by which it may be bound or
            to which any of its properties may be subject, except for such
            defaults that would not have a material adverse effect on the
            condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business affairs or
            business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered
            as one enterprise.

                (XV)   The Company and its subsidiaries each own, possess or
            have obtained all material agreements, governmental licenses,
            permits, certificates, consents, orders, approvals and other
            authorizations necessary to own or lease, as the case may be, and
            to operate its properties and to carry on its business as
            presently conducted; each of the Company's and its subsidiaries'
            radio and television broadcast properties is being operated in
            substantial compliance with the terms and conditions of the
            licenses issued therefor by the FCC and with all statutes,
            regulations and governmental proceedings or matters involving
            federal communications laws and policies; and neither the Company
            nor any of its subsidiaries have received any notice of
            proceedings relating




                                       -5-
<PAGE>

            to revocation or modification of any such licenses, permits,
            certificates, consents, orders, approvals or authorizations.

                (XVI)  The Company and its subsidiaries each own or possess, or
            can acquire on reasonable terms adequate patent, patent licenses,
            trademarks, service marks and trade names necessary to carry on
            their businesses as presently conducted, and neither the Company
            nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of
            infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with
            respect to any patents, patent licenses, trademarks, service marks
            or trade names that in the aggregate, if the subject of an
            unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, could materially
            adversely affect the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings,
            business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its
            subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise.

            (B)  Each Selling Stockholder severally represents and warrants
      to, and agrees with, the several Managers that:

                (I)    Such Selling Stockholder has valid and unencumbered
            title to the Outstanding Class C Shares in respect of which the
            Securities to be sold by such Selling Stockholder will be issued,
            and, on the Closing Date hereinafter mentioned will have, valid
            and unencumbered title to the Securities to be sold by such
            Selling Stockholder and full right, power and authority to enter
            into this Agreement and the Underwriting Agreement, to convert the
            Outstanding Class C Shares and to sell, assign, transfer and
            deliver the Securities to be sold by such Selling Stockholder
            hereunder and thereunder; and upon the delivery of and payment for
            the Securities hereunder, the Managers will acquire valid and
            unencumbered title to the shares of the Securities to be sold by
            such Selling Stockholder.

                (II)   On the Effective Date and at the time of filing of each
            of the Prospectuses pursuant to Rule 424(b), the statements
            included in the Registration Statement and each of the
            Prospectuses based upon and in conformity with written information
            furnished to the Company by the Selling Stockholder specifically
            for use therein will not include any untrue statement of a
            material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
            stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
            misleading.



2.    COVENANTS.

      The Company covenants and agrees with the several Managers and the
Selling Stockholders that:

            (A)  If the Effective Time is prior to the execution and
      delivery of this Agreement, the Company will file each of the
      Prospectuses with the Commission pursuant to and in accordance with
      subparagraph (1) (or, if applicable and if consented to by CSFB,
      subparagraph (4)) of Rule 424(b) not later than the earlier of (A) the
      second business day following the execution and delivery of this
      Agreement or (B) the fifth business day after the Effective Date. The
      Company will advise the Managers promptly of any such filing pursuant to
      Rule 424(b).

            (B)  The Company will advise the Managers promptly of any
      proposal to amend or supplement the registration statement as filed or
      the related prospectuses or the Registration Statement or either of the
      Prospectuses and will not effect such amendment or supplementation
      without the consent of the Managers; and the Company will also advise
      the Managers promptly




                                       -6-
<PAGE>

      of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement (if the Effective
      Time is subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement) and
      of any amendment or supplementation of the Registration Statement or
      either of the Prospectuses and of the institution by the Commission of
      any stop order proceedings in respect of the Registration Statement and
      will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order
      and to obtain as soon as possible its lifting, if issued.

            (C)  If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Offered
      Securities is required to be delivered under the Act, any event occurs
      as a result of which either or both of the Prospectuses as then amended
      or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or
      omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements
      therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made,
      not misleading, or if it is necessary at any time to amend either or
      both of the Prospectuses to comply with the Act, the Company promptly
      will prepare and file with the Commission an amendment or supplement
      which will correct such statement or omission or an amendment which will
      effect such compliance. Neither CSFB's consent to, nor the Managers'
      delivery of, any such amendment or supplement shall constitute a waiver
      of any of the conditions set forth in Section 5.

            (D)  As soon as practicable, but not later than the Availability
      Date (as defined below), the Company will make generally available to
      its security-holders an earnings statement covering a period of at least
      12 months beginning after the Effective Date which will satisfy the
      provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act. For the purpose of the preceding
      sentence, "Availability Date" means the 45th day after the end of the
      fourth fiscal quarter following the fiscal quarter that includes the
      Effective Date, except that, if such fourth fiscal quarter is the last
      quarter of the Company's fiscal year, "Availability Date" means the 90th
      day after the end of such fourth fiscal quarter.

            (E)  The Company will furnish to the Managers copies of the
      Registration Statement (four of which will be signed and will include
      all exhibits), each preliminary prospectus relating to the International
      Securities, the International Prospectus and all amendments and
      supplements to such documents, in each case as soon as available and in
      such quantities as the Managers request.

            (F)  The Company will arrange for the qualification of the
      Offered Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as the
      Managers designate and will continue such qualifications in effect so
      long as required for the distribution.

            (G)  During the period of five years hereafter, the Company will
      furnish to the Managers, as soon as practicable after the end of each
      fiscal year, a copy of its annual report to stockholders for such year;
      and the Company will furnish to the Managers (i) as soon as available, a
      copy of each report or definitive proxy statement of the Company filed
      with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or mailed
      to stockholders, and (ii) from time to time, such other information
      concerning the Company as the Managers may reasonably request.

            (H)  The Company will use its best efforts to list, subject to
      notice of issuance, the Offered Securities on the American Stock
      Exchange.

            (I)  The Company will pay all expenses incident to the
      performance of the obligations of the Company and the Selling
      Stockholders under this Agreement and will reimburse the Managers for
      any expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred by
      them in connection with the qualification of the Offered Securities for
      sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as you designate and the
      printing of memoranda relating thereto, for the filing fee




                                       -7-
<PAGE>

      of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. relating to the
      Offered Securities and for expenses incurred in distributing preliminary
      prospectuses and the Prospectuses (including any amendments and
      supplements thereto) to the Managers.

            (J)  The Company will indemnify and hold harmless the Managers
      against any documentary, stamp or similar issue tax, including any
      interest and penalties, on the creation, issue and sale of the Offered
      Securities and on the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

            (K)  No action has been or, prior to the completion of the
      distribution of the Offered Securities, will be taken by the Company in
      any jurisdiction outside the United States and Canada that would permit
      a public offering of the Offered Securities, or possession or
      distribution of the International Prospectus, or any amendment or
      supplement thereto, or any related preliminary prospectus issued in
      connection with the offering of the Offered Securities, or any other
      offering material, in any country or jurisdiction where action for that
      purpose is required.

      Each of the Company and the Selling Stockholders agrees with the
Managers that it will not offer, hypothecate, sell, agree to sell, contract to
sell or otherwise dispose of any additional shares of its Class A Common Stock
or any security convertible into or exchangeable for Class A Common Stock
without your prior written consent for a period of 90 days in the case of the
Selling Stockholders, and 60 days in the case of the Company, after the date of
each of the Prospectuses other than to the U.S. Underwriters or the Managers
pursuant to the U.S. Underwriting and Subscription Agreements and other than
(a) pursuant to any employee stock option plan, stock ownership plan, stock
bonus plan, stock compensation plan, dividend reinvestment plan of the Company
in effect on the date of the Prospectuses, (b) issuances of Class A Common
Stock issuable upon the conversion of securities or the exercise of warrants
(if any) outstanding at the date of the Prospectuses and (c) issuances of
Class A Common Stock or Class C Common Stock issuable pursuant to the exercise
of Settlement Rights.

      Notwithstanding the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement,
dated as of February 28, 1992, between the Company and Heritage Investments,
Inc. ("HHI") and the Master Equity Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of
July 19, 1989, among the Company and the stockholders identified therein,
including HC Crown Corp. ("HC Crown") relating the priority of participation
among stockholders, the Selling Stockholders agree to the allocation of the
U.S. Firm Securities and the Optional Securities as set forth in Schedule A of
the Underwriting Agreement and of the International Firm Securities and the
International Optional Securities set forth in Schedule A hereto.


3.    PURCHASE, SALE, DELIVERY AND PAYMENT.

      On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein
contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the
Selling Stockholders agree to sell to the Managers, and the Managers agree,
severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Selling Stockholder, at a
purchase price of U.S. $       per share (representing the offering price of
U.S. $      per share less a selling concession of U.S. $       per share) the
respective numbers of shares of International Firm Securities set forth
opposite the names of the Managers in Schedule B hereto.

      The Selling Stockholders will deliver the International Firm Securities
to CSFB for the account of each Manager, against payment of the purchase price
thereof in U.S. dollars by certified or official bank check or checks in New
York Clearing House (next day) funds drawn to the order of each of the Selling
Stockholders at the office of Sullivan & Cromwell, 125 Broad Street, New York,
New York 10004, at 10:00 A.M., New York time, on ______________, 1994, or at
such other time not later than seven full business days thereafter as the
Company and CSFB determine, such time being herein referred to as the "First
Closing Date". The certificates for the International Firm Securities so to be
delivered will be in definitive form, in such denominations and registered in
such names as CSFB




                                       -8-
<PAGE>

requests, and will be made available for checking and packaging at the above
office of CS First Boston Corporation, Avenue Plaza, New York, New York
or, at the option of CSFB, at the office of The Depositary Trust Company, at
least 24 hours prior to the First Closing Date.

      In addition, upon written notice from the U.S. Representatives given to
the Selling Stockholders and the Company not more than 30 days subsequent to
the date of the initial public offering of the Offered Securities, the U.S.
Underwriters and the Managers may purchase all or less than all of the
Optional Securities, which in the case of the Managers shall be at the
purchase price per Security to be paid for the International Firm Securities.
Unless otherwise agreed between the U.S. Representatives and CSFB, Optional
Securities to be so purchased by the Managers shall be in the same proportion
as the International Firm Securities bear to the Firm Securities. If the number
of Optional Securities to be purchased is less than or equal to the number of
shares set forth opposite the name of HC Crown Corp. in Schedule A to the
Underwriting Agreement under the caption "Total Number of Optional Securities
to be Sold" then all of the Optional Securities shall be purchased from HC Crown
Corp. and HC Crown Corp. agrees to sell such shares; to the extent the number
of Optional Securities exceeds such amount, the balance shall be purchased
from Heritage Investments, Inc. and Heritage Investments, Inc. agrees to sell
such shares, up to the number of shares set forth opposite its name in Schedule
A to the Underwriting Agreement under the caption "Total Number of Optional
Securities to be Sold."  The International Optional Securities shall be
purchased for the account of each Manager in the same proportion as the number
of shares of International Firm Securities set forth opposite such Manager's
name in Schedule A hereto bears to the total number of shares of International
Firm Securities (subject to adjustment by the U.S. Representatives to eliminate
fractions) and may be purchased by the Managers only for the purpose of covering
over-allotments made in connection with the sale of the International Firm
Securities. No Optional Securities shall be sold or delivered unless the
International Firm Securities and the U.S. Firm Securities previously have been,
or simultaneously are, sold and delivered. The right to purchase the Optional
Securities or any portion thereof may be surrendered and terminated at any
time upon notice by the U.S. Representatives to the Selling Stockholders.

      The time for the delivery of and payment for the International Optional
Securities, being herein referred to as the "Second Closing Date", which may
be the First Closing Date (the First Closing Date and the Second Closing Date,
if any, being sometimes referred to as a "Closing Date"), shall be determined
by the U.S. Representatives but shall be not later than seven full business
days after written notice of election to purchase Optional Securities is
given. The Selling Stockholders will deliver the International Optional
Securities to CSFB for the accounts of the several Managers, against payment
of the purchase price therefor by certified or official bank check or checks
in New York Clearing House (next day) funds drawn to the order of each of the
Selling Stockholders, at the above office of Sullivan & Cromwell. Payment
shall be made in U.S. dollars. The certificates for the International Optional
Securities will be in definitive form, in such denominations and registered in
such names as CSFB requests upon reasonable notice prior to the Second Closing
Date and will be made available for checking and packaging at the above office
of CS First Boston Corporation, at a reasonable time in advance of the Second
Closing Date.

      The Selling Stockholders will pay to the Managers as aggregate
compensation for their commitments hereunder and for their services in
connection with the purchase of the International Securities and the
management of the offering thereof, if the sale and delivery of the
International Securities to the Managers provided herein is consummated, an
amount equal to U.S. $      per International Security, which may be divided
among the Managers in such proportions as they may determine. Such payment
will be made on the First Closing Date in the case of the International Firm
Securities and on the Second Closing Date in the case of the International
Optional Securities that may be sold to the Managers by way of deduction by
the Managers of said amount from the purchase price for the International
Securities referred to above.



                                       -9-
<PAGE>

4.    OFFERING BY THE MANAGERS.

      It is understood that the Managers propose to offer the International
Securities for sale to the public as set forth in the International
Prospectus.

5.    CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.

      The obligations of the several Managers to purchase and pay for the
International Firm Securities on the First Closing Date and any International
Optional Securities on the Second Closing Date will be subject to the accuracy
of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company and the
Selling Stockholders herein, to the accuracy of the statements of Company
officers made pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the
Company and the Selling Stockholders of their obligations hereunder and to the
following additional conditions precedent:


            (A)  Upon the signing of this Agreement and on such Closing
      Date, there shall have been delivered to the Managers letters, dated the
      date of delivery thereof (which, if the Effective Time is prior to the
      execution and delivery of this Agreement, shall be on or prior to the
      date of this Agreement or, if the Effective Time is subsequent to the
      execution and delivery of this Agreement, shall be prior to the filing
      of the amendment or post-effective amendment to the registration
      statement to be filed shortly prior to the Effective Time) in the case
      of the first letter and dated such Closing Date in the case of the
      second letter, of KPMG Peat Marwick confirming that they are independent
      public accountants within the meaning of the Act and the applicable
      published Rules and Regulations thereunder and in the agreed form.

            (B)  If the Effective Time is not prior to the execution and
      delivery of this Agreement, the Effective Time shall have occurred not
      later than 10:00 P.M., New York time, on the date of this Agreement or
      such later date as shall have been consented to by CSFB. If the
      Effective Time is prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
      each of the Prospectuses shall have been filed with the Commission in
      accordance with the Rules and Regulations and Section 2(a) of this
      Agreement. Prior to such Closing Date, no stop order suspending the
      effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and
      no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or, to the
      knowledge of the Company or the Managers, shall be contemplated by the
      Commission.

            (C)  On or prior to such Closing Date there shall have been
      delivered to the Managers opinions, each in the agreed form, dated such
      Closing Date, of:

                (i)    Crouch & Hallett, L.L.P., counsel for the Company;

                (ii)   Wayne Kern, Senior Vice President and Secretary of the
            Company;

                (iii)  Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, special regulatory
            counsel for the Company;

                (iv)   Dwight C. Arn, counsel for HC Crown Corp. and
            ___________________, counsel for Heritage Investments, Inc.;

                (v)    Sullivan & Cromwell, United States counsel to the
            Managers;

      and copies of such other resolutions, consents, authorizations,
      documents, opinions and certificates as the Managers may reasonably
      require.



                                       -10-
<PAGE>


            (D)  At such Closing Date (i) the representations and warranties
      of the Company set forth herein shall be true and correct at, and as if
      made on, such Closing Date; (ii) the Company shall have performed all of
      its obligations hereunder to be performed on or before such Closing
      Date; and (iii) the Managers shall have received a certificate, dated
      such Closing Date, of the President or any Vice-President and a
      principal financial or accounting officer of the Company in which such
      officers, to the best of their knowledge after reasonable investigation,
      shall state that the representations and warranties of the Company in
      this Agreement are true and correct, that the Company has complied with
      all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed
      or satisfied hereunder at or prior to such Closing Date, that no stop
      order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has
      been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or
      are contemplated by the Commission and that, subsequent to the date of
      the most recent financial statements in the Prospectuses, there has been
      no material adverse change in the financial position or results of
      operation of the Company and its subsidiaries except as set forth in or
      contemplated by the Prospectuses or as described in such certificate.

            (E)  On such Closing Date, the U.S. Underwriters shall have
      purchased the U.S. Firm Securities or the U.S. Optional Securities, as
      the case may be, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.

      Documents described as being "in the agreed form" are documents which
are in the forms which have been initialled for the purpose of identification
by Sullivan & Cromwell, copies of which are held by the Company and CSFB with
such changes as CSFB may approve.

      The Company will furnish the Managers with such conformed copies of such
opinions, certificates, letters and documents as CSFB reasonably requests.

      If any of the conditions set forth in this Section 5 are not satisfied
on or prior to such Closing Date, the parties hereto shall be released and
discharged from their respective obligations hereunder (except for the
liability of the Company for the payment of costs and expenses as provided in
Section 2 and for the respective obligations of the parties hereto pursuant to
Section 6), provided, that if any such conditions are not satisfied with
respect to any International Optional Securities to be purchased by the
Managers after the First Closing Date, the parties shall not be so released
and discharged with respect to the International Firm Securities. The Managers
(or CSFB on their behalf) may at their discretion, however, waive compliance
with the whole or any part of this Section 5.

6.    INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION.

            (A)  The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Manager
      against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to
      which such Manager may become subject, under the Act or otherwise,
      insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
      respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or
      alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the
      Registration Statement, either of the Prospectuses, or any amendment or
      supplement thereto, or any related preliminary prospectus, or arise out
      of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
      material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
      statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse each Manager for
      any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Manager in
      connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage,
      liability or action as such expenses are incurred; provided, however,
      that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that
      any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon
      an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement in or omission or
      alleged omission from any of such documents in reliance upon and in
      conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any
      Manager through you specifically for use therein.



                                       -11-
<PAGE>

            (B)  The Selling Stockholders will severally indemnify and hold
      harmless each Manager against any losses, claims, damages or
      liabilities, joint or several, to which such Manager may become subject,
      under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
      liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based
      upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material
      fact contained in the Registration Statement, either of the
      Prospectuses, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any related
      preliminary prospectus, or arise out of or are based upon the omission
      or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
      stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
      misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that
      such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
      omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written
      information furnished to the Company or any Manager by such Selling
      Stockholder through you specifically for use therein, and will reimburse
      each Manager and the Company and for any legal or other expenses
      reasonably incurred by such Manager or the Company in connection with
      investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or
      action as such expenses are incurred.

            (C)  Each Manager will severally indemnify and hold harmless the
      Company and each Selling Stockholder against any losses, claims, damages
      or liabilities to which the Company or such Selling Stockholder may become
      subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
      damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or
      are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any
      material fact contained in the Registration Statement, either of the
      Prospectuses, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any related
      preliminary prospectus, or arise out of or are based upon the omission
      or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
      stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
      misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that
      such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
      omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written
      information furnished to the Company by such Manager through you
      specifically for use therein, and will reimburse the Company and each
      Selling Stockholder for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred
      by the Company or such Selling Stockholder in connection with
      investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or
      action as such expenses are incurred.

            (D)  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this
      Section of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified
      party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an
      indemnifying party under subsection (a), (b) or (c) of this Section,
      notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof; but the
      omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from
      any liability which it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than
      under subsection (a), (b) or (c) of this Section. In case any such
      action is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies an
      indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party
      will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may
      wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to
      assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such
      indemnified party (who shall not, except with the consent of the
      indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and after
      notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its
      election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will
      not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section for any legal
      or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in
      connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
      investigation. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written
      consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending
      or threatened action in respect of which any indemnified party is or
      could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder
      by such indemnified party unless such settlement includes an
      unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on
      any claims that are the subject matter of such action.



                                       -12-
<PAGE>

            (E)  If the indemnification provided for in this Section is
      unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
      subsection (a), (b) or (c) above, then each indemnifying party shall
      contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a
      result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in
      subsection (a), (b) or (c) above (i) as between the Company and the
      Selling Stockholder on the one hand and the Managers on the other, in
      such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits
      received by the Selling Stockholder on the one hand and the Managers on
      the other from the offering of the Securities or (ii) if the allocation
      provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such
      proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits
      referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the
      Company and the Selling Stockholder, on the one hand and the Managers on
      the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted
      in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities as well as any other
      relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the
      Selling Stockholder on the one hand and the Managers on the other shall
      be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from
      the offering of the U.S. Securities (before deducting expenses) received
      by the Selling Stockholder bear to the total underwriting discounts and
      commissions received by the Managers. The relative fault shall be
      determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
      alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged
      omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the
      Company, the Selling Stockholder, or the Managers and the parties'
      relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to
      correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The amount paid by
      an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or
      liabilities referred to in the first sentence of this subsection (e)
      shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably
      incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or
      defending any action or claim which is the subject of this subsection
      (e). Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (e), no Manager
      shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by
      which the total price at which the shares of the U.S. Securities
      underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the
      public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Manager has
      otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged
      untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of
      fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the
      Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not
      guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Managers' obligations
      in this subsection (e) to contribute are several in proportion to their
      respective underwriting obligations and not joint.

            (F)  The obligations of the Company, the Selling Stockholders
      and the several Managers under this Section shall be in addition to any
      liability which the Company, the Selling Stockholders or the several
      Managers may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and
      conditions, to each director of the Company, to each officer of the
      Company who has signed the Registration Statement and to each person, if
      any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Act, to each
      director of the Selling Stockholders and to each person, if any, who
      controls the Selling Stockholder within the meaning of the Act, and to
      each person, if any, who controls any Manager within the meaning of the
      Act.

7.    DEFAULT OF MANAGERS.

      If any Manager or Managers default in their obligations to purchase
International Securities hereunder on either the First or Second Closing Date
and the aggregate number of shares of International Securities that such
defaulting Manager or Managers agreed but failed to purchase does not exceed
10% of the total number of International Securities that the Managers are
obligated to purchase on such Closing Date, CSFB at its sole discretion may
make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the purchase of such
International Securities by other persons, including any of the Managers, but
if no such arrangements are made by such Closing Date the non-defaulting
Manager or Managers shall be obligated severally, in proportion to their
respective commitments hereunder, to purchase the International Securities
that such




                                       -13-
<PAGE>

defaulting Manager or Managers agreed but failed to purchase on such Closing
Date. If any Manager or Managers so default and the aggregate number of shares
of International Securities with respect to which such default or defaults
occur exceeds 10% of the total number of International Securities that the
Managers are obligated to purchase on such Closing Date, and arrangements
satisfactory to CSFB and the Company for the purchase of such International
Securities by other persons are not made within 36 hours after such default,
this Agreement will terminate without liability on the part of any
non-defaulting Manager or the Company, except as provided in Section 8
(provided that if such default occurs with respect to International Optional
Securities after the First Closing Date, this Agreement will not terminate as
to the International Firm Securities). As used in this Agreement, the term
"Manager" includes any person substituted for a Manager under this Section 7.
Nothing herein will relieve a defaulting Manager from liability for its
default.

8.    TERMINATION.

      Notwithstanding anything herein contained, CSFB on behalf of the
Managers may, by notice to the Company, terminate this Agreement at any time
before payment is made to the Company if there shall have occurred subsequent
to the execution and delivery of this Agreement (A) a change in U.S. or
international financial, political or economic conditions or currency exchange
rates for the U.S. dollar or exchange controls of the U.S. dollar and other
applicable currencies as would, in the judgment of CSFB, be likely to
prejudice materially the success of the proposed issue, sale or distribution
of the International Securities, whether in the primary market or in respect
of dealings in the secondary market, or (B) (I) any change, or any
development involving a prospective change, in or affecting particularly the
business or properties of the Company or its subsidiaries which, in the
judgment of CSFB, materially impairs the investment quality of the
International Securities; (ii) any downgrading in the rating of any debt
securities of the Company by any "nationally recognized statistical rating
organization" (as defined for purposes of Rule 436(g) under the Act), or any
public announcement that any such organization has under surveillance or
review its rating of any debt securities of the Company (other than an
announcement with positive implications of a possible upgrading, and no
implication of a possible downgrading, of such rating); (iii) any suspension
or limitation of trading in securities generally on the New York Stock
Exchange or the American Stock Exchange, or any setting of minimum prices for
trading on such exchange, or any suspension of trading of any securities of
the Company on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market; (iv) any
banking moratorium declared by United States Federal or New York authorities;
or (v) any outbreak or escalation of major hostilities in which the United
States is involved, any declaration of war by the United States Congress or
any other substantial national or international calamity or emergency if, in
the judgment of CSFB, the effect of any such outbreak, escalation,
declaration, calamity or emergency makes it impractical or inadvisable to
proceed with completion of the sale of and payment for the International
Securities, provided that if any such termination pursuant to this Section 8
occurs after the First Closing Date, this Agreement will not terminate as to
the International Firm Securities.

      If the Managers shall elect to terminate this Agreement as provided in
this Section 8, the Company shall be notified promptly by CSFB. If this
Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 7 or this Section 8 or if the
purchase of the International Securities by the Managers is not consummated
for any reason permitted under this Agreement, the Company shall remain
responsible for the expenses to be paid or reimbursed by it pursuant to
Section 2 and the respective obligations of the Company and the Managers
pursuant to Section 6 shall remain in effect, regardless of the cause of such
termination or nonconsummation. If the purchase of the International
Securities by the Managers is not consummated for any reason, other than
solely because of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7 or
the occurrence of any event specified in subsection 8(A) or clause (iii),
(iv) or (v) of subsection 8(B), the Company will reimburse the Managers for
all out-of-pocket expenses (including fees and expenses of counsel) reasonably
incurred by them in connection with this Agreement and the offering of the
International Securities.



                                       -14-
<PAGE>

9.    SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS.

      The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and
other statements of the Company or its officers and of the several Managers
set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and
effect, regardless of any investigation, or statement as to the results
thereof, made by or on behalf of any Manager, the Company or any of their
respective representatives, officers or directors or any controlling person,
and will survive delivery of and payment for the International Securities.

10.   GOVERNING LAW.

      This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with,
the laws of the State of New York without regard to the choice of law
provisions thereof.

11.   NOTICES.

      Any notification to be given hereunder shall be delivered in person or
sent by letter, telex or telephone (but in the case of notification by
telephone with subsequent confirmation by letter or telex) addressed, in the
case of notification to (A) the Selling Stockholders, or either of them, to both
HC Crown Corp. at ____________________ (Attention:  _______________) and
Heritage Investments, Inc. at __________________ (Attention:         ) and
(B) the Managers, to them, c/o CS First Boston Limited, 2A Great Titchfield
Street, London W1P 7AA, England (Attention: Company Secretary), or to such
other address as any party shall notify the other parties in writing; provided,
however, that any notice to a Manager pursuant to Section 6 will be delivered,
mailed, telexed or telephoned and confirmed to such Manager. Any notice given
hereunder shall take effect at the time of receipt.

12.   SUCCESSORS.

      This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers and directors
and controlling persons referred to in Section 6, and no other person will
have any rights or obligations hereunder.




                                       -15-
<PAGE>

13.  COUNTERPARTS.

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

      Please confirm that this letter correctly sets out the arrangements
agreed upon among us.

                                  Very truly yours,


                                  HC CROWN CORP.


                                  BY:
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                      [NAME]
                                      [TITLE]


                                  HERITAGE INVESTMENTS, INC.


                                  BY:
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                      [NAME]
                                      [TITLE]


TO:  HC Crown Corp.
     Heritage Investments, Inc.

     We confirm that the foregoing letter correctly sets out the arrangements
agreed upon among us.


                                  Yours faithfully,


                                  CS FIRST BOSTON LIMITED


                                  BY:
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                      [NAME]


                                  GOLDMAN SACHS INTERNATIONAL
                                  J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LTD.

                                  EACH BY ITS DULY AUTHORIZED ATTORNEY-IN-FACT:





                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  [NAME]




                                       -16-
<PAGE>

                               SCHEDULE A
                          PURCHASE COMMITMENTS


<TABLE>

<CAPTION>
                                                          TOTAL
                                                        NUMBER OF
                                                      INTERNATIONAL
                                                     FIRM SECURITIES
MANAGER                                              TO BE PURCHASED

- -------                                              ---------------
<S>                                                  <C>
CS First Boston Limited.......................
Goldman Sachs International...................
J.P. Morgan Securities Ltd....................










                                                     ---------------
      Total...................................        555,000
                                                     ---------------
                                                     ---------------
</TABLE>






                                       - 17 -


<PAGE>

                                                                       Exhibit 5


Crouch & Hallett, L.L.P.
717 N. Harwood St., Suite 1400
Dallas, Texas 75201
(214) 953-0053

                                  March 9, 1994



Heritage Media Corporation
One Galleria Tower, Suite 1500
13355 Noel Road
Dallas, Texas 75240

Gentlemen:

     We have served as counsel for Heritage Media Corporation, an Iowa
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the Registration Statement on
Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement"), filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering the proposed
underwritten offering of 4,071,922 shares of Class A Common Stock, $.01 par
value, on behalf of certain selling stockholders.

     With respect to the foregoing, we have examined such documents and
questions of law as we have deemed necessary to render the opinion expressed
herein.  Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when
sold in the manner and for the consideration stated in the Prospectus
constituting a part of the Registration Statement, will be duly and validly
authorized, issued and outstanding and fully paid and nonassessable.

     We consent to the use of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the Registration
Statement and to the use of our name in the Registration Statement and in the
Prospectus included therein under the heading "Legal Matters."

                              Very truly yours,


                              CROUCH & HALLETT, L.L.P.




<PAGE>


                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(A)


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


The Board of Directors
Heritage Media Corporation:

We consent to incorporation by reference herein of our report dated February 25,
1994 relating to the consolidated balance sheets of Heritage Media Corporation
and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1993 and 1992, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows and related
schedules for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31,
1993, which report appears in the December 31, 1993 Annual Report on Form 10-K
of Heritage Media Corporation, and to the reference to our Firm under the
heading "Experts" in the prospectus.


                                   KPMG Peat Marwick


Dallas, Texas
March 8, 1994


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission