HERITAGE MEDIA CORP
424B3, 1996-01-31
ADVERTISING
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<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>
                                                FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(b)(3)
                                                       REGISTRATION NO. 33-63963

                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY 26, 1996

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED JANUARY 18, 1996)

                                  $150,000,000

                           HERITAGE MEDIA CORPORATION

                       % SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2006

    The    % Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 (the "Notes") are being  offered
by Heritage Media Corporation ("Heritage" or the "Company"). The net proceeds of
this  offering will  be used to  finance the acquisition  (the "Acquisition") of
DIMAC Corporation ("DIMAC"). See "Use of Proceeds."

    The Notes will mature on               , 2006. The Notes will bear  interest
from  the date of issuance at the rate of     % per annum, payable semi-annually
on             and             of each year, commencing             , 1996.  The
Notes  are subject to redemption,  at the option of the  Company, in whole or in
part, at any time on or after                , 2001 at the redemption price  set
forth  in this  Prospectus Supplement, plus  accrued and unpaid  interest to the
date of redemption.

    The Notes offered hereby will be subject to a mandatory redemption on  March
31,  1996 (the "Special  Redemption Date") at  101% of their  issue price to the
public, plus accrued interest to the date  of redemption, in the event that  the
Acquisition  is  not  consummated  on or  before  the  Special  Redemption Date.
Although the Acquisition  is expected  to occur in  the first  quarter of  1996,
there  can be no assurance that the Acquisition will be consummated. See "Recent
Developments." Prior to the  consummation of the  Acquisition, the net  proceeds
from  the sale of  the Notes offered hereby  will be held by  and pledged to the
Trustee (as defined) pursuant to the Indenture (as defined) and invested in Cash
Equivalents (as defined), and the obligation of the Company to redeem the  Notes
on   the  Special  Redemption  Date  will  be  secured  by  such  proceeds.  See
"Description of the Notes -- Special Redemption." The Notes have no sinking fund
provisions.

    The Notes will be subordinated unsecured obligations of the Company and will
be subordinated  to all  existing  and future  Senior Indebtedness  (as  defined
herein).  See "Description of  Notes" herein and  "Description of Securities" in
the accompanying Prospectus.

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               PRICE            UNDERWRITING           PROCEEDS
                                              TO THE            DISCOUNTS AND           TO THE
                                              PUBLIC           COMMISSIONS(2)        COMPANY(1)(3)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Per Note..............................           %                    %                    %
Total.................................           $                    $                    $
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(1) PLUS ACCRUED INTEREST, IF ANY, FROM THE DATE OF THE ISSUANCE.

(2) SEE "UNDERWRITING" FOR INDEMNIFICATION ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE UNDERWRITERS.

(3) BEFORE DEDUCTING EXPENSES OF $      PAYABLE BY THE COMPANY.

    The Notes are being offered by the Underwriters subject to prior sale, when,
as  and if delivered to and accepted by the Underwriters, and subject to various
prior conditions, including their right to reject orders in whole or in part. It
is expected  that delivery  of the  Notes will  be made  through the  book-entry
facilities  of The Depository Trust Company, against payment thereof in New York
funds, on or about February   , 1996.

DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
        SECURITIES CORPORATION

                     CITICORP SECURITIES, INC.

                                     SMITH BARNEY INC.

                                               NATIONSBANC CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.

February   , 1996
<PAGE>
    IN  CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE NOTES AT LEVELS
ABOVE THOSE WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH  STABILIZING,
IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.

                         PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

    THE  FOLLOWING SUMMARY  IS QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY BY  THE MORE DETAILED
INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL DATA APPEARING ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
AND THE  PROSPECTUS, INCLUDING  INFORMATION INCORPORATED  THEREIN BY  REFERENCE.
THIS  PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SHOULD BE READ  IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ACCOMPANYING
PROSPECTUS DATED  JANUARY 18,  1996 RELATING  TO THE  ISSUANCE OF  UP TO  $300.0
MILLION AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SECURITIES. CAPITALIZED TERMS USED AND NOT
OTHERWISE DEFINED HEREIN HAVE THE MEANINGS SET FORTH IN THE PROSPECTUS.

                                  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 is also a participant in the broadcast industry through its ownership of
four network affiliated television stations in small to mid-sized markets and 17
radio stations in seven major markets.

    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, the instant  coupon
machine  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 in-store  network  delivers  some  or all  of  its  products  and
services  in  over  24,000  supermarkets,  13,000  drug  stores  and  2,400 mass
merchandise stores across the country, a network substantially larger than  that
of  any other in-store marketing company in the United States. By contracting to
purchase  the   Company's  in-store   advertising  and   promotional   products,
advertisers  gain  access  to  up  to  approximately  205  of  the  nation's 209
Designated Market  Areas covering  over  70% of  the  households in  the  United
States.   Through  the   Powerforce  division,  Actmedia   also  delivers  sales
merchandising services to  toy, hardware, computer  retail, office products  and
department stores.

    To expand the Company's targeted marketing services capabilities, on October
23,  1995, the Company entered  into an agreement to  acquire DIMAC. See "Recent
Developments." DIMAC is the  largest full service, vertically-integrated  direct
marketing  services  company  in  the  United  States.  Pursuant  to  the Merger
Agreement (as  defined), a  subsidiary of  the Company  will merge  with  DIMAC,
resulting in DIMAC becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

                                      S-2
<PAGE>
                                  THE OFFERING

<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
Securities Offered................  $150.0   million  principal  amount  of        %  Senior
                                    Subordinated Notes due 2006.
Maturity Date.....................  , 2006.
Interest Rate.....................  The Notes will bear  interest at the  rate of     %  per
                                    annum,  payable  semi-annually on                    and
                                               , commencing            , 1996.
Interest Payment Dates............  and          commencing          , 1996.
Special Redemption................  The Notes offered  hereby will be  subject to  mandatory
                                    redemption  on the  Special Redemption  Date at  101% of
                                    their issue price to  the public, plus accrued  interest
                                    to  the  date  of  redemption,  in  the  event  that the
                                    Acquisition is not consummated on or before the  Special
                                    Redemption  Date.  Prior  to  the  consummation  of  the
                                    Acquisition, the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes
                                    offered hereby will be held  and pledged to the  Trustee
                                    pursuant   to  the   Indenture  and   invested  in  Cash
                                    Equivalents, and the obligation of the Company to redeem
                                    the Notes on the Special Redemption Date will be secured
                                    by such  proceeds.  See  "Description of  the  Notes  --
                                    Special Redemption."
Optional Redemption...............  The  Notes  are  redeemable  at  any  time  on  or after
                                               , 2001 in whole or in part, at the option  of
                                    the  Company, at the redemption prices set forth herein,
                                    plus  accrued  and  unpaid  interest  to  the  date   of
                                    redemption.
Ranking...........................  The  Notes will be subordinated unsecured obligations of
                                    the Company and will  be junior in  right of payment  to
                                    all  senior indebtedness. The Notes will rank PARI PASSU
                                    in right of  payment with the  Company's existing  $50.0
                                    million  11%  Senior  Subordinated Notes  due  2002 (the
                                    "1992 Notes"). As of September 30, 1995, on a pro  forma
                                    basis  after giving effect  to the Acquisition (assuming
                                    consideration  is  comprised  entirely  of  cash),   the
                                    Company had $391.2 million of Senior Indebtedness.
Certain Covenants.................  The   Indenture  for  the  Notes,  among  other  things,
                                    contains restrictions (with  certain exceptions) on  the
                                    ability  of the Company  and its Restricted Subsidiaries
                                    (as defined) to:  (i) incur  additional indebtedness  or
                                    issue  preferred stock;  (ii) make  dividend payments or
                                    other restricted payments; (iii) make asset sales;  (iv)
                                    create   liens;   (v)  enter   into   transactions  with
                                    affiliates; and (vi) enter into mergers,  consolidations
                                    or sales of all or substantially all of its assets.
Absence of Public Market..........  There  is no  public market  for the  Notes. The Company
                                    does not  intend to  list the  Notes on  any  securities
                                    exchange or to arrange for their quotation on the NASDAQ
                                    system. The Company has been advised by the Underwriters
                                    that they presently intend to make a market in the Notes
                                    after  the consummation  of the  offering, although they
                                    are under no obligation  to do so.  No assurance can  be
                                    given,  however,  as  to the  liquidity  of  the trading
                                    market for the Notes or that an active public market for
                                    the Notes will develop.
Use of Proceeds...................  The Company  intends to  use the  net proceeds  of  this
                                    offering  together with amounts obtained under the DIMAC
                                    Credit Facility (as defined) to finance the Acquisition.
                                    Prior  to  the  consummation  of  the  Acquisition,  the
                                    proceeds  from the sale of the Notes will be held by and
                                    pledged to the Trustee and invested in certain permitted
                                    investments. See "Use of Proceeds."
</TABLE>

                                      S-3
<PAGE>
                             SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA

    The following  summary  historical  financial data  were  derived  from  the
audited consolidated financial statements and the unaudited interim consolidated
financial  statements of the Company. The  following table also presents summary
pro forma financial data for the year ended December 31, 1994 and the nine month
period ended September 30, 1995 derived  from the unaudited Pro Forma  Condensed
Combined Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus Supplement.
See "Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements."

    The  unaudited  pro  forma  combined  information  presented  below provides
financial information giving  effect to certain  Company and DIMAC  transactions
which  have occurred  or are  probable to occur,  the Acquisition  on a purchase
basis, the issuance of the Notes and  the new DIMAC Credit Facility, as if  such
transactions  occurred  on  September 30,  1995,  with regard  to  balance sheet
information, and on  January 1, 1994,  with regard to  statements of  operations
information.  The pro forma  information is provided  for informational purposes
only and is not  necessarily indicative of actual  results that would have  been
achieved  had  such transactions  and the  Acquisition  been consummated  at the
beginning of the periods presented or future results.

    The following summary historical and pro forma condensed combined  financial
data should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial  Condition  and  Interim  Results of  Operations"  and  the  Pro Forma
Condensed Combined Financial Statements (in each case together with the  related
notes  thereto)  and other  information contained  elsewhere in  this Prospectus
Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                           YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, (1)                        SEPTEMBER 30, (1)
                         -----------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------
                                                                   1994 PRO FORMA
                                                          --------------------------------
                                                                             ACQUISITION
                                                            ACQUISITION    PAID WITH CASH
                           1992       1993       1994     PAID WITH CASH      AND STOCK       1994         1995
<S>                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>              <C>              <C>        <C>
                                                           (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 DATA:
Net revenues...........  $ 250,891  $ 291,205  $ 317,628     $ 529,494        $ 529,494     $ 210,826    $ 299,065
Gross profit...........    114,932    140,113    166,658       231,101          231,101       110,759      128,070
Operating income (2)...     27,550     34,995     57,838        65,805           65,805        35,332       47,473
Interest expense,
 net...................    (37,473)   (31,515)   (30,373)      (58,573)         (54,295)      (22,196)     (26,190)
Net income (loss)
 (3)...................    (18,560)       512     22,299         2,971            7,249         8,468       15,604
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT
 PERIOD END):
Cash and cash
 equivalents...........  $   1,218  $   4,416  $   4,270                                    $   5,335    $   1,788
Working capital........       (104)    (3,631)   (11,361)                                     (10,195)       2,992
Total assets...........    496,296    492,849    514,147                                      492,467      551,143
Long-term debt
 (including current
 portion)..............    319,385    314,989    351,525                                      348,008      350,380
Stockholders' equity...     91,213     86,642     89,246                                       74,889      108,725
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA (4).............  $  54,242  $  68,353  $  90,058     $ 110,805        $ 110,805     $  58,635    $  68,679
Depreciation,
 amortization and non-
 recurring charges.....     26,692     33,358     32,220        50,099           50,099        23,303       21,206
Capital expenditures
 (5)...................     22,098     19,804     15,391        --               --             8,804       13,073
Ratio of EBITDA to
 interest expense,
 net...................       1.45       2.17       2.97          1.89             2.04          1.66         2.62
Ratio of Debt to
 EBITDA................       5.89       4.61       3.90        --               --              4.13(6)        3.50(6)
Ratio of Earnings to
 Fixed Charges (7).....     --           1.09x      1.78x         1.10x            1.19x         1.46x        1.77x

<CAPTION>

                                  1995 PRO FORMA
                         --------------------------------
                                            ACQUISITION
                           ACQUISITION    PAID WITH CASH
                         PAID WITH CASH      AND STOCK
<S>                      <C>              <C>

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 DATA:
Net revenues...........     $ 413,730        $ 413,730
Gross profit...........       170,053          170,053
Operating income (2)...        56,379           56,379
Interest expense,
 net...................       (44,450)         (41,241)
Net income (loss)
 (3)...................         6,729            7,276
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT
 PERIOD END):
Cash and cash
 equivalents...........     $   1,831        $   1,831
Working capital........        10,855           10,855
Total assets...........       850,575          850,575
Long-term debt
 (including current
 portion)..............       600,051          552,516
Stockholders' equity...       117,902          165,437
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA (4).............     $  86,018        $  86,018
Depreciation,
 amortization and non-
 recurring charges.....        29,639           29,639
Capital expenditures
 (5)...................        --               --
Ratio of EBITDA to
 interest expense,
 net...................          1.94             2.09
Ratio of Debt to
 EBITDA................          4.87(6)          4.48(6)
Ratio of Earnings to
 Fixed Charges (7).....          1.26x            1.35x
</TABLE>

- ------------------------------
(1) Information reflects acquisition and investment transactions described under
    Note 2  of Notes  to  Consolidated Financial  Statements appearing  in  Form
    10-K/A  for the year ended December 31,  1994 (the "1994 Form 10-K"), Note 4
    of Notes to Consolidated Financial  Statements appearing in Form 10-Q/A  for
    the  quarter ended September  30, 1995 and  Note 6 of  Notes to Consolidated
    Financial Statements in Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,  1994.
    See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Interim
    Results of Operations" appearing in this Prospectus Supplement.

(2) Operating  income  contains  certain nonrecurring  expenses  which represent
    operating costs  that  are unusual  or  infrequent  in nature  and  are  not
    expected to be incurred by the Company on a regular basis in future periods.
    Such  costs for  the year  ended December  31, 1993  total $4.7  million and
    relate to restructuring charges ($3.0 million) and the write-down of program
    rights ($1.7 million). In  addition, operating income contains  compensation
    expense  relating to stock  appreciation rights in  the amounts of $500,000,
    $500,000, and $4.9 million during the years ended December 31, 1992  through
    1994, respectively, and $3.1 million for the nine months ended September 30,
    1994. Such rights were retired in January 1995.

                                      S-4
<PAGE>
(3) The  unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined  Statements of Operations do not
    include extraordinary losses of $3.2 million and $2.4 million recognized  by
    DIMAC  during the  year ended  December 31, 1994  and the  nine months ended
    September 30, 1995, respectively, resulting  from the retirement of  certain
    indebtedness,  nor do  they include  an extraordinary  loss of approximately
    $2.0 million to be recognized upon the retirement of DIMAC's existing credit
    facility in connection with the Acquisition.

(4) EBITDA represents operating income  excluding depreciation, amortization  of
    goodwill and other assets (as presented on the face of the income statement)
    and  nonrecurring charges.  EBITDA is presented  because management believes
    that it is a widely accepted  financial indicator of a company's ability  to
    service  and/or  incur indebtedness,  maintain  current operating  levels of
    fixed assets and acquire additional operations and businesses.  Accordingly,
    significant  uses of  EBITDA include, but  are not limited  to, interest and
    principal payments on long-term debt, capital expenditures, and acquisitions
    of new operations or businesses. However, EBITDA should not be considered as
    an alternative to  operating income  or net income  (loss) as  a measure  of
    operating   results  in   accordance  with   generally  accepted  accounting
    principles  or  to  cash  flows  from  operating,  investing  or   financing
    activities  as a measure  of liquidity. Items excluded  from EBITDA, such as
    depreciation,  amortization  and   nonrecurring  charges,  are   significant
    components   of  the  Company's  operations  and  should  be  considered  in
    evaluating the  Company's financial  performance. Nonrecurring  charges  are
    excluded  from EBITDA  due to  the fact that  management does  not expect to
    incur these charges on a  regular basis in the  future and does not  believe
    that  these charges should be considered in evaluating the Company's ability
    to service and/or incur indebtedness,  maintain current operating levels  of
    fixed assets and acquire additional operations and businesses in the future.
    Investors  should be aware that EBITDA as  described above may differ in the
    method of calculation from  EBITDA presented by other  companies due to  the
    exclusion  of nonrecurring charges. See footnote (2) above for a description
    of nonrecurring charges.

(5) Capital expenditures represent expenditures for long-term fixed assets which
    are necessary to grow or maintain existing products or services sold by  the
    Company.  Capital expenditures exclude cash outlays relating to acquisitions
    of new operations  or businesses  of $11.9  million, $5.1  million and  $6.9
    million  for the years  ended December 31,  1992 through 1994, respectively,
    and $7.8 million and $16.6 million  for the nine months ended September  30,
    1994 and 1995, respectively.

(6) The  historical ratio of  Debt to EBITDA  at September 30,  1994 and 1995 is
    calculated using EBITDA of $84.2 million  and $100.1 million for the  twelve
    month  periods ending  September 30,  1994 and  1995, respectively.  The pro
    forma ratio of debt to EBITDA at September 30, 1995 is calculated using  the
    sum  of historical EBITDA for the twelve  months ended September 30, 1995 of
    $100.1 million and the pro forma impact of the Acquisition and certain other
    transactions on pro forma EBITDA of  $23.1 million based on annualized  nine
    months' results.

(7) For  the year ended  December 31, 1992, earnings  were insufficient to cover
    fixed charges by $18.6 million.

                                      S-5
<PAGE>
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

ACQUISITION OF DIMAC

    On  October 23,  1995, the  Company entered  into an  agreement (the "Merger
Agreement") with DIMAC. Pursuant  to the Merger Agreement,  a subsidiary of  the
Company  would  merge with  DIMAC, resulting  in  DIMAC becoming  a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company. As a result  of the Acquisition, each share of  DIMAC
common  stock would be converted  into the right to  receive $28.00 in cash (the
"Merger Consideration"). The Company may elect to pay up to $7.00 of the  Merger
Consideration by issuing shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock, par value
$.01 per share ("Company Common Stock").

    Consummation of the Acquisition is subject to approval of the transaction by
the  DIMAC  stockholders and  certain  other customary  closing  conditions. The
Company anticipates  that  the  Acquisition  will be  consummated  on  or  about
February  21,  1996.  The shareholders  of  DIMAC  are expected  to  approve the
Acquisition at a shareholders' meeting scheduled for February 21, 1996.

    Immediately prior to the Acquisition, DIMAC will enter into a $175.0 million
senior bank facility guaranteed  by the Company  (the "DIMAC Credit  Facility").
The  Company anticipates that  approximately $111.6 million  of borrowings drawn
under the  DIMAC  Credit Facility,  together  with  the net  proceeds  from  the
issuance of the Notes, will be used to finance the Acquisition.

    DIMAC  was founded in  1921 and has  evolved into the  largest full service,
vertically-integrated direct marketing  services company in  the United  States.
DIMAC  creates and implements  comprehensive, custom-tailored marketing programs
that enable clients nationwide to focus their marketing expenditures on a highly
targeted potential customer base. As a full service, vertically-integrated firm,
DIMAC provides every component of a complete direct marketing program, including
customized market  research,  strategic  and  creative  planning,  creation  and
management  of  relational  databases, telemarketing,  media  buying, production
services, fulfillment services and  subsequent program analysis. Throughout  the
last  thirty years, DIMAC  has successfully expanded the  range of its marketing
services  and  increased  the  size  of  its  customer  base  to  include  major
corporations  such as AT&T, American Express, Blockbuster Video, The Walt Disney
Company,  several  Blue  Cross/Blue  Shield  organizations,  Medco   Containment
Services and a significant number of U.S. public television stations.

    For the year ended December 31, 1994 and for the nine months ended September
30,  1995, DIMAC  had sales of  approximately $100.0 million  and $89.0 million,
respectively, and EBITDA of $14.0 million and $15.0 million, respectively.

RECENT RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

    The Company recently announced  preliminary unaudited results of  operations
for  the  year ended  December  31, 1995.  Consolidated  net revenues  of $435.8
million for 1995  represented a  37.2% increase over  the 1994  net revenues  of
$317.6  million.  Operating  income  of  $73.0  million  in  1995  exceeded 1994
operating income of $57.8 million by 26.2%. Net income of $26.6 million for 1995
represented a 19.2%  increase over  the 1994 net  income of  $22.3 million.  Net
income  reported for 1995 gives  effect to a write-off,  net of income taxes, of
$2.8 million  relating  to  the  Company's investment  in  Media  Meervoud  (its
Netherlands in-store marketing subsidiary).

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

    The net proceeds to be received by the Company for the sale of the Notes are
estimated at $145.8 million after the deduction of the underwriting discount and
of  the  estimated  expenses payable  by  the  Company. Such  net  proceeds will
initially be deposited with and held by  and pledged to the Trustee pursuant  to
the  Indenture  as  security  for  the Notes.  In  the  event  that  the Special
Redemption occurs, such proceeds  together with funds  provided by the  Company,
will  be  used to  fund the  Special  Redemption. See  "Description of  Notes --
Special Redemption." If  the acquisition  of DIMAC is  consummated, the  Company
intends  to use the net proceeds of the Offering, together with amounts obtained
under the  DIMAC  Credit  Facility,  to finance  the  Acquisition.  See  "Recent
Developments."

                                      S-6
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION

    The  following  table  sets  forth  the  capitalization  of  the  Company at
September 30, 1995 and as  adjusted to give effect  to the Acquisition and  this
offering  and the  application of the  proceeds thereof. See  "Use of Proceeds."
This table should be read in  conjunction with the Pro Forma Condensed  Combined
Financial Statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus
Supplement.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                                                                             -------------------------------------
                                                                                                 PRO FORMA
                                                                                          ------------------------
                                                                                                       ACQUISITION
                                                                                          ACQUISITION   PAID WITH
                                                                                           PAID WITH    CASH AND
                                                                               ACTUAL        CASH         STOCK
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                                    (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                          <C>          <C>          <C>
Cash and cash equivalents..................................................  $     1,788  $     1,831  $     1,831
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
Current installments of long-term debt.....................................  $     3,278  $     3,852  $     3,852
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
Long-term debt:
  HMSI Credit Agreement (1)................................................      120,400      106,352       58,817
  DIMAC Credit Facility (2)................................................      --           111,612      111,612
  Canadian credit agreement................................................       16,263       16,263       16,263
  HMSI 11% Senior Notes due 2002...........................................      150,000      150,000      150,000
  HMC 11% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2002...............................       50,000       50,000       50,000
  HMC     % Senior Subordinated Notes offered hereby.......................      --           150,000      150,000
  Other....................................................................       10,439       11,972       11,972
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
    Total long-term debt...................................................      347,102      596,199      548,664
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, no par value. 60,000,000 shares authorized; none
   outstanding.............................................................      --           --           --
  Common Stock:
    Class A, $.01 par value. 40,000,000 shares authorized; 17,736,359
     shares outstanding; 19,496,899 shares pro
     forma if the Acquisition is paid with cash and stock (3)..............          177          177          195
  Additional paid-in capital...............................................      222,418      225,083      272,600
  Unrealized gain on investments, net (4)..................................          630          630          630
  Accumulated deficit......................................................     (112,610)    (106,098)    (106,098)
  Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments.....................       (1,436)      (1,436)      (1,436)
  Class A Common Stock in treasury at cost (32,828 shares).................         (454)        (454)        (454)
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
    Total stockholders' equity.............................................      108,725      117,902      165,437
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
    Total capitalization...................................................  $   459,105  $   717,953  $   717,953
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>

- ------------------------------
(1)  Heritage  Media Services, Inc. ("HMSI") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
     Company. The HMSI Credit Agreement consists  of an $80.0 million term  loan
     facility  and a $75.0  million revolving credit  facility. At September 30,
     1995, $31.0 million of additional  borrowings are available under the  HMSI
     Credit Agreement.

(2)  Immediately  prior to the consummation of the Acquisition, the Company will
     enter into the DIMAC Credit Facility  which will provide for borrowings  of
     up  to $175.0 million.  The Company expects that  it will use approximately
     $111.6 million  under  the DIMAC  Credit  Facility together  with  the  net
     proceeds of the offering to finance the Acquisition.

(3)  Excluding shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of stock options.

(4)  Although  the Company  does not invest  in equity securities  in the normal
     course of business, during the third quarter the Company made a  short-term
     investment  in marketable equity  securities which are  available for sale.
     The investment had  a gross unrealized  gain of $630,000  at September  30,
     1995  and is recognized as a separate component of stockholders' equity net
     of applicable taxes.

                                      S-7
<PAGE>
                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

    The  following  table  sets  forth  selected  financial  data  regarding the
financial position and operating  results of the  Company and its  subsidiaries.
This  data  should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  the  Company's consolidated
financial statements and  the notes thereto  appearing in the  Annual Report  on
Form  10-K for the year ended December 31,  1994, Amendment No. 1 to such report
on Form 10-K/A filed on December 15, 1995 and Amendment No. 2 to such report  on
Form  10-K/A  filed on  January 4,  1996  ("1994 Form  10-K") and  the Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended September 30, 1994, March 31,  1995,
June  30, 1995 and September 30, 1995 and Form 10-Q/A amending the Form 10-Q for
the period  ended  September 30,  1995,  which such  Form  10-Q/A was  filed  on
December  15,  1995, all  of  which are  incorporated  by reference  herein, and
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Interim Results
of Operations" appearing in this Prospectus Supplement.

                           HERITAGE MEDIA CORPORATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                       YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, (1)                   SEPTEMBER 30, (2)
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------
                                           1990        1991        1992        1993        1994        1994        1995
                                                                      (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                     <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
  Net revenues........................  $  203,854  $  222,360  $  250,891  $  291,205  $  317,628  $  210,826  $  299,065
  Operating income (3)................      13,451      21,950      27,550      34,995      57,838      35,332      47,473
  Interest expense, net...............     (38,108)    (38,640)    (37,473)    (31,515)    (30,373)    (22,196)    (26,190)
  Income (loss) before extraordinary
   items..............................     (26,009)    (19,278)    (14,966)         77      22,299       8,468      15,604
  Net income (loss)...................     (24,950)    (14,958)    (18,560)        512      22,299       8,468      15,604
  Income (loss) per share before
   extraordinary items................       (2.82)      (2.39)      (1.51)       (.32)        .15        (.64)        .88
  Net income (loss) per share.........      ($2.72)     ($1.97)     ($1.76)      ($.29)       $.15       ($.64)       $.88
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT PERIOD END):
  Property and equipment, net.........  $   52,144  $   48,659  $   55,832  $   57,422  $   54,799  $   53,527  $   58,374
  Goodwill and other intangibles,
   net................................     378,375     375,378     373,426     363,667     382,288     365,969     392,046
  Total assets........................     497,358     481,147     496,296     492,849     514,147     492,467     551,143
  Long-term debt (4)..................     352,791     345,916     319,385     314,989     351,525     348,008     350,380
  Stockholders' equity................      66,339      62,022      91,213      86,642      89,246      74,889     108,725
OTHER DATA:
  EBITDA (5)..........................  $   42,595  $   45,103  $   54,242  $   68,353  $   90,058  $   58,635  $   68,679
  Depreciation, amortization and
   nonrecurring charges (3)...........      28,944      22,803      26,692      33,358      32,220      23,303      21,206
  Capital expenditures (6)............       9,884      11,421      15,531      18,534      13,271       8,804      13,073
  Ratio of EBITDA to interest expense,
   net................................        1.12x       1.17x       1.45x       2.17x       2.97x       1.66x       2.62x
  Ratio of Debt to EBITDA (7).........        8.28        7.67        5.89        4.61        3.90        4.13        3.50
</TABLE>

- ------------------------
(1)  Information reflects  acquisition  and  investment  transactions  described
     under Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the
     1994  Form  10-K. See  "Management's Discussion  and Analysis  of Financial
     Condition and Interim Results of  Operations" appearing in this  Prospectus
     Supplement.

(2)  Information  reflects  acquisition  and  investment  transactions described
     under Note 4  of Notes  to Consolidated Financial  Statements appearing  in
     Form  10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,  1995 and Note 6 of Notes to
     Consolidated Financial Statements  appearing in Form  10-Q for the  quarter
     ended  September  30, 1994.  See "Management's  Discussion and  Analysis of
     Financial Condition and  Interim Results of  Operations" appearing in  this
     Prospectus Supplement.

(3)  Operating  income  contains certain  nonrecurring expenses  which represent
     operating costs  that are  unusual  or infrequent  in  nature and  are  not
     expected  to  be incurred  by  the Company  on  a regular  basis  in future
     periods. Such costs are comprised of the

                                      S-8
<PAGE>
     following: for the year ended December  31, 1990, $8.5 million relating  to
     compensation expense in connection with the POP Radio merger ($6.9 million)
     and  the write-down  of barter accounts  ($1.0 million)  and program rights
     ($.6 million),  and for  the year  ended December  31, 1993,  $4.7  million
     relating  to  restructuring  charges  ($3 million)  and  the  write-down of
     program rights  ($1.7  million).  In addition,  operating  income  contains
     compensation  expense relating to stock  appreciation rights in the amounts
     of $200,000,  $350,000, $500,000,  $500,000, and  $4.9 million  during  the
     years  ended December 31, 1990 through 1994, respectively, and $3.1 million
     for the nine months ended September  30, 1994. Such rights were retired  in
     January 1995.

(4)  Includes  current  installments.  See  Note  4  of  Notes  to  Consolidated
     Financial Statements appearing in  the 1994 Form 10-K,  Note 2 of Notes  to
     Consolidated  Financial  Statements appearing  in the  Form 10-Q/A  for the
     quarter ended September 30, 1995 and Notes 2 and 4 of Notes to Consolidated
     Financial Statements appearing in Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September
     30, 1994, all such forms are incorporated by reference herein.

(5)  EBITDA represents operating income excluding depreciation, amortization  of
     goodwill  and  other  assets  (as  presented  on  the  face  of  the income
     statement) and nonrecurring charges. EBITDA is presented because management
     believes that it is  a widely accepted financial  indicator of a  company's
     ability  to service  and/or incur indebtedness,  maintain current operating
     levels of fixed  assets and acquire  additional operations and  businesses.
     Accordingly,  significant uses of  EBITDA include, but  are not limited to,
     interest and principal  payments on long-term  debt, capital  expenditures,
     and  acquisitions of new  operations or businesses.  However, EBITDA should
     not be  considered as  an alternative  to operating  income or  net  income
     (loss)  as  a measure  of operating  results  in accordance  with generally
     accepted accounting principles or to  cash flows from operating,  investing
     or  financing activities  as a  measure of  liquidity. Items  excluded from
     EBITDA, such as  depreciation, amortization and  nonrecurring charges,  are
     significant components of the Company's operations and should be considered
     in evaluating the Company's financial performance. Nonrecurring charges are
     excluded  from EBITDA due  to the fact  that management does  not expect to
     incur these charges on a regular basis  in the future and does not  believe
     that these charges should be considered in evaluating the Company's ability
     to  service and/or incur indebtedness, maintain current operating levels of
     fixed assets  and  acquire  additional operations  and  businesses  in  the
     future. Investors should be aware that EBITDA as described above may differ
     in  the method of calculation from  EBITDA presented by other companies due
     to the exclusion of  nonrecurring charges. See  footnote (1) under  Summary
     Financial Data for a description of nonrecurring charges.

(6)  Capital  expenditures  represent  expenditures for  long-term  fixed assets
     which are necessary to grow or maintain existing products or services  sold
     by  the  Company. Capital  expenditures  exclude cash  outlays  relating to
     acquisitions of  new  operations  or  businesses  of  $37.7  million,  $4.4
     million,  $11.9 million, $5.1 million and  $6.9 million for the years ended
     December 31, 1990 through  1994, respectively, and  $7.8 million and  $16.6
     million   for  the  nine   months  ended  September   30,  1994  and  1995,
     respectively.

(7)  The ratio of Debt to  EBITDA at September 30,  1994 and 1995 is  calculated
     using  EBITDA  of $84.2  million and  $100.1 million  for the  twelve month
     periods ended September 30, 1994 and 1995, respectively.

                                      S-9
<PAGE>
    The following table sets forth selected financial information regarding  the
financial  position and operating results of DIMAC.  This data should be read in
conjunction with DIMAC's consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto
appearing in Heritage's Report  on Form 8-K/A dated  January 17, 1996, which  is
incorporated by reference herein.

                               DIMAC CORPORATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                             YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                     SEPTEMBER 30,
                                              -------------------------------------------------------  --------------------
                                                1990       1991       1992       1993(1)      1994       1994       1995
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
  Net revenues..............................  $  44,894  $  52,475  $  57,810   $  63,800   $ 100,012  $  70,652  $  89,030
  Operating income..........................      4,901      5,027      6,290       5,109      10,919      7,883     11,878
  Interest expense, net.....................       (605)    (1,092)      (781)     (1,417)     (6,069)    (4,993)    (3,574)
  Income (loss) before extraordinary
   item(2)..................................      2,576      2,476      3,363       2,259       2,985      1,729      5,117
  Net income (loss).........................      2,576      2,476      3,363       2,259        (172)    (1,018)     2,738
  Earnings (loss) per share before
   extraordinary item(2)(3).................                                          .22         .64        .43        .77
  Earnings (loss) per share(3)..............                                    $     .22   $    (.04) $    (.25) $     .41
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT PERIOD END):
  Property and equipment, net...............  $   5,544  $   7,571  $   7,240   $   8,124   $  13,013  $  13,233  $  19,276
  Goodwill and other intangibles, net.......      5,792      8,999      8,495      11,168      19,037     17,893     25,232
  Total assets..............................     26,053     36,818     32,533      41,456      64,408     66,617     81,360
  Long-term debt(4).........................      6,122     10,187      6,817      49,068      36,303     34,211     51,462
  Stockholders' equity (deficiency)(5)......      8,116     10,592     13,998     (27,573)         73       (680)     2,811
OTHER DATA:
  EBITDA(6).................................      6,233      6,965      8,539       8,862      14,019     10,099     15,004
  Capital expenditures(7)...................      2,061      2,142      1,229       2,530       4,178      3,452      2,166
</TABLE>

- ------------------------------
(1) Includes certain nonrecurring compensation expenses of $1,091,000 related to
    the  DIMAC recapitalization in 1993 and  $325,000 of reserves related to the
    move of the West Coast facility.

(2) The  extraordinary item  represents  the impact  of debt  extinguishment  in
    September 1994 and April 1995.

(3)  The historical earnings per share and equivalent shares data for 1990, 1991
    and 1992  has  not  been  presented  because  the  capitalization  of  DIMAC
    following the recapitalization and initial public offering is not indicative
    of the capitalization prior to such events.

(4) Includes current portion of long-term debt.

(5) Represents the impact of the recapitalization in 1993 and the initial public
    offering in 1994.

(6)  EBITDA represents operating income  excluding depreciation, amortization of
    goodwill and  other assets  and nonrecurring  charges. EBITDA  is  presented
    because management believes that it is a widely accepted financial indicator
    of  a  company's  ability  to service  and/or  incur  indebtedness, maintain
    current operating levels of fixed  assets and acquire additional  operations
    and businesses. Accordingly, significant uses of EBITDA include, but are not
    limited  to,  interest and  principal  payments on  long-term  debt, capital
    expenditures, and  acquisitions of  new operations  or businesses.  However,
    EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to operating income or net
    income (loss) as a measure of operating results in accordance with generally
    accepted accounting principles or to cash flows from operating, investing or
    financing  activities as a measure of liquidity. Items excluded from EBITDA,
    such as depreciation, amortization and nonrecurring charges, are significant
    components of  DIMAC's operations  and should  be considered  in  evaluating
    DIMAC's financial performance. Nonrecurring charges are excluded from EBITDA
    due  to  the  fact that  management  does  not expect  these  charges  to be
    recurring in the future  and does not believe  that these charges should  be
    considered   in  evaluating   DIMAC's  ability   to  service   and/or  incur
    indebtedness, maintain current operating levels of fixed assets and  acquire
    additional  operations  and businesses  in the  future. Investors  should be
    aware that EBITDA as described above may differ in the method of calculation
    from  EBITDA  presented  by  other   companies  due  to  the  exclusion   of
    nonrecurring   charges.  See  footnote  (1)   above  for  a  description  of
    nonrecurring charges.

(7) Capital expenditures represent expenditures for long-term fixed assets which
    are necessary to grow or maintain  existing services sold by DIMAC.  Capital
    expenditures exclude cash outlays relating to acquisitions of new operations
    or  businesses of $1.2 million, $0.7 million and $11.9 million for the years
    ended December 31, 1990, 1991 and 1994, respectively, and $11.6 million  and
    $11.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1994 and 1995.

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

GENERAL

    The  Company has focused  its growth strategy  on acquiring in-store, media,
and other communications-related properties it  believes have the potential  for
long-term  appreciation  and  aggressively  managing  the  operations  of  these
properties to improve their operating results. Due to the numerous acquisitions,
dispositions, and financing activities during  the periods discussed below,  the
results of operations from year to year are not comparable.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS: NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 COMPARED TO NINE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1994

    Consolidated  net revenues of $299.1 million  increased by 42% over the 1994
revenues of $210.8 million. Operating income  of $47.5 million in 1995  exceeded
the  comparable  1994  period  by  34%. Net  income  of  $15.6  million improved
significantly versus  $8.5 million  in 1994.  The improvement  in the  Company's
operating results for the 1995 period reflects advertising and promotion revenue
growth   and  additional  revenues  from  Actmedia  Canada  and  the  Powerforce
acquisition by the  in-store Marketing  Group and increased  national and  local
advertising revenues by the Television and Radio Groups. The income per share of
$0.88  improved  in 1995  versus  a $0.64  per  share loss  in  1994 due  to the
favorable results from operations and the  $1.13 per share impact of  settlement
rights accretion and dividends in 1994. All comparisons, unless otherwise noted,
are  for the  nine-month period ended  September 30, 1995  versus the comparable
1994 period.

    IN-STORE MARKETING.  The In-store Marketing Group contributed $235.1 million
of revenues in 1995, an increase of 57%, compared to $149.7 million in 1994. All
of the group's product revenues improved  versus the 1994 period. The growth  of
advertising,   promotion,  and  Instant  Coupon  Machine  ("ICM")  revenues  and
additional revenues from Actmedia Canada and the Powerforce acquisition were the
major contributors.  Advertising  revenues totaled  $41.2  million in  1995,  an
increase  of 14%  compared to  1994. Promotion  revenues totaling  $54.2 million
increased 36%  compared to  1994, and  ICM revenues  grew by  8%.  International
revenues of $22.3 million grew by 59% versus 1994 as Actmedia Canada contributed
an  additional $7.9 million of revenues.  The Powerforce acquisition added $53.2
million of revenues in the 1995 period.

    Operating income of $30.6  million increased by 48%,  from $20.7 million  in
the  1994 period due primarily to increased revenues. The 1994 period included a
$3.1 million nonrecurring charge. The operating margin was approximately 13%  in
1995  versus 14% in 1994 due  to Powerforce. Excluding Powerforce, the operating
margin was 16% in 1995.

    TELEVISION.  The  Television Group  generated $32.7 million  of revenues  in
1995,  a 1%  increase compared  to $32.4 million  in 1994.  Revenues improved 6%
compared to 1994 on a same  station basis. The Television Bureau of  Advertising
Time  Sales Survey reported that industry-wide gross local revenues increased by
7% and national  revenues were up  5% compared to  1994. The Television  Group's
national  revenues increased by  18% and local revenues  improved 3% compared to
the 1994 period  on a same  station basis.  The 1994 period  also included  $0.8
million of additional political revenues. Revenues improved 9% on a same station
basis  excluding  political revenues.  All of  the Television  Group's stations,
except Charleston, WV generated improved revenues  in 1995 compared to the  1994
period.

    Operating  income  of  $12.4  million  increased  by  16%  compared  to 1994
primarily as a  result of  the higher revenues  and favorable  mix of  increased
national revenues. The operating margin improved from 35% in 1994 to 38% in 1995
on  a same station basis. The Oklahoma City, Pensacola, and Plattsburgh/ Hanover
stations contributed substantially all of the operating income improvement.

    The rate of  growth of local  and national advertising  expenditures in  the
industry  softened in the  third quarter and  continues to be  slow entering the
fourth quarter.

    RADIO.   The  Radio  Advertising  Bureau  reported  that  combined  national
revenues  grew 9% and local  spot revenues improved 10%  in 1995 versus the same
period   in    1994    for    the    radio    industry.    Net    revenues    of

                                      S-11
<PAGE>
the  Radio Group increased by 9% from $28.8  million in 1994 to $31.3 million in
1995. The  Radio  Group's  national and  local  revenues  grew by  10%  and  9%,
respectively.  The significant contributors  to the revenue  growth were the St.
Louis and Rochester  duopolies and the  Kansas City and  Portland stations.  The
Cincinnati station's revenues declined significantly as previously discussed and
the Seattle station's revenues declined due to direct competition in its format.
The Portland and Kansas City acquisitions contributed $0.6 million of revenues.

    Operating  income grew  from $6.4  million in 1994  to $7.1  million in 1995
primarily as  a result  of  the improved  revenues.  Operating income  was  $7.7
million  excluding the acquisitions  noted above. The  operating margin improved
from 22% in 1994 to 25% in 1995 excluding the acquisitions.

    The Radio industry has seen a softening of national advertising expenditures
in the third quarter and continuing into the fourth quarter.

    CORPORATE EXPENSES.  Corporate expenses of $2.7 million in 1995 increased by
$150,000 versus the 1994 period.

    DEPRECIATION AND  AMORTIZATION.    Depreciation and  amortization  of  $21.2
million in 1995 increased by 5% compared to 1994.

    OTHER  NONRECURRING EXPENSE.   Other  nonrecurring expense  in 1994 included
$3.1 million of noncash expense  for accrued stock appreciation rights.  Payment
of the rights was completed in January 1995.

    INTEREST  EXPENSE.  Interest expense increased from $22.2 million in 1994 to
$26.2 million in  1995 due primarily  to higher interest  rates and higher  debt
levels.

    NET  INCOME.   Primarily  as  a result  of  an additional  $12.1  million of
operating income,  reduced by  higher  interest expense  and income  taxes,  the
Company  improved its net income  from $8.5 million in  1994 to $15.6 million in
1995.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS: 1994 COMPARED TO 1993

    Consolidated net revenues of $317.6  million represented a 9% increase  over
the  1993 revenues of $291.2 million. Cost of services of $151.0 million in 1994
were level with  1993. Operating income  of $57.8 million  in 1994 exceeded  the
comparable  1993 period by 65%. The earnings  per share were $0.15 versus a loss
per share of $0.29 in 1993.  The improvement in the Company's operating  results
for the 1994 period primarily reflects strong revenue growth from the ICM by the
In-store  Marketing  Group,  higher  revenues  from  the  in-store international
operations, increased  Television  and  Radio  Group  advertising  revenues  and
positive  contributions from the  radio stations acquired  during 1993 and 1994.
The earnings per share  improvement in 1994 versus  1993 was due principally  to
$22.8  million of  additional operating income  and $1.1  million lower interest
expense. The 1994 period included a $4.9 million nonrecurring expense for  stock
appreciation  rights and  1993 included a  $3.0 million  nonrecurring charge for
Actradio, a $1.7 million write-down of television broadcast program rights,  and
a  $0.4  million extraordinary  gain on  the early  extinguishment of  debt. All
comparisons, unless otherwise noted,  are for the year  ended December 31,  1994
versus the comparable 1993 period.

    IN-STORE MARKETING.  The In-store Marketing Group contributed $230.1 million
of  revenues in 1994, an increase of 6%, compared to $216.3 million in 1993. The
continued growth of the ICM was a major contributor to the revenue increase. The
ICM generated approximately $82.0  million of revenues in  its second full  year
which  exceeded the $63.0  million level in 1993  by 31%. International revenues
grew from $17.7 million in  1993 to $23.2 million in  1994 due primarily to  the
acquisitions of in-store marketing companies in Canada and Australia/New Zealand
in  1994. Co-operative sampling  and demonstration revenues  declined from $21.1
million in 1993  to $18.0 million  in 1994 principally  due to the  loss of  one
customer program and a product switch by another. Revenues generated per program
decreased  from  $3.5  million in  1993  to  $3.0 million  in  1994. Advertising
revenues in 1994 declined 5% compared to 1993 reflecting the continuing trend of
some clients directing  a portion of  their spending  to ICM and  away from  the
shelf-talk  product. Impact revenues  declined by 11% to  $47.0 million in 1994.
Revenues for demonstration services in 1994 were adversely affected by increased
competition, which has adversely affected pricing.

                                      S-12
<PAGE>
    Net revenues of Actradio increased to $6.9 million in 1994 from $6.6 million
in 1993. In 1993, Actradio terminated  its Joint Operating Agreement with  Muzak
Limited  Partnership, forming marketing alliances with three large music network
providers to accelerate the conversion to satellite delivery and expand 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 $3.0 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
reduced the  ongoing operating  costs and  long-term capital  requirements,  and
increased the size and quality of the in-store audio network.

    In-store  Marketing operating income of $37.2  million increased by 70% from
$21.9 million in the 1993 period  due primarily to the increased 1994  revenues,
favorable revenue mix of increased ICM and lower promotion revenues resulting in
higher  margins, store  operations efficiencies  and economies  related to field
execution, and  the elimination  of the  Actradio losses.  The operating  margin
increased  to 16% in  1994 compared to  12% in 1993  (excluding the $3.0 million
Actradio charge). The termination of the MUZAK agreement improved the  operating
margin by 2%.

    The  In-store Marketing Group contributed 72%  of the Company's revenues and
64% of operating income in 1994.

    TELEVISION.  The  Television Group  generated $46.7 million  of revenues  in
1994, a 13% increase compared to $41.5 million in 1993. The Television Bureau of
Advertising  Time Sales Survey reported  that industry-wide gross local revenues
increased by  4%  and  national  revenues  were  up  23%,  including  additional
political  revenues,  compared to  1993. The  Television Group's  local revenues
increased 9% and  national revenues  improved 22%  compared to  the 1993  period
including additional political advertising revenues of $3.3 million in 1994. All
of the Television Group's stations generated increased revenues in 1994 with 78%
of  the improvement  produced by  the Pensacola,  Oklahoma City  and Plattsburgh
stations. The Pensacola station benefitted from local revenue growth of 10%  and
national revenue growth of 39% including $1.8 million of political revenues. The
Oklahoma  City station  generated revenues of  $8.3 million in  1994 compared to
$7.3 million in 1993 primarily as a result of a 15% increase in local  revenues.
The  continuing  increase  in popularity  of  the FOX  network  programming, the
success of targeting programming  to the 18-49  audience, and National  Football
League    telecasts   have    favorably   impacted    KOKH-TV's   ratings.   The
Plattsburgh/Hanover stations' local and national  revenues improved 5% and  25%,
respectively, including $0.6 million of political revenue.

    Operating  income  of  $15.7  million increased  by  27%  compared  to 1993,
excluding the 1993 writedown of program rights, primarily as a result of  higher
revenues. The operating margin improved from 30% in 1993 to 34% in 1994.

    RADIO.   Net revenues of the Radio Group increased by 22% from $33.4 million
in 1993 to  $40.8 million in  1994. The Radio  Advertising Bureau reported  that
revenues  grew  by 11%  in  the industry  in  the comparable  period.  The radio
stations acquired in  1993 and 1994  contributed $3.9 million  of the  increase.
Revenues  for the stations owned for all of both periods increased 11% primarily
as a result of  improved station ratings  and the inclusion  of $0.5 million  of
political  revenues.  The  three  duopolies, combined,  contributed  75%  of the
revenue increase from 1993-1994. The  Cincinnati station incurred direct  format
competition  in the  spring of 1994  which substantially  impacted the operating
results of the station.

    Operating income grew  from $6.0  million in 1993  to $8.7  million in  1994
primarily  as a result of the improved revenues by the stations owned for all of
both periods  as a  $0.2 million  operating loss  was incurred  by the  acquired
stations. The operating margin improved from 18% in 1993 to 21% in 1994.

    CORPORATE EXPENSES.  Corporate expenses in 1994 of $3.7 million increased 5%
compared  to $3.6 million in 1993 due primarily to increased shareholder related
activities and performance related compensation expenses.

                                      S-13
<PAGE>
    OTHER  OPERATING  EXPENSES.    The  1994  period  included  a  $4.9  million
nonrecurring  expense  for  the  retirement  of  outstanding  stock appreciation
rights. The 1993 period included a $1.7 million writedown 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 $3.0 million Actradio
nonrecurring expense.

    DEPRECIATION AND  AMORTIZATION.    Depreciation and  amortization  of  $27.3
million  in 1994 decreased by 3% compared to $28.2 million in 1993. The majority
of the  decrease was  due to  the write-off  of the  obsolete Actradio  delivery
equipment in 1993.

    INTEREST EXPENSE.  Interest expense declined from $31.5 million in June 1993
to  $30.4 million in 1994 due primarily to the expiration of interest rate swaps
in June 1993.

    OTHER EXPENSE.  Included in the 1994 results of operations is a $1.4 million
non-cash charge to reflect the loss on the sale of television station KDLT-TV.

    INCOME TAXES.   Income tax expense  for 1994 and  1993 relates primarily  to
state  income taxes. As of December 31, 1994, the Company had net operating loss
carryforwards of $76.7  million available  to offset future  taxable income  for
federal income tax purposes. Only a portion of this amount, however, will reduce
the  Company's income  tax provision  for financial  statement purposes  and the
remainder will  be  applied  against  goodwill  and  stockholders'  equity  upon
realization.

    NET  INCOME.   Primarily  as  a result  of  an additional  $22.8  million of
operating income, the Company improved its net income from $0.5 million in  1993
to  $22.3  million  in  1994. Net  income  applicable  to  shareholders reflects
settlement rights accretion of $19.5 million in 1994 versus $3.5 million in 1993
and preferred dividends  of $0.1  million in 1994  compared to  $1.8 million  in
1993.

BALANCE SHEET: 1994 COMPARED TO 1993

    Trade  receivables increased approximately 7% from  $47.9 million in 1993 to
$51.1 million in  1994 due primarily  to a  9% increase in  fourth quarter  1994
revenues compared to 1993. Deferred revenues declined from $17.3 million in 1993
to $13.9 million in 1994 due primarily to an approximate $9.0 million decline in
promotion revenues, which provide for substantial billings prior to execution of
the  programs. Goodwill  and other intangibles  increased by  $18.6 million from
1993 to 1994  due to $33.0  million of additions  relating to acquisitions  less
$13.0  million  of amortization  and  the sale  of  the South  Dakota television
station.

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 $35.0 million in 1993 exceeded the comparable 1992
period  by  27%.  The  loss  per  share was  $0.29  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 radio  station acquisitions. The loss per  share
in  1993  was lower  than 1992  due  principally to  $7.4 million  of additional
operating income,  $6.0 million  lower interest  expense and  increased  average
shares  outstanding. The 1993 period included a $3.0 million nonrecurring charge
for Actradio, a $1.7  million writedown of  television broadcast program  rights
and  a $0.4 million extraordinary gain on  the early extinguishment of debt. The
1992 period included a  $3.3 million writeoff of  the Company's investment in  a
United  Kingdom  in-store marketing  company and  $3.6 million  of extraordinary
losses,  net,  recognized  as  a  result  of  the  Company's  1992   refinancing
activities.  All comparisons,  unless otherwise  noted, are  for the  year ended
December 31, 1993 versus the comparable 1992 period.

    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 the growth.  The ICM generated
$63.0 million of revenues in its first full year which tripled the $21.0 million
level in 1992.  Revenues from co-operative  sampling and demonstration  programs
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

                                      S-14
<PAGE>
operations produced an additional $0.5 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. Total Impact revenues declined  by
16%  to $53.0 million in 1993. The  number of programs continued to decline from
141 in 1991  to 133 in  1992 and 108  in 1993. The  demonstration business  also
incurred increased competition during 1993, which adversely affected pricing.

    Net  revenues of the Actradio product increased to $6.6 million in 1993 from
$6.0 million in 1992.

    In-store Marketing operating income of  $21.9 million increased by 38%  from
$15.9  million in the 1992 period due  primarily to the increased 1993 revenues,
store operations efficiencies, and reduced Actradio losses. The operating margin
increased to 12%, excluding the $3.0 million Actradio charge, compared to 9%  in
1992.

    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 $0.1
million  in 1993. The revenue improvement was  produced by the Oklahoma City and
Pensacola stations. The Pensacola station  benefitted from local revenue  growth
of  9% and national revenue  growth of 19%. The  Oklahoma City station (KOKH-TV)
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 Television
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 writedown, 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  $3.0
million  of the increase  and the 1993 acquisitions  contributed $1.5 million of
the increase. Revenues for the stations owned for all of both periods  increased
21%  primarily as a  result of improved  station ratings. The  St. Louis station
increased revenues from $4.9 million to $7 million in 1993 primarily due to  the
achievement of the number one ranking station in the market.

    Operating  income grew  from $3.3  million in 1992  to $6.0  million in 1993
primarily as a result of the improved revenues by the stations owned for all  of
both  periods  and  an  additional  $0.2  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 $3.0 million of Actradio nonrecurring expense.

    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 in  1993  of $31.5  million decreased
compared to $37.5  million in 1992,  reflecting a decrease  in both current  and
deferred interest. The decrease in current interest expense from 1992 to 1993 is
due  to lower debt levels and  interest rates. Deferred interest, resulting from
the accretion of certain debt obligations, decreased to zero in 1993 as a result
of the retirement of these obligations in 1992.

                                      S-15
<PAGE>
    NET INCOME (LOSS).  Primarily as a result of an additional $12.1 million  of
operating  income  (excluding  writedowns  and  nonrecurring  charges)  and $6.0
million lower interest expense, the Company improved its operating results  from
an  $18.6 million loss in 1992 to $.5  million in 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 the In-store Marketing Group having one extra
four-week cycle  in the  fourth  quarter and  increased retail  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.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

    Cash flows provided by operating  activities totaling $32.5 million for  the
nine  months  ended  September 30,  1995  decreased slightly  compared  to $34.7
million for the same period  in 1994 as the  improved operating results in  1995
were  more  than offset  by higher  working capital  requirements. For  the nine
months ended September 30, 1995, cash flows from operations of $32.5 million and
cash on hand were principally  utilized for acquisitions and investments  ($20.3
million),  capital expenditures ($13.1 million),  and debt and other liabilities
reduction ($3.0 million).

    Cash flows  provided by  operating activities  totaling approximately  $50.0
million for the year ended December 31, 1994 increased compared to approximately
$41.0  million in the year ended December 31, 1993 due primarily to the improved
operating results reduced  by additional working  capital requirements. For  the
year  ended December 31, 1994,  cash flows from operations  of $50.0 million and
net long-term  borrowings of  $11.0 million  were principally  utilized for  the
retirement  of settlement rights  ($39.0 million), net  capital expenditures and
investments  ($10.9  million),  acquisitions  ($6.9  million),  and  other  debt
reduction ($2.8 million).

    Cash flows provided by operating activities increased to approximately $41.0
million  for the  year ended December  31, 1993  from $17.0 million  in the year
ended December 31, 1992. This  improvement was primarily attributed to  improved
operating  results, a  $4.0 million  decrease in  interest payments  in 1993 and
improved  receivable  collections.  For  the  year  ended  December  31,   1993,
significant  uses of  cash for investing  and financing  activities included the
following: $9.0 million for the retirement  of debt and other liabilities,  $2.8
million  for retirement of settlement rights, $5.1 million for acquisitions, and
$19.2 million for net capital expenditures  and investments. For the year  ended
December  31, 1992, cash flows from  financing activities included $42.1 million
of net proceeds  from the  issuance of  additional Company  Common Stock.  These
proceeds  were used primarily  to fund the  $30.0 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.

    At  September 30, 1995,  the Company, through  Heritage Media Services, Inc.
("HMSI"), a wholly owned  subsidiary of the Company,  had a $155.0 million  bank
credit  facility  (the  "HMSI Credit  Agreement").  HMSI owns  ACTMEDIA  and the
Company's broadcasting properties. The HMSI Credit Agreement was comprised of an
$80.0 million term loan which began to amortize on December 31, 1994, continuing
until June 1999  and a  $75.0 million  reducing revolving  credit facility.  The
Company  completed an  amendment to  the HMSI Credit  Agreement on  May 24, 1995
which renewed the available funds to $151.4 million deferring principal payments
to 1997 through  1999. At September  30, 1995,  $76.4 million of  the term  loan
facility and $44.0 million of the revolving credit facility were outstanding and
$31.0  million of  additional borrowings  were available  under the  HMSI Credit
Agreement. The HMSI 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 HMSI 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.

                                      S-16
<PAGE>
    On June 22,  1992, HMSI issued  $150.0 million of  11% Senior Secured  Notes
(the  "HMSI Notes")  due June 15,  2002. Interest  on the HMSI  Notes is payable
semi-annually. The HMSI Notes  rank on a parity  with the obligations under  the
HMSI  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.

    On  October  1,  1992  the  Company  issued  $50.0  million  of  11%  Senior
Subordinated Notes (the "1992 Notes") due October 1, 2002. Interest on the  1992
Notes  is  payable semi-annually.  The 1992  Notes are  subordinate in  right of
payment to the prior payment in full  of the HMSI Credit Agreement and the  HMSI
Notes.

    The  Company has reduced its debt to EBITDA ratio from 8.3 in 1990 to 3.9 in
1994. The EBITDA to interest  coverage ratio has increased  from one in 1989  to
three in 1994. However, the Company is still highly leveraged and is expected to
continue  to have  a high level  of debt  for the foreseeable  future. See "Risk
Factors" in the Prospectus.

    The Company estimates that net cash provided by operations during the fourth
quarter of 1995 was in excess of $40.0 million. The major requirements for  cash
during  such period  included $2.0  million for  debt principal  payments, $13.0
million  for  interest  payments,  $3.0   million  for  lease  and   contractual
obligations  and  approximately  $3.5  million for  capital  expenditures.  As a
result, subject  to  any future  investments  and/or acquisitions,  the  Company
anticipates  reducing  debt  outstanding  under its  Credit  Agreement  with the
remainder of the net cash generated from operations.

FINANCING OF DIMAC ACQUISITION

    On October 23, 1995, the Company  and DIMAC Corporation announced that  they
have  entered into the Merger  Agreement, pursuant to which  DIMAC will become a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company in a transaction valued at  approximately
$255.0   million.  Under  the  terms  of  the  Merger  Agreement,  each  of  the
approximately 6.95 million fully  diluted shares of DIMAC  common stock will  be
exchanged for the Merger Consideration. The Company may elect to pay up to $7.00
of  the  Merger Consideration  by issuing  shares of  Company Common  Stock. The
merger will be accounted for by the Company as a purchase.

    Closing of the Acquisition is anticipated on or about February 21, 1996  and
is  subject  to  the  satisfaction  of  various  conditions,  including  certain
regulatory filings and the  approval of the shareholders  of DIMAC. The  Company
entered   into  agreements   with  certain   principal  stockholders   who  hold
approximately 33% of DIMAC's common stock to  vote their shares in favor of  the
Acquisition.

    Immediately  prior to the Acquisition, the Company will enter into the DIMAC
Credit Facility. The  Company anticipates that  approximately $111.6 million  of
borrowings drawn under the DIMAC Credit Facility, together with the net proceeds
from  the issuance of  the Notes, will  be used to  finance the Acquisition. The
Company has received a  commitment from a group  of commercial banks (for  which
NationsBank  of Texas, N.A. and Citibank, N.A.  will serve as agents) to provide
such financing in the maximum amount of $175.0 million. The commitment specifies
that $125.0 million of the financing will  be in the form of a revolving  credit
facility  in the initial  amount of $125.0 million  and reducing in installments
commencing March 31, 1998 through the final maturity date of March 31, 2003. The
commitment further specifies that $50.0 million of the financing will be in  the
form  of a  7 1/4  year term  loan facility,  payable in  quarterly installments
commencing September 30,  1997. Advances  under the DIMAC  Credit Facility  will
bear  interest at fluctuating  rates, initially estimated  to be Citibank's base
rate plus  .125%, or  (at the  option of  the Company)  LIBOR plus  1.375%.  The
Company  will guarantee DIMAC's obligations under  the new DIMAC Credit Facility
and will pledge the stock of DIMAC to secure advances thereunder. The new  DIMAC
Credit  Facility is expected to contain various restrictive covenants, including
limitations on additional indebtedness, sales of assets, acquisitions of  assets
and  payment of  dividends, and  is also expected  to require  DIMAC to maintain
compliance with various  financial ratios.  The terms  of the  new DIMAC  Credit
Facility are subject to the satisfactory negotiation of definitive documents.

                                      S-17
<PAGE>
FOREIGN EXCHANGE

    The  Company  has  foreign  operations,  primarily  in  Canada,  Europe, and
Australia/New Zealand.  Exchange rate  fluctuations  between the  currencies  of
these  countries and the U.S. Dollar result  in the translation and reporting of
carrying amounts of  foreign investments  which vary from  year to  year in  the
Company's  consolidated financial statements. Based on  the current scope of its
foreign operations, the Company  believes that any  such fluctuations would  not
have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition
or results of operations as reported in U.S. Dollars.

                                      S-18
<PAGE>
                              DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

    The  following description of the particular  terms of the Notes supplements
and, to  the extent  inconsistent  therewith, replaces  the description  of  the
general terms of the Securities set forth under the heading "Description of Debt
Securities"  in the accompanying  Prospectus, to which  description reference is
made. The  Notes  will  be issued  under  an  Indenture, as  supplemented  by  a
Supplemental  Indenture (together  the "Indenture"),  dated as  of February    ,
1996, between the Company and The Bank  of New York as Trustee (the  "Trustee").
The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part
of  the Indenture by  reference to the  Trust Indenture Act  of 1939 (the "Trust
Indenture Act"), as in effect on the  date of the Indenture. The following is  a
summary  of the material  terms and provisions  of the Notes  and the Indenture.
This summary does not purport to be a complete description of the Notes and  the
Indenture  and is subject  to the detailed  provisions of, and  qualified in its
entirety by reference to, the Notes and the Indenture (including the definitions
contained therein). Definitions  relating to certain  capitalized terms are  set
forth under "--Certain Definitions" and throughout this description. Capitalized
terms  that are used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned
to them  in  the Indenture  and  such  definitions are  incorporated  herein  by
reference.

GENERAL

    The  Notes will be limited in  aggregate principal amount to $150.0 million.
The Notes will be senior  subordinated obligations of the Company,  subordinated
in  right of  payment to Senior  Indebtedness of the  Company, including amounts
outstanding  under  the   credit  agreements  of   the  Company's   Subsidiaries
(guaranteed  by the Company), and  senior in right of  payment to any current or
future subordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Notes will rank PARI  PASSU
in right of payment with the 1992 Notes.

MATURITY AND INTEREST

    The  Notes will mature on          , 2006. Interest on the Notes will accrue
at the rate of     %  per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears  on
      and          in each year  (each, an "Interest  Payment Date"), commencing
        , 1996. Interest on the Notes will  accrue from the most recent date  to
which  interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of
original issuance. Interest will be computed on  the basis of a 360-day year  of
twelve 30-day months.

OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

    The Notes are not redeemable at the option of the Company prior to         ,
2001,  except as expressly provided below. Thereafter, the Notes will be subject
to redemption, at the option  of the Company, either in  whole or in part,  upon
not  less than 30 nor more  than 60 days' prior notice  mailed to each Holder of
Notes to be redeemed at  the address appearing in the  register, at any time  or
from  time to time at the  following redemption prices (expressed as percentages
of principal amount), in each case together with accrued and unpaid interest  to
the  date fixed for redemption if  redeemed during the 12-month period beginning
        of each of the years indicated below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR                                                                       PERCENTAGE
<S>                                                                       <C>
2001....................................................................            %
2002....................................................................            %
2003....................................................................            %
2004 and thereafter.....................................................      100.00%
</TABLE>

    In addition, the Company will be  required to redeem the Notes as  described
below  under "--Special Redemption"  and may be required  to offer to repurchase
Notes  at  any  time  as  described  below  under  "--Change  of  Control"   and
"--Covenants--Limitations on Sales of Assets."

SPECIAL REDEMPTION

    The  Notes  offered  hereby will  be  subject to  mandatory  redemption (the
"Special Redemption") at a redemption price  equal to 101% of their issue  price
to  the  public,  plus  accrued  interest to  the  date  of  redemption,  if the
Acquisition is not  consummated on or  before the Special  Redemption Date.  See
"Recent Developments."

                                      S-19
<PAGE>
    Pursuant  to the Indenture,  the Company will deposit  the net proceeds from
the sale of the Notes  offered hereby with the Trustee  on the date of  issuance
thereof,  together with such other  amount as, when added  to such net proceeds,
equals $      million, plus an amount equal to the interest thereon at the  rate
of     % per annum until the Special Redemption Date. All amounts deposited with
the Trustee and any accrued  interest thereon (collectively, the "Trust  Funds")
will be pledged to and held by the Trustee pursuant to the Indenture as security
for  the Notes. The Indenture  will provide that if, on  or prior to the Special
Redemption Date, the Company delivers to the Trustee a certificate stating  that
the  Acquisition has been  consummated, then the Trustee  will release the Trust
Funds to the Company. Following  release of the Trust  Funds, the Notes will  be
unsecured obligations of the Company.

    Pending  release of the Trust Funds as  provided in the Indenture, the Trust
Funds will be  invested in Cash  Equivalents as  directed by the  Company. If  a
Special Redemption is required, the Notes will be redeemed with the Trust Funds.
See  "--Covenants--Deposit  of  Proceeds with  Trustee  Pending  Consummation of
Acquisition."

RANKING

    The indebtedness evidenced by  the Notes will be  subordinated to the  prior
payment  when due of  all Senior Indebtedness  of the Company.  At September 30,
1995,  there  was  an  aggregate  of  approximately  $292.1  million  of  Senior
Indebtedness  outstanding including  $291.7 million  of the  Company's Guarantee
Obligations. At September 30, 1995, on a pro forma basis after giving effect  to
the Acquisition (assuming that the consideration is comprised entirely of cash),
there   will  be  an  aggregate  of   approximately  $391.2  million  of  Senior
Indebtedness outstanding.

    The Indenture provides that in the event that any default in the payment  of
principal  of (or premium, if any), interest on, or sinking fund obligation with
respect to any Senior Indebtedness beyond  any applicable period of grace  shall
have  occurred  and  be  continuing,  permitting  the  holders  of  such  Senior
Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf  of the holders thereof) to accelerate  the
maturity  thereof, then, unless and until such  default shall have been cured or
waived or shall have ceased to exist, no payment may be made on or in respect of
the Notes, including  any payment  for the repurchase  of Notes  upon Change  of
Control.

    In the event that any default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness (other
than a default in the payment of any principal of (or premium, if any), interest
on,  or sinking fund obligation with respect to such Senior Indebtedness) beyond
any applicable period of grace shall have occurred and be continuing, permitting
the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or  a trustee on behalf of the  holders
thereof)  to  accelerate the  maturity thereof,  or  if an  event of  default in
respect of Senior Indebtedness would result upon any payment with respect to the
Notes, then unless such default or event of default has been cured or waived  or
otherwise  has ceased to  exist, upon receipt  by the Trustee  of written notice
from the holders  of at  least a  majority in  principal amount  of such  Senior
Indebtedness  then outstanding, no such payment may  be made by the Company upon
or in respect of the Notes  for a period ("Payment Blockage Period")  commencing
on  the date of  receipt of such  notice and ending  179 days thereafter (unless
such Payment  Blockage Period  shall  be terminated  by  written notice  to  the
Trustee from such holders initiating the Payment Blockage Period). Any number of
such  notices  may  be  given;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that  (i)  during  any  360
consecutive days, the aggregate of all Payment Blockage Periods shall not exceed
179 days, (ii) there shall be a period of at least 181 consecutive days in  each
360-day  period  when no  Payment Blockage  Period  is in  effect and  (iii) any
default or  event of  default that  resulted in  the commencement  of a  179-day
Payment  Blockage Period may not be the  basis for the commencement of any other
179-day Payment Blockage Period.

CHANGE OF CONTROL

    In the event that a Change of Control (as defined below) has occurred,  each
Holder  of Notes will have the right, subject to the terms and conditions of the
Indenture, to  require that  the Company  repurchase all  or a  portion of  such
Holder's Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount
thereof,  plus accrued and unpaid  interest, if any, to  the Repurchase Date (as
defined below), in  accordance with the  terms set forth  below (the "Change  of
Control  Offer"). Any rights of Holders arising  pursuant to a Change of Control
Offer shall be subordinated  in right of payment  to all Senior Indebtedness  of
the  Company  to  the  same  extent as  the  Notes  are  subordinated  to Senior
Indebtedness of the Company.

                                      S-20
<PAGE>
    Within 30 days following a Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice
to each Holder of a Note stating: (i) that a Change of Control has occurred  and
that  such Holder has  the right to require  the Company to  repurchase all or a
portion of such Holder's Notes  at a repurchase price in  cash equal to 101%  of
the  principal amount thereof, plus accrued and  unpaid interest, if any, to the
Repurchase Date; (ii) the circumstances and relevant facts regarding such Change
of Control  (including  information  with  respect  to  income,  cash  flow  and
capitalization  after  giving  effect  to such  Change  of  Control);  (iii) the
repurchase date specified  by the Company  (which shall be  not earlier than  45
days  or later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the "Repurchase
Date"); and (iv) the instructions determined by the Company consistent with  the
Indenture  that  a  Holder of  Notes  must follow  in  order to  have  its Notes
repurchased.  Holders  of  Notes  will  have  the  right  to  have  their  Notes
repurchased by the Company if such Notes are properly tendered for repurchase at
any  time beginning on the date such notice is mailed and ending at the close of
business on the fifth business day prior to the applicable Repurchase Date.

    As used herein, a  "Change of Control" means  (i) directly or indirectly,  a
sale,  transfer or other conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets of
the Company, on  a consolidated  basis, (ii) any  "person" or  "group" (as  such
terms  are used for  purposes of Sections  13(d) and 14(d)  of the Exchange Act,
whether or not  applicable) being or  becoming the "beneficial  owner" (as  such
term  is used for purposes of Section 13(d)  of the Exchange Act, whether or not
applicable), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total Voting  Power
of  the  Company or  (iii)  the Continuing  Directors  cease for  any  reason to
constitute a majority of the directors of the Company then in office.

    The Company will comply with any  tender offer rules under the Exchange  Act
which  may then  be applicable, including  Rule 14e-1  thereunder, in connection
with any offer  required to  be made  by the Company  to repurchase  Notes as  a
result of a Change of Control.

COVENANTS

LIMITATIONS ON INDEBTEDNESS AND DISQUALIFIED CAPITAL STOCK

    The  Indenture prohibits  the Company and  any Restricted  Subsidiary of the
Company from (i) creating, issuing,  incurring or assuming any Indebtedness  and
(ii)  issuing  any  Disqualified  Capital  Stock  unless  at  the  time  of such
Incurrence or issuance and after giving effect thereto, all Indebtedness of  the
Company  and its Restricted  Subsidiaries and Disqualified  Capital Stock of the
Company, on a consolidated  basis, shall not  be more than  6.5 times Pro  Forma
Operating Cash Flow for the four full fiscal quarters immediately preceding such
Incurrence.

    Notwithstanding  the foregoing, the Indenture  does not limit the incurrence
of any of the following (collectively "Permitted Indebtedness"):

        (i) Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes;

        (ii) Indebtedness incurred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary  or
    Disqualified  Capital Stock issued by the Company that does not exceed $40.0
    million at any time outstanding;

       (iii) Indebtedness incurred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary  of
    the  Company  or  Disqualified  Capital Stock  issued  by  the  Company, the
    proceeds of  which are  used to  refinance outstanding  Indebtedness of  the
    Company  or such Restricted  Subsidiary in a principal  amount not to exceed
    the principal amount so refinanced plus financing fees and other  reasonable
    expenses  associated with such refinancing;  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (x) the
    Weighted Average Life to Maturity of  such Indebtedness shall be no  shorter
    than  the Weighted Average  Life to Maturity  of the refinanced Indebtedness
    and (y)  if the  refinanced Indebtedness  is not  Senior Indebtedness,  such
    refinanced Indebtedness is subordinated in all respects to the Notes;

        (iv)  Indebtedness outstanding at any time  under, or in respect of, the
    Credit Agreements  in an  aggregate principal  amount not  to exceed  $330.0
    million at any one time outstanding;

        (v) Indebtedness entered into pursuant to Interest Swap Agreements; and

                                      S-21
<PAGE>
        (vi) Indebtedness issued to and held or owned by the Company or a Wholly
    Owned Subsidiary of the Company that is a Restricted Subsidiary (but only so
    long  as held or owned by the Company or such Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the
    Company that  is  a  Restricted Subsidiary);  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that  the
    obligations  of the  Company to  any of  its Wholly  Owned Subsidiaries with
    respect  to  such  indebtedness  shall  be  evidenced  by  an   intercompany
    promissory note and shall be subordinated in right of payment to the payment
    and  performance of  the Company's obligations  under the  Indenture and the
    Notes.

LIMITATIONS ON SALES OF ASSETS

    The Indenture prohibits the Company  and any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries
from making any Asset Sale unless:

        (i)  the  consideration  received  by  the  Company  or  such Restricted
    Subsidiary at the  time of  the Asset  Sale is at  least equal  to the  fair
    market value of the shares or assets subject to such Asset Sale and

        (ii)  at least  85% of  the consideration  received consists  of cash or
    readily marketable  cash equivalents,  PROVIDED  THAT (a)  any  Indebtedness
    assumed  by the acquiror  in the Asset Sale  shall be deemed  to be cash for
    purposes of this covenant and (b) an Asset Sale which is all or a portion of
    an Asset Swap shall not be subject to this requirement.

    The provisions of this covenant shall not apply to a Permitted Spin-Off. The
Company or a  Restricted Subsidiary  may, within 365  days of  such Asset  Sale,
invest  the Net  Proceeds, as  defined below,  in the  acquisition of  a Related
Business. The amount of such Net Proceeds not invested in a Related Business  as
set forth in this paragraph constitutes "Excess Proceeds."

    For  purposes of the foregoing, "Net Proceeds" means the aggregate amount of
cash (including other consideration that is converted into cash) received by the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in respect  of such Asset Sale, less the  sum
of (i) all fees, commissions and other expenses incurred in connection with such
Asset  Sale, including  the amount of  income taxes  required to be  paid by the
Company or  such Restricted  Subsidiary  in connection  therewith and  (ii)  the
aggregate amount of cash so received which is used to retire any existing Senior
Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries or Indebtedness that
is ranked PARI PASSU with the Notes which is required to be repaid in connection
therewith.  If at any time any  funds are received by or  for the account of the
Company or  any  of  its  Restricted Subsidiaries  upon  the  sale,  conversion,
collection  or  other  liquidation  of any  non-cash  consideration  received in
respect of  an Asset  Sale,  such funds  shall,  when received,  constitute  Net
Proceeds  and may within 180 days after the receipt of such funds, be applied as
provided in the preceding paragraph as determined by the Company.

    The Indenture provides  that when  the aggregate amount  of Excess  Proceeds
exceeds  $5.0 million, the Company is required  to make an offer to purchase the
Notes (the "Offer to  Purchase") pro rata  with any purchase  of the 1992  Notes
pursuant  to the indenture thereunder in  an aggregate principal amount equal to
such Excess Proceeds at a purchase price of 100% of their principal amount  plus
accrued  and unpaid interest thereon to the  date of purchase in accordance with
provisions   (including   provisions   for   prorations   in   the   event    of
oversubscription)  set forth in the Indenture.  To the extent that the aggregate
amount of Notes  tendered pursuant to  the Offer  to Purchase is  less than  the
Excess  Proceeds, the Company may use  any remaining Excess Proceeds for general
corporate purposes. Upon completion of  the purchase of Notes tendered  pursuant
to an Offer to Purchase, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset to zero.

LIMITATIONS ON RESTRICTED PAYMENTS

    The  Indenture prohibits  the Company  and its  Restricted Subsidiaries from
making any Restricted Payment unless at the  time of and after giving effect  to
such  Restricted Payment (i) no Default or  Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing  or would  occur as a  consequence thereof;  (ii) the  Company
could  incur  at  least  $1.00  of  additional  Indebtedness  (pursuant  to  the
provisions described  under "--  Limitations  on Indebtedness  and  Disqualified
Capital Stock" above (without regard to the second paragraph thereof); and (iii)
the  total  of  all  Restricted  Payments  of  the  Company  and  its Restricted
Subsidiaries on or after  the date of  the Indenture does  not exceed an  amount
equal  to the sum of  (a) Cumulative Operating Cash Flow  of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries LESS 1.4 times Cumulative Total Interest Expense of  the
Company  and its Restricted Subsidiaries PLUS (b) an amount equal to 100% of the
aggregate Qualified

                                      S-22
<PAGE>
Capital Stock Proceeds  PLUS (c) $15.0  million. Notwithstanding the  foregoing,
the  provisions  of this  covenant will  not  prohibit (x)  aggregate Restricted
Payments by  the Company  equal to  100% of  aggregate Qualified  Capital  Stock
Proceeds from the contemporaneous sale of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company
if such Restricted Payments are used to redeem, repurchase or retire outstanding
shares  of Capital Stock of  the Company after the date  of the Indenture or (y)
payment of any dividend within 60 days of the date of its declaration if at  the
date  of declaration such  payment would have been  permitted. The provisions of
this covenant shall not apply to a Permitted Spin-Off.

LIMITATIONS ON LIENS

    The Indenture provides that  neither the Company nor  any of its  Restricted
Subsidiaries  will incur, assume, suffer to  exist, create or otherwise cause to
be effective Liens upon  any of their respective  assets to secure  Indebtedness
except:  (i) Liens existing on the date of the Indenture; (ii) Liens incurred or
pledges and  deposits in  connection  with workers'  compensation,  unemployment
insurance  and other  social security benefits,  leases, appeal  bonds and other
obligations of like nature incurred by the Company or any Restricted  Subsidiary
in  the  ordinary course  of business;  (iii) Liens  imposed by  law, including,
without  limitation,  mechanics',   carriers',  warehousemen's,   materialmen's,
suppliers'  and vendors' Liens, incurred by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries in  the  ordinary course  of  business; (iv)  zoning  restrictions,
easements,  licenses, covenants, reservations,  restrictions on the  use of real
property or minor  irregularities of  title incident  thereto, which  do not  in
aggregate have a material adverse effect on the operation of the business of the
Company  or its Subsidiaries taken as a  whole; (v) Liens for AD VALOREM, income
or property taxes or assessments and  similar charges either (a) not  delinquent
or  (b) contested in good  faith by appropriate proceedings  and as to which the
Company has set aside on its books reserves to the extent required by GAAP; (vi)
Liens in  respect of  purchase money  Indebtedness incurred  to acquire  assets,
PROVIDED THAT such Liens are limited to the assets or acquired with the proceeds
of  such Indebtedness  (and the proceeds  of such assets);  (vii) Liens securing
assets leased pursuant to  Capital Lease Obligations  permitted by the  covenant
described  under "--Limitations on Indebtedness and Disqualified Capital Stock";
(viii) Liens securing  Indebtedness permitted  by the  covenant described  above
under "--Limitations on Indebtedness and Disqualified Capital Stock"; (ix) Liens
on  any assets  of any  Restricted Subsidiary  of the  Company which  assets are
acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries subsequent to  the
date  of the  Indenture, and which  Liens were in  existence on or  prior to the
acquisition of such  assets of such  Restricted Subsidiary (to  the extent  that
such Liens were not created in contemplation of such acquisition), PROVIDED THAT
such  Liens are limited to the assets  so acquired and the proceeds thereof; and
(x) Liens imposed pursuant  to condemnation or  eminent domain or  substantially
similar proceedings.

LIMITATIONS ON RANKING OF FUTURE INDEBTEDNESS

    The  Indenture  provides that  the Company  will  not create,  issue, incur,
assume, guarantee  or otherwise  become directly  or indirectly  liable for  any
Indebtedness  that is subordinate  or junior in  right of payment  to any Senior
Indebtedness of the Company and senior in any respect in right of payment to the
Notes.

LIMITATIONS ON ISSUANCE OF RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY STOCK

    The Indenture  provides that  the Company  and its  Restricted  Subsidiaries
shall  not transfer,  convey, sell,  lease or  otherwise dispose  of any Capital
Stock of any such Restricted Subsidiary to any Person other than the Company and
no Restricted Subsidiary shall issue shares  of its Capital Stock or  securities
convertible  into, or warrants, rights or  options, to subscribe for or purchase
shares of,  its  Capital  Stock  to  any Person  other  than  the  Company.  The
provisions of this covenant shall not apply to a Permitted Spin-Off.

LIMITATIONS ON TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

    The  Indenture prohibits  the Company  and its  Restricted Subsidiaries from
entering into  any transaction  (including,  without limitation,  any  purchase,
sale,  lease or exchange of  property or the rendering  of any service) with (i)
any holder of 10% or  more of any class of  equity securities of the Company  or
any  Affiliate of the Company or (ii) any Affiliate (other than the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary) of (a) any such  holder or (b) any Restricted  Subsidiary
of  any such holder, unless a majority of the disinterested members of the Board
of Directors of the Company determine (which determination will be evidenced  by
a  resolution submitted to the Trustee) that (x) such transaction is in the best
interests of the Company and (y) such

                                      S-23
<PAGE>
transaction is on  terms that  are no  less favorable  to the  Company, or  such
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those which might be obtained at
the time from Persons who are not such a holder or Affiliate; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that  any transaction or series of  related transactions with an aggregate value
of $5.0 million or more shall, in addition to the foregoing, require an  opinion
delivered  to  the Trustee  by a  nationally recognized  investment bank  to the
effect that such  transaction is  fair from  a financial  point of  view to  the
Company;  PROVIDED, FURTHER, if there are  no disinterested members of the Board
of Directors  any  transactions  or  series  of  related  transactions  with  an
aggregate value of $1.0 million or more shall, in lieu of requiring the approval
of  such disinterested members,  require such a  fairness opinion; and PROVIDED,
FURTHER, if there  are no disinterested  members of the  Board of Directors,  as
applicable, any transactions or series of related transactions with an aggregate
value  of less than $1.0 million  shall require the determination required above
by a vote of the Board of Directors. The foregoing restrictions shall not  apply
to   (i)  Restricted  Payments  permitted   under  "--Limitation  on  Restricted
Payments," (ii)  payment of  any dividend  within 60  days of  the date  of  its
declaration if at the date of declaration such payment would have been permitted
or (iii) other transactions expressly permitted to be made under the Indenture.

REPORTS TO HOLDERS OF THE NOTES

    The  Company will furnish the information  required by Sections 13 and 15(d)
of the Exchange  Act to  the Commission  and to the  Holders of  the Notes.  The
Indenture  provides that even if the Company  is entitled under the Exchange Act
not to furnish  such information to  the Commission  and to the  Holders of  the
Notes,  it  shall  nonetheless  continue  to  furnish  such  information  to the
Commission, the Trustee and the  Holders of the Notes as  if it were subject  to
such periodic reporting requirements.

DEPOSIT OF PROCEEDS WITH TRUSTEE PENDING CONSUMMATION OF ACQUISITION.

    On  the date  of issuance  of the  Notes offered  hereby, the  Company shall
deposit with the Trustee  the net proceeds  from the sale  of the Notes  offered
hereby,  together with such  other amount as,  when added to  such net proceeds,
equals $      million, plus an amount equal to the interest thereon at the  rate
of    % per annum until the Special Redemption Date.

MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE OF ASSETS

    The  Indenture provides that  the Company (i) shall  not consolidate with or
merge into any  Person, (ii) shall  not permit any  other Person to  consolidate
with  or merge  into the  Company or any  Restricted Subsidiary  of the Company,
(iii) shall  not,  directly or  indirectly,  transfer, sell,  convey,  lease  or
otherwise  dispose of all or substantially all  of its assets as an entirety and
(iv) shall not, and  shall not permit any  Restricted Subsidiary of the  Company
to,  directly  or  indirectly  (a)  acquire  Capital  Stock  or  other ownership
interests in any other Person such that such Person becomes a Subsidiary of  the
Company  or (b) purchase, lease or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of
the property and assets  of any Person  as an entirety  or an existing  business
unless  (1) the successor or transferee (if  other than the Company) is a United
States corporation, (2) the successor or transferee (if other than the  Company)
assumes all of the obligations of the Company under the Notes and the Indenture,
(3)  the Consolidated Net Worth  of the Company or  such successor or transferee
immediately  after  the  transaction  is   at  least  equal  to  the   Company's
Consolidated  Net Worth  immediately prior  to the  transaction, (4) immediately
after giving effect to such transaction, the Company would be permitted to incur
at least $1.00 of additional  Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions  described
under  "--Covenants--Limitation on Indebtedness  and Disqualified Capital Stock"
above (without regard  to the  second paragraph  thereof) and  (5) after  giving
effect  to such transaction no Event of  Default or event which, with the notice
or lapse of time or both, would become  an Event of Default has occurred and  is
continuing.  For  the  purposes  of  this  covenant,  a  Transaction  defined in
sub-paragraph (iii) of the definition of a Permitted Spin-Off will constitute an
indirect disposition of substantially  all of the assets  of the Company  within
sub-paragraph  (iii)  above, and  will be  subject  to the  provisions contained
herein.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

    The following are Events of Default under the Indenture: (i) failure to  pay
(a)  principal of or premium, if any, on  the Notes when due whether at maturity
or otherwise or (b) the  repurchase price of the  Notes payable pursuant to  the
exercise  of a repurchase option upon a Change of Control or upon an Asset Sale;
(ii) failure to pay any interest on  the Notes when due, continued for 30  days;
(iii) failure to perform any other

                                      S-24
<PAGE>
covenant, or the breach of any warranty, in the Indenture, continued for 60 days
after  written  notice by  the Trustee  or by  the  Holders of  at least  25% in
principal amount of the outstanding Notes  as provided in the Indenture; (iv)  a
default under any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries whether
such  Indebtedness  exists as  of the  date  of the  Indenture or  is thereafter
created, which default  shall have resulted  in such Indebtedness  in excess  of
$5.0  million becoming or  being declared due  and payable prior  to the date on
which it would otherwise have become  due and payable without such  acceleration
having  been annulled or rescinded as provided  in the Indenture; (v) failure by
the  Company  or  any  of  its  Subsidiaries  to  pay  certain  final  judgments
aggregating  in excess of $5.0 million which  judgments are not stayed within 60
days after their  entry; and (vi)  certain events of  bankruptcy, insolvency  or
reorganization  of the Company or any of  its Material Subsidiaries. If an Event
of Default shall occur and be continuing,  either the Trustee or the Holders  of
at  least 25% in aggregate principal amount  of the Notes outstanding, by notice
as provided in the Indenture, may declare  the principal amount of the Notes  to
be  due and  payable immediately.  However, at any  time after  a declaration of
acceleration with respect to the Notes has  been made, but before a judgment  or
decree  based on such acceleration has been  obtained, the Holders of a majority
in aggregate principal  amount of  the Notes may,  under certain  circumstances,
rescind  and annul such acceleration. For  information as to waiver of defaults,
see "--Modification and Waiver" below.

    No Holder of any Note will have  any right to institute any proceeding  with
respect  to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall
have previously given  to the Trustee  written notice of  a continuing Event  of
Default  and unless the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of
the Outstanding Notes shall  have made written  request, and offered  reasonable
indemnity,  to  the Trustee  to institute  such proceeding  as Trustee,  and the
Trustee shall not  have received  from the Holders  of a  majority in  aggregate
principal  amount of  the Outstanding Notes  a direction  inconsistent with such
request and  shall have  failed to  institute such  proceeding within  60  days.
However,  such limitations do  not apply to a  suit instituted by  a Holder of a
Note for enforcement of  payment of the  principal of (and  premium, if any)  or
interest  on such Note  on or after  the respective due  dates expressed in such
Note.

DEFEASANCE

    The Indenture provides that (i) the Company will be discharged from any  and
all  obligations in respect of Outstanding Notes or (ii) the Company may omit to
comply with certain restrictive covenants, and  that such omission shall not  be
deemed  to be an Event  of Default under the Indenture  and the Notes, in either
case (i) or (ii) upon irrevocable deposit  with the Trustee, in trust, of  money
and/or  U.S.  government  obligations  which will  provide  money  in  an amount
sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized accounting firm to pay  the
principal  of, and premium, if any, and each installment of interest, if any, on
the Outstanding Notes. With  respect to clause (ii),  the obligations under  the
Indenture  other than with respect  to such covenants and  the Events of Default
other than the Event of Default relating to such covenants above shall remain in
full force  and effect.  Such trust  may  only be  established if,  among  other
things,  (i) the Company has received from,  or there has been published by, the
Internal Revenue Service a ruling  or there has been a  change in law, which  in
the  Opinion of Counsel  provides that Holders  of the Notes  will not recognize
gain or  loss for  federal income  tax purposes  as a  result of  such  deposit,
defeasance  and discharge and will be subject  to federal income tax on the same
amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case  if
such  deposit,  defeasance and  discharge  had not  occurred;  (ii) no  Event of
Default or  event which,  with  notice or  the lapse  of  time, or  both,  shall
constitute  an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (iii) the
Company has delivered to the  Trustee an Opinion of  Counsel to the effect  that
such  deposit shall not cause the Trustee or  the trust so created to be subject
to the  Investment  Company  Act  of 1940;  and  (iv)  certain  other  customary
conditions precedent.

THE TRUSTEE

    The  Indenture provides that, subject  to the duty of  the Trustee during an
Event of Default to act with the required standard of care, the Trustee will  be
under  no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture
at the request or  direction of any  of the Holders,  unless such Holders  shall
have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity. Subject to certain
provisions, including those requiring

                                      S-25
<PAGE>
security  or  indemnification  of the  Trustee,  the  Holders of  a  majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Notes will have the right to direct the  time,
method  and place of conducting  any proceeding for any  remedy available to the
Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee.

    The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a  statement
as  to the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Indenture and
as to any default in such performance.

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

    "Adjusted Net Income" means net income before extraordinary gains or  losses
and  before gains or losses  in respect of the  sale, lease, conveyance or other
disposition of assets not in the ordinary course of business realized during any
given period.

    "Affiliate" of  a  Person means  any  other Person  directly  or  indirectly
controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with such
Person.  For purposes of  this definition, "control," when  used with respect to
any Person,  means the  power to  direct  the management  and policies  of  such
Person,  directly  or  indirectly,  whether  through  the  ownership  of  voting
securities, by contract or otherwise.

    "Asset Sale" by any  Person means any transfer,  conveyance, sale, lease  or
other  disposition  by  such Person  or  any  of its  Subsidiaries  (including a
consolidation, merger or other  sale of any such  Subsidiaries with, into or  to
another  Person  in  a transaction  in  which  such Subsidiary  ceases  to  be a
Subsidiary, but excluding a disposition by  a Subsidiary of such Person to  such
Person or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of such Person or by such Person to a Wholly
Owned  Subsidiary of  such Person)  of (i) shares  of Capital  Stock (other than
directors' qualifying shares) or  other ownership interests  of a Subsidiary  of
such  Person, (ii) substantially all of the assets  of such Person or any of its
Subsidiaries representing a division or line  of business or (iii) other  assets
or  rights of such Person or any of  its Subsidiaries, whether owned on the date
of the Indenture or  thereafter acquired, in one  or more related  transactions,
having a value of $5.0 million or more, in the aggregate.

    "Asset  Swap" means any transaction pursuant  to which property or assets of
the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company constituting a part of the
Company's Broadcasting  Business or  all of  the shares  of Capital  Stock of  a
Restricted  Subsidiary  of  the  Company,  the  property  and  assets  of  which
constitute a part of the Company's Broadcasting Business are to be exchanged for
property or assets constituting a part  of the Broadcasting Business of  another
Person  or all of the shares of Capital Stock of another Person the property and
assets of which constitute a part of a Broadcasting Business.

    "Broadcasting Business" of  any Person means  any or all  of the  television
stations or radio stations owned by such Person.

    "Capital Lease Obligation" of any Person means the obligation to pay rent or
other  payment  amounts under  a lease  of  (or other  Indebtedness arrangements
conveying the right to use)  real or personal property  of such Person which  is
required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease or a liability on
the  face of a balance sheet of such  Person in accordance with GAAP. The stated
maturity of such obligation  shall be the  date of the last  payment of rent  or
other  amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease
may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty.

    "Capital  Stock"  of  any  Person  means  any  and  all  shares,  interests,
participations  or other equivalents (however  designated) of corporate stock or
partnership interests of such Person.

    "Cash Equivalents" means (a) securities with maturities of one year or  less
from  the date of acquisition, issued, fully guaranteed or insured by the United
States Government  or any  agency  thereof, (b)  certificates of  deposit,  time
deposits,   overnight  bank   deposits,  bankers'   acceptances  and  repurchase
agreements issued by a  Qualified Issuer having maturities  of 270 days or  less
from  the date of acquisition, (c) commercial  paper of an issuer rated at least
A-2 by Standard  & Poor's Corporation  or P-2 by  Moody's Investors Service,  or
carrying  an equivalent rating by a  nationally recognized rating agency if both
of the two  named rating agencies  cease publishing ratings  of investments  and
having  maturities of  270 days or  less from  the date of  acquisition, and (d)
money market accounts or funds with or issued by Qualified Issuers.

                                      S-26
<PAGE>
    "Consolidated  Net Worth" means, with respect to any Person (i) other than a
partnership, the stockholders' equity of such Person and its Subsidiaries, other
than Disqualified Capital Stock, as determined on a consolidated basis, LESS (a)
all investments  in unconsolidated  Subsidiaries  and in  Persons that  are  not
Subsidiaries  (except, in each  case, investments in  marketable securities) and
(b) all unamortized debt discount  and expense and unamortized deferred  charges
and  (ii) that is a partnership, the  common and preferred partnership equity of
such Person  and its  Subsidiaries, other  than Disqualified  Capital Stock,  as
determined  on  a  consolidated  basis,  all  of  the  foregoing  determined  in
accordance with GAAP.

    "Continuing Directors" means  any member of  the Board of  Directors of  the
Company  who (i)  is a  member of  that Board  of Directors  on the  date of the
Indenture or  (ii)  was  nominated for  election  or  elected to  the  Board  of
Directors  with the affirmative  vote of a majority  of the Continuing Directors
who were members of the Board at the time of such nomination or election.

    "Credit Agreements" means (i) the Credit Agreement entered into by and among
the Company,  Heritage  Media  Services, Inc.,  certain  financial  institutions
parties  thereto,  Citibank, N.A.  ("Citibank"),  as agent,  and  NationsBank of
Texas, N.A.  ("NationsBank"),  as co-agent,  initially  providing for  an  $80.0
million term loan facility and a $75.0 million revolving loan facility, and (ii)
the  Credit  Agreement  entered into  by  and among  DIMAC  Corporation, certain
financial institutions  parties thereto,  Citibank and  NationsBank, as  agents,
initially  providing for a $50.0 million term loan facility and a $125.0 million
revolving loan facility; WHEREBY both clauses  (i) and (ii) include any  related
notes,  guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in
connection therewith,  in  each case  as  the  same may  be  amended,  modified,
renewed,  refunded or refinanced from time to  time as permitted by the covenant
described under "Limitation on Indebtedness and Disqualified Capital Stock."

    "Cumulative Operating Cash Flow" of a  Person means the Operating Cash  Flow
of  such  Person  and its  consolidated  Subsidiaries for  the  period beginning
        ,     , through and including the end of the most recently ended  fiscal
quarter  (taken as  one accounting  period) preceding  the date  of any proposed
Restricted Payment.

    "Cumulative Total Interest  Expense" of  a Person means  the Total  Interest
Expense  of  such  Person  and  its  consolidated  Subsidiaries  for  the period
beginning          ,      , through and including  the end of the most  recently
ended  fiscal quarter (taken as one accounting period) preceding the date of any
proposed Restricted Payment.

    "Default" means any event that is, or after the giving of notice or  passage
of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

    "Disqualified  Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any Capital
Stock of such Person that,  by its terms (or by  the terms of any security  into
which  it  is  convertible  or  for  which  it  is  exercisable,  redeemable  or
exchangeable), matures, or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund
obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable  at the option of the holder  thereof,
in whole or in part, on or prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes.

    "GAAP"  means  generally accepted  accounting principles  as applied  in the
United States set  forth in the  opinions and pronouncements  of the  Accounting
Principles  Board of the American Institute  of Certified Public Accountants and
statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or  in
such  other statements by such other entity  as may be approved by a significant
segment of the accounting profession in the United States, which are  applicable
as  of the date of the Indenture; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the definitions in the
Indenture and all ratios  and calculations contained in  the covenants shall  be
determined  in accordance with GAAP as in  effect and applied by the Company, as
applicable, on  the  date  of the  Indenture,  consistently  applied;  PROVIDED,
FURTHER,  that in the event of  any such change in GAAP  or in any change by the
Company in GAAP applied  that would result  in any change in  any such ratio  or
calculation,  the  Company  shall  deliver  to  the  Trustee,  for informational
purposes only,  each  time any  such  ratio or  calculation  is required  to  be
determined  or  made, an  Officer's Certificate  setting forth  the computations
showing the effect of such change or application on such ratio or calculation.

                                      S-27
<PAGE>
    "Guarantee Obligations" of  any Person means  any obligation, contingent  or
otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person (the
"primary obligor") in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including,
without  limitation, any obligation  of such Person  (i) to purchase  or pay (or
advance or supply funds  for the purchase of)  such Indebtedness or to  purchase
(or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment
of  such Indebtedness, (ii) to purchase property, securities or services for the
purpose of  assuring the  holder of  such Indebtedness  of the  payment of  such
Indebtedness,  (iii)  to  maintain  working  capital,  equity  capital  or other
financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to cause
the primary obligor  to pay  such Indebtedness  or (iv)  otherwise primarily  to
assure  or hold  harmless the  owner of  any such  Indebtedness against  loss in
respect thereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Guarantee Obligation of any  Person
shall  not include endorsements of instruments  for collection or deposit in the
ordinary course of business.

    "Incur" means, with respect to any  Indebtedness or other obligation of  any
Person,  to create issue, incur (by  conversion, exchange or otherwise), assume,
guarantee or otherwise become  liable in respect of  such Indebtedness or  other
obligation  or  the  recording,  as  required  pursuant  to  generally  accepted
accounting principles or otherwise, of any such Indebtedness or other obligation
on the balance sheet of such Person (and "Incurrence," "Incurred,"  "Incurrable"
and  "Incurring" shall  have meanings  correlative to  the foregoing); PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that a change in generally accepted accounting principles that  results
in  an obligation of such Person that  exists at such time becoming Indebtedness
shall not be deemed an Incurrence of such Indebtedness.

    "Indebtedness"  of   any  Person   means,  without   duplication,  (i)   all
indebtedness  of such  Person for  borrowed money  or for  the deferred purchase
price of property  or services (other  than, in  the case of  any such  deferred
purchase  price, trade payables, on normal trade terms, incurred in the ordinary
course of business), (ii) except to  the extent supporting Indebtedness of  such
Person  (but no other Indebtedness)  of the type described  in clause (i) above,
the face amount of all letters of  credit issued for the account of such  Person
and,  without  duplication,  all  unreimbursed  drawings  thereunder,  (iii) all
liabilities secured by any Lien on any property owned by such Person, whether or
not such liabilities have been assumed,  (iv) Capital Lease Obligations of  such
Person,  (v) all  obligations to purchase,  redeem, retire,  defray or otherwise
acquire for value  any Disqualified Capital  Stock of such  Person and (vi)  all
Guarantee Obligations of such Person.

    "Interest  Swap Agreements"  means interest  rate swap  agreements, interest
rate cap agreements,  interest rate collar  agreements, interest rate  insurance
and  other  agreements or  arrangements designed  to provide  protection against
fluctuations in interest rates entered into by the Company.

    "Investments" of any Person  means all investments in  other Persons in  the
form of loans, advances, capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and
similar  advances  to officers  and  employees made  in  the ordinary  course of
business), purchases (or other acquisitions for consideration) of  Indebtedness,
Capital  Stock or  other securities  and all  other items  that are  or would be
classified as investments  (including, without limitation,  purchases of  assets
outside  the  ordinary  course  of  business) on  a  balance  sheet  prepared in
accordance with GAAP.

    "Lien" means any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or  other
encumbrance  of any kind, whether or  not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected
under applicable law (including  any conditional sale  or other title  retention
agreement,  any lease in  the nature thereof,  any option or  other agreement to
sell or give any security interest in and filing or other agreement to give  any
financing  statement under the Uniform  Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes)
of any jurisdiction).

    "Material Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company which at the  time
of  determination has total assets with a fair market value of five percent (5%)
or more of  the fair market  value of the  total assets of  the Company and  its
Subsidiaries.

    "Obligations"  means  any  principal, interest,  penalties,  fees  and other
liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

    "Operating Cash Flow"  means, for any  period, the sum  of (i) Adjusted  Net
Income  for such period PLUS (ii) provision for taxes based on income or profits
included in computing Adjusted Net Income PLUS

                                      S-28
<PAGE>
(iii) consolidated interest  expense (including amortization  of original  issue
discount  and non-cash interest payments or  accruals and the interest component
of Capital Lease Obligations) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for
such period PLUS (iv) other non-cash charges deducted from consolidated revenues
in determining Adjusted Net Income of such period, in each case determined on  a
consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

    "Permitted  Investments" means purchase of  (a) marketable obligations of or
obligations guaranteed by the United States  of America or issued by any  agency
thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America,
(b)  marketable direct obligations issued  by any state of  the United States of
America  or  any  political  subdivision  thereof  having  the  highest   rating
obtainable   from  either  Moody's  Investors   Service  or  Standard  &  Poor's
Corporation, (c) commercial  paper having  a rating in  one of  the two  highest
rating categories of Moody's Investors Service or Standard & Poor's Corporation,
(d) certificates of deposit issued by, bankers' acceptances and deposit accounts
of,  and time deposits  with, commercial banks  of recognized standing chartered
in, or with branches or agencies chartered  in, the United States of America  or
Canada  with capital,  surplus and  undivided profits  aggregating in  excess of
$200.0 million  (a "Qualified  Bank"),  (e) Eurodollar  time deposits  having  a
maturity  of less than one year purchased  directly from any Qualified Bank, (f)
repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements with a term of not  more
than  one year with  a Qualified Bank relating  to marketable direct obligations
issued or unconditionally  guaranteed by the  United States of  America and  (g)
shares  of money market funds that invest solely in Permitted Investments of the
kind described in clauses (a) through (f) above.

    "Permitted Spin-Off"  means  any  series  of  integrated  transactions  (the
"Transaction")  pursuant  to which  the Company  or its  Restricted Subsidiaries
shall (i)  transfer,  convey,  sell,  lease  or  otherwise  dispose  of  all  or
substantially  all  of the  assets  of the  Company  or a  Restricted Subsidiary
constituting the Company's Broadcasting  Business or Capital  Stock of any  such
Restricted  Subsidiary  to any  Person; (ii)  issue shares  of Capital  Stock or
securities convertible into, or warrants, rights or options, to subscribe for or
purchase shares of Capital  Stock of a Restricted  Subsidiary which owns  assets
constituting  part of the Company's Broadcasting  Business; or (iii) the Company
distributes to its own stockholders the  shares of Capital Stock of a  currently
existing Subsidiary or newly created Subsidiary (the "Successor") which owns all
or  substantially all  of the  Company's non-Broadcasting  Business assets  in a
transaction that would qualify for tax-free  treatment under Section 355 of  the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and would not trigger any
other  significant  tax  liabilities, and  immediately  thereafter,  the Company
merges with  or is  acquired by  an  unrelated United  States corporation  in  a
tax-free  transaction and the Company has received  an opinion of counsel to the
effect that the assumption of the Notes by the Successor in connection with such
transaction is  tax-free  to  the  holders  of  the  Notes;  PROVIDED  that  the
Transaction satisfies the following conditions (a) the Board of Directors of the
Company  determines that the Transaction is fair  and reasonable and in the best
interests of  the  Company and  which  determination  shall be  evidenced  by  a
resolution  of the Board of Directors of  the Company filed with the Trustee and
(b) after  giving  pro forma  effect  to such  Transaction,  the ratio  for  all
Indebtedness  of the  Company and  its Restricted  Subsidiaries and Disqualified
Stock of the Company (or in the case of a Transaction specified in  subparagraph
(iii)   above,  of  the  Successor  and   its  Restricted  Subsidiaries),  on  a
consolidated basis, to Pro  Forma Operating Cash Flow  for the four full  fiscal
quarters  immediately preceding such Transaction is 0.5 times less than the same
ratio immediately prior to such Transaction.

    "Person" means  any  individual, corporation,  partnership,  joint  venture,
association, joint-stock company, trust, incorporated organization or government
or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

    "Pro  Forma Operating  Cash Flow"  means, Operating  Cash Flow  after giving
effect to the following: (a) if, during  such period, the Company or any of  its
Restricted Subsidiaries shall have made any Asset Sale, Pro Forma Operating Cash
Flow  of the Company for such  period shall be computed so  as to give pro forma
effect to such Asset Sale and (b) if, during such period, the acquisition of any
Person or  business shall  occur  and immediately  after such  acquisition  such
Person  or  business is  a Subsidiary  or its  assets are  held directly  by the
Company or a Subsidiary, Pro Forma Operating  Cash Flow shall be computed so  as
to give pro forma effect to the acquisition of such Person or business.

                                      S-29
<PAGE>
    "Qualified  Capital Stock"  means, with respect  to any Person,  any and all
Capital Stock issued by such Person after the date on which the Notes are issued
that is not Disqualified Capital Stock.

    "Qualified Capital Stock Proceeds" means, with respect to any Person, (a) in
the case  of any  sale of  Qualified Capital  Stock (other  than pursuant  to  a
transaction  in which such Person incurs, guarantees or otherwise becomes liable
for any Indebtedness incurred in connection with the issuance or acquisition  of
such  Capital Stock), the  aggregate net cash proceeds  received by such Person,
after payment  of expenses,  commissions  and the  like incurred  in  connection
therewith and (b) in the case of any exchange, exercise, conversion or surrender
of  any Indebtedness of such Person or  any Subsidiary issued for cash after the
date of the  Indenture for or  into shares  of Qualified Capital  Stock of  such
Person, the net book value of such Indebtedness as adjusted on the books of such
Person  to the date of such exchange, exercise, conversion or surrender PLUS any
additional amount paid by the security holder to such Person upon such exchange,
exercise, conversion or  surrender and  LESS any and  all payments  made to  the
security  holders, and all  other expenses (including  commissions and the like)
incurred by such Person or any Subsidiary in connection therewith.

    "Qualified Issuer"  means (A)  any lender  that  is a  party to  the  Credit
Agreements,  and (B) any  commercial bank (i)  which has capital  and surplus in
excess of $200.0 million, and (ii) the outstanding short-term debt securities of
which are rated at least A-2 by Standard & Poor's Corporation or at least P-2 by
Moody's Investors  Service,  or  carry  an equivalent  rating  by  a  nationally
recognized  rating agency if both the two named rating agencies cease publishing
ratings of investments.

    "Related Business"  means  marketing,  advertising  and  related  businesses
world-wide and the broadcasting business conducted in the United States.

    "Restricted  Investment"  means any  Investment other  than (i)  a Permitted
Investment or (ii) an investment in assets in a Related Business.

    "Restricted Payment" means, with respect to any Person, without duplication,
(i) any dividend or  other distribution of any  shares of such Person's  Capital
Stock (other than (a) dividends payable solely in shares of its Capital Stock or
options,  warrants or  other rights  to acquire  its Capital  Stock and  (b) any
payments made to the Company  or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary  of the Company by  a
Subsidiary);  (ii) any payment (other than a payment in Qualified Capital Stock)
on account of  the purchase, redemption,  retirement or acquisition  of (a)  any
shares  of such Person's Capital Stock or (b) any option, warrant or other right
to acquire  shares of  such Person's  Capital Stock  (other than  any  purchase,
redemption  or retirement in  exchange for, or  solely from the  proceeds of the
issuance of, Qualified Capital Stock);  (iii) principal or interest payments  on
any loans from any Affiliate of such Person other than a Wholly Owned Subsidiary
of  such Person; (iv) any loan,  advance, capital contribution to, or investment
in, or payment on a  guaranty of any obligation  of, or purchase, redemption  or
other  acquisition of any  shares of Capital  Stock or any  Indebtedness of, any
Affiliate (other than such Person or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of such  Person);
(v)   the  making  of  any  Restricted  Investment;  and  (vi)  any  redemption,
defeasance, repurchase or other acquisition or retirement for value prior to any
scheduled maturity, repayment or  sinking fund payment,  of any Indebtedness  of
such  Person which is (a) PARI PASSU with  or subordinate in right of payment to
the Notes or (b) owed to any Affiliate of such Person other than a Wholly  Owned
Subsidiary  of such Person,  other than a  redemption, defeasance, repurchase or
other acquisition or retirement for value that  is (1) part of a refinancing  of
such    Indebtedness   permitted    under   the    covenants   described   under
"--Covenants--Limitations on Indebtedness and Disqualified Capital Stock" or (2)
required to be repaid in connection with an Asset Sale.

    "Restricted  Subsidiary"  means  any  Subsidiary  of  the  Company,  whether
existing  on or after  the date of  the Indenture, unless  such Subsidiary is an
Unrestricted Subsidiary.

    "Senior Indebtedness" means,  with respect  to any  Person, the  Obligations
(including  interest  that, but  for  the filing  of  a petition  initiating any
proceeding pursuant to  any bankruptcy law  with respect to  such Person,  would
accrue  on  such Obligations,  whether  or not  such  claim is  allowed  in such
bankruptcy proceeding)  with  respect  to  (i)  any  Indebtedness  or  Guarantee
Obligations  by such  Person, whether incurred  on or  prior to the  date of the
Indenture or  thereafter incurred  and  (ii) amendments,  renewals,  extensions,

                                      S-30
<PAGE>
modifications, refinancings and refundings of any such debt. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, "Senior Indebtedness" shall not include (a) Indebtedness evidenced by
the  Notes, (b) Indebtedness  which by the  terms of the  instrument creating or
evidencing the  same is  not superior  in right  of payment  to the  Notes,  (c)
Indebtedness  that is expressly subordinate or junior in right of payment to any
Indebtedness of such Person, (d)  any liability for federal, state,  provincial,
local  or other taxes owed or owing by  such Person and (e) Indebtedness of such
Person to a Subsidiary of such Person.

    "Subsidiary" of any  Person means  (i) a corporation  more than  50% of  the
outstanding  Capital Stock  of which is  owned, directly or  indirectly, by such
Person or by one or more other subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and
one or more other Subsidiaries  thereof or (ii) any  other person (other than  a
corporation)  in which  such Person  or one or  more other  Subsidiaries of such
Person or such Person  and one or more  other Subsidiaries thereof, directly  or
indirectly, has at least a majority ownership.

    "Total  Interest Expense" of a Person means (i) the total amount of interest
expense (including amortization of original issue discount and noncash  interest
payments or accruals and the interest component of any Capital Lease Obligations
but  excluding any  intercompany interest  owed by  any Subsidiary  to any other
Subsidiary) and (ii) all fees, commissions,  discounts and other charges of  the
Company  and its  Subsidiaries with  respect to  letters of  credit and bankers'
acceptances, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

    "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means any  Subsidiary organized or acquired  after
the  date of the Indenture  as to which both  of the following conditions apply:
(i)(a) neither  the  Company nor  any  of  its other  Subsidiaries  (other  than
Unrestricted  Subsidiaries) (1) provides credit  support for any Indebtedness of
such Subsidiary (including any  undertaking, agreement or instrument  evidencing
such  Indebtedness) or (2) is directly or indirectly liable for any Indebtedness
of such Subsidiary,  (b) no  default with respect  to any  Indebtedness of  such
Subsidiary  (including  any right  which the  holders thereof  may have  to take
enforcement action against such Subsidiary) would permit (upon notice, lapse  of
time  or both) any holder of any other Indebtedness of the Company and its other
Subsidiaries (other than other Unrestricted  Subsidiaries) to declare a  default
on  such other Indebtedness  or cause the  payment thereof to  be accelerated or
payable prior to  its stated  maturity, other than  as permitted  in clause  (a)
above, and (c) neither the Company nor any of its other Subsidiaries (other than
Unrestricted Subsidiaries) has made an Investment in such Subsidiary unless such
Investment was permitted by the provisions described under
"--Covenants--Limitation on Restricted Payments" and (ii) the Board of Directors
of  the  Company,  as provided  below,  shall  designate such  Subsidiary  as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any
Subsidiary organized or acquired  after the date of  the Indenture, which  meets
the  requirements in the  preceding sentence, to  be an Unrestricted Subsidiary,
PROVIDED THAT, notwithstanding the  foregoing and subject  to the provisions  of
the  definition  of  Permitted Spin-Off,  no  Subsidiary which  is  a Restricted
Subsidiary as  of  the  date  of  the Indenture  shall  be  reclassified  as  an
Unrestricted  Subsidiary or be  a Subsidiary of  an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Any
such designation by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced to the Trustee  by
filing with the Trustee a Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and
an  Officers'  Certificate certifying  that such  designation complies  with the
foregoing conditions.

    "Voting Power" of  any Person  means the aggregate  number of  votes of  all
classes  of Capital Stock of  such Person which ordinarily  has voting power for
the election of directors or their equivalents of such Person.

    "Weighted Average Life to Maturity" means, when applied to any  Indebtedness
at  any date, the number of years  obtained by dividing (i) the then outstanding
principal amount  of  such Indebtedness  into  (ii)  the total  of  the  product
obtained  by  multiplying (a)  the amount  of  each then  remaining installment,
sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payment of principal,  including
payment  at  final maturity,  in respect  thereof,  by (b)  the number  of years
(calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) which will elapse between such date  and
the making of such payment.

    "Wholly  Owned Subsidiary" of any Person  means a Subsidiary of such Person,
all of  the outstanding  Capital Stock  or other  ownership interests  of  which
(other than directors' qualifying shares or a nominal

                                      S-31
<PAGE>
limited partnership interest of one other partner) shall at the time be owned by
such  Person or by  one or more Wholly  Owned Subsidiaries of  such Person or by
such Person and one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

MODIFICATION AND WAIVER

    The Indenture contains provisions for  convening meetings of the Holders  to
consider  matters affecting their interests.  Subject to certain exceptions, the
Indenture contains provisions permitting the  Company and the Trustee, with  the
consent  of the Holders of  not less than a majority  in principal amount of the
Notes at the time outstanding, to  amend or supplement the Indenture and  modify
the  rights of the Holders of the Notes, PROVIDED THAT no such modification may,
without the consent of each Holder of the Notes, (i) reduce the amount of  Notes
the  Holders of which must  consent to an amendment,  supplement or waiver, (ii)
reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note, (iii)
reduce the principal  or change the  fixed maturity  of any Note,  (iv) waive  a
default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Note, (v) make any
Note  payable in  money other than  that stated in  the Note or  (vi) change the
terms upon which Notes are required to  be repurchased in the event of a  Change
of  Control. Notwithstanding the  foregoing, in no  event shall the  vote of any
Person be included in calculating  any consents received in determining  whether
the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Notes have consented,
if  the consent of such Person is obtained in connection with a tender offer for
the Notes of the Company held by such Person for which consideration is paid  in
an  amount which  is disproportionate  to the amount  offered to  all Holders of
Notes of the Company. Without  the consent of any  Holder of Notes, the  Company
may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes to cure any ambiguity, defect
or  inconsistency. Subject to  certain exceptions, the Holders  of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of  the Notes may waive  any past defaults under  the
Indenture,  not including defaults  in payments of principal  of and interest on
the Notes  and  certain  other  restrictive  covenants  and  provisions  of  the
Indenture.

FORM OF NOTES

    Upon  issuance, the  Notes will be  represented by the  Global Security. The
Global Security representing the Notes will be deposited with, or on behalf  of,
the  Depositary and registered in the name of a nominee of the Depositary. Notes
represented by the  Global Security  will not be  exchangeable for  certificated
notes,  PROVIDED THAT if  the Depositary is  at any time  unwilling or unable to
continue as  Depositary and  a  successor depositary  is  not appointed  by  the
Company  within 90 days,  the Company will issue  certificated notes in exchange
for the Global Security representing the Notes.

    Upon the issuance of the Global Security, the Depositary will credit, on its
book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of
the Notes represented  by the Global  Security to the  accounts of  institutions
that  have accounts  with the  Depositary ("Participants").  The accounts  to be
credited shall  be  designated  by the  Underwriters.  Ownership  of  beneficial
interests in the Global Security will be limited to Participants or persons that
may  hold interests through  Participants. Ownership of  beneficial interests in
the Global Security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be
effected only  through, records  maintained by  the Depositary  with respect  to
Participants'  interests  or by  Participants or  by  persons that  hold through
Participants with  respect to  beneficial owners'  interests. The  laws of  some
states  require that certain purchasers of  securities take physical delivery of
such securities in  definitive form.  Such ownership  limits and  such laws  may
impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the Global Security.

    Principal  and  interest payments  on Notes  registered in  the name  of the
Depositary or its nominee will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as  the
case  may be, as  the registered owner  of the Global  Security representing the
Notes. The Company expects that the  Depositary, upon receipt of any payment  of
principal or interest in respect of the Global Security, will immediately credit
Participants'   accounts  with  payments  in   amounts  proportionate  to  their
respective beneficial interests in the  principal amount of the Global  Security
as  shown  on the  records  of the  Depositary.  The Company  also  expects that
payments by  Participants  to  owners  of beneficial  interests  in  the  Global
Security   held  through  such   Participants  will  be   governed  by  standing
instructions and customary practices,  as is now the  case with securities  held
for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name," and
will be the responsibility of such Participants.

                                      S-32
<PAGE>
None  of the  Company, the Trustee,  any paying  agent or any  registrar for the
Notes will have any  responsibility or liability for  any aspect of the  records
relating  to or payment made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the
Global Security  or  for  maintaining,  supervising  or  reviewing  any  records
relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

    The  Depository  Trust Company,  New  York, New  York  ("DTC"), will  be the
initial Depositary with respect to the  Notes. DTC has advised the Company  that
it  is a limited-purpose trust company organized  under the laws of the State of
New York,  a member  of the  Federal Reserve  System, a  "clearing  corporation"
within  the  meaning of  the  Uniform Commercial  Code  and a  "clearing agency"
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). DTC was created to hold securities
of its Participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities
transactions  among  its  Participants  in  such  securities  through electronic
book-entry changes in accounts of the Participants, thereby eliminating the need
for physical  movement of  securities certificates.  DTC's Participants  include
securities  brokers  and  dealers  (including  the  Underwriters),  banks, trust
companies, clearing corporations and certain  other organizations, some of  whom
(and/or  their representatives)  own DTC. Access  to DTC's  book-entry system is
also available to others,  such as banks, brokers,  dealers and trust  companies
that  clear through  or maintain  a custodial  relationship with  a Participant,
either directly or indirectly. Persons who are not Participants may beneficially
own securities held by DTC only through Participants.

    So long as  the Depositary,  or its  nominee, is  the holder  of the  Global
Security,  the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered
the sole owners or Holder  of the Notes represented  by the Global Security  for
all  purposes under the  Indenture or the  Global Security. Except  as set forth
above, owners  of  beneficial interests  in  the  Global Security  will  not  be
entitled  to have Notes  represented by the Global  Security registered in their
names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of Notes  or
the  Global Security and  will not be  considered the owners  or Holders thereof
under the Indenture or  the Global Security. Accordingly,  each person owning  a
beneficial  interest in such Global Security must  rely on the procedures of the
Depositary and, if such person  is not a Participant,  on the procedures of  the
Participant  through which such person directly or indirectly owns its interest,
to exercise any rights of a Holder under the Indenture or the Global Security.

    DTC has informed the Company that  under existing DTC policies and  industry
practices,  if the Company requests any action of  Holders, or if any owner of a
beneficial interest in such Global Security  desires to give any notice or  take
any  action (including,  without limitation,  any action  to enforce  payment of
principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes) that a Holder is entitled
to give or take under the Indenture or the Global Security, DTC would  authorize
and  cooperate with each Participant  to whose account any  portion of the Notes
represented by such Global  Security is credited on  DTC's books and records  to
give such notice or take such action. Any person owning a beneficial interest in
such  Global Security  that is  not a Participant  must rely  on any contractual
arrangements it  has directly,  or indirectly  through its  immediate  financial
intermediary, with a Participant to give such notice or take such action.

                                      S-33
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITING

    Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement,
the  Company  has agreed  to  sell to  Donaldson,  Lufkin &  Jenrette Securities
Corporation, Citicorp  Securities,  Inc.,  Smith Barney  Inc.,  and  NationsBanc
Capital  Markets, Inc. (the "Underwriters")  and the Underwriters severally have
agreed to purchase from the Company, at the price to the public set forth on the
cover page of  this Prospectus  Supplement less the  underwriting discounts  and
commissions, the following respective principal amounts of the Notes:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            PRINCIPAL
                        UNDERWRITER                                                           AMOUNT
<S>                                                                                       <C>
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation.....................................  $
Citicorp Securities, Inc. ..............................................................
Smith Barney Inc........................................................................
NationsBanc Capital Markets, Inc........................................................
                                                                                          --------------
    Total...............................................................................  $  150,000,000
                                                                                          --------------
                                                                                          --------------
</TABLE>

    The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the Underwriters
thereunder  are  subject  to  certain  conditions  precedent.  The  Underwriting
Agreement also provides that the Company will indemnify the Underwriters against
certain liabilities and expenses, including those under the Securities Act.  The
nature  of  the Underwriters'  obligations is  such that  they are  committed to
purchase all of the Notes if the Notes are purchased.

    The Underwriters propose to offer the Notes directly to the public initially
at the  price to  the public  set forth  on the  cover page  of this  Prospectus
Supplement  and to certain dealers at such price less a concession not in excess
of    % of  the principal amount of the  Notes. The Underwriters may allow,  and
such  dealers may reallow,  a discount not  in excess of      % of the principal
amount of the Notes to certain other dealers. After the initial offering of  the
Notes  the  offering  price  and  other selling  terms  may  be  changed  by the
Underwriters.

    Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette  Securities Corporation has  from time to  time
provided customary investment banking services to the Company and expects in the
future  to provide such services, for which  they have received and will receive
customary fees  and commissions.  Affiliates of  Citicorp Securities,  Inc.  and
NationsBanc  Capital Markets, Inc. act as agents under the HMSI Credit Agreement
and the DIMAC Credit Facility.

    The Company has been advised by the Underwriters that they presently  intend
to  make  a  market  in the  Notes  in  the secondary  market,  as  permitted by
applicable laws and regulations, but  that they are not  obligated to do so  and
may  discontinue any such  market making at  any time without  notice. The Notes
will not be listed  on any securities  exchange, and there  can be no  assurance
that a secondary market for the Notes will develop.

                                 LEGAL MATTERS

    The  validity of the Securities  offered hereby will be  passed upon for the
Company by Crouch & Hallett, L.L.P., Dallas, Texas, and will be passed upon  for
the Underwriters by Davis Polk & Wardwell, New York, New York. Crouch & Hallett,
L.L.P. and Davis Polk & Wardwell may rely as to all matters of Iowa law upon the
opinion of Wayne Kern, Esq., Senior Vice President and Secretary of the Company.

                                      S-34
<PAGE>

               PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    The  following unaudited pro forma  condensed combined financial information
consists of  an unaudited  Pro  Forma Condensed  Combined  Balance Sheet  as  of
September  30,  1995  and the  related  unaudited Pro  Forma  Condensed Combined
Statements of  Operations for  the year  ended December  31, 1994  and the  nine
months  ended September 30, 1995 (collectively, the "Pro Forma Statements"). The
Pro  Forma  Statements  reflect  adjustments  to  the  historical   consolidated
financial  statements  of  the  Company  and DIMAC  to  give  effect  to certain
transactions which  have  either  occurred  or  (in  the  case  of  the  pending
disposition  of television station  KEVN by the Company)  are probable to occur.
The Pro  Forma Statements  have been  further  adjusted to  give effect  to  the
Acquisition,  the issuance by the Company of $150.0 million of the Notes and the
DIMAC Credit Facility under two possible scenarios--(a) assuming the Acquisition
is consummated entirely for cash and (b) assuming the Acquisition is consummated
for a combination of cash and shares of Company Common Stock--both as  discussed
in more detail in the notes to the Pro Forma Statements. The Pro Forma Condensed
Combined  Balance Sheet has been prepared  assuming the Acquisition, issuance of
the Notes and the DIMAC Credit Facility occurred at September 30, 1995, and  the
Pro  Forma  Condensed  Combined  Statements  of  Operations  have  been prepared
assuming the Acquisition, issuance  of the Notes and  the DIMAC Credit  Facility
occurred  on  January  1,  1994.  The  unaudited  Pro  Forma  Condensed Combined
Statements of Operations do not include extraordinary losses of $3.2 million and
$2.4 million recognized by DIMAC during the year ended December 31, 1994 and the
nine  months  ended  September  30,  1995,  respectively,  resulting  from   the
retirement of certain indebtedness, nor do they include an extraordinary loss of
approximately  $2.0  million to  be recognized  upon  the retirement  of DIMAC's
existing credit facility.

    The Acquisition will be accounted for as a purchase. The purchase price  has
been  allocated in the Pro Forma Statements to the assets to be acquired and the
liabilities to be assumed on a preliminary basis based on management's estimates
of their fair values. The allocation of the purchase price is subject to  change
based on the completion of an independent appraisal. Management does not believe
that  the final  allocation of  the purchase price  or the  related useful lives
assigned to acquired assets  will be materially  different from the  preliminary
amounts presented in the Pro Forma Statements.

    As  a result of the  Acquisition, the amounts of  the Company's goodwill and
other intangible  assets  and  indebtedness  will  substantially  increase  from
historical  levels.  The Company  continually reevaluates  the propriety  of the
carrying amount  of  goodwill and  other  intangibles  as well  as  the  related
amortization  period  to  determine  whether  current  events  and circumstances
warrant adjustments to the  carrying values and/or  revised estimates of  useful
lives.  This evaluation is based on the Company's projection of the undiscounted
operating  income  before  depreciation,  amortization  and  interest  over  the
remaining  lives of the amortization periods  of related goodwill and intangible
assets. The projections are based on the historical trend line of actual results
since the  commencement  of operations  and  adjusted for  expected  changes  in
operating results. To the extent such projections indicate that the undiscounted
operating  income (as defined above)  is not expected to  be adequate to recover
the carrying amounts of related  intangibles, such carrying amounts are  written
down by charges to expense in amounts equal to the excess of the carrying amount
of  intangible  assets  over  related undiscounted  operating  income.  Based on
undiscounted operating income (as defined above) derived from current  operating
projections,  management does  not believe  that an  impairment of  goodwill and
other intangibles will exist on the effective date of the Acquisition.

    The  Pro  Forma  Statements  and  accompanying  notes  should  be  read   in
conjunction  with the consolidated financial statements and related notes of the
Company, DIMAC and the financial statements of other companies acquired by DIMAC
included herein or previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Pro Forma Statements do not purport to present what the Company's results of
operations or financial position actually would have been had such  transactions
or  events occurred on the dates indicated,  or to project the Company's results
of operations or financial position for any future period or at any future date.
The pro  forma adjustments  are  based upon  available information  and  certain
adjustments   that  management  believes  are  reasonable.  In  the  opinion  of
management, all adjustments have been made that are necessary to present  fairly
the Pro Forma Statements.

                                      S-35
<PAGE>
                  HERITAGE MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
              UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

                                     ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            PRO FORMA                                    PRO FORMA
                                                         ADJUSTMENTS FOR                              ADJUSTMENTS FOR
                                             COMPANY      OTHER COMPANY    COMPANY AS      DIMAC        OTHER DIMAC      DIMAC AS
                                           HISTORICAL   TRANSACTIONS (A)    ADJUSTED    HISTORICAL   TRANSACTIONS (B)    ADJUSTED
                                           -----------  -----------------  -----------  -----------  -----------------  -----------
<S>                                        <C>          <C>                <C>          <C>          <C>                <C>
Cash and cash equivalents................   $   1,788       $     (23)      $   1,765    $  --           $      66       $      66
Short-term investments...................       4,750                           4,750       --                              --
Trade receivables, net...................      66,308            (472)         65,836       26,552           3,391          29,943
Inventory................................       6,201                           6,201        8,737                           8,737
Prepaid expenses and other...............       6,372             (66)          6,306        1,397              72           1,469
Deferred income taxes....................       5,385                           5,385          166                             166
                                           -----------        -------      -----------  -----------        -------      -----------
  Total current assets...................      90,804            (561)         90,243       36,852           3,529          40,381
Property and equipment, net..............      58,374          (1,987)         56,387       19,276           1,500          20,776
Goodwill and other intangibles, net......     392,046          (5,202)        386,844       25,232          13,227          38,459
Other assets.............................       9,919             (75)          9,844                                       --
                                           -----------        -------      -----------  -----------        -------      -----------
                                            $ 551,143       $  (7,825)      $ 543,318    $  81,360       $  18,256       $  99,616
                                           -----------        -------      -----------  -----------        -------      -----------
                                           -----------        -------      -----------  -----------        -------      -----------
                                                      LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current portion of long-term debt........   $   3,278       $     (35)      $   3,243    $   6,856       $       3       $   6,859
Accounts payable and accrued expenses....      56,011            (171)         55,840       14,268           1,561          15,829
Other current liabilities................      28,523             (54)         28,469       10,589             690          11,279
                                           -----------        -------      -----------  -----------        -------      -----------
  Total current liabilities..............      87,812            (260)         87,552       31,713           2,254          33,967
Long-term debt, less current portion.....     347,102         (14,048)        333,054       44,606          16,002          60,608
Other long-term liabilities..............       2,503             (29)          2,474        2,230                           2,230
Deferred income taxes....................       5,001                           5,001       --                              --
Stockholders' equity.....................     108,725           6,512         115,237        2,811                           2,811
                                           -----------        -------      -----------  -----------        -------      -----------
                                            $ 551,143       $  (7,825)      $ 543,318    $  81,360       $  18,256       $  99,616
                                           -----------        -------      -----------  -----------        -------      -----------
                                           -----------        -------      -----------  -----------        -------      -----------

<CAPTION>
                                            PRO FORMA
                                           ADJUSTMENTS                 PRO FORMA
                                               FOR                    ADJUSTMENTS
                                           ACQUISITION               FOR OPTIONAL    PRO FORMA
                                            AND DEBT     PRO FORMA       STOCK      COMBINED AS
                                            OFFERING     COMBINED    CONSIDERATION   ADJUSTED
                                           -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------
<S>                                        <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>
Cash and cash equivalents................   $ 146,413(c)  $   1,831    $             $   1,831
                                                3,669(d)
                                             (150,082)(f)
Short-term investments...................                    4,750                       4,750
Trade receivables, net...................                   95,779                      95,779
Inventory................................                   14,938                      14,938
Prepaid expenses and other...............                    7,775                       7,775
Deferred income taxes....................                    5,551                       5,551
                                           -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------
  Total current assets...................      --          130,624        --           130,624
Property and equipment, net..............                   77,163                      77,163
Goodwill and other intangibles, net......     195,423(f)    627,726                    627,726
                                                7,000(h)
Other assets.............................       3,587(c)     15,062                     15,062
                                                1,631(g)
                                           -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------
                                            $ 207,641    $ 850,575     $  --         $ 850,575
                                           -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------
                                           -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------

Current portion of long-term debt........   $  (6,250)(e)  $   3,852   $             $   3,852
Accounts payable and accrued expenses....       4,500(f)     76,169                     76,169
Other current liabilities................                   39,748                      39,748
                                           -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------
  Total current liabilities..............      (1,750)     119,769        --           119,769
Long-term debt, less current portion.....     150,000(c)    596,199      (47,535)(i)    548,664
                                                6,250(e)
                                               44,656(f)
                                                1,631(g)
Other long-term liabilities..............                    4,704                       4,704
Deferred income taxes....................       7,000(h)     12,001                     12,001
Stockholders' equity.....................       3,669(d)    117,902       47,535(i)    165,437
                                                2,665(f)
                                               (6,480)(f)
                                           -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------
                                            $ 207,641    $ 850,575     $  --         $ 850,575
                                           -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------
                                           -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------
</TABLE>

                See accompanying notes to Pro Forma Statements.

                                      S-36
<PAGE>
                  HERITAGE MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
         UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PRO FORMA                                      PRO FORMA                       PRO FORMA
                                     ADJUSTMENTS FOR                                ADJUSTMENTS FOR                 ADJUSTMENTS FOR
                        COMPANY       OTHER COMPANY     COMPANY AS      DIMAC         OTHER DIMAC       DIMAC AS    ACQUISITION AND
                      HISTORICAL    TRANSACTIONS (A)     ADJUSTED    HISTORICAL    TRANSACTIONS (B)     ADJUSTED     DEBT OFFERING
                      -----------  -------------------  -----------  -----------  -------------------  -----------  ---------------

<S>                   <C>          <C>                  <C>          <C>          <C>                  <C>          <C>
Net revenues........   $ 317,628        $  64,859        $ 382,487    $ 100,012        $  46,995        $ 147,007    $
                      -----------         -------       -----------  -----------         -------       -----------  ---------------

Cost of services....     150,970           53,323          204,293       65,430           28,670           94,100

Selling, general and
 administrative.....      76,600           11,392           87,992       20,629           11,844           32,473          (346)(j)

Depreciation........      14,676              (87)          14,589        2,155            1,413            3,568

Amortization........      12,622            1,277           13,899          744              938            1,682         6,340(k)

Other...............       4,922                             4,922          135               42              177
                      -----------         -------       -----------  -----------         -------       -----------  ---------------

  Total operating
   expenses.........     259,790           65,905          325,695       89,093           42,907          132,000         5,994
                      -----------         -------       -----------  -----------         -------       -----------  ---------------

  Operating income..      57,838           (1,046)          56,792       10,919            4,088           15,007        (5,994)
                      -----------         -------       -----------  -----------         -------       -----------  ---------------

Interest expense,
 net................     (30,373)          (3,503)         (33,876)      (6,069)            (577)          (6,646)      (18,051)(l)

Other expense,
 net................      (2,424)           1,439             (985)      --                                --
                      -----------         -------       -----------  -----------         -------       -----------  ---------------

  Income before in-
   come taxes.......      25,041           (3,110)          21,931        4,850            3,511            8,361       (24,045)

Income taxes........       2,742                             2,742        1,865            1,370            3,235        (2,701)(m)
                      -----------         -------       -----------  -----------         -------       -----------  ---------------

  Income (loss)
   before extraordi-
   nary item........      22,299           (3,110)          19,189    $   2,985        $   2,141        $   5,126    $  (21,344)
                                                                     -----------         -------       -----------  ---------------
                                                                     -----------         -------       -----------  ---------------

Dividends and accre-
 tion...............     (19,651)          19,651           --
                      -----------         -------       -----------

Income applicable to
 common stock before
 extraordinary
 item...............   $   2,648        $  16,541        $  19,189
                      -----------         -------       -----------
                      -----------         -------       -----------

Income per share
 before
 extraordinary
 item...............   $    0.15                         $    1.10    $    0.64                         $    0.79
                      -----------                       -----------  -----------                       -----------
                      -----------                       -----------  -----------                       -----------

Weighted average
 shares
 outstanding........      17,381               94           17,475
                      -----------         -------       -----------
                      -----------         -------       -----------

<CAPTION>
                                      PRO FORMA
                                   ADJUSTMENTS FOR    PRO FORMA
                       PRO FORMA    OPTIONAL STOCK   COMBINED AS
                       COMBINED     CONSIDERATION      ADJUSTED
                      -----------  ----------------  ------------
<S>                   <C>          <C>               <C>
Net revenues........   $ 529,494     $                $  529,494
                      -----------       ------       ------------
Cost of services....     298,393                         298,393
Selling, general and
 administrative.....     120,119                         120,119
Depreciation........      18,157                          18,157
Amortization........      21,921                          21,921
Other...............       5,099                           5,099
                      -----------       ------       ------------
  Total operating
   expenses.........     463,689          --             463,689
                      -----------       ------       ------------
  Operating income..      65,805          --              65,805
                      -----------       ------       ------------
Interest expense,
 net................     (58,573)        4,278(n)        (54,295)
Other expense,
 net................        (985)                           (985)
                      -----------       ------       ------------
  Income before in-
   come taxes.......       6,247         4,278            10,525
Income taxes........       3,276                           3,276
                      -----------       ------       ------------
  Income (loss)
   before extraordi-
   nary item........       2,971     $   4,278        $    7,249
                                        ------
                                        ------
Dividends and accre-
 tion...............      --                              --
                      -----------                    ------------
Income applicable to
 common stock before
 extraordinary
 item...............   $   2,971                      $    7,249
                      -----------                    ------------
                      -----------                    ------------
Income per share
 before
 extraordinary
 item...............   $     .17                      $      .38
                      -----------                    ------------
                      -----------                    ------------
Weighted average
 shares
 outstanding........      17,475         1,761(n)         19,236
                      -----------       ------       ------------
                      -----------       ------       ------------
</TABLE>

                See accompanying notes to Pro Forma Statements.

                                      S-37
<PAGE>
                  HERITAGE MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
         UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                      NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     PRO FORMA                                      PRO FORMA                       PRO FORMA
                                  ADJUSTMENTS FOR                                ADJUSTMENTS FOR                 ADJUSTMENTS FOR
                     COMPANY       OTHER COMPANY     COMPANY AS      DIMAC         OTHER DIMAC       DIMAC AS    ACQUISITION AND
                   HISTORICAL    TRANSACTIONS (A)     ADJUSTED    HISTORICAL    TRANSACTIONS (B)     ADJUSTED     DEBT OFFERING
                   -----------  -------------------  -----------  -----------  -------------------  -----------  ---------------

<S>                <C>          <C>                  <C>          <C>          <C>                  <C>          <C>
Net revenues.....   $ 299,065        $  (1,574)       $ 297,491    $  89,030        $  27,209        $ 116,239    $
                   -----------         -------       -----------  -----------         -------       -----------  ---------------

Cost of
 services........     170,995             (316)         170,679       55,865           17,133           72,998

Selling, general
 and administra-
 tive............      59,391              (16)          59,375       18,202            6,845           25,047          (460)(j)

Depreciation.....      11,081             (214)          10,867        2,056              286            2,342

Amortization.....      10,125              289           10,414          956              490            1,446         4,570(k)

Other............      --                                --               73                                73
                   -----------         -------       -----------  -----------         -------       -----------  ---------------

  Total operating
   expenses......     251,592             (257)         251,335       77,152           24,754          101,906         4,110
                   -----------         -------       -----------  -----------         -------       -----------  ---------------

  Operating in-
   come..........      47,473           (1,317)          46,156       11,878            2,455           14,333        (4,110)
                   -----------         -------       -----------  -----------         -------       -----------  ---------------

Interest expense,
 net.............     (26,190)             262          (25,928)      (3,574)          (1,365)          (4,939)      (13,583)(l)

Other expense,
 net.............         (77)                              (77)                                        --
                   -----------         -------       -----------  -----------         -------       -----------  ---------------

  Income (loss)
   before income
   taxes.........      21,206           (1,055)          20,151        8,304            1,090            9,394       (17,693)

Income taxes.....       5,602                             5,602        3,187              433            3,620        (4,099)(m)
                   -----------         -------       -----------  -----------         -------       -----------  ---------------

  Income (loss)
   before ex-
   traordinary
   item..........   $  15,604        $  (1,055)       $  14,549    $   5,117        $     657        $   5,774    $  (13,594)
                   -----------         -------       -----------  -----------         -------       -----------  ---------------
                   -----------         -------       -----------  -----------         -------       -----------  ---------------

Income per share
 before
 extraordinary
 item............   $    0.88                         $    0.82    $    0.77                         $    0.87
                   -----------                       -----------  -----------                       -----------
                   -----------                       -----------  -----------                       -----------

Weighted average
 shares outstand-
 ing.............      17,666                            17,666
                   -----------                       -----------
                   -----------                       -----------

<CAPTION>
                                   PRO FORMA
                                ADJUSTMENTS FOR    PRO FORMA
                    PRO FORMA    OPTIONAL STOCK   COMBINED AS
                    COMBINED     CONSIDERATION      ADJUSTED
                   -----------  ----------------  ------------
<S>                <C>          <C>               <C>
Net revenues.....   $ 413,730     $                $  413,730
                   -----------       ------       ------------
Cost of
 services........     243,677                         243,677
Selling, general
 and administra-
 tive............      83,962                          83,962
Depreciation.....      13,209                          13,209
Amortization.....      16,430                          16,430
Other............          73                              73
                   -----------       ------       ------------
  Total operating
   expenses......     357,351          --             357,351
                   -----------       ------       ------------
  Operating in-
   come..........      56,379          --              56,379
                   -----------       ------       ------------
Interest expense,
 net.............     (44,450)        3,209(n)        (41,241)
Other expense,
 net.............         (77)                            (77)
                   -----------       ------       ------------
  Income (loss)
   before income
   taxes.........      11,852         3,209            15,061
Income taxes.....       5,123         2,662(n)          7,785
                   -----------       ------       ------------
  Income (loss)
   before ex-
   traordinary
   item..........   $   6,729     $     547        $    7,276
                   -----------       ------       ------------
                   -----------       ------       ------------
Income per share
 before
 extraordinary
 item............   $    0.38                      $     0.37
                   -----------                    ------------
                   -----------                    ------------
Weighted average
 shares outstand-
 ing.............      17,666         1,761(n)         19,427
                   -----------       ------       ------------
                   -----------       ------       ------------
</TABLE>

                See accompanying notes to Pro Forma Statements.

                                      S-38
<PAGE>
                         NOTES TO PRO FORMA STATEMENTS

(a) Balance  sheet adjustments for Other Company Transactions give effect to the
    sale of  television station  KEVN  in Rapid  City,  South Dakota  for  $14.0
    million (the KEVN sale), which sale is expected to be consummated in January
    1996  and to result in  a $6.5 million gain,  and the related elimination of
    historical assets and liabilities of KEVN,  as if such sale had occurred  on
    September 30, 1995.

    Statements  of Operations adjustments for Other Company Transactions for the
    year ended December 31,  1994 and the nine  months ended September 30,  1995
    are presented below in columnar form. The sale proceeds or fundings relating
    to  the transactions discussed in (1)-(6) below are assumed to be applied to
    amounts outstanding  under  the  HMSI  Credit  Agreement  at  the  Company's
    historical  weighted average interest rates of 7%  and 9% for the year ended
    December  31,  1994  and   the  nine  months   ended  September  30,   1995,
    respectively,  assuming all such transactions were consummated as of January
    1, 1994. The pro forma adjustments relating to the acquisition  transactions
    reflect  the historical operating results of the respective businesses prior
    to their acquisition by the Company and include adjustments to  amortization
    to  reflect  amounts  allocated to  intangible  assets  as a  result  of the
    acquisitions over periods  of 40  and 15  years for  in-store marketing  and
    radio station acquisitions, respectively.

                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        PRO FORMA
                                                    HISTORICAL                                         ADJUSTMENTS
                             ---------------------------------------------------------                  FOR OTHER
                                          STRATEGIUM        OTHER                         PRO FORMA      COMPANY
                             POWERFORCE      MEDIA     ACQUISITIONS (1) DISPOSITIONS (2)  ADJUSTMENTS  TRANSACTIONS
                             -----------  -----------  ---------------  --------------  -------------  ------------
<S>                          <C>          <C>          <C>              <C>             <C>            <C>
Net revenues...............   $  58,901    $   8,092      $   3,015       $   (5,149)   $    --         $   64,859
                             -----------  -----------        ------          -------    -------------  ------------
Cost of services...........      51,658        2,005          1,280           (1,620)                       53,323
Selling, general and
 administrative............       6,225        5,775          1,036           (1,644)                       11,392
Depreciation...............         329          215            191             (822)                          (87)
Amortization...............         155                         534             (224)         812(3)         1,277
Other......................                                                                                 --
                             -----------  -----------        ------          -------    -------------  ------------
  Total operating
   expenses................      58,367        7,995          3,041           (4,310)         812           65,905
                             -----------  -----------        ------          -------    -------------  ------------
  Operating income
   (loss)..................         534           97            (26)            (839)        (812)          (1,046)
Interest expense, net......        (155)                       (143)                       (3,205)(4)       (3,503)
Other expense, net.........                                                                 1,439(5)         1,439
                             -----------  -----------        ------          -------    -------------  ------------
Income (loss) before
 extraordinary items.......         379           97           (169)            (839)      (2,578)          (3,110)
Dividends and accretion....                                                                19,651(6)        19,651
                             -----------  -----------        ------          -------    -------------  ------------
Net income applicable to
 common stock..............   $     379    $      97      $    (169)      $     (839)   $  17,073       $   16,541
                             -----------  -----------        ------          -------    -------------  ------------
                             -----------  -----------        ------          -------    -------------  ------------
Weighted average shares
 outstanding...............                                                                    94(6)            94
                                                                                        -------------  ------------
                                                                                        -------------  ------------
</TABLE>

                                      S-39
<PAGE>
                      NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                   PRO FORMA
                                                                          HISTORICAL                              ADJUSTMENTS
                                                              ----------------------------------                   FOR OTHER
                                                                   OTHER                            PRO FORMA       COMPANY
                                                              ACQUISITIONS (1)   DISPOSITION (2)   ADJUSTMENTS    TRANSACTIONS
                                                              ----------------   ---------------   ------------   ------------
<S>                                                           <C>                <C>               <C>            <C>
Net revenues................................................       $  869            $(2,443)        -$-            $(1,574)
                                                                   ------            -------         -----        ------------
Cost of services............................................          309               (625)                          (316)
Selling, general and administrative.........................          583               (599)                           (16)
Depreciation................................................          117               (331)                          (214)
Amortization................................................          166               (123)          246(6)           289
Other.......................................................                                                         --
                                                                   ------            -------         -----        ------------
  Total operating expenses..................................        1,175             (1,678)          246             (257)
                                                                   ------            -------         -----        ------------
  Operating income (loss)...................................         (306)              (765)         (246)          (1,317)
Interest expense, net.......................................         (293)                             555(4)           262
Other expense, net..........................................                                                         --
                                                                   ------            -------         -----        ------------
    Income (loss) before extraordinary items................       $ (599)           $  (765)         $309          $(1,055)
                                                                   ------            -------         -----        ------------
                                                                   ------            -------         -----        ------------
</TABLE>

    (1) Represents historical operating results of radio stations KIHT (acquired
       March 1994), KKCJ (acquired April 1995) and KXYQ (acquired June 1995) for
       the periods prior to their acquisition by the Company.

    (2)  Represents historical operating results of  KDLT (sold in October 1994)
       and KEVN (expected to be sold in  January 1996) for the periods prior  to
       their sale or anticipated sale by the Company.

    (3)  Represents  net  additional  amortization  expense  resulting  from the
       Company's acquisitions and dispositions as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             NINE MONTHS
                                                                              YEAR ENDED        ENDED
                                                                             DECEMBER 31,   SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                                 1994           1995
                                                                             ------------   -------------
<S>                                                                          <C>            <C>
Eliminate historical amortization expense of acquirees.....................     $(689)          $(43)
Add amortization expense relating to new intangible balances for periods
 prior to acquisition
  Powerforce ($5.7 million over 40 years)..................................       143          --
  Strategium Media ($18.4 million over 40 years)...........................       384          --
  Radio station acquisitions ($19.9 million over 15 years).................       974            289
                                                                                -----          -----
    Pro forma adjustment...................................................     $ 812           $246
                                                                                -----          -----
                                                                                -----          -----
</TABLE>

                                      S-40
<PAGE>
    (4) Represents net additional interest expense resulting from the  Company's
       acquisitions and dispositions as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              NINE MONTHS
                                                               YEAR ENDED        ENDED
                                                              DECEMBER 31,   SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                  1994           1995
                                                              ------------   -------------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Eliminate historical interest expense of acquirees..........    $   298          $293
Add interest expense relating to new amounts of debt
 outstanding for periods prior to acquisition
  Powerforce ($7.3 million of additional debt)..............       (511)        --
  Strategium Media ($17.8 million of additional debt).......     (1,410)        --
  Radio station acquisitions ($22.7 million and $14.9
   million of additional debt in 1994 and 1995,
   respectively)............................................     (1,179)         (683)
Add interest expense for additional debt used to retire the
 settlement rights ($39.0 million)..........................     (1,593)        --
Deduct interest expense for net proceeds from
 dispositions...............................................      1,190           945
                                                              ------------      -----
    Pro forma adjustment....................................    $(3,205)         $555
                                                              ------------      -----
                                                              ------------      -----
</TABLE>

    (5) Represents the elimination of the historical loss on the sale of KDLT in
       October 1994 of $1.4 million.

    (6)  Represents  the elimination  of historical  dividends on  the Company's
       preferred stock which was converted to  common stock in January 1994  and
       accretion  on the Company's settlement rights  which were retired in July
       1994. Assuming the conversion of  preferred stock occurred on January  1,
       1994 also results in an increase of 94,000 shares in the weighted average
       shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 1994.

(b) The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30,
    1995  and the unaudited pro forma  consolidated statements of income for the
    year ended December 31,  1995 and the nine  months ended September 30,  1995
    give  pro  forma  effect  for other  DIMAC  transactions  which  include the
    acquisitions of The Direct  Marketing Group, Inc.  (acquired May 31,  1994),
    Palm  Coast Data, Ltd. (acquired May 1, 1995), and T.R. McClure and Company,
    Inc. and  Related Companies  (acquired  October 2,  1995),  as well  as  the
    initial  public offering  of DIMAC's  common stock  (on August  3, 1994), as
    follows:

                                      S-41
<PAGE>
                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                PRO FORMA
                                                                                                             ADJUSTMENTS FOR
                                                                                   MCCLURE      PRO FORMA      OTHER DIMAC
                                                                                  HISTORICAL   ADJUSTMENTS    TRANSACTIONS
                                                                                  ----------   -----------   ---------------
<S>                                                                               <C>          <C>           <C>
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents.......................................................    $  270     $  (204)(1)       $    66
Trade receivables, net..........................................................     3,391       --                3,391
Prepaid expenses and other......................................................        72       --                   72
                                                                                  ----------   -----------       -------
  Total current assets..........................................................     3,733        (204)            3,529
Property and equipment, net.....................................................       922         578(2)          1,500
Goodwill and other intangibles, net.............................................     --         13,227(2)         13,227
Other assets....................................................................       182        (182)(1)       --
                                                                                  ----------   -----------       -------
                                                                                    $4,837     $13,419           $18,256
                                                                                  ----------   -----------       -------
                                                                                  ----------   -----------       -------
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current portion of long-term debt...............................................    $1,446     $(1,443)(3)       $     3
Accounts payable and accrued expenses...........................................     1,601         (40)(3)         1,561
Other current liabilities.......................................................       756         (66)(3)           690
                                                                                  ----------   -----------       -------
  Total current liabilities.....................................................     3,803      (1,549)            2,254
Long-term debt, less current portion............................................       463      15,539(4)         16,002
Stockholders' equity............................................................       571        (571)(5)       --
                                                                                  ----------   -----------       -------
                                                                                    $4,837     $13,419           $18,256
                                                                                  ----------   -----------       -------
                                                                                  ----------   -----------       -------
</TABLE>

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

    (1) Reflects assets not acquired by DIMAC.

    (2) Reflects  the  preliminary allocation  of  the purchase  price  paid  to
       McClure stockholders over the net historical cost of assets acquired. The
       preliminary  allocation of  the purchase  price does  not include amounts
       payable under certain contingent  payment obligations. Such payments  are
       based  on the attainment by the  newly formed McClure Group subsidiary of
       certain financial and operations performance  targets over the next  four
       years.  The contingent payment obligations, if any, will be accounted for
       as additional goodwill as the payments are made.

    (3) Reflects elimination of debt not assumed by DIMAC.

    (4) Reflects  the recording  of net  additional debt  incurred by  DIMAC  to
       acquire McClure.

    (5)  Reflects the elimination of all McClure  equity balances as a result of
       the acquisition.

                                      S-42
<PAGE>
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           PRO FORMA
                                                                                                          ADJUSTMENTS
                                                                                                           FOR OTHER
                                                         DMG      PALM COAST     MCCLURE     PRO FORMA       DIMAC
                                                     HISTORICAL   HISTORICAL   HISTORICAL   ADJUSTMENTS   TRANSACTIONS
                                                     -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                                  <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
Net revenues.......................................   $   6,937    $  12,916    $  27,142   $    --        $   46,995
Cost of services...................................       4,455        7,372       16,843        --            28,670
Selling, general and administrative................       2,022        3,040        9,482      (2,700)(6)      11,844
Depreciation.......................................         171          875          225         142(7)        1,413
Amortization.......................................          32           33       --             873(8)          938
Other..............................................      --               42       --            --                42
                                                     -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
  Total operating expenses.........................       6,680       11,362       26,550      (1,685)         42,907
                                                     -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
Operating income...................................         257        1,554          592       1,685           4,088
Interest expense, net..............................        (267)        (314)         (22)         26(9)         (577)
                                                     -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
Income (loss) before income taxes..................         (10)       1,240          570       1,711           3,511
Income taxes.......................................           3       --               20       1,347 (10       1,370
                                                     -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
Income (loss) before extraordinary item............   $     (13)   $   1,240    $     550   $     364      $    2,141
                                                     -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
                                                     -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>

                      NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          PRO FORMA
                                                                                                         ADJUSTMENTS
                                                                                                          FOR OTHER
                                                               PALM COAST     MCCLURE      PRO FORMA        DIMAC
                                                               HISTORICAL   HISTORICAL    ADJUSTMENTS    TRANSACTIONS
                                                               -----------  -----------  --------------  ------------
<S>                                                            <C>          <C>          <C>             <C>
Net revenues.................................................   $   5,198    $  22,011   $     --         $   27,209
Cost of services.............................................       2,874       14,259         --             17,133
Selling, general and administrative..........................       1,023        7,289       (1,467)(6)        6,845
Depreciation.................................................          26          218           42(7)           286
Amortization.................................................         127       --              363(8)           490
                                                               -----------  -----------  --------------  ------------
  Total operating expenses...................................       4,050       21,766       (1,062)          24,754
                                                               -----------  -----------  --------------  ------------
Operating income.............................................       1,148          245        1,062            2,455
Interest expense, net........................................         (89)         (44)      (1,232)(9)       (1,365)
Other expense, net...........................................        (349)      --              349 (11       --
                                                               -----------  -----------  --------------  ------------
Income (loss) before income taxes............................         710          201          179            1,090
Income taxes.................................................      --               48          385 (10          433
                                                               -----------  -----------  --------------  ------------
Income (loss) before extraordinary item......................   $     710    $     153   $     (206)      $      657
                                                               -----------  -----------  --------------  ------------
                                                               -----------  -----------  --------------  ------------
</TABLE>

    (6) The selling, general and administrative expense adjustment is as follows
       (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               NINE MONTHS
                                                               YEAR ENDED         ENDED
                                                              DECEMBER 31,    SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                  1994             1995
                                                              ------------  ------------------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
Elimination of costs associated with management positions
 eliminated in connection with the sale of DMG to DIMAC and
 certain professional fees incurred by DMG and McClure in
 anticipation of each sale..................................   $     (400)      $     (100)
Elimination of discretionary bonuses related to subchapter S
 status.....................................................       (2,300)          (1,367)
                                                              ------------         -------
                                                               $   (2,700)      $   (1,467)
                                                              ------------         -------
                                                              ------------         -------
</TABLE>

                                      S-43
<PAGE>
    (7)  The  depreciation  adjustment  (based  on  preliminary  purchase  price
       allocation) is as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    NINE MONTHS
                                                     YEAR ENDED        ENDED
                                                    DECEMBER 31,   SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                        1994           1995
                                                    ------------   -------------
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>
Increase in depreciation..........................      $142            $42
                                                       -----            ---
                                                       -----            ---
</TABLE>

    (8) The amortization expense adjustment (based on preliminary purchase price
       allocation) is as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              NINE MONTHS
                                                               YEAR ENDED        ENDED
                                                              DECEMBER 31,   SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                  1994           1995
                                                              ------------   -------------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Increase in amortization of goodwill (based on a preliminary
 weighted average life of 25 years).........................      $848           $ 490
Increase in amortization of non-compete agreements (based on
 a life of 4 years).........................................        49          --
Increase in amortization of customer list (based on
 preliminary life of 10 years)..............................        41          --
Elimination of historical amortization on assets not
 acquired...................................................       (65)           (127)
                                                                 -----           -----
                                                                  $873           $ 363
                                                                 -----           -----
                                                                 -----           -----
</TABLE>

    (9) The interest expense adjustment is as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              NINE MONTHS
                                                               YEAR ENDED        ENDED
                                                              DECEMBER 31,   SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                  1994           1995
                                                              ------------   -------------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Elimination of historical interest expense on debt not
 assumed....................................................    $  (481)        $ (125)
Increase in interest expense on debt incurred by DIMAC for
 the various acquisitions (based on the average effective
 interest rate of the acquisition debt).....................      2,694          1,357
Amortization of debt issuance costs relating to debt
 incurred by DIMAC for the various acquisitions.............        111         --
Elimination of interest expense on redemption of $25,000
 principal of debt retired from proceeds of the initial
 public offering............................................     (2,066)        --
Elimination of pro rata portion of interest expense on debt
 incurred by DIMAC for the DMG acquisition repaid from
 proceeds of the initial public offering....................       (140)        --
Elimination of amortization of debt issuance costs and
 original issue discount on debt retired from proceeds of
 the initial public offering................................       (144)        --
                                                              ------------      ------
                                                                $   (26)        $1,232
                                                              ------------      ------
                                                              ------------      ------
</TABLE>

    (10)  Reflects the tax effects of  the various transactions based on DIMAC's
       estimated marginal tax rate of 39.0%.

    (11) Elimination  of  historical expense  as  a  result of  the  Palm  Coast
       write-offs prior to acquisition.

(c)  Reflects the  issuance of $150.0  million of  Notes at an  interest rate of
    9.25% and receipt of related proceeds,  net of estimated financing costs  of
    $3.6 million.

(d)  Reflects the  exercise of options  by DIMAC management  to purchase 299,250
    shares of DIMAC common  stock at various exercise  prices and the  resultant
    receipt  of cash. Management believes that these optionholders will exercise
    such options prior to consummation of the Acquisition.

                                      S-44
<PAGE>
(e) Reflects  the reclassification  of  the current  portion of  DIMAC's  credit
    agreement  to  long-term  as  the DIMAC  Credit  Facility  will  not require
    principal payments until 1997.

(f) Reflects consummation of the Acquisition for total consideration as  follows
    (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           ASSUMES CASH
                                                                            ASSUMES CASH     AND STOCK
                                                                               MERGER         MERGER
                                                                            CONSIDERATION  CONSIDERATION
                                                                            -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                         <C>            <C>
Consideration paid to DIMAC shareholders
  Cash (6,790,655 shares outstanding x $28.00)............................   $   190,138    $   --
  Cash (6,790,655 shares outstanding x $21.00)............................       --             142,603
  Company stock (6,790,655 shares x $7.00)................................       --              47,535
Consideration paid to remaining DIMAC optionholder........................         2,665          2,665
Acquisition fees paid to advisors.........................................         4,600          4,600
                                                                            -------------  -------------
    Total consideration paid..............................................   $   197,403    $   197,403
                                                                            -------------  -------------
                                                                            -------------  -------------
</TABLE>

    If  the Company elects to pay up up  to $7.00 of the Merger Consideration in
    shares of Company Common Stock, the number of shares of Company Common Stock
    comprising the stock portion  of the Merger Consideration  will be equal  to
    the  quotient  determined  by  dividing  the  stock  portion  of  the Merger
    Consideration by the average  closing price of the  Company Common Stock  on
    the  AMEX as published in  The Wall Street Journal  for the ten trading days
    ending on and including the third trading day preceding, but not  including,
    the  effective date  of the Acquisition  (the "Company  Trading Price"). For
    purposes of the Pro Forma Statements,  the Company Trading Price is  assumed
    to  be $27.00 per  share, resulting in  the issuance of  1,761,000 shares of
    Company Common Stock. Consideration paid to the remaining DIMAC optionholder
    results from  the exchange  of "in-the-money"  options to  purchase  155,000
    shares  of DIMAC's common stock  for options to purchase  the same number of
    shares of Company Common Stock with equivalent exercise prices, resulting in
    the issuance  of  Company "in-the-money"  options  with a  market  value  of
    $2,665,000 assuming a Company Trading Price of $27.00 per share. See (d) for
    pro forma treatment of remaining DIMAC options.

                                      S-45
<PAGE>
    The purchase price has been allocated as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<S>                                                        <C>        <C>
Purchase price...........................................             $ 197,403
Historical book values of DIMAC assets and liabilities
  Cash ($66 plus $3,669 (see (d) above)).................      3,735
  Trade receivables, net.................................     29,943
  Inventory..............................................      8,737
  Prepaid expenses and other.............................      1,469
  Deferred income taxes..................................        166
  Property and equipment, net............................     20,776
  Goodwill and other intangibles.........................     38,459
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses..................    (15,829)
  Other current liabilities..............................    (11,279)
  Debt...................................................    (67,467)
  Other long-term liabilities............................     (2,230)     6,480
                                                           ---------  ---------
    Total remaining to be allocated......................               190,923
Accrued liabilities resulting from the Acquisition.......                 4,500
                                                                      ---------
Adjustment to goodwill and other intangibles.............             $ 195,423
                                                                      ---------
                                                                      ---------
Source of Merger Consideration
  Cash...................................................             $ 150,082
  Additional borrowings under the DIMAC Credit
   Facility..............................................                44,656
  Equity, relating to the Company options (see (d)
   above)................................................                 2,665
                                                                      ---------
    Total................................................             $ 197,403
                                                                      ---------
                                                                      ---------
Elimination of pro forma DIMAC equity (historical equity
 of $2,811 plus $3,669 (see (d) above))..................             $   6,480
                                                                      ---------
                                                                      ---------
</TABLE>

    The  purchase  price has  been allocated  on a  preliminary basis  to assets
    acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values.  Book
    values  of  DIMAC's working  capital  accounts, property  and  equipment and
    long-term debt are assumed to approximate  their fair value. The fair  value
    of  identifiable intangible assets, such as  customer lists and trained work
    force, is  estimated to  be $20.0  million  and will  be amortized  over  an
    estimated  weighted average life  of 8 years.  Amounts allocated to customer
    lists and trained work force  represents management's estimates of the  fair
    values of such assets considering previous services provided and anticipated
    future  services to  be provided  to such  customers and  estimated costs of
    hiring and training employees  of DIMAC. The excess  of purchase price  over
    identifiable  net  assets will  be amortized  over an  estimated life  of 40
    years.

(g) Reflects capitalization  of financing  costs of $1,631,000  relating to  the
    DIMAC  Credit Facility.  Such costs are  assumed to be  paid with borrowings
    under the agreement.

(h) Reflects the recognition of deferred income taxes at an estimated  effective
    rate of 35% on the excess of book value over tax bases relating to the DIMAC
    net assets to be acquired.

(i)  Adjusts pro  forma amounts  previously recorded  to reflect  the payment of
    $7.00 of the Merger Consideration in shares of Company Common Stock. See (f)
    for calculation of the pro forma adjustment.

                                      S-46
<PAGE>
(j) Reflects the elimination of certain  corporate expenses of DIMAC which  will
    not   be  incurred  by  the   combined  entities.  Such  expenses  represent
    duplicative costs  or  management fees  which  will  not be  paid  by  DIMAC
    subsequent  to  the  Acquisition  and are  comprised  of  the  following (in
    thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              NINE MONTHS
                                                               YEAR ENDED        ENDED
                                                              DECEMBER 31,   SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                  1994           1995
                                                              ------------   -------------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Directors and officers insurance............................      $ 96           $173
Public company expenses.....................................     --               100
Management fees.............................................       250            187
                                                                 -----          -----
  Pro forma adjustment......................................      $346           $460
                                                                 -----          -----
                                                                 -----          -----
</TABLE>

(k) Reflects  incremental  amortization of  intangible  assets acquired  in  the
    Acquisition.

(l)  Reflects incremental  interest and  amortization of  deferred finance costs
    relating to  the  $150  million of  Notes  at  9.25% and  the  DIMAC  Credit
    Facility,  assuming a  weighted average  interest rate  of 9%  on borrowings
    under such credit  agreement for the  year ended December  31, 1994 and  the
    nine months ended September 30, 1995 as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              NINE MONTHS
                                                               YEAR ENDED        ENDED
                                                              DECEMBER 31,   SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                  1994           1995
                                                              ------------   -------------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Interest on $150 million Notes..............................    $13,875         $10,406
Interest on borrowings of $112.1 million under the DIMAC
 Credit Facility............................................     10,238           7,678
Amortization of debt issuance costs.........................        584             438
Less: DIMAC interest as adjusted............................     (6,646)         (4,939)
                                                              ------------   -------------
  Pro forma adjustment......................................    $18,051         $13,583
                                                              ------------   -------------
                                                              ------------   -------------
</TABLE>

(m)  Reflects the incremental adjustment necessary to present income tax expense
    of the combined entities, assuming the other transactions of the Company and
    DIMAC, the Acquisition and the issuance of the Notes occurred on January  1,
    1994.  Deferred  tax assets  have been  recognized to  the extent  that they
    offset deferred  tax  liabilities  that will  reverse  in  the  carryforward
    period.  For the  year ended  December 31, 1994,  pro forma  federal tax was
    offset by previously unrecognized deferred tax assets of $4.8 million  ($6.3
    million  assuming the Merger Consideration is  comprised of cash and stock).
    For the nine months  ended September 30, 1995,  pro forma tax was  partially
    offset  by previously unrecognized deferred tax assets of $6.1 million ($4.6
    million assuming the Merger Consideration is comprised of cash).

(n) Reflects the  reduction in  interest and  increase in  estimated income  tax
    expense  resulting from  the payment  of $7  of the  Merger Consideration in
    shares of Company Common Stock, assuming a Company Trading Price of $27  per
    share  for the Company Common Stock.  Such interest adjustment is calculated
    by multiplying the  amount of  Merger Consideration  to be  paid in  Company
    Common Stock of $47,535,000 times the assumed weighted average interest rate
    under the DIMAC Credit Facility of 9% for the respective periods.

                                      S-47
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS

                                  $300,000,000
                           HERITAGE MEDIA CORPORATION
                       SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND NOTES
                               ------------------

    Heritage  Media Corporation (the "Company") may offer and issue from time to
time its unsecured subordinated  debentures or notes  (the "Securities") for  an
aggregate  initial offering price not to exceed $300,000,000. The Securities may
be offered in one or more separate series, in amounts, at prices and on terms to
be determined by market conditions at the time of sale and to be set forth in  a
supplement  or supplements to  this Prospectus (a  "Prospectus Supplement"). Any
Securities may be offered with other Securities or separately.

    Certain terms of any Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being
delivered will be set forth in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement including,
where applicable, the specific designation, aggregate principal amount, purchase
price, authorized denominations,  maturity, prepayment, interest  rate and  time
and  dates of payment of interest (if any), terms (if any) for the redemption or
exchange thereof,  listing (if  any)  on a  securities  exchange and  any  other
specific terms of the Securities.

    The  Securities will be subordinated in right  of payment to all present and
future Senior Indebtedness  (as defined  herein) of  the Company  to the  extent
described  herein and  in the  Prospectus Supplement.  The Prospectus Supplement
will also contain  information about  certain United States  federal income  tax
considerations relating to the Securities, if applicable.

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

    SEE  "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON  PAGE 3 HEREOF FOR  A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES.
                             ---------------------
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  ON  THE ACCURACY  OR ADEQUACY  OF  THIS PROSPECTUS.      ANY
             REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

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

    The Securities may be sold  on a negotiated or  competitive bid basis to  or
through  underwriters  or  dealers designated  from  time  to time  or  to other
purchasers directly or through agents designated from time to time. See "Plan of
Distribution." Certain  terms  of  the  offering and  sale  of  the  Securities,
including,  where applicable, the names of  the underwriters, dealers or agents,
if any, the principal amount or number  of shares to be purchased, the  purchase
price  of the Securities and the proceeds to the Company from such sale, and any
applicable commissions, discounts and  other items constituting compensation  of
such  underwriters, dealers  or agents,  will be  set forth  in the accompanying
Prospectus Supplement.

    This Prospectus may  not be used  to consummate sales  of Securities  unless
accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.

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

                The date of this Prospectus is January 18, 1996
<PAGE>
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

    The  following documents filed by  Heritage Media Corporation (the "Company"
or "Heritage" and, where the context indicates, includes its subsidiaries)  with
the   Securities  and   Exchange  Commission   (the  "Commission")   are  hereby
incorporated in this Prospectus by reference (Commission File No. 1-10015):

        1.  the Company's Annual Report on  Form 10-K for the fiscal year  ended
    December  31, 1994,  as amended by  Amendment No.  1 to such  report on Form
    10-K/A filed on December 15, 1995 and Amendment No. 2 to such report on Form
    10-K/A filed on January 4, 1996 (the "Form 10-K");

        2.  the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, for the quarters ended
    March 31,  1995, June  30, 1995  and September  30, 1995  and the  Company's
    report  on Form 10-Q/A  amending its Quarterly  Report on Form  10-Q for the
    period ended September  30, 1995, which  contain the unaudited  consolidated
    condensed financial statements of the Company; and

        3.  the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated December 11, 1995, as amended
    by Form 8-K/A dated January 4, 1996 and Form 8-K/A dated January 17, 1996.

    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.  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.

    The Company  will  provide without  charge  to each  person,  including  any
beneficial  owner of  a security,  to whom a  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  information  (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.
                            ------------------------

    IN  CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE  UNDERWRITERS, IF ANY, MAY OVER-ALLOT
OR EFFECT TRANSACTIONS  WHICH STABILIZE  OR MAINTAIN  THE MARKET  PRICES OF  THE
SECURITIES  AT  LEVELS ABOVE  THOSE WHICH  MIGHT OTHERWISE  PREVAIL IN  THE OPEN
MARKET. SUCH  TRANSACTIONS MAY  BE EFFECTED  IN THE  OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET  OR
OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.

                                       2
<PAGE>
                                  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 is also a participant in the broadcast industry through its ownership of
four network affiliated television stations in small to mid-sized markets and 17
radio stations in seven major markets.

    On October 23, 1995, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire  DIMAC
Corporation  ("DIMAC").  See "Recent  Developments." DIMAC  is the  largest full
service, vertically integrated direct marketing  services company in the  United
States.

    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.

                                  RISK FACTORS

    Prospective  purchasers should consider carefully,  in addition to the other
information contained in this Prospectus, the following factors:

LEVERAGE; RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY LENDERS

    The Company has  incurred substantial  indebtedness in  connection with  the
acquisitions  of its  businesses. In  June 1992,  Heritage Media  Services, Inc.
("HMSI"),  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  the  Company,  issued   $150,000,000
principal amount of 11% Senior Secured Notes Due 2002 ("HMSI Notes") and entered
into  a revolving credit and term  loan agreement (the "Credit Agreement") under
which HMSI may borrow  up to $130  million. As of September  30, 1995, HMSI  had
borrowed $120.4 million under the Credit Agreement. In October 1992, the Company
issued  $50,000,000 principal amount of 11% Senior Subordinated Notes (the "1992
Notes") due October 1, 2002. The Securities  will rank PARI PASSU with the  1992
Notes  and  will  be structurally  subordinate  to  the HMSI  Notes,  the Credit
Agreement and all other indebtedness of the Company and its subsidiaries.

    As of  September  30,  1995,  Heritage  had  indebtedness  (long-term  debt,
including  current  installments  and  notes  payable)  of  approximately $350.4
million  and  stockholders'   equity  of  approximately   $108.7  million,   and
accordingly,  a consolidated debt-to-equity ratio of approximately 3.2 to 1. The
Company expects to incur substantial additional indebtedness in connection  with
the acquisition of DIMAC. See "Recent Developments." Such leverage may adversely
affect  the ability of the Company to  finance its future operations and capital
needs and may limit its ability to pursue other business opportunities which may
be in its interests.  Other than as described  under "Recent Developments,"  the
Company does not have any present intent to incur additional indebtedness.

    The  discretion of  the management  of the  Company with  respect to certain
business matters is limited by covenants contained in the Indenture with respect
to the Securities (the  "Indenture"), the Credit  Agreement, the Indenture  with
respect  to the 1992 Notes (the "1992 Indenture") and the Indenture with respect
to the HMSI  Notes (the  "HMSI Indenture"). The  restricted activities  include,
among  other  matters, certain  mergers, acquisitions  and asset  sales, capital
expenditures, certain investments, the incurrence  of additional debt, sale  and
leaseback  transactions, the payment of dividends and other similar payments and
transactions with affiliates.  It is anticipated  that the agreements  governing
the  indebtedness which  may be incurred  in connection with  the acquisition of
DIMAC will contain similar restrictions.

    As a result of its leverage and in order to repay existing indebtedness, the
Company will  be required  to continue  to generate  substantial operating  cash
flow.  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  its control,  and  there can  be no
assurance that it will be able to meet such requirements.

                                       3
<PAGE>
HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE

    As a holding company with no material operations of its own and no  material
assets  other  than the  stock  of its  operating  subsidiaries, the  Company is
dependent upon distributions from its operating subsidiaries to service its debt
obligations, including the Securities. The ability of the Company's subsidiaries
to make such distributions is subject  to the following factors: the  discretion
of the Company in causing its subsidiaries to make distributions; the ability of
such  subsidiaries  under state  corporate laws  to  declare dividends;  and the
prohibition of, or  limitation on,  distributions by  such subsidiaries  arising
under  agreements  governing indebtedness  issued or  incurred by  the Company's
subsidiaries.  Both  the  HMSI  Indenture  and  the  Credit  Agreement   contain
limitations  on the  ability of the  Company's subsidiaries to  pay dividends or
make other  distributions  to the  Company.  It  is also  anticipated  that  the
agreements  governing  the  indebtedness  which may  be  issued  or  incurred in
connection with the acquisition of  DIMAC will contain similar restrictions.  At
September  30,  1995, the  HMSI Indenture  and the  Credit Agreement  would have
permitted dividends by  the Company's  subsidiaries to the  Company, subject  to
certain  exceptions, in  the amount  of approximately  $76 million.  The Company
presently expects, although  is not required,  to redeem the  HMSI Notes and  to
refinance  the indebtedness under the Credit  Agreement on June 15, 1997. Claims
of creditors of the  Company's subsidiaries, including the  holders of the  HMSI
Notes  and the lenders under the  Credit Agreement, will generally have priority
to the  assets of  such subsidiaries  over the  claims of  the Company  and  the
holders of the Company's indebtedness.

ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE SECURITIES

    The  Securities  comprise  a new  issue  of  securities for  which  there is
currently no public  market. If the  Securities are traded  after their  initial
issuance,  they  may trade  at  a discount  from  their initial  offering price,
depending upon prevailing  interest rates,  the market  for similar  securities,
performance  of the Company  and other factors.  The Company does  not intend to
apply for listing of the Securities on any securities exchange.

COMPETITION

    Each  of  the  marketing  services  and  broadcast  industries  are   highly
competitive.  Several of the Company's  competitors and potential competitors in
each of these industries may have greater access to financial resources than the
Company.

GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION

    The broadcasting industry  is highly regulated.  The Company's operation  of
its  broadcast  stations  is  dependent  upon  the  maintenance  and  renewal of
broadcast licenses issued by  the Federal Communications  Commission and by  the
continued  compliance  by  the  Company with  applicable  laws  and regulations.
Significant  changes  in  legislation   affecting  broadcasting  companies   are
anticipated  to be enacted in 1996. There can be no assurance as to the ultimate
effect  of  any  new  legislation  on  the  Company's  operations  or  financial
condition.

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

    Except  as set forth in a Prospectus  Supplement, the Company intends to use
the net proceeds  from the sale  of Securities for  general corporate  purposes,
including  working  capital, capital  expenditures, investments  in or  loans to
subsidiaries, refinancing of debt,  satisfaction of other obligations,  possible
repurchases  of capital  stock and  possible future  acquisitions (including the
proposed acquisition of DIMAC) or such other purposes as may be specified in the
Prospectus Supplement. See "Recent Developments."

                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

    On October 23,  1995, the  Company entered  into an  agreement (the  "Merger
Agreement")  with DIMAC. Pursuant  to the Merger Agreement,  a subsidiary of the
Company would merge  with DIMAC,  resulting in DIMAC's  becoming a  wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company. As a result of the merger, each share of DIMAC common
stock  would be converted into the right to receive $28 in cash. The Company may
elect to pay up to $7 of the $28 merger price by issuing shares of the Company's
Class A Common Stock.

                                       4
<PAGE>
    Consummation of  the  merger  with  DIMAC is  subject  to  approval  of  the
transaction  by  the  DIMAC  stockholders and  certain  other  customary closing
conditions. The Company anticipates that the  merger will be consummated in  the
first quarter of 1996.

    The Company will require financing of approximately $195 million to fund the
purchase  price  of the  outstanding shares  of DIMAC  common stock  and related
transaction  expenses  and  approximately  $70  million  to  refinance   DIMAC's
indebtedness  and provide an acquisition credit  facility for DIMAC. The Company
presently expects to consummate an underwritten public offering of $150  million
principal  amount of the Securities prior to  the consummation of the merger. In
addition, the  Company anticipates  entering  into a  $175 million  bank  credit
agreement  to be guaranteed by  DIMAC. If the Company  elects to issue shares of
its Class A Common Stock  as a part of  the merger consideration, the  Company's
debt financing would be reduced by as much as $45 million.

    DIMAC  was founded in  1921 and has  evolved into the  largest full service,
vertically-integrated direct marketing  services company in  the United  States.
DIMAC  creates and implements  comprehensive, custom-tailored marketing programs
to enable clients nationwide to focus  their marketing expenditures on a  highly
targeted potential customer base. As a full service, vertically-integrated firm,
DIMAC provides every component of a complete direct marketing program, including
customized  market  research,  strategic  and  creative  planning,  creation and
management of  relational  databases, telemarketing,  media  buying,  production
services,  fulfillment services and subsequent  program analysis. Throughout the
last thirty years, DIMAC  has successfully expanded the  range of its  marketing
services  and  increased  the  size  of  its  customer  base  to  include  major
corporations such as AT&T, American Express, Blockbuster Video, The Walt  Disney
Company,   several  Blue  Cross/Blue  Shield  organizations,  Medco  Containment
Services and a significant number of all U.S. public television stations.

    For the year ended December 31, 1994 and for the nine months ended September
30, 1995, DIMAC  had sales of  approximately $100.0 million  and $89.0  million,
respectively,  and income  before provision  for income  taxes and extraordinary
item of $4.85 million and $8.3 million, respectively.

                CONSOLIDATED RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

    The following table sets forth the  consolidated ratio of earnings to  fixed
charges for the Company for the periods indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       NINE MONTHS
                                                                          ENDED                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                                      SEPTEMBER 30,   ------------------------------------------
                                                                          1995        1994  1993  1992 (2)   1991 (2)   1990 (2)
                                                                      -------------   ----  ----  --------   --------   --------
<S>                                                                   <C>             <C>   <C>   <C>        <C>        <C>
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (1)..............................      1.77        1.78  1.09   --         --         --
</TABLE>

- ------------------------
(1) For  the  purpose  of computing  the  ratio  of earnings  to  fixed charges,
    "earnings" consists  of  income  from continuing  operations  before  income
    taxes,  extraordinary  items, minority  interest  and fixed  charges. "Fixed
    charges" consists of interest expense, debt amortization costs and one-third
    of rental expense representing the interest portion of rental payments  made
    under operating leases.

(2) For  the  years  ended  December  31, 1992,  1991  and  1990,  earnings were
    insufficient to  cover fixed  charges by  $13.4 million,  $18.8 million  and
    $26.0 million, respectively.

                                       5
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS

    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 four
network affiliated  television stations  in small  to mid-sized  markets and  17
radio  stations in seven  major markets. For  the year ended  December 31, 1994,
in-store marketing  constituted  approximately  72.4%  of  the  Company's  total
revenues,  and television and  radio constituted approximately  14.7% and 12.9%,
respectively of the Company's total revenues.

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 and
    introduced in 1992, 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 ICM  generated approximately $82  million of revenues  in
    1994, as compared to approximately $63 million in 1993.

        ACTNOW.   Actmedia's Actnow 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  nationwide  directly  to  shopping  customers  per  event.   In
    addition,  product awareness is reinforced through the placement of featured
    products on a free-standing Actnow 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  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.

                                       6
<PAGE>
        AISLEVISION.   AisleVision features 28"  by 18" four-color advertisement
    posters inserted in stores' overhead  aisle directory signs. An  enhancement
    of  this product, 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.

        SALES MERCHANDISING.  Through its Powerforce division, Actmedia conducts
    in-store merchandising and promotional activities such as shelf restockings,
    special retailer events,  point of  purchase installations  and other  sales
    merchandising  tasks  previously  performed  by  full-time  sales  forces of
    consumer packaged goods manufacturers.

In September  1995, Actmedia  introduced ACTPROMOTE,  an electronic  "paperless"
couponing  network which  supports price  discounts distributed  at the checkout
scanner with on-shelf advertising and in-store audio promotion. National rollout
of this network is expected during 1996.

    IN-STORE NETWORK.  Actmedia's in-store network  delivers some or all of  its
products  and services in over 24,000 supermarkets, 13,000 drug stores and 2,400
mass merchandiser stores across the country, a network substantially larger than
that  of  any  other  in-store  marketing  company  in  the  United  States.  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. Through  the
Powerforce division, Actmedia also delivers sales merchandising services to toy,
hardware, computer retail, office products and department stores.

    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
23,800  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 1994, the  Company's largest customers  included
the following:

<TABLE>
<S>                    <C>
Andrew Jergens         Kraft Foods
Chesebrough-Pond's     Lever Brothers
Coca-Cola              McNeil
General Mills          Procter & Gamble
Heinz                  Quaker Oats
Hunt-Wesson            Ralston Purina
James River            RJR Nabisco
Kelloggs
</TABLE>

    INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS.  Actmedia's strategy includes the establishment of
a  significant business presence  outside of the United  States. The majority of
the Company's advertisers are large, multinational

                                       7
<PAGE>
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,
Australia,  New  Zealand  and  the  Netherlands.  International  sales  in  1994
accounted for $23.2 million (approximately 10.0%) of the in-store revenues.

TELEVISION

    The  following  table  sets  forth  selected  information  relating  to  the
television  stations owned by  Heritage (excluding KEVN-TV,  the Company's Rapid
City, South Dakota NBC affiliate which  is scheduled to be sold during  December
1995):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            OTHER
                                                                DMA      COMMERCIAL     STATION      STATION
                        CHANNEL     NETWORK     TV HOMES IN    MARKET    STATIONS IN    MARKET       RANK IN
STATION AND LOCATION    NUMBER    AFFILIATION     DMA (1)     RANK (1)       DMA       SHARE (2)   MARKET (3)
- ----------------------  -------   -----------   -----------   --------   -----------   ---------   -----------
<S>                     <C>       <C>           <C>           <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>
KOKH-TV                   25          FOX          572,300        43          4            8            4
(UHF)
Oklahoma City, OK
WCHS-TV                    8          ABC          473,200        56          3           15            2
(VHF)
Charleston/
Huntington, WV
WEAR-TV                    3          ABC          422,340        62          4           19            2
(VHF)
Mobile, AL/
Pensacola, FL
WPTZ-TV                    5          NBC          282,740(4)     92(4)       2           13            2
(VHF)
Burlington, VT/
Plattsburgh, NY
WNNE-TV                   31          NBC          282,740(4)     92(4)       3            4            4
(UHF) (5)
Hartford, VT/
Hanover, NH
</TABLE>

- ------------------------
(1) Source: Nielsen Television Designated Market Area ("DMA") rankings 1994-5.

(2) "Sign  on-sign off" market  shares as reported in  the November 1994 Nielsen
    ratings.

(3) Rankings based on relative "sign on-sign off" market shares in the  November
    1994 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 city of Montreal.

(5) Operated as a satellite of WPTZ-TV, but maintains some local programming and
    sells advertising locally.

    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 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

                                       8
<PAGE>
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 12 FM radio stations in seven  of
the top 50 markets. The following table sets forth certain information regarding
Heritage's  radio stations (excluding ratings  information for stations acquired
during 1995):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 FM STATION    FM STATION RANK
                              METRO RANK                                         STATIONS IN       FORMAT         IN TARGET
LOCATION                          (1)          CALL SIGN          FORMAT           MARKET         RANK (2)      AUDIENCE (3)
- ---------------------------  -------------  ---------------  ----------------  ---------------  -------------  ---------------
<S>                          <C>            <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>            <C>
Seattle-Tacoma, WA                    13    KRPM-AM          Country                     31
                                            KRPM-FM          Country                                      2              14
St. Louis, MO                         17    WRTH-AM          Standards                   32
                                            WIL-FM           Country                                      1               4
                                            KIHT-FM          Rock Oldies                                  1               7
Portland, OR                          24    KKSN-AM          Standards                   28
                                            KKSN-FM          Oldies                                       1               3
                                            WXYQ-FM          Rock Oldies                                 --(5)           --(5)
Cincinnati, OH                        25    WOFX-FM          Classic Rock                25              --(4)           --(4)
Milwaukee, WI                         26    WEMP-AM          Oldies                      26
                                                             Adult
                                            WMYX-FM          Contemporary                                 1               8
                                                             Adult
                                            WEZW-FM          Contemporary                                 3              12
Rochester, NY                         44    WBBF-AM          Standards                   17
                                            WBEE-FM          Country                                      1               1
                                            WKLX-FM          Oldies                                       1               5
Kansas City, MO-KS                    27    KCFX-FM          Rock Oldies                 25               1               1
                                            KICY-FM          Smooth Jazz                                 --(6)           --(6)
</TABLE>

- ------------------------
(1) Metropolitan areas as defined and ranked by Arbitron, Fall 1994.

(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 1994 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 1994 Arbitron ratings.)

(4) Station  changed its call letters to WVAE-FM  and launched a new smooth jazz
    format in September 1995.

(5) Format was launched in July 1995.

(6) Format was launched in June 1995.

    In September 1995, the Company entered  into an agreement to purchase  radio
stations  WMYV-FM and WWST-FM, both serving the Knoxville, Tennessee market, for
an aggregate purchase  price of  $6.5 million.  The acquisition  is expected  to
close in early 1996.

    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

                                       9
<PAGE>
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 12 FM stations are format  leaders
in their markets.

    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  has created duopoly ownership in five
of its seven radio markets.

    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.

                           DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

    The  following  sets  forth  certain general  terms  and  provisions  of the
Indenture under which the Securities may be issued. The particular terms of  any
such securities will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.

GENERAL

    The  Securities will be issued under the Indenture (the "Indenture") between
the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (the "Trustee").

    The statements  under  this  caption  relating to  the  Securities  and  the
Indenture  are summaries and do not purport  to be complete, and where reference
is made to particular  provisions of the  Indenture, such provisions,  including
the  definition of certain terms, are qualified in their entireties by reference
to all  of the  provisions of  the Indenture.  Capitalized terms  not  otherwise
defined below or elsewhere in this Prospectus have the meanings given to them in
the  Indenture. A  copy of  the Indenture has  been filed  as an  exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.

    The Indenture does not  limit the aggregate  principal amount of  Securities
that may be issued by the Company thereunder and provides that Securities may be
issued from time to time in a series.

    The  Securities will be unsecured obligations of the Company and subordinate
in payment to certain other debt obligations of the Company, as described  below
under "Subordination."

    Substantially all of the operations of the Company are and will be conducted
through  its subsidiaries,  and therefore the  Company is dependent  on the cash
flow of  its  subsidiaries to  meet  the Company's  obligations,  including  its
obligations  under the Securities.  See "Risk Factors  -- Leverage; Restrictions
Imposed by Lenders."

    Unless  otherwise  specified  in   the  applicable  Prospectus   Supplement,
Securities  will be issued in denominations  of $1,000 or any integral multiples
of $1,000.

    The applicable Prospectus  Supplement will describe  the following terms  of
the  Securities of  any series: (1)  the title;  (2) any limit  on the aggregate
principal amount; (3) the date  or dates on which  the principal and premium  is
payable  or the method of determination thereof;  (4) the interest rate or rates
or the method of calculating  such rate or rates, the  date or dates from  which
such  interest will accrue and on which such interest will be payable, any right
of the Company to defer such payment, and the record dates for the determination
of holders to whom interest is payable  on any such interest payment dates;  (5)
the  place or places where the principal, premium, if any, and any interest will
be payable, and where transfers or exchanges may be registered; (6) any  periods
within  which, prices  at which,  and any terms  and conditions  upon which, the
Securities of the series may be redeemed  at the option of the Company; (7)  any
obligation  of the Company  to redeem or  purchase the Securities  of the series
pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or upon the happening of  a
specified  event  or  at  the  option  of  a  holder  thereof  and  any  periods

                                       10
<PAGE>
within which, the prices at which and other terms and conditions upon which, the
Securities of the series will be so  redeemed or purchased pursuant to any  such
obligation;  (8) any restrictions  on the registration,  transfer or exchange of
the Securities  of the  series; (9)  any  addition to,  or modification  of,  or
deletion  from, any Events of Default or  covenants provided for with respect to
the Securities of the series; (10) if the amount of principal of, or any premium
or interest on,  any of  the Securities  of the  series may  be determined  with
reference  to an index or  pursuant to a formula or  other method, the manner in
which such  amounts will  be determined;  (11) any  provisions granting  special
rights  to the holders of  Securities of the series  upon the occurrence of such
events as may be specified; (12) if other than the principal amount thereof, the
portion of the principal amount  of the Securities of  the series which will  be
payable upon declaration of the acceleration thereof; (13) the applicability, if
any, of the defeasance or covenant defeasance provisions of the Indenture to the
Securities  of the series;  (13) any circumstances under  which the Company will
pay additional amounts on the Securities of the series held by non-U.S.  persons
in respect of taxes, assessments or similar charges; (14) whether the Securities
of  the series are to be issued  in whole or in part in  the form of one or more
temporary or  permanent  global securities  and,  if  so, the  identity  of  the
Depositary  for  such  global  security  or  securities;  (15)  subject  to  the
subordination provisions  of the  Indenture, the  relative degree  to which  the
Securities  of  the  series shall  be  senior  to or  be  subordinated  to other
Indebtedness of the Company; (16) if the Securities of the series may be  issued
or  delivered or any installment  of principal or interest  is payable only upon
the satisfaction  of other  conditions in  addition to  those specified  in  the
Indenture,  the form  and terms  of such  conditions; (17)  the identity  of any
Registrar or Paying Agent if other than  the Trustee, for the Securities of  the
series;  and (18) any other terms and provisions of the Securities of the series
which are not inconsistent with the applicable Indenture.

    If not  otherwise specified  in the  applicable Prospectus  Supplement,  the
Indenture  does not  restrict the  ability of the  Company to  engage in certain
highly leveraged transactions, such as reorganizations, restructurings, mergers,
management leveraged buyouts or similar transactions, that may adversely  affect
the  holders  of  Securities. The  ability  of  the Company  to  engage  in such
transactions,  however,  is  significantly  restricted  by  the  terms  of   the
agreements  pursuant to which  the material indebtedness of  the Company and its
subsidiaries have been issued.

    If not  otherwise specified  in the  applicable Prospectus  Supplement,  the
Indenture does not protect the holders of Securities in the event of a change of
control  of the Company's board of directors. Other agreements pursuant to which
the material indebtedness of the Company  and its subsidiaries have been  issued
require  the Company to either redeem, or offer to repurchase, such indebtedness
in the event of a change of control of the Company or HMSI.

    The Securities may  be sold  at a  substantial discount  below their  stated
principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of
issuance  is below  market rates.  Certain federal  income tax  consequences and
special considerations applicable to  any such Securities  will be described  in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

    Unless   otherwise  specified  in   the  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement,
principal of  and  premium, if  any,  and interest  on,  each Security  will  be
payable,  and such Securities  may be presented for  registration of transfer or
exchange, at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose. At
the option of the Company, payment of cash interest on any Security may be  made
by  check mailed to registered Holders thereof at the addresses set forth on the
registry books (the "Register") maintained by the Trustee, which will  initially
act as registrar (the "Registrar"). Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable
Prospectus  Supplement, scheduled interest payments on any Security will be made
to the person in whose name such Security is registered at the close of business
on the Regular Record Date for such interest.

    No service charge will be made for any exchange or registration of  transfer
of  Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or  other governmental  charge payable in  connection therewith.  Unless
otherwise  specified  in  the  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement  or  otherwise
designated by the Company, the Company's office or agency will be the  Corporate
Trust Office of the Trustee.

                                       11
<PAGE>
GLOBAL SECURITIES

    The  Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of
one or more fully registered global Securities (a "Registered Global Security").
Each Registered Global Security will be  registered in the name of a  depositary
(the  "Depositary") or a nominee for the Depositary identified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, will  be deposited  with such Depositary  or a  custodian
therefor  and will  bear a  legend regarding  the restrictions  on exchanges and
registration of transfer thereof. Unless and  until it is exchanged in whole  or
in part for Securities in definitive certificated form as described hereinafter,
a  Registered Global Security  may not be  transferred or exchanged  except as a
whole by the Depositary for such Registered Global Security to a nominee of such
Depositary or by  a nominee  of such Depositary  to such  Depositary or  another
nominee  of  such Depositary  or by  such  Depositary or  any such  nominee such
Depositary or any such nominee  to a successor Depositary  for such series or  a
nominee of such successor Depositary.

    The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to any portion
of a series of Securities to be represented by a Registered Global Security will
be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

    Upon the issuance of any Registered Global Security, and the deposit of such
Registered  Global  Security  with  or  on behalf  of  the  Depositary  for such
Registered Global  Security,  the  Depositary  will  credit  on  its  book-entry
registration  and  transfer  system  the  respective  principal  amounts  of the
Securities represented by  such Registered  Global Security to  the accounts  of
institutions  ("Participants")  that  have  accounts  with  the  Depositary. The
accounts to  be  credited will  be  designated  by the  underwriters  or  agents
engaging  in the  distribution of  such Securities  or by  the Company,  if such
Securities are offered and sold directly by the Company. Ownership of beneficial
interests in a  Registered Global Security  will be limited  to Participants  or
persons  that may hold  interests through Participants.  Ownership of beneficial
interests in a Registered Global Security will be shown on, and the transfer  of
that  ownership  will  be  effected  only  through,  records  maintained  by the
Depositary for such Registered Global Security  or by its nominee. Ownership  of
beneficial  interests in  such Registered  Global Security  by persons  who hold
through Participants  will be  shown on,  and the  transfer of  such  beneficial
interests  within  such  Participants  will be  effected  only  through, records
maintained by such Participants.

    So long as the Depositary for  a Registered Global Security or its  nominee,
is  the  owner  of such  Registered  Global  Security, such  Depositary  or such
nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or Holder of  the
Security  represented by such Registered Global  Security for all purposes under
the Indenture. Accordingly,  each person  owning a beneficial  interest in  such
Registered Global Security must rely on the procedures of the Depositary and, if
such  person is not a Participant, on  the procedures of the Participant through
which such person owns its  interest, to exercise any  rights of a holder  under
such  Indenture. The Company understands that under existing industry practices,
if it requests any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest  in
a  Registered Global Security desires to give  or take any instruction or action
which a holder is entitled to give  or take under the Indenture, the  Depositary
would  authorize the Participants  holding the relevant  beneficial interests to
give or take such instruction or  action, and such Participants would  authorize
beneficial  owners  owning  through  such  Participants  to  give  or  take such
instruction or action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial
owners holding through them.

    Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payments
with respect to principal of,  and, premium, if any,  and interest, if any,  on,
the  Securities represented  by a Registered  Global Security  registered in the
name of the Depositary  or its nominee  will be made to  such Depositary or  its
nominee,  as the case may be, as  the registered owner of such Registered Global
Security. The Company expects that the Depositary for any Securities represented
by a Registered Global Security, upon receipt of any payment in respect of  such
Registered  Global Security, will credit immediately Participants' accounts with
payments in amounts  proportionate to their  respective beneficial interests  in
the  Registered Global Security as  shown on the records  of the Depositary. The
Company also  expects that  payments  by Participants  to owners  of  beneficial
interests in such Registered Global Security held through such Participants will
be   governed  by   standing  instructions   and  customary   practices  of  the
Participants, and will be the responsibility of such

                                       12
<PAGE>
Participants. None of the Company,  the Trustee or any  agent of the Company  or
the  Trustee shall have  any responsibility or  liability for any  aspect of the
records relating to or payments made  on account of beneficial interests in  any
Registered  Global Security,  or for  maintaining, supervising  or reviewing any
records relating to such beneficial interests.

    Unless otherwise specified in the  applicable Prospectus Supplement, if  the
Depositary  for any Security  represented by a Registered  Global Security is at
any time unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary of such Registered Global
Security and a successor  depository is not appointed  by the Company within  90
days,  or if an Event of Default is continuing upon request from the Depositary,
the Company will  issue Securities  in certificated  form in  exchange for  such
Registered  Global Security. In addition, the Company in its sole discretion may
at any time determine not to have any of the Securities of a series  represented
by  one or  more Registered  Global Securities  and, in  such event,  will issue
Securities of  such series  in certificated  form  in exchange  for all  of  the
Registered Global Securities representing such series of Securities.

OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

    The  terms, if  any, of  the optional  redemption of  the Securities  by the
Company will be  set forth in  detail in the  applicable Prospectus  Supplement.
Notice of redemption will be sent, by first-class mail, at least 30 days and not
more  than 60  days prior  to the date  fixed for  redemption to  each Holder of
Securities to be redeemed at the last address for such Holder then shown on  the
Register.  If less than  all of the  Securities are to  be redeemed, the Trustee
shall select, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate
and fair, the particular Securities to  be redeemed or any portion thereof  that
is  an integral multiple of $1,000. Any notice  that relates to a Security to be
redeemed only in  part shall state  the portion  of the principal  amount to  be
redeemed  and  that on  or  after the  redemption  date, upon  surrender  of the
Security, a new  Security will  be issued  in a  principal amount  equal to  the
unredeemed portion thereof. On and after the redemption date (unless the Company
shall  default in the payment of such Security at the redemption price, together
with accrued interest to the redemption date), interest will cease to accrue  on
the Securities or part thereof called for redemption.

SUBORDINATION TO SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS

    The  Securities are expressly subordinate and subject in right of payment to
the prior payment of all Senior Indebtedness, whether outstanding at the date of
the issuance of  the Securities  or thereafter  incurred. "Senior  Indebtedness"
means  (i) all principal  of or interest  on or in  connection with Indebtedness
(whether outstanding at the date of the issuance of the Securities or thereafter
incurred), (ii)  all charges,  fees, expenses  (including reasonable  attorneys'
fees  and expenses) and other amounts owing to holders of Indebtedness described
in clause  (i)  above  in  connection with  such  Indebtedness,  and  (iii)  all
renewals,  extensions, refundings and replacements  of such Indebtedness, unless
in each case, the instrument or document evidencing such Indebtedness  expressly
provides   that  such  Indebtedness  (a)   is  expressly  subordinate  to  other
Indebtedness of the Company or  (b) is not superior in  right of payment to  the
Securities;  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that  Senior Indebtedness shall  not include the
Securities or the 1992 Notes, or any renewals, extensions or refundings thereof.

    In addition, as  a result of  the Company's holding  company structure,  the
creditors  of the Company (including the holders of the Securities), effectively
rank junior  to all  creditors of  the Company's  subsidiaries, including  trade
creditors.  At September 30, 1995, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of
Senior Indebtedness of the  Company's subsidiaries on  a consolidated basis  was
approximately  $363 million.  Subject to  certain restrictions  contained in the
Indenture, the 1992 Indenture, the Credit Agreement and the HMSI Indenture,  the
Company   and  its  subsidiaries  are   permitted  to  incur  additional  Senior
Indebtedness.

REPORTS TO HOLDERS

    At all times from and after the effective date of the Indenture, whether  or
not  the Company is then  required by the Exchange Act  to file reports with the
Commission, the Company shall,  to the extent required  or permitted, file  with
the Commission all such reports and other information as would be required to be
filed  with the  Commission by  the Exchange Act.  The Company  shall supply the
Trustee and each Holder, or

                                       13
<PAGE>
shall supply to the Trustee for forwarding to each Holder, without cost to  such
Holder,  copies of  such reports  or other  information. The  Company also shall
comply with the provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 314(a).

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

    The following will be  Events of Default with  respect to the Securities  of
any  series under the Indenture: (i) failure to pay any interest on any Security
of that series when due, continued for 30 days; (ii) failure to pay principal of
(or premium, if any, on) any Security of that series when due; (iii) failure  to
perform  or a breach of the obligations  of the Company with respect to Mergers,
Consolidations, Sales and  Purchases of Assets  as set forth  in the  Indenture;
(iv)  failure to perform  any other covenant  or warranty of  the Company in the
Indenture, continued  for  60 days  after  written  notice as  provided  in  the
Indenture; (v) failure to pay when due, or acceleration of, the principal of any
Indebtedness  of the Company  or any Subsidiary  of the Company  in an aggregate
principal amount in excess of $1,500,000; (vi) the rendering of a final judgment
or judgments  (not  subject  to  appeal)  against the  Company  or  any  of  its
Subsidiaries  in an  aggregate principal  amount in  excess of  $2,000,000 which
remains unstayed,  in effect  and unpaid  for a  period of  60 consecutive  days
thereafter, and (vii) certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization
affecting the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

    Subject  to the provisions  of the Indenture  relating to the  duties of the
Trustee in case an Event of Default  shall occur and be continuing, the  Trustee
will  be under no obligation  to exercise any of its  rights or powers under the
Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders
shall have  offered  to  the  Trustee  reasonable  indemnity.  Subject  to  such
provisions  for the indemnification of the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series will have
the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding  for
any  remedy available to the Trustee or  exercising any trust or power conferred
on the Trustee in respect of such Securities.

    If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, either the Trustee  or
the  Holders of at  least 25% in  aggregate principal amount  of the Outstanding
Securities of such series may accelerate the maturity of all Securities of  such
series;  provided, however, that after such  acceleration, but before a judgment
or decree  based  on  acceleration,  the Holders  of  a  majority  in  aggregate
principal  amount of  Outstanding Securities of  such series  may, under certain
circumstances with respect to  the Securities of any  series, rescind and  annul
such  acceleration  if all  Events  of Default,  other  than the  non-payment of
accelerated principal, have been cured or  waived as provided in the  Indenture.
For information as to waiver of defaults, see "Modification and Waiver."

    No Holder of any Security of any series will have any right to institute any
proceeding  with respect to  the Indenture or for  any remedy thereunder, unless
such Holder  shall have  previously given  to the  Trustee written  notice of  a
continuing  Event of Default with  respect to the Securities  of such series and
unless the  Holders  of  at least  25%  in  aggregate principal  amount  of  the
Outstanding  Securities  of such  series shall  have  made written  request, and
offered reasonable indemnity,  to the  Trustee to institute  such proceeding  as
trustee,  and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority
in aggregate principal  amount of the  Outstanding Securities of  such series  a
direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to institute such
proceeding  within 60  days. However,  such limitations do  not apply  to a suit
instituted by a Holder of a Security for enforcement of payment of the principal
of (and premium, if any) or interest on such Security on or after the respective
due dates expressed in such Security.

    The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a  statement
as  to the performance  by the Company  of certain of  its obligations under the
Indenture and as to any default in such performance.

DISCHARGE AND DEFEASANCE

    The Indenture  provides that  the Indenture  shall cease  to be  of  further
effect  (except as to registration of  transfers and exchanges of Securities and
certain  other  matters)  with   respect  to  the   Securities  of  any   series

                                       14
<PAGE>
when  all such Securities have or will  within one year at their Stated Maturity
or Redemption Date become due and payable and the Company has paid or  deposited
in  trust with the Trustee  a sufficient amount of funds  to pay all amounts due
with respect to such Securities.

    Additionally, with respect to the Securities  of any series as to which  the
applicable  Prospectus Supplement indicates the  applicability of either or both
of the defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions described hereinafter,  the
Company  at  its option  may be  discharged (i)  from all  Indenture obligations
(except as to registration of transfers and exchanges of Securities and  certain
other  matters) ("defeasance")  or (ii)  from certain  of its  obligations under
various covenants  ("covenant  defeasance")  and its  failure  to  observe  such
obligations  will not constitute  an Event of  Default, upon irrevocable deposit
with the Trustee, in  trust, of money and/or  government obligations which  will
provide  money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized
accounting firm  to  pay  the  principal  of  and  premium,  if  any,  and  each
installment  of interest, if any, on  the Outstanding Securities of such series.
With respect to clause (ii), the obligations under the Indenture other than with
respect to such  covenants and the  Events of  Default other than  the Event  of
Default  relating to such covenants above shall remain in full force and effect.
Such additional  conditions include,  among  other things  (1) with  respect  to
clause  (i), the Company has received from,  or there has been published by, the
Internal Revenue Service of a ruling or there has been a change in law, which in
the opinion of counsel to the Company provides that Holders of the Securities of
such series will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a
result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to  Federal
income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would
have  been the case if such deposit,  defeasance and discharge had not occurred;
or, with respect to  clause (ii), the  Company has delivered  to the Trustee  an
opinion  of its counsel to the effect that the Holders of the Securities of such
series will not  recognize gain or  loss for  Federal income tax  purposes as  a
result  of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax
on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have  been
the  case  if such  deposit and  defeasance had  not occurred;  (2) no  Event of
Default or event  that, with the  passing of time  or the giving  of notice,  or
both, shall constitute an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing
and  no bankruptcy Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the
121st day after the date of such  deposit; and (3) the Company has delivered  to
the  Trustee an opinion of its counsel to the effect that such deposit shall not
cause the  Trustee or  the trust  so created  to be  subject to  the  Investment
Company Act of 1940.

MODIFICATION AND WAIVER

    Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Company and
the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount  of the Outstanding Securities of  any series; provided, however, that no
such modification or amendment  may, without the consent  of the Holder of  each
Outstanding  Security of  such series  affected thereby,  (i) change  the Stated
Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any Security of
such series, (ii) reduce  the principal amount of  (or the premium) or  interest
on,  any Security of such series, (iii) change the place of payment of principal
of (or premium) or  interest on, any  Security of such  series, (iv) impair  the
right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to
any  Security  of  such  series,  (v)  reduce  the  above-stated  percentage  of
Outstanding  Securities  of  such  series  necessary  to  modify  or  amend  the
Indenture,   (vi)  reduce  the  percentage  of  aggregate  principal  amount  of
Outstanding Securities of such  series necessary for  waiver of compliance  with
certain  provisions of the Indenture or for  waiver of certain defaults or (vii)
modify any  provisions  of  the  Indenture  relating  to  the  modification  and
amendment  of the Indenture or the waiver  of past defaults or covenants, except
as otherwise specified.

    The Indenture  also permits  certain modifications  and amendments  of  such
Indenture  to be made by the Company and the Trustee, without the consent of the
Holders for any  of the following  purposes: (i) to  evidence the succession  of
another  person to the Company  and the assumption by  any such successor to the
covenants of the Company, (ii)  to add to the covenants  of the Company for  the
benefit  of the Holders, or  to surrender any right  or power conferred upon the
Company by  the  Indenture,  (iii)  to  comply  with  any  requirements  of  the
Commission  to  maintain  the qualification  of  the Indenture  under  the Trust
Indenture Act,  or (iv)  to cure  any ambiguity,  to correct  or supplement  any
provision in the Indenture which may be inconsistent with any other provision of
the   Indenture  which   does  not  adversely   affect  the   interests  of  the

                                       15
<PAGE>
Holders in any material respect. The Indenture also provides that a supplemental
indenture which changes or  eliminates any covenant or  other provision of  such
Indenture  which has expressly  been included solely  for the benefit  of one or
more particular  series of  Securities,  or which  modified  the rights  of  the
Holders  of such series with respect to  such covenant or other provision, shall
be deemed  not to  affect the  rights under  such Indenture  of the  Holders  of
Securities of any other series.

    The  Holders of a majority in  aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of  any series  may  waive compliance  by  the Company  with  certain
restrictive  covenants contained in the Indenture.  The Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal  amount of  the Outstanding  Securities of  such series  may
waive  any past default under the Indenture,  except a default in the payment of
principal, premium, if any, or interest.

GOVERNING LAW

    The Indenture  and the  Securities shall  be governed  by and  construed  in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

THE TRUSTEE

    The  Indenture provides that,  except during the continuance  of an Event of
Default, the Trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth
in the Indenture. During the existence of an Event of Default, the Trustee  will
exercise  such rights and  powers vested in  it under the  Indenture and use the
same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise
under the circumstances in the conduct of such person's own affairs.

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

    The Company may sell the Securities  being offered hereby in four ways:  (i)
through  agents,  (ii)  through  underwriters, (iii)  through  dealers  and (iv)
directly to certain purchasers (through a specific bidding or auction process or
otherwise). The distribution of Securities may be effected from time to time  in
one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at
market  prices  prevailing at  the  time of  sale,  at prices  relating  to such
prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

    Offers to purchase Securities may be  solicited by agents designated by  the
Company  from  time  to  time. Any  such  agent,  who  may be  deemed  to  be an
underwriter as that term is defined in the Securities Act, involved in the offer
or sale of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered, will
be named, and any commissions payable by  the Company to such agent will be  set
forth,  in a Prospectus  Supplement. Unless otherwise  indicated in a Prospectus
Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period
of its appointment. Agents may be entitled under agreements which may be entered
into with the Company  to indemnification by the  Company against certain  civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

    If  any underwriters are utilized in the sale of the Securities, the Company
will enter into an underwriting agreement with such underwriters at the time  of
sale to them and the names of the underwriters and the terms of the transaction,
including compensation of the underwriters and dealers, will be set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement, which will be used by the underwriters to make resales of
the  Securities in respect of which this  Prospectus is delivered to the public.
The underwriters may be entitled, under the relevant underwriting agreement,  to
indemnification   by   the  Company   against  certain   liabilities,  including
liabilities under the Securities  Act, and to reimbursement  by the Company  for
certain expenses.

    If  a dealer is utilized  in the sale of the  Securities in respect of which
this Prospectus  is delivered,  the Company  will sell  such Securities  to  the
dealer,  as principal. The dealer may then  resell such Securities to the public
at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at any time of resale. Dealers
may be entitled to indemnification  by the Company against certain  liabilities,
including  liabilities under  the Securities  Act, and  to reimbursement  by the
Company for certain expenses.

                                       16
<PAGE>
    Offers to purchase the Securities may  be solicited directly by the  Company
and sales thereof may be made by the Company directly to institutional investors
or  others. The terms of  any such sales, including the  terms of any bidding or
auction process, if  utilized, will  be described in  the Prospectus  Supplement
relating thereto.

    The  Securities  may  also be  offered  and  sold, if  so  indicated  in the
Prospectus Supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase,  in
accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise,
by  one or more firms ("remarketing firms"),  acting as principals for their own
accounts or as agents for the  Company. Any remarketing firm will be  identified
and  the terms of its  agreement, if any, with  the Company and its compensation
will be described in the Prospectus Supplement. Remarketing firms may be  deemed
to be underwriters in connection with the Securities remarketed thereby.

    If  so indicated  in the Prospectus  Supplement, the  Company will authorize
agents and underwriters or  dealers to solicit offers  by certain purchasers  to
purchase  Securities from the Company at the  public offering price set forth in
the Prospectus Supplement pursuant to  delayed delivery contracts providing  for
payment  and delivery on a specified date  in the future. Such contracts will be
subject to only those conditions set forth in the Prospectus Supplement and  the
Prospectus  Supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of
such efforts.

    Certain of the underwriters, agents or  dealers and their associates may  be
customers or engage in transactions with and perform services for the Company in
the ordinary course of business.

                             VALIDITY OF SECURITIES

    The  validity of the Securities  offered hereby will be  passed upon for the
Company by Crouch & Hallett, L.L.P., Dallas, Texas, and will be passed upon  for
the Underwriters by Davis Polk & Wardwell, New York, New York. Crouch & Hallett,
L.L.P. and Davis Polk & Wardwell 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,  1994 and 1993, and for each  of
the   years  in  the  three-year  period  ended  December  31,  1994  have  been
incorporated by  reference herein  in  reliance upon  the  report of  KPMG  Peat
Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants, incorporated by reference
herein,  and  upon the  authority  of said  firm  as experts  in  accounting and
auditing.

    The consolidated  financial statements  of DIMAC  at December  31, 1993  and
1994,  and for each  of the three years  in the period  ended December 31, 1994,
appearing in Heritage Media Corporation's Report  on Form 8-K, as amended,  have
been  audited by Ernst & Young LLP,  independent auditors, as set forth in their
report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference in reliance
upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in  accounting
and auditing.

    The  combined financial  statements of  T.R. McClure  and Company,  Inc. and
related companies at December  31, 1993 and  1994 and for  the years then  ended
have  been  incorporated by  reference  herein in  reliance  upon the  report of
Mortenson and  Associates,  P.C.  (formerly La  Vecchia  &  Zarro),  independent
auditors,  incorporated by reference herein, upon  the authority of such firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.

    The financial statements of  Palm Coast Data Ltd.  at December 31, 1993  and
1994  and for the years then ended have been incorporated by reference herein in
reliance upon the report of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent certified  public
accountants,  incorporated by reference herein, given upon the authority of such
firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

                                       17
<PAGE>
    The combined financial statements  of The Direct  Marketing Group, Inc.  and
related  companies at December  31, 1992 and  1993 and for  the years then ended
have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of Leslie
Sufrin and  Company,  P.C.,  independent  auditors,  incorporated  by  reference
herein,  and  upon the  authority  of such  firm  as experts  in  accounting and
auditing.

                             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. 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.

                                       18
<PAGE>
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    NO  DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL  HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO  MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS,  OTHER THAN THOSE  CONTAINED IN  OR
INCORPORATED  BY  REFERENCE IN  THIS PROSPECTUS  SUPPLEMENT OR  THE ACCOMPANYING
PROSPECTUS, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, ANY SUCH INFORMATION  OR
REPRESENTATION  MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY
OR ANY  UNDERWRITER,  DEALER  OR  AGENT.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  SUPPLEMENT  AND  THE
ACCOMPANYING  PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF
AN OFFER  TO  BUY  ANY  OF  THE SECURITIES  OFFERED  HEREBY  BY  ANYONE  IN  ANY
JURISDICTION  IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION  IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH
THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANY
PERSON TO WHOM IT IS  UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH  OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER  THE
DELIVERY  OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND  THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS NOR ANY
SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION  THAT
THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.

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

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     PAGE

<S>                                                <C>
Prospectus Supplement Summary....................        S-2

Summary Financial Data...........................        S-4

Recent Developments..............................        S-6

Use of Proceeds..................................        S-6

Capitalization...................................        S-7

Selected Financial Data..........................        S-8

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
 Condition and Interim Results of Operations.....       S-11

Description of Notes.............................       S-19

Underwriting.....................................       S-34

Legal Matters....................................       S-34

Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial
 Statements......................................       S-35
</TABLE>

                                  $150,000,000

                           HERITAGE MEDIA CORPORATION

                                     % SENIOR
                          SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2006

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

                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

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

                          DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
                             SECURITIES CORPORATION

                           CITICORP SECURITIES, INC.

                               SMITH BARNEY INC.

                       NATIONSBANC CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.

                               February   , 1996

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