HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC
S-3, 1996-06-21
NEWSPAPERS: PUBLISHING OR PUBLISHING & PRINTING
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<PAGE>   1
 
     As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 21, 1996
 
                                                     Registration No. 333-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                          HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                       <C>
                       DELAWARE                                                 95-3518892
            (State or other jurisdiction of                                  (I.R.S. employer
            incorporation or organization)                                identification number)
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
                            401 NORTH WABASH AVENUE
                            CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60611
                                 (312) 321-2999
         (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
            area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
 
                            KENNETH L. SEROTA, ESQ.
                          VICE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY
                          HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC.
                            401 NORTH WABASH AVENUE
                            CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60611
                                 (312) 321-2999
               (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone
               number, including area code, of agent for service)
                            ------------------------
 
                                   Copies to:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                       <C>
                   MICHAEL C. MCLEAN                                      WILLIAM P. ROGERS, JR.
              KIRKPATRICK & LOCKHART LLP                                  CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE
                 1500 OLIVER BUILDING                                         WORLDWIDE PLAZA
          PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15222-2312                                825 EIGHTH AVENUE
                    (412) 355-6458                                       NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019
                                                                              (212) 474-1270
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
    Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public: FROM TIME TO
TIME AFTER THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE.
 
    If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. / /
 
    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. / /
 
    If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. / /
 
    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities
Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration
statement for the same offering. / /
 
    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. / /
                            ------------------------
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
===============================================================================================================================
    TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF                                  PROPOSED MAXIMUM        PROPOSED MAXIMUM
          SECURITIES                  AMOUNT TO BE           OFFERING PRICE        AGGREGATE OFFERING            AMOUNT OF
       TO BE REGISTERED              REGISTERED(1)            PER SHARE(2)              PRICE(2)          REGISTRATION FEE(3), (4)
<S>                              <C>                      <C>                     <C>                     <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock Purchase Contracts of
Hollinger International
Inc...........................   24,725,000 securities          $11.3125              $279,701,563                $96,449
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Common Stock, par
value
$.01 per share(4).............     24,725,000 shares               --                      --                        --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contingent interests in
subordinated notes of
Hollinger International
Inc.(4).......................    24,725,000 interests             --                      --                        --
===============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
 
(1) Includes the 3,225,000 stock purchase contracts which the Underwriters have
    the option to purchase to cover over-allotments, if any.

(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.

(3) Computed in accordance with Rule 457(c)on the basis of the average of the
    high and low sales prices for the Class A Common Stock on June 20, 1996
    as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape.

(4) In accordance with Rule 457(i), no fee is payable with respect to the shares
    of Class A Common Stock or contingent interests in subordinated notes being
    registered.
                            ------------------------
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
                   PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED JUNE 21, 1996
PROSPECTUS
                             21,500,000 SECURITIES
                                      LOGO
                                    % PRIDESSM
                            ------------------------
 
    The securities offered hereby (the "Offering") are 21,500,000   % Preferred
Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities, PRIDESSM (each, a "PRIDE" or a
"Security" and collectively, the "PRIDES" or the "Securities") of Hollinger
International Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"). Each Security will
have a Stated Amount of $       . Payments of   % of the Stated Amount per annum
will be made on each Security on          and         of each year, commencing
        , 1996, until the final settlement date of             , 1999 (the
"Final Settlement Date"). These payments will consist of interest on United
States Treasury Notes payable by the United States Government at the rate of   %
per annum and unsecured, subordinated yield enhancement payments ("Yield
Enhancement Payments") payable by the Company at the rate of   % per annum. On
the Final Settlement Date, principal of the Treasury Notes underlying the
Securities (to the extent of proceeds received) will automatically be applied to
the purchase of between         of a share and one share of Class A Common
Stock, par value $.01 per share ("Class A Common Stock") of the Company
(depending on the Applicable Market Value of the Class A Common Stock on the
Final Settlement Date, as described herein), subject to adjustment under certain
circumstances. See "Price Range of Class A Common Stock and Dividends."
 
    Each Security will consist of (a) a stock purchase contract ("Purchase
Contract") under which (i) the holder will purchase from the Company on the
Final Settlement Date, for an amount in cash equal to the Stated Amount, a
number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the Settlement Rate described
herein and (ii) the Company will pay the holder the Yield Enhancement Payments
described herein, and (b)   % United States Treasury Notes due           , 1999
("Treasury Notes"), having a principal amount equal to the Stated Amount and
maturing on the Final Settlement Date. The Yield Enhancement Payments to be made
by the Company will represent (i) a payment in consideration of the holders'
obligations contained in the Purchase Contracts (   % per annum) and (ii) a
payment in consideration of the holders' obligations under the Exchange
Agreement (  % per annum). The Treasury Notes will be pledged to the Collateral
Agent to secure the holders' obligations to purchase Class A Common Stock under
the Purchase Contract and the holders' obligations to make the exchange of the
Treasury Notes for subordinated notes of the Company issued in connection with
the Trust Financing (as hereinafter defined). Unless a holder of Securities
settles the underlying Purchase Contracts through the early delivery of cash to
the Purchase Contract Agent in the manner described herein, principal of the
Treasury Notes underlying such Securities, when paid at maturity, will
automatically be applied to satisfy the holder's obligation to purchase Class A
Common Stock under the Purchase Contracts. Upon certain events of bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization with respect to the Company, the Purchase Contracts
will be terminated and the Treasury Notes will be exchanged for subordinated
notes of the Company. For so long as a Purchase Contract remains in effect, such
Purchase Contract and the Treasury Notes securing it will not be separable and
may be transferred only as an integrated Security. See "Description of
Securities." In connection with this Offering, the Company plans to issue to a
financial institution redeemable preferred securities of a newly created
subsidiary organized as a Delaware business trust (the "Trust") in an amount
sufficient to raise approximately $250 million (the "Trust Financing")
(approximately $287 million if the Underwriters for the Securities offered
hereby exercise their over-allotment options in full).
 
    The Company is concurrently offering (the "Common Stock Offering")
13,000,000 shares (plus an additional 1,950,000 shares subject to the
underwriters' over-allotment options) of its Class A Common Stock. The Class A
Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "HLR."
The Offering and the Common Stock Offering are not conditioned on one another.
 
    PRIOR TO THE OFFERING MADE HEREBY THERE HAS BEEN NO PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE
SECURITIES. APPLICATION WILL BE MADE TO LIST THE SECURITIES ON THE NEW YORK
STOCK EXCHANGE ("NYSE") UNDER THE SYMBOL "        ". ON JUNE 20, 1996, THE LAST
REPORTED SALE PRICE OF THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK ON THE NYSE WAS $11.50 PER
SHARE.
 
     FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN RISK FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN
CONNECTION WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY, SEE "RISK
FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 21.
                            ------------------------
THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE  NOT  BEEN  APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
 AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION,  NOR  HAS
    THE  SECURITIES  AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES
        COMMISSION  PASSED  UPON  THE  ACCURACY  OR  ADEQUACY  OF  THIS
     PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                  PRICE TO            UNDERWRITING        PURCHASE PRICE OF    PROCEEDS (DEFICIT)
                                                   PUBLIC              DISCOUNT(1)         TREASURY NOTES         TO COMPANY(2)
<S>                                          <C>                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Security..............................            $                     $                     $                     $
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(3)..................................            $                     $                     $                     $
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) The Company has agreed to indemnify the several Underwriters against certain
    liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
    amended (the "Securities Act"). See "Underwriting."
 
(2) Before deducting expenses estimated at $        , payable by the Company.
    Does not include proceeds per Security and total proceeds of $      and
    $      , respectively, ($      and $      , respectively, if the
    Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full), receivable by the
    Company upon settlement of the Purchase Contracts.
 
(3) The Company has granted the several Underwriters an option, exercisable
    within 30 days after the date hereof, to purchase up to 3,225,000 additional
    Securities, solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If such option is
    exercised in full, the total Price to Public, Underwriting Discount,
    Purchase Price of Treasury Notes and Proceeds (Deficit) to Company will be
    $      , $      and $      , respectively. See "Underwriting."
                            ------------------------
 
    The Securities are offered by the several Underwriters, subject to prior
sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, and subject to approval of
certain legal matters by counsel for the Underwriters and certain other
conditions. The Underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify
such offer and to reject orders in whole or in part. It is expected that
delivery of the Securities offered hereby will be made in New York, New York on
or about             , 1996.
                            ------------------------
 
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
 
                            BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
                                                    DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
                                                SECURITIES  CORPORATION
                            ------------------------
 
                 The date of this Prospectus is July   , 1996.
- ------------------
SM Service mark of Merrill Lynch & Co.
 
     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>   3
 
     IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMPANY'S
PRIDES AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET.
SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE OR OTHERWISE.
SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
<PAGE>   4
 
                            ------------------------
 
     As used in this Prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, (i) the
"Company" refers to Hollinger International Inc. and its consolidated
subsidiaries and affiliated companies; (ii) "Publishing Holdings" refers to
Hollinger International Publishing Holdings Inc.; (iii) "Publishing" refers to
Hollinger International Publishing Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries and
affiliated companies; (iv) "Chicago Sun-Times" refers to The Sun-Times Company
and its consolidated subsidiaries; (v) "Jerusalem Post" refers to the
subsidiaries of the Company which publish The Jerusalem Post; (vi) "The
Telegraph" refers to The Telegraph plc and its consolidated subsidiaries and
affiliated companies; (vii) "DTH" refers to DT Holdings Limited; (viii) "FDTH"
refers to First DT Holdings Limited; (ix) "HTH" refers to Hollinger-Telegraph
Holdings Inc.; (x) "Hollinger Inc." refers to Hollinger Inc. and its
consolidated subsidiaries; (xi) "Southam" refers to Southam Inc. and its
consolidated subsidiaries; and (xii) "Fairfax" refers to John Fairfax Holdings
Limited and its consolidated subsidiaries.
 
     All dollar references in this Prospectus are to United States dollars
unless otherwise specifically indicated. Except as otherwise indicated, the
financial information in this Prospectus relating to The Telegraph has been
translated into United States dollars ("$") from British pounds sterling ("L")
and British pence ("p"), financial information relating to Fairfax has been
translated into United States dollars from Australian dollars ("A$"), and
financial information relating to Southam has been translated into United States
dollars from Canadian dollars ("Cdn.$"), using exchange rates at the end of the
period for which the relevant statements are prepared for assets, liabilities
and minority interest and the weighted average exchange rates for the relevant
period for items in the statements of operations. See "Exchange Rates."
 
     On May 31, 1996, the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable
transfers in United States dollars as certified for customs purposes by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the "Noon Buying Rate") was Cdn.$1.00 per
$.7297, L1.00 per $1.5495 and A$1.00 per $.7980. On June 20, 1996, the noon
buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers in United States dollars
as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York was
Cdn.$1.00 per $.7312, L1.00 per $1.5418 and A$1.00 per $.7885 See "Exchange
Rates" for historical exchange rate information.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated, all circulation information contained in this
Prospectus represents approximate current or average daily or non-daily
circulation, as the case may be, derived from the following sources: (a) for the
Company's United States community newspapers, Chicago-area suburban newspapers
and Jerusalem Post, from the Company's unaudited internal records for the month
of March 1996; (b) for the Chicago Sun-Times, the Daily Southtown and the
Tribune-Democrat in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, from unaudited circulation
statements furnished to the Audit Bureau of Circulations ("ABC") in the United
States for the six month period October 1995 to March 1996; (c) for The Daily
Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph, from audited circulation reports furnished
to ABC in the United Kingdom for the six month period October 1995 to March
1996; (d) for Fairfax, from audited circulation reports furnished to ABC in
Australia for the six month period July to December 1995; and (e) for Southam,
from recent public reports of Southam.
                            ------------------------
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     The following summary information is qualified in its entirety by reference
to, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information and
financial statements (including the notes hereto) included elsewhere in this
Prospectus. Unless the context requires otherwise, the information contained
herein assumes that the Underwriters' over-allotment options are not exercised.
See "Underwriting."
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Hollinger International Inc. (the "Company"), through subsidiaries and
affiliated companies, is a leading publisher of English-language newspapers in
the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Israel. Included
among the 131 paid daily newspapers which the Company owns or has an interest in
are the Chicago Sun-Times and The Daily Telegraph. The 131 newspapers have a
world-wide daily combined circulation of approximately 4,300,000 (including
2,100,000 attributable to the publications of affiliates in which the Company
has less than a majority equity interest). In addition, the Company owns or has
an interest in 379 non-daily newspapers as well as magazines and other
publications. The Company's strategy is to achieve growth through acquisitions
and improvements in the cash flow and profitability of its newspapers,
principally through cost reductions. Since the Company's formation in 1986, the
existing senior management team has acquired over 410 newspapers and related
publications (net of dispositions) in the United States, The Telegraph in the
United Kingdom and Jerusalem Post in Israel, and has made significant
investments in newspapers in Australia and Canada. Over this period, the Company
has achieved substantial growth in revenues to $965.0 million in 1995 and
realized significant improvements in operating efficiencies at its newspapers.
 
     The operations of the Company consist of its United States Newspaper Group
and its International Newspaper Group, which accounted for 58.0% and 42.0%,
respectively, of the Company's total operating revenues of $965.0 million for
the year ended December 31, 1995 and for 56.1% and 43.9%, respectively, of the
Company's total operating revenues of $253.9 million for the three months ended
March 31, 1996. The Company also owns equity investments in newspaper publishing
companies in Australia and Canada which contributed approximately $16.4 million
to the Company's earnings before taxes in 1995 and approximately $3.4 million in
the first three months of 1996.
 
     See "Recent Developments" for information concerning the pending proposal
of the Company to acquire the ordinary shares of The Telegraph not presently
controlled by the Company, the recent acquisition of additional common shares of
Southam, recent United States newspaper acquisitions and other developments.
 
     United States Newspaper Group.  The Company is the largest newspaper
publishing group in the United States, as measured by paid daily newspapers
owned and operated, and one of the twelve largest in terms of daily circulation.
The Company's United States operations consist of its Chicago Group, led by the
Chicago Sun-Times, the eighth largest circulation metropolitan daily newspaper
in the United States, and its Community Newspaper Group, consisting of 336
newspapers and related publications. As of March 31, 1996, the Company published
a total of 410 newspapers and related publications in the United States with a
combined paid daily and non-daily circulation of approximately 2,400,000 and a
total combined paid and free circulation of approximately 4,900,000. The
Community Newspaper Group also includes, for accounting and management purposes,
the Company's wholly owned subsidiary which publishes The Jerusalem Post,
Israel's only English-language daily newspaper, with a paid daily circulation of
approximately 17,000. The related weekend edition of The Jerusalem Post and
English and French-language international weekly editions have paid circulations
of approximately 37,600, 47,000 and 3,900, respectively. The Chicago Group and
the Community Newspaper Group accounted for 30.9% and 25.2%, respectively, of
the Company's total operating revenues for the three months ended March 31,
1996.
 
     The Community Newspaper Group's daily newspapers have been published on
average for almost 100 years and are typically the only paid daily newspapers of
general circulation in their respective communities. In addition, the Community
Newspaper Group publishes weekly paid newspapers and Sunday editions of a number
of paid dailies which are typically the only paid non-daily newspapers of
general
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
circulation serving their communities. Generally, the Company's daily and
non-daily community newspapers combine news, sports and features with special
emphasis on local information and provide one of the primary sources of such
community information for the towns in which they are distributed. The Company
also publishes free circulation publications in these communities, including
shoppers, with limited or no news or editorial content. As a group, these
publications provide the Company with a stable and established circulation
within the communities they serve, which it believes provides an effective
medium for advertisers to reach a significant portion of the households in these
communities.
 
     International Newspaper Group. The Company's International Newspaper Group
consists of its 64.0% owned subsidiary, The Telegraph, and minority equity
investments in Fairfax and Southam. Upon consummation of the Scheme (described
below under "Recent Developments"), the Company will own 100% of the ordinary
shares of The Telegraph. The Telegraph publishes The Daily Telegraph, the
leading quality (or broadsheet) newspaper in the United Kingdom. The Telegraph
also publishes The Sunday Telegraph, The Weekly Telegraph, the Electronic
Telegraph and The Spectator magazine. The Daily Telegraph is the largest
circulation quality daily newspaper in the United Kingdom with an average daily
circulation of approximately 1,044,000, representing a 38.5% share of the
quality daily newspaper market. The Daily Telegraph's Saturday edition has the
highest average daily circulation (1,196,000) among quality daily newspapers in
the United Kingdom. The Sunday Telegraph is the second largest circulation
quality Sunday newspaper in the United Kingdom with an average circulation of
approximately 663,000.
 
     The Company has less than a majority equity investment in Fairfax, a
publicly traded Australian newspaper and magazine publisher with fiscal 1995
revenues of A$944.5 million, and Southam, a publicly traded Canadian newspaper
publisher with 1995 revenues of Cdn.$1,022.3 million. Fairfax is one of
Australia's largest newspaper publishing companies with seven daily newspapers
(with a total paid circulation of approximately 654,000), 34 non-daily
newspapers and 29 magazines. Fairfax's principal publications are the leading
quality newspapers in Australia's two largest cities, The Sydney Morning Herald
(circulation approximately 253,000) and The Age (Melbourne--circulation
approximately 215,000), and Australia's only daily business newspaper, The
Australian Financial Review (national--circulation approximately 82,000). The
Telegraph is the largest shareholder of Fairfax, with an approximate 24.7%
interest. Southam is Canada's largest publisher of daily newspapers with 17
daily newspapers and 33 non-daily newspapers with a total daily circulation of
approximately 1,400,000 (representing approximately 28% of the average daily
circulation in Canada). Southam's principal publications include The Gazette
(Montreal), The Ottawa Citizen, the Calgary Herald, The Vancouver Sun, The
Province (Vancouver) and The Edmonton Journal. The Company and The Telegraph
indirectly hold an approximate 19.5% interest in Southam and a Canadian
subsidiary of Hollinger Inc. (which controls the Company) currently owns an
approximate 21.5% interest in Southam. The combined total of approximately 41.0%
makes the Hollinger group the largest shareholder in Southam.
 
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
     The Telegraph. On April 24, 1996, the Boards of Directors of the Company
and The Telegraph announced a recommended proposal by the Company to acquire all
of the outstanding ordinary shares of The Telegraph not presently controlled by
the Company (the "Telegraph Minority Shares"). The consideration to be paid to
the holders of the Telegraph Minority Shares would consist of (i) a cash payment
of L5.60 per share ($8.68 based on the Noon Buying Rate); (ii) a special cash
dividend of 10p per share ($0.15 based on the Noon Buying Rate) (payable to all
shareholders of record of The Telegraph at the relevant record date, currently
expected to be July 30, 1996); (iii) a contingent cash payment to be made by
FDTH if The Telegraph's approximate 25% interest in Fairfax is sold within two
years at a price in excess of a specified amount; and (iv) an option to purchase
new preference shares of The Telegraph, each as more fully described below. In
addition, outstanding Telegraph options, to the extent permitted by their terms,
will become vested and paid in cash as part of the transaction. The total
consideration payable by the Company (including the special dividend to be paid
to the holders of the Telegraph Minority Shares and the net amount payable in
respect of outstanding Telegraph options but not the contingent cash payment) is
estimated at approximately $453 million, based on the Noon Buying Rate. The
acquisition will be effected by means of a "scheme of arrangement" under Section
425 of the Companies Act 1985 of Great Britain (the "Scheme"). As a result,
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
The Telegraph would become an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
The independent directors of The Telegraph and their independent financial
advisors have recommended approval of the Scheme. On May 31, 1996, information
circulars about the Scheme and ancillary matters were mailed to holders of
ordinary shares of The Telegraph and option holders in connection with meetings
scheduled for June 26, 1996. Consummation of the Scheme will require the
approval of a majority in number, representing three-fourths in value, of the
holders of the Telegraph Minority Shares present and voting at meetings of The
Telegraph's shareholders, as well as the approval of an English court. Upon
approval by the requisite majority of holders of Telegraph Minority Shares, the
Scheme will be submitted to an English court for approval at a hearing scheduled
for July 24, 1996. It is expected that the Scheme, if approved, would become
effective on July 31, 1996 and payment of the cash consideration to holders of
Telegraph Minority Shares and the special dividend to all holders of Telegraph
shares (including Company subsidiaries) would be made on or about August 8,
1996.
 
     The Company has entered into definitive agreements with certain financial
institutions for short-term bank credit facilities and bridge financing in the
aggregate amount of approximately $600 million to provide the necessary
financing for the Scheme and to repay outstanding bank indebtedness of The
Telegraph. See "Description of Certain Indebtedness and Other Obligations,"
"Description of the Securities" and "Description of the Purchase Contracts."
 
     Upon completion of the Scheme, The Telegraph will pay a special dividend of
10p per share in place of its normal interim dividend of about half that amount.
In lieu of an immediate cash payment, the holders of the Telegraph Minority
Shares outside of the United States, Canada and Australia will be entitled to
elect to receive payments under the Scheme over time through a loan note due
2001 guaranteed by a financial institution as an alternative to some or all of
the cash consideration. The holders of the Telegraph Minority Shares will be
entitled to receive a further cash payment if The Telegraph's approximate 25%
interest in Fairfax is sold prior to the second anniversary of the effective
date of the Scheme (which is expected to be July 31, 1996) at a price (net of
taxes and certain other costs incurred in connection with the disposal of
certain Fairfax shares) in excess of A$3.00 per share. Since the holders of
Telegraph Minority Shares own in the aggregate approximately 36% of the
outstanding ordinary shares of The Telegraph, they would be entitled to receive
approximately 36% of the aggregate net proceeds of such a disposal of Fairfax
shares, payable to each holder pro rata on the basis of that minority holder's
interest in The Telegraph as of the effective date of the Scheme. The closing
market price of the ordinary shares of Fairfax was A$2.90 per share on April 23,
1996, the date prior to the announcement of the proposal to purchase the
Telegraph Minority Shares. The holders of the Telegraph Minority Shares also
will receive an option to purchase (the "Purchase Option"), exercisable on the
second anniversary of the effective date of the Scheme (the "Purchase Date"),
that number of new preference shares of The Telegraph as will provide each
shareholder with at least the same percentage of voting rights of The Telegraph
as each shareholder held prior to the Scheme becoming effective for a cash
exercise price of L16.80 per new preference share. FDTH will have the right to
settle its obligations under any exercised Purchase Option in cash rather than
by delivery of new preference shares of The Telegraph. The cash payment to be
made by FDTH would be an amount per new preference share equal to the product of
(i) L5.60 and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which would be the weighted
average of the closing prices of the Company's Class A Common Stock on the New
York Stock Exchange for the 21 trading days prior to the Purchase Date and the
denominator of which is $12.375 (the closing price of the Company's Class A
Common Stock on April 23, 1996).In light of the cash cost to exercise the
Purchase Option and the formula applicable to FDTH's cash payment alternative
described above, a holder of Telegraph Minority Shares would not be able to
receive an immediate cash profit from FDTH at the time of exercise of the
Purchase Option unless the weighted average market price of the Class A Common
Stock of the Company is above $37.125 (three times its market value at April 23,
1996) and FDTH elects to settle its obligations under the Purchase Option in
cash. If FDTH does not elect to settle its obligations under the Purchase Option
in cash, any new preference shares received upon exercise will be shares in an
unlisted company and there will be no established market in these shares.
 
     Southam. On May 24, 1996, Hollinger Inc., the parent corporation of the
Company, announced that its wholly owned Canadian subsidiary had purchased from
a subsidiary of Power Corporation of Canada
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
("Power") the 16,349,743 common shares (the "Power Shares") of Southam held by
Power representing approximately 21.5% of Southam's outstanding common shares,
at a price of Cdn.$18.00 per share. This purchase increased the Company's and
Hollinger Inc.'s combined holdings in Southam to approximately 41% of Southam's
outstanding common shares, including 19.5% which is currently held indirectly by
the Company. The Company will have the right to acquire a substantial equity
interest in the subsidiary company which purchased the Power Shares. Hollinger
Inc. stated that it intends to further increase its holdings in Southam through
permissible transactions to or above 50% of Southam's outstanding common shares
and may, subject to market and other conditions, seek to acquire all Southam
common shares not owned or controlled by Hollinger Inc. or the Company through
an offer of the Company's Class A Common Stock or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for such stock. Hollinger Inc. and the Company have agreed to
combine their interests in Southam so that the Company will hold indirectly
non-voting common shares and voting preference shares representing one half of
the voting power and all of the common equity of their combined interests. The
Company intends to seek a ruling from Revenue Canada that would permit the
Company to hold indirectly 100% of the common equity interests in Southam held
by the Company and Hollinger Inc. without affecting Southam's status as a
Canadian publisher of newspapers and periodicals. If such a ruling is received,
the full ownership of the equity interests in Southam held by Hollinger Inc. and
the Company would be transferred to the Company. There can be no assurance,
however, that such ruling will be obtained or that the Company and Hollinger
Inc. will not be required to effect a different ownership structure for
combining their interests in Southam. If the Company obtains control of Southam
(through share ownership or otherwise), Southam's results of operations will be
consolidated for accounting purposes. See "--Business Strategy" below and "The
Company--Recent Developments."
 
     Following a request by Hollinger Inc., Southam has scheduled a special
shareholders meeting for July 22, 1996 to consider the election of five new
directors proposed by Hollinger Inc. to replace five of the existing directors
of Southam.
 
     The purchase of the Power Shares was financed through a short-term bank
credit facility (the "Southam Facility") in the amount of Cdn.$300 million
between the Company and a Canadian chartered bank. The Southam Facility is
guaranteed by Hollinger Inc. and matures on November 25, 1996. The funds under
the Southam Facility were advanced by the Company to a Canadian subsidiary of
Hollinger Inc. as an intercompany loan. The Hollinger Inc. guarantee of the
Southam Facility is secured by a pledge of the Power Shares and 7,539,028 shares
of Class A Common Stock and 14,990,000 shares of Class B Common Stock held by
Hollinger Inc. Existing registration rights agreements and security agreements
entered into by Hollinger Inc. and its Canadian lenders have been amended to
reflect the pledges under the Southam Facility.
 
     Recent United States Acquisitions. On April 30, 1996, the Company
consummated a trade of several newspapers with Garden State Newspapers, Inc. The
Company acquired the Tribune-Democrat in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, with a daily
paid circulation of 46,000, in exchange for six smaller daily newspapers and
several weekly newspapers from the Company's Community Newspaper Group and
approximately $31.0 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments.
 
     New Chicago Printing Facility. In December 1995, Chicago Sun-Times
initiated a preliminary phase of its planned development of a new printing
facility by submitting a bid to acquire approximately 29 acres of land from the
City of Chicago for approximately $4.4 million, subject to negotiation of a
definitive purchase agreement and satisfactory resolution of various conditions
to the bid and necessary municipal approvals. The Company anticipates that the
site acquisition will be completed in 1996. Management of Chicago Sun-Times
expects that the size of the new facility will be approximately 300,000 square
feet to permit combined printing, inserting and distribution functions for the
Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Sunday Sun-Times. Management preliminarily
estimates that the aggregate cost of the acquisition of the site, the
development of the new printing facility and the purchase and installation of
new printing presses will be approximately $75.0 million and that the facility
will be operational in mid-1998.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
                               BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
     The Company's strategy is to achieve growth in its newspaper business
through acquisitions and improvements in the cash flow and profitability of its
newspapers, principally through cost reductions. Management also expects that
additional revenue sources, including an increase in the availability of color
advertising and an expansion of the Company's publications into electronic
media, will contribute to the Company's future growth in revenues and cash
flows. The Company plans to install new printing facilities in Chicago within
the next two years, which should increase the availability of color advertising,
lower production costs, improve operating efficiencies and enhance product
quality. In addition, the Company recently started selling advertising space on
the Chicago Sun-Times' new homepage on the Internet and, in November 1994, The
Telegraph created the Electronic Telegraph on the Internet. The Jerusalem Post
and many of the Company's community newspapers are also available
electronically. The Company has recently formed a division named "Hollinger
Digital" which will coordinate, support and control development in this area.
 
     The Company expects that its future acquisitions will be principally of
community newspapers with daily circulation ranging from 10,000 to 25,000;
however, the Company may consider the acquisition of selected larger circulation
publications that meet the Company's acquisition criteria. Such larger
circulation publications may include metropolitan or other significant
newspapers, as well as community daily newspapers with circulation ranging from
25,000 to 75,000 (such as the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat with a circulation of
46,000) to the extent they become available and meet the Company's acquisition
criteria. The Company seeks newspaper acquisition candidates that are
underperforming in terms of cash flow but have a long history of publishing
within a community and, from the Company's point of view, possess strong
leadership and advertiser loyalty; have the potential for increased gross
operating profit through cost reductions, revenue enhancements and synergies
with the Company's existing operations; and are available at attractive prices.
The Company's strategy is to operate newspapers in regional clusters where
feasible, which enables the Company to market advertising on a regional basis
and allows for improved efficiency from reductions in overhead, centralized
purchasing and, to the extent practicable, regionalized printing.
 
     The Company expects the Scheme to be completed in early August 1996 as a
result of which The Telegraph would become indirectly wholly owned by the
Company. The Company believes that, as a consequence, it will have greater
access to the cash flow of The Telegraph and will have enhanced financing and
corporate flexibility. The acquisition by a Canadian subsidiary of Hollinger
Inc. of the Power Shares, representing a 21.5% interest in Southam, together
with the 19.5% interest indirectly owned by the Company, provides Hollinger Inc.
and the Company with a combined approximate 41% interest in Southam. Hollinger
Inc.'s stated plans are to increase its ownership interest by permissible
purchases to or above 50% and may, subject to market and other conditions, seek
to acquire all Southam common shares not then owned or controlled by Hollinger
Inc. or the Company through an offer of the Company's Class A Common Stock or
securities convertible into or exchangeable for such stock. See "Recent
Developments."
 
     Hollinger Inc. and the Company have agreed to combine their interests in
Southam so that the Company will hold indirectly non-voting common shares and
voting preference shares representing one half of the voting power and all of
the common equity of their combined interests. Hollinger Inc. will hold voting
preference shares representing one half of the voting power and with a nominal
amount of paid-up capital which will not be entitled to any payments, including
dividends, other than a liquidation preference on the nominal amount. Hollinger
Inc. and the Company expect this transaction to occur promptly following the
July 22, 1996 Southam shareholders meeting. The Company intends to seek a ruling
from Revenue Canada that would permit the Company to hold indirectly 100% of the
common equity interests in Southam held by the Company and Hollinger Inc.
without affecting Southam's status as a Canadian publisher of newspapers and
periodicals. If such a ruling is received, the full ownership of the equity
interests in Southam held by Hollinger Inc. and the Company would be transferred
to the Company. If the Company obtains control of Southam (through share
ownership or otherwise), Southam's results of operations will be consolidated
for accounting purposes.
 
     The Telegraph's approximate 25% minority interest in Fairfax cannot be
increased under existing Australian foreign ownership regulations. The
Australian government has proposed the formation of a governmental committee to
review ownership rules, which is expected to make its recommendations in early
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
1997. Management has stated that the outcome of the Australian government review
will be taken into account in determining The Telegraph's strategy in relation
to its investment in Fairfax. Depending upon the outcome of the Australian
government review of its foreign investment policies and other relevant factors,
the Company intends either to (i) increase its investment in Fairfax possibly to
a majority position or (ii) sell or otherwise dispose of its interest in
Fairfax, which should result in a substantial capital gain and (depending upon
the structure of any such transaction) use all or a portion of the proceeds to
reduce the Company's and its subsidiaries' long term debt.
 
     The Company and Hollinger Inc. have agreed that the Company will be
Hollinger Inc.'s principal vehicle for engaging in and effecting acquisitions in
the newspaper business and in related media businesses in the United States,
Israel and, through The Telegraph, the United Kingdom, the rest of the European
Community, Australia and New Zealand (the "Telegraph Territory"). Hollinger Inc.
has reserved to itself the ability to pursue all media (including newspaper)
acquisition opportunities outside the United States, Israel and the Telegraph
Territory, and all media acquisition opportunities unrelated to the newspaper
business in the United States, Israel and the Telegraph Territory, except that
the Company is permitted to increase its investment in Southam.
 
                                   BACKGROUND
 
     The Company was organized in 1986, when it undertook its first acquisition
of an independently owned newspaper group of 16 paid dailies in five states and
related paid and free non-daily publications, the management of which continues
to be among the senior operating officers of the United States Newspaper Group.
From 1986 through April 30, 1996, the Company acquired over 410 newspapers and
related publications (net of dispositions) located in 28 states, including 336
paid dailies and related publications in its Community Newspaper Group, the
Chicago Sun-Times, the Daily Southtown, 72 related weekly and bi-weekly Chicago
area suburban newspapers and related publications, The Jerusalem Post and the
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat. Since 1986, the United States Newspaper Group has
spent approximately $619.4 million on acquisitions and its revenues have grown
from $31.4 million in 1987 to $559.9 million in 1995.
 
     Hollinger Inc. acquired a controlling interest in The Telegraph in 1986
and, since that time, has succeeded in reversing prior years' declines in
revenue and profitability by, among other things, broadening the readership base
of The Telegraph's newspaper titles, increasing advertising revenue, removing
restrictive work practices and making technological improvements in pre-press
publishing and printing operations. In addition to improving the profitability
of its newspaper operations, The Telegraph has made substantial investments in
Fairfax and Southam, which have contributed significantly to The Telegraph's
profitability in the past two years. As a result of the October 1995
reorganization of the Company's and Hollinger Inc.'s international newspaper
operations (the "Reorganization"), the Company acquired Hollinger Inc.'s
controlling interest in The Telegraph and, indirectly, The Telegraph's
substantial equity investments in Fairfax and Southam.
 
                             CONCURRENT FINANCINGS
 
     Concurrently with this Offering, the Company plans to issue to a financial
institution in the Trust Financing redeemable preferred securities (the
"Preferred Securities") of the Trust in an amount sufficient to raise
approximately $250 million (approximately $287 million if the Underwriters for
the Securities exercise their over-allotment options in full). In addition, the
Company is offering 13,000,000 shares (plus an additional 1,950,000 shares
subject to the Underwriters' over-allotment options) of its Class A Common Stock
in the Common Stock Offering. The net proceeds of the Common Stock Offering will
be applied, together with the net proceeds of the Trust Financing, in the
following order: (i) first, to provide $100.0 million to FDTH to finance a
portion of the acquisition of the Telegraph Minority Shares (in lieu of the
Publishing Holdings Note Facility, which would be cancelled), (ii) second, to
provide $75.0 million to FDTH to finance a portion of the acquisition of the
Telegraph Minority Shares, which amount would be used to repay or replace an
equal amount of borrowings under the FDTH Credit Facility, and (iii) third, to
repay up to $       of borrowings under the Southam Facility that were used to
finance the acquisition of the Power Shares. The Offering and the Common Stock
Offering are not conditioned on one another.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
     In addition to the Common Stock Offering and the Trust Financing, the
Company or a subsidiary plans to issue approximately $325.0 million principal
amount of debt securities (the "Debt Offering") after completion of this
Offering, subject to market conditions and other factors. The Company
anticipates that it will use proceeds from the Debt Offering to repay a portion
of the bank indebtedness incurred in connection with the acquisition of the
Telegraph Minority Shares pursuant to the Scheme.
 
                          OWNERSHIP BY HOLLINGER INC.
 
     Hollinger Inc. owns 66.5% of the combined equity interest and 88.2% of the
combined voting power of the outstanding Class A Common Stock and Class B Common
Stock of the Company. In addition, Hollinger Inc. owns all of the outstanding
Series A Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share
("Series A Preferred Stock"), of the Company, which is convertible at any time
into shares of Class A Common Stock at the initial conversion price of the
Canadian dollar equivalent of $14 per share. Based on the initial conversion
price, 5,651,593 shares of Class A Common Stock would have been issuable as of
June 1, 1996.
 
     Hollinger Inc. is effectively controlled by The Hon. Conrad M. Black,
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Hollinger Inc. and the
Company, through his direct and indirect ownership and control of Hollinger
Inc.'s securities. Mr. Black has advised the Company that Hollinger Inc. does
not presently intend to reduce its voting power in the Company's outstanding
Common Stock to less than 50%. Furthermore, Mr. Black has advised the Company
that he does not presently intend to reduce his voting control over Hollinger
Inc. such that a third party would be able to exercise effective control over
it.
 
     After the Common Stock Offering, Hollinger Inc. will continue to have a
majority equity ownership interest in the Company. Hollinger Inc. will own 56.5%
of the combined equity interest and 83.1% of the combined voting power of the
outstanding Common Stock of the Company (55.2% and 82.3%, respectively, if the
Underwriters' over-allotment options are exercised in full) (without giving
effect to the future issuance of Class A Common Stock in connection with the
Securities or upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock), and 44.4% and
75.1%, respectively, upon the issuance of up to approximately 21,500,000 shares
of Class A Common Stock in connection with the PRIDES. As a result, Hollinger
Inc. will continue to be able to control the outcome of any election of
directors and to direct management policy, strategic direction and financial
decisions of the Company.
 
                     FINANCING AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
 
     For financing and organizational purposes, the Company and its subsidiaries
are divided into (i) a United States Newspaper Group, including the Chicago
Group and American Publishing Company, which consists of the group formerly
referred to as the Community Newspaper Group, including Jerusalem Post (referred
to herein as the "Community Newspaper Group"), and (ii) an International
Newspaper Group, including DTH, FDTH, The Telegraph and their subsidiaries and
affiliated companies, including Fairfax and Southam.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
     Set forth below is an organizational chart which illustrates, as of the
closing of the Offering and after giving effect to the consummation of the
Common Stock Offering, the Scheme and related financings, the ownership of the
Company and its principal subsidiaries and affiliates:
- ------------------
(1) Mr. Conrad M. Black owns directly and indirectly 49.5% of the outstanding
    common shares of Hollinger Inc.
(2) 83.1% of voting power and, assuming the Underwriters' over-allotment options
    are exercised in the Common Stock Offering, 82.3% of voting power and 55.2%
    of combined equity interests, and 75.1% of voting power and 44.4% of
    combined equity interests upon the issuance of up to approximately
    21,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock in connection with the Securities.
(3) Excludes nonvoting preference shares of DTH and FDTH held by unrelated
    parties and nonvoting preference shares of FDTH held by DTH, which
    preference shares are not convertible into voting shares.
(4) Excludes L5.0 million nonvoting preference shares of The Telegraph held by
    FDTH, which preference shares are not convertible into voting shares.
(5) Owned by a wholly owned Canadian subsidiary of Hollinger Inc., a company in
    which the Company will have the right to acquire a substantial equity
    interest.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     Prospective purchasers of the Securities offered hereby should consider the
factors set forth under "Risk Factors" as well as the other information set
forth in this Prospectus, including investment in the Securities will become
investment in Class A Common Stock, limitations on opportunity for equity
appreciation, factors affecting trading prices, no shareholder rights, dilution
of Class A Common Stock, possible illiquidity of the secondary market, Treasury
Notes encumbered, exchange of Treasury Notes in bankruptcy, subordination of
Yield Enhancement Payments, right to defer Yield Enhancement Payments, Purchase
Contract Agreement not qualified under Trust Indenture Act; limited obligations
of Purchase Contract Agent, international holding company structure, growth
strategy, restrictions in debt agreements, other restrictive arrangements,
substantial leverage, newspaper industry competition, cyclicality of revenues,
newsprint costs, foreign operations and currency exchange rates, dividend
policy, limitations on control of The Telegraph, Fairfax and Southam, control by
Hollinger Inc., potential conflicts of interest, shares eligible for future sale
and issuance of preferred stock.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
Securities....................   21,500,000      % PRIDES
 
Stated Amount.................   $     per Security
 
Payments......................        % of the Stated Amount per annum, payable
                                 semi-annually in arrears. These payments will
                                 consist of (i) interest on the Treasury Notes
                                 (as defined below) payable by the United States
                                 Government at the rate of      % of the Stated
                                 Amount per annum and (ii) unsecured
                                 subordinated yield enhancement payments ("Yield
                                 Enhancement Payments") payable semi-annually by
                                 the Company at the rate of      % of the Stated
                                 Amount per annum, subject to the Company's
                                 option to defer Yield Enhancement Payments
                                 (except for the portion attributable to the
                                 Exchange Agreement Fee). See "Description of
                                 the Purchase Contracts--Yield Enhancement
                                 Payments" and "Risk Factors--Right to Defer
                                 Yield Enhancement Payments." The Company's
                                 obligations with respect to Yield Enhancement
                                 Payments are subordinated and junior in right
                                 of payment to all liabilities of the Company
                                 and pari passu with the most senior preferred
                                 stock directly issued, from time to time, if
                                 any, by the Company. Amounts payable on the
                                 first Payment Date (as defined below) will be
                                 adjusted as described under "Description of the
                                 Securities--General."
 
Payment Dates.................               and           of each year,
                                 commencing           , 1996, through and
                                 including the Final Settlement Date referred to
                                 below (each, a "Payment Date").
 
Final Settlement Date.........                  , 1999 (the "Final Settlement
                                 Date"). On the Final Settlement Date, the
                                 Treasury Notes will automatically be applied
                                 (to the extent of the proceeds received) to the
                                 purchase of between             of a share and
                                 one share of Class A Common Stock (depending on
                                 the Applicable Market Value of the Class A
                                 Common Stock on the Final Settlement Date, as
                                 described below), subject to adjustment under
                                 certain circumstances.
 
Components of the
Securities....................   The Securities will be issued under a Purchase
                                 Contract Agreement, dated as of             ,
                                 1996 (the "Purchase Contract Agreement"),
                                 between the Company and                     ,
                                 as agent for the holders of the Securities
                                 (together with any successor thereto in such
                                 capacity, the "Purchase Contract Agent").
 
                                 Each Security will consist of (a) a stock
                                 purchase contract ("Purchase Contract") under
                                 which (i) the holder will purchase from the
                                 Company on the Final Settlement Date, for an
                                 amount in cash equal to the Stated Amount, a
                                 number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal
                                 to the Settlement Rate described below, and
                                 (ii) the Company will pay Yield Enhancement
                                 Payments to the holder, and (b)      % Treasury
                                 Notes due                , 1999 having a
                                 principal amount equal to the Stated Amount and
                                 maturing on the Final Settlement Date. The
                                 Yield Enhancement Payments to be made by the
                                 Company will represent (i) a payment in
                                 consideration of the holders' obligations
                                 contained in the Purchase Contracts (  % per
                                 annum) and (ii) a payment (the "Exchange
                                 Agreement Fee") in consideration of the
                                 holders'
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
                                 obligations under the Exchange Agreement (as
                                 defined) (  % per annum). The aggregate fair
                                 market value of the Treasury Notes at the time
                                 of purchase may exceed their aggregate
                                 principal amount, in which case the Company
                                 shall, for the benefit of the Security holders,
                                 provide the amount of such excess as additional
                                 purchase price for the Treasury Notes (such
                                 amounts, "Initial Premium Payments"). Holders
                                 will not directly receive any cash as a result
                                 of any Initial Premium Payments. The Treasury
                                 Notes will be pledged with           , as
                                 collateral agent for the Company (together with
                                 any successor thereto in such capacity, the
                                 "Collateral Agent"), to secure the holders'
                                 obligations to purchase Class A Common Stock
                                 under the Purchase Contract and the holders'
                                 obligations to make the exchange of the
                                 Treasury Notes for the subordinated notes
                                 (which were issued by the Company to the Trust
                                 in connection with the Trust Financing (the
                                 "Subordinated Notes")) as provided in the
                                 Exchange Agreement among the Trust, the
                                 Purchase Contract Agent and the financial
                                 institution providing the Trust Financing (the
                                 "Exchange Agreement"). Unless a holder of
                                 Securities settles the underlying Purchase
                                 Contracts either through the early delivery of
                                 cash to the Purchase Contract Agent in the
                                 manner described below or otherwise, or unless
                                 the Purchase Contracts are terminated (upon the
                                 occurrence of certain events of bankruptcy,
                                 insolvency or reorganization with respect to
                                 the Company), principal of the Treasury Notes
                                 underlying such Securities, when paid at
                                 maturity, will automatically be applied (to the
                                 extent of the proceeds received) to satisfy the
                                 holder's obligation to purchase Class A Common
                                 Stock under the Purchase Contracts. For so long
                                 as a Purchase Contract remains in effect, such
                                 Purchase Contract and the Treasury Notes
                                 securing it will not be separable and may be
                                 transferred only as an integrated Security. See
                                 "Risk Factors" and "Description of the
                                 Securities."
 
Settlement Rate...............   The number of new shares of Class A Common
                                 Stock issuable upon settlement of each Purchase
                                 Contract (the "Settlement Rate") will be
                                 calculated as follows (subject to adjustment
                                 under certain circumstances): (a) if the
                                 Applicable Market Value (as defined below) is
                                 greater than $          (the "Threshold
                                 Appreciation Price"), the Settlement Rate will
                                 be                , (b) if the Applicable
                                 Market Value is less than or equal to the
                                 Threshold Appreciation Price but greater than
                                 the Stated Amount, the Settlement Rate will
                                 equal the Stated Amount divided by the
                                 Applicable Market Value and (c) if the
                                 Applicable Market Value is less than or equal
                                 to the Stated Amount, the Settlement Rate will
                                 be one. "Applicable Market Value" means the
                                 average of the Closing Prices (as defined in
                                 the Purchase Contract Agreement) per share of
                                 Class A Common Stock on each of the twenty
                                 consecutive Trading Days (as defined in the
                                 Purchase Contract Agreement) ending on the
                                 second Trading Day immediately preceding the
                                 Final Settlement Date.
 
Early Settlement..............   A holder of Securities may settle the
                                 underlying Purchase Contracts prior to the
                                 Final Settlement Date in the manner described
                                 herein, but only in integral multiples of
                                 Securities. Upon such early
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
                                 settlement, (a) the holder will purchase, for
                                 an amount in cash equal to the Stated Amount
                                 per Security,   of a share of Class A Common
                                 Stock per Security (regardless of the market
                                 price of the Class A Common Stock on the date
                                 of purchase), subject to adjustment under
                                 certain circumstances, (b) the Treasury Notes
                                 underlying such Securities will thereupon be
                                 transferred to the holder free and clear of the
                                 security interests therein, (c) the holder's
                                 right to receive Deferred Yield Enhancement
                                 Payments (as defined below), if any, pursuant
                                 to the Purchase Contracts being settled will be
                                 forfeited, (d) the holder's right to receive
                                 additional Yield Enhancement Payments will
                                 terminate and, except as contemplated by clause
                                 (a) above, no adjustment will be made to or for
                                 the holder on account of current or deferred
                                 amounts accrued in respect thereof, and (e) the
                                 holder's obligations under the Exchange
                                 Agreement will cease.
 
Termination...................   The Purchase Contracts (including the right to
                                 receive accrued or Deferred Yield Enhancement
                                 Payments and the obligation to purchase Class A
                                 Common Stock) will automatically terminate upon
                                 the occurrence of certain events of bankruptcy,
                                 insolvency or reorganization with respect to
                                 the Company. Upon such termination, the
                                 Purchase Contract Agent will, pursuant to the
                                 Exchange Agreement, transfer the Treasury Notes
                                 held by it to the financial institution
                                 providing the Trust Financing in exchange for
                                 the Subordinated Notes issued by the Company to
                                 the Trust in connection with the Trust
                                 Financing, together with any claims for
                                 defaulted principal or interest relating to the
                                 Subordinated Notes. Such Subordinated Notes
                                 (together with such claims) will be distributed
                                 by the Purchase Contract Agent to the holders.
                                 In addition, in the event that the market value
                                 of the Treasury Notes exceeds the face amount
                                 of the Treasury Notes, the Collateral Agent
                                 will liquidate the Treasury Notes and transfer
                                 an amount equal to the face amount of the
                                 Treasury Notes to the financial institution
                                 providing the Trust Financing and the excess
                                 amount to the Purchase Contract Agent for
                                 distribution to the holders of Securities.
 
                                 The Subordinated Notes will have a principal
                                 amount equal to the principal amount of the
                                 Treasury Notes (or the amount of cash)
                                 exchanged therefor. Under the terms of the
                                 Subordinated Notes, the events of bankruptcy,
                                 insolvency or reorganization that will trigger
                                 the exchange under the Exchange Agreement will
                                 also result in the acceleration of the maturity
                                 of the Subordinated Notes, causing the
                                 principal thereof and any interest accrued
                                 thereon to become immediately due. In addition,
                                 the Subordinated Notes will provide for the
                                 payment of interest on a semiannual basis at a
                                 rate of   % per annum. See "Description of
                                 Subordinated Notes."
 
Relationship to Class A Common
Stock.........................   The aggregate of Yield Enhancement Payments and
                                 interest payments on the Treasury Notes will be
                                 paid at a rate per annum that is greater than
                                 the current dividend yield on the Class A
                                 Common Stock. However, since the number of
                                 shares of Class A Common
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
                                 Stock issuable upon settlement of each Purchase
                                 Contract may decline by up to   % as the
                                 Applicable Market Value increases, the
                                 opportunity for equity appreciation afforded by
                                 an investment in the Securities is less than
                                 that afforded by a direct investment in the
                                 Class A Common Stock.
 
Voting Rights.................   Holders of the Securities will have no voting
                                 rights. See "Risk Factors--No Shareholder
                                 Rights."
 
Listing of the Securities.....   Application will be made to list the Securities
                                 on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
                                 "     ."
 
NYSE Symbol of Class A Common
Stock.........................   HLR
 
Federal Income Tax
Consequences..................   Holders will include in income interest on the
                                 Treasury Notes when received or accrued, in
                                 accordance with the holder's method of
                                 accounting. Although there is no direct
                                 authority for the federal tax treatment of the
                                 Securities, it is likely that the holders will
                                 be treated as the owners of the Treasury Notes
                                 for federal income tax purposes. The Company
                                 intends to report the Yield Enhancement
                                 Payments (and Initial Premium Payments, if any)
                                 as income to holders, but holders should
                                 consult their tax advisors concerning the
                                 possibility that the Yield Enhancement Payments
                                 (and Initial Premium Payments, if any) other
                                 than the portion attributable to the Exchange
                                 Agreement Fees may be treated as a reduction in
                                 the holders' basis in the Securities rather
                                 than included in income on a current basis.
                                 Additional income, gain or loss may be realized
                                 on maturity of the Treasury Notes to the extent
                                 that the Treasury Notes are purchased at a
                                 premium or discount, and certain elections
                                 should be considered in this regard. See
                                 "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences."
 
Use of Proceeds...............   All of the net proceeds from the sale of the
                                 Securities offered hereby (which at an assumed
                                 per share price of $11.625 is estimated to be
                                 approximately $250 million and $287 million if
                                 the Underwriters' over-allotment option is
                                 exercised in full) will be used by the
                                 Underwriters to purchase, at the direction of
                                 the Company, the underlying Treasury Notes,
                                 which will be transferred to the holders
                                 pursuant to the PRIDES. The Company will
                                 receive no current net proceeds from the sale
                                 of the PRIDES. However, the Company is also
                                 entering into the Trust Financing, which is
                                 expected to provide approximately $250 million
                                 of proceeds ($287 million if the Underwriters'
                                 over-allotment option is exercised in full).
                                 The proceeds of the Common Stock Offering will
                                 be applied, together with the net proceeds of
                                 the Trust Financing, (i) first, to provide
                                 $100.0 million to FDTH to finance a portion of
                                 the acquisition of the Telegraph Minority
                                 Shares (in lieu of the Publishing Holdings Note
                                 Facility, which would be cancelled), (ii)
                                 second, to provide $75.0 million to FDTH to
                                 finance a portion of the acquisition of the
                                 Telegraph Minority Shares, which amount would
                                 be used to repay or replace an equal amount of
                                 borrowings under the FDTH Credit Facility, and
                                 (iii) third, to repay up to $       of
                                 borrowings under the Southam Facility that were
                                 used to finance the acquisition of the Power
                                 Shares. The
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
                                 Offering and the Common Stock Offering are not
                                 conditioned on one another.
 
                                 The Company expects to use the amounts received
                                 upon settlement of the Purchase Contracts to
                                 redeem the Preferred Securities.
 
                                 In addition to the Common Stock Offering and
                                 the Trust Financing, the Company or a
                                 subsidiary plans to issue approximately $325.0
                                 million principal amount of debt securities
                                 (the "Debt Offering") after completion of the
                                 Offering, subject to market conditions and
                                 other factors. The Company anticipates that it
                                 will use the proceeds from the Debt Offering to
                                 repay a portion of the bank indebtedness
                                 incurred in connection with the acquisition of
                                 the Telegraph Minority Shares pursuant to the
                                 Scheme.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
                      SUMMARY FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA(1)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH
                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                                  31,
                                 --------------------------------------------------------------    ------------------------
                                   1991        1992         1993          1994          1995          1995          1996
                                 --------    --------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
                                                          (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                              <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:(2)
Operating revenues:
  Advertising................... $307,716    $325,165    $  316,640    $  522,381    $  635,560    $  151,621    $  160,357
  Circulation...................  209,544     233,416       217,608       245,218       262,670        59,466        76,049
  Job Printing..................   19,735      22,066        25,044        27,675        49,198        11,563        12,621
  Other.........................    8,735      11,338        10,309        13,563        17,539         4,106         4,866
                                 --------    --------      --------      --------      --------      --------      --------
Total operating revenues........  545,730     591,985       569,601       808,837       964,967       226,756       253,893
Operating costs and expenses....  450,797     473,368       447,262       693,108       857,091       198,620       229,179
Depreciation and amortization...   32,037      35,226        34,545        45,200        52,388        12,603        12,841
                                 --------    --------      --------      --------      --------      --------      --------
Operating income................   62,896      83,391        87,794        70,529        55,488        15,533        11,873
Interest expense................  (20,886)    (27,167)      (26,264)      (32,593)      (43,189)      (10,761)      (12,564)
Equity in earnings of
  affiliates....................       18       6,382        13,476        35,659        16,449         5,728         3,407
Other income, net(3)............   14,499      89,543        36,989        91,886        18,199        12,499         2,501
                                 --------    --------      --------      --------      --------      --------      --------
Earnings before income taxes,
  minority interest, cumulative
  effect of change in accounting
  for income taxes and
  extraordinary item............   56,527     152,149       111,995       165,481        46,947        22,999         5,217
Income taxes....................   14,320      39,132        36,475        41,300        18,108         7,314         1,700
                                 --------    --------      --------      --------      --------      --------      --------
Earnings before minority
  interest, cumulative effect of
  change in accounting for
  income taxes and extraordinary
  item..........................   42,207     113,017        75,520       124,181        28,839        15,685         3,517
Minority interest...............   11,166      14,848        25,475        21,409        22,637         7,944         5,421
                                 --------    --------      --------      --------      --------      --------      --------
Earnings before cumulative
  effect of change in accounting
  for income taxes and
  extraordinary item............   31,041      98,169        50,045       102,772         6,202         7,741        (1,904)
Cumulative effect of change in
  accounting for income taxes...       --          --       (24,256)           --            --            --            --
Extraordinary loss on debt
  extinguishments...............       --          --            --            --            --            --        (2,150)
                                 --------    --------      --------      --------      --------      --------      --------
Net earnings (loss)............. $ 31,041    $ 98,169    $   25,789    $  102,772    $    6,202    $    7,741    $   (4,054)
                                 ========    ========      ========      ========      ========      ========      ========
Net earnings per common share... $   0.64    $   2.02    $     0.53    $     1.90    $     0.11    $     0.14    $    (0.06)
                                 ========    ========      ========      ========      ========      ========      ========
Average number of common shares
  outstanding...................   48,601      48,601        48,601        53,980        56,956        56,956        66,056
                                 ========    ========      ========      ========      ========      ========      ========
BALANCE SHEET DATA:(4)
Working capital (deficit)....... $ 25,749    $ 58,259    $  (58,793)   $  (10,621)   $ (124,175)   $   38,868    $   68,763
Total assets(5).................  855,692     748,843     1,034,155     1,463,755     1,570,105     1,440,979     1,652,602
Minority interest...............   41,871      64,039        79,290       109,518        97,298       118,763        97,738
Total long-term debt............  333,981     281,783       374,496       489,969       621,652       467,973       574,168
Redeemable preferred stock......   80,966     208,767       206,846       204,101       306,452       204,185       306,608
Total stockholders' equity(6)...  253,693      72,907       111,664       303,469       295,244       305,075       434,480
SEGMENT DATA:
Operating revenues:
  United States Newspaper
    Group....................... $157,397    $173,219    $  185,043    $  422,594    $  559,929    $  129,770    $  142,347
  International Newspaper
    Group.......................  388,333     418,766       384,558       386,243       405,038        96,986       111,546
                                 --------    --------      --------      --------      --------      --------      --------
Total operating revenues........ $545,730    $591,985    $  569,601    $  808,837    $  964,967    $  226,756    $  253,893
                                 ========    ========      ========      ========      ========      ========      ========
Operating income:
  United States Newspaper
    Group....................... $  3,938    $ 11,778    $   18,069    $   39,566    $   32,156    $    7,139    $    3,242
  International Newspaper
    Group.......................   58,958      71,613        69,725        30,963        23,332         8,394         8,631
                                 --------    --------      --------      --------      --------      --------      --------
Total operating income.......... $ 62,896    $ 83,391    $   87,794    $   70,529    $   55,488    $   15,533    $   11,873
                                 ========    ========      ========      ========      ========      ========      ========
EBITDA(7)
  United States Newspaper
    Group....................... $ 28,828    $ 38,386    $   43,582    $   76,576    $   77,382    $   16,861    $   13,641
  International Newspaper
    Group.......................   80,604      99,421        87,208        50,447        36,725        11,275        11,073
                                 --------    --------      --------      --------      --------      --------      --------
Total EBITDA.................... $109,432    $137,807    $  130,790    $  127,023    $  114,107    $   28,136    $   24,714
                                 ========    ========      ========      ========      ========      ========      ========
</TABLE>
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH
                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                                  31,
                                   1991        1992         1993          1994          1995          1995          1996
                                 --------    --------     --------      --------      --------      --------      --------
                                                          (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                              <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>
OTHER DATA:
Company (consolidated)
Number of paid daily newspapers
  (end of period)(8)............       82          82            96            98           113            98           107
Market value of Fairfax equity
  stake (end of period)(9)......                                       $  423,989    $  408,812                  $  437,380
Market value of Southam equity
  stake (end of period)(9)......                                          163,643       157,174                     173,552
Capital expenditures............ $ 61,058    $ 14,882    $    9,162    $   27,795    $   21,699    $    5,764    $    4,051
Acquisition expenditures(10)....   49,350      36,952        20,638       227,321        97,232            --         5,071
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
 (1) The financial data presented above is derived from the Consolidated
     Financial Statements of the Company.
 
 (2) The statement of operations data and other data include data for The
     Telegraph, DTH and Jerusalem Post for all periods presented, Chicago
     Sun-Times from the date of its acquisition by the Company on March 31, 1994
     and Daily Southtown from the date of its acquisition by the Company on
     December 23, 1994.
 
 (3) Other income, net includes gain on the sale of Telegraph shares, gain on
     dilution of Fairfax interest, gain on the sale of marketable securities,
     issuance costs of subsidiaries' redeemable preferred stock and foreign
     currency gain (loss).
 
 (4) The balance sheet data include The Telegraph, DTH and Jerusalem Post for
     all periods presented, the Chicago Sun-Times as at September 30, 1994 and
     thereafter and Daily Southtown as at December 31, 1994 and thereafter.
     Long-term debt does not include intercompany indebtedness owed to Hollinger
     Inc., which amounted to $21.5 million at December 31, 1995 and $4.1 million
     at March 31, 1996.
 
 (5) Includes intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization, which amounted
     to $455,203,000 and $529,694,000 at December 31, 1994 and 1995 and
     $526,972,000 at March 31, 1996. Such assets consist of the value of
     acquired subscriber and advertiser lists, noncompetition agreements,
     archives and goodwill. The amortization periods for intangible assets range
     from three to 40 years.
 
 (6) See Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity.
 
 (7) EBITDA represents earnings before interest expense, income taxes,
     depreciation and amortization, minority interest, equity in earnings of
     affiliates and certain other income items. Among the other income items
     excluded are gain on the sale of Telegraph shares, gain on the sale of
     marketable securities, gain on dilution of Fairfax and issue costs of
     subsidiaries' redeemable preferred stock of $70,353,000, $28,538,000,
     $80,592,000 and $11,968,000 for the years ended December 31, 1992, 1993,
     1994 and 1995, respectively. EBITDA is not intended to represent an
     alternative to operating income (as determined in accordance with generally
     accepted accounting principles) as an indicator of the Company's operating
     performance, or to cash flows from operating activities (as determined in
     accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) as a measure of
     liquidity. The Company believes that EBITDA largely determines its ability
     to fund current operations and to service debt due to the significant
     number of acquisitions made by the Company which have resulted in non-cash
     charges for depreciation and amortization. These non-cash charges have
     adversely affected net earnings, but have not affected EBITDA.
 
 (8) Number of paid daily newspapers owned by the Company and its subsidiaries
     (excluding those newspapers published by Fairfax and Southam).
 
 (9) Represents The Telegraph's 24.8%, 24.6% and 24.7% interest (196,374,606
     shares and convertible debentures) in Fairfax on December 31, 1994 and 1995
     and March 31, 1996, respectively, and the combined 19.5% interest of The
     Telegraph and FDTH in Southam (14,790,000 shares) at each period end. See
     Note 3 to Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statements for information
     concerning investments in affiliates.
 
(10) Represents costs of acquiring newspapers and investments in newspaper
     companies. Such amounts do not include notes payable to former owners and
     deferred amounts due under noncompetition agreements with former owners.
     Such amounts do not include the cost of acquiring the Telegraph Minority
     Shares and the Power Shares.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   21
 
                             SUMMARY PRO FORMA DATA
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              YEAR ENDED                 THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                          DECEMBER 31, 1995                MARCH 31, 1996
                                                      --------------------------     --------------------------
                                                      ACTUAL     PRO FORMA(1)(2)     ACTUAL     PRO FORMA(1)(2)
                                                      -------    ---------------     -------    ---------------
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                                   <C>        <C>                 <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Operating income...................................   $55,488       $  48,139        $11,873        $10,036
Interest expense...................................    43,189          67,258         12,564         18,581
Net earnings (loss)................................     6,202         (34,908)        (4,054)       (12,940)
Weighted average common shares outstanding.........    56,956          69,956         66,056         79,056
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 AS OF MARCH 31, 1996
                                                                                 --------------------
                                                                                   PRO FORMA(2)(3)
                                                                                 --------------------
                                                                                     (DOLLARS IN
                                                                                      THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                     <C>                      <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents...................................................          $   92,684
Working capital (deficit)...................................................            (326,638)
Total assets(4).............................................................           2,232,818
Minority interest...........................................................                  --
Total debt (including intercompany indebtedness)............................             870,559
Redeemable preference shares of DTH and FDTH................................             227,083
Redeemable preferred securities of subsidiary...............................             249,938
Series A redeemable stock...................................................              79,525
Total stockholders' equity..................................................             570,179
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
(1) Pro forma statement of operations data gives effect, assuming such
    transactions occurred on January 1, 1995, to (i) the acquisition of the
    Telegraph Minority Shares, the acquisition by Publishing of newly issued
    Telegraph ordinary shares and the related financing; (ii) the acquisition of
    the Power Shares of Southam (approximately 21.5%) which were acquired by a
    Canadian subsidiary of Hollinger Inc., a company in which the Company will
    have the right to acquire a substantial equity interest, and the related
    financing; and (iii) the Common Stock Offering and the Trust Financing. Does
    not include costs and expenses of approximately $         million associated
    with the acquisition of Telegraph Minority Shares and the acquisition of
    Power Shares of Southam. See Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial
    Statements.
 
(2) Does not include proceeds from the Offering or the issuance of Class A
    Common Stock on the Final Settlement Date or earlier. Neither the PRIDES nor
    the Treasury Notes will be recorded on the Company's consolidated balance
    sheet (although the issuance costs associated with the PRIDES will be
    charged against paid-in capital). However, the issuance of Class A Common
    Stock on                , 1999 (or earlier if the holder so elects) will be
    recorded when cash proceeds totalling $         ($         if the
    Underwriters for the PRIDES exercise their over-allotment options in full)
    are received by the Company on the Final Settlement Date. The total number
    of shares issuable in respect of the PRIDES will be between          and
             (         and          if the Underwriters exercise their
    over-allotment options in full).
 
(3) Pro forma balance sheet data gives effect, assuming such transactions
    occurred on March 31, 1996, to (i) the acquisition of the Telegraph Minority
    Shares, the acquisition by Publishing of newly issued Telegraph ordinary
    shares and the related financing; and (ii) the acquisition of the Power
    Shares of Southam (approximately 21.5%) which were initially acquired by a
    Canadian subsidiary of Hollinger Inc., a company in which the Company will
    have the right to acquire a substantial equity interest, and related bank
    borrowings incurred by the Company to finance such acquisition; and (iii)
    the sale of 13,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock offered by the Company
    in the Common Stock Offering (at a price of $11.625 per share and after
    deducting estimated underwriting discounts and offering expenses) and the
    consummation of the Trust Financing and the application of the estimated net
    proceeds therefrom to acquire the Telegraph Minority Shares, to repay
    Telegraph bank indebtedness, to repay a portion of the bank indebtedness
    incurred to acquire the Power Shares and to pay the financing costs
    associated with the issuance of the PRIDES. See Pro Forma Condensed
    Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
(4) Includes intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization, which amounted
    to $820,951,000 at March 31, 1996 on a pro forma basis assuming the
    transactions referred to in Note (3) had occurred at March 31, 1996. Such
    intangible assets consist of the value of acquired subscriber and advertiser
    lists, noncompetition agreements, archives and goodwill. The amortization
    periods for intangible assets range from three to 40 years.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   22
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     Prior to making an investment decision, prospective investors should
consider carefully the following factors, in addition to the other information
and financial data included or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.
 
INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES WILL BECOME INVESTMENT IN CLASS A COMMON STOCK
 
     Although holders of the Securities will be the beneficial owners of the
underlying Treasury Notes prior to the Final Settlement Date, unless a holder of
Securities settles the underlying Purchase Contracts either through the early
delivery of cash to the Purchase Contract Agent in the manner described below or
otherwise, or unless the Purchase Contracts are terminated (upon the occurrence
of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to
the Company), principal of the Treasury Notes, when paid at maturity, will
automatically be applied (to the extent of the proceeds received) to the
purchase of a specified number of shares of Class A Common Stock on behalf of
such holders. Thus, following the Final Settlement Date, holders will own shares
of Class A Common Stock rather than a beneficial interest in Treasury Notes (or
a contingent interest in the Subordinated Notes). See "Description of the
Securities--General." There can be no assurance that the shares of Class A
Common Stock receivable by the holder on the Final Settlement Date will have a
value equal to or greater than the Stated Amount of the Securities. If the
Applicable Market Value of the Class A Common Stock is less than the Stated
Amount, such amount receivable by the holder on the Final Settlement Date will
be less than the Stated Amount paid for the Securities, in which case an
investment in the Securities will result in a loss. Accordingly, a holder of the
Securities assumes the risk that the market value of the Class A Common Stock
may decline, and that such decline could be substantial.
 
LIMITATIONS ON OPPORTUNITY FOR EQUITY APPRECIATION
 
     The opportunity for equity appreciation afforded by an investment in the
Securities is less than the opportunity for equity appreciation afforded by a
direct investment in the Class A Common Stock, because the value of Class A
Common Stock receivable by a holder of Securities on the Final Settlement Date
will only exceed the Stated Amount of these Securities if the Applicable Market
Value of the Class A Common Stock exceeds the Threshold Appreciation Price
(which represents an appreciation of        % over the Stated Amount). Moreover,
holders of the Securities will only be entitled to receive on the Final
Settlement Date        % (the percentage equal to the Stated Amount divided by
the Threshold Appreciation Price) of any appreciation of the value of Class A
Common Stock in excess of the Threshold Appreciation Price.
 
FACTORS AFFECTING TRADING PRICES
 
     The trading prices of the Securities in the secondary market will be
directly affected by the trading prices of the Class A Common Stock in the
secondary market. It is impossible to predict whether the price of Class A
Common Stock will rise or fall. Trading prices of Class A Common Stock will be
influenced by the Company's operating results and prospects and by economic,
financial and other factors and market conditions that can affect the capital
markets generally, including the level of, and fluctuations in, the trading
prices of stocks generally and sales of substantial amounts of Class A Common
Stock in the market subsequent to the Offering of the Securities and the Common
Stock Offering or the perception that such sales could occur.
 
NO SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS
 
     Holders of the Securities will not be entitled to any rights with respect
to the Class A Common Stock (including, without limitation, voting rights and
rights to receive any dividends or other distributions in respect thereof)
unless and until such time as the Company shall have delivered shares of Class A
Common Stock in exchange for Securities on the Final Settlement Date or upon the
earlier settlement of the Purchase Contracts and unless the applicable record
date, if any, for the exercise of such rights occurs after such date. For
example, in the event that an amendment is proposed to the Certificate of
Incorporation or By-Laws of the
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   23
 
Company and the record date for determining the stockholders of record entitled
to vote on such amendment occurs prior to such delivery, holders of the
Securities will not be entitled to vote on such amendment.
 
DILUTION OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK
 
     The number of shares of Class A Common Stock that holders of the Securities
are entitled to receive on the Final Settlement Date is subject to adjustment
for certain events arising from stock splits and combinations, stock dividends
and certain other actions of the Company that modify its capital structure. See
"Description of the Securities--Anti-Dilution Adjustments." Such number of
shares of Class A Common Stock to be received by such holders on the Final
Settlement Date will not be adjusted for other events, such as offerings of
Class A Common Stock for cash or in connection with acquisitions. The Company is
not restricted from issuing additional Class A Common Stock during the term of
the Securities and has no obligation to consider the interests of the holders of
the Securities for any reason. Additional issuances may materially and adversely
affect the price of the Class A Common Stock and, because of the relationship of
the number of shares to be received on the Final Settlement Date to the price of
the Class A Common Stock, such other events may adversely affect the trading
price of the Securities.
 
POSSIBLE ILLIQUIDITY OF THE SECONDARY MARKET
 
     It is not possible to predict how the Securities will trade in the
secondary market or whether such market will be liquid or illiquid. The
Securities are novel securities and there is currently no secondary market for
the Securities. Application has been made to list the Securities on the NYSE.
However, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for the
Securities will develop or that such listing will provide the holders of the
Securities with liquidity of investment.
 
TREASURY NOTES ENCUMBERED
 
     Although holders of Securities will be beneficial owners of the underlying
Treasury Notes, those Treasury Notes will be pledged with the Collateral Agent
to secure the obligations of the holders under the Purchase Contracts and under
the Exchange Agreement. Thus, rights of the holders to their Treasury Notes will
be subject to the Company's security interest and no holder will be permitted to
withdraw Treasury Notes except in connection with the early settlement or
termination of the related Purchase Contracts and subject to the Exchange
Agreement.
 
EXCHANGE OF TREASURY NOTES IN BANKRUPTCY
 
     Under the terms of the Purchase Contracts and the Exchange Agreement, upon
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization with respect to the
Company, the holders' interests in the Treasury Notes will be exchanged for
Subordinated Notes issued by the Company and held by the Trust pursuant to the
Trust Financing. Accordingly, in such event, the holders will no longer be
entitled to receive the Treasury Notes and will instead have a claim against the
Company represented by the Subordinated Notes rather than any ownership interest
in the Treasury Notes. See "Description of Purchase Contracts--Termination" and
"Description of Subordinated Notes."
 
SUBORDINATION OF YIELD ENHANCEMENT PAYMENTS
 
     The Company's obligations with respect to Yield Enhancement Payments are
subordinate and junior in right of payment to all liabilities of the Company and
pari passu with the most senior preferred stock directly issued from time to
time, if any, by the Company. There are no terms in the Purchase Contract
Agreement or the Purchase Contracts that limit the Company's ability to incur
obligations that rank senior to the Yield Enhancement Payments.
 
RIGHT TO DEFER YIELD ENHANCEMENT PAYMENTS
 
     The Company may, at its option, defer the payment of Yield Enhancement
Payments (other than the portion constituting the Exchange Agreement Fee) until
the Final Settlement Date. However, deferred
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   24
 
installments of Yield Enhancement Payments will bear additional Yield
Enhancement Payments at the rate of        % per annum (compounding on each
succeeding Payment Date) until paid (such deferred installments of Yield
Enhancement Payments together with the additional Yield Enhancement Payments
shall be referred to herein as the "Deferred Yield Enhancement Payments"). If
the Purchase Contracts are settled early or terminated (upon the occurrence of
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to the
Company), the right to receive Yield Enhancement Payments, including the
Exchange Agreement Fee, and Deferred Yield Enhancement Payments will terminate.
 
     If the Company elects to defer the payment of Yield Enhancement Payments on
the Purchase Contracts until the Final Settlement Date, each holder will receive
on the Final Settlement Date, in lieu of a cash payment, that number of whole
shares of Class A Common Stock (in addition to a number of shares of Class A
Common Stock equal to the Settlement Rate) equal to (x) the aggregate amount of
Deferred Yield Enhancement Payments payable to a holder of Securities divided by
(y) the Applicable Market Value. See "Description of the Purchase
Contracts--Yield Enhancement Payments."
 
PURCHASE CONTRACT AGREEMENT NOT QUALIFIED UNDER TRUST INDENTURE ACT; LIMITED
OBLIGATIONS OF PURCHASE CONTRACT AGENT
 
     The Purchase Contract Agreement will not be qualified as an indenture under
the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), and the
Purchase Contract Agent will not be required to qualify as a trustee thereunder.
Accordingly, holders of the Securities will not have the benefits of the
protections of the Trust Indenture Act, except in the event of the exchange of
the Treasury Notes for the Subordinated Notes pursuant to the Exchange
Agreement. Under the terms of the Purchase Contract Agreement, the Purchase
Contract Agent will have only limited obligations to the holders of the
Securities. See "Certain Provisions of the Purchase Contract Agreement and the
Pledge Agreement--Information Concerning the Purchase Contract Agent".
 
INTERNATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE
 
     The Company is an international holding company and its assets consist
solely of investments in its subsidiaries and affiliated companies. As a result,
the Company's ability to meet its future financial obligations is dependent upon
the availability of cash flows from its United States and foreign subsidiaries
and affiliated companies (subject to applicable withholding taxes) through
dividends, intercompany advances, management fees and other payments. Similarly,
the Company's ability to pay dividends on the Class A Common Stock will be
limited as a result of its dependence upon the distribution of earnings of its
subsidiaries and affiliated companies. The Company's subsidiaries and affiliated
companies are under no obligation to pay dividends and, in the case of
Publishing, its principal United States subsidiaries and The Telegraph, are or
will be subject to statutory restrictions and restrictions in debt agreements
that may limit their ability to pay dividends. See "Restrictions in Debt
Agreements" below. Substantially all of the shares of the subsidiaries of the
Company have been pledged, or will be pledged pursuant to the Scheme and related
financing and the Southam Facility, to lenders of the Company. The portion of
the Company's indirect interest in Southam (19.5%) held through FDTH and
represented by its 50% interest in HTH has been pledged to lenders of Hollinger
Inc. The Company's right to participate in the distribution of assets of any
subsidiary or affiliated company upon its liquidation or reorganization will be
subject to the prior claims of the creditors of such subsidiary or affiliated
company, including trade creditors, except to the extent that the Company may
itself be a creditor with recognized claims against such subsidiary or
affiliated company.
 
GROWTH STRATEGY
 
     The Company's strategy is to achieve growth through acquisitions and
improvements in the cash flow and profitability of its newspapers, principally
through cost reductions. The Company's growth strategy presents risks inherent
in assessing the value, strengths and weaknesses of acquisition opportunities,
in evaluating the costs of new growth opportunities at existing operations and
in managing the numerous publications it has acquired and improving their
operating efficiency. While the Company believes that there are significant
numbers of potential acquisition candidates, the Company is unable to predict
the number or timing of future
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   25
 
acquisition opportunities or whether any such opportunities will meet the
Company's acquisition criteria or, if such acquisitions occur, whether the
Company will be able to achieve improved operating efficiencies or enhanced
profitability. While the Company continues to evaluate the feasibility of
increasing its equity interests in Fairfax and further increasing its equity
interest in Southam, there can be no assurance that the Company will be
successful in any such efforts or that any increase in its investments will have
a positive effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations. In
addition, there can be no assurance that the Company's planned purchase of the
Telegraph Minority Shares or the recent acquisition of the Power Shares will
have a positive effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations.
Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Company will continue to
experience the rate of growth that it has had in the past. In addition, the
Company's acquisition strategy is largely dependent on the Company's ability to
obtain additional debt or other financing on acceptable terms. See "Restrictions
in Debt Agreements", "Other Restrictive Arrangements" and "Substantial Leverage"
below.
 
RESTRICTIONS IN DEBT AGREEMENTS
 
     The instruments governing the terms of the principal indebtedness and
redeemable preferred stock of the Company and its principal subsidiaries contain
various covenants, events of default and other provisions that could limit the
flexibility of the Company. Such provisions include requirements to maintain
compliance with certain financial ratios, limitations on the ability of the
Company and certain of its subsidiaries to make acquisitions or investments
without the consent of the lenders and limitations on the ability of the
Company's principal subsidiaries to incur indebtedness, make dividend and other
payments to the Company and take certain other actions. In addition, such
indebtedness is secured by, among other things, pledges of the stock of the
Company's principal subsidiaries. See "Description of Certain Indebtedness and
Other Obligations."
 
     The amount available for the payment of dividends by the Company at any
time is a function of (i) restrictions in agreements binding the Company
limiting its ability to pay dividends and (ii) restrictions in agreements
binding the Company's subsidiaries limiting their ability to pay dividends to
the Company. As of March 31, 1996, after giving effect to the adjustments set
forth under "Capitalization," the total amount of funds that would be
unrestricted as to payment of dividends, management fees and other payments by
the Company under its debt instruments would have been (a) $       , without
giving effect to the Common Stock Offering, and (b) $       , if the Offering,
the Common Stock Offering and the Trust Financing are completed. In addition,
three of the Company's subsidiaries, Publishing, American Publishing (1991) Inc.
and FDTH, are parties to agreements that limit their respective abilities to pay
dividends to the Company.
 
OTHER RESTRICTIVE ARRANGEMENTS
 
     The Company's equity interests in The Telegraph, Southam and Fairfax are
held through intermediate English holding companies, DTH and FDTH, whose only
significant long-term assets are their direct or indirect interests in The
Telegraph, Southam and Fairfax. DTH and FDTH have outstanding preference shares
held by persons other than the Company and its affiliates (the "DTH Preference
Shares," the "FDTH Preference Shares," and, collectively, the "DTH and FDTH
Preference Shares") with an aggregate redemption amount of $227.1 million (as of
March 31, 1996) and which require the payment of quarterly dividends with a
current effective dividend cost of 5.5% per annum (after giving effect to
certain interest rate and currency exchange agreements). After giving effect to
the transaction described below, as of such date, approximately 30% of the
issued and outstanding FDTH Preference Shares are held by unrelated parties and
the remaining 70% of such preference shares are held by Argsub (as defined
below). In addition, DTH owns all 165,000,000 non-cumulative redeemable
preference shares of L1 per share issued by FDTH and 23,801,420 non-cumulative
redeemable preference shares of Cdn.$1 per share issued by FDTH which were
transferred by Hollinger Inc. to DTH pursuant to the HTH/FDTH Share Exchange
Agreement dated July 19, 1995 (the "HTH/FDTH Share Exchange Agreement"). All of
the outstanding DTH Preference Shares are held by unrelated parties.
 
     On December 29, 1995, DTH transferred all outstanding FDTH Preference
Shares which it then held (with an aggregate redemption amount of Cdn.$140
million ($102.8 million)) to a wholly owned English subsidiary ("Argsub") of
Argus Corporation Limited ("Argus"), a Canadian corporation all the voting stock
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   26
 
of which is indirectly owned or controlled by Mr. Black, in exchange for newly
issued preference shares (with an aggregate redemption amount of Cdn.$140
million ($102.8 million)) of such English subsidiary. Such preference shares
have terms substantially identical to those of the FDTH Preference Shares and
constitute the entire issued and outstanding preference share capital of such
subsidiary. Argus owns directly and indirectly approximately 31.3% of the common
shares of Hollinger Inc.
 
     The DTH Preference Shares are redeemable at the option of the holder at any
time on four days' notice at a redemption price discounted in accordance with an
agreed formula, and the FDTH Preference Shares and the DTH Preference Shares are
redeemable by the issuer or the holders on the fifth anniversary of their
issuance (May or June 1997, respectively), each five year anniversary thereafter
and at other prescribed times and in prescribed circumstances, including where
the consolidated debt of Hollinger Inc. is more than two times its consolidated
equity (the "Debt to Equity Ratio"). The Debt to Equity Ratio is affected by,
among other things, Hollinger Inc.'s consolidated results of operations, as well
as changes in the levels of consolidated debt of Hollinger Inc. and its
subsidiaries, including the Company. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that
Hollinger Inc. will be in compliance with the Debt to Equity Ratio as of any
future date. However, the Company has been informed by Hollinger Inc. that as of
March 31, 1996, Hollinger Inc. was in compliance with the Debt to Equity Ratio
at such date. See "Description of Certain Indebtedness and Other Obligations."
 
     Hollinger Inc. has indemnified the holders of the DTH and FDTH Preference
Shares and agreed to purchase these preference shares if DTH or FDTH fails to
pay the full amount of dividends or redemption prices on such shares and in
certain other events. The Company has entered into an agreement to compensate
Hollinger Inc. for any payments made by Hollinger Inc. to holders of the DTH and
FDTH Preference Shares and to purchase any DTH and FDTH Preference Shares which
Hollinger Inc. is required to purchase in accordance with the terms thereof. The
timing of any such payments by the Company to Hollinger Inc. will be determined
by Hollinger Inc. See "Description of Certain Indebtedness and Other
Obligations."
 
     Substantially all of the Company's indirect 19.5% equity interest in
Southam is held through HTH (18.8%), a Canadian corporation which is jointly
owned by FDTH and The Telegraph. The balance of the Company's indirect interest
in Southam is owned directly by FDTH (0.3%) and The Telegraph (0.3%). A
subsidiary of Hollinger Inc. holds the 21.5% equity interest in Southam formerly
held by Power. The shares representing FDTH's one-half interest in HTH are
subject to a pledge securing certain Hollinger Inc. debentures in the principal
amount of Cdn.$125 million due November 1, 1998 (the "Southam-Linked
Debentures"). In the event Hollinger Inc. does not deliver clear legal title to
such HTH shares on or prior to April 1, 1999, or upon demand by FDTH,
approximately one-half of the Company's indirect equity interest in Southam
would be subject to the rights of the holders of the Southam-Linked Debentures.
 
SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE
 
     The Company and its subsidiaries have substantial leverage and have
substantial debt service obligations as well as obligations under the Series A
Preferred Stock of the Company (which is convertible into shares of Class A
Common Stock) and redeemable preferred shares of its subsidiaries. Following
consummation of the Offering and the concurrent Common Stock Offering and Trust
Financing (and, if it is completed, the Debt Offering), the Company will
continue to be substantially leveraged and have substantial debt service
obligations. The instruments governing the terms of the principal indebtedness
and redeemable preferred stock of the Company, Publishing and its principal
United States and foreign subsidiaries contain various covenants, events of
default and other provisions that could limit the financial flexibility of the
Company, including the payment of dividends with respect to outstanding Common
Stock and Preferred Stock and the implementation of its growth strategy.
 
     Since 1986 the Company, principally through its subsidiaries, has incurred
substantial indebtedness principally to fund its newspaper acquisitions and
capital expenditures. At March 31, 1996, after giving effect to the Offering and
the concurrent Common Stock Offering and Trust Financing, the Company's
consolidated adjusted total debt, redeemable preferred stock, minority interest
and stockholders' equity would have been $870.6 million, $556.5 million, nil and
$570.2 million, respectively, and total debt and redeemable preferred stock
would represent approximately 71.5% of its total capitalization. See
"Capitalization." At March 31,
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   27
 
1996, after giving effect to the Offering, the Trust Financing and the Common
Stock Offering, Publishing could have borrowed $       million under existing
debt arrangements, of which $       million could have been borrowed by
Publishing's subsidiaries. The Company or a subsidiary also plans to issue
approximately $325.0 million principal amount of debt securities in the Debt
Offering after completion of this Offering, subject to market conditions and
other factors. The Company anticipates that it will use proceeds from the Debt
Offering to repay a portion of the bank indebtedness incurred in connection with
the acquisition of the Telegraph Minority Shares pursuant to the Scheme.
 
     The substantial leveraged position of the Company could make it vulnerable
to a downturn in the operating performance of its business or a downturn in
economic conditions and could have the following consequences: (i) the Company's
ability to obtain additional debt financing on attractive terms for corporate or
other purposes, including the financing of future acquisitions, may be limited;
(ii) the funds available to the Company for its operations and for dividends on
its Common Stock may be reduced as a result of the use of an increased portion
of available cash flow to pay debt service; (iii) certain of the Company's
borrowings are and will continue to be at variable rates of interest, which
could result in higher interest expenses in the event of increases in interest
rates; and (iv) such indebtedness and outstanding redeemable preferred stock
contain financial and restrictive covenants (including certain change of control
provisions related to Hollinger Inc.'s control of the Company), the failure to
comply with which may result in an event of default which, if not cured or
waived, could have a material adverse effect on the Company. See "Restrictions
in Debt Agreements" and "Other Restrictive Arrangements" above and "Description
of Certain Indebtedness and Other Obligations."
 
     On February 7, 1996, Publishing completed a public offering of $250 million
principal amount of 9 1/4% senior subordinated notes due February 1, 2006 (the
"Notes") priced at par (the "Notes Offering"). Payment of the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on the Notes is guaranteed by the Company on an
unsecured senior subordinated basis. Concurrently with the Notes Offering,
Publishing entered into a credit agreement with two banks (the "Publishing
Credit Facility"). See "Description of Certain Indebtedness and Other
Obligations."
 
     In May 1996, Publishing entered into an amended and restated credit
agreement (the "Amended Publishing Credit Facility") with certain lenders, which
consists of a secured, non-amortizing revolving credit facility with a maximum
of $125 million of available credit to be used to finance Publishing's
acquisition of newly-issued Telegraph ordinary shares. The Telegraph will apply
the proceeds of this issuance to repay a portion of its outstanding bank
indebtedness, and FDTH entered into a credit agreement (the "FDTH Credit
Facility") with certain lenders, which consists of a secured, non-amortizing
revolving credit facility with a maximum of L250 million of available credit to
be used to finance FDTH's acquisition of a portion of the Telegraph Minority
Shares pursuant to the Scheme.
 
     In addition, Publishing Holdings and the Company entered into a securities
purchase agreement (the "Publishing Holdings Note Facility") with a purchaser
which relates to $100 million aggregate principal amount of Publishing Holdings
Senior Secured Increasing Rate Exchangeable Notes (the "Publishing Holdings
Notes"). However, so long as the Company raises at least $100 million of
proceeds in the Offering or the Trust Financing prior to the consummation of the
Scheme, the Publishing Holdings Note Facility will be terminated and the
Publishing Holdings Notes will not be issued. In the event that any Publishing
Holdings Notes are issued (and not refinanced with the proceeds of the Common
Stock Offering or the Trust Financing), the proceeds of such issuance would be
loaned to FDTH to finance the acquisition by FDTH of a portion of the Telegraph
Minority Shares.
 
     The Company also entered into the Southam Facility with a Canadian bank in
May 1996, which consists of a secured, non-amortizing credit facility guaranteed
by Hollinger Inc. and three of its subsidiaries in the amount of Cdn.$300
million and which was used for the purchase of the Power Shares of Southam and
is secured by such shares. See "Description of Certain Indebtedness and Other
Obligations."
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   28
 
CONTROL BY HOLLINGER INC. AND DISPROPORTIONATE VOTING RIGHTS
 
     Hollinger Inc. owns 33,610,754 Shares of the Class A Common Stock and all
of the outstanding shares of the Class B Common Stock, constituting
approximately 66.5% of the combined equity interest in the Company and
approximately 88.2% of the combined voting power of the Common Stock (without
giving effect to any conversion of Series A Preferred Stock into shares of Class
A Common Stock). Hollinger Inc. is effectively controlled by Mr. Black, Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Hollinger Inc. and the Company,
through his direct and indirect ownership and control of Hollinger Inc.'s
securities. Upon consummation of the Common Stock Offering, Hollinger Inc. will
own shares of Common Stock representing approximately 56.5% of the combined
equity interest and approximately 83.1% of the combined voting power (without
giving effect to the issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock upon conversion
of Series A Preferred Stock or in connection with the PRIDES) of the outstanding
Common Stock (55.2% and 82.3%, respectively, if the underwriters' over-allotment
options in the Common Stock Offering are exercised in full), and 44.4% and
75.1%, respectively, upon the issuance of up to approximately 21,500,000 shares
of Class A Common Stock in connection with the PRIDES. As a result, Hollinger
Inc. is in a position to control the outcome of substantially all actions
requiring stockholder approval, including the election of the entire Board of
Directors. The retention by Hollinger Inc. of securities representing more than
50% of the voting power of the Company's outstanding Common Stock will preclude
any acquisition of control of the Company not favored by Hollinger Inc. Subject
to the fiduciary responsibilities of the directors of the Company to all
stockholders and the terms of agreements defining the ongoing relationships
between Hollinger Inc. and the Company, Hollinger Inc., through its ability to
control the outcome of any election of directors, will continue to be able to
direct management policy, strategic direction and financial decisions of the
Company. Mr. Black has advised the Company that Hollinger Inc. does not
presently intend to reduce its voting power in the Company's outstanding Common
Stock to less than 50%. Furthermore, Mr. Black has advised the Company that he
does not presently intend to reduce his voting control over Hollinger Inc. such
that a third party would be able to exercise effective control over it.
 
     Hollinger Inc. may sell or transfer shares of Class B Common Stock, and
thus potentially voting control of the Company, to an unaffiliated third person
provided such purchaser or transferee offers to purchase all shares of Class A
Common Stock from the holders thereof for an amount per share equal to the
amount per share received by Hollinger Inc. for the Class B Common Stock.
Hollinger Inc. has pledged all shares of Common Stock and Series A Preferred
Stock owned by it to Canadian chartered banks as collateral for outstanding
indebtedness of Hollinger Inc. and the Southam Facility. A default under such
indebtedness could result in a change of control of the Company. See
"Description of Capital Stock."
 
NEWSPAPER INDUSTRY COMPETITION
 
     Revenues in the newspaper industry are dependent primarily upon advertising
revenues and paid circulation. Competition for advertising and circulation
revenue comes from local and regional newspapers, radio, broadcast and cable
television, direct mail, and other communications and advertising media that
operate in the Company's markets. The extent and nature of such competition is,
in large part, determined by the location and demographics of the markets and
the number of media alternatives in those markets. Some of the Company's
competitors are larger and have greater financial resources than the Company.
For example, in the Chicago metropolitan area, the Chicago Sun-Times competes
with a large established metropolitan daily and Sunday newspaper that is the
fifth largest metropolitan daily and Sunday newspaper in the United States. In
the United Kingdom, The Daily Telegraph competes with other national newspapers,
principally The Times, which over the past two years substantially reduced its
cover price in an effort to increase its circulation. This strategy led The
Daily Telegraph to reduce its weekday cover prices in June 1994 in order to
maintain its circulation levels, although its circulation revenues were
adversely affected. In July 1995 and November 1995 The Daily Telegraph,
following the lead of its principal competitor, increased its weekday cover
price by a total of 10p per copy, or 33%, with limited effect on circulation
levels to date. In June 1996, The Times reduced its cover price to 10p on
Mondays only, as part of its "summer sport promotion." To promote its "summer of
sport," The Daily Telegraph launched a 12-week voucher promotion beginning
Saturday, June 8 enabling readers to redeem vouchers to purchase The Daily
Telegraph on Mondays for 10p.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   29
 
CYCLICALITY OF REVENUES
 
     Advertising and, to a lesser extent, circulation revenues of the Company,
as well as those of the newspaper industry in general, are cyclical and
dependent upon general economic conditions. Historically, increases in
advertising revenues have corresponded with economic recoveries while decreases,
as well as changes in the mix of advertising, have corresponded with general
economic downturns and regional and local economic recessions. The Company
believes, however, that the geographic diversity of its global operations may
mitigate, to some degree, the effects of an economic downturn in any particular
market served by the Company.
 
NEWSPRINT COSTS
 
     Newsprint represents the single largest raw material expense of the
Company's newspapers throughout the world and is one of its most significant
operating costs. Newsprint costs increased approximately 40% per metric ton in
1995 on an industry-wide basis, and the average cost per metric ton of newsprint
was substantially higher in the first quarter of 1996 than in the first quarter
of 1995. While the major newsprint producers recently rescinded their previous
planned price increase, any future increases could have an adverse effect on the
Company's results of operations. Although the Company has implemented measures
in an attempt to offset the rise in newsprint prices, such as reducing page
width and managing its return policy, such increases have had an adverse effect
on the Company's results of operations. The Company has no effective ability to
use long term fixed price newsprint supply contracts to hedge its exposure to
price fluctuations.
 
FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES
 
     Operations outside of the United States accounted for approximately 42% of
the Company's operating revenues and approximately 42% of the Company's
operating income for the year ended December 31, 1995 and approximately 43.9% of
operating revenues and approximately 72.7% of operating income for the three
months ended March 31, 1996. In addition, equity in earnings of affiliates
(principally Fairfax and Southam) are in foreign currencies. In general, the
Company does not hedge against foreign currency exchange rate risks. As a
result, the Company may experience economic loss and a negative impact on
earnings with respect to its investments and on dividends from its foreign
subsidiaries, solely as a result of currency exchange rate fluctuations.
 
DIVIDEND POLICY
 
     The Company has paid quarterly dividends on its Common Stock since the
third quarter of 1994. The quarterly dividend was previously $0.025 per share of
Common Stock and was increased to $0.10 per share of Common Stock in the first
quarter of 1996. As an international holding company, the Company's ability to
declare and pay dividends in the future with respect to its Common Stock will be
dependent, among other factors, upon its results of operations, financial
condition and cash requirements, the ability of its United States and foreign
subsidiaries (principally The Telegraph) to pay dividends and make other
payments to the Company under applicable law and subject to restrictions
contained in existing and future loan agreements, the preference share terms and
other financing obligations to third parties relating to such United States or
foreign subsidiaries or the Company, as well as foreign and United States tax
liabilities with respect to dividends and other payments from those entities.
See "International Holding Company Structure," "Restrictions in Debt Agreements"
and "Other Restrictive Agreements" above and "Market Prices and Dividend
Policy."
 
LIMITATIONS ON CONTROL OF THE TELEGRAPH, SOUTHAM AND FAIRFAX
 
     Telegraph. Hollinger Inc. is also a party to a Co-operation Agreement with
The Telegraph which restricts members of the Hollinger Inc. group (other than
The Telegraph and its subsidiaries), from engaging in media businesses in the
European Community, Australia or New Zealand, except through their holding of
shares in The Telegraph, without The Telegraph's prior consent. In addition, The
Telegraph and its subsidiaries are not permitted to engage in media businesses
in North America, the Caribbean and Israel
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   30
 
without Hollinger Inc.'s prior consent. Hollinger Inc. has also undertaken in
the Co-operation Agreement to refrain from exercising any voting rights under
its control in The Telegraph on any proposal to change the corporate governance
provisions of the Articles of Association. This agreement may be rescinded or
modified if agreed to by the Company's and The Telegraph's Board of Directors.
 
     Southam Joint Venture.  The terms of the joint venture between The
Telegraph and Hollinger Inc. (to which the Company is bound) relating to the
joint investment of FDTH and The Telegraph in Southam through HTH, a Canadian
holding company owned equally by the Company and The Telegraph, restrict each
party's ability to deal both with the underlying shares of Southam held by HTH
and with their own interests in HTH. The parties may pledge their interests in
HTH to secure financing, so long as the lender agrees to be bound by the terms
of the joint venture agreement. FDTH's 50% interest in HTH has been pledged to
secure the Southam-Linked Debentures and The Telegraph's 50% interest in HTH has
been pledged under the FDTH Credit Facility.
 
     Southam.  Southam is a constrained share corporation under the Canada
Business Corporations Act. The general effects of its constrained share status
are to restrict the holding or ownership of its shares by non-Canadians, either
individually or in the aggregate, within limits set from time to time by the
Board of Directors (which is currently set at 25%); to prevent the issue or
transfer of its shares in circumstances where these limits would be exceeded;
and to limit the voting rights attached to its shares in circumstances where
these limits are exceeded. Because 18.9% of the Company's indirect 19.5%
interest in Southam is held by HTH, a Canadian corporation which is controlled
directly or indirectly by Hollinger Inc., a Canadian corporation, and a wholly
owned Canadian subsidiary of Hollinger Inc. currently holds a 21.5% interest,
Southam's constrained share provisions should not restrict the Company's or
Hollinger Inc.'s investment in Southam.
 
     Hollinger Inc. and Southam entered into an agreement in January 1993 that
provides, among other things, that: (i) a majority of directors on the board of
directors of Southam and each board committee must be independent of Hollinger
Inc. and Southam's management; (ii) Hollinger Inc. is entitled to representation
on the Southam board of directors proportionate to its shareholding and (iii)
independent director and, in certain cases, shareholder approvals are required
for major transactions between Hollinger Inc. and Southam. This agreement
remains in effect as long as Hollinger Inc. owns at least 15% of the then
outstanding common shares in the capital of Southam and ceases to have effect if
Hollinger Inc. becomes the majority shareholder of Southam and could be modified
or cancelled by mutual agreement between Hollinger Inc. and the Board of
Directors of Southam. Following a request by Hollinger Inc., Southam has
scheduled a special shareholders meeting for July 22, 1996 to consider the
election of five new directors proposed by Hollinger Inc. to replace five of the
existing directors of Southam.
 
     Fairfax.  The Telegraph is the single largest shareholder of Fairfax, a
publicly owned company, but its ownership is currently limited under Australian
law to 25% of Fairfax's issued capital. While The Telegraph has no contractual
entitlement to board representation, it is closely involved in the management of
Fairfax and is able to exert significant influence over the financial and
operating policy decisions of Fairfax.
 
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
 
     The Company and Hollinger Inc. have entered into agreements for the purpose
of defining their ongoing relationships, including a Services Agreement (to
which Publishing is also a party) and a Business Opportunities Agreement. These
agreements were developed in the context of a parent-subsidiary relationship
and, therefore, were not the result of arms-length negotiations between
independent parties. See "Certain Relationships."
 
     Services Agreement.  The Services Agreement governs the provision by
Hollinger Inc. of certain advisory, consultative, procurement and administrative
services to the Company. The Services Agreement also contemplates that the
Company may provide services to Hollinger Inc. The services to be provided
pursuant to the Services Agreement include, among other things, strategic advice
and planning and financial services (including advice and assistance with
respect to acquisitions); assistance in operational matters; participation in
group insurance programs; and guarantees of indebtedness of the Company or other
forms of credit
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   31
 
enhancements. The party receiving the services will reimburse the party
rendering the services for its allocable costs in providing those services, as
determined by the provider thereof or, in the case of a guarantee, for an amount
equal to the cost to the party of obtaining a bank letter of credit in the
amount of such guarantee. The party allocating its costs will consider the
salaries or other compensation payable to directors, officers and employees
actually providing services, out-of-pocket costs, the cost of obtaining
substantially equivalent services from a third party and other factors as may be
deemed appropriate. The Services Agreement will be in effect for so long as
Hollinger Inc. holds at least 50% of the voting power of the Company, subject to
termination by either party under certain specified circumstances. Payments made
pursuant to the Services Agreement are subject to the review and approval of the
Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
     In addition, Hollinger Inc. and The Telegraph are parties to a separate
services agreement under which The Telegraph bears two-thirds of the cost of the
office of the Chairman incurred by Hollinger Inc. as long as Mr. Black remains
Chairman of the Board of The Telegraph, and requires that other services will be
provided at cost, including the arrangement of insurance, assistance in the
arrangement of financing and assistance and advice on acquisitions, dispositions
and joint venture arrangements. The Company anticipates that the total amount to
be received by Hollinger Inc. under the Services Agreement and The Telegraph
services agreement will increase from approximately $5 million in 1995 to
approximately $8.4 million in 1996. See "Certain Relationships." Hollinger Inc.
has assigned its rights and obligations under The Telegraph services agreement
to the Company and Publishing on May 9, 1996 with the consent of The Telegraph.
 
     Business Opportunities.  The Business Opportunities Agreement provides that
the Company will be Hollinger Inc.'s principal vehicle for engaging in and
effecting acquisitions in newspaper businesses and in related media businesses
in the United States, Israel and, through The Telegraph, the Telegraph
Territory. Hollinger Inc. has reserved to itself the ability to pursue newspaper
and all media acquisition opportunities outside the United States, Israel and
the Telegraph Territory, and media acquisition opportunities unrelated to the
newspaper business in the United States, Israel and the Telegraph Territory,
except that the Company is permitted to increase its indirect investment in
Southam. The Business Opportunities Agreement does not restrict newspaper
companies in which Hollinger Inc. has a minority investment from acquiring
newspaper or media businesses in the United States, Israel or the Telegraph
Territory, nor does it restrict subsidiaries of Hollinger Inc. from acquiring up
to 20% interests in publicly held newspaper businesses in the United States. The
Business Opportunities Agreement will be in effect for so long as Hollinger Inc.
holds at least 50% of the voting power of the Company, subject to termination by
either party under specified circumstances.
 
     Continuing Agreements Relating to the Reorganization.  In connection with
the Company's October 1995 Reorganization, Hollinger Inc. and the Company
entered into the Share Exchange Agreement (the "Share Exchange Agreement").
Under the Share Exchange Agreement, Hollinger Inc. and the Company have agreed
that if the Company proposes to effect a public offering of its equity or
equity-linked securities for cash, or to issue equity-linked securities in any
acquisition by the Company of the stock or assets of an unrelated corporation or
entity, at any time during the 24 months following the closing date of such
agreement, the Company's efforts to raise capital through such offering shall
have priority over any proposal by Hollinger Inc. to effect a public offering or
sale of the Company's equity securities by Hollinger Inc., unless a majority of
the disinterested members of an Independent Committee of the Company's Board of
Directors shall otherwise agree. For these purposes, an "Independent Committee"
means a committee of the Company's Board the majority of the members of which
are not employees or directors of Hollinger Inc. or employees of the Company, or
another committee of the Company's Board whose membership satisfies any more
restrictive requirements of independence of any securities exchange or market in
which the Company's equity securities are traded or listed. If during such
period Hollinger Inc. proposes to sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of
Series A Preferred Stock (other than certain transfers to Hollinger Inc.
subsidiaries or affiliates and pledges) or to offer or sell publicly any shares
of Class A Common Stock held by it or its affiliates, it shall first consult
with the Independent Committee so as not to interfere with any planned capital
market activities of the Company to be undertaken within this period.
 
     The Share Exchange Agreement includes a covenant by Hollinger Inc. to limit
the exercise of its redemption rights as a holder of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock to a number of shares proportionate to the
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   32
 
number of HTH shares or Southam common shares that at the time of such exercise
have been delivered to FDTH free and clear of encumbrances. The Company also
agreed that so long as any of the HTH shares are subject to the pledge under the
Southam-Linked Debentures, the Company will use reasonable commercial efforts
not to take any action, without the consent of Hollinger Inc., which itself
would constitute an event of default by Hollinger Inc. under the trust indenture
relating to the Southam-Linked Debentures. Hollinger Inc. has agreed to deliver
to FDTH legal title to the HTH shares free and clear of pledges, liens or
encumbrances other than certain permitted encumbrances.
 
     Under the agreement between the Company and Hollinger Inc. with respect to
the DTH and FDTH Preference Shares (the "DTH/FDTH Preference Share Agreement"),
the Company has agreed to compensate Hollinger Inc. for any payments made by
Hollinger Inc. to holders of the DTH and FDTH Preference Shares and to purchase
any DTH and FDTH Preference Shares which Hollinger Inc. is required to purchase
in accordance with the terms thereof. The timing of any such payments by the
Company to Hollinger Inc. will be determined by Hollinger Inc. See "Description
of Certain Indebtedness and Other Obligations."
 
     Registration Rights Agreements.  In connection with the Reorganization,
Hollinger Inc. entered into a letter agreement dated October 13, 1995 with a
Canadian bank as amended on May 24, 1996 in connection with the Southam
Facility, pursuant to which Hollinger Inc. has agreed that, in the event that
Hollinger Inc. or the Company is in default under any present or future
indebtedness and the bank intends to effect foreclosure upon such securities or
to exercise its power of sale rights under any applicable security documents,
Hollinger Inc. will, at the written request of the bank, use its reasonable best
efforts to cause the Company to effect the registration under the Securities Act
of all or part of such securities and the shares of Class A Common Stock into
which certain of such securities are convertible (but not less than 5,000,000
shares of Class A Common Stock), unless certain exemptions from the registration
provisions of the Securities Act are applicable. Hollinger Inc. has further
agreed to pay all registration expenses (other than any underwriting discounts
or commissions) in connection with such a registration. Hollinger Inc.'s
undertakings in such letter agreement are subject to Hollinger Inc.'s
obligations under the Share Exchange Agreement (including those described above)
and were modified by a subsequent registration rights agreement described below.
 
     Hollinger Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a registration
rights agreement with certain Canadian lenders as of February 29, 1996, as
amended on May 24, 1996 in connection with the Southam Facility. The agreement
provides that Hollinger Inc. will use its reasonable best efforts to cause the
Company to, and the Company agrees to, effect a "shelf registration" under the
Securities Act of the shares of Class A Common Stock pledged under credit
facilities with such banks at the earliest possible date, but, in any case, not
later than May 29, 1996. In connection with such registration, Hollinger Inc.
will pay all registration expenses (other than any underwriting discounts or
commissions), and all other selling expenses incurred by the lenders will be
borne by Hollinger Inc. and the Company. In accordance with the registration
rights agreement, a shelf registration statement was filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on May 29, 1996, but has not yet been declared
effective. The registration rights agreement also provides that with respect to
the shares of Class B Common Stock and the Series A Preferred Stock the
registration rights undertaking by Hollinger Inc. pursuant to the letter
agreement described above shall remain in full force and effect.
 
     As indicated above, the registration rights agreements described above were
amended on May 24, 1996 in connection with the Southam Facility. In addition to
any changes to the registration rights agreements reflected above, the principal
effects of the May 24, 1996 amendment were (i) to make the Company a party to
each of the registration rights agreements, (ii) to provide that the
registration undertakings set forth in the registration rights agreements apply
to any default under any indebtedness of Hollinger Inc. or the Company to the
Canadian bank and the Canadian lenders secured by a pledge of the Company's
securities, including the Southam Facility, (iii) to reflect that 7,539,028
shares of Class A Common Stock and the 14,990,000 shares of Class B Common Stock
held by Hollinger Inc. were pledged to the lenders in connection with the
Southam Facility and (iv) to require that the shelf registration statement filed
with the Commission on May 29, 1996 be amended within 60 days of May 24, 1996 to
reflect that such registration statement extends to the 7,539,028 shares of
Class A Common Stock pledged to the lenders in connection with the Southam
Facility.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   33
 
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
     The shares of Class A Common Stock owned by Hollinger Inc., the shares of
Class A Common Stock into which Hollinger Inc.'s Class B Common Stock are
convertible, and the shares of Class A Common Stock into which the Series A
Preferred Stock owned by Hollinger Inc. are convertible, will qualify for sale
by Hollinger Inc. in distributions registered under the Securities Act, or in
transactions exempt from registration thereunder, subject to Hollinger Inc.'s
agreement with the representatives of the Underwriters not to offer, sell,
contract to sell or otherwise dispose of such shares (or securities convertible
into or exchangeable or exercisable for such shares) for 90 days after the date
of this Prospectus, without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated. See "Underwriting." In addition, shares of Class A
Common Stock will be issued in connection with the PRIDES and the Company may
finance a portion of the cost of future newspaper acquisitions through
additional issuances of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities. The
Company also has granted stock options to executives and key employees of the
Company to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock. Sales of substantial amounts
of Class A Common Stock, or the perception that such sales could occur, could
adversely affect prevailing market prices for the Class A Common Stock and could
impair the Company's future ability to raise capital through an offering of
equity securities.
 
ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The Company is authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, in
one or more series, and to designate the rights, preferences, limitations and
restrictions of and upon shares of each series. In connection with the
Reorganization, 739,500 shares of Series A Preferred Stock were issued to
Hollinger Inc. Such shares are non-voting, are redeemable by the Company or the
holder under certain circumstances and are convertible into Class A Common Stock
by the holder at an initial conversion price of the Canadian dollar equivalent
of $14 per share. In general, the effects of the issuance of any other series of
preferred stock upon the rights of holders of Class A Common Stock may include,
among other things, restricting dividends on the Class A Common Stock, diluting
the voting power of the Class A Common Stock or impairing liquidation rights of
such shares without further action by holders of Class A Common Stock. See
"Description of Capital Stock."
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   34
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
OVERVIEW
 
     The Company, through subsidiaries and affiliated companies, is a leading
publisher of English-language newspapers in the United States, the United
Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Israel. Included among the 131 paid daily
newspapers which the Company owns or has an interest in are the Chicago
Sun-Times and The Daily Telegraph. These 131 newspapers have a world-wide daily
combined circulation of approximately 4,300,000 (including 2,100,000
attributable to the publications in which the Company has a minority equity
interest). In addition, the Company owns or has an interest in 379 non-daily
newspapers as well as magazines and other publications. The Company's strategy
is to achieve growth through acquisitions and improvements in the cash flow and
profitability of its newspapers, principally through cost reductions. Since the
Company's formation in 1986, the existing senior management team has acquired
over 410 newspapers and related publications (net of dispositions) in the United
States, The Telegraph in the United Kingdom and Jerusalem Post in Israel, and
has made significant investments in newspapers in Australia and Canada. Over
this period, the Company has achieved substantial growth in revenues to $965.0
million in 1995 and realized significant improvements in operating efficiencies
at its newspapers.
 
     The operations of the Company consist of its United States Newspaper Group
and its International Newspaper Group, which accounted for 58.0% and 42.0%,
respectively, of the Company's total operating revenues of $965.0 million for
the year ended December 31, 1995 and for 56.1% and 43.9%, respectively, of the
Company's total operating revenues of $253.9 million for the three months ended
March 31, 1996. The Company also owns equity investments in newspaper publishing
companies in Australia and Canada which contributed approximately $16.4 million
to the Company's earnings before taxes in 1995 and approximately $3.4 million in
the first three months of 1996.
 
     See "Recent Developments" for information concerning the pending proposal
of the Company to acquire the ordinary shares of The Telegraph not presently
controlled by the Company, the recent acquisition of additional common shares of
Southam, recent United States newspaper acquisitions and other developments.
 
     UNITED STATES NEWSPAPER GROUP. The Company is the largest newspaper
publishing group in the United States, as measured by paid daily newspapers
owned and operated, and one of the twelve largest in terms of daily circulation.
The Company's United States operations consist of its Chicago Group, led by the
Chicago Sun-Times, the eighth largest circulation metropolitan daily newspaper
in the United States, and its Community Newspaper Group, consisting of 336
newspapers and related publications. As of March 31, 1996, the Company published
a total of 410 newspapers and related publications in the United States
consisting of 105 daily newspapers with a total paid circulation of
approximately 1,200,000, 141 paid non-daily newspapers with a combined paid
circulation of approximately 1,200,000, and 164 free circulation publications
with a combined circulation of approximately 2,500,000, and a total combined
circulation of approximately 4,900,000. The Community Newspaper Group also
includes, for accounting and management purposes, the Company's wholly-owned
subsidiary which publishes The Jerusalem Post, Israel's only English-language
daily newspaper, with a paid daily circulation of approximately 17,000. The
related weekend edition of The Jerusalem Post and English and French-language
international weekly editions have paid circulations of approximately 37,600,
47,000 and 3,900, respectively. The Chicago Group and the Community Newspaper
Group accounted for 30.9% and 25.2%, respectively, of the Company's total
operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 1996.
 
     The Community Newspaper Group's daily newspapers have been published on
average for almost 100 years and are typically the only paid daily newspapers of
general circulation in their respective communities. In addition, the Community
Newspaper Group publishes weekly paid newspapers and Sunday editions of a number
of paid dailies which are typically the only paid non-daily newspapers of
general circulation serving their communities. Generally, the Company's daily
and non-daily community newspapers combine news, sports and features with
special emphasis on local information and provide one of the primary sources of
such community information for the towns in which they are distributed. The
Company also publishes free circulation publications in these communities,
including shoppers, with limited or no news or
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   35
 
editorial content. As a group, these publications provide the Company with a
stable and established circulation within the communities they serve, which it
believes provides an effective medium for advertisers to reach a significant
portion of the households in these communities.
 
     INTERNATIONAL NEWSPAPER GROUP. The Company's International Newspaper Group
consists of its majority owned subsidiary, The Telegraph, and minority equity
investments in Fairfax and Southam. Upon consummation of the Scheme (described
below under "Recent Developments"), the Company will own 100% of The Telegraph.
The Telegraph publishes The Daily Telegraph, the leading quality (or broadsheet)
newspaper in the United Kingdom. The Telegraph also publishes The Sunday
Telegraph, The Weekly Telegraph, the Electronic Telegraph and The Spectator
magazine. The Daily Telegraph is the largest circulation quality daily newspaper
in the United Kingdom with an average daily circulation of approximately
1,044,000 representing a 38.5% share of the quality daily newspaper market. The
Daily Telegraph's Saturday edition has the highest average daily circulation
(1,196,000) among quality daily newspapers in the United Kingdom. The Sunday
Telegraph is the second largest circulation quality Sunday newspaper in the
United Kingdom with an average Sunday circulation of approximately 663,000. See
"Recent Developments" below.
 
     The Company has less than a majority equity investment in Fairfax, a
publicly traded Australian newspaper and magazine publisher with fiscal 1995
revenues of A$944.5 million ($699.0 million), and Southam, a publicly traded
Canadian newspaper publisher with 1995 revenues of Cdn.$1,022.3 million ($744.6
million). Fairfax is one of Australia's largest newspaper publishing companies
with seven daily newspapers (with a total paid circulation of approximately
654,000), 34 non-daily newspapers and 29 magazines. Fairfax's principal
publications are the leading quality newspapers in Australia's two largest
cities, The Sydney Morning Herald (circulation approximately 253,000) and The
Age (Melbourne--circulation approximately 215,000), and Australia's only
business newspaper, The Australian Financial Review (national--circulation
approximately 82,000). The Telegraph is the largest shareholder of Fairfax, with
an approximate 24.7% interest. The maximum currently permitted under Australian
foreign ownership rules is 25%. Southam is Canada's largest publisher of daily
newspapers with 17 daily newspapers and 33 non-daily newspapers with a total
daily circulation of approximately 1,400,000 (representing approximately 28% of
the average daily circulation in Canada). Southam's principal publications
include The Gazette (Montreal), The Ottawa Citizen, the Calgary Herald, The
Vancouver Sun, The Province (Vancouver) and The Edmonton Journal. The Company
and The Telegraph indirectly hold an approximate 19.5% voting interest in
Southam and a Canadian subsidiary of Hollinger Inc. currently holds an
approximate 21.5% interest in Southam.
 
     GENERAL.  The Company was incorporated in the State of Delaware on December
28, 1990 and has its executive offices at 401 North Wabash Avenue, Chicago,
Illinois 60611, telephone number (312) 321-2999.
 
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
     THE TELEGRAPH.  On April 24, 1996, the Boards of Directors of the Company
and The Telegraph announced a recommended proposal by the Company to acquire all
of the Telegraph Minority Shares pursuant to the Scheme. The consideration to be
paid to the holders of The Telegraph Minority Shares would consist of (i) a cash
payment of L5.60 per share ($8.68 based on the Noon Buying Rate) per share; (ii)
a special cash dividend of 10p ($0.15 based on the Noon Buying Rate); (iii) a
contingent cash payment to be made by FDTH if The Telegraph's approximate 25%
interest in Fairfax is sold within two years at a price in excess of a specified
amount; and (iv) an option to purchase new preference shares of The Telegraph,
each as more fully described below. In addition, outstanding Telegraph options,
to the extent permitted by their terms, will become vested and paid in cash as
part of the Scheme. The total consideration payable by the Company (including
the special dividend to be paid to the holders of the Telegraph Minority Shares
and the net amount payable in respect of outstanding Telegraph options but not
the contingent cash payment) is estimated at approximately $453 million, based
on the Noon Buying Rate. The acquisition will be effected by means of the Scheme
under Section 425 of the Companies Act 1985 of Great Britain. As a result, The
Telegraph would become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The independent
directors of The Telegraph and their independent financial advisors have
recommended approval of the Scheme. On May 31, 1996, information circulars about
the Scheme and ancillary matters were mailed to holders of ordinary shares of
The Telegraph
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   36
 
and option holders in connection with meetings scheduled for June 26, 1996.
Consummation of the Scheme will require the approval of a majority in number,
representing three-fourths in value, of the holders of Telegraph Minority Shares
present and voting at meetings of The Telegraph's shareholders, as well as the
approval of an English court. Upon approval by the requisite majority of holders
of Telegraph Minority Shares, the Scheme will be submitted to an English court
for approval at a hearing scheduled for July 24, 1996. It is expected that the
Scheme, if approved, would become effective on July 31, 1996 and payment of the
cash consideration to holders of Telegraph Minority Shares and the special
dividend to all holders of Telegraph shares (including Company subsidiaries)
would be made on or about August 8, 1996.
 
     The Company has entered into definitive agreements with certain financial
institutions for short-term bank credit facilities and bridge financing in the
aggregate amount of approximately $600 million to provide the necessary
financing for the Scheme and to repay outstanding bank indebtedness of The
Telegraph. See "Description of Certain Indebtedness and Other Obligations" and
"Description of PRIDES Offering and Trust Financing."
 
     Upon completion of the Scheme, The Telegraph will pay a special dividend of
10p per share in place of its normal interim dividend of about half that amount.
In lieu of an immediate cash payment, the holders of the Telegraph Minority
Shares outside of the United States, Canada and Australia will be entitled to
elect to receive payments under the Scheme over time through a loan note due
2001 guaranteed by a financial institution as an alternative to some or all of
the cash consideration. The holders of the Telegraph Minority Shares will be
entitled to receive a further cash payment if The Telegraph's approximate 25%
interest in Fairfax is sold prior to the second anniversary of the effective
date of the Scheme (which is expected to be July 31, 1996) at a price (net of
any tax incurred in the disposal or distribution of disposal proceeds and any
reasonable costs of the Company associated with the disposal of certain Fairfax
shares, the distribution of the proceeds of such disposal, and the satisfaction
by FDTH of the contingent cash payment) in excess of A$3.00 per share. Since the
holders of Telegraph Minority Shares own in the aggregate approximately 36% of
the outstanding ordinary shares of The Telegraph, they would be entitled to
receive approximately 36% of the aggregate net proceeds of such a disposal of
Fairfax shares, payable to them pro rata on the basis of the minority holder's
interests in The Telegraph as of the effective date of the Scheme. The closing
market price of the ordinary shares of Fairfax was A$2.90 per share on April 23,
1996, the date prior to the announcement of the proposal to purchase the
Telegraph Minority Shares. The holders of the Telegraph Minority Shares also
will receive a Purchase Option, exercisable on the second anniversary of the
effective date of the Scheme (the "Purchase Date"), to purchase that number of
new preference shares of The Telegraph as will provide each shareholder with at
least the same percentage of voting rights of The Telegraph as each shareholder
held prior to the Scheme becoming effective, for a cash exercise price of L16.80
per new preference share. FDTH will have the right to settle its obligations
under any exercised Purchase Option in cash rather than by delivery of new
preference shares of The Telegraph. The cash payment to be made by FDTH would be
an amount per new preference share equal to the product of (i) L5.60 and (ii) a
fraction, the numerator of which would be the weighted average of the closing
prices of the Company's Class A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange for
the 21 trading days prior to the Purchase Date and the denominator of which is
$12.375 (the closing price of the Company's Class A Common Stock on April 23,
1996). In light of the cash cost to exercise the Purchase Option and the formula
applicable to FDTH's cash payment alternative described above, a holder of
Telegraph Minority Shares would not be able to receive an immediate cash profit
from FDTH at the time of exercise of the Purchase Option unless the weighted
average market price of the Class A Common Stock of the Company is above $37.125
(three times its market value at April 23, 1996) and FDTH elects to settle its
obligations under the Purchase Option in cash. If FDTH does not elect to settle
its obligations under the Purchase Option in cash, any new preference shares
received upon exercise will be shares in an unlisted company and there will be
no established market in these shares.
 
     The Telegraph's ownership of Fairfax is limited at present by Australian
law to 25% of issued capital. The Australian government has proposed the
formation of a governmental committee to review media ownership rules, which is
expected to make its recommendations in early 1997. Depending upon the outcome
of the Australian government review of its foreign investment policies and other
relevant factors, the Company intends either to (i) increase its investment in
Fairfax possibly to a majority position or (ii) sell or otherwise
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   37
 
dispose of its interest in Fairfax, which should result in a substantial capital
gain and (depending upon the structure of any such transaction) use all or a
portion of the proceeds to reduce the Company's long term debt.
 
     SOUTHAM.  On May 24, 1996 Hollinger Inc. announced that its wholly owned
Canadian subsidiary, 3230767 Canada Limited ("CanHoldco"), had purchased the
Power Shares, representing approximately 21.5% of Southam's outstanding common
shares, from a subsidiary of Power, at a price of Cdn.$18.00 per share. The
purchase increased the Company's and Hollinger Inc.'s combined holdings in
Southam to approximately 41% of Southam's outstanding common shares, including
     % which is held indirectly by the Company. The Company will have the right
to acquire a substantial equity interest in the subsidiary company which
purchased the Power Shares. Hollinger Inc. stated that it intends to further
increase its holdings in Southam through permissible transactions to or above
50% of Southam's outstanding common shares and that it may also, subject to
market and other conditions, seek to acquire all Southam common shares not owned
or controlled by Hollinger Inc. or the Company through an offer of the Company's
Class A common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such
stock. Hollinger Inc. and the Company have agreed to combine their interests in
Southam so that the Company will hold indirectly non-voting common shares and
voting preference shares representing one-half of the voting power and all of
the common equity of their combined interests. Hollinger Inc. will hold voting
preference shares representing one-half of the voting power and with a nominal
amount of paid up capital which will not be entitled to any payments, including
dividends, other than a liquidation preference on the nominal amount. Hollinger
Inc. and the Company expect this transaction to occur promptly following the
July 22, 1996 Southam shareholders meeting. The Company intends to seek a ruling
from Revenue Canada that would permit the Company to hold indirectly 100% of the
common equity interests in Southam held by the Company and Hollinger Inc.
without affecting Southam's status as a Canadian publisher of newspapers and
periodicals. If such a ruling is received, the full ownership of the equity
interests in Southam held by Hollinger Inc. and the Company would be transferred
to the Company. There can be no assurance, however, that such ruling will be
obtained or that the Company and Hollinger Inc. will not be required to effect a
different ownership structure for combining their interests in Southam. If the
Company acquires control of Southam (through share ownership or otherwise),
Southam's results of operations will be consolidated for accounting purposes.
 
     The purchase of the Power Shares was financed through the Southam Facility
which is guaranteed by Hollinger Inc. and matures on November 25, 1996. The
funds under the Southam Facility (Cdn.$300 million) were advanced by the Company
to a Canadian subsidiary of Hollinger Inc. as an intercompany loan to finance
the purchase of the Power Shares. The Hollinger Inc. guarantee of the Southam
Facility is secured by a pledge of the Power Shares and 7,539,028 shares of
Class A Common Stock and 14,990,000 shares of Class B Common Stock of the
Company held by Hollinger Inc. Existing registration rights agreements and
security agreements entered into by Hollinger Inc. and its Canadian lenders have
been amended to reflect the pledges under the Southam Facility. See "Description
of Certain Indebtedness and Other Obligations--Southam Facility" for more
information regarding the Southam Facility.
 
     Contemporaneous with the acquisition, Hollinger Inc. agreed to cause
CanHoldco to sell the Power Shares to the Company or its subsidiary or
associated company at the same price paid to Power, and CanHoldco delivered a
noninterest-bearing promissory note (the "CanHoldco Note") to the Company
evidencing the loan to it by the Company. The CanHoldco Note, which is
guaranteed by Hollinger Inc. on a subordinated basis, was pledged as additional
collateral under the Southam Facility. The Company's obligations under the
purchase agreement with Hollinger Inc. are subject to certain conditions,
including the Company's satisfaction that the acquisition of the Power Shares by
the Company or its subsidiary or associated company will not contravene the
constrained share provisions of Southam's articles and that after such
acquisition Southam will maintain its status as a publisher of Canadian
newspapers and periodicals for Canadian tax purposes. If that transaction
occurs, CanHoldco may elect to set off the Company's purchase price obligations
against the amount owing under the CanHoldco Note. Hollinger Inc. and the
Company also agreed that in lieu of such a purchase, the parties may agree to
restructure the capital of CanHoldco so that the Company receives an economic
interest as a shareholder of CanHoldco equivalent to its entitlement as a
purchaser of the Power Shares. Any such alternative arrangement is subject to
satisfaction of the conditions described above and the further consent of
Hollinger Inc. and the Company.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   38
 
     Following a request by Hollinger Inc., Southam has scheduled a special
shareholders meeting for July 22, 1996 to consider the election of five new
directors proposed by Hollinger Inc. to replace five of the existing directors
of Southam.
 
     RECENT UNITED STATES ACQUISITIONS.  On April 30, 1996, the Company
consummated a trade of several newspapers with Garden State Newspapers, Inc. The
Company acquired the Tribune-Democrat in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, with a daily
paid circulation of 46,000, in exchange for six smaller daily newspapers and
several weekly newspapers from the Company's Community Newspaper Group, and
approximately $31.0 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments.
 
     NEW CHICAGO PRINTING FACILITY.  In December 1995, Chicago Sun-Times
initiated a preliminary phase of its planned development of a new printing
facility by submitting a bid to acquire approximately 29 acres of land from the
City of Chicago for approximately $4.4 million, subject to negotiation of a
definitive purchase agreement and satisfactory resolution of various conditions
to the bid and necessary municipal approvals. The Company anticipates that the
site acquisition will be completed in 1996. Management of Chicago Sun-Times
expects that the size of the new facility will be approximately 300,000 square
feet to permit combined printing, inserting and distribution functions for the
Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Sunday Sun-Times. Management preliminarily
estimates that the aggregate cost of the acquisition of the site, the
development of the new printing facility and the purchase and installation of
new printing presses will be approximately $75.0 million and that the facility
will be operational in mid-1998.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   39
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     All of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities offered hereby (which
at an assumed per share price of $11.625 is estimated to be approximately $250
million and $287 million if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised
in full) will be used by the Underwriters, to purchase, at the direction of the
Company, the underlying Treasury Notes, which will be transferred to holders
pursuant to the PRIDES. The Company will receive no current net proceeds from
the sale of the PRIDES. The Company, however, plans to pledge its rights to
receive proceeds under the Purchase Contracts to secure its obligations under
the Trust Financing. The Company expects to use the amounts received upon
settlement of the Purchase Contracts to redeem the preferred securities issued
in connection with the Trust Financing.
 
     Pursuant to the Trust Financing, the Company, through the Trust, plans to
issue redeemable preferred securities to a financial institution to raise an
estimated $250.0 million (approximately $287 million if the Underwriters for the
Securities exercise their over-allotment options in full). The net proceeds from
the sale of the preferred securities in the Trust Financing will be applied,
together with the net proceeds of the Common Stock Offering to (i) first, to
provide $100.0 million to FDTH to finance a portion of the acquisition of the
Telegraph Minority Shares (in lieu of the Publishing Holdings Note Facility,
which would be cancelled), (ii) second, to provide $75.0 million to FDTH to
finance a portion of the acquisition of the Telegraph Minority Shares, which
amount would be used to repay or replace an equal amount of borrowings under the
FDTH Credit Facility, and (iii) third, to repay up to $       of borrowings
under the Southam Facility that were used to finance the acquisition of the
Power Shares. The Offering and the Common Stock Offering are not conditioned on
one another.
 
     In addition to the Common Stock Offering and the Trust Financing, the
Company or a subsidiary plans to issue approximately $325.0 million principal
amount of debt securities in the Debt Offering after completion of the Offering,
subject to market conditions and other factors. The Company anticipates that it
will use the proceeds from the Debt Offering to repay a portion of the bank
indebtedness incurred in connection with the acquisition of the Telegraph
Minority Shares pursuant to the Scheme.
 
     See "Description of Certain Indebtedness, Other Obligations and Related
Trust Financing" and "Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements."
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   40
 
                       MARKET PRICES AND DIVIDEND POLICY
 
     The Class A Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the
trading symbol "HLR." At March 31, 1996, there were 58,065,754 shares of Class A
Common Stock outstanding and held by approximately 200 holders of record and
approximately 3,500 beneficial owners. The Class A Common Stock traded on the
Nasdaq Stock Market from the Company's initial public offering on May 11, 1994
through January 15, 1996. The Class B Common Stock of the Company is not
publicly traded. As of the date of this Prospectus, 14,990,000 shares of Class B
Common Stock were outstanding and owned by Hollinger Inc.
 
     The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the high and low
sales prices for the Class A Common Stock, as reported by the Nasdaq Stock
Market for the period from May 11, 1994 through January 15, 1996, and by the New
York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions Tape for the period since January 16,
1996, and the cash dividends declared per share on the Class A Common Stock.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PRICE RANGE        CASH DIVIDENDS
                                                             ------------------       DECLARED
                     CALENDAR PERIOD                          HIGH        LOW        PER SHARE
- ----------------------------------------------------------   -------    -------    --------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>        <C>
1994
Second Quarter (from May 11, 1994)........................   $14.500    $12.750            --
Third Quarter.............................................    14.500     11.500        $0.025
Fourth Quarter............................................    12.750     10.000         0.025
1995
First Quarter.............................................   $12.750    $ 9.250        $0.025
Second Quarter............................................    10.750      9.250         0.025
Third Quarter.............................................    13.000      9.750         0.025
Fourth Quarter............................................    13.000      9.750         0.025
1996
First Quarter.............................................   $12.375    $ 9.250        $ 0.10
Second Quarter (through June 20, 1996)....................   $13.875    $11.000        $ 0.10
</TABLE>
 
     The last sale price of the Class A Common Stock as reported on the NYSE
composite tape on June 20, 1996 was $11.50 per share.
 
     Each share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock is entitled to
receive dividends if, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of the
Company. Since the third quarter of 1994 the Company has paid a quarterly
dividend of $0.025 per share of Common Stock. The quarterly dividend was
increased to $0.10 per share of Common Stock in the first quarter of 1996.
 
     As an international holding company, the Company's ability to declare and
pay dividends in the future with respect to its Common Stock will be dependent,
among other factors, upon its results of operations, financial condition and
cash requirements, the ability of its United States and foreign subsidiaries
(principally The Telegraph) to pay dividends and make other payments to the
Company under applicable law and subject to restrictions contained in existing
and future loan agreements, the preference share terms and other financing
obligations to third parties relating to such United States or foreign
subsidiaries of the Company, as well as foreign and United States tax
liabilities with respect to dividends and other payments from those entities.
See "Risk Factors--International Holding Company Structure" and "--Dividend
Policy."
 
     For a description of certain existing restrictions on the payment of
dividends on the Common Stock under existing debt agreements and the redeemable
preferred stock, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources,"
"Description of Capital Stock," "Description of Certain Indebtedness and Other
Obligations," and "Description of the Securities."
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   41
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
    The following table sets forth (i) the capitalization of the Company as of
March 31, 1996, (ii) the pro forma capitalization of the Company to give effect
to (a) the acquisition by FDTH of the Telegraph Minority Shares, the acquisition
by Publishing of newly issued Telegraph shares and related borrowings, (b) the
acquisition of the Power Shares and related bank borrowings by the Company, and
(c) adjustments to reflect (i) the Common Stock Offering and the concurrent
Trust Financing and the application of total net proceeds therefrom (estimated
to be $385.6 million, assuming that the Underwriters do not exercise their
over-allotment options) as described under "Use of Proceeds," (ii) the repayment
of $147.5 million of Telegraph bank indebtedness, and (iii) such pro forma
capitalization as so adjusted. This table should be read in conjunction with the
Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and the information under
"Selected Consolidated Historical Financial Information and Other Data,"
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations," "Description of Capital Stock," "Description of Certain
Indebtedness and Other Obligations" and "Description of the Securities" included
elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
    Neither the PRIDES nor the Treasury Notes will be recorded on the Company's
consolidated balance sheet (although the issuance costs associated with the
PRIDES will be charged against paid-in capital). However, the issuance of Class
A Common Stock on                , 1999 (or earlier if the holder so elects)
will be recorded when cash proceeds totalling $         ($         if the
Underwriters exercise their over-allotment options in full) are received by the
Company on or prior to the Final Settlement Date. The total number of shares
issuable in respect of the PRIDES will be between          and
(         and          if the Underwriters for the PRIDES exercise their over-
allotment options in full).
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          AS OF MARCH 31, 1996 (1)
                                                                 -------------------------------------------
                                                                   ACTUAL       ADJUSTMENTS       PRO FORMA
                                                                 ----------     -----------       ----------
                                                                           (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>               <C>
DEBT:
COMPANY (PARENT ONLY)
  Short-term debt
    Intercompany indebtedness owed to Hollinger Inc...........   $    3,974                       $    3,974
    Southam Facility..........................................           --        218,047(2)          2,454
                                                                                  (215,593)(3)
                                                                 ----------                       ----------
      Total Company (parent only) debt........................        3,974                            6,428
                                                                 ----------                       ----------
PUBLISHING
  Publishing Short-Term Credit Facility.......................           --        125,000(4)        125,000
  Long-term debt
    Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006........................      250,000                          250,000
                                                                 ----------                       ----------
         Total Publishing debt................................      250,000                          375,000
                                                                 ----------                       ----------
U.S. SUBSIDIARIES
  Short-term debt
    Intercompany indebtedness to Hollinger Inc................          100                              100
  Long-term debt including current maturities
    Secured Notes due 1996-2001 (Senior Notes)................      150,000                          150,000
    Other.....................................................       10,776                           10,776
                                                                 ----------                       ----------
      Total U.S. Subsidiaries debt............................      160,876                          160,876
                                                                 ----------                       ----------
         Total Company, Publishing and U.S. Subsidiaries
           debt...............................................      414,850                          542,304
                                                                 ----------                       ----------
</TABLE>
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   42
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          AS OF MARCH 31, 1996 (1)
                                                                 -------------------------------------------
                                                                   ACTUAL       ADJUSTMENTS       PRO FORMA
                                                                 ----------     -----------       ----------
                                                                           (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>               <C>
SUBSIDIARIESTHE TELEGRAPH
  Short-term debt
    Bank loan and overdraft (L6,000,000)......................        9,157         (9,157)(5)            --
  Long-term debt including current maturities
    Bank loans
      Australian $45,100,000 due 1997.........................       35,271        (35,271)(5)            --
      L40,000,000 due 1998....................................       61,048        (61,048)(5)            --
      Australian $53,750,000 due 1998.........................       42,036        (42,036)(5)            --
    Capital lease obligations.................................       15,880                           15,880
FDTH
  FDTH Credit Facility........................................           --        387,375(6)        312,375
                                                                                   (75,000)(7)
                                                                 ----------                       ----------
      Total International subsidiaries debt...................      163,392                          328,255
                                                                 ----------                       ----------
Total consolidated debt.......................................   $  578,242                       $  870,559
                                                                 ==========                       ==========
Minority interest in The Telegraph............................       97,738        (97,738)(8)            --
Redeemable preference shares of DTH and FDTH..................      227,083                          227,083
Redeemable preferred securities of subsidiary.................           --        249,938(9)        249,938
Series A Redeemable Stock.....................................       79,525                           79,525
                                                                 ----------                       ----------
                                                                 $  404,346                       $  556,546
                                                                 ==========                       ==========
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
    Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value
      Authorized: 250,000,000 shares
      Issued: 58,065,754 shares; as adjusted 71,065,754 shares
         (5)..................................................          580            130(10)           710
    Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value
      Authorized: 50,000,000 shares
      Issued: 14,990,000 shares...............................          150                              150
    Additional paid-in capital................................      303,960        143,317(10)       439,529(12)
                                                                                    (7,748)(11)
    Cumulative foreign currency translation account...........        5,373                            5,373
    Retained earnings.........................................      124,417                          124,417
                                                                 ----------                       ----------
Total stockholders' equity....................................   $  434,480                       $  570,179
                                                                 ==========                       ==========
Total capitalization..........................................   $1,417,068                       $1,997,284
                                                                 ==========                       ==========
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
 (1) Unless otherwise noted, all amounts have been converted to U.S. dollars at
     the Noon Buying Rate on May 31, 1996.
 
 (2) The Company borrowed Cdn.$298.8 million ($218.0 million at May 31, 1996)
     pursuant to the Southam Facility and subsequently lent the proceeds to a
     Canadian subsidiary of Hollinger Inc. to finance the purchase of the Power
     Shares. Such borrowings are guaranteed by Hollinger Inc. and secured by a
     pledge of the Power Shares acquired, among other collateral. The Southam
     Facility is due November 25, 1996.
 
 (3) Represents the repayment of a portion of the Southam Facility using the
     remaining proceeds available from this offering and the Trust Financing.
 
 (4) The Publishing Bank Credit Facility was amended and restated on May 30,
     1996 to increase the maximum borrowing limit to $125 million, which will be
     used by Publishing to purchase newly issued shares of The Telegraph and The
     Telegraph will use such proceeds to partially repay its bank loans.
 
 (5) Represents the repayment of Telegraph bank loans using a portion of the
     proceeds of the Publishing and FDTH Credit Facilities.
 
 (6) FDTH entered into a bank credit facility on May 30, 1996 in the amount of
     L250 million ($387.4 million as at May 31, 1996). The facility will be used
     to repay The Telegraph's bank loans and to partially finance the
     acquisition of the Telegraph minority shares. The FDTH Credit Facility is
     due six months after the Scheme has been consummated and is expected to be
     paid in part through the application of the aggregate net proceeds of the
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   43
 
     Common Stock Offering and this Offering and Trust Financing, and paid or
     refinanced through the future issuance of high yield debt or replacement
     bank loan facilities.
 
 (7) Represents the repayment of $75.0 million of the FDTH Credit Facility using
     a portion of the proceeds of the Common Stock Offering and the Trust
     Financing.
 
 (8) Represents the elimination of the minority stockholders' interest in The
     Telegraph resulting from the acquisition of the Telegraph minority shares.
 
 (9) Represents the net proceeds of $249.9 million on the issuance of preferred
     securities by the Trust in the Trust Financing.
 
(10) Represents the net proceeds on the issuance of 13,000,000 shares of Class A
     Common Stock in the Common Stock Offering (excluding shares of Class A
     Common Stock issuable in connection with the PRIDES and assuming the
     underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment options for the Class A
     Common Stock).
 
(11) Represents the financing costs associated with the issuance of the PRIDES.
 
(12) Excludes the yield enhancement payments on the PRIDES, which are not
     currently known. The present value of these payments will be reflected as a
     liability and a charge against paid-in capital.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   44
 
     SELECTED CONSOLIDATED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND OTHER DATA
 
     The following sets forth the consolidated historical financial information
for the Company as of and for the periods noted. The historical balance sheet
and income statement data as of December 31, 1994 and 1995 and for each of three
years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1995 have been derived from
the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company which have been audited by
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants. The data as of
December 31, 1991 and 1992 and for each of the years in the two-year period
ended December 31, 1991 and for the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996
are unaudited but, in the opinion of the Company, reflects all adjustments,
consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair
presentation of such data. The data for the three months ended March 31, 1996
are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year
ended December 31, 1996.
 
     The selected consolidated financial data set forth below should be read in
conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations," with the Company's Consolidated Financial
Statements, the related notes and the independent auditors' report, included
elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
               SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA(1)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       THREE MONTHS
                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                         ENDED MARCH 31,
                                     ----------------------------------------------------------    ---------------------
                                       1991       1992        1993         1994         1995         1995        1996
                                       ----       ----        ----         ----         ----         ----        ----
                                                          (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                  <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:(2)
Operating revenues:
  Advertising......................  $307,716   $325,165   $  316,640   $  522,381   $  635,560    $151,621   $  160,357
  Circulation......................   209,544    233,416      217,608      245,218      262,670      59,466       76,049
  Job printing.....................    19,735     22,066       25,044       27,675       49,198      11,563       12,621
  Other............................     8,735     11,338       10,309       13,563       17,539       4,106        4,866
                                     --------   --------   ----------   ----------   ----------    --------   ----------
Total operating revenues...........   545,730    591,985      569,601      808,837      964,967     226,756      253,893
Operating costs and expenses.......   450,797    473,368      447,262      693,108      857,091     198,620      229,179
Depreciation and amortization......    32,037     35,226       34,545       45,200       52,388      12,603       12,841
                                     --------   --------   ----------   ----------   ----------    --------   ----------
Operating income...................    62,896     83,391       87,794       70,529       55,488      15,533       11,873
Interest expense...................   (20,886)   (27,167)     (26,264)     (32,593)     (43,189)    (10,761)     (12,564)
Equity in earnings of affiliates...        18      6,382       13,476       35,659       16,449       5,728        3,407
Other income, net(3)...............    14,499     89,543       36,989       91,886       18,199      12,499        2,501
                                     --------   --------   ----------   ----------   ----------    --------   ----------
Earnings before income taxes,
  minority interest, cumulative
  effect of change in accounting
  for income taxes and
  extraordinary item...............    56,527    152,149      111,995      165,481       46,947      22,999        5,217
Income taxes.......................    14,320     39,132       36,475       41,300       18,108       7,314        1,700
                                     --------   --------   ----------   ----------   ----------    --------   ----------
Earnings before minority interest,
  cumulative effect of change in
  accounting for income taxes and
  extraordinary item...............    42,207    113,017       75,520      124,181       28,839      15,685        3,517
Minority interest..................    11,166     14,848       25,475       21,409       22,637       7,944        5,421
                                     --------   --------   ----------   ----------   ----------    --------   ----------
Earnings before cumulative effect
  of change in accounting for
  income taxes and extraordinary
  item.............................    31,041     98,169       50,045      102,772        6,202       7,741       (1,904)
Cumulative effect of change in
  accounting for income taxes......        --         --      (24,256)          --           --          --           --
Extraordinary loss on debt
  extinguishments..................        --         --           --           --           --          --       (2,150)
                                     --------   --------   ----------   ----------   ----------    --------   ----------
Net earnings (loss)................  $ 31,041   $ 98,169   $   25,789   $  102,772   $    6,202    $  7,741   $   (4,054)
                                     ========   ========   ==========   ==========   ==========    =========  ==========
Net earnings (loss) per common
  share............................  $   0.64   $   2.02   $     0.53   $     1.90   $     0.11    $   0.14   $    (0.06)
                                     ========   ========   ==========   ==========   ==========    =========  ==========
Average number of common shares
  outstanding......................    48,601     48,601       48,601       53,980       56,956      56,956       66,056
                                     ========   ========   ==========   ==========   ==========    =========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   45
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       THREE MONTHS
                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                         ENDED MARCH 31,
                                     ----------------------------------------------------------    ---------------------
                                       1991       1992        1993         1994         1995         1995        1996
                                       ----       ----        ----         ----         ----         ----        ----
                                                          (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                  <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:(4)
Working capital (deficit)..........  $ 25,749   $ 58,259   $  (58,793)  $  (10,621)  $ (124,175)   $ 38,868       68,763
Total assets(5)....................   855,692    748,843    1,034,155    1,463,755    1,570,105    1,440,979   1,652,602
Minority interest..................    41,871     64,039       79,290      109,518       97,298     118,763       97,738
Total long-term debt...............   333,981    281,783      374,496      489,969      621,652     467,973      574,168
Redeemable preferred stock.........    80,966    208,767      206,846      204,101      306,452     204,185      306,608
Total stockholders' equity(6)......   253,693     72,907      111,664      303,469      295,244     305,075      434,480

SEGMENT DATA:
Operating revenues:
  United States Newspaper Group....  $157,397   $173,219   $  185,043   $  422,594   $  559,929    $129,770   $  142,347
  International Newspaper Group....   388,333    418,766      384,558      386,243      405,038      96,986      111,546
                                     --------   --------   ----------   ----------   ----------    --------   ----------
Total operating revenues...........  $545,730   $591,985   $  569,601   $  808,837   $  964,967    $226,756   $  253,893
                                     ========   ========   ==========   ==========   ==========    =========  ==========
Operating income:
  United States Newspaper Group....  $  3,938   $ 11,778   $   18,069   $   39,566   $   32,156    $  7,139   $    3,242
  International Newspaper Group....    58,958     71,613       69,725       30,963       23,332       8,394        8,631
                                     --------   --------   ----------   ----------   ----------    --------   ----------
Total operating income.............  $ 62,896   $ 83,391   $   87,794   $   70,529   $   55,488    $ 15,533   $   11,873
                                     ========   ========   ==========   ==========   ==========    =========  ==========
EBITDA(7)
  United States Newspaper Group....  $ 28,828   $ 38,386   $   43,582   $   76,576   $   77,382    $ 16,861   $   13,641
  International Newspaper Group....    80,604     99,421       87,208       50,447       36,725      11,276       11,073
                                     --------   --------   ----------   ----------   ----------    --------   ----------
Total EBITDA.......................  $109,432   $137,807   $  130,790   $  127,023   $  114,107    $ 28,137   $   24,714
                                     ========   ========   ==========   ==========   ==========    =========  ==========
OTHER DATA:
Number of paid daily newspapers
  (end of period)(8)...............        82         82           96           98          113          98          107
Market value of Fairfax equity
  stake (end of period)(9).........                                     $  423,989   $  408,812               $  437,380
Market value of Southam equity
  stake (end of period)(9).........                                        163,643      157,174                  173,552
Capital expenditures...............  $ 61,058   $ 14,882   $    9,162   $   27,795   $   21,699    $  5,764   $    4,051
Acquisition expenditures(10).......    49,350     36,952       20,638      227,321       97,232          --        5,071
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
 (1) The financial data presented above is derived from the Consolidated
     Financial Statements of the Company.
 
 (2) The statement of operations data and other data include data for The
     Telegraph, DTH, FDTH and Jerusalem Post for all periods presented, Chicago
     Sun-Times from the date of its acquisition by the Company on March 31, 1994
     and Daily Southtown from the date of its acquisition by the Company on
     December 23, 1994.
 
 (3) Other income, net includes gain on the sale of Telegraph shares, gain on
     dilution of Fairfax interest, gain on the sale of marketable securities,
     issuance costs of subsidiaries' redeemable preferred stock and foreign
     currency gain (loss).
 
 (4) The balance sheet data include The Telegraph, DTH, FDTH and Jerusalem Post
     for all periods presented, the Chicago Sun-Times as at September 30, 1994
     and thereafter and Daily Southtown as at December 31, 1994 and thereafter.
     Long-term debt does not include intercompany indebtedness owed to Hollinger
     Inc., which amounted to $24.6 million at December 31, 1995 and $4.1 million
     at March 31, 1996.
 
 (5) Includes intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization, which amounted
     to $455,203,000 and $529,694,000 at December 31, 1994 and 1995 and
     $526,972,000 assets consist of the value of acquired subscriber and
     advertiser lists, noncompetition agreements, archives and goodwill. The
     amortization periods for intangible assets range from three to 40 years.
 
 (6) See Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity.
 
 (7) EBITDA represents earnings before interest expense, income taxes,
     depreciation and amortization, minority interest, equity in earnings of
     affiliates and certain other income items. Among the other income items
     excluded are gain on the sale of Telegraph shares, gain on the sale of
     marketable securities, gain on dilution of Fairfax and issue costs of
     subsidiaries' redeemable preferred stock of $70,353,000, $28,538,000,
     $80,592,000 and $11,968,000 for the years ended December 31, 1992, 1993,
     1994 and 1995, respectively. EBITDA is not intended to represent an
     alternative to operating income (as determined in accordance with generally
     accepted accounting principles) as an indicator of the Company's operating
     performance, or to cash flows from operating activities (as determined in
     accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) as a measure of
     liquidity. The Company believes that EBITDA largely determines its ability
     to fund current operations and to service debt due to the significant
     number of acquisitions made
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   46
 
     by the Company which have resulted in non-cash charges for depreciation and
     amortization. These non-cash charges have adversely affected net earnings,
     but have not affected EBITDA.
 
 (8) Number of paid daily newspapers owned by the Company and its subsidiaries
     (excluding those newspapers published by Fairfax and Southam).
 
 (9) Represents The Telegraph's 24.8%, 24.6% and 24.7% interest (196,374,606
     shares and convertible debentures) in Fairfax on December 31, 1994 and 1995
     and March 31, 1996, respectively, and the combined current 19.5% interest
     of The Telegraph and FDTH in Southam (14,790,000 shares) at each period
     end. See Note 3 to Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statements for
     information concerning investments in affiliates.
 
(10) Represents costs of acquiring newspapers and investments in newspaper
     companies. Such amounts do not include notes payable to former owners and
     deferred amounts due under noncompetition agreements with former owners.
     Such amounts do not include the cost of acquiring the Telegraph Minority
     Shares and the Power Shares.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   47
 
          MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                           AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
OVERVIEW
 
     The Company's business is concentrated in the publication of newspapers in
the United States and internationally. Its revenues are derived principally from
advertising and, to a lesser extent, paid circulation and job printing.
Approximately 58% of the Company's total operating revenues in 1995 were
attributable to the United States Newspaper Group and approximately 42% were
attributable to its International Newspaper Group, with approximately 56.1% and
43.9% of total operating revenues attributable to the United States Newspaper
Group and the International Newspaper Group, respectively, for the three months
ended March 31, 1996. The Company's United States Newspaper Group consists of
the Chicago Group (comprised of the Chicago Sun-Times and suburban newspapers in
the Chicago metropolitan area) and the Community Newspaper Group, which includes
Jerusalem Post. The Company's International Newspaper Group consists of the
operations of The Telegraph and its subsidiaries and affiliated companies,
including investments in Fairfax and Southam and two joint venture printing
companies which are accounted for by the equity method. In 1995, the Company's
share of earnings of its investments in Fairfax, Southam and the two printing
joint ventures amounted to $16.4 million, or 35% of the Company's earnings
before income taxes and minority interests.
 
     The Company's revenues have grown substantially since 1986, principally
through acquisitions. Over that period, the Company acquired The Telegraph,
control of which was acquired by Hollinger Inc. in 1986; Jerusalem Post, which
was acquired by Hollinger Inc. in 1989; Chicago Sun-Times, 61 related newspapers
and Daily Southtown, which were acquired by the Company in 1994; 16 daily
newspapers, which were acquired by the Company from Thomson Newspapers
Corporation ("Thomson") in 1995; the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, which was
acquired by the Company in 1996; and 109 paid daily community newspapers,
together with related publications. See "Recent Developments" for information
relating to the acquisition of the Telegraph Minority Shares and the acquisition
of additional shares of Southam.
 
     On October 13, 1995, the Company and Hollinger Inc. consummated the
Reorganization, which represented a combination of entities under common control
and has been accounted for on an "as-if" pooling-of-interests basis, with the
Company's financial statements restated for all periods presented. As part of
the Reorganization, the Company acquired all the outstanding shares of DTH
through which Hollinger Inc. indirectly owned a 58.4% interest in The Telegraph,
a 24.7% interest in Fairfax and a 19.3% interest in Southam. In exchange for all
of the ordinary shares of DTH, the Company issued to Hollinger Inc. 33,610,754
shares of Class A Common Stock and 739,500 shares of Series A Preferred Stock.
An additional $13.8 million was paid by the Company to Hollinger Inc. as an
adjustment to the purchase price of DTH based on the working capital of DTH and
its subsidiary, FDTH, at October 13, 1995.
 
     An additional amount of approximately $8.0 million in costs and expenses
(including approximately $3.5 million of costs paid by and reimbursable to
Hollinger Inc.) has been incurred in connection with the Reorganization and is
reflected in the Company's results of operations for the year ended December 31,
1995. Subsequent to the Reorganization, on October 20, 1995 the Company acquired
for L31.5 million ($49.6 million), an additional 5.1% interest in The Telegraph
pursuant to the exercise of the Telegraph Option in a transaction accounted for
using the purchase method of accounting. On December 15, 1995 the Company
through an English subsidiary acquired for $6.9 million an additional 0.7%
interest in The Telegraph.
 
     The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company
and its majority-owned subsidiaries. The Company's interest in The Telegraph was
64.0%, 58.6%, and 66.4% at December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993, respectively.
Investments in less than majority-owned affiliated companies, including Fairfax,
Southam (since April 1, 1994) and printing joint ventures are accounted for
using the equity method of accounting. All significant intercompany balances and
transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   48
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 COMPARED WITH FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH
31, 1995
 
     The Company experienced a loss of $4.1 million, or $0.06 per share, in the
first quarter of 1996. This compares with earnings of $7.7 million, or $0.14 per
share, in the comparable period of 1995. The net loss for the first quarter of
1996 before extraordinary items was $1.9 million, or $0.03 per share, compared
with earnings of $7.7 million, or $0.14 per share, in the first quarter of 1995.
 
     The comparison of year over year net earnings was affected negatively by a
number of nonrecurring items, including a gain on the sale of an investment by
The Telegraph in 1995, net costs of a new magazine for The Sunday Telegraph, and
costs associated with the termination of senior executives and redundancy costs
related to the opening of a new printing plant at Fairfax. These nonrecurring
items caused a $5.8 million, or $0.10 per share reduction in net earnings in the
first quarter of 1996 compared to the first quarter of 1995. Earnings were also
negatively impacted by newsprint and other paper costs that escalated rapidly
during 1995. Newsprint costs in the first quarter of 1996 were at higher levels
than in the first quarter of 1995. The effect of the increase in newsprint and
other paper costs for publications that were included in both periods amounted
to approximately $10.1 million, or $0.15 per share. Excluding the effects of
nonrecurring items and increased newsprint and other paper costs, earnings
before extraordinary items would have been $9.3 million in the first quarter of
1996 and $3.0 million in 1995.
 
     Total revenues for the Company's first quarter in 1996 increased 12% to
$253.9 million from $226.8 million in the first quarter of 1995, largely due to
increased cover prices in the United Kingdom and to revenue contributed by
community newspapers that were acquired in the last quarter of 1995.
Depreciation and amortization increased by $0.2 million, reflecting the 1995
purchase of community newspapers which was offset, in part, by a $1.8 million
decrease that results from a re-evaluation of the remaining useful life of
certain intangible assets.
 
     OPERATING REVENUES.  The following table shows the percentage (decrease)
increase in revenues between the first quarter of 1996 and the first quarter of
1995 by principal business group.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1996 VERSUS 1995
                                                                     ----------------
        <S>                                                                <C>
        United States Newspaper Group:
          Chicago Group...........................................         (1.3)%
          Community Newspaper Group...............................         27.1 %
          Total...................................................          9.7 %
        International Newspaper Group.............................         15.0 %
        Total Operating Revenues..................................         12.0 %
</TABLE>
 
     United States Newspaper Group.  Operating revenues in the United States
Newspaper Group were $142.3 million in the first quarter of 1996, an increase of
$12.6 million, or 9.7%, over the same period in 1995. The Chicago Group's
operating revenues of $78.5 million decreased $1.1 million, or 1.3%, due to a
$2.2 million, or 4.0%, decline in advertising revenues, reflecting weakness in
local economic activity. The Community Newspaper Group reported operating
revenues of $63.9 million, an increase of $13.6 million, or 27.1%, over the 1995
period. The community newspapers acquired during the fourth quarter of 1995
added $13.0 million to operating revenues, while existing community newspaper
operating revenues increased by $1.0 million. This increase was partially offset
by a decline of $.4 million at the Jerusalem Post due to decreased job printing
for the local "Golden Pages", Israel's equivalent of the "Yellow Pages,"
pursuant to the terms of the printing arrangement with the "Golden Pages."
 
     International Newspaper Group.  Operating revenues for the International
Newspaper Group were $111.5 million in the first quarter of 1996, an increase of
$14.6 million, or 15.0%, over 1995. Most of the increase can be attributed to
circulation revenue gains of $13.4 million and reflects an easing of the cover
price war involving The Daily Telegraph.
 
     OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES.  Operating costs and expenses are comprised
of (i) operating costs, (ii) general and administrative expenses, (iii)
depreciation and amortization expenses and (iv) allocable
 
                                       47
<PAGE>   49
 
expenses from Hollinger Inc. The following table shows the percentage increase
in operating costs and expenses between the first quarter of 1996 and the first
quarter of 1995 by principal business group.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1996 VERSUS 1995
                                                                     ----------------
        <S>                                                                <C>
        United States Newspaper Group:
          Chicago Group...........................................          5.9%
          Community Newspaper Group...............................         26.3%
          Total...................................................         13.4%
        International Newspaper Group.............................         16.2%
        Total Operating Costs and Expenses........................         14.6%
</TABLE>
 
     United States Newspaper Group.  Operating costs and expenses were $139.1
million, an increase of $16.5 million over the 1995 period. Higher newsprint
costs at existing publications caused $7.1 million of the increase. As a
percentage of United States Newspaper Group revenue, operating costs and
expenses were 97.7% in the 1996 period and 94.5% in the 1995 period. Excluding
the newsprint cost increase, operating costs and expenses would have been 92.8%
of United States Newspaper Group operating revenue in the first quarter of 1996,
compared with 94.5% in the prior year.
 
     International Newspaper Group.  Operating costs and expenses were $102.9
million for the period, an increase of $14.3 million from the 1995 period.
Higher newsprint costs caused $6.9 million of the increase. As a percentage of
International Newspaper Group revenue, operating costs and expenses were 92.3%
in the 1996 period and 91.3% in the 1995 period. Excluding the newsprint cost
increase, operating costs and expenses would have been 86.1% of International
Newspaper Group operating revenues in the first quarter of 1996, compared with
91.3% in the prior year. Costs and expenses also increased as a consequence of
the costs associated with product enhancements designed to strengthen The Daily
Telegraph's competitive marketing situation. This includes the new The Sunday
Telegraph Magazine, launched in September 1995 and the "Connected" supplement
with The Daily Telegraph on Tuesdays, launched in April 1996.
 
     OPERATING INCOME.  The above changes in operating revenues and operating
costs and expenses resulted in the following increases (decreases) in operating
income between the first quarter of 1996 and the first quarter of 1995 by
principal business group.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1996 VERSUS 1995
                                                                     ----------------
        <S>                                                               <C>
        United States Newspaper Group:
          Chicago Group...........................................        (275.0)%
          Community Newspaper Group...............................         (34.4)%
          Total...................................................         (54.6)%
        International Newspaper Group.............................           2.8 %
        Total Operating Income....................................         (23.6)%
</TABLE>
 
     United States Newspaper Group.  The United States Newspaper Group's
operating income decreased by $3.9 million to $3.2 million in the first quarter
of 1996, compared with $7.1 million in 1995. As a percentage of United States
Newspaper Group revenues, operating income was 2.3% in the 1996 period and 5.5%
in the 1995 period. The decline was principally due to higher newsprint costs
and, to a lesser extent, reduced advertising revenues within the Chicago Group,
which was partially offset by higher revenues and earnings in the Community
Newspaper Group.
 
     International Newspaper Group.  The International Newspaper Group's
operating income increased $0.2 million to $8.6 million in the first quarter of
1996, compared with $8.4 million in 1995. As a percentage of International
Newspaper Group revenues, operating income was 7.7% in the 1996 period and 8.7%
in the 1995 period. Higher revenues were partially offset by higher newsprint
costs of $6.9 million and product enhancement costs of $3.2 million.
 
     NET INTEREST EXPENSE.  Net interest expense increased $1.8 million to $12.6
million in the first quarter of 1996, compared with $10.8 million in the first
quarter of 1995. Most of the increase was the result of higher
 
                                       48
<PAGE>   50
 
average debt levels related to the cost of community newspaper acquisitions
completed in the fourth quarter of 1995 and the purchases of additional ordinary
shares of The Telegraph in December 1995.
 
     EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES.  Equity in the earnings of affiliates
declined by $2.3 million to $3.4 million in the first quarter of 1996, compared
with $5.7 million in the first quarter of 1995. The Company's share of higher
newsprint costs at Fairfax and Southam amounted to $2.3 million during the first
quarter of 1996. In addition, the Company's share of first quarter 1996 costs
recorded by Fairfax associated with the termination of senior executives and
redundancy costs related to the opening of a new printing plant totaled $1.4
million.
 
     NON-OPERATING INCOME.  Non-operating income decreased by $10.0 million to
$2.5 million in the first quarter of 1996, compared with $12.5 million in the
first quarter of 1995. The first quarter 1995 amount included a gain on the sale
of marketable securities of $11.9 million, with no comparable event in the first
quarter 1996.
 
     INCOME TAXES.  Income taxes of $1.7 million were recorded in the first
quarter of 1996, compared with income taxes of $7.3 million in the first quarter
of 1995. The change in tax provisions was essentially due to the change in
earnings for the respective periods.
 
     MINORITY INTEREST.  Minority interest was $5.4 million in the first quarter
of 1996, compared with $7.9 million in the first quarter of 1995. Most of the
decrease could be attributed to lower net earnings at The Telegraph, primarily
because first quarter 1995 included a gain on sale of marketable securities,
and, to a much lesser extent, a reduction in the minority interest in The
Telegraph following the Company's purchase of additional ordinary shares of The
Telegraph in December 1995.
 
     EXTRAORDINARY LOSS.  The extinguishment of three credit facilities during
the first quarter of 1996, prior to their expiration dates, required the
write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs of $3.5 million before taxes
with related tax benefits of $1.3 million.
 
     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
 
     The Company had net earnings of $6.2 million in 1995, compared with net
earnings of $102.8 million in 1994. Net earnings per share were $0.11 per share
in 1995, compared with $ 1.90 per share in 1994. Earnings in 1995 were
unfavorably affected by a decrease of $19.3 million in equity in earnings of
affiliates (including the Company's share of a special restructuring charge and
loss on discontinued operations at Southam), an increase in interest expense of
$10.6 million and Reorganization expenses of $8.0 million. Moreover, in 1994 net
earnings were favorably affected by gains on the sale of ordinary shares of The
Telegraph (which had a net earnings effect of $66.4 million or $1.23 per share).
Excluding these gains, the Reorganization expenses and the Southam charges, the
Company would have reported net earnings of $0.38 per share in 1995, compared
with $0.67 per share in 1994.
 
     The remaining net earnings decline was principally due to a decrease in
operating income (before giving effect to Reorganization expenses) of $7.0
million, or 10.0%, to $63.5 million in 1995 compared with $70.5 million in 1994.
The operating income of The Telegraph declined by 24.6%, to $23.3 million in
1995, from approximately $31.0 million in 1994, caused principally by a decline
in circulation revenues and higher newsprint costs. The United States Newspaper
Group's operating income increased $0.6 million, or 1.5%, to $40.3 million
(before giving effect to Reorganization expenses) from $39.6 million, due to an
increase by the Community Newspaper Group to $30.3 million from $23.4 million.
The Chicago Group experienced a decrease of 26.7% to $14.2 million, from
approximately $19.4 million, caused largely by an increase in newsprint costs.
The results in 1995 reflected a full year's operations of the Chicago Group
while results in 1994 reflected nine months operations for the Chicago Sun-Times
and related newspapers and exclude the results of the Daily Southtown.
 
                                       49
<PAGE>   51
 
     OPERATING REVENUES.  The following table shows the percentage increase in
revenues between 1995 and 1994 by principal business group.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1995 VERSUS 1994
                                                                     ----------------
        <S>                                                                <C>
        United States Newspaper Group:
          Chicago Group (1).......................................         53.6%
          Community Newspaper Group...............................         10.3%
          Total...................................................         32.5%
        International Newspaper Group.............................          4.9%
        Total Operating Revenues..................................         19.3%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
(1) Formed on March 31, 1994 with the acquisition of the Chicago Sun-Times and
61 associated newspapers.
 
     United States Newspaper Group.  Operating revenues in the United States
Newspaper Group were $559.9 million in 1995 (or 58.0% of total operating
revenues), an increase of $137.3 million, or 32.5%, over the same period in
1994. Most of the increase was attributable to the Chicago Group, where
operating revenues for the Chicago Sun-Times were only included for nine months
in 1994 due to the March 31, 1994 acquisition date, and operating revenues for
the Daily Southtown were excluded from 1994 due to its December 23, 1994
acquisition. The Community Newspaper Group's' revenues increased $21.1 million,
or 10.3%. For newspapers in the Community Newspaper Group operated for both
periods, revenues increased $8.5 million, or 4.1%.
 
     Advertising revenues in the United States Newspaper Group were $372.6
million in 1995, an increase of $86.0 million, or 30.0%, over 1994. The Chicago
Group increased $73.6 million, due primarily to the inclusion of Chicago
Sun-Times and Daily Southtown subsequent to their acquisitions, while the
Community Newspaper Group increased $12.4 million, or 9.5%. For newspapers
operated for both periods, advertising revenues increased $4.3 million, or 3.3%.
 
     Circulation revenues in the United States Newspaper Group were $129.7
million in 1995, an increase of $27.7 million, or 27.2% over 1994. Circulation
revenues for the Chicago Group increased $22.8 million due primarily to
inclusion of Chicago Sun-Times and Daily Southtown for the full 1995 period,
while circulation revenues at the Community Newspaper Group increased $4.9
million, or 10.6%. For newspapers operated for both periods, circulation
revenues increased $2.0 million, or 4.4%.
 
     Job printing revenues, derived from utilizing available press capacity for
printing unaffiliated newspapers, fliers, retail store advertisements and real
estate listings for third parties, increased $21.5 million, or 77.8%, to $49.2
million in 1995 from $27.7 million in the same period in 1994, primarily due to
the acquisition of Daily Southtown.
 
     International Newspaper Group.  Operating revenues in the International
Newspaper Group, which consist exclusively of The Telegraph's operating
revenues, were $405.0 million in 1995 (or 42.0% of total operating revenues), an
increase of $18.8 million, or 4.9%, from 1994. When expressed in British pounds
sterling, revenues increased by 1.1%, principally as a result of cover price
recoveries and improved advertising revenues in the fourth quarter.
 
     Advertising revenues for 1995 increased $27.2 million to $263.0 million, or
11.5% over 1994. When expressed in British pounds sterling, advertising revenues
increased 8.0%. In local currency, classified advertising for The Daily
Telegraph showed a 21% increase due primarily to recruitment advertising, while
financial advertising revenues were 20% lower than in 1994 and display
advertising increased by approximately 3% over 1994.
 
     Circulation revenues for 1995 were $133.0 million, a decline of $10.3
million, or 7.2%, from the 1994 period. When expressed in British pounds
sterling, circulation revenues declined by 10.1%, although average circulation
copies for The Daily Telegraph increased in 1995. When the weekday edition cover
price was reduced, there was no offsetting reduction in commissions paid to
wholesalers and retailers of The Daily Telegraph. Since circulation revenues are
recorded net of commissions paid to wholesalers and retailers, this resulted in
a decline in circulation revenue relating to weekday sales of The Daily
Telegraph from
 
                                       50
<PAGE>   52
 
approximately 31.5p to 13.5p per copy. The cover price of the Saturday edition,
The Daily Telegraph's highest circulation day, was left unaltered at 70p without
loss of circulation. The cover price of The Sunday Telegraph (average
circulation approximately 697,000) was left unaltered at 70p. Sunday edition
circulation benefitted from a weekend voucher program introduced in April 1994
which was discontinued in September 1995. The effect of the cover price
reduction on circulation revenues for 1994 was limited, but the full effect of
such reduction adversely affected circulation revenues for the first nine months
of 1995, notwithstanding a weekday cover price increase of 5p per copy announced
in July 1995. On November 20, 1995, The Daily Telegraph increased the cover
price of its weekday editions by an additional 5p to 40p and reduced its
recommended retail margin from 11.9p to 10.0p per copy, following a cover price
increase and a reduction of retail margin announced by its principal competitor.
Circulation revenues during the fourth quarter of 1995 improved by 40.1% in
United States dollars and 35.7% in British pounds sterling over the same period
in 1994.
 
     OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES.  Operating costs and expenses are comprised
of (i) operating costs, (ii) general and administrative expenses, (iii)
depreciation and amortization expenses and (iv) allocable expenses from
Hollinger Inc. The following table shows the percentage increase in operating
costs and expenses between 1995 and 1994 by principal business group.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1995 VERSUS 1994
                                                                     ----------------
        <S>                                                                <C>
        United States Newspaper Group:
          Chicago Group...........................................         61.4%
          Community Newspaper Group...............................          7.8%
          Total...................................................         37.8%
        International Newspaper Group.............................          7.5%
        Total Operating Costs and Expenses........................         23.2%
</TABLE>
 
     United States Newspaper Group.  Total operating costs and expenses in the
United States Newspaper Group were $527.7 million, an increase of $144.6
million, or 37.8%, over 1994. This increase was due primarily to the inclusion
of costs and expenses attributable to the Chicago Group for the full year. As a
percentage of total United States Newspaper Group revenues, operating costs and
expenses increased to 94.2% from 90.6%.
 
     Operating costs, which consist primarily of labor and, to a lesser extent,
newsprint costs, were $424.1 million in 1995, an increase of $131.9 million, or
45.1%, over 1994. As a percentage of United States Newspaper Group revenues,
operating costs increased to 75.8% in 1995 from 69.1% in 1994. Most of this
increase was due to the inclusion of the Chicago Group for the full 1995 period.
The balance was due principally to higher newsprint costs, which offset cost
saving measures initiated by the Company, including reduced pagination, reduced
page size, improved efficiencies in distribution and the on-going staff
reduction program. Within the Chicago Group, newsprint costs as a percentage of
Chicago Group revenues rose by approximately six percentage points to 21.5% of
such revenues. Within the Community Newspaper Group, lower cost inventories
moderated the impact of increased newsprint costs so that newsprint costs as a
percentage of Community Newspaper Group revenues increased to 12.5% in 1995 from
9.6% in 1994. Newsprint costs are expected to increase further in 1996.
 
     General and administrative expenses decreased $2.0 million, or 3.8%, to
$49.4 million in 1995 from $51.4 million in 1994. As a percentage of United
States Newspaper Group revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased
to 8.8% from 12.2%. This decrease was the result of the implementation of the
Company's cost reduction program, mainly at the Chicago Group which improved
versus 1994 even though it did not record a full year in 1994.
 
     Expenses associated with the Reorganization were $8.0 million in 1995 and
there were no comparable unusual expenses in 1994.
 
     International Newspaper Group.  Total operating costs and expenses at The
Telegraph were $381.9 million in 1995, an increase of $26.6 million, or 7.5%,
over 1994. When expressed in British pounds sterling, total operating costs and
expenses increased 4.1% over 1994. Total operating costs and expenses as a
percentage of Telegraph revenues, were 94.3% in 1995, compared with 92.0% in
1994, primarily as a result of higher newsprint costs and lower revenues due to
reduced cover prices of the weekday edition of The Daily
 
                                       51
<PAGE>   53
 
Telegraph. As a percentage of Telegraph revenues, newsprint costs increased to
22% in 1995 from 17% in 1994.
 
     General and administrative expenses were $40.7 million in 1995, an increase
of $9.2 million, or 28.7%, over 1994. When expressed in British pounds sterling,
general and administrative expenses increased by 26.6% in 1995.
 
     OPERATING INCOME.  The above changes in operating revenues and operating
costs and expenses resulted in the following increases (decreases) in operating
income between 1995 and 1994 by principal business group.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1995 VERSUS 1994
                                                                     ----------------
        <S>                                                                <C>
        United States Newspaper Group:
          Chicago Group (1).......................................         (26.7)%
          Community Newspaper Group...............................          29.5 %
          Total(2)................................................           1.8 %
        International Newspaper Group.............................         (24.6)%
        Total Operating Income(2).................................         (10.0)%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
(1) Formed on March 31, 1994 with the acquisition of the Chicago Sun-Times and
    61 associated newspapers.
 
(2) Excludes effect of reorganization expenses of $8.0 million in 1995.
 
     United States Newspaper Group.  Operating income in the United States
Newspaper Group was $32.3 million in 1995, a decrease of $7.3 million, or 18.4%,
from 1994, after Reorganization expenses of $8.0 million in 1995. Otherwise,
increased revenue, due largely to the full period recognition of the Chicago
Group, and benefits from cost reduction efforts, were largely offset by higher
newsprint costs. The Community Newspaper Group's performance, notwithstanding
newsprint cost increases, improved by 29.5%, while the Chicago Group experienced
a decline of 26.7% caused largely by newsprint cost increases. As a percentage
of total United States Newspaper Group revenues, operating income declined to
5.8% from 9.4%.
 
     International Newspaper Group.  Operating income at The Telegraph was $23.3
million in 1995, a decrease of $7.6 million, or 24.6%, from 1994. As a
percentage of Telegraph revenues, operating income declined to 5.7% from 8.0%.
When expressed in British pounds sterling, the operating income decrease was
23.3%. This decline was attributable to the reduced cover price for the weekday
editions of The Daily Telegraph. Total newsprint costs in 1995 increased 29%
over 1994 (when expressed in British pounds sterling), but were partially offset
by cost savings measures.
 
     EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES.  Equity in the earnings of Fairfax,
Southam and the two joint venture printing companies was $16.4 million in 1995
compared with $35.7 million in 1994. Fairfax accounted for $24.7 million, a
decrease of $7.2 million from the prior period. The equity in the 1995 Southam
loss was $10.7 million, compared with earnings of $3.5 million in 1994. Southam
recorded restructuring charges of Cdn.$120 million in 1995 with the Company's
share being equivalent to $9.0 million in net earnings or $0.16 per share.
Southam also experienced a loss on discontinued operations which had an impact
on the Company equivalent to $1.7 million in net earnings, or $0.03 per share.
The restructuring charges consist of amounts for severance to be paid due to
downsizing and the write-down of fixed assets at a printing facility which will
be closed.
 
     GAIN ON SALE OF SECURITIES.  Other income of $14.7 million in 1995
consisted mostly of the gain on sale of subsidiary shares and marketable
securities in 1995 of $12.0 million. Comparable gains in 1994 consisted of a
gain of $80.6 million from the sale of 12.5 million ordinary shares of The
Telegraph in May 1994.
 
     INTEREST EXPENSE.  Interest expense increased by $10.6 million, or 32.5%,
to $43.2 million in 1995, compared with $32.6 million in 1994. Interest expense
related to the United States Newspaper Group increased by $6.9 million in 1995,
reflecting mainly the increase in long-term debt related to the acquisition of
the Daily Southtown in December 1994 and 16 paid daily community newspapers in
September and October 1995.
 
                                       52
<PAGE>   54
 
     INCOME TAXES.  Income tax expense for 1995 was $18.1 million, compared with
$41.3 million in 1994. Income tax expense for 1995 consisted of $2.8 million in
United States taxes and $15.3 million in foreign taxes, compared with $4.4
million United States taxes and $36.9 million in foreign taxes for 1994,
reflecting a substantial decline in operating income at The Telegraph in the
1995 period.
 
     MINORITY INTERESTS.  Minority interest reflects the interest of the
minority holders of ordinary shares of The Telegraph in the earnings of The
Telegraph and its affiliated companies and dividends on redeemable preferred
stock of two subsidiary companies. The amount attributable to minority interests
increased to $22.6 million in 1995, as compared with $21.4 million in 1994.
 
     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993
 
     The Company had net earnings for 1994 of $102.8 million compared with $25.8
million for 1993. Net earnings per share for 1994 were $1.90 compared with $1.03
for 1993, before the unfavorable effect of a cumulative change in accounting for
income taxes of $0.50 per share in 1993. The improvement was primarily the
result of a $80.6 million gain on the sale of ordinary shares in The Telegraph
in 1994 (which after tax was equivalent to $1.23 per share) which has been
included in other income. The gain on the sale of Telegraph shares in 1993 was
$7.3 million, or $0.15 per share. The Company also benefitted from the
acquisition in March 1994 of the Chicago Group, consisting of the Chicago
Sun-Times and 61 related suburban newspapers in the Chicago metropolitan area,
and from an increase in equity in earnings of affiliated companies (principally
Fairfax) of approximately $22.2 million, enhanced further by the full year
effect of the increase in The Telegraph's ownership interest in Fairfax to 24.8%
from 15%. Results of operations were adversely affected by a 55.6% decline in
operating income in The Telegraph due in large part to a decline in circulation
revenue following reductions in the cover price of the weekday edition of The
Daily Telegraph in June 1994 in response to price competition from its principal
competitor.
 
     OPERATING REVENUES.  The following table shows the percentage increases in
revenues between 1994 and 1993 by principal business group.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1994 VERSUS 1993
                                                                     ----------------
        <S>                                                                <C>
        United States Newspaper Group:
          Chicago Group (1).......................................            --
          Community Newspaper Group...............................          11.1%
          Total...................................................         128.4%
        International Newspaper Group.............................           0.4%
        Total Operating Revenues..................................          42.0%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
(1) Formed on March 31, 1994 with the acquisition of the Chicago Sun-Times and
    61 associated newspapers.
 
     United States Newspaper Group.  Operating revenues in the United States
Newspaper Group were $422.6 million in 1994 (or 52.2% of total operating
revenues), an increase of $237.6 million, or 128.4%, over 1993. This increase
resulted primarily from the addition of revenues of $217.0 million from the
acquisition of the Chicago Sun-Times and 61 associated newspapers in March 1994.
Revenues in the Community Newspaper Group were $205.5 million, an increase of
$20.5 million, or 11.1%, over 1993 principally as a result of acquisitions. For
newspapers operated in both periods, revenues increased $6.7 million, or 3.7%.
 
     Advertising revenues in the United States Newspaper Group increased $171.6
million, or 149.2%, to $286.6 million in 1994 from $115.0 million in 1993. This
increase was primarily the result of the acquisition of the Chicago Sun-Times.
For newspapers operated in both periods, the increase was $5.4 million, or 4.9%.
 
     Circulation revenues in the United States Newspaper Group increased $59.5
million, or 139.9%, to $102.0 million in 1994 from $42.5 million in 1993, almost
wholly as a result of acquisitions. Based on Company estimates, daily paid and
non-daily paid circulation of newspapers acquired during 1994 were approximately
577,000 and 815,000, respectively, which represented approximately 51% and 66%
of the
 
                                       53
<PAGE>   55
 
aggregate to total paid circulation at December 31, 1994 for all newspapers in
the United States Newspaper Group. For newspapers operated in both periods,
circulation revenues increased $0.8 million, or 2.0%.
 
     Job printing revenues increased $2.6 million, or 10.5%, to $27.7 million in
1994 from $25.0 million in 1993 as a result of targeted marketing efforts by the
Company in the geographic markets adjacent to the Company's principal production
facilities.
 
     International Newspaper Group.  Operating revenues at The Telegraph were
$386.2 million in 1994 (or 47.8% of total operating revenues), an increase of
$1.7 million, or 0.4%, over 1993. However, revenues expressed in British pounds
sterling declined 1.4% in 1994. Increases in advertising revenues were offset by
a decline in circulation revenues resulting from a period of intense price
competition initiated by The Daily Telegraph's principal competitor.
 
     Advertising revenue increased $34.1 million, or 16.9%, to $235.8 million in
1994 from $201.6 million in 1993. When expressed in British pounds sterling,
newspaper advertising revenues increased 13.2% principally due to increases in
classified advertising and to a lesser extent in display advertising.
 
     Circulation revenue declined $31.9 million, or 18.2%, to $143.2 million in
1994 from $175.1 million in 1993. When expressed in British pounds sterling,
circulation revenues declined 19.8% from 1993. This was primarily the result of
a reduction in the cover price of the weekday editions of The Daily Telegraph in
June 1994 from 48p to 30p in response to similar reductions by The Daily
Telegraph's principal competitor, without any offsetting reduction in
commissions paid to wholesalers and retailers.
 
     OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES.  Operating costs and expenses are comprised
of (i) operating costs, (ii) general and administrative expenses, (iii)
depreciation and amortization expenses and (iv) allocable expenses from
Hollinger Inc. The following table shows the percentage increases in operating
costs and expenses between 1994 and 1993 by principal business group.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1994 VERSUS 1993
                                                                     ----------------
        <S>                                                                <C>
        United States Newspaper Group:
          Chicago Group (1).......................................            --
          Community Newspaper Group...............................          10.4%
          Total...................................................         129.4%
        International Newspaper Group.............................          12.8%
        Total Operating Costs and Expenses........................          53.2%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
(1) Formed on March 31, 1994 with the acquisition of Chicago Sun-Times and 61
    associated newspapers.
 
     United States Newspaper Group.  Total operating costs and expenses in the
United States Newspaper Group were $383.0 million in 1994, an increase of $216.1
million, or 129.4%, over 1993. As a percentage of total United States Newspaper
Group revenues, however, such costs and expenses increased only slightly to
90.6% in 1994 from 90.2% in 1993.
 
     Operating costs, which consist primarily of labor and, to a lesser extent,
newsprint costs, were $292.2 million, an increase of $183.1 million, or 167.8%,
over 1993, primarily as a result of acquisitions. As a percentage of United
States Newspaper Group revenues, operating costs increased to 69.2% in 1994 from
59.0% in 1993. This increase came principally from the acquired Chicago Group,
where operating costs amounted to 78.8% of Chicago Group revenues, as compared
to 58.9% of the Community Newspaper Group revenues. For newspapers operated in
both periods, operating costs increased $2.2 million, or 2.1%.
 
     General and administrative expenses increased $21.9 million, or 74.1%, to
$51.4 million in 1994 from $29.5 million in 1993. As a percentage of United
States Newspaper Group revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased
to 12.2% in 1994 from 16.0% in 1993. This change came principally from the
acquired Chicago Group, where general and administrative expenses were 8.0% of
Chicago Group revenues, as compared to 16.6% of the Community Newspaper Group
revenues.
 
                                       54
<PAGE>   56
 
     Depreciation and amortization expenses were $35.8 million, an increase of
$10.0 million, or 38.7%, over 1993, due primarily to the addition of $8.5
million in depreciation and amortization expenses relating to the acquisition of
Chicago Sun-Times in March 1994. As a percentage of United States Newspaper
Group operating revenues, depreciation and amortization was 8.5% in 1994 and
14.0% in 1993.
 
     Expenses allocated from Hollinger Inc. were $3.6 million in 1994, an
increase of $1.1 million, or 43.2%, over 1993. This reflected the cost of
various additional management and administrative services provided by Hollinger
Inc. to the enlarged United States Newspaper Group in 1994.
 
     International Newspaper Group.  Total operating costs and expenses at The
Telegraph were $355.3 million in 1994, an increase of $40.4 million, or 12.8%,
over 1993. When expressed in British pounds sterling, total operating costs and
expenses increased 10.8% and, when viewed as a percentage of Telegraph revenue,
increased to 91.2% in 1994, from 81.2% in 1993. Most of the absolute increase in
costs occurred in operating costs, as the other category changes were nominal,
and most of the apparent shift in costs as a percentage of revenues was
attributable to the reduction in cover price in June 1994, which decreased the
revenue component of the calculation.
 
     Operating costs at The Telegraph were $313.0 million in 1994, an increase
of $39.9 million, or 14.6%, from 1993, primarily due to increases in newsprint
costs and promotional expenditures. When expressed in British pounds sterling,
newsprint costs rose 15.1% over 1993 and promotional expenditures increased by
43.1%. As a consequence of the "price war," circulation was stimulated, which
increased the number of copies produced. At the same time, advertising volume
increased, which increased the number of pages per copy. Both factors
contributed to the increase in total operating costs. As a percentage of
Telegraph revenues (when expressed in British pounds sterling), labor costs
increased to 18.4% in 1994 from 17.5% in 1993, while newsprint costs increased
to 17.0% in 1994 from 14.6% in 1993.
 
     General and administrative expenses were $31.5 million in 1994, an increase
of $0.2 million, or 0.5%, over the 1993 period. When expressed in British pound
sterling, general and administrative expenses declined by 1.6% in 1994.
 
     OPERATING INCOME.  The above changes in operating revenues and operating
costs and expenses resulted in the following increases (decreases) in operating
income between 1994 and 1993 by principal business group.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1994 VERSUS 1993
                                                                     ----------------
        <S>                                                                <C>
        United States Newspaper Group:
          Chicago Group (1).......................................            --
          Community Newspaper Group...............................          17.0 %
          Total...................................................         119.0 %
        International Newspaper Group.............................         (55.6)%
        Total Operating Income....................................         (19.7)%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
(1) Formed on March 31, 1994 with the acquisition of the Chicago Sun-Times and
    61 associated newspapers.
 
     United States Newspaper Group.  Operating income improved in 1994 by $21.5
million, or 119.0%, to $39.6 million. As a percentage of United States Newspaper
Group revenues, operating income declined slightly from 9.8% to 9.4%. The
Chicago Group represented $18.4 million of the improvement during the nine
months following the acquisition of the Chicago Sun-Times and its 61 associated
newspapers. The Chicago Group's lower operating margin as compared to that of
the Community Group accounted for the decline in margin; however, even in this
brief period the Chicago Group improved its operating income as a percentage of
Chicago Group operating revenues to 7.1%, compared with 2.9% in 1993 on a pro
forma basis. The Community Newspaper Group improved its operating income as a
percentage of Community Newspaper Group operating revenues to 10.3% in 1994,
compared with 9.8% in 1993.
 
     International Newspaper Group.  Operating income at The Telegraph was $31.0
million, a decline of $38.8 million, or 55.6%, from 1993. When expressed in
British pounds sterling, this represented a 54.0%
 
                                       55
<PAGE>   57
 
decrease and was primarily due to the reduction in cover price of weekday
editions of The Daily Telegraph in June 1994.
 
     EQUITY IN THE EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES.  Equity in the earnings of Fairfax,
Southam and the two printing joint ventures increased $22.2 million to $35.7
million in 1994, compared with $13.5 million in 1993. This increase reflected a
$18.4 million increase in earnings from Fairfax and the first full year effect
of the increase in The Telegraph's holding in Fairfax from 15.0% to 24.8%.
Equity accounting for the Southam investment commenced April 1, 1994 and added
$3.5 million to income in 1994.
 
     OTHER INCOME.  Other income of $80.8 million in 1994 consisted mainly of
the gain of $80.6 million from the May 1994 public sale of 12.5 million ordinary
shares of The Telegraph. Applicable income taxes relating to the sale of shares
aggregated $14.2 million. The net earnings effect of this gain was $66.4
million, equivalent to $1.25 per share. In 1993, other income was $29.1 million
principally as a result of the gain on the sale of 2.0 million ordinary shares
of The Telegraph ($7.3 million), a gain on the sale of marketable securities
($17.6 million) and a gain on dilution with respect to The Telegraph stake in
Fairfax ($3.6 million).
 
     INTEREST EXPENSE.  Interest expense increased by $6.3 million, or 24.1%, to
$32.6 million in 1994 as compared with $26.3 million in 1993. Interest expense
related to the United States Newspaper Group increased by $4.4 million to $23.4
million in 1994, reflecting an increase in long-term debt due to the acquisition
of Chicago Sun-Times, which was partially offset by a lower interest rate for
borrowings under the United States subsidiaries' bank credit facilities.
Interest expense of The Telegraph increased by $2.0 million, or 27.4%, as a
result of the full year effect of borrowings related to investments in Fairfax
and Southam made during 1993.
 
     INCOME TAXES.  Income tax expense for 1994 of $41.3 million consisted of
$4.4 million in United States income taxes, and $36.9 million in foreign taxes,
as compared with $36.5 million in 1993 when no United States income taxes were
payable.
 
     Effective January 1, 1993, the Company adopted, on a prospective basis,
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income
Taxes." The cumulative effect of the change in the method of accounting for
income taxes is reported as a non-cash charge of $24.3 million in the
Supplemental Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December
31, 1993. The Cumulative effect principally represents the recording of deferred
tax liabilities related to certain intangible assets associated with the
International Newspaper Group which have no tax bases.
 
     MINORITY INTEREST.  Minority interest reflects the interest of the minority
holders of ordinary shares of The Telegraph in the earnings of The Telegraph and
its affiliated companies and dividends on the DTH and FDTH Preference Shares,
net of related swap income. The amount attributable to minority interest in 1994
declined to $21.4 million from $25.5 million in 1993, primarily as a result of
The Telegraph's earnings decline in 1994. The holdings of the minority in The
Telegraph increased to 41.4% at December 31, 1994 from 33.6% at December 31,
1993.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     WORKING CAPITAL.  Working capital consists of current assets less current
liabilities. Current assets were $270.1 million, $197.6 million and $253.6
million at March 31, 1996, December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The
increase was essentially due to a $68.9 million increase in cash equivalents
during the first quarter of 1996. Current liabilities, excluding debt
obligations, were $133.0 million, $124.8 million and $142.2 million,
respectively, at March 31, 1996, December 31, 1995 and 1994. The increase was
due mainly to increases in accrued expenses and deferred revenue. Short-term
debt was $68.4 million at March 31, 1996, $196.9 million at December 31, 1995
and $122.0 million at December 31, 1994, and decreased primarily as a result of
the consummation of the Company's Notes and Class A Common Stock offerings in
February 1996. Intercompany indebtedness and other amounts due Hollinger Inc.
were $4.1 million at March 31, 1996, $21.5 million at December 31, 1995 and
$100.1 million at December 31, 1994, reflecting $90.9 million paid by FDTH as
partial consideration for Hollinger's direct and indirect interest in Southam in
July 1995. The
 
                                       56
<PAGE>   58
 
Company's consolidated working capital was $68.8 million at March 31, 1996 and
the consolidated working (deficit) was $(124.2) million at December 31, 1995 and
$(10.6) million at December 31, 1994.
 
     The Company's consolidated working capital position has improved
significantly since December 31, 1995 as a result of the successful public
offerings of 16,100,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and, through Publishing,
$250 million of 9 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes. The aggregate net proceeds
from these public offerings were $384.6 million. The Company used these proceeds
to repay:
 
     - The interim loan facility of the Company, reducing current liabilities
       for bank loans by $130.0 million;
 
     - Long-term bank loans of $160.0 million, reducing current liabilities for
       current installments of long-term debt by $7.4 million and long-term debt
       by $152.6 million; and
 
     - Certain amounts due to Hollinger Inc., reducing current liabilities by
       $20.8 million.
 
     The remaining net proceeds (approximately $70.0 million) were added to the
Company's available cash. The Publishing Credit Facility that was available at
the end of the first quarter has been amended and the amount available
thereunder increased to $125.0 million in connection with the Scheme. The
facility, as amended, is no longer available for general corporate purposes. See
"Description of Indebtedness and Certain Other Obligations" for a discussion of
certain financing arrangements entered into in connection with the Scheme and
the purchase of the Power Shares and certain other obligations of the Company.
 
     EBITDA.  EBITDA, which represents the Company's earnings before interest
expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, minority interest, equity
in earnings of affiliates and certain other income items was $24.7 million in
the first quarter of 1996, $114.3 million, $127.0 million and $130.8 million in
1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively. The Company believes that EBITDA largely
determines its ability to fund current operations and to service debt due to the
significant number of acquisitions made by the Company which have resulted in
non-cash charges for depreciation and amortization. These non-cash charges have
adversely affected net earnings but have not affected EBITDA.
 
     CASH FLOW.  Cash flows on a consolidated basis from operating activities
(calculated in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting
principles) were $15.7 million in the first quarter of 1996 and $15.3 million,
$79.5 million and $93.4 million in 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively. Excluding
changes in working capital (other than cash), cash from operating activities was
$13.6 million in the first quarter of 1996 and $64.8 million, $68.4 million and
$76.2 million for 1995, 1994, and 1993 respectively. The decline in these
amounts over the three years reflects the effects of period to period declines
in operating income that resulted mainly from the adverse effect of the cover
price war on the Telegraph's results offset partly by improved advertising
results at the Telegraph and by improved operating results in the United States.
Cash from operating activities (excluding changes in working capital) was $1.8
million less in the first quarter of 1996 than the comparable period in 1995 due
primarily to a $9.8 million (net of taxes) increase in newsprint and other paper
costs. Working capital changes provided cash of $2.1 million in the first
quarter of 1996, required cash of $49.5 million in 1995 and provided cash of
$11.0 million and $17.3 million in 1994 and 1993, respectively. The largest
single factor involved in these differences was taxes provided in 1994 on the
$80.6 million gain on sale of The Telegraph shares which were paid in 1995.
Other changes reflect normal variations from year to year in inventory, accounts
receivable, short term liabilities and other working capital items.
 
     Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities were $(2.9) million
in the first quarter of 1996, $(144.7) million in 1995, $(151.6) million in
1994, and $(182.0) million in 1993, reflecting principally the acquisition of 16
paid daily community newspapers and the purchase of additional Telegraph shares
in 1995, investments in Fairfax and Southam and the acquisition of the Chicago
Sun-Times in 1994, offset by the proceeds from the sale of shares of The
Telegraph and other marketable securities. Cash flows provided by (used in)
financing activities were $56.1 million in the first quarter of 1996, $37.0
million in 1995, $156.5 million in 1994, and $54.2 million in 1993. Subsequent
to year end 1995, the Company completed concurrent debt and equity offerings and
applied the net proceeds thereof as described above under "Working Capital."
Cash flows in the prior three years reflected changes in borrowings and proceeds
from the sale of Class A Common Stock and preference shares issued by DTH and
FDTH, two English subsidiaries of the Company, offset by dividend payments.
 
                                       57
<PAGE>   59
 
     CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND ACQUISITION FINANCING.  The United States
Newspaper Group and the International Newspaper Group have funded their capital
expenditures and acquisition and investment activities out of cash provided by
their respective operating activities, borrowings under their bank credit
facilities and, in the case of the United States Newspaper Group, borrowings
from institutional lenders, advances from Hollinger Inc., proceeds from the
Company's initial public offering in May 1994 and concurrent debt and equity
offerings in the first quarter of 1996. See "Working Capital."
 
     United States Newspaper Group.  The Company made capital expenditures of
$2.9 million in the first quarter of 1996 and $16.3 million, $16.4 million, and
$3.6 million in 1995, 1994, and 1993, respectively, primarily for purchases of
computerized pre-press and other production equipment and improvements to its
properties in the United States and Israel. The Company plans to acquire a new
site in Chicago and to construct a new printing facility in 1996 and 1997 at an
estimated cost of approximately $75.0 million, to be operational in mid-1998.
The Company's capital expenditure budget for 1996 is $34.0 million.
 
     The Company acquired and disposed of newspapers and other publications in
the United States in the first quarter of 1996 for a net cost of $2.6 million
and in 1995, 1994 and 1993 for aggregate cash consideration of $334.9 million
primarily funded through bank borrowings. Such amount does not include notes
payable to former owners and amounts due under noncompetition agreements with
former owners. In 1995, the Community Newspaper Group acquired 16 paid daily
newspapers with an aggregate circulation of approximately 163,000, three paid
non-dailies with an aggregate circulation of approximately 37,000 and 20 free
non-daily publications with an aggregate circulation of approximately 277,000,
in nine states at an aggregate cash cost of approximately $95.0 million.
 
     The Company's acquisition of Hollinger Inc.'s indirect interest in The
Telegraph, Fairfax, and Southam occurred in October 1995 and involved the
issuance to Hollinger Inc. of 33,610,754 shares of Class A Common Stock and
739,500 shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The acquisition of an additional
5.1% interest in The Telegraph at a cash cost of $49.6 million was accomplished
through the exercise of the Telegraph Option in October 1995.
 
     International Newspaper Group.  Capital expenditures at The Telegraph were
$1.2 million in the first quarter of 1996 and $5.4 million, $11.4 million, and
$5.6 million in 1995, 1994, and 1993, respectively. The Telegraph capital
expenditures in 1995 were principally for computer and related equipment and The
Telegraph expects to spend approximately $7.8 million in 1996, principally to
maintain its ongoing program to upgrade working assets. In the past two years,
The Telegraph increased its investment in Fairfax and acquired its indirect
interest in Southam. Such investment expenditures were $10.1 million and $203.6
million in 1994 and 1993. Not included in the capital expenditures of The
Telegraph are capital expenditures of the two joint venture printing companies,
which aggregated $13.4 million in the three years ended December 31, 1995. The
capital expenditures and depreciation charges of the joint venture printing
companies are not consolidated in the accounts of The Telegraph, but are
reflected in the amount included as equity in the earnings of affiliated
companies.
 
     DEBT OBLIGATIONS.  The Company, Publishing and its principal subsidiaries
are parties to various debt agreements which have been entered into to fund
acquisitions, working capital requirements and other corporate purposes. At
March 31, 1996, the indebtedness of the Company was $574.2 million, consisting
of long-term debt ($565.0 million) and current bank loans ($9.2 million) and at
December 31, 1995, the indebtedness of the Company was $621.7 million,
consisting of long-term debt ($473.8 million) and current bank loans ($147.9
million). See "Description of Certain Indebtedness and Other Obligations."
 
     INFLATION.  During the past three years, inflation has not had a material
effect on the Company's newspaper business in the United States, United Kingdom,
Australia and Canada. However, operations of Jerusalem Post, in local currency
terms, have been affected by inflation amounting to 8.1%, 14.5%, and 11.2%
annually in 1995, 1994, and 1993, respectively, which to a certain extent have
been offset by the devaluation of the NIS in relation to the United States
dollar in each of these years by 3.9%, 1.1%, and 8.0%, respectively.
 
                                       58
<PAGE>   60
 
                                    BUSINESS
 
     The Company, through subsidiaries and affiliated companies, is a leading
publisher of English-language newspapers in the United States, the United
Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Israel. Included among the 131 paid daily
newspapers in which the Company has an interest are the Chicago Sun-Times and
The Daily Telegraph. These 131 newspapers have a world-wide daily combined
circulation of approximately 4,300,000 (including 2,100,000 attributable to the
publications in which the Company has a minority equity interest). In addition,
the Company owns or has an interest in 386 non-daily newspapers as well as
magazines and other publications. The Company's strategy is to achieve growth
through acquisitions and improvements in the cash flow and profitability of its
newspapers, principally through cost reductions. Since the Company's formation
in 1986, the existing senior management team has acquired over 410 newspapers
and related publications (net of acquisitions) in the United States, The
Telegraph in the United Kingdom and Jerusalem Post in Israel, and has made
significant investments in newspapers in Australia and Canada. Over this period,
the Company has achieved substantial growth in revenues to $965.0 million in
1995 and realized significant improvements in operating efficiencies at its
newspapers.
 
     The operations of the Company consist of its United States Newspaper Group
and its International Newspaper Group. The Company also owns equity investments
in newspaper publishing companies in Australia and Canada which contributed
approximately $16.4 million to the Company's income before taxes in 1995 and
approximately $3.4 million for the six months ended March 31, 1996.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
     ACQUISITIONS
 
     The Company's strategy is to achieve growth in its newspaper business
principally through acquisitions, improvements in the cash flow and
profitability of its acquired newspapers principally through cost reductions.
Management also expects that additional revenue sources, including an increase
in the availability of color advertising and an expansion of the Company's
publications into electronic media, will contribute to the Company's future
growth in revenues and cash flows. The Company plans to install new printing
facilities in Chicago within the next two years, which should increase the
availability of color advertising, lower production costs, improve operating
efficiencies and enhance product quality. In addition, the Company recently
started selling advertising space on the Chicago Sun-Times' new homepage on the
Internet, and in November 1994, The Telegraph created the Electronic Telegraph
on the Internet. The Jerusalem Post and many of the Company's community
newspapers are also available electronically.
 
     The Company expects that its future acquisitions will be principally of
community newspapers with daily circulation ranging from 10,000 to 25,000;
however, the Company may consider the acquisition of selected larger circulation
publications that meet the Company's acquisition criteria. Such larger
circulation publications may include metropolitan or other significant
newspapers, as well as community daily newspapers with circulation ranging from
25,000 to 75,000 (such as the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat), to the extent they
become available and meet the Company's acquisition criteria. The Company
constantly seeks newspaper acquisition candidates that are underperforming in
terms of cash flow but have a long history of publishing within a community and,
from the Company's point of view, possess strong readership and advertiser
loyalty; have the potential for increased gross operating profit through cost
reductions, revenue enhancements and synergies with the Company's existing
operations; and are available at attractive prices. The Company's strategy is to
operate newspapers in regional clusters where feasible, which enables the
Company to market advertising on a regional basis and allows for cost savings
from reduction in overhead, centralized purchasing and, to the extent
practicable, regionalized printing.
 
     The Company expects the Scheme to be completed in early August 1996 as a
result of which The Telegraph would become indirectly wholly owned by the
Company. The Company believes that, as a consequence, it will have greater
access to the cash flow of The Telegraph and will have enhanced financing and
corporate flexibility. In late May 1996 Hollinger Inc. acquired a 21.5% interest
in Southam, which together with the 19.5% interest indirectly owned by the
Company, provides Hollinger Inc. and the Company with a combined 41% interest in
Southam. Hollinger Inc.'s stated plans are to increase its ownership interest
 
                                       59
<PAGE>   61
 
by permissible purchases to or above 50% and may, subject to market and other
conditions, seek to acquire all Southam common shares not then owned or
controlled by Hollinger Inc. or the Company through an offer of the Company's
Class A Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such
stock. See "Recent Developments."
 
     Hollinger Inc. and the Company have agreed to combine their interests in
Southam so that the Company will hold indirectly non-voting common shares and
voting preference shares representing one half of the voting power and all of
the equity of their combined interests. Hollinger Inc. will hold voting
preference shares representing one-half of the voting power and with nominal
amount of paid-up capital which will not be entitled to any payments, including
dividends, other than a liquidation preference on the nominal amount. Hollinger
Inc. and the Company expect this transaction to occur promptly following the
July 22, 1996 Southam shareholders meeting. In addition, the Company intends to
seek a ruling from Revenue Canada that would permit the Company to hold
indirectly 100% of the equity interests in Southam held by the Company and
Hollinger Inc. without affecting Southam's status as a Canadian publisher of
newspapers and periodicals. If such ruling is received and approval is obtained
under the Investment Act Canada, the full ownership of the equity interests in
Southam held by Hollinger Inc. and the Company would be transferred to the
Company. If the Company obtains control of Southam (through share ownership or
otherwise), Southam's results of operation will be consolidated for accounting
purposes. Senior management of Hollinger Inc. and the Company believes that,
although Southam has undertaken in the past two years to focus on its core
businesses and improve operating efficiencies, there are significant additional
opportunities for enhanced operating performance and improvements in editorial
quality to be realized at Southam. Senior management of Hollinger Inc. also
believes that the combined approximately 41% interest in Southam, together with
the changes in Southam's Board of Directors proposed by Hollinger Inc., should
enable it to have greater influence in assisting Southam to achieve these
objectives. However, there can be no assurance as to the timing or ultimate
ability of the Company and Hollinger Inc. to achieve these objectives.
 
     The Telegraph's approximate 25% ownership minority interest in Fairfax
cannot be increased under existing Australian foreign ownership regulations. An
Australian governmental committee is currently reviewing media ownership rules
and is expected to make its recommendations in early 1997. Management has stated
that the outcome of the Australian government review will be taken into account
in determining The Telegraph's strategy in relation to its investment in
Fairfax. Depending upon the outcome of the Australian government review of its
foreign investment policies and other relevant factors, the Company intends
either to (i) increase its investment in Fairfax possibly to a majority position
or (ii) sell or otherwise dispose of its interest in Fairfax, which should
result in a substantial capital gain and (depending upon the structure of any
such transaction) use all or a portion of the proceeds to reduce the Company's
long term debt.
 
     The Company and Hollinger Inc. have agreed that the Company will be
Hollinger Inc.'s principal vehicle for engaging in and effecting acquisitions in
the newspaper business and in related media businesses in the United States,
Israel, Canada (through Southam) and, through The Telegraph, the Telegraph
Territory. Hollinger Inc. has reserved to itself the ability to pursue all media
(including newspaper) acquisition opportunities outside the United States,
Israel and the Telegraph Territory, and all media acquisition opportunities
unrelated to the newspaper business in the United States, Israel and the
Telegraph Territory.
 
     IMPROVING PROFITS OF ACQUIRED NEWSPAPERS
 
     The Company's approach to improving profitability depends on the particular
newspaper acquired but typically includes the introduction of measures to reduce
costs, improve efficiency and enhance product quality, including the visual
quality of printed pages. Generally, the most immediate contribution to
profitability is cost reductions and the most significant source of savings is
labor costs. For its community newspapers, the Company's objective is to achieve
employee costs as a percentage of annual newspaper revenues of not more than
30%. In 1995 employee costs (including salaries, wages, fringe benefits,
employment-related taxes and other direct employee costs) as a percentage of
revenues for all publications in the Community Newspaper Group were 33%.
 
                                       60
<PAGE>   62
 
     The Company has achieved additional cost savings through the centralization
of newsprint purchasing and certain other functions, such as accounting and
personnel. To achieve greater product quality and cost reductions, the Company
has also introduced modern and efficient computerized pre-press facilities and,
where justified by economic and operational criteria, has regionalized
production operations at its community newspapers. The installation of a new
printing plant at Chicago Sun-Times, with an estimated completion date in
mid-1998, is expected to result in production efficiencies and increased color
printing capability in addition to improved printing quality.
 
     The Company also seeks to increase revenues of acquired newspapers by,
among other things, offering co-op and national advertising programs not
typically available to locally owned newspapers. Potential new revenue sources
include national classified advertising, niche publications (such as specialized
"total market coverage" publications) and the provision of distribution services
to other publishers of printed matter. Management believes that it can
capitalize on its existing sales, editorial and distribution capabilities in the
communities it now serves by pursuing these and other sources of new revenue.
Management also believes that there may be opportunities resulting from
technological changes in the assembly and dissemination of information and that
the Company's newspapers are well positioned, in terms of geographic diversity
and as a primary source of information, to act as sources of local and regional
news to be delivered by other information-gathering networks. The timing and
extent of any such opportunities, however, are uncertain.
 
     Community Newspaper Group. To evaluate the operating performance of its
United States community newspapers, and to assist in the annual budgeting
process and in targeting capital expenditures, management assesses each of its
publications on the basis of its gross operating profit and operating profit
margins. Gross operating profit ("G.O.P.") is defined as revenues less operating
costs and general and administrative expenses, excluding certain immaterial
corporate overhead charges. By comparison, as a measure of operating
performance, EBITDA represents income before interest expense, income taxes,
depreciation and amortization, minority interest, equity in earnings of
affiliates and certain other income items. Operating profit margin ("Margin") is
determined by dividing G.O.P. by total operating revenues (before intercompany
eliminations). In 1995, the Company achieved a Margin of 28.8% for community
newspapers acquired in 1986, as compared to a Margin of 16.8% and (35.2)% for
community newspapers acquired in 1993 and 1994, respectively.
 
     Chicago Group. Management of the Company has developed a business strategy
for each of the Chicago Group newspapers, including the Chicago Sun-Times, to
improve circulation, advertising revenue and market share by emphasizing local
coverage, differentiating areas of circulation to improve home subscription
sales, particularly for the Chicago Sun-Times, and developing advertising
strategies that focus on each newspaper's natural circulation or readership
advantage. It has been a major objective of management over the past three years
to differentiate the Chicago Sun-Times from its principal daily metropolitan
competitor, the Chicago Tribune, in the areas of editorial content and style and
in its distinctive tabloid format. In addition, steps have been taken to enhance
product quality through capital investments in new pre-press technology, to
improve the newspaper delivery system and to improve the quality of the
workforce. The Company plans to acquire an additional site and purchase and
install a new printing facility on that site for the Chicago Sun-Times at a cost
estimated to be approximately $75.0 million. The Company expects that the new
facility will be operational in mid-1998.
 
     The Company has consolidated certain administrative and corporate functions
at the Chicago Group in order to achieve greater efficiencies, implemented an
employee buyout program for those employees displaced by new technology and
increased capital investment in production technology which, over time, is
expected to result in improved operating efficiencies, labor cost savings and
enhanced product quality. For the twenty-six weeks ended December 26, 1993,
prior to its acquisition by the Company, Chicago Sun-Times had operating income
of $5.9 million and an operating margin of 2.2%. For the twelve months ended
December 31, 1995, the operating income of Chicago Sun-Times was $13.8 million,
an improvement of approximately 134%, with an operating margin of 4.2%.
 
     The Telegraph. The Telegraph's newspaper operating strategy for 1996 is to
improve circulation and advertising revenues while maintaining circulation
levels at The Daily Telegraph. Management also believes that The Telegraph can
build upon the circulation strength of its Saturday edition and improve its
Sunday
 
                                       61
<PAGE>   63
 
circulation. Following the cover price increase of its principal competitor, on
November 20, 1995, The Telegraph increased the weekday cover price of The Daily
Telegraph by 5p to 40p per copy and reduced its recommended retail margin for
its weekday editions to 10p per copy from 11.9p per copy. The Daily Telegraph
retains its position as market leader in the quality daily market despite
selling at a premium cover price over The Times. The future cover price policy
for The Daily Telegraph will be reviewed from time to time in light of
constantly changing market conditions. The pricing policy for The Sunday
Telegraph, currently selling at 70p, 30p less than the market leader, is likely
to be reviewed in the near future. On June 3, 1996, The Times reduced its cover
price to 10p on Mondays only, as part of its "summer sport promotion." To
promote its "summer of sport," The Daily Telegraph launched a voucher promotion
beginning Saturday, June 8 enabling readers to redeem vouchers to purchase The
Daily Telegraph on Mondays for 10p.
 
     Development of New Revenue Sources. Management also expects that additional
revenue sources, including an increase in the availability of color advertising
and an expansion of the Company's publications into electronic media will
contribute to the Company's future growth in revenues and cash flows. For
example, the Company is selling advertising space on the Chicago Sun-Times' new
homepage on the Internet and, in November 1994, The Telegraph created the
Electronic Telegraph on the Internet. The Jerusalem Post and many of the
Company's community newspapers are also available electronically.
 
UNITED STATES NEWSPAPER OPERATIONS
 
     The Company is the largest newspaper publishing group in the United States,
as measured by paid daily newspapers owned and operated, and one of the twelve
largest in terms of daily circulation. As of March 31, 1996, the Company
published a total of 410 newspapers and related publications in the United
States consisting of 105 paid daily newspapers with a combined paid circulation
of approximately 1,222,000, 142 paid non-daily newspapers with a combined paid
circulation of approximately 1,251,000 and 163 free circulation publications
with a combined circulation of approximately 2,400,000. The Company's United
States operations consist of the Chicago Group and the Community Newspaper
Group, which for accounting and management purposes includes Jerusalem Post.
 
     CHICAGO GROUP
 
     On March 31, 1994, the Company acquired all of the capital stock of Chicago
Sun-Times which, with its subsidiaries, publishes the Chicago Sun-Times, the
eleventh largest metropolitan daily newspaper in the United States, and 61
suburban weekly and biweekly newspapers in the Chicago area.
 
     The Chicago Sun-Times, which has an average daily paid circulation of
approximately 501,000 and is published in a tabloid format, is the largest daily
circulation newspaper in Cook County, Illinois, which includes the City of
Chicago. As part of this acquisition, the Company acquired 41 weekly newspapers
published by Pioneer Newspapers Inc. ("Pioneer Press") in Chicago's north and
northwest suburbs, and 20 biweekly newspapers published by Star Publications,
Inc. ("Star Publications") in Chicago's south and southwest suburbs.
 
     On October 31, 1994, the Company purchased a group of Chicago area suburban
weekly papers from Des Plaines Publishing Company that are now managed by
Pioneer Press. On December 23, 1994, the Company acquired Daily Southtown, which
publishes the Daily Southtown and News Marketer.
 
     SOURCES OF REVENUE. The following table sets forth the sources of revenue
and the percentage such sources represent of total revenues for the Chicago
Group operations (including revenues of Chicago Sun-
 
                                       62
<PAGE>   64
 
Times and Daily Southtown prior to their acquisition by the Company) during the
past three years and for the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 CALENDAR YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                 THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                       ----------------------------------------------------     ---------------------------------
                            1993               1994               1995               1995               1996
                       --------------     --------------     --------------     --------------     --------------
                                                         (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                    <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>
Advertising........... $185,600   69 %    $201,957   72 %    $230,328   69 %    $ 54,313   68 %    $ 52,155   67 %
Circulation...........   77,668   29        74,661   26        78,824   24        19,686   25        20,655   26
Other.................    3,950    2         5,618    2        24,135    7         5,538    7         5,669    7
                       --------  ---      --------  ---      --------  ---      --------  ---      --------  ---
    Total............. $267,218  100 %    $282,236  100 %    $333,287  100 %    $ 79,537  100 %    $ 78,479  100 %
                       ========  ===      ========  ===      ========  ===      ========  ===      ========  ===
</TABLE>
 
     ADVERTISING. Substantially all of the advertising revenues in the year
ended December 31, 1995 were derived from local and national retailers and
classified advertisers. Advertising rates and rate structures vary among the
publications and are based, among other things, on circulation, penetration and
type of advertising (whether classified or display and national or retail). In
1995, retail advertising accounted for the largest share of advertising revenues
(53%), followed by classified (32%) and national (12%).
 
     The Chicago Sun-Times offers a variety of advertising alternatives,
including full-run advertisements, geographically zoned issues, special interest
pull-out sections and advertising supplements in addition to regular sections of
the newspaper targeted to different readers, such as arts, food, real estate, TV
listings, weekend and special sections. The Chicago area suburban newspapers
also offer weekly separate sections and special sections. Management has also
developed the Sun-Times Newspaper Network, an advertising vehicle which can
reach the combined readership base of the Chicago Sun-Times and the 71 Chicago
area suburban newspapers, including the Daily Southtown, News Marketer and the
Des Plaines newspapers.
 
     CIRCULATION. Circulation revenues are derived from single copy newspaper
sales made through retailers and vending racks and home delivery newspaper sales
to subscribers. Approximately 68% of the copies of the Chicago Sun-Times sold in
1995 were single copy sales. Approximately 73% of 1995 circulation revenues of
the 71 Chicago area suburban newspapers was derived from subscription sales.
 
     The average paid daily and Sunday circulation of the Chicago Sun-Times is
approximately 501,000 and 469,000 respectively, the daily and Sunday paid
circulation of the Daily Southtown is approximately 58,000 and 67,000,
respectively, and the aggregate non-daily paid and free circulation of the
Chicago area suburban newspapers is approximately 259,000 and 436,000,
respectively. The aggregate non-daily paid circulation for the Pioneer Press
newspapers is approximately 196,000 and the aggregate non-daily paid circulation
for the Star Publications newspapers is approximately 63,000.
 
     COMPETITION. Each of the Company's Chicago area newspapers competes in
varying degrees with radio, television, direct marketing and other
communications and advertising media as well as with other newspapers having
local, regional or national circulation. The Chicago metropolitan region is
comprised of Cook County and six surrounding counties and is served by six daily
newspapers.
 
     The Chicago Sun-Times competes in the Chicago region with the Chicago
Tribune, a large established metropolitan daily and Sunday newspaper, which is
the fifth largest metropolitan newspaper in the country. In addition, the
Chicago Sun-Times and other Chicago Group newspapers face competition from other
newspapers published in adjacent or nearby locations and circulated in the
Chicago metropolitan area market.
 
     EMPLOYEES AND LABOR RELATIONS. As of December 31, 1995, the Chicago Group
(including Daily Southtown) employed approximately 2,961 employees (including
approximately 645 part-time employees). Approximately 1,410 employees are
represented by 17 collective bargaining units. Collective bargaining agreements
with three unions expired at various times in 1995 and the Chicago Group is
engaged in active negotiations with one of these unions. Although the collective
bargaining agreements with these unions have not been finalized, the Company
expects to reach agreements with these unions. Employee costs (including
salaries, wages, fringe benefits, employment-related taxes and other direct
employee costs) equalled approximately 38% of the Chicago Group's revenues in
the year ended December 31, 1995. There have been no
 
                                       63
<PAGE>   65
 
strikes or general work stoppages at any of the Chicago Group's newspapers in
the past five years. The Chicago Group believes that its relationships with its
employees are generally good.
 
     RAW MATERIALS. The basic raw material for newspapers is newsprint.
Newsprint costs equalled approximately 22% of the Chicago Group's revenues in
the year ended December 31, 1995. Since March 1994, the cost of newsprint has
been increasing at a rapid pace. Overall, the Chicago Group's cost of newsprint
per metric ton increased 45% in 1995 compared to the previous year. The Chicago
Group is not dependent upon any single newsprint supplier and currently obtains
newsprint from four principal suppliers. To ensure an adequate supply of
newsprint, Chicago Sun-Times has newsprint supply contracts with certain minimum
purchase requirements. The Chicago Group believes that its newsprint sources of
supply are adequate for its anticipated needs.
 
     PRINTING AND PRODUCTION. The Chicago Group has seven operating and
production facilities. All editorial, pre-press, press, marketing, sales and
administrative activities for the Chicago Sun-Times are conducted in its main
facility in Chicago. New press facilities are being planned for Chicago
Sun-Times, at a cost estimated to be approximately $75.0 million, to be
operational in mid-1998.
 
     Daily Southtown operates a majority of its editorial, pre-press, press,
marketing, sales and administrative activities out of four adjoining sites.
Pioneer Press uses its facility in north suburban Chicago for editorial, pre-
press, sales and administrative activities. Production activities occur in a
neighboring suburb. Star Publications owns a facility in Chicago's south suburbs
in which all but its pressroom operations are conducted. Star Publications
newspapers are printed by Daily Southtown.
 
     COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER GROUP
 
     The Community Newspaper Group consists of publications in the United States
and Israel. The Community Newspaper Group's United States daily newspapers have
been published on average for almost 100 years and are typically the only paid
daily newspapers of general circulation in their respective communities.
Circulation for community newspapers ranges from 1,400 to 46,000 for paid
dailies and from 100 to 45,000 for paid non-dailies. Generally, the Company's
community newspapers combine news, sports and features with a special emphasis
on local information and provide one of the primary sources of such community
information for the towns in which they are distributed. In addition to reaching
the local population through paid daily and non-daily community newspapers, the
Company also publishes free circulation "total market coverage" publications,
including shoppers, with limited or no news or editorial content. As a group,
these publications provide the Company with a stable and established circulation
within the communities they serve, which it believes provides an effective
medium for advertisers to reach a significant portion of the households in these
communities.
 
     SOURCES OF REVENUE. The following table sets forth the sources of revenue
and the percentage that such sources represent of total revenues for the
Community Newspaper Group, including Jerusalem Post, during the past three years
and for the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                      THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                       ----------------------------------------------------     ---------------------------------
                            1993               1994               1995               1995               1996
                       --------------     --------------     --------------     --------------     --------------
                                                         (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                    <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>
Advertising........... $115,012   62 %    $129,886   63 %    $142,269   63 %    $ 30,239   61 %    $ 40,706   64 %
Circulation...........   42,508   23        45,966   23        50,861   22        11,929   23        14,116   22
Other.................   27,523   15        29,696   14        33,512   15         8,065   16         9,046   14
                       --------  ---      --------  ---      --------  ---      --------  ---      --------  ---
    Total............. $185,043  100 %    $205,548  100 %    $226,642  100 %    $ 50,233  100 %    $ 63,868  100 %
                       ========  ===      ========  ===      ========  ===      ========  ===      ========  ===
</TABLE>
 
     UNITED STATES COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS.  Advertising, circulation and job
printing revenues for the Company's United States community newspapers, as well
as competition, employees and labor relations and raw materials with respect to
such newspapers, are discussed below.
 
     Advertising. Substantially all of the advertising revenues in 1995 were
derived from local retailers and classified advertisers, which management
believes are less subject to fluctuation than national advertising.
 
                                       64
<PAGE>   66
 
Advertising rates and rate structures vary among the publications and are based,
among other things, on circulation, penetration and type of advertising (whether
classified or display and national or retail). In 1995, local and regional
advertising accounted for the largest share of advertising revenues (60%),
followed by classified (19%), preprinted inserts (18%) and national (3%).
Management believes that the Company's strategy of acquiring and operating
community newspapers in regional clusters parallels an emerging trend of larger
retailers to advertise on a regional basis and positions the Company to benefit
from this trend.
 
     Management intends to continue to develop new advertising revenue sources
such as regional and national display advertising, co-op advertising, national
classified advertising and other targeted advertising. The Company believes its
existing sales, editorial and distribution resources provide it with significant
cost advantages in developing new shoppers, other "total market coverage" and
targeted publications in these markets.
 
     Circulation. Circulation revenues in the Community Newspaper Group are
derived from home delivery sales of newspapers to subscribers and single copy
sales made through retailers and vending racks. Approximately 78% of 1995
circulation revenue was derived from subscription sales. When possible, the
Company increases subscription and single copy sales rates in an effort to
increase circulation revenues. Single copy sales rates currently range from 35c
to 50c per copy.
 
     Job Printing. Job printing revenues are derived from utilizing available
press capacity for printing customers' orders for newspapers, fliers, retail
store advertisements and real estate listings. The Company currently has a
substantial number of printing customers and believes that its growth potential
exists mainly in low volume (less than 100,000 copies) offset printing.
 
     Competition. Each of the Company's United States community newspapers and
total market coverage publications competes in varying degrees with radio,
television, direct marketing and other communications and advertising media as
well as with other newspapers having local, regional or national circulation.
The Company also competes with other commercial printers for job printing
orders.
 
     The Company's United States community publications are located in small
towns which, for the most part, are not suburbs of larger cities but are either
county seats or are located on significant transportation corridors. The
Company's community dailies are typically the only paid daily newspapers of
general circulation published in their respective communities. The Company
believes that distribution of its total market coverage publications with nearly
100% penetration levels in conjunction with community daily or non-daily
newspapers strengthens its competitive position in the relevant market areas.
Some of the Company's dailies face competition from dailies published by others
in adjacent or nearby locations and circulated in markets where the Company
publishes a newspaper.
 
     The Company's total market coverage publications, including shoppers,
compete primarily with direct mail advertising, shared mail packages and other
private advertising delivery services. The Company believes that because of its
significant presence in the small towns served by its community publications,
which are predominantly in rural areas, not close to metropolitan areas, and its
established distribution network, it has been able to compete effectively.
 
     Employees and Labor Relations. As of December 31, 1995, the Company
employed approximately 4,800 employees at its community publications (including
approximately 1,500 part-time employees). Approximately 2% of these employees
are represented by unions. Employee costs (including salaries, wages, fringe
benefits, employment-related taxes and other direct employee costs) equalled
approximately 35% of the Community Newspaper Group's revenues in fiscal year
1995. There have been no strikes or general work stoppages at any of the
Company's community newspapers in the past five years. The Company believes that
its relationships with its employees are generally good.
 
     Raw Materials. The basic raw material for newspapers is newsprint.
Newsprint costs equalled approximately 13% of the revenues for the United States
Community Newspaper Group in 1995. In common with other newspapers, the cost of
newsprint increased significantly since the latter part of 1994 and continued to
increase throughout 1995. The average cost per metric ton of newsprint was
substantially higher in the first quarter of 1996 than in the first quarter of
1995. Major newsprint producers recently rescinded their previous
 
                                       65
<PAGE>   67
 
planned price increase and have reduced prices. The Community Newspaper Group is
not dependent upon any single newsprint supplier and does not have long-term
fixed price contracts with newsprint suppliers for its community publications.
It currently obtains newsprint from a number of suppliers, foreign and domestic.
The Company believes that its newsprint sources of supply are adequate for its
anticipated needs.
 
     JERUSALEM POST. At the time of acquisition by Hollinger Inc. in 1989,
Jerusalem Post was suffering operating losses. Since then, a turnaround strategy
has been implemented by senior officers of the Company and Jerusalem Post to
reduce operating and labor costs and upgrade printing capability and the
physical plant. In the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 and for the
three months ended March 31, 1996, Jerusalem Post had operating margins of 7.2%,
9.1%, 6.3% and (7.4)%, respectively.
 
     Over 41% of Jerusalem Post's revenues of $21.9 million in 1995 were derived
from circulation, with 32% from job printing and 24% from advertising. Jerusalem
Post derives a greater percentage of its revenues from job printing than the
Company's United States newspapers. Jerusalem Post has entered into a long-term
contract to print and bind copies of the "Golden Pages," Israel's equivalent of
the "Yellow Pages" telephone directory. Newsprint costs relating to publication
of The Jerusalem Post equalled approximately 12% of Jerusalem Post's revenues in
1995. Newsprint used in producing the "Golden Pages" is furnished by the owners
of that publication.
 
     Newspapers in Israel are required by law to obtain a license from the
country's interior minister, who is authorized to restrain publication of
certain information if, among other things, it may endanger the public safety.
To date, Jerusalem Post has not experienced any difficulties in maintaining its
license to publish or been subject to any efforts to restrain publication. In
addition, all written media publications in Israel are reviewed by Israel's
military censor prior to publication in order to prevent the publication of
information that could threaten national security. Such censorship is considered
part of the ordinary course of business in the Israeli media and has not
adversely affected Jerusalem Post's business in any significant way.
 
     MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION
 
     The senior management of the United States Newspaper Group is responsible
for developing operating strategies, approving business plans and significant
capital expenditures, identifying acquisition opportunities, negotiating
acquisitions and overseeing the integration of acquired newspapers and other
newspapers into the Company. Financial management of the Company, including the
arrangement of newspaper financing to fund acquisitions and working capital
needs of the Company, and accounting, payroll and other financial functions and
newsprint purchases, are centralized and undertaken by corporate staff at the
Company's principal executive offices. Each of the principal newspaper
operations of the United States Newspaper Group--the Community Newspaper Group,
Jerusalem Post and the Chicago Group--has a separate management structure and
team which is responsible for operational and editorial matters affecting the
publications under their supervision.
 
     UNITED STATES REGULATION
 
     Paid circulation newspapers that are delivered by second class mail are
required to obtain permits from, and to file an annual statement of ownership
and circulation with, the United States Postal Service. Free circulation
publications such as shoppers are delivered to subscribers and nonsubscribers
both by mail and without the use of the mails. Second class mail costs for the
Company's community newspapers were $3.5 million in 1995, or 1.6% of the
Community Newspapers Group's revenues, and third class mail costs were $5.1
million in 1995, or 2.3% of that group's revenues. The Company is developing a
program to reduce over time its reliance on the use of third class mail for its
free circulation publications through private delivery services. There is no
significant regulation with respect to acquisitions of newspapers, other than
filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 if
certain threshold requirements under such act are satisfied.
 
                                       66
<PAGE>   68
 
     ENVIRONMENTAL
 
     The Company, in common with other newspaper companies engaged in similar
operations, is subject to a wide range of federal, state and local environmental
laws and regulations pertaining to air and water quality, storage tanks and the
management and disposal of wastes at its major printing facilities. These
requirements are becoming increasingly more stringent. The Company believes that
compliance with these laws and regulations will not have a material adverse
effect on the Company.
 
INTERNATIONAL NEWSPAPER OPERATIONS
 
     The Company's international newspaper operations consist of The Telegraph
and its investments in Fairfax, Southam and its joint venture printing
companies.
 
     THE TELEGRAPH
 
     The Telegraph is the leading publisher of quality (or broadsheet)
newspapers in the United Kingdom, publishing The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday
Telegraph, The Weekly Telegraph, the Electronic Telegraph and The Spectator
magazine. Its most important property, The Daily Telegraph, was launched in 1855
and is the largest circulation quality daily newspaper in the United Kingdom.
The Daily Telegraph's average daily circulation of approximately 1,044,000
represents a 38.5% share of the quality daily national newspaper market, a
substantially greater share than that of its nearest direct competitor. The
Daily Telegraph's Saturday edition has the highest circulation (1,196,000) among
quality daily newspapers in the United Kingdom. The Sunday Telegraph is the
second largest circulation quality Sunday newspaper in the United Kingdom with a
Sunday circulation of approximately 663,000.
 
     The Telegraph also owns an approximate 24.7% interest in Fairfax, one of
the major newspaper and magazine publishing groups in Australia, a 9.7% interest
in Southam (which, together with the 9.7% interest held by the Company through
FDTH, provides the Company with a 19.5% voting interest), the largest newspaper
publishing group in Canada, and 50% interests in each of two newspaper printing
joint ventures in England. Hollinger Inc. also owns indirectly an approximate
21.5% interest in Southam. See "International Investments" below. Management of
The Telegraph believes that The Telegraph and the Company are able to exert
significant influence over the financial and operating policy decisions of these
affiliated companies.
 
     THE UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL NEWSPAPER INDUSTRY. The national newspaper
market in the United Kingdom is segmented and, within each segment, is highly
competitive. The market segment in which The Daily Telegraph competes is
generally known as the quality (or broadsheet) daily newspaper segment. This
segment consists of all the broadsheets but none of the tabloid daily
newspapers. The Daily Telegraph and its competitors in this market segment
appeal to the middle and upper end of the demographic scale and also compete on
the basis of price.
 
     Newspapers in the United Kingdom differ from their counterparts in North
America in several respects. First, they have substantially fewer pages. In
1995, The Daily Telegraph averaged 56 pages per issue, printed in one section on
Wednesdays and Fridays, two sections on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and six
sections plus a magazine and television guide on Saturdays. Second, pre-printed
advertising inserts, which have been a major source of revenue growth in North
America, are less common in the United Kingdom. Third, the advertising to news
ratio in British newspapers is far lower. Fourth, British national newspapers
more closely resemble North American magazines in that they have broad
distribution and readership across the country and derive a much larger portion
of their advertising revenue from national advertisers. Finally, newspapers in
the United Kingdom generally have charged higher cover prices which in turn
leads to higher circulation revenues than North American newspapers with similar
circulation bases. However, since September 1993, when The Times first
substantially reduced its cover price on its weekday newspaper, the national
newspaper market in the United Kingdom has experienced intense cover price
competition. Since July 1995, The Daily Telegraph and The Times have increased
their respective cover prices. However, in June 1996, The Times began a summer
sports promotion and reduced its cover price to 10p on Mondays only. See
"Circulation" below.
 
                                       67
<PAGE>   69
 
     The following chart illustrates the circulation trends of The Daily
Telegraph and its principal competitors in the United Kingdom for the three
years ended December 31, 1995 and the six month periods from October through
March 1995 and 1996:
 
            CIRCULATION: MARKET SHARE AND AVERAGE DAILY SALES(1)(2)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       SIX MONTH PERIOD
                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                            OCTOBER TO MARCH
                     -----------------------------------------------------    ----------------------------------
                          1993               1994               1995               1995               1996
                     ---------------    ---------------    ---------------    ---------------    ---------------
                             AVERAGE            AVERAGE            AVERAGE            AVERAGE            AVERAGE
                     MARKET   DAILY     MARKET   DAILY     MARKET   DAILY     MARKET   DAILY     MARKET   DAILY
                     SHARE    SALES     SHARE    SALES     SHARE    SALES     SHARE    SALES     SHARE    SALES
                     ------  -------    ------  -------    ------  -------    ------  -------    ------  -------
                                                   (AVERAGE SALES IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                  <C>     <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>     <C>
The Daily
  Telegraph..........   42%   1,021        41%   1,040        39%   1,060        40%   1,065        39%   1,044
The Times............   16      390        21      542        24      658        23      619        25      672
The Guardian.........   17      407        16      401        15      397        15      403        15      402
The Independent......   14      335        11      281        11      295        11      287        10      288
Financial Times......   11      289        11      292        11      294        11      293        11      305
                       ---    -----       ---    -----       ---    -----       ---    -----       ---    -----
                       100%   2,442       100%   2,556       100%   2,704       100%   2,667       100%   2,711
                       ===    =====       ===    =====       ===    =====       ===    =====       ===    =====
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
(1) Circulation is defined as average sales of a newspaper per issue, net of
    returns.
 
(2) Derived from the twelve-month average circulation and market share index
    information published by Audit Bureau of Circulations Limited.
 
     The following chart illustrates the circulation trends of The Sunday
Telegraph and its principal competitors in the United Kingdom for the three
years ended December 31, 1994 and the six month periods from October through
March 1995 and 1996:
 
            CIRCULATION: MARKET SHARE AND AVERAGE DAILY SALES(1)(2)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       SIX MONTH PERIOD
                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                            OCTOBER TO MARCH
                     -----------------------------------------------------    ----------------------------------
                          1993               1994               1995               1995               1996
                     ---------------    ---------------    ---------------    ---------------    ---------------
                             AVERAGE            AVERAGE            AVERAGE            AVERAGE            AVERAGE
                     MARKET  SUNDAY     MARKET  SUNDAY     MARKET  SUNDAY     MARKET  SUNDAY     MARKET  SUNDAY
                     SHARE    SALES     SHARE    SALES     SHARE    SALES     SHARE    SALES     SHARE    SALES
                     ------  -------    ------  -------    ------  -------    ------  -------    ------  -------
                                                    (AVERAGE SALES IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                  <C>     <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>     <C>
The Sunday Times.....   46%   1,228        46%   1,237        46%   1,253        47%   1,289        47%   1,286
The Sunday
  Telegraph..........   22      591        24      650        25      683        24      673        24      663
Observer.............   19      502        18      493        17      463        18      487        17      465
The Independent on
  Sunday.............   13      374        12      323        12      327        11      315        12      317
                       ---    -----       ---    -----       ---    -----       ---    -----       ---    -----
                       100%   2,695       100%   2,703       100%   2,726       100%   2,764       100%   2,731
                       ===    =====       ===    =====       ===    =====       ===    =====       ===    =====
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
(1) Circulation is defined as average sales of a newspaper per issue, net of
    returns.
 
(2) Derived from the twelve-month average circulation and market share index
    information published by Audit Bureau of Circulations Limited.
 
                                       68
<PAGE>   70
 
     SOURCES OF REVENUE. The following table sets forth the sources of revenue
and their percentage of total revenues for The Telegraph (including its
subsidiaries) during the past three years and for the three months ended March
31, 1995 and 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,(1)(2)                  THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                         ----------------------------------------------------     -------------------------------
                              1993               1994               1995              1995              1996
                         --------------     --------------     --------------     -------------     -------------
                                                 (IN THOUSANDS OF BRITISH POUNDS STERLING)
<S>                      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Advertising............. L133,347   52%     L150,930   60%     L162,720   64%      41,870   68%      44,082   61% 
Circulation.............  116,732   46        93,618   37        83,666   33       17,597   29       26,959   37
Other...................    5,622    2         7,527    3         8,440    3        1,812    3        1,810    2
                         --------  ---      --------  ---      --------  ---      -------  ---      -------  ---
    Total............... L255,701  100%     L252,076  100%     L254,826  100%      61,279  100%      72,851  100% 
                         ========  ===      ========  ===      ========  ===      =======  ===      =======  ===
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
(1) Does not include revenues from Fairfax, Southam or joint venture printing
companies.
 
(2) All financial data have been prepared in accordance with U.K. GAAP.
 
     ADVERTISING. Advertising is the largest source of revenue at The Telegraph,
representing approximately 64% of newspaper revenue in 1995. Between 1990 and
1994 the combined share of display advertising volume of The Daily Telegraph and
The Sunday Telegraph in the quality newspaper sector has held constant at a
level of 22%. Similarly, classified advertising's share has also held at a
constant 22%. Management believes that because The Daily Telegraph is able to
charge advertisers a premium rate over that of its competitors in the quality
daily sector by virtue of the size of its readership, The Telegraph is able to
achieve a higher market share in terms of revenue.
 
     The rates charged by The Telegraph for display and classified
advertisements are determined in part by the total number of people in the
various demographic groupings who read each publication. Readership is measured
by a continuous independent survey conducted for National Readership Surveys
Limited ("NRS"). NRS estimates of readership are based upon the number of people
responding to the NRS survey who report having read or looked at one or more
issues of a given newspaper or magazine during a particular period.
 
     According to NRS, The Daily Telegraph's readers are primarily in the top
three of the six socio-economic groupings designated by NRS as A, B and C1
(collectively, "ABC1"). The Daily Telegraph has a readership of over 2.1 million
ABC1 adults, more than any other broadsheet daily newspaper, and 682,000 more
than its nearest competitor for the six month period ended March 1996.
Management believes The Daily Telegraph readership position is highly
advantageous in attracting advertisers, thereby permitting it to charge higher
advertising rates per page than its direct competitors.
 
     The Daily Telegraph's display advertising strengths are in the financial,
automobile and travel sections. Display advertising revenue grew to L59 million
in 1995 from L57 million in 1994. Financial advertising markets declined in 1995
and, although The Daily Telegraph is holding its market leadership position in
terms of volume, advertising revenues in this segment declined to L13 million in
1995, compared with L16 million in 1994.
 
     The level of classified advertisements, especially from recruitment
advertisements, fluctuates with the economy. The Daily Telegraph's revenue from
this source increased to L46 million in 1995 compared with L38 million in 1994.
The Telegraph's strategy with respect to classified advertising is to improve
volume and yield in four sectors: recruitment, property, travel and automobiles.
Recruitment advertising is the largest classified advertising category,
representing over two-thirds of all classified advertising in terms of revenue.
 
     In common with other national newspapers in the United Kingdom, The
Telegraph's newspapers compete for advertising revenue with other forms of
media, particularly television, magazine, direct mail, posters and radio. In
addition, total gross advertising expenditures, including financial, display and
recruitment classified advertising, are affected by economic conditions in the
United Kingdom.
 
     CIRCULATION. The target audience of The Telegraph's newspapers is generally
conservative, middle and upper income readers, with an increased emphasis on
gaining new younger readers. The editorial strengths of The Telegraph's
newspapers are national and international news, financial news and features and
comprehensive sports coverage.
 
                                       69
<PAGE>   71
 
     Net circulation revenue for The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph
for the three years ended December 31, 1995 and the six months ended March 31,
1995 and 1996 is set forth below:
 
                    NET NEWSPAPER CIRCULATION REVENUE(1)(2)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,(1)(2)              THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                                 ----------------------------------------------     -----------------------------
                                     1993             1994             1995             1995             1996
                                 ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
                                                    (IN THOUSANDS OF BRITISH POUNDS STERLING)
<S>                              <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>
The Daily Telegraph............. L100.3   88%      L78.5   87%      L68.9   86%      L14.1   84%      L22.6   87% 
The Sunday Telegraph............   13.2   12        11.5   13        10.8   14         2.6   16         3.3   13
                                 ------  ---      ------  ---      ------  ---      ------  ---      ------  ---
    Total....................... L113.5  100%      L90.0  100%      L79.7  100%      L16.7  100%      L25.9  100% 
Proportion of The Telegraph's
  newspaper revenue.............          46%              37%              33%              29%              37% 
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
(1) Net newspaper circulation revenue is shown as a proportion of The
    Telegraph's newspaper revenue, not total revenue.
 
(2) All financial data have been prepared in accordance with U.K. GAAP.
 
     Between 1986 and 1993, The Telegraph's strategy was to enhance circulation
revenue by increasing cover prices annually, at least in line with inflation,
and generally before its competitors. Since Hollinger Inc. acquired control of
The Telegraph in 1986, the cover price of The Daily Telegraph was increased from
25p to 48p for the weekday edition and to 70p for the Saturday edition. At the
same time, the cover price of The Sunday Telegraph was increased from 40p to
70p. Aggregate newspaper circulation revenue for all of The Telegraph's
publications increased during that period by 53% from L74 million in 1988 to
L113.5 million in 1993, an important factor contributing to the relative
stability of The Telegraph's operating revenue during that period.
 
     In September 1993, The Times, the principal competitor of The Daily
Telegraph, reduced the cover price of its weekday edition from 45p to 30p and
its Saturday edition from 50p to 40p. The Telegraph did not respond initially
but rather pursued a strategy of increasing its promotional activities, which
proved successful in maintaining The Telegraph's circulation levels. However,
the strategy failed to stem the growth in circulation of The Times. In order to
protect The Daily Telegraph's market leadership and to secure its premium
advertising position in the longer term, management of The Telegraph decided in
June 1994 to reduce the cover price on its weekday edition from 48p to 30p. The
Times responded by a further reduction in the cover price of its weekday edition
from 30p to 20p and its Saturday edition to 30p.
 
     In addition, The Telegraph launched a joint promotion involving the
Saturday edition of The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph, whereby
readers could use a voucher to purchase both weekend titles for L1.00 (later
reduced to 80p) compared to a combined cover price of L1.40. The strategy was to
use its circulation dominance on Saturday to increase circulation of The Sunday
Telegraph and place pressure on its competitors' weekend titles.
 
     For the period April to September 1995, circulation of The Daily Telegraph
was approximately 1,065,000 and circulation of The Sunday Telegraph was
approximately 697,000. The Daily Telegraph has maintained profitability although
at a reduced level and, despite selling at a premium to The Times, has retained
its position as the leading quality daily newspaper in the United Kingdom.
 
     On July 3, 1995, The Times increased the cover price on its weekday edition
by 5p to 25p and The Telegraph immediately responded by increasing the cover
price on its weekday edition 5p to 35p. The value of the discount voucher for
The Sunday Telegraph was reduced from 60p to 40p. The Telegraph ended this
voucher promotion in September 1995.
 
     On November 20, 1995, The Times increased the cover price on its weekday
and Saturday editions by 5p to 30p per copy on weekdays and 40p on Saturdays.
The Telegraph responded by increasing the cover price of the weekday edition of
The Daily Telegraph by 5p to 40p per copy. The price of the Saturday issue of
The Daily Telegraph remained at 70p. Management believes that maintaining the
weekday cover price difference of 10p per copy above that of The Times has not
led to any significant erosion of its circulation levels. The
 
                                       70
<PAGE>   72
 
Daily Telegraph retains its position as market leader in the quality daily
market despite selling at a premium cover price over The Times. The future cover
price policy for The Daily Telegraph will be reviewed from time to time in light
of constantly changing market conditions. The pricing policy for The Sunday
Telegraph, currently selling at 70p, 30p less than the market leader, is likely
to be reviewed in the near future. On June 3, 1996, The Times reduced its cover
price to 10p on Mondays only, as part of its "summer sport promotion." To
promote its "summer of sport," The Daily Telegraph launched a 12-week voucher
promotion beginning Saturday, June 8 enabling readers to redeem vouchers to
purchase The Daily Telegraph on Mondays for 10p.
 
     OTHER PUBLICATIONS AND BUSINESS ENTERPRISES. The Telegraph is involved in
several other publications and business enterprises, including The Spectator,
The Weekly Telegraph, the Electronic Telegraph and Readers' Offers.
 
     EMPLOYEES AND LABOR RELATIONS. During 1995 The Telegraph and its
subsidiaries employed an average of 1,059 persons and the two joint venture
printing companies employed an additional 872 persons in total. Collective
agreements between The Telegraph and the trade unions representing certain
portions of The Telegraph's workforce expired on June 30, 1990 and have not been
renewed or replaced. The absence of such collective agreements has had no
adverse effect on The Telegraph's operations and, in management's view, is
unlikely to do so in the foreseeable future.
 
     The Telegraph's joint venture printing companies, West Ferry Printers and
Trafford Park Printers, each have "in-house" collective agreements with the
unions representing their employees and certain provisions of these collective
agreements are incorporated into the employees' individual employment contracts.
In contrast to the union agreements that prevailed on Fleet Street, these
collective agreements provide that there shall be flexibility in the duties
carried out by union members and that staffing levels and the deployment of
staff are the sole responsibility of management. Binding arbitration and joint
labor-management standing committees are key features of each of the collective
agreements. These collective agreements may be terminated by either party by six
months' prior written notice.
 
     There have been no strikes or general work stoppages involving employees of
The Telegraph or the joint venture printing companies in the past five years.
Management of The Telegraph believes that its relationships with its employees
and the relationships of the joint venture printing companies with their
employees are good.
 
     RAW MATERIALS. Newsprint currently represents the single largest raw
material expense of The Telegraph's newspapers and, together with employee
costs, is one of the most significant operating costs. Up to 134,000 metric tons
are consumed annually and in 1995 the total cost was approximately L55.1
million, or 22% of its newspaper revenues. The overall increase in demand for
newsprint has been caused in part by greater pagination resulting from a rise in
advertising and competitive pressure among the national newspaper publishers in
the United Kingdom. Newsprint requirements have also grown in other parts of the
world with the result that prices have risen dramatically.
 
     Newsprint is ordinarily purchased by The Telegraph from eight to ten
manufacturers and delivered to The Telegraph's joint venture printing companies,
West Ferry Printers and Trafford Park Printers, from mills in Canada, Sweden,
Finland and the United Kingdom. The Telegraph generally enters into fixed term
contracts with its main suppliers for periods of 12 months or longer. The joint
venture printing plants normally hold sufficient newsprint for a full week's
production. In addition, a further four to five weeks' requirements are
generally available to each of the printing plants from the suppliers' stock
held in the United Kingdom.
 
     The ten newsprint supply agreements that The Telegraph entered into for
1995 provided for delivery by individual suppliers of between 5,000 and 36,000
metric tons each. The price terms of a majority of these supply contracts were
fixed through the first six months of 1995 and were on average almost 15% higher
than 1994. Newsprint manufacturers imposed a further price increase effective
July 1, 1995 of approximately 30%. These two increases in price during 1995 are
expected to add approximately L12 million to The Telegraph's newsprint cost in
1995 as compared to 1994.
 
     PRINTING. All copies of The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph are
printed by The Telegraph's two 50% owned joint venture printing companies, West
Ferry Printers and Trafford Park Printers, both of which commenced production in
1986. The Telegraph has a very close involvement in the management of the
 
                                       71
<PAGE>   73
 
joint venture companies and regards them as being important to The Telegraph's
day-to-day operations. The Saturday magazine section of the Saturday edition of
The Daily Telegraph is printed under contract by an external magazine printer.
West Ferry Printers has sixteen presses, six of which are configured for The
Telegraph's newspapers and the remainder for the newspapers published by The
Telegraph's joint venture partner, a subsidiary of United News & Media plc.
Trafford Park Printers has four presses, two of which are used primarily for The
Telegraph's newspapers.
 
     The managements of both joint venture printing companies continually seek
to improve production performance. Major capital expenditures require the
approval of the boards of directors of the joint venture partners. The presses
used to print The Telegraph's newspapers were upgraded in 1992 by the addition
of two further color satellites for each press, enabling color to be printed on
up to 12 pages of a 48 page newspaper on each print run. More recently, a
further capital expenditure of around L1 million has been incurred in the
addition of "balloon formers" to the presses. These permit The Telegraph's
weekend newspapers to be printed in multiple sections.
 
     There is high utilization of the plant at Trafford Park Printers, with
little spare capacity. Revenue earned by the joint venture company from contract
printing for third parties has a marginal effect on The Telegraph's printing
costs and is mainly reflected in its equity earnings.
 
     West Ferry Printers also undertakes some contract printing for third
parties, which results in increased profitability, but its presses are not fully
utilized during the day. The management of West Ferry Printers is actively
seeking further contract printing business to absorb the spare capacity
available. In April 1995 West Ferry Printers entered into a 13-year printing
contract with Pearson plc, the media group that owns the Financial Times, to
print the Financial Times' southern editions (160,000 copies) Monday to Saturday
which commenced beginning April 1996. Pearson plc is closing its London printing
plant that prints the Financial Times and one of this plant's two Rockwell Goss
Headliner web-offset presses has been dismantled and sold along with ancillary
equipment to West Ferry Printers for L6 million in cash and L3 million in
redeemable preference shares of West Ferry Printers which are supported by
guarantees of the joint venture partners. There are also various third party
printing contracts, which could contribute up to a further L750,000 per annum,
which may be transferred to West Ferry Printers along with the main contract.
Decisions on the use of spare capacity take account of the production demands of
The Telegraph's newspapers and those of its joint venture partner.
 
     Following a decision by the Guardian Media Group to cease printing at its
London site, an agreement has been reached to print the southern editions of
their newspapers at West Ferry Printers. The printing contract will commence on
July 8, 1996 and will involve extensive modifications to existing presses and
some new equipment over the next 18 months, with the eventual allocation of two
presses to the Guardian. The introduction of this major printing contract is
expected to increase substantially the utilization of West Ferry's printing
capacity.
 
     DISTRIBUTION. Since 1988, The Telegraph's newspapers have been distributed
to wholesalers by truck under a contract with a subsidiary of TNT Express (UK)
Limited, resulting in lower distribution costs compared with distribution by
rail. Under the distribution arrangements, some vehicles are dedicated solely to
The Telegraph while others are shared with other newspaper publishers.
Management believes there are opportunities to reduce The Telegraph's
distribution costs still further through better utilization of vehicles and
routes. The Telegraph's arrangements with wholesalers contain performance
monitoring provisions related to minimum standards as to sufficiency of copies
for sale while controlling the number of unsold copies for return.
 
     Wholesalers distribute newspapers to retail news outlets. The number of
retail news outlets throughout the United Kingdom has increased as a result of a
1994 ruling by the British Department of Trade and Industry that prohibits
wholesalers from limiting the number of outlets in a particular area. More
outlets do not necessarily mean more sales and The Telegraph's circulation
department has continued to develop its control of wastage while taking steps to
ensure that copies remain in those outlets with high single copy sales. In
addition to single copy sales, many retail news outlets offer home delivery
services. In 1995 home deliveries accounted for 48% of sales of The Daily
Telegraph and 41% of sales of The Sunday Telegraph.
 
                                       72
<PAGE>   74
 
     Historically, wholesalers and retailers have been paid commissions based on
a percentage of the cover price. Prior to June 1994 when competitive pressures
caused The Telegraph to reduce its cover price, wholesaler and retailer
commissions amounted to approximately 34% of the then cover price.
Notwithstanding the reduction of the cover price, the commissions paid were not
reduced. In line with other national newspapers, The Telegraph has recently
moved away from a commission paid on a percentage of cover price to a fixed
price in pence per copy and has reduced the amount paid to wholesalers and
retailers in terms of pence per copy.
 
     Following an announcement by the owner of The Times that, together with the
increase in the cover price of The Times, it was reducing its recommended retail
margin for the weekday edition to 10p per copy, the Telegraph announced on
November 17, 1995 that the recommended retail margin for Monday to Friday issues
of The Daily Telegraph was reduced to 10p per copy from 11.9p per copy.
 
     MANAGEMENT. The Telegraph's management consists of six executive directors:
Conrad M. Black, Executive Chairman; Daniel W. Colson, Deputy-Chairman and Chief
Executive; The Hon. Jeremey Deedes, Managing Director; Christopher J. Haslum,
Deputy Managing Director and Circulation Director; Leonard M. Sanderson,
Advertisement Sales Director; and Anthony R. Hughes, Finance Director, as well
as 16 non-executive directors, including F. David Radler. Mr. Black is Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Hollinger Inc., a Director and
Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee of Fairfax and Co-Chairman and a
Director of Southam. Mr. Colson is a Director of the Company and Hollinger Inc.,
and a Director and Deputy Chairman of Fairfax. Mr. Radler is President, Chief
Operating Officer and a Director of the Company and Hollinger Inc. and a
Director of Southam.
 
     REGULATORY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. United Kingdom companies are subject
to various competition laws, including the Restrictive Trade Practices Act
1956-1976 (the "RTPA"), which requires the registration of certain restrictive
or information-sharing agreements with the Office of Fair Trading and, under
certain circumstances, prohibits such agreements. In common with other major
newspaper publishers. The Telegraph has given undertakings in proceedings under
the RTPA to the Restrictive Practices Court in respect of, among other things,
both daily and Sunday papers. These undertakings include a general undertaking
not to enter into any kind of agreement registrable under the RTPA of which
particulars are not furnished to the Office of Fair Trading within the
prescribed period. The Telegraph has also given a number of specific
undertakings (concerning pricing, wholesaler discounts and other conditions upon
which newspapers may be supplied) which prohibit the entering of agreements
containing the restrictions specified in the undertakings or any agreements to
the like effect. A breach of any of the undertakings may result in The Telegraph
(and potentially any individuals involved) being held in contempt of court. The
Telegraph has instituted procedures designed to ensure that all personnel in
relevant managerial positions are required to acknowledge quarterly that they
have been reminded of the requirements of the RTPA, the meaning and scope of the
undertakings given, the necessity of obtaining legal advice in cases of doubt
and the consequences and seriousness of any breach. A code of conduct which
contains this information has been circulated among relevant personnel.
 
     Special provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973 apply to certain newspaper
mergers (in addition to the general merger control system). In particular, where
a proprietor of newspapers circulating in the United Kingdom acquires a
controlling interest in a newspaper or newspaper assets such that total sales of
all the newspapers concerned are 500,000 or more copies per day of publication,
such transfer is unlawful and void unless made with the written consent of the
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. That consent can, with limited
exceptions, be given only after a Monopolies and Mergers Commission
investigation.
 
     The Telegraph and its joint venture printing companies, West Ferry Printers
and Trafford Park Printers, in common with other newspaper publishers and
printers, are subject to a wide range of environmental laws and regulations
promulgated by United Kingdom and European authorities. These laws are becoming
increasingly more stringent. Management of The Telegraph believes that
compliance with these laws and regulations will not have a material adverse
effect on The Telegraph.
 
     PRICE RANGE OF ORDINARY SHARES AND DIVIDENDS. The ordinary shares of The
Telegraph are listed on the London Stock Exchange. The twelve month high and low
closing prices for the ordinary shares of The Telegraph as of June 12, 1996 were
L5.62 ($8.62) and L3.85 ($6.19) per share, respectively, with a closing
 
                                       73
<PAGE>   75
 
price as of June 12, 1996 of L5.62 ($8.62) per share. A final dividend of 7.5p
per ordinary share was announced on March 25, 1996 and was declared payable on
May 9, 1996 to holders of record on April 12, 1996. The declaration and payment
by The Telegraph of future dividends on its ordinary shares and the amount
thereof will depend upon The Telegraph's results of operations, financial
condition, cash requirements, restrictions imposed by its lenders, future
prospects and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors of The
Telegraph.
 
     INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENTS
 
     FAIRFAX. The Telegraph is the single largest shareholder of Fairfax and now
owns an approximate 25% interest in Fairfax. The Telegraph's ownership of
Fairfax is limited at present by the Australian Foreign Acquisitions and
Takeovers Act of 1975 to 25% of issued capital. See "Regulatory Matters" below.
 
     The Telegraph's investment in Fairfax is accounted for by the equity
method. Based on the market price of Fairfax's shares of A$2.80 per share at
December 31, 1995, The Telegraph's interest in Fairfax has a current market
value of approximately A$549.8 million. The acquisition cost of The Telegraph's
current interest is approximately A$277.0 million.
 
     Business of Fairfax. Fairfax is one of Australia's largest newspaper
publishing companies. Fairfax's main publications are the leading quality
newspapers in Australia's two largest cities, The Sydney Morning Herald
(circulation approximately 253,000) and The Age (Melbourne -- circulation
approximately 215,000) and Australia's only weekday business newspaper, The
Australian Financial Review (national -- circulation approximately 82,000).
Fairfax also publishes a number of national and local newspapers and magazines,
regional and community newspapers, and specialized investment and finance
magazines.
 
     Fairfax derives the majority of its revenue from advertising, which
accounted for approximately 73% of Fairfax's consolidated revenue in fiscal 1994
(ending June 30) and 74% for fiscal 1995. Both The Sydney Morning Herald and The
Age are market leaders in their respective classified advertising markets,
achieving a fiscal 1995 market share by volume of 79% and 75% of the Sydney and
Melbourne metropolitan daily newspaper classified advertising markets,
respectively. The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial
Review all maintain a high percentage readership of the upper income, well
educated socioeconomic market typically targeted by advertisers. This readership
profile is an integral part of Fairfax's strategy in maintaining its share of
classified and display advertising volumes in their respective markets.
 
     Since 1993, Fairfax has undertaken an A$500 million capital improvement
program. This program has included a new A$315 million printing facility at
Chullora, N.S.W. which was operational in early 1996, a recently completed
editorial and communications center at Darling Park in Sydney, and A$50 million
dedicated to re-equipping systems and upgrading presses at the Melbourne
facility.
 
     Fairfax is also evaluating a wide range of opportunities in the emerging
electronic multimedia industries in Australia and elsewhere. Current projects
include providing archival copies of its publications through CD-ROM or on-line
computer networks, and a joint venture with the Australian Stock Exchange to
provide a live share price and market information service.
 
     The following table sets forth the trading revenue mix for Fairfax for the
three fiscal years ended June 30, 1995 and the nine months ended March 31, 1995
and 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,                           NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                     -------------------------------------------------------     -----------------------------------
                          1993                1994                1995                1995                1996
                     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
                              (IN THOUSANDS OF AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS)
<S>                  <C>         <C>     <C>         <C>     <C>         <C>     <C>         <C>     <C>         <C>
Newspapers.........  A$652,983    85%    A$716,265    85%    A$798,041    84%    A$593,846    85%    A$603,969    80%
Magazines..........     72,617     9        76,661     9        80,534     9        56,807     8        66,612     9
Other..............     41,086     6        48,857     6        65,939     7        49,280     7        79,821    11
                     ---------   ---     ---------   ---     ---------   ---     ---------   ---     ---------   ---
Total..............  A$766,686   100%    A$841,783   100%    A$944,514   100%    A$699,933   100%    A$750,402   100%
                     =========   ===     =========   ===     =========   ===     =========   ===     =========   ===
</TABLE>
 
     Regulatory Matters. The Telegraph's ownership of Fairfax is limited to 25%
of issued capital by applicable Australian law, in particular the Foreign
Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 ("FATA"). Foreign
 
                                       74
<PAGE>   76
 
and cross-media ownership restrictions are contained in FATA and the
Broadcasting Act 1942 and foreign owners, such as The Telegraph, are also
subject to regulation by the Foreign Investment Review Board. The two other
principal shareholders of Fairfax are subject to FATA or the Broadcasting Act
1942 and are subject to Australian statutory or regulatory limitations on
ownership.
 
     In addition, the Australian Corporations Law limits the ability of persons
such as The Telegraph who hold in excess of 20% of the voting shares in an
Australian company from acquiring additional shares in that company without
making a general offer to all of its other shareholders. An exception to this
requirement exists if the person limits its acquisition of additional voting
securities to no more than 3% in any six month period.
 
     The Australian government has proposed the formation of a governmental
committee to review media ownership rules, which is expected to make its
recommendations in early 1997. Management has stated that the outcome of the
Australian government review will be taken into account in determining The
Telegraph's strategy in relation to its investment in Fairfax. Depending upon
the outcome of the Australian government review of its foreign investment
policies and other relevant factors, the Company intends either to (i) increase
its investment in Fairfax possibly to a majority position or (ii) sell or
otherwise dispose of its interest in Fairfax, which should result in a
substantial capital gain and (depending upon the structure of any such
transaction) use all or a portion of the proceeds to reduce the Company's long
term debt.
 
     Price Range of Ordinary Shares and Dividends. The ordinary shares of
Fairfax are listed on the Australian Stock Exchange Limited. The twelve month
high and low closing prices for the ordinary shares of Fairfax as of June 12,
1996 were A$3.05 ($2.28) and A$2.56 ($1.82), respectively, with a closing price
as of June 12, 1996 of A$2.41 ($2.15) per share. A cash dividend of A$0.060 per
ordinary share was declared in the third quarter ended March 31, 1996. The
payment and the amount of future dividends will be determined by the Board of
Directors of Fairfax based on considerations such as earnings from operations,
capital requirements and Fairfax's financial condition and other relevant
factors.
 
     Relationship with The Telegraph. In view of its ownership position and
close involvement with the management of Fairfax, management of The Telegraph
believes that The Telegraph is able to exert significant influence over the
financial and operating policy decisions of Fairfax. While The Telegraph has no
contractual entitlement to board representation, it is closely involved in the
management of Fairfax and has offered to provide from time to time such industry
and technical expertise as may be helpful to Fairfax's existing management team.
 
     Two members of the Board of Directors of Fairfax are also Directors of The
Telegraph and of the Company. Mr. Conrad M. Black, Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer of Hollinger Inc. and the Company, Chairman and Director
of The Telegraph and Co-Chairman and a Director of Southam, is a Director and
Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee of Fairfax and Mr. Colson, Deputy
Chairman and Chief Executive of The Telegraph and a Director of Hollinger Inc.
and the Company, is a Director and Deputy Chairman of Fairfax.
 
     SOUTHAM. The Company, through The Telegraph and FDTH, has an approximate
19.5% interest in Southam, which is accounted for on the equity method. In late
May 1996 Hollinger Inc. acquired a 21.5% interest in Southam, which together
with the 19.5% interest indirectly owned by the Company, provide Hollinger Inc.
and the Company with a combined approximate 41% interest in Southam. Hollinger
Inc.'s stated plans are to increase its ownership interest by permissible
purchases toward or beyond 50% and may thereafter seek to acquire all Southam
common shares not then owned or controlled by Hollinger Inc. or the Company
through an offer of the Company's securities involving, directly or indirectly,
the issuance of the Company's Class A Common Stock. See "Recent Developments."
Hollinger Inc. and the Company will pool their interests in Southam in a manner
that maintains Southam's tax status as a publisher of Canadian newspapers and
periodicals while ensuring that the maximum possible equity interest in Southam
will continue to be owned by the Company. If the Company obtains control of
Southam (through share ownership or otherwise), Southam's results of operations
will be consolidated for accounting purposes.
 
                                       75
<PAGE>   77
 
     Business of Southam. Southam is a diversified publicly held enterprise in
the communications and information industry with continuing operations in two
principal business segments: newspaper publishing and business communications
(83% and 17% of Southam's consolidated revenue, respectively, of Cdn.$1.0
billion in 1995). Southam is Canada's largest publisher of daily newspapers.
Effective April 1, 1995, Southam sold its book retailing division. The book
retailing division represented 18.8% of consolidated revenue in 1994. As part of
the transaction, Southam received a minority interest in the common equity of
FICG Inc. In early October 1995, Southam sold the last of its graphic
businesses, Dittler Brothers, Incorporated.
 
     Newspapers published by Southam account for approximately 28% of Canada's
total daily newspaper circulation (approximately 1.4 million) and include 17
daily and 33 weekly newspapers. Southam's principal publications include The
Gazette (Montreal), The Ottawa Citizen, the Calgary Herald, The Vancouver Sun,
The Province (Vancouver) and The Edmonton Journal.
 
     Southam has two operating divisions which provide communications and
information services to business, government and the professions mainly in
Canada and also in the United States. The Southam Magazine and Information Group
publishes Canadian and United States business magazines and tabloids in the
automotive, trucking, construction, national resources, manufacturing and other
markets. The Southam Show Group operates Canadian and United States trade and
consumer shows and show support services. On May 16, 1996, Southam announced a
proposed sale of its Southam Show Group, also known as Southex Exhibitions,
pursuant to an agreement in principle with the Daily Mail and General Trust plc,
a media company based in London. Southam stated that the transaction is expected
to close in July 1996, but did not disclose the terms of the transaction.
 
     The following table sets forth the revenue mix for Southam for the three
years ended December 31, 1995 and the three months ended March 31, 1995 and
1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                       THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                       --------------------------------------------------------    --------------------------------
                             1993                1994                1995               1995              1996
                       ----------------    ----------------    ----------------    --------------    --------------
                                                      (CANADIAN DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                    <C>         <C>     <C>         <C>     <C>         <C>     <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>
Newspapers............ $  810,714   69%    $  808,471   67%    $  863,166   83%    $197,529    84%   $206,204    83% 
Business
  Communications......    157,395   13        166,700   14        176,083   17       38,616    16      42,804    17
Book Retailing........    208,049   18        226,188   19             --   --           --    --          --    --
                       ----------  ---     ----------  ---     ----------  ---     --------   ---    --------   ---
    Total............. $1,176,158  100%    $1,202,359  100%    $1,039,249  100%    $236,145   100%   $249,008   100% 
                       ==========  ===     ==========  ===     ==========  ===     ========   ===    ========   ===
</TABLE>
 
                                       76
<PAGE>   78
 
     The following table sets forth selected financial information for Southam
for the three years ended December 31, 1995 and the three months ended March 31,
1995 and 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                 MARCH 31,
                                                --------------------------------------    --------------------
                                                   1993          1994          1995         1995        1996
                                                ----------    ----------    ----------    --------    --------
                                                                                              (UNAUDITED)
                                                    (CANADIAN DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                             <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>         <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:(1)(2)
  Revenue...................................... $1,176,158    $1,202,359    $1,022,345    $236,145    $249,008
  Operating income (loss) before unusual items
    and income taxes (3).......................     34,184        70,498        59,411       9,651       3,873
  Net income (loss) in accordance with Canadian
    GAAP.......................................     21,568        44,008       (53,422)      3,410       2,401
  Earnings (loss) per share in accordance with
    Canadian GAAP..............................       0.29          0.58          (.70)       0.04        0.03
BALANCE SHEET DATA:(1)(2)
  Working capital
    (deficiency)............................... $  (14,475)   $    5,064    $   11,431    $ 61,408    $  5,366
  Total assets.................................    914,241       898,933       823,115     867,235     818,215
  Long-term debt...............................    117,922       124,500       179,491     168,100     178,586
  Shareholders' equity in accordance with
    Canadian GAAP..............................    433,397       454,803       359,264     454,369     358,233
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
(1) See "Exchange Rates" for certain information concerning the exchange rates
    between Canadian and U.S. dollars for the periods indicated.
 
(2) The consolidated financial statements of Southam have been prepared in
    accordance with Canadian GAAP.
 
(3) Southam recorded restructuring charges of $120 million in 1995 and had a
    loss from discontinued operations of $14.5 million in 1995.
 
     Southam Restructuring Plans.  On January 16, 1996, Southam announced that
it would take a pretax charge against its 1995 earnings of Cdn.$120.0 million
($88.1 million) as part of a three year business plan. Approximately Cdn.$40.0
million of the charge relates to the writedown of redundant assets at its
Pacific Press facility, with the remaining Cdn.$80.0 million relating to
employee termination costs and will result from the elimination of 750 positions
over the next three years.
 
     Regulatory Matters. The publication, distribution and sale of newspapers
and magazines in Canada is regarded as a "cultural business" under the
Investment Canada Act and consequently, any acquisition of control of Southam by
a non-Canadian investor would be subject to the prior review and approval by the
Minister of Industry of Canada.
 
     Constrained Share Provisions. Southam is a constrained share corporation
under the Canada Business Corporations Act. The general effects of its
constrained share status are to restrict the holding or ownership of its shares
by non-Canadians, either individually or in the aggregate, within limits set
from time to time by the Board of Directors; to prevent the issue or transfer of
its shares in circumstances where these limits would be exceeded; and to limit
the voting rights attached to its shares in circumstances where these limits are
exceeded. These provisions were enacted in order to ensure the ability of
advertisers in Southam's newspapers and other periodicals to deduct, for
Canadian income tax purposes, the cost of advertising in their publications.
 
     The Board of Directors of Southam determined that the "constrained class"
includes: (i) individuals other than Canadian citizens and (ii) corporations
that are controlled directly or indirectly by citizens or subjects of a country
other than Canada. The Board of Directors also has determined that the maximum
aggregate holdings of members of the constrained class will be 25% and that the
maximum individual holdings of members of the constrained class will be 25%.
Because 18.9% of the Company's indirect 19.5% interest in Southam is held by
HTH, a Canadian corporation which is controlled directly or indirectly by
Hollinger Inc., a Canadian corporation, and a wholly owned Canadian subsidiary
of Hollinger Inc. currently holds a 21.5%
 
                                       77
<PAGE>   79
 
interest, Southam's constrained share provisions should not restrict the
Company's or Hollinger Inc.'s investment in Southam. Accordingly, so long as the
Company's investment maintains its current or a similar structure and assuming
no more restrictive provisions are adopted by Southam, the Company would be free
to make additional indirect investments in Southam.
 
     Price Range of Common Shares and Dividends. The ordinary shares of Southam
are listed on the Toronto and Montreal stock exchanges. The twelve month high
and low closing sales prices for the ordinary shares of Southam on the Toronto
Stock Exchange as of June 12, 1996 were Cdn.$17.00 ($12.42) and Cdn.$12.25
($9.06), respectively, with a closing price as of June 12, 1996 of Cdn.$16.00
($11.70). A cash dividend in the amount of Cdn.$0.05 was declared per ordinary
share payable June 15, 1996 to shareholders of record June, 1996. The payment
and the level of future dividends will be determined by the Board of Directors
of Southam based on considerations such as earnings from operations, capital
requirements and the financial condition of Southam.
 
     Relationship with Hollinger Inc. and The Telegraph. In April 1993 Hollinger
Inc. and The Telegraph entered into the Hollinger-Telegraph Joint Venture
Agreement governing their joint investment in HTH and Southam. The agreement
provides, among other things, that (i) each of Hollinger Inc. and The Telegraph
is entitled to appoint two directors to the board of HTH; (ii) 572872 Alberta
Inc. ("Alberta Holdco"), a wholly owned Canadian subsidiary of HTH, is entitled
to designate for nomination for election to the board of directors of Southam a
certain number of directors pursuant to the Southam Agreement and Hollinger Inc.
and The Telegraph are entitled to designate an equal number of such nominees and
in the case of an odd number, HTH is entitled to designate one nominee; (iii)
the approval of both Hollinger Inc. and The Telegraph is required for certain
significant transactions; and (iv) Hollinger Inc. and The Telegraph have
"buy-sell," "first refusal" and "carry along" rights that govern their ability
to deal with their shares in HTH. To secure their respective obligations
referred to in (iv) above, Hollinger Inc. and The Telegraph have granted each
other a security interest in their respective holdings of HTH. As a result of
the Reorganization, FDTH became subject to the Hollinger-Telegraph Joint Venture
Agreement. In January 1996, Alberta Holdco amalgamated with HTH and the
amalgamated corporation became entitled to the rights and subject to the
obligations under such agreement.
 
     Mr. Conrad M. Black, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
Hollinger Inc. and the Company, Chairman and a Director of The Telegraph and a
Director and Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee of Fairfax, is
Co-Chairman and a Director of Southam. Mr. F. David Radler, President and Chief
Operating Officer and a Director of Hollinger Inc. and the Company and a
Director of The Telegraph is a Director of Southam. Mr. Peter G. White, a
Director of Hollinger Inc.
 
     JOINT VENTURE PRINTING COMPANIES. All copies of The Daily Telegraph and The
Sunday Telegraph are printed by The Telegraph's two 50% owned joint venture
printing companies, West Ferry Printers and Trafford Park Printers. See
"Business--International Newspaper Operations--The Telegraph--Printing."
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     The Company becomes involved from time to time in various claims and
lawsuits incidental to the ordinary course of its business, including such
matters as libel, defamation and invasion of privacy actions. The Telegraph does
not carry libel insurance. Management of The Telegraph believes that the cost of
such insurance is not warranted by the insignificant nature of the libel claims
against The Telegraph in recent years. The decision not to carry libel insurance
has been, and will continue to be, reviewed periodically based on any changed
circumstances. In addition, the Company is involved from time to time in various
governmental and administrative proceedings with respect to employee
terminations and other labor matters, environmental compliance, tax and other
matters.
 
     Management believes that the outcome of any pending claims or proceedings
will not have a material adverse effect on the Company taken as a whole. See
Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                       78
<PAGE>   80
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     The following table sets forth the names and ages (as of June 12, 1996) of
each of the Company's current executive officers and directors, followed by a
description of their principal occupations during the past five years and
current directorships of public reporting companies and investment companies in
the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. Unless otherwise
indicated, each of the executive officers has held his or her position with the
Company, or a similar position with the Company, for at least the past five
years.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             NAME                AGE                   POSITION WITH THE COMPANY
- ------------------------------   ----   -------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>    <C>
The Hon. Conrad M. Black,
  P.C., O.C...................     51   Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive
                                        Officer and Director
F. David Radler...............     54   President, Chief Operating Officer and Director
J.A. Boultbee.................     52   Vice President, Finance and Treasury
Barbara Amiel Black...........     55   Vice President, Editorial
Paul B. Healy.................     32   Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate
                                        Development
Kenneth L. Serota.............     34   Vice President and Secretary
Frederick A. Creasey..........     46   Group Corporate Controller
Dwayne O. Andreas.............     78   Director
Richard Burt..................     49   Director
Raymond G. Chambers...........     53   Director
Daniel W. Colson..............     49   Chief Executive of The Telegraph and Director
Dr. Henry A. Kissinger........     73   Director
Marie-Josee Kravis............     46   Director
Shmuel Meitar.................     52   Director
Richard N. Perle..............     54   Director
The Hon. Robert S. Strauss....     77   Director
Alfred Taubman................     72   Director
James R. Thompson.............     60   Director
Lord Weidenfeld...............     76   Director
Leslie H. Wexner..............     58   Director
</TABLE>
 
     THE HON. CONRAD M. BLACK, P.C., O.C., Chairman of the Board of Directors,
Chief Executive Officer and Director. Mr. Black has served as Chairman of the
Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since October 25,
1995, and has served as a Director of the Company since 1985. Mr. Black served
as Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company from 1991 to October
25, 1995. Mr. Black has served for the past five years as the Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer of Hollinger Inc. He currently serves as the
Chairman and as a Director of The Telegraph, as a Director and Deputy Chairman
of the Executive Committee of Fairfax, and as Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer and as a Director of Argus, as a Director of Brascan Limited
and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, and as Co-Chairman and as a Director
of Southam, all of which are public reporting companies in Canada, and as a
Member of the Advisory Board of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation.
 
     F. DAVID RADLER, President, Chief Operating Officer and Director. Mr.
Radler has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since
October 25, 1995 and a Director of the Company since 1984. Mr. Radler was
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company from 1990 to October 25, 1995.
Mr. Radler has served for the past five years as President and Chief Operating
Officer and a Director of Hollinger Inc. He currently serves as a Director of
The Telegraph, and as a Director of Argus, Dominion Malting Limited, Southam and
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd., all of which are Canadian public reporting
companies.
 
                                       79
<PAGE>   81
 
     J. A. BOULTBEE, Vice President, Finance and Treasury. Mr. Boultbee has
served as Vice President, Finance and Treasury of the Company since October 25,
1995, and as a Vice President of the Company since 1987. Mr. Boultbee served as
a Director of the Company from 1988 to October 25, 1995. Mr. Boultbee has served
for the past five years as a Director and as the Vice-President, Finance and
Treasury of Hollinger Inc. Mr. Boultbee also serves as a Director of Argus and
Consolidated Enfield Corporation, which are Canadian public reporting companies.
 
     BARBARA AMIEL BLACK, Vice President, Editorial. Mrs. Black has served as
Vice President, Editorial of the Company since September 1995. Mrs. Black is the
wife of Mr. Conrad M. Black. After an extensive career in both on and off air
television production, Mrs. Black was the editor of The Toronto Sun from 1982 to
1984, a columnist of The Times and The Sunday Times of London from 1986 to 1994
and a columnist of MacLean's magazine since 1976. Mrs. Black also serves as Vice
President, Editorial and as a Director of Hollinger Inc.
 
     PAUL B. HEALY, Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate
Development. Mr. Healy has served as Vice President, Investor Relations of the
Company since October 25, 1995. Mr. Healy was a Vice President of The Chase
Manhattan Bank, N.A. for more than five years prior to October 1995, serving as
a corporate finance specialist in the media and communications sector.
 
     KENNETH L. SEROTA, Vice President and Secretary. Mr. Serota has served as
Secretary of the Company since May 1995 and as Vice President since October 25,
1995. Mr. Serota served as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Mama
Tish's International Foods, a frozen dessert manufacturer, from June 1992 to
March 1995. Mr. Serota was associated with Holleb & Coff, attorneys at law, from
1986 through June 1992.
 
     FREDERICK A. CREASEY, Group Corporate Controller. Mr. Creasey has served as
Group Corporate Controller since May 1996. Mr. Creasey has also served as
Controller of Hollinger Inc. for the last five years.
 
     DWAYNE O. ANDREAS,  Director. Mr. Andreas has served as a Director of the
Company since February 1996. Mr. Andreas has served as the Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., a publicly traded Fortune Five
Hundred company, since 1970. Mr. Andreas was Chairman of President Reagan's Task
Force on International Private Enterprise from 1983 to 1985. He currently serves
as a Director of Salomon, Inc., an investment banking firm in New York.
 
     RICHARD BURT, Director. Mr. Burt has served as a Director of the Company
since September 1994. Mr. Burt has served as Chairman of International Equity
Partners, an emerging markets investment banking and advisory services firm,
since 1994. He was a partner with McKinsey & Company, Inc. from 1991 to 1994.
Mr. Burt has served as Chief Negotiator in Strategic Arms Reduction Talks from
1989 to 1991 and as the United States Ambassador to the Federal Republic of
Germany from 1985 to 1989. Mr. Burt currently serves as a director of Video
Lottery Technologies, Inc., a United States public reporting company.
 
     RAYMOND G. CHAMBERS,  Director. Mr. Chambers has served as a Director of
the Company since February 1996. Mr. Chambers has served as a Trustee of the
Amelior Foundation for "at risk youth" since 1988. He is Founding Chairman of
the Points of Light Foundation and is Co-Chairman of the New Jersey Performing
Arts Center and the One to One Partnership.
 
     DANIEL W. COLSON, Director. Mr. Colson has served as a Director of the
Company since February 1995. Mr. Colson served as Vice Chairman of The Telegraph
from 1992 to 1995 and as Deputy Chairman of The Telegraph since 1995 and Chief
Executive of The Telegraph since 1994. Prior thereto, Mr. Colson was a partner
of Stikeman, Elliott, attorneys at law, for more than five years. Mr. Colson
currently serves as a Director of Hollinger Inc. and Argus, which are Canadian
public reporting companies, as a Director of The Telegraph and as a Director and
Deputy Chairman of Fairfax.
 
     DR. HENRY A. KISSINGER,  Director. Dr. Kissinger has served as a Director
of the Company since February 1996. Dr. Kissinger has served as Chairman of
Kissinger Associates Inc., an international consulting firm, since 1982. Dr.
Kissinger served as the 56th Secretary of State from 1973 to 1977. He also
served as Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs from 1969 to
1975 and as a member of the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board from
1984 to 1990. Dr. Kissinger currently serves as Counselor to the Chase Manhattan
Bank and as a member of its International Advisory Committee, as Chairman of the
International
 
                                       80
<PAGE>   82
 
Advisory Board of American International Group, Inc., and as a Director of
Continental Grain Company, The Revlon Group, Inc. and Freeport-McMoRan Inc., all
of which are United States public reporting companies.
 
     MARIE-JOSEE KRAVIS,  Director. Mrs. Kravis has served as a Director of the
Company since February 1996. She has served as a Senior Fellow of the Hudson
Institute Inc. since 1994. She has served as a Director of The Seagram Company
Ltd. since 1988, a Canadian public reporting company, and as a Director of
Hasbro Inc. since 1995 and Ford Motor Company since 1995, both of which are
United States public reporting companies. Mrs. Kravis also served as an
Executive Director of the Hudson Institute of Canada Inc. from 1979 to 1994 and
as a Director of Hollinger Inc. from June 1994 until 1995.
 
     SHMUEL MEITAR,  Director. Mr. Meitar has served as a Director of the
Company since February 1996. Mr. Meitar also serves as Vice Chairman of Aurec
Ltd., a leading provider of communications, media and information services since
1991. Prior to 1991, Mr. Meitar served as President of the Aurec Group which
includes Golden Channels, the largest cable television franchise in Israel, and
Golden Pages, the Israeli Yellow Pages.
 
     RICHARD N. PERLE, Director. Mr. Perle has served as a Director of the
Company since June 1994. Mr. Perle has served as Resident Fellow of the American
Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research since 1987. He was the Assistant
Secretary for the United States Department of Defense, International Security
Policy from 1981 to 1988. Mr. Perle is a member of the International Advisory
Board of Hollinger Inc.
 
     THE HON. ROBERT S. STRAUSS,  Director. Mr. Strauss has served as a Director
of the Company since February 1996. Mr. Strauss was a founder of, and is
currently a Partner of, Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, a national law firm.
Mr. Strauss served as United States Ambassador to the Soviet Union beginning in
1991, and following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, as United States
Ambassador to the Russian Federation until 1992 when he resigned and rejoined
his former law firm. He has also served as a Director of General Instrument
since 1991 and as a Director of Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. since 1981, both of
which are United States public reporting companies. From 1983 to 1988 he served
as a Director of Pepsico, Inc., from 1981 to 1989 he served as a Director of
Xerox Corp., and he served as a Director of Hollinger Inc. from September 1994
until 1995.
 
     ALFRED TAUBMAN,  Director. Mr. Taubman has served as a Director of the
Company since February 1996. Since 1983, Mr. Taubman has been the largest
shareholder, Chairman and a Director of Sotheby's Holdings Inc., the
international art auction house. Mr. Taubman also serves as Chairman of The
Taubman Company and Taubman Centers, Inc., companies engaged in the regional
retail shopping center business, and as a Director of Live Entertainment of
Canada Inc., a company involved with theatrical productions.
 
     JAMES R. THOMPSON, Director. Mr. Thompson has served as a Director of the
Company since June 1994. Mr. Thompson has served as the Chairman of Winston &
Strawn, attorneys at law, since 1991. Mr. Thompson served as the Governor of the
State of Illinois from 1977 to 1991. Mr. Thompson currently serves as a director
of FMC Corporation, Prime Retail, Inc. and Jefferson Smurfit Corporation, which
are United States public reporting companies. Mr. Thompson was a Director of The
Sun-Times Company prior to its acquisition by the Company.
 
     LORD WEIDENFELD,  Director. Lord Weidenfeld has served as a Director of the
Company since February 1996. Lord Weidenfeld has served as Chairman of
Weidenfeld & Nicolson Ltd., a book publisher, since 1975. Lord Weidenfeld served
as a Director of Hollinger Inc. from September 1993 until 1995.
 
     LESLIE H. WEXNER,  Director. Mr. Wexner has served as a Director of the
Company since February 1996. Mr. Wexner has served as Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of The Limited, Inc., a company whose activities include the
retail of apparel and personal care items, since 1963. He also currently serves
as a Director of Intimate Brands Inc. and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees
of The Ohio State University. Mr. Wexner served as a Director of Sotheby's
Holdings Inc. from 1983 to 1995 and as a Director of Bank One from 1986 to 1994.
 
                                       81
<PAGE>   83
 
                             CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS
RELATIONSHIP WITH HOLLINGER INC.
 
     Agreements Related to the Reorganization.  In connection with the October
1995 Reorganization, Hollinger Inc. and the Company entered into several
contractual arrangements. Under the Share Exchange Agreement, Hollinger Inc. has
agreed that, for a period of two years following the closing of the Share
Exchange Agreement, it will consult with an Independent Committee (as defined in
the agreement) of the Company's Board of Directors with respect to any proposed
sale or disposition of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock or any public
offer or sale of Class A Common Stock, so as not to interfere with any planned
capital market activities of the Company. Hollinger Inc. has also agreed not to
propose or undertake a Going Private Transaction (as defined in the agreement)
concerning the Company during such period unless approved by a majority of
disinterested members of the Independent Committee. Hollinger Inc. has also
agreed that so long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock are held by
Hollinger Inc. or any of its affiliates, the Company may not reduce the
conversion price of such shares, redeem any shares or amend or modify the terms
thereof, unless such action is approved by a majority of the disinterested
members of such Independent Committee.
 
     The Share Exchange Agreement includes a covenant by Hollinger Inc. that it
will exercise its redemption rights as a holder of shares of Series A Preferred
Stock only with respect to a number of shares proportionate to the number of HTH
Shares or the underlying Southam common shares that at the time of such exercise
have been delivered to FDTH free and clear of encumbrances as provided in the
Share Exchange Agreement, and that Hollinger Inc. will cause any transferee of
shares of Series A Preferred Stock to agree to be bound by the same covenant.
The Company also agreed that so long as any of the HTH Shares are subject to the
pledge under the Southam-Linked Debentures, the Company will use its reasonable
commercial efforts not to take any action, without the consent of Hollinger
Inc., which itself would constitute an event of default by Hollinger Inc. under
the indenture relating to such debentures. In addition, under the related
HTH/FDTH Share Exchange Agreement to which the Company is a third party
beneficiary and subject to its terms, Hollinger Inc. has agreed to deliver to
FDTH legal title to the HTH Shares free and clear of the pledge under the
indenture related to the Southam-Linked Debentures and any other pledges, liens
or encumbrances other than permitted encumbrances. If Hollinger Inc. fails to so
deliver clear legal title by April 1, 1999, Hollinger Inc. has agreed to pay an
amount equal to the greater of the aggregate purchase price paid by FDTH for the
HTH Shares or the fair market value of the HTH Shares which have not been
delivered to FDTH calculated by reference to the then market value of the
underlying Southam shares. Upon payment in full of the amount due from Hollinger
Inc., FDTH is obligated to reconvey to Hollinger Inc. FDTH's interest in the HTH
Shares not previously delivered unencumbered by Hollinger Inc.
 
     The Company's equity interests in The Telegraph, Southam and Fairfax are
held through intermediate English holding companies, DTH and FDTH, whose only
significant long-term assets are their direct or indirect interests in The
Telegraph, Southam and Fairfax. DTH and FDTH have outstanding preference shares
held by persons other than the Company and its affiliates with an aggregate
redemption amount of $227.1 million (as of March 31, 1996) and which require the
payment of quarterly dividends with a current effective dividend cost of 5.5%
per annum (after giving effect to certain interest rate and currency exchange
agreements). In addition, DTH owns all 165,000,000 non-cumulative redeemable
preference shares of L1 per share issued by FDTH and 23,801,420 non-cumulative
redeemable preference shares of Cdn. $1 per share issued by FDTH which were
transferred by Hollinger Inc. to DTH in July 1995.
 
     The DTH preference shares are redeemable at the option of the holder at any
time on four days' notice at a redemption price discounted in accordance with an
agreed formula, and the FDTH preference shares and the DTH preference shares are
redeemable by the issuer or the holders on the fifth anniversary of their
issuance (May or June 1997, respectively), each five year anniversary thereafter
and at other prescribed times and in prescribed circumstances, including where
the consolidated debt of Hollinger Inc. is more than two times its consolidated
equity. This debt to equity ratio is affected by, among other things, Hollinger
Inc.'s consolidated results of operations, as well as changes in the levels of
consolidated debt of Hollinger Inc. and its subsidiaries, including the Company.
The Company has been informed by Hollinger Inc. that Hollinger Inc. is in
compliance with the debt to equity ratio as of March 31, 1996. Hollinger Inc.
has indemnified the holders of the DTH and FDTH preference shares and agreed to
purchase these preference shares if DTH or FDTH fails
 
                                       82
<PAGE>   84
 
to pay the full amount of dividends or redemption prices on such shares and in
certain other events. Under the DTH/FDTH Preference Share Agreement entered into
at the time of the Reorganization, the Company has agreed to compensate
Hollinger Inc. for any payments made by Hollinger Inc. to holders of the DTH and
FDTH preference shares and to purchase any DTH and FDTH preference shares which
Hollinger Inc. is required to purchase in accordance with the terms thereof. The
timing of any such payments by the Company to Hollinger Inc. will be determined
by Hollinger Inc.
 
     Hollinger Inc. and Southam entered into an agreement (the "Southam
Agreement") in January 1993 that provides, among other things, that: (1) a
majority of directors on the board of directors of Southam and each board
committee must be independent of Hollinger Inc. and Southam's management; (ii)
Hollinger Inc. is entitled to representation on the Southam board of directors
proportionate to its shareholding (currently three directors); and (iii)
independent director and, in certain cases, shareholder approvals are required
for major transactions between Hollinger Inc. and Southam. The Southam Agreement
remains in effect as long as Hollinger Inc. owns at least 15% of the then
outstanding common shares in the capital of Southam. The Southam Agreement
ceases to have effect if Hollinger Inc. becomes the majority shareholder of
Southam. The Southam Agreement was assigned by Hollinger Inc. to Alberta Holdco,
a wholly owned Canadian subsidiary of HTH, which is the entity which holds
substantially all of the interests of FDTH and The Telegraph in Southam. In
January 1996, Alberta Holdco amalgamated with HTH. As a result of the
Reorganization, FDTH has the rights and obligations of Hollinger Inc. under the
Southam Agreement.
 
     In connection with the Reorganization, the Company entered into interest
rate and currency exchange arrangements with Hollinger Inc. for the period
ending June 30, 1997 (the "Supplemental Swap Arrangements"), that are intended
to permit the Company to receive benefits that correspond to those obtained by
Hollinger Inc. under its interest rate and currency exchange arrangements dated
as of June 11, 1992 (the "Original Swap Arrangements") with a Canadian chartered
bank. The Original Swap Arrangements were intended to effectively convert
substantially all of the DTH Preference Share dividends to United States dollar
obligations payable at a variable rate derived from LIBOR for the period ending
June 30, 1997, and to convert Cdn. $60 million of the capital amount of Series 1
of the DTH Preference Shares to United States $50.3 million payable June 30,
1997. Under the terms of the DTH Preference Shares, all amounts on Series 1 of
the DTH Preference Shares are payable in Canadian dollars, with dividends at a
fixed rate of 7.748%, while all amounts on Series 2 of the DTH Preference Shares
are payable in United States dollars, with dividends at a fixed rate of 6.829%
(subject in either case to potential increases in the dividend rate to adjust
for reductions in income tax credits or any additional income tax liabilities
affecting holders of preference shares). The Company has agreed to make variable
rate interest payments and a currency payment to Hollinger Inc. that correspond
to Hollinger Inc.'s obligations to the Canadian chartered bank under the
Original Swap Arrangements, and Hollinger Inc. has agreed to pay fixed rate
interest payments and a currency payment to the Company that correspond to the
bank's obligations to it under the Original Swap Arrangements. These
arrangements, after giving effect to certain tax indemnities to holders of DTH
Preference Shares which would have raised the dividend cost, permitted the
Company to lower the effective dividend cost for financial reporting purposes to
5.8% for Series 1 of the DTH Preference Shares and to 6.3% for Series 2 of the
DTH Preference Shares using December 31, 1995 rates.
 
     Other Arrangements. Hollinger Inc. has guaranteed the Senior Notes issued
by American Publishing (1991) Inc. ("AP-91"), a subsidiary of the Company. The
amount of Hollinger Inc.'s guarantee varies and is limited pursuant to a
formula, which at December 31, 1995 was zero. The Company was indebted to
Hollinger Inc. in the amount of $24.6 million at December 31, 1995. Following
repayment of a significant portion of intercompany indebtedness owed to
Hollinger Inc. on February 7, 1996 from the proceeds of the Company's equity and
debt offerings, owed Hollinger Inc. approximately $4.1 million as of March 31,
1996.
 
     Additional or modified arrangements and transactions may be entered into in
the future by the Company and Hollinger Inc. and their respective subsidiaries.
Any such future arrangements and transactions will be determined through
negotiation between the Company and Hollinger Inc. and it is possible that
conflicts of interest will be involved. In general, the Audit Committee of the
Board of Directors of the Company is responsible for recommending to the Board
of Directors policies and procedures for dealing with conflicts of interest and
reviews any such arrangements and transactions.
 
                                       83
<PAGE>   85
 
MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
 
     Concurrently with the consummation of the Company's initial public
offering, the Company and Hollinger Inc. entered into agreements for the purpose
of defining their ongoing relationships, including a Services Agreement and a
Business Opportunities Agreement. These agreements, which remain in effect, were
developed in the context of a parent-subsidiary relationship and, therefore,
were not the result of arms-length negotiations between independent parties. The
agreements were subsequently amended, with the approval of the Audit Committee,
in connection with the Reorganization and again on February 7, 1996.
 
     Management Services. Historically, Hollinger Inc. provided various
management and administrative services to the Company and continued such
relationship pursuant to the Services Agreement. Although the primary purpose of
the agreement relates to the provision of services by Hollinger Inc. to the
Company, the agreement also contemplates that the Company may provide services
to Hollinger Inc. The services to be provided pursuant to the Services Agreement
include, among other things, strategic advice and planning and financial
services (including advice and assistance with respect to acquisitions);
assistance in operational matters; participation in group insurance programs;
and guarantees of indebtedness of the Company or other forms of credit
enhancements. The party receiving the services has agreed to reimburse the party
rendering the services for its allocable costs in providing those services, as
determined by the provider thereof or, in the case of a guarantee, for an amount
equal to the cost to the Company of obtaining a bank letter of credit in the
amount of such guarantee. The party allocating its costs will consider the
salaries or other compensation payable to directors, officers and employees
actually providing services, out-of-pocket costs, the cost of obtaining
substantially equivalent services from a third party and other factors as may be
deemed appropriate. The Services Agreement will remain in effect for so long as
Hollinger Inc. holds at least 50% of the voting power of the Company, subject to
termination by either party under certain specified circumstances.
 
     The services agreement between The Telegraph and Hollinger Inc. (the
"Hollinger-Telegraph Services Agreement") sets forth the basis on which
Hollinger Inc. and The Telegraph may provide services to each other. So long as
Mr. Black remains Chairman of the Board of The Telegraph, The Telegraph will
bear 66.7% of the cost of Mr. Black's office at Hollinger Inc., or such other
proportion as may be agreed from time to time by the Audit Committee of The
Telegraph and senior management of Hollinger Inc. Other services are provided at
cost and typically include the arrangement of insurance; assistance in the
arrangement of financing required by The Telegraph; and assistance and advice on
acquisitions, disposals and joint venture arrangements. The amount of the
charges in respect of these other services is submitted to the Audit Committee
of The Telegraph for approval. Hollinger Inc. has assigned its rights and
obligations under the Hollinger-Telegraph Services Agreement to the Company,
subject to approval of the Audit Committee of The Telegraph.
 
     Pursuant to the Services Agreement, the Company has paid Hollinger Inc. and
affiliates (including Messrs. Black, Boultbee, Colson, Cowan and Radler and Mrs.
Black who are officers and/or directors of both Hollinger Inc. and of the
Company and who do not receive compensation in their capacities as executive
officers of the Company directly from the Company) for an allocated portion of
Hollinger Inc.'s costs relating to such services in the aggregate amounts of
$3,555,000 in 1994 and $4,113,300 in 1995. For the years ended December 31, 1994
and 1995, Hollinger Inc. provided services to The Telegraph for which it
received payment of $1,282,965 and $1,464,665, respectively. The Company
anticipates that the total amount to be received by Hollinger Inc. under the
Services Agreement and the Hollinger-Telegraph Services Agreement will increase
from approximately $5.6 million in 1995 to approximately $8.4 million in 1996
and reflects additional services to be rendered as a result of the acquisition
by the Company of a majority interest in The Telegraph and its equity
investments in Fairfax and Southam.
 
     Business Opportunities. The Business Opportunities Agreement provides that
the Company is Hollinger Inc.'s principal vehicle for engaging in and effecting
acquisitions in the newspaper business and in related media business in the
United States, Israel, and, through The Telegraph, the Telegraph Territory.
Hollinger Inc. has reserved to itself the ability to pursue all media (including
newspaper) acquisition opportunities outside the United States, Israel and the
Telegraph Territory and all media acquisition opportunities unrelated to the
newspaper business in the United States, Israel and the Telegraph Territory. As
newspaper acquisition opportunities arise in the United States, Israel and the
Telegraph Territory, the Company has the right to
 
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<PAGE>   86
 
pursue such opportunities directly or through The Telegraph. If Hollinger Inc.
acquires a newspaper business in the United States or Israel, Hollinger Inc.
will be obligated to offer such business for sale to the Company on terms no
less favorable to the Company than those obtained by Hollinger Inc. Hollinger
Inc. is prohibited from acquiring newspapers or media businesses in the
Telegraph Territory under a co-operation agreement with The Telegraph (the
"Co-operation Agreement"). As newspaper or media acquisitions arise in Canada,
Hollinger Inc. has the right to pursue such opportunities, except that the
Company is permitted to increase its investment in Southam. Likewise, if the
Company acquires a newspaper business in Canada (other than an increase in its
indirect investment in Southam), the Company will be obligated to offer such
business for sale to Hollinger Inc. on terms no less favorable to Hollinger Inc.
than those obtained by the Company. Hollinger Inc. expects to continue to
acquire newspapers in Canada, as the Company is not permitted to increase its
presence in Canada except through an increase in its ownership interest in
Southam, and to explore the acquisition of media businesses elsewhere in the
world subject to the provisions of the Business Opportunities Agreement and the
Co-operation Agreement with The Telegraph. Any decision by the Company with
respect to a particular acquisition shall be subject to the review and approval
of the Audit Committee. In addition, the Business Opportunities Agreement does
not restrict newspaper companies in which Hollinger Inc. has a minority
investment from acquiring newspaper or media businesses in the United States or
Israel, nor does it restrict subsidiaries of Hollinger Inc. from acquiring up to
20% interests in publicly-held newspaper businesses in the United States. For
the purposes of the Business Opportunities Agreement, "newspaper business" means
the business of publishing and distributing newspapers, magazines and other paid
or free publications having national, regional, local or targeted markets,
including publications having limited or no news or editorial content such as
shoppers or other total market coverage publications and similar publications.
"Media business" means the business of broadcasting radio, television, cable and
satellite programs (including national, regional or local radio, television,
cable and satellite programs). The Business Opportunities Agreement will remain
in effect so long as Hollinger Inc. holds at least 50% of the voting power of
the Company, subject to termination by either party under certain specified
circumstances.
 
     In connection with the listing of The Telegraph's shares on the London
Stock Exchange, Hollinger Inc. and its subsidiaries and The Telegraph entered
into several agreements to govern their continuing relationship, including,
among others, the Co-operation Agreement and the Hollinger-Telegraph Services
Agreement. Under the Co-operation Agreement, The Telegraph and Hollinger Inc.
have agreed not to engage in, or hold a significant interest in an enterprise
engaging in, the newspaper, magazine, radio or television business where the
other has existing operations, without the other's prior written consent except
in specified circumstances. For purposes of this agreement, The Telegraph's
areas of operations are the United Kingdom, the rest of the European Community,
Australia and New Zealand, and Hollinger Inc.'s are the United States, Canada,
the Caribbean and Israel. The Co-operation Agreement permits joint ventures
anywhere in the world, subject to the consent of the minority shareholders of
The Telegraph, unless the London Stock Exchange agrees the joint venture is of
immaterial size. Mr. Black entered into a similar undertaking with The
Telegraph. Pursuant to the Business Opportunities Agreement, the Company has
agreed not to violate the Co-operation Agreement. The Co-operation Agreement
will remain in effect until Hollinger Inc. ceases to control The Telegraph.
 
     The Company and Hollinger Inc. also have acknowledged that, pursuant to the
Co-operation Agreement with The Telegraph, Hollinger Inc. has undertaken to
restrict its activities in respect of the newspaper business and the media
business (defined to include radio, television, cable and satellite programs) in
the Telegraph Territory. So long as Hollinger Inc. has beneficial ownership of
50% or more of the voting power of the Company's outstanding securities, the
Company and Hollinger Inc. have agreed that neither shall, without the other's
prior written consent, violate the provisions of the Co-operation Agreement. In
addition, Hollinger Inc. has agreed not to amend or modify the Co-operation
Agreement and will not waive any benefit or right hereunder without the prior
written consent of the Company. Hollinger Inc. is prohibited from directly
acquiring beneficial ownership of any voting securities of The Telegraph.
 
OTHER TRANSACTIONS
 
     See the Company's Annual Proxy Statement dated April 26, 1996, incorporated
herein by reference, for a description of certain other transactions.
 
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<PAGE>   87
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
     The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 250,000,000 shares
of Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, 50,000,000 shares of Class B
Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, and 20,000,000 shares of Preferred
Stock. After giving effect to the Offering (assuming the Underwriters'
over-allotment option is not exercised and that the Series A Preferred Stock is
not converted into Class A Common Stock), there will be 71,065,754 shares of
Class A Common Stock outstanding and 14,990,000 shares of Class B Common Stock
outstanding. Hollinger Inc. will hold 33,610,754 shares of Class A Common Stock
and 14,990,000 shares of Class B Common Stock or 56.5% of the outstanding Common
Stock and 83.1% of the combined voting power of the outstanding Common Stock,
and 44.4% of the outstanding Common Stock and 83.1% of the combined voting power
of the outstanding Common Stock upon the issuance of 21,500,000 shares of Class
A Common Stock in connection with the PRIDES. See "Risk Factors--Control by
Hollinger Inc. and Disproportionate Voting Rights" and "Principal Stockholders."
 
CLASS A AND CLASS B COMMON STOCK
 
     VOTING RIGHTS
 
     Holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share and
holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to ten votes per share. Holders of
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are not entitled to vote
cumulatively for the election of Directors. Hollinger Inc. presently retains, by
virtue of its ownership of all outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock,
effective control of the Company through its ownership of 88.2% of the combined
voting power of the outstanding Common Stock.
 
     Directors may be removed with or without cause by the holders of the Common
Stock. A vacancy on the Board created by the removal or resignation of a
Director or by the expansion of the authorized number of Directors may be filled
by the remaining Directors then in office.
 
     The holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock vote together
as a single class on all matters on which stockholders may vote, except when
class voting is required by applicable law.
 
     DIVIDENDS
 
     Each share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock is entitled to
receive dividends if, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of the
Company. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Company may declare and
pay dividends only out of its surplus, or in case there shall be no such
surplus, out of its net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is
declared and/or the preceding year. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law,
surplus is defined as the excess, if any, at any given time, of the net assets
of the Company over the amount determined to be capital. Capital represents the
aggregate par value of the Company's capital stock. No dividends may be
declared, however, if the capital of the Company has been diminished by
depreciation, losses or otherwise to any amount less than the aggregate amount
of capital represented by any issued and outstanding stock having a preference
on distribution. Dividends must be paid on both the Class A Common Stock and the
Class B Common Stock at any time that dividends are paid on either. Any dividend
so declared and payable in cash, capital stock of the Company (other than Class
A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock) or other property will be paid equally,
share for share, on the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. Dividends
and distributions payable in shares of Class A Common Stock may be paid only on
shares of Class A Common Stock and dividends and distributions payable in shares
of Class B Common Stock may be paid only on shares of Class B Common Stock. If a
dividend or distribution payable in Class A Common Stock is made on the Class A
Common Stock, the Company must also make a simultaneous dividend or distribution
on the Class B Common Stock. If a dividend or distribution payable in Class B
Common Stock is made on the Class B Common Stock, the Company must also make a
simultaneous dividend or distribution on the Class A Common Stock. Pursuant to
any such dividend or distribution, each share of Class B Common Stock will
receive a number of shares of Class B Common Stock equal to the number of shares
of Class A Common Stock payable on each share of Class A Common Stock.
 
                                       86
<PAGE>   88
 
     TRANSFERABILITY AND CONVERTIBILITY OF CLASS B COMMON STOCK
 
     Each share of Class B Common Stock is convertible at any time at the option
of the holder into one share of Class A Common Stock and is transferable by
Hollinger Inc. to a subsidiary or an affiliate. In addition, each share of Class
B Common Stock is automatically convertible into a share of Class A Common Stock
at the time it is sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by Hollinger Inc.
or a subsequent permitted transferee to any third party (other than a subsidiary
or an affiliate of Hollinger Inc. or such subsequent permitted transferee)
unless such purchaser or transferee offers to purchase all shares of Class A
Common Stock from the holders thereof for an amount per share equal to the
amount per share received by the holder of the Class B Common Stock. Any such
offer shall be subject to the requirements of applicable securities laws.
 
     Any holder of Class B Common Stock may pledge his or its shares of Class B
Common Stock to a pledgee pursuant to a bona fide pledge of such shares as
collateral security for indebtedness due to the pledgee, provided that such
shares shall not be transferred to or registered in the name of the pledgee and
shall remain subject to the transfer restrictions described in the foregoing
paragraph. In the event that shares of Class B Common Stock are so pledged, the
pledged shares shall not be converted automatically into Class A Common Stock.
However, if any such pledged shares become subject to any foreclosure,
realization or other similar action of the pledgee, they shall be converted
automatically into shares of Class A Common Stock unless they are sold in a
permitted transaction. Hollinger Inc. has pledged all shares of Class A Common
Stock, Class B Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock owned by it to Canadian
chartered banks as collateral for outstanding indebtedness of Hollinger Inc. and
the Southam Facility.
 
     OTHER PROVISIONS
 
     There are no preemptive rights to subscribe for any additional securities
which the Company may issue, and there are no redemption provisions or sinking
fund provisions applicable to either class, nor is the Class A Common Stock or
the Class B Common Stock subject to calls or assessments by the Company. All
outstanding shares are, and all shares to be outstanding upon completion of the
Offerings will be, legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
 
     In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company,
holders of the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are
entitled to share equally, share for share, in the assets available for
distribution.
 
     LISTING OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK
 
     The Class A Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the
trading symbol "HLR."
 
PREFERRED STOCK; SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance
of up to 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors has the
authority under the Restated Certificate to establish voting rights, liquidation
preferences, redemption rights, conversion rights and other rights to such
Preferred Stock without the approval of the Company's stockholders.
 
     In connection with the Reorganization, the Company issued a new series of
non-voting preferred stock, the Series A Preferred Stock to Hollinger Inc.
 
     SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The Company's Series A Preferred Stock consists of 739,500 shares of Series
A Preferred Stock, all of which is held by Hollinger Inc. The number of shares
of the Series A Preferred Stock is equal to 1/10 of the 7,395,000 Southam common
shares directly or indirectly included in the Hollinger Southam Interest
(namely, 250,000 Southam common shares owned directly by FDTH plus one-half of
the 14,290,000 Southam common shares owed indirectly by HTH). The shares of the
Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends,
payable quarterly. The amount of each dividend per share will be equal to the
aggregate
 
                                       87
<PAGE>   89
 
amount (if any) of ordinary cash course dividends paid during the preceding
calendar quarter on such Southam shares divided by 739,500. If at any time full
cumulative dividends on the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock have not been
and are not being contemporaneously paid, no dividend or distribution shall be
declared or paid on the Common Stock or any Preferred Stock ranking junior to
the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividend or liquidation rights, and no shares
of Common Stock or Preferred Stock (except shares senior to the Series A
Preferred Stock as to dividend and liquidation rights) shall be purchased,
redeemed or acquired by the Company, subject to certain exceptions including
stock dividends payable in shares of junior capital stock, the acquisition of
capital stock in exchange for or out of the net cash proceeds from the
contemporaneous sale of junior stock, the redemption in whole of the shares of
the Series A Preferred Stock, offers to purchase shares made on the same terms
to all holders of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock and each other series
of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, and
dividends on Preferred Stock ranking junior as to dividend rights if full
cumulative dividends on the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock to the next
preceding dividend date for the Series A Preferred Stock (or the date of the
payment on the junior Preferred Stock, if identical to a dividend date for the
Series A Preferred Stock) have been or are contemporaneously declared and paid
or set apart for payment.
 
     The shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are redeemable in whole or in
part, at any time and from time to time, subject to restrictions in the
Company's existing credit facilities, by the Company or by a holder of such
shares. Hollinger Inc., the holder of all of the outstanding shares of Series A
Preferred Stock, has agreed pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement to limit
the exercise of its redemption rights to a number of HTH shares or Southam
common shares that at the time of such exercise have been delivered to FDTH free
and clear of encumbrances other than certain permitted encumbrances. The
redemption price and liquidation preference per share of the Series A Preferred
Stock will be Cdn.$146.625 (10 times the average closing market price per share
of the Southam common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange during the 20
business days preceding the date of the Share Exchange Agreement) plus an amount
equal to accrued and unpaid dividends. A holder exercising redemption rights
must give notice to the Company not less than 180 and not more than 240 days
prior to the redemption date if the aggregate redemption price of the shares to
be so redeemed and shares of the Series A Preferred Stock redeemed or to be
redeemed prior to such redemption date will exceed Cdn.$10,000,000. Shares of
Common Stock or of any other stock ranking junior to the Series A Preferred
Stock as to dividend or liquidation rights may not be purchased, redeemed or
acquired by the Company if after giving effect thereto the remaining net assets
of the Company would be less than the aggregate liquidation preference of the
Series A Preferred Stock and each series of Preferred Stock ranking, as to
liquidation rights, on a parity with or senior to the Series A Preferred Stock,
or if at the time thereof the Company is insolvent or would become so as a
result thereof.
 
     A holder or holders of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock may convert
such shares at any time into shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company. The
conversion price will initially be based upon the Canadian dollar equivalent of
$14.00 per share of Class A Common Stock, subject to adjustment upon the
occurrence of any of the following events: the subdivision, combination or
reclassification of outstanding shares of Common Stock; a distribution or
dividend to holders of Common Stock paid in shares of Common Stock or other
capital stock of the Company; the distribution of rights or warrants to all
holders of Common Stock entitling them for a period expiring within 60 days to
acquire shares of Common Stock at a price per share less than the then Current
Market Price Per Share (as defined) of the Common Stock; and the distribution to
all holders of Common Stock of any assets or debt securities or any rights or
warrants to purchase securities of the Company, not including dividends or
distributions paid in cash out of consolidated current or retained earnings per
the Company's books, and not including rights or warrants mentioned above. In
the event of any capital reorganization, reclassification, consolidation or
merger of the Company with another corporation, or the sale of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets to another corporation, each holder of
shares of the Series A Preferred Stock is to have the right to convert such
shares into such shares of stock, securities or assets as such holder would have
owned immediately after the transaction if the shares had been converted
immediately prior to the effective date of the transaction, and adjustments are
to be provided for events subsequent to such transaction. In addition, the
Company will be permitted to make such reductions in the conversion price as it
considers to be advisable in order that any event treated for federal income tax
purposes as a dividend of stock
 
                                       88
<PAGE>   90
 
or stock rights will not be taxable to the holders of Common Stock or to
diminish any income taxes payable because of such event.
 
     The shares of Series A Preferred Stock are non-voting, rank on a parity
with each other series of Preferred Stock except as specified by the Board of
Directors when such other series is created, and are subject to certain
restrictions on transfer.
 
     Any holder of Series A Preferred Stock may pledge such shares to a pledgee
pursuant to a bona fide pledge of such shares as collateral security for
indebtedness or other obligations due to the pledgee, provided that such shares
shall remain subject to, and upon foreclosure, realization or other similar
action by the pledgee, shall be transferred only in accordance with, the
transfer restrictions set forth in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
 
CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER CONSIDERATIONS
 
     The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws contain
certain provisions that could make more difficult a change in control of the
Company not having approval of the Board of Directors. The Restated Certificate
of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of "blank check" Preferred Stock. The
Board of Directors may establish voting rights, liquidation preferences,
redemption rights, conversion rights and other rights relating to such Preferred
Stock, all or some of which may be senior to the Common Stock, without the
approval of the Company's stockholders. In some circumstances, the Preferred
Stock could be issued and have the effect of preventing a merger, tender offer
or other takeover attempt which the Board of Directors opposes. Issuance of
Preferred Stock, however, may be subject to certain rules of the Nasdaq Stock
Market and upon listing with the New York Stock Exchange to certain rules of
that Exchange. The Company's By-laws also provide that a special meeting of the
stockholders of the Company may only be called by the Board of Directors, a duly
designated committee of the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, or the President of the Company. No other person may call a special
meeting of the stockholders.
 
     The Publishing Bank Facility contains certain provisions that could make
more difficult a change in control of the Company. The facility provides that an
event of default shall occur if any person other than Hollinger Inc. becomes the
beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 49% of the total voting
power of all classes of capital stock outstanding of the Company or if certain
changes occur in the composition of the Company's Board of Directors and result
in a change in the majority of the Board of Directors. The Notes contain a
provision that upon a change of control (as defined in the indenture relating
thereto), each holder will have the right to require that Publishing purchase
all or any portion of such holder's Notes. See "Description of Certain
Indebtedness and Other Obligations."
 
     Certain transactions with the Company may be subject to Section 203 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law. Section 203 prohibits certain "business
combinations" between an "interested stockholder" and a corporation for three
years after a stockholder becomes interested, unless one of the statute's
exceptions applies. Section 203(c)(5) defines an interested stockholder as a
person, broadly defined to include a group, who owns at least 15% of a company's
outstanding voting stock. The statute defines business combinations expansively
to include any merger or consolidation of, with, or caused by the interested
stockholder. Section 203(a) provides three exceptions to the business
combination prohibition. First, there is no constraint if the interested
stockholder obtains prior board approval for the business combination or the
transaction resulting in ownership of 15% of the target's voting stock. Second,
the statute does not apply if, in completing the transaction that crosses the
15% threshold, the stockholder becomes the owner of 85% of the corporation's
voting stock outstanding as of the time the transaction commenced. Any shares
owned by directors who are officers, and shares owned by certain stock option
plans are excluded from the calculation. This exception applies most
particularly to a tender offeror who has less than 15% of the target's stock and
receives tenders that satisfy the 85% requirement. Finally, the statute does not
apply if the interested stockholder's business combination is approved by the
board of directors and affirmed by at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting
stock not owned by the interested stockholder.
 
                                       89
<PAGE>   91
 
           DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS
 
EXISTING OBLIGATIONS
 
     The Company, Publishing and its principal subsidiaries are parties to
various debt agreements which have been entered into to fund acquisitions,
working capital requirements and other corporate purposes. At March 31, 1996,
the indebtedness of the Company was $574.2 million, consisting of long-term debt
($565.0 million) and current bank loans ($9.2 million).
 
     PUBLISHING CREDIT FACILITY.  Publishing, a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company, entered into the Publishing Credit Facility, which consisted of a
five-year non-amortizing revolving credit facility with a maximum of $100
million of available credit (including a $10 million letter of credit
subfacility) for working capital needs and general corporate purposes, including
permitted acquisitions and repayment of a portion of the principal of the AP-91
Senior Notes (as defined below). Publishing entered into the Publishing Credit
Facility prior to the closing of the Notes Offering. The Publishing Credit
Facility has been amended and replaced in connection with the Scheme. See
"Scheme Financing Arrangements; Southam Facility" below for a description of the
Amended Publishing Credit Facility.
 
     SENIOR SECURED NOTES.  American Publishing (1991) Inc. ("AP-91"), a wholly
owned subsidiary of Publishing, issued $150 million in senior secured notes
(collectively, the "Senior Notes") which are held by 19 insurance companies. The
Senior Notes were issued in five series which are due on September 1, 1996,
September 1, 1997, September 1, 1998, September 1, 1999, and September 1, 2000,
in the principal amounts of $15 million, $30 million, $30 million, $20 million
and $55 million, respectively, and bear interest at rates ranging from 10.24% to
10.53%. The Senior Note agreements require AP-91 to maintain certain financial
ratios and place limitations on payment of dividends and other amounts to the
Company. AP-91 is currently in compliance with the financial ratios and other
provisions under the Senior Notes. Under the Senior Notes, approximately $6.1
million, as of December 31, 1995, was not restricted and could be paid to the
Company in the form of dividends, management fees or other payments with respect
to outstanding capital stock of AP-91 and thus would be available for use by the
Company. The amount that is not restricted will be reduced by any payments to
the Company and will be increased by the future cash flow of AP-91 and its
operating subsidiaries. The Senior Notes are secured by (i) a pledge of the
capital stock, promissory notes and intangible properties of the subsidiaries of
AP-91 and (ii) a guarantee by Hollinger Inc. The amount of Hollinger Inc.'s
guarantee varies and is limited pursuant to a formula, which at December 31,
1995 was zero. Optional prepayment of the Senior Notes in whole or in part is
permitted, provided that AP-91 pays a prepayment premium equal to a "makewhole
premium." As defined in the agreements relating to the Senior Notes, the
makewhole premium is equivalent to the excess of the sum of the present values
of (i) the principal balance of the Senior Notes at maturity intended to be
prepaid and (ii) the interest payments required to be made during the remainder
of the term to maturity on such Senior Notes over the principal balance of the
Senior Notes to be repaid. As of December 31, 1995, the makewhole premium on the
Senior Notes was $18.7 million.
 
     SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES.  Publishing sold $250 million aggregate
principal amount of the Notes on February 7, 1996. The Notes mature on February
1, 2006, and will be unsecured senior subordinated obligations of Publishing.
Each Note bears interest at the rate of 9 1/4% per annum from the date of
issuance of the Notes, or from the most recent interest payment date to which
interest has been paid, payable semiannually on February 1 and August 1 of each
year, commencing on August 1, 1996. The Notes are subject to redemption at any
time on or after February 1, 2001, at the option of Publishing, in whole or in
part, at a price of 104.625% of the principal amount thereof, declining ratably
to par on or after February 1, 2004, together with accrued and unpaid interest
thereon, if any, to the redemption date. Payment of the principal of, premium,
if any, and interest on the Notes is guaranteed by the Company on a senior
subordinated basis (the "Guarantee"). The Notes and the Guarantee are expressly
subordinated to all senior indebtedness of Publishing and the Company,
respectively, including all indebtedness and other obligations under the
Publishing Credit Facility and the Company's guarantee thereof.
 
     The indenture relating to the Notes (the "Indenture") contains covenants
that, among other things, restrict the ability of Publishing and the Restricted
Subsidiaries (defined to include the United States
 
                                       90
<PAGE>   92
 
subsidiaries of Publishing and Jerusalem Post) to, subject in each case to
certain exceptions: (i) incur or permit to exist additional debt unless the
Consolidated Cash Flow Ratio (as defined in the Indenture) of Publishing and the
Restricted Subsidiaries is not greater the 6.0:1.0; (ii) pay dividends or
distributions on the Common Stock, purchase or redeem any shares of the Common
Stock, retire subordinated indebtedness, make investments (other than certain
Permitted Investments (as defined in the Indenture) or take certain other
actions to the extent that the aggregate of all such payments declared or made
after the date of the Indenture would exceed the sum of, without duplication,
(a) the sum of (x) 50% of consolidated net income of Publishing and the
Restricted Subsidiaries and (y) 50% of amortization expense of Publishing and
the Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case after the date of the Indenture, (b)
50% of the aggregate cumulative cash dividends or distributions received by
Publishing or the Restricted Subsidiaries from any unrestricted subsidiaries
(excluding dividends received in respect of Publishing's indirect interest in
Southam and due on the Series A Preferred Stock after the date of the Indenture,
(c) net cash proceeds received after the date of the Indenture from the issuance
or sale (other than to Restricted Subsidiaries) of capital stock, including upon
the exercise of any warrants or options, or from cash contributions, (d) the
amount by which any debt is reduced after the date of the Indenture as a result
of the conversion or exchange of debt securities or redeemable capital stock for
non-redeemable capital stock of Publishing and (e) $25,000,000; (iii) enter into
transactions with affiliates; (iv) incur an indebtedness that is subordinate in
right of payment to any senior indebtedness unless such indebtedness is pari
passu with or subordinate in right of payment to the Notes; (v) create or assume
any liens securing any indebtedness that is pari passu with or subordinate in
right of payment to the Notes without securing the Notes; (vi) guarantee, assume
or otherwise become liable with respect to any indebtedness that is pari passu
with or subordinate in right of payment to the Notes without guaranteeing
payment of the Notes; (vii) sell any of its assets unless at least 80% of the
net proceeds of such asset sale is received in cash or in other newspaper
assets; (viii) sell any capital stock in any Restricted Subsidiary or, in the
case of any Restricted Subsidiary, issue any capital stock; (ix) create any
encumbrance on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to pay dividends or make
any other distribution on its capital stock, to pay any indebtedness owed to
Publishing or any Restricted Subsidiary or to take certain other actions; and
(x) in the case of Publishing, the Company and certain Restricted Subsidiaries
that become guarantors of the Notes, sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or
otherwise dispose of any or substantially all of its properties and assets to
any person or group of affiliated persons. The Indenture also contains covenants
with respect to (i) provision of financial statements; (ii) designation of
Restricted Subsidiaries; and (iii) certain other customary matters.
 
     The Indenture provides that upon a Change of Control (as defined below),
each holder of the Notes has the right to require that Publishing purchase all
or any portion of such holder's Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101%
of the principal amount of such Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any,
to the date of purchase. A "Change of Control" is defined in the Indenture to
include, among other things, (i) any person other than Conrad M. Black
beneficially owning voting stock representing more than 50% of the total voting
power of Hollinger Inc. or the Company, (ii) the Company ceasing to directly or
indirectly own 100% of the voting stock of Publishing, (iii) the occurrence of a
business combination in which either (a) Publishing or the Company is not the
surviving corporation or (b) there shall be a reclassification of the voting
stock of Publishing or the Company in which the holders of 50% of the voting
stock of Publishing prior to such transaction shall no longer hold at least 50%
of the voting stock of Publishing or the Company, or (iv) any person shall own
or control a greater percentage of the voting stock of the Company than Conrad
M. Black and a Rating Decline (as defined in the Indenture) shall occur.
Hollinger Inc. has pledged all shares of Common Stock and Series A Preferred
Stock owned by it to Canadian chartered banks as collateral for outstanding bank
indebtedness of Hollinger Inc. A default under such indebtedness and foreclosure
upon such shares could result in a Change of Control.
 
     The following events, among others, will constitute Events of Default under
the Indenture: (i) a default continuing for 30 days in payment when due of any
interest on any Note; (ii) a default in the payment when due of any principal of
any Note (whether at maturity or otherwise); (iii) (x) a breach of the covenant
relating to consolidations, mergers or sales of assets, (y) failure of
Publishing to purchase or offer to purchase the Notes upon a Change of Control
or (z) a default for 30 days in the performance of any other covenant or
agreement of Publishing under the Indenture; (iv) a default under any agreement
or indenture under which Publishing, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
then has outstanding indebtedness in excess of
 
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<PAGE>   93
 
$5,000,000 in the aggregate and such indebtedness shall have matured or been
accelerated; (v) the guarantee of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that
has guaranteed the payment of the Notes shall cease to be enforceable; (vi)
Publishing, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall experience an adverse
judgment in excess of $5,000,000; or (vii) Publishing, the Company or any
material Restricted Subsidiary shall become insolvent or shall institute or
become subject to certain bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or dissolution
proceedings.
 
     TELEGRAPH BANK FACILITIES.  The Telegraph has three floating rate unsecured
medium term bank facilities under which an aggregate of $135.7 million was
outstanding at December 31, 1995 (representing the full amount available under
these facilities which mature in 1997 and 1998), the proceeds of which were used
partly to fund investments in Fairfax and Southam. The Telegraph also has three
bank credit facilities for working capital purposes in the aggregate principal
amount of $62.1 million, of which $17.9 million was outstanding at December 31,
1995.
 
     None of these short term and medium term debt facilities is secured but
all, with the exception of the bank overdraft facility, are subject to financial
covenants, including a leverage ratio, an interest coverage ratio and a minimum
net worth requirement. In addition, all, with the exception of the bank
overdraft facility, prohibit the payment of dividends in excess of after-tax
profits in any financial year or half-year. Medium term debt is repayable on the
sale or disposition of The Telegraph's investments in Fairfax or Southam, as the
case may be, or the sale or disposal of any other major asset of The Telegraph.
The medium term debt facilities and the revolving bank credit facilities each
contain an event of default provision triggered by a decline in Hollinger Inc.'s
ownership, directly or indirectly, to less than 51% of the issued equity share
capital of The Telegraph. The Telegraph is currently in compliance with its
financial covenants and other provisions of these debt facilities. Interest on
borrowings, except the bank overdraft facility, is based on LIBOR, or the
acceptance discount rate in the case of bills of exchange, plus an applicable
margin. Overdraft interest is charged at the bank's base rate plus 1%.
 
     REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK.  The Company's equity interests in The
Telegraph, Southam and Fairfax are held through intermediate English holding
companies, DTH and FDTH, whose only significant long-term assets are their
direct or indirect interests in The Telegraph, Southam and Fairfax. DTH and FDTH
have outstanding preference shares held by persons other than the Company and
its affiliates with an aggregate redemption amount of $227.1 million (as of
March 31, 1996) and which require the payment of quarterly dividends with a
current effective dividend cost of 5.5% per annum (after giving effect to
certain interest rate and currency exchange agreements). In addition, DTH owns
all 165,000,000 non-cumulative redeemable preference shares of L1 per share
issued by FDTH and 23,801,420 non-cumulative redeemable preference shares of
Cdn.$1 per share issued by FDTH which were transferred by Hollinger Inc. to DTH
in July 1995.
 
     In order to fund these dividends, which aggregated approximately $9.3
million in 1995, currently FDTH must receive dividends on its ordinary shares of
The Telegraph at the rate of 7.0p per share per annum, based on ownership,
interest and exchange rates as of December 31, 1995. This funding requirement
could change as a result of the fluctuations in interest and exchange rates as
well as changes in tax rates, laws, and treaties. The timing and amount of
dividend payments by The Telegraph will be determined in light of results of its
operations, financial condition, cash requirements, restrictions imposed by its
lenders, future prospects and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of
Directors of The Telegraph. Since 1992, the interim dividend has been paid in
October and the final dividend paid in May of the following year. The annual per
share dividends paid on The Telegraph ordinary shares were 13.0p in 1993, 13.0p
in 1994 and 13.0p in 1995.
 
     The DTH preference shares are redeemable at the option of the holder at any
time on four days' notice at a redemption price discounted in accordance with an
agreed formula, and the FDTH preference shares and the DTH preference shares are
redeemable by the issuer or the holders on the fifth anniversary of their
issuance (May or June 1997, respectively), each five-year anniversary thereafter
and at other prescribed times and in prescribed circumstances, including where
the consolidated debt of Hollinger Inc. is more than two times its consolidated
equity. This debt to equity ratio is affected by, among other things, Hollinger
Inc.'s consolidated results of operations, as well as changes in the levels of
consolidated debt of Hollinger Inc. and its
 
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<PAGE>   94
 
subsidiaries, including the Company. The Company has been informed by Hollinger
Inc. that Hollinger Inc. is in compliance with the debt to equity ratio as of
December 31, 1995 and as of March 31, 1996.
 
     Hollinger Inc. has indemnified the holders of the DTH and FDTH preference
shares and agreed to purchase these preference shares if DTH or FDTH fails to
pay the full amount of dividends or redemption prices on such shares and in
certain other events. The Company has entered into an agreement to compensate
Hollinger Inc. for any payments made by Hollinger Inc. to holders of the DTH and
FDTH preference shares and to purchase any DTH and FDTH preference shares which
Hollinger Inc. is required to purchase in accordance with the terms thereof. The
timing of any such payments by the Company to Hollinger Inc. will be determined
by Hollinger Inc.
 
     In addition, the Company has issued to Hollinger Inc. in connection with
the Reorganization 739,500 shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The shares of
Series A Preferred Stock are redeemable in whole or in part, at any time and
from time to time, subject to restrictions in the Company's credit facilities,
by the Company or by a holder of such shares. Hollinger Inc. has agreed to limit
the exercise of its redemption rights to a number of shares of
Hollinger-Telegraph Holdings Inc., a Canadian holding company which is owned
equally by FDTH and The Telegraph, or Southam common shares that at the time of
such exercise have been delivered to FDTH free and clear of encumbrances other
than certain permitted encumbrances. The redemption price of the Series A
Preferred Stock was $79.5 million at December 31, 1995.
 
SCHEME FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS; SOUTHAM FACILITY
 
     In connection with the acquisition of the Telegraph Minority Shares
pursuant to the Scheme, Publishing, FDTH and Publishing Holdings have entered
into certain financing arrangements. The Company also entered into the Southam
Facility in connection with the purchase of the Power Shares. Upon consummation
of the Offering and the concurrent PRIDES Offering and Trust Financing, these
financing arrangements may be replaced or repaid in part or in full as described
under "Use of Proceeds."
 
     AMENDED PUBLISHING CREDIT FACILITY. Publishing entered into the Amended
Publishing Credit Facility on May 30, 1996 with certain lenders, which consists
of a secured, non-amortizing revolving credit facility with a maximum of $125
million of available credit to be used to finance Publishing's acquisition of
newly-issued Telegraph ordinary shares. The Telegraph will apply the proceeds of
this issuance to repay a portion of its outstanding bank indebtedness. See "The
Company--Recent Developments--The Telegraph." Under the terms of the Amended
Publishing Credit Facility, the aggregate of outstanding loans and letters of
credit pursuant to the Amended Publishing Credit Facility may not exceed $10
million prior to consummation of the Scheme and the satisfaction of certain
conditions related thereto, at which time the closing under the Amended
Publishing Credit Facility shall occur. The conditions to Closing include, among
other things, (i) the lenders' satisfaction with the terms of the Scheme, (ii)
the Scheme's approval by The Telegraph's board and (iii) its sanction by English
courts. The commitment of the lenders under the Amended Publishing Credit
Facility shall expire on September 30, 1996 if the closing has not occurred on
or prior to such date or on the date which is the earlier of six months from the
closing or upon the occurrence of an event of default.
 
     Interest. Loans under the Amended Publishing Credit Facility will bear
interest at a floating rate per annum equal, at Publishing's option, to either
the Base Rate (equal to the higher of (x) a specified publicly announced
commercial lending rate and (y) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.5%) plus
a margin of 1.25% or the reserve adjusted Eurocurrency rate plus a margin of
2.25%.
 
     Guarantees. Amounts owed with respect to the Amended Publishing Credit
Facility are the direct obligations of Publishing and are unconditionally
guaranteed by the Company and by each of the United States subsidiaries other
than Jerusalem Post, subject, in the case of AP-91, to a formula designed to
comply with the terms of the AP-91 Senior Notes. The guarantee by the Company of
Publishing's obligations under the Amended Publishing Credit Facility is
expressly senior to its guarantee in respect of the Notes. Such guarantees
contain various covenants, representations and warranties acceptable to the
lenders.
 
     Security. The obligations under the Amended Publishing Credit Facility are
secured by a pledge of the shares of capital stock of Publishing held by
Publishing Holdings, by a pledge of the shares of capital stock of
 
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<PAGE>   95
 
DTH owned by Publishing and of the capital stock and intercompany notes of each
of the United States subsidiaries other than AP-91 and its subsidiaries. Upon
payment in full of the AP-91 Senior Notes, Publishing will be obligated to
pledge all of the capital stock of AP-91 and its subsidiaries as additional
collateral under the Amended Publishing Credit Facility. If the Southam Facility
and the Publishing Holdings Note Facility are terminated, the Company is
required to pledge or cause the Power Shares of Southam to be pledged. In
addition, the obligations under the Amended Publishing Credit Facility will be
secured by the shares of the capital stock of The Telegraph to be held by
Publishing.
 
     Covenants. The Amended Publishing Credit Facility contains affirmative and
negative covenants, including restrictions on Publishing's and its United States
subsidiaries' ability to (a) create, incur, assume or guaranty additional
indebtedness, other than the Notes and certain other permitted indebtedness; (b)
create liens or other encumbrances on assets of Publishing and its United States
subsidiaries, other than certain permitted liens; (c) sell assets of Publishing
or its United States subsidiaries when the sale price exceeds $5 million for
each such asset sale and $8 million for all asset sales in the aggregate,
excluding certain other permitted asset sales; (d) make investments, loans or
advances to acquire other entities and for other purposes, other than certain
permitted investments; (e) engage in sale-leaseback transactions; (f) merge,
consolidate or participate in similar business combinations; (g) enter into
transactions with affiliates other than certain permitted transactions; (h)
retire outstanding capital stock; (i) make changes in its lines of business; (j)
make or commit to make any capital expenditures exceeding $4.5 million in
aggregate amount in any fiscal quarter ($1 million in the case of AP-91 and its
subsidiaries) other than certain permitted capital expenditures relating to the
Sun-Times Plant (as defined in the Amended Publishing Credit Facility) and the
Southtown/Star Facility (as defined in the Amended Publishing Credit Facility);
and (k) enter into operating leases requiring payments in excess of $5 million
per year. Publishing and its United States subsidiaries are not permitted to
make acquisitions other than those relating to the Scheme or of the assets of a
wholly owned subsidiary, or acquisitions of entities where (x) the total
purchase price of all acquisitions made after the execution of the Amended
Publishing Credit Facility does not exceed the sum of $10 million plus permitted
asset sales plus the aggregate amount of mandatory prepayments, and (y) in the
case of any acquisition having a purchase price in excess of $10 million,
Publishing has obtained approval of the lenders and certified its compliance
with the financial covenants and that, if such acquisition was made in reliance
on prepayments, the total leverage ratio does not exceed 5.00x. The Amended
Publishing Credit Facility also restricts payment of dividends, principal or
redemption payments, management fees (if in excess of the lesser of excess cash
flow and $2.25 million per quarter) or similar distributions by Publishing and
its subsidiaries, other than regular quarterly dividends equal to the sum of the
amount of (x) dividends declared by the Company and (y) interest payable
pursuant to the Publishing Holdings Note Facility which FDTH is not permitted to
pay under certain limitations set forth in the FDTH Credit Facility, provided,
in either case, in addition to the proviso below, that the Company's quarterly
dividend payment does not exceed $.10 per share, and (A) dividends paid to the
Company not in excess of dividends received from shares of Southam, (B) loans,
advances dividends or distributions by certain subsidiaries to Publishing or
certain other subsidiaries and by FDTH, DTH or Publishing to the Company for the
purpose of redeeming Series A Preferred Stock and (C) tax payments made by
Publishing and certain subsidiaries pursuant to a tax allocation agreement not
in excess of certain amounts, provided, in each case, that no event of default
pursuant to the Amended Publishing Credit Facility has occurred or would occur
as a result thereof and no holders of debt of Publishing or certain subsidiaries
would have an acceleration right.
 
     The Amended Publishing Credit Facility also includes various financial
covenants applicable to Publishing on a consolidated basis, including required
maintenance of (i) a total leverage ratio (funded debt to operating cash flow),
(ii) a senior leverage ratio (funded debt, excluding the Notes, to operating
cash flow), and (iii) a minimum ratio of operating cash flow to interest
expense. The total leverage ratio prior to the closing of the Amended Publishing
Credit Facility of Publishing and its United States subsidiaries for the four
fiscal quarters then most recently ended shall not at any time be greater than
6.50x and after the closing and through maturity, shall not exceed 6.00x.
 
     Events of Default. The Amended Publishing Credit Facility contains
customary events of default, including, without limitation, failure to pay
interest or principal; failure to comply with any covenant;
 
                                       94
<PAGE>   96
 
insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution and liquidation events of Publishing and any
guarantor; cross default to other indebtedness or other material obligation in
excess of $5 million of the Company, Publishing or Publishing Holdings or $2
million of any of its United States subsidiaries; unsatisfied final judgments in
excess of specified amounts; the occurrence or existence of an event or
condition that the required lenders have reasonably determined in good faith has
had or will have a material adverse effect on Publishing and its United States
subsidiaries taken as a whole; the failure of Publishing Holdings to execute a
guaranty of the Amended Publishing Credit Facility upon repayment of the
Publishing Holdings Note Facility or the Company's failure to assume Publishing
Holdings pledge agreement upon Publishing Holdings dissolution into the Company;
and certain change of control provisions. A change of control is defined in the
Amended Publishing Credit Facility to include, among other things, (i) any
person other than Conrad M. Black beneficially owning voting stock representing
more than 50% of the total voting power of Hollinger Inc. or the Company, (ii)
the Company ceasing to directly or indirectly own 100% of the voting stock of
Publishing or TelHoldco Inc., or on and after the closing of the Amended
Publishing Credit Facility, The Telegraph (excluding certain preference shares
and ordinary shares issued pursuant to options), and (iii) any person shall own
or control a greater percentage of the voting stock of the Company than Conrad
M. Black.
 
     FDTH CREDIT FACILITY. FDTH entered into the FDTH Credit Facility on May 30,
1996 with certain lenders, which consists of a secured, non-amortizing revolving
credit facility with a maximum of L250 million of available credit to be used to
finance the Scheme. See "The Company--Recent Developments--The Telegraph." Under
the terms of the FDTH Credit Facility, funds shall become available only upon
consummation of the Scheme and the satisfaction of certain conditions related
thereto, at which time the closing under the FDTH Credit Facility shall occur.
The conditions to closing include, among other things, (i) the lenders'
satisfaction with the terms of the Scheme, the Scheme's approval by The
Telegraph's board and its sanction by English courts, (ii) the repayment of the
existing debt facilities of The Telegraph, and (iii) the amendment of the terms
attaching to the FDTH Preference Shares and the Telegraph Preference Shares to
prevent the holders from redeeming them prior to March 2006 or the agreement of
affiliates of FDTH owning such shares to such effect. The commitment of the
lenders under the FDTH Credit Facility shall expire on September 30, 1996 if the
closing of the Facility has not occurred on or prior to such date or on the date
which is the earlier of six months from the closing or upon the occurrence of an
event of default.
 
     Interest. Loans under the FDTH Credit Facility will bear interest at a
floating rate per annum equal to the reserve adjusted LIBOR rate, plus 2.50%.
 
     Guarantees. Amounts owed with respect to the FDTH Credit Facility are the
direct obligations of FDTH and are unconditionally guaranteed by the Company and
TelHoldco Inc. and, upon consummation of the Scheme by each of FDTH's
subsidiaries other than HTH. Such guarantees contain certain covenants,
representations and warranties acceptable to the lenders.
 
     Security. The obligations under the FDTH Credit Facility are secured by a
pledge of the shares of capital stock of FDTH. Upon consummation of the Scheme,
additional security shall include the shares of The Telegraph held by TelHoldco
Inc. and FDTH and the shares of Fairfax and other subsidiaries of The Telegraph
and the shares of Southam owned by FDTH and Deedtask Limited.
 
     Covenants. The FDTH Credit Facility contains affirmative and negative
covenants, including restrictions on FDTH's and its subsidiaries' ability to (a)
create, incur, assume or guaranty additional indebtedness, other than certain
debt of The Telegraph, certain debt relating to the Scheme and certain other
permitted indebtedness; (b) create liens or other encumbrances on assets of FDTH
and its subsidiaries, other than certain permitted liens; (c) sell assets of
FDTH or its subsidiaries, except to a wholly-owned subsidiary; (d) make
investments, loans or advances to acquire other entities and for other purposes,
other than certain permitted investments; (e) engage in sale-leaseback
transactions; (f) merge, consolidate or participate in similar business
combinations; (g) enter into transactions with affiliates other than certain
permitted transactions; (h) retire outstanding capital stock; (i) make changes
in its lines of business; (j) make or commit to make any capital expenditures
exceeding L2 million in aggregate amount in any fiscal quarter other than
capital expenditures by The Telegraph; and (k) enter into operating leases
requiring payments in excess of L5 million per year. FDTH and its subsidiaries
are not permitted to make acquisitions other those relating to
 
                                       95
<PAGE>   97
 
the Scheme or of the assets of a wholly-owned subsidiary. The FDTH Credit
Facility also restricts payment of dividends, principal or redemption payments,
management fees (if, in the aggregate, in excess of the lesser of excess cash
flow and $3.75 million per quarter) or similar distributions by FDTH and its
subsidiaries, other than regular quarterly dividends equal to the sum of the
amounts (x) payable on the DTH Preference Shares and certain FDTH Preference
Shares and (y) interest payable pursuant to the Publishing Holdings Note
Facility, provided, in either case, in addition to the proviso below, that the
interest/restricted payment coverage ratio as defined in the FDTH Credit
Facility is 1.0x or greater and (A) dividends paid not in excess of dividends
received from shares of Southam, (B) loans, advances dividends or distributions
by a subsidiary to Publishing or certain of its subsidiaries and by FDTH, DTH or
Publishing to the Company for the purpose of redeeming Series A Preferred Stock,
(C) payments and dividends required pursuant to the Scheme. (D) tax payments
under certain tax indemnity agreements and (E) redemption of shares of The
Telegraph in certain limited circumstances, provided, in each case, that no
event of default pursuant to the FDTH Credit Facility has occurred or would
occur as a result thereof and no holders of debt of FDTH or any subsidiary would
have an acceleration right.
 
     The FDTH Credit Facility also includes various financial covenants
applicable to FDTH on a consolidated basis, including required maintenance of
(i) an asset coverage ratio, defined as the ratio of the sum of 5.5 multiplied
by operating cash flow excluding dividends received from Fairfax or Southam plus
88% of the United States dollar equivalent of the closing price for Fairfax
shares to the aggregate amount of loan commitments, capital leases and guarantee
obligations, and (ii) a minimum ratio of operating cash flow to interest
expense. The asset coverage ratio of FDTH shall not prior to the closing of the
FDTH Credit Facility be less than 1.25x and after the closing and through
maturity, shall not be less than 1.50x, in either case for any three consecutive
business days unless within three business days of such failure to maintain the
asset coverage ratio, FDTH makes a repayment of debt under the FDTH Credit
Facility required as a result of the mandatory commitment reduction triggered by
such failure.
 
     Events of Default. The FDTH Credit Facility contains customary events of
default, including, without limitation, failure to pay interest or principal;
failure to comply with any covenant; insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution and
liquidation events of FDTH, the Company or any other obligor under the FDTH
Credit Facility; cross default to other indebtedness or other material
obligation in excess of L2 million of the Company, FDTH and The Telegraph or in
excess of L500,000 of any of FDTH's other subsidiaries; unsatisfied final
judgments in excess of specified amounts; the occurrence or existence of an
event or condition that the lenders have reasonably determined in good faith has
had or will have a material adverse effect on FDTH and its subsidiaries taken as
a whole; and certain change of control provisions. A change of control is
defined in the FDTH Credit Facility to include, among other things, (i) any
person other than Conrad M. Black beneficially owning voting stock representing
more than 50% of the total voting power of Hollinger Inc. or the Company, (ii)
the Company ceasing to directly or indirectly own 100% of the voting stock of
FDTH (other than the DTH Preference Shares and the FDTH Preference Shares owned
by third parties) or TelHoldco Inc., or, on and after the closing, The Telegraph
(excluding certain preference shares and ordinary shares issued pursuant to
options), and (iii) any person shall own or control a greater percentage of the
voting stock of the Company than Conrad M. Black.
 
     PUBLISHING HOLDINGS NOTE FACILITY. Publishing Holdings and the Company
entered into the Publishing Holdings Note Facility on May 30, 1996 with a
purchaser, which relates to the $100 million aggregate principal amount of the
Publishing Holdings Notes which shall be guaranteed by the Company and used to
finance the Scheme, if necessary. See "The Company--Recent Developments--The
Telegraph." It is expected that this facility will be cancelled upon
consummation of the Offering. Under the terms of the Publishing Holdings Note
Facility, Publishing Holdings may deliver a notice of borrowing to the
purchasers prior to September 30, 1996, provided no event of default has
occurred. The closing under the Publishing Holdings Note Facility shall occur
three business days following delivery of such notice to the purchasers. The
Publishing Holdings Notes mature six months following the closing. If necessary,
the proceeds of the Publishing Holdings Note Facility would be borrowed from
Publishing Holdings by FDTH to provide funds for the Scheme.
 
                                       96
<PAGE>   98
 
     Interest. The Publishing Holdings Notes bear interest at the reserve
adjusted Eurodollar rate, plus a margin of 4.00% from the closing of the
facility to and including the 90th day after the closing or plus a margin of
5.00% from and after the 91st day following the closing, provided no event of
default has occurred and is continuing, in which case an additional margin shall
be applicable.
 
     Guarantees. Amounts payable with respect to the Publishing Holdings Notes
are unconditionally guaranteed by the Company, but are subordinate to the
Company's guarantees of the Amended Publishing Credit Facility and the FDTH
Credit Facility and no payments may be made by the Company to holders of the
Publishing Holdings Notes in the event of a default under either credit facility
or in the event of insolvency, bankruptcy or any similar proceeding involving
the Company.
 
     Security. The obligations under the Publishing Holdings Note Facility will
be secured by a pledge of the shares of capital stock of Publishing Holdings and
of a $100 million promissory note from FDTH to Publishing Holdings.
 
     Covenants. The Publishing Holdings Note Facility contains affirmative and
negative covenants, including restrictions on Publishing Holdings and the
Company's ability to create, incur, assume or guaranty additional indebtedness,
other than the Notes, the Amended Publishing Credit Facility and the FDTH Credit
Facility and certain other permitted indebtedness. The Company also agrees to
reserve shares of its Class A Common Stock for issuance upon exchange of the
Publishing Holdings Notes. Publishing Holdings and the Company also agree to
perform most of the covenants of Publishing and FDTH, as applicable, set forth
in the Amended Publishing Credit Agreement and the FDTH Credit Agreement,
including those relating to the creation of liens, the sale of assets,
acquisitions, investments, mergers, consolidations and similar combinations,
operating leases and capital expenditures. The Publishing Holdings Notes
Facility also restricts payment of dividends, principal or redemption payments,
management fees (to the extent permitted under the Amended Publishing Credit
Facility and the FDTH Credit Facility) or similar distributions by Publishing
Holdings, the Company or any subsidiary, other than regular quarterly dividends
declared by the Company, provided, in addition to the proviso below, that the
Company's quarterly dividend payment does not exceed $.10 per share and (A)
dividends paid to the Company not in excess of the lesser of dividends received
from shares of Southam and dividend payments paid or payable on the Series A
Preferred Stock to the extent received by Publishing Holdings, (B) loans,
advances dividends or distributions by any subsidiary to Publishing Holdings or
any subsidiary and by Publishing Holdings, FDTH, DTH or Publishing to the
Company for the purpose of redeeming Series A Preferred Stock, (C) tax payments
pursuant to a tax allocation agreement not in excess of a certain amount,
provided, in each case, that no event of default has occurred or would occur as
a result thereof and no holders of debt of Publishing Holdings or any subsidiary
would have an acceleration right.
 
     The Publishing Holdings Note Facility also requires that the Amended
Publishing Credit Facility and the FDTH Credit Facility shall be in full force
and effect, and the maintenance of a leverage ratio (funded debt to operating
cash flow) of 7.75x for the four previous fiscal quarters, calculated at each
fiscal quarter.
 
     Events of Default. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the
Publishing Holdings Notes are exchangeable at any time at the option of the
holder. The Publishing Holdings Note Facility contains customary events of
default, including, without limitation, failure to pay interest or principal;
failure to comply with certain covenants in the Publishing Holdings Note
Facility, the Publishing Credit Agreement and the FDTH Credit Agreement;
insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution and liquidation events of the Company,
Publishing Holdings or any subsidiary; cross default to other indebtedness in
excess of specified amounts of the Company or any subsidiary; unsatisfied final
judgments in excess of specified amounts; the occurrence or existence of an
event or condition that the required lenders have reasonably determined in good
faith has had or will have a material adverse effect on the Company, Publishing
Holdings and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; the revocation or invalidation
of the Company's guarantee under the Publishing Holdings Note Facility; the
public market equity value of the Company falls below $500 million; and certain
change of control provisions. A change of control is defined in the Publishing
Holdings Note Facility to include, among other things, (i) any person other than
Conrad M. Black beneficially owning voting stock representing more than 50% of
the total voting power of Hollinger Inc. or the Company, (ii) the Company
ceasing to directly or
 
                                       97
<PAGE>   99
 
indirectly own 100% of the voting stock of Publishing Holdings, and (iii) any
person shall own or control a greater percentage of the voting stock of the
Company than Conrad M. Black.
 
     SOUTHAM FACILITY. The Company entered into the Southam Facility on May 24,
1996 with a Canadian chartered bank, which consists of a secured, non-amortizing
credit facility guaranteed by Hollinger Inc. in the amount of Cdn.$300 million.
The proceeds of the Southam Facility were advanced by the Company to CanHoldco
as an intercompany loan to finance CanHoldco's purchase of the Power Shares. See
The Company--Recent Developments--Southam. The Southam Facility is repayable on
or prior to November 25, 1996. It is anticipated that the Company and the bank
will negotiate a detailed loan agreement to reflect the terms of the Southam
Facility prior to June 30, 1996.
 
     Interest. Loans under the Southam Facility will be made either as prime
rate advances or bankers' acceptances. Prime rate advances shall bear interest
at the Canadian bank's prime rate used for commercial loans in Canada plus 125
basis points. Bankers' acceptances shall be in minimum amounts of Cdn.$10
million and multiples of Cdn.$1 million for a period of not less than 30 and not
more than 180 days and shall bear interest at the bank's Canadian dollar
bankers' acceptance rate plus 0.75% per annum plus 225 basis points.
 
     Guarantees. Amounts owed with respect to the Southam Facility are
guaranteed by Hollinger Inc. and three subsidiaries of Hollinger Inc., 1159670
Ontario Limited, 3184081 Canada Limited and CanHoldco. Such guarantees contain
various covenants, representations and warranties acceptable to the bank.
 
     Security. The obligations under the Southam Facility are secured by a
pledge from CanHoldco of the Power Shares, a pledge from 3184081 Canada Limited
of 7,539,028 shares of Class A Common Stock (providing a 1.00x coverage ratio)
and a pledge from 1159670 Ontario Limited of all of the shares of Class B Common
Stock.
 
     Covenants. The Southam Facility contains affirmative and negative covenants
customary in similar transactions, including (a) that collateralization
requirements relating to the pledged shares of the Company and Southam be
maintained and that cash collateral be provided in the event of any shortfall,
and (b) that neither the Company, Hollinger Inc. nor any subsidiaries enter into
any reorganization, merger or amalgamation without the consent of the bank.
 
     The Southam Facility requires that a 2.00x collateral to loan ratio be
maintained at all times and that the Company cash collateralize any shortfall.
 
     Events of Default. The Southam Facility contains customary events of
default, including, without limitation, failure to pay interest or principal;
failure to comply with any covenant; insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution and
liquidation events of Hollinger Inc. and any of its subsidiaries; cross default
to other indebtedness of Hollinger Inc., the Company or any of their
subsidiaries; unsatisfied final judgments; and the prohibition of a change of
control of Hollinger Inc., the Company and any of their subsidiaries without the
prior written approval of the bank.
 
TRUST FINANCING
 
     The Company plans to issue to a financial institution in the Trust
Financing Preferred Securities of the Trust in an amount sufficient to raise
approximately $250 million (approximately $287 million if the Underwriters
exercise their over-allotment option in full in respect of the Securities
offered hereby). The Trust will be a statutory business trust formed under
Delaware law pursuant to (i) a declaration of trust, executed by the Company, as
sponsor, and the trustees of the Trust (the "Declaration") and (ii) the filing
of a certificate of trust with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
The Company will directly or indirectly acquire the common securities of the
Trust (the "Common Securities"), representing undivided beneficial interests in
the assets of the Trust, in an aggregate liquidation amount equal to 3% of the
total capital of the Trust. All of the Preferred Securities representing
preferred and undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust will be
issued to a financial institution (the "Institution") in the Trust Financing.
The Trust will exist for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing the Common
Securities and the Preferred Securities (collectively the "Trust Securities"),
(ii) investing the proceeds of the Trust Securities in the Subordinated Notes
and (iii) engaging in only those other activities necessary or incidental
thereto. The Trust's business and
 
                                       98
<PAGE>   100
 
affairs will be conducted by the trustees (the "Trustees") appointed by the
Company, as the direct or indirect holder of the Common Securities. A majority
of the Trustees will be persons who are employees or officers of or affiliated
with the Company.
 
     The Subordinated Notes will constitute the sole assets of the Trust. The
Declaration will provide that in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization with respect to the Company (and certain other events of
default), the Trust will terminate and its assets will be distributed to the
owners of the Trust. Accordingly, upon the occurence of such an event, ownership
of the Subordinated Notes having a principal amount equal to the aggregate
Stated Amount of the PRIDES will pass to the Institution. Pursuant to the
Exchange Agreement, the Purchase Contract Agent will be required to transfer the
Treasury Notes to the Institution in exchange for the Subordinated Notes and any
claims for defaulted principal or interest relating thereto. Upon receipt of the
Subordinated Notes, the Purchase Contract Agent will distribute them, on a pro
rata basis, to the holders of the PRIDES. The purpose of the Exchange Agreement
is to provide security to the Institution. In consideration for the holders'
obligations under the Exchange Agreement, the Company has agreed in the Purchase
Contracts to make payments to the holders equal to the Exchange Agreement Fee
included as part of the Yield Enhancement Payments.
 
                       DESCRIPTION OF SUBORDINATED NOTES
 
     The Subordinated Notes will be issued by the Company under an indenture
(the "Indenture") between the Company and        , as trustee (the "Subordinated
Notes Trustee"). The following summary of the provisions of the Subordinated
Notes and the Indenture do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and
are qualified in their entirety by express reference to, all the provisions of
the Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms and those
terms made a part of the Indenture by the Trust Indenture Act. Certain
capitalized terms herein are defined in the Indenture.
 
     The Subordinated Notes will mature on        , 1999 and will be unsecured
senior subordinated obligations of the Company. Each note will bear interest at
the rate of   % (or   % following an event of default under the Subordinated
Notes) from        , 1996, or from the most recent payment date to which
interest has been paid, payable semiannually on        and        of each year,
commencing on        , 1996. In the event of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization with respect to the Company, the maturity of the Subordinated
Notes will be accelerated and the principal thereof and any interest accrued
thereon will become immediately due. As a result, since the exchange
contemplated in the Exchange Agreement will only occur upon the happening of
such an event, the Subordinated Notes will have been accelerated at the time, if
ever, that the Subordinated Notes are distributed to the holders of the PRIDES.
 
                                       99
<PAGE>   101
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES
 
     The summaries of certain provisions of documents described below do not
purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety
by reference to, all of the provisions of such documents (including the
definitions therein of certain terms), forms of which are on file with the
Commission. Wherever particular Sections of, or terms defined in, such documents
are referred to herein, such Sections or defined terms are incorporated by
reference herein.
 
GENERAL
 
     Each Security will have a Stated Amount of $     and will be issued under
the Purchase Contract Agreement between the Company and the Purchase Contract
Agent. Each Security will consist of (a) a Purchase Contract under which (i) the
holder will purchase from the Company on the Final Settlement Date of
  , 1999, for an amount in cash equal to the Stated Amount, a number of shares
of Class A Common Stock equal to the Settlement Rate described below and (ii)
the Company will pay Yield Enhancement Payments to the holder, and (b) Treasury
Notes having a principal amount equal to the Stated Amount and maturing on the
Final Settlement Date. The aggregate fair market value of the Treasury Notes at
the time of purchase may exceed their aggregate principal amount, in which case,
the excess will constitute Initial Premium Payments and will be provided by the
Company for the benefit of the Security holders as additional purchase price for
the Treasury Notes. Holders will not directly receive any cash as a result of
any Initial Premium Payments. The Treasury Notes will be pledged to the
Collateral Agent to secure the holders' obligations to purchase Class A Common
Stock under the Purchase Contract and the holders' obligations to make the
exchange of the Treasury Notes for the Subordinated Notes as provided in the
Exchange Agreement. Unless a holder of Securities settles the underlying
Purchase Contracts either through the early delivery of cash to the Purchase
Contract Agent, or unless the Purchase Contracts are terminated (upon the
occurrence of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with
respect to the Company), principal of the Treasury Notes underlying such
Securities, when paid at maturity, will automatically be applied to satisfy (to
the extent of the proceeds received) the holders' obligations to purchase Class
A Common Stock under the Purchase Contracts. Upon certain events of bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization with respect to the Company, the Purchase Contracts
will be terminated and the Treasury Notes will be exchanged for Subordinated
Notes of the Company. For so long as a Purchase Contract remains in effect, such
Purchase Contract and the Treasury Notes securing it will not be separable and
may be transferred only as an integrated Security.
 
     The semi-annual payments on the Securities indicated on the cover page of
this Prospectus will consist of interest on the Treasury Notes payable by the
United States Government at the rate of     % of the Stated Amount per annum and
unsecured, subordinated Yield Enhancement Payments payable semiannually on each
Payment Date by the Company at the rate of     % of the Stated Amount per annum.
The Company's obligations with respect to Yield Enhancement Payments are
subordinated and junior in right of payment to all liabilities of the Company
and pari passu with the most senior preferred stock directly issued, from time
to time, if any, by the Company. The Yield Enhancement Payments to be made by
the Company will represent (i) a payment in consideration of the holders'
obligations contained in the Purchase Contracts (  % per annum) and (ii) an
Exchange Agreement Fee in consideration of the holders' obligations under the
Exchange Agreement (  % per annum).
 
     The semi-annual interest payment due on the Treasury Notes on            ,
1996 (the "Treasury Accrued Interest") will be remitted by the Collateral Agent
to the Company, except for an amount representing accrued interest on the
Treasury Notes from the date of issuance of the Securities until             ,
1996 (the "Holders' Accrued Interest"). Holders' Accrued Interest will be
remitted by the Collateral Agent to the Purchase Contract Agent, who will invest
such amount in permitted investments on behalf of the holders until the first
Payment Date, at which time such amount and any reinvestment income thereon, net
of expenses associated therewith, will be paid to holders, together with the
regularly scheduled semi-annual interest payment on the Treasury Notes. The
Yield Enhancement Payments payable on the first Payment Date will be adjusted so
that the Yield Enhancement Payments payable on such date will be the
 
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<PAGE>   102
 
equivalent of      % of the Stated Amount per annum accruing from             ,
1996 to             , 1996.
 
     The Company may, at its option, defer the payment of Yield Enhancement
Payments (other than the portion constituting the Exchange Agreement Fee) until
the Final Settlement Date. Deferred installments of Yield Enhancement Payments
will bear additional Yield Enhancement Payments at the rate of     % per annum
(compounding on each succeeding Payment Date) until paid. If the Company
exercises its option to defer Yield Enhancement Payments, however, the Company
may not declare or pay dividends on, make distributions with respect to, or
redeem, repurchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any
of its capital stock (with certain exceptions) or make any payment of interest,
principal or premium, if any, on any debt securities (including guarantees)
issued by the Company that rank pari passu with, or junior to, such Yield
Enhancement Payments, or make any guarantee payments with respect to the
foregoing. Any Holder that elects to settle a Purchase Contract prior to the
Final Settlement Date will forfeit its right to receive additional Yield
Enhancement Payments and any Deferred Yield Enhancement Payments. If the
Purchase Contracts are terminated (upon the occurrence of certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to the Company), the right
to receive Yield Enhancement Payments and Deferred Yield Enhancement Payments
will terminate. If the Company elects to defer the payment of Yield Enhancement
Payments (to the extent it is permitted to do so) until the Final Settlement
Date, each holder will receive on the Final Settlement Date, in lieu of cash
payment, a number of shares of Class A Common Stock (in addition to a number of
shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the Settlement Rate) equal to (x) the
aggregate amount of Deferred Yield Enhancement Payments payable to a holder of
Securities divided by (y) the Applicable Market Value. See "Description of the
Purchase Contracts--Yield Enhancement Payments."
 
                     DESCRIPTION OF THE PURCHASE CONTRACTS
 
GENERAL
 
     Each Purchase Contract underlying a Security (unless earlier terminated or
settled at the holder's option) will obligate the holder of the Security to
purchase, and the Company to sell, on the Final Settlement Date, for an amount
in cash equal to the Stated Amount, a number of new shares of Class A Common
Stock equal to the Settlement Rate. The Settlement Rate will be calculated as
follows (subject to adjustment under certain circumstances): (a) if the
Applicable Market Value is greater than the Threshold Appreciation Price of
$       , the Settlement Rate will be      , (b) if the Applicable Market Value
is less than or equal to the Threshold Appreciation Price but greater than the
Stated Amount, the Settlement Rate will equal the Stated Amount divided by the
Applicable Market Value and (c) if the Applicable Market Value is less than or
equal to the Stated Amount, the Settlement Rate will be one. "Applicable Market
Value" means the average of the Closing Price per share of Class A Common Stock
on each of the twenty consecutive Trading Days ending on the second Trading Day
immediately preceding the Final Settlement Date.
 
     No fractional shares of Class A Common Stock will be issued by the Company
pursuant to the Purchase Contracts. In lieu of fractional shares otherwise
issuable in respect of Purchase Contracts being settled by a holder of
Securities, the holder will be entitled to receive an amount of cash equal to
the value of such fractional shares at the Closing Price per share on the second
Trading Day immediately preceding the date of purchase.
 
     Unless a holder of Securities settles the underlying Purchase Contracts
prior to the Final Settlement Date through the delivery of cash to the Purchase
Contract Agent in the manner described under "--Early Settlement" below or an
event described under "Termination" below occurs, principal of the Treasury
Notes underlying such Securities, when paid at maturity, will automatically be
transferred to the Company to satisfy (to the extent of the proceeds received)
the holder's obligation to purchase Class A Common Stock under the Purchase
Contracts. Such stock will then be issued and delivered to such holder or such
holder's designee, upon presentation and surrender of the certificate evidencing
such Securities (a "Security Certificate") and
 
                                       101
<PAGE>   103
 
payment by the holder of any transfer or similar taxes payable in connection
with the issuance of the stock to any person other than such holder.
 
     Prior to the date on which shares of Class A Common Stock are issued in
settlement of a Purchase Contract, the Class A Common Stock underlying the
related Security will not be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose and the
holder thereof will not have any voting rights, rights to dividends or other
distributions or other rights or privileges of a stockholder by virtue of
holding such Security.
 
     Each holder of Securities, by acceptance thereof, will under the terms of
the Purchase Contract Agreement and the Securities be deemed to have (a)
irrevocably agreed to be bound by the terms of the related Purchase Contracts
for so long as such holder remains a holder of such Securities and (b) appointed
the Purchase Contract Agent as such holder's attorney-in-fact to enter into and
perform the related Purchase Contracts on behalf of and in the name of such
holder.
 
EARLY SETTLEMENT
 
     A holder of Securities may settle the underlying Purchase Contracts prior
to the Final Settlement Date by presenting and surrendering the Security
Certificate at the offices of the Purchase Contract Agent with the form of
"Election to Settle Early" on the reverse side of the certificate completed and
executed as indicated, accompanied by payment (in the form of a certified or
cashier's check payable to the order of the Company in immediately available
funds) of an amount equal to the Stated Amount times the number of Purchase
Contracts being settled. So long as the Securities are evidenced by one or more
global security certificates deposited with the Depositary (as defined below),
procedures for early settlement will also be governed by standing arrangements
between the Depositary and the Purchase Contract Agent. HOLDERS MAY SETTLE
SECURITIES EARLY ONLY IN INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF 1,000 SECURITIES.
 
     Upon early settlement of Purchase Contracts underlying any Securities, (a)
the holder will receive
of a share of Class A Common Stock per Security (regardless of the market price
of the Class A Common Stock on the date of purchase), subject to adjustment
under certain circumstances, (b) the Treasury Notes underlying such Securities
will thereupon be transferred to the holder free and clear of the Company's
security interest therein, (c) the holder's right to receive Deferred Yield
Enhancement Payments, if any, on the Purchase Contracts being settled will be
forfeited and (d) the holder's right to receive additional Yield Enhancement
Payments will terminate and, except as contemplated by clause (a) above, no
adjustment will be made to or for the holder on account of current or deferred
amounts accrued in respect thereof.
 
     If the Purchase Contract Agent receives the Security Certificate,
accompanied by the completed Election to Settle Early and requisite check, from
a holder of Securities by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on a Business Day
("Business Day" means any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which
the NYSE or banking institutions or trust companies in The City of New York are
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to be closed), that day will
be considered the settlement date. If the Purchase Contract Agent receives the
foregoing after 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on a Business Day or at any time
on a day that is not a Business Day, the next Business Day will be considered
the settlement date.
 
     Upon early settlement of Purchase Contracts in the manner described above,
presentation and surrender of the Security Certificate evidencing the related
Securities and payment of any transfer or similar taxes payable by the holder in
connection with the issuance of the stock to any person other than the holder of
such Securities, the Company will cause the shares of Class A Common Stock being
purchased to be issued, and the Treasury Notes securing such Purchase Contracts
to be released from the pledge under the Pledge Agreement described below and
transferred, within three Business Days following the settlement date, to the
purchasing holder or such holder's designee.
 
YIELD ENHANCEMENT PAYMENTS
 
     Yield Enhancement Payments will be payable semi-annually on each Payment
Date to the persons in whose names the related Securities are registered at the
close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding such Payment Date
(the "Record Date"). Yield Enhancement Payments will be computed on the
 
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<PAGE>   104
 
basis of actual days elapsed in a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be.
If a Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the Yield
Enhancement Payment may be paid on the next succeeding Business Day with the
same force and effect as if made on such Payment Date, and no additional amounts
will accrue as a result of such delayed payment. The Yield Enhancement Payments
to be made by the Company will represent (i) a payment in consideration of the
holders' obligations contained in the Purchase Contracts (  % per annum) and
(ii) an Exchange Agreement Fee in consideration of the holders' obligations
under the Exchange Agreement (  % per annum).
 
     The Company's obligations with respect to Yield Enhancement Payments are
subordinate and junior in right of payment to all liabilities of the Company and
pari passu with the most senior preferred stock, if any, directly issued from
time to time by the Company.
 
     The Company may, at its option and upon prior written notice to the holders
of Securities and the Purchase Contract Agent, defer the payment of Yield
Enhancement Payments (other than the portion constituting the Exchange Agreement
Fee) until the Final Settlement Date. However, deferred installments of Yield
Enhancement Payments will bear additional Yield Enhancement Payments at the rate
of   % per annum (compounding on each succeeding Payment Date) until paid. If
the Purchase Contracts are terminated (upon the occurrence of certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to the Company), the right
to receive Yield Enhancement Payments, including the Exchange Agreement Fee, and
Deferred Yield Enhancement Payments will terminate.
 
     If the Company elects to defer the payment of Yield Enhancement Payments on
the Purchase Contracts until the Final Settlement Date, each holder will receive
on the Final Settlement Date, in lieu of a cash payment, a number of shares of
Class A Common Stock (in addition to a number of shares of Class A Common Stock
equal to the Settlement Rate) equal to (x) the aggregate amount of Deferred
Yield Enhancement Payments payable to a holder of Securities divided by (y) the
Applicable Market Value.
 
     No fractional shares of Class A Common Stock will be issued by the Company
with respect to the payment of Deferred Yield Enhancement Payments on the Final
Settlement Date. In lieu of fractional shares otherwise issuable with respect to
such payment of Deferred Yield Enhancement Payments, the holder will be entitled
to receive an amount in cash equal to the value of such fractional shares at the
Closing Price per share
on the second Trading Day immediately preceding the Final Settlement Date.
 
     If the Company exercises its option to defer the payment of Yield
Enhancement Payments, then, until the Deferred Yield Enhancement Payments have
been paid, (a) the Company shall not declare or pay dividends on, make
distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase or acquire, or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock (other than (i)
purchases or acquisitions of shares of Class A Common Stock in connection with
the satisfaction by the Company of its obligations under any employee benefit
plans or the satisfaction by the Company of its obligations pursuant to any
contract or security requiring the Company to purchase shares of Class A Common
Stock, (ii) as a result of a reclassification of the Company's capital stock or
the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Company's capital stock
for another class or series of the Company's capital stock or (iii) the purchase
of fractional interests in shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to the
conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being
converted or exchanged) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the
foregoing and (b) the Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal
or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities
(including guarantees) issued by the Company that rank pari passu with or junior
to such Yield Enhancement Payments and (c) the Company shall not make any
guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing.
 
ANTI-DILUTION ADJUSTMENTS
 
     The formula for determining the Settlement Rate will be subject to
adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, including: (a) the payment of
dividends (and other distributions) of Class A Common Stock on Class A Common
Stock; (b) the issuance to all holders of Class A Common Stock of rights,
warrants or options entitling them, for a period of up to 45 days, to subscribe
for or purchase Class A Common Stock at less than the Current Market Price (as
defined in the Purchase Contract Agreement) thereof;
 
                                       103
<PAGE>   105
 
(c) subdivisions, splits and combinations of Class A Common Stock; (d)
distributions to all holders of Class A Common Stock of evidences of
indebtedness of the Company, shares of capital stock, securities, cash or
property (excluding any dividend or distribution covered by clause (a) or (b)
above and any dividend or distribution paid exclusively in cash); (e)
distributions consisting exclusively of cash to all holders of Class A Common
Stock in an aggregate amount that, together with (i) other all-cash
distributions made within the preceding 12 months and (ii) any cash and the fair
market value, as of the expiration of the tender or exchange offer referred to
below, of consideration payable in respect of any tender or exchange offer by
the Company or a subsidiary for the Class A Common Stock concluded within the
preceding 12 months, exceeds 15% of the Company's aggregate market
capitalization (such aggregate market capitalization being the product of the
Current Market Price of the Class A Common Stock multiplied by the number of
shares of Class A Common Stock then outstanding) on the date of such
distribution; and (f) the successful completion of a tender or exchange offer
made by the Company or any subsidiary for the Class A Common Stock which
involves an aggregate consideration that, together with (i) any cash and the
fair market value of other consideration payable in respect of any tender or
exchange offer by the Company or a subsidiary for the Class A Common Stock
concluded within the preceding 12 months and (ii) the aggregate amount of any
all-cash distributions to all holders of the Class A Common Stock made within
the preceding 12 months, exceeds 15% of the Company's aggregate market
capitalization on the expiration of such tender or exchange offer.
 
     In the case of certain reclassifications, consolidations, mergers, sales or
transfers of assets or other transactions pursuant to which the Class A Common
Stock is converted into the right to receive other securities, cash or property,
each Purchase Contract then outstanding would, without the consent of the
holders of Securities, become a contract to purchase only the kind and amount of
securities, cash and other property receivable upon consummation of the
transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Class A Common Stock which
would have been received by the holder of the related Security immediately prior
to the date of consummation of such transaction if such holder had then settled
such Purchase Contract.
 
     If at any time the Company makes a distribution of property to its
stockholders which would be taxable to such stockholders as a dividend for
federal income tax purposes (i.e., distributions of evidences of indebtedness or
assets of the Company, but generally not stock dividends or rights to subscribe
to capital stock) and, pursuant to the Settlement Rate adjustment provisions of
the Purchase Contract Agreement, the Settlement Rate is increased, such increase
may be deemed to be the receipt of taxable income to holders of Securities. See
"Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences--Adjustment of Settlement Rate."
 
     In addition, the Company may make such increases in the Settlement Rate as
the Board of Directors of the Company deems advisable to avoid or diminish any
income tax to holders of shares of Class A Common Stock resulting from any
dividend or distribution of stock (or rights to acquire stock) or from any event
treated as such for income tax purposes or for any other reasons.
 
     Adjustments to the Settlement Rate will be calculated to the nearest
1/10,000th of a share. No adjustment in the Settlement Rate shall be required
unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least one
percent in the Settlement Rate; provided, however, that any adjustments which by
reason of the foregoing are not required to be made shall be carried forward and
taken into account in any subsequent adjustment.
 
     The Company will be required, within ten Business Days following the
occurrence of an event that requires or permits an adjustment in the Settlement
Rate, to provide written notice to the Purchase Contract Agent of the occurrence
of such event and a statement in reasonable detail setting forth the method by
which the adjustment to the Settlement Rate was determined and setting forth the
revised Settlement Rate.
 
     Each adjustment to the Settlement Rate will result in a corresponding
adjustment to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon early
settlement of a Purchase Contract.
 
TERMINATION AND EXCHANGE FOR SUBORDINATED NOTES
 
     The Purchase Contracts, and the rights and obligations of the Company and
of the holders of the Securities thereunder (including the right to receive
accrued or deferred Yield Enhancement Payments and
 
                                       104
<PAGE>   106
 
the right and obligation to purchase Class A Common Stock), will automatically
terminate upon the occurrence of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization with respect to the Company. Upon such termination, the Purchase
Contract Agent will, pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, transfer the Treasury
Notes held by it to the Institution in exchange for the Subordinated Notes,
together with any claims for defaulted principal or interest relating to the
Subordinated Notes. Such Subordinated Notes (together with such claims) will be
distributed by the Purchase Contract Agent to the holders on a pro rata basis.
In addition, in the event that the market value of the Treasury Notes exceeds
their face amount, the Purchase Contract Agent will liquidate the Treasury Notes
and transfer an amount equal to the face amount of the Treasury Notes to the
Institution in the Trust Financing and the excess will be distributed to the
holders of Securities.
 
     The Subordinated Notes will have a principal amount equal to the principal
amount of the Treasury Notes (or the amount of cash) exchanged therefor. Under
the terms of the Subordinated Notes, the events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization of the Company that will trigger the exchange will also result in
the acceleration of the maturity of the Subordinated Notes and the principal
thereof and interest accrued thereon will become immediately due. In addition,
the Subordinated Notes will provide for the payment of interest on a semiannual
basis at an annual rate of   %. See "Description of Subordinated Notes."
 
     The Subordinated Notes will be issued to the Trust as part of the Trust
Financing. Upon the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company (and
certain other events of default), the Trust will be liquidated and the
Subordinated Notes will be distributed to the holders of the preferred and
common interests in the Trust. Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, the
Institution will transfer Subordinated Notes to the Purchase Contract Agent for
release and distribution as described above.
 
TREASURY NOTES AND PLEDGE AGREEMENT; INTEREST ON TREASURY NOTES
 
     The Treasury Notes underlying the Securities will be pledged to the
Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Company and the Institution under the
Trust Financing, pursuant to a pledge agreement, to be dated as of             ,
1996 (the "Pledge Agreement"), to secure the obligations of the holders (i) to
purchase Class A Common Stock under the Purchase Contracts and (ii) to
consummate the exchange contemplated by the Exchange Agreement. The rights of
holders of Securities to the underlying Treasury Notes will be subject to the
security interests therein created by the Pledge Agreement; no holder of
Securities will be permitted to withdraw the Treasury Notes underlying such
Securities from the pledge arrangement except upon the termination or early
settlement of the related Purchase Contract and termination of the Exchange
Agreement. Subject to such security interests, however, holders of Securities
will have full beneficial ownership of the underlying Treasury Notes. The
Company will have no interest in the Treasury Notes other than its security
interest.
 
     The Collateral Agent will, upon receipt of interest payments on the
Treasury Notes, except for the accrued interest on the Treasury Notes payable on
          1996, distribute such payments to the Purchase Contract Agent, who
will in turn distribute those payments to the persons in whose names the related
Securities are registered at the close of business on the Record Date
immediately preceding the date of such distribution. See "Description of the
Securities--General."
 
     In the event of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company,
the Purchase Contracts will automatically terminate and the Treasury Notes
pledged to the Collateral Agent will be transferred to the Purchase Contract
Agent and exchanged for the Subordinated Notes pursuant to the Exchange
Agreement.
 
     THE TREASURY NOTES WILL BE OBLIGATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND
NOT OF THE COMPANY.
 
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM
 
     The Depositary Trust Company (the "Depositary") will act as securities
depositary for the Securities. The Securities will be issued only as
fully-registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (the
Depositary's nominee). One or more fully-registered global security certificates
("Global Security Certificates"), representing the total aggregate number of
Securities, will be issued and will be deposited with the
 
                                       105
<PAGE>   107
 
Depositary and will bear a legend regarding the restrictions on exchanges and
registration of transfer thereof referred to below.
 
     The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. Such laws
may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the Securities so
long as such Securities are represented by Global Security Certificates.
 
     The Depositary is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New
York Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York
Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation"
within the meaning of the New York 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"). The Depositary holds
securities that its participants ("Participants") deposit with the Depositary.
The Depositary also facilitates the settlement among Participants of securities
transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through
electronic computerized book-entry changes in Participants' accounts, thereby
eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct
Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies,
clearing corporations and certain other organizations ("Direct Participants").
The Depositary is owned by a number of its Direct Participants and by the NYSE,
the American Stock Exchange, Inc., and the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. Access to the Depositary system is also available to others, such
as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear
transactions through or maintain a direct or indirect custodial relationship
with a Direct Participant either directly or indirectly ("Indirect
Participants"). The rules applicable to the Depositary and its Participants are
on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission").
 
     No Securities represented by Global Security Certificates may be exchanged
in whole or in part for Securities registered, and no transfer of Global
Security Certificates in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any
person other than the Depositary or any nominee of the Depositary unless the
Depositary has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue
as depositary for such Global Security Certificates or has ceased to be
qualified to act as such as required by the Purchase Contract Agreement or there
shall have occurred and be continuing a default by the Company in respect of its
obligations under one or more Purchase Contracts. All Securities represented by
one or more Global Security Certificates or any portion thereof will be
registered in such names as the Depositary may direct.
 
     As long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of the
Global Security Certificates, such Depositary or such nominee, as the case may
be, will be considered the sole owner and holder of the Global Security
Certificates and all Securities represented thereby for all purposes under the
Securities and the Purchase Contract Agreement. Except in the limited
circumstances referred to above, owners of beneficial interests in Global
Security Certificates will not be entitled to have such Global Security
Certificates or the Securities represented thereby registered in their names,
will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of Security
Certificates in exchange therefor and will not be considered to be owners or
holders of such Global Security Certificates or any Securities represented
thereby for any purpose under the Securities or the Purchase Contract Agreement.
All payments on the Securities represented by the Global Security Certificates
and all transfers and deliveries of Treasury Notes and Class A Common Stock with
respect thereto will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may
be, as the holder thereof.
 
     Ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Security Certificates will
be limited to Participants or persons that may hold beneficial interests through
institutions that have accounts with the Depositary or its nominee. Ownership of
beneficial interests in Global Security Certificates will be shown only on, and
the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records
maintained by the Depositary or its nominee (with respect to Participants'
interests) or any such Participant (with respect to interests of persons held by
such Participants on their behalf). Procedures for settlement of Purchase
Contracts on the Final Settlement Date or upon Early Settlement will be governed
by arrangements among the Depositary, Participants and persons that may hold
beneficial interests through Participants designed to permit such settlement
without the physical movement of certificates. Payments, transfers, deliveries,
exchanges and other matters relating to beneficial interests in Global Security
Certificates may be subject to various policies and
 
                                       106
<PAGE>   108
 
procedures adopted by the Depositary from time to time. None of the Company, the
Purchase Contract Agent or any agent of the Company or the Purchase Contract
Agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
Depositary's or any Participant's records relating to, or for payments made on
account of, beneficial interests in Global Security Certificates, or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of the Depositary's records or any
participant's records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
 
                                       107
<PAGE>   109
 
             CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE PURCHASE CONTRACT AGREEMENT
                            AND THE PLEDGE AGREEMENT
 
PAYMENT OF INTEREST AND YIELD ENHANCEMENT PAYMENTS; TRANSFER OF SECURITIES;
DELIVERY OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK OR TREASURY NOTES
 
     Interest on the Treasury Notes and Yield Enhancement Payments will be
payable, Purchase Contracts (and documents related thereto) will be settled and
transfers of the Securities will be registrable at the office of the Purchase
Contract Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. In addition,
in the event that the Securities do not remain in book-entry form, payment of
interest on the Treasury Notes and Yield Enhancement Payments may be made, at
the option of the Company, by check mailed to the address of the person entitled
thereto as shown on the Security register.
 
     Payments in respect of principal of the Treasury Notes on the Final
Settlement Date will be applied in satisfaction of the obligations of the
holders of the Securities under the Purchase Contracts and shares of Class A
Common Stock will be delivered upon presentation and surrender of the Security
Certificates evidencing the related Securities at the office of the Purchase
Contract Agent.
 
     If a holder of outstanding Securities fails to present and surrender the
Security Certificate evidencing such Securities to the Purchase Contract Agent
on the Final Settlement Date, the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable in
settlement of the applicable Purchase Contract and in payment of any Deferred
Yield Enhancement Payments will be registered in the name of the Purchase
Contract Agent and, together with any distributions thereon, shall be held by
the Purchase Contract Agent, as custodian for the benefit of such holder, until
such Security Certificate is presented and surrendered or the holder provides
satisfactory evidence that such certificate has been destroyed, lost or stolen,
together with any indemnity that may be required by the Purchase Contract Agent
and the Company.
 
     If the Purchase Contracts have terminated prior to the Final Settlement
Date, the Treasury Notes will have been transferred to the Purchase Contract
Agent in exchange for the Subordinated Notes pursuant to the Exchange Agreement
for distribution to the holders entitled thereto and a holder fails to present
and surrender the Security Certificate evidencing such holder's Securities to
the Purchase Contract Agent, the Subordinated Notes so delivered to the Purchase
Contract Agent and any payments thereon shall be held by the Purchase Contract
Agent, as custodian for the benefit of such holder, until such Security
Certificate is presented or the holder provides the evidence and indemnity
described above.
 
     The Purchase Contract Agent will have no obligation to invest or to pay
interest on any amounts held by the Purchase Contract Agent pending
distribution, as described above.
 
     No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange
of the Securities, except for any tax or other governmental charge that may be
imposed in connection therewith.
 
MODIFICATION
 
     The Purchase Contract Agreement and the Pledge Agreement will contain
provisions permitting the Company and the Purchase Contract Agent or Collateral
Agent, as the case may be, with the consent of the holders of not less than
66 2/3% of the Securities at the time outstanding, to modify the terms of the
Purchase Contracts, the Purchase Contract Agreement, the Pledge Agreement and
the Exchange Agreement, except that no such modification may, without the
consent of the holder of each outstanding Security affected thereby, (a) change
any Payment Date, (b) change the amount or type of Treasury Notes underlying a
Security, impair the right of the holder of any Security to receive interest
payments on the underlying Treasury Notes or otherwise adversely affect the
holder's rights in or to such Treasury Notes (subject to the provisions of the
Exchange Agreement), (c) change the place or currency of payment or reduce any
Yield Enhancement Payments or any Deferred Yield Enhancement Payments, (d)
impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any Purchase Contract,
(e) reduce the amount of Class A Common Stock purchasable under any Purchase
Contract, increase the price to purchase Class A Common Stock on settlement of
any Purchase Contract, change the Final Settlement Date or otherwise adversely
affect the holder's rights under any Purchase Contract or (f) reduce the
above-stated percentage of outstanding Securities, the consent of whose
 
                                       108
<PAGE>   110
 
holders is required for the modification or amendment of the provisions of the
Purchase Contracts, the Purchase Contract Agreement, the Pledge Agreement or the
Exchange Agreement. The Exchange Agreement may not be modified without the
consent of the Institution under the Trust Financing and the holders of 66 2/3%
Stated Amount of the Securities.
 
NO CONSENT TO ASSUMPTION
 
     Each holder of Securities, by acceptance thereof, will under the terms of
the Purchase Contract Agreement and the Securities be deemed expressly to have
withheld any consent to the assumption (i.e., affirmance) of the Purchase
Contracts by the Company or its trustee in the event that the Company becomes
the subject of a case under the Bankruptcy Code.
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE
 
     The Company will covenant in the Purchase Contract Agreement that it will
not merge or consolidate with any other entity or sell, assign, transfer, lease
or convey all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any person,
firm or corporation unless the Company is the continuing corporation or the
successor corporation is a corporation organized under the laws of the United
States or a state thereof and such corporation expressly assumes the obligations
of the Company under the Purchase Contracts, the Purchase Contract Agreement and
the Pledge Agreement, and the Company or such successor corporation is not,
immediately after such merger, consolidation, sale, assignment, transfer, lease
or conveyance, in default in the performance of any of its obligations
thereunder.
 
TITLE
 
     The Company, the Purchase Contract Agent and the Collateral Agent may treat
the registered owner of any Security as the absolute owner thereof for the
purpose of making payment and settling the Purchase Contracts and for all other
purposes.
 
REPLACEMENT OF SECURITY CERTIFICATES
 
     Any mutilated Security Certificate will be replaced by the Company at the
expense of the holder upon surrender of such certificate to the Purchase
Contract Agent. Security Certificates that become destroyed, lost or stolen will
be replaced by the Company at the expense of the holder upon delivery to the
Company and the Purchase Contract Agent of evidence of the destruction, loss or
theft thereof satisfactory to the Company and the Purchase Contract Agent. In
the case of a destroyed, lost or stolen Security Certificate, an indemnity
satisfactory to the Purchase Contract Agent and the Company may be required at
the expense of the holder of the Securities evidenced by such certificate before
a replacement will be issued.
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not be obligated to issue
any Security Certificate on or after the Final Settlement Date or after the
Purchase Contracts have terminated. The Purchase Contract Agreement will provide
that, in lieu of the delivery of a replacement Security Certificate following
the Final Settlement Date, the Purchase Contract Agent, upon delivery of the
evidence and indemnity described above, will deliver the Class A Common Stock
issuable pursuant to the Purchase Contracts included in the Securities evidenced
by such certificate, or, if the Purchase Contracts have terminated prior to the
Final Settlement Date, transfer the principal amount of the Treasury Notes
included in the Securities evidenced by such certificate.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The Purchase Contract Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, the Exchange
Agreement, and the Purchase Contracts will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
 
                                       109
<PAGE>   111
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PURCHASE CONTRACT AGENT
 
     [          ] will be the Purchase Contract Agent. The Purchase Contract
Agent will act as the agent for the holders of Securities from time to time. The
Purchase Contract Agreement will not obligate the Purchase Contract Agent to
exercise any discretionary actions in connection with a default under the terms
of the Securities or the Purchase Contract Agreement.
 
     The Purchase Contract will contain provisions limiting the liability of the
Purchase Contract Agent. The Purchase Contract Agreement will contain provisions
under which the Purchase Contract Agent may resign or be replaced. Such
resignation or replacement would be effective upon the appointment of a
successor.
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COLLATERAL AGENT
 
     [          ] will be the Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent will act
solely as the agent of the Company and will not assume any obligation or
relationship of agency or trust for or with any of the holders of the Securities
except for the obligations owed by a pledgee of property to the owner thereof
under the Pledge Agreement and applicable law.
 
     The Pledge Agreement will contain provisions limiting the liability of the
Collateral Agent. The Pledge Agreement will contain provisions under which the
Collateral Agent may resign or be replaced. Such resignation or replacement
would be effective upon the appointment of a successor.
 
VOTING RIGHTS
 
     Holders of the Securities will have no voting rights.
 
LISTING OF THE SECURITIES
 
     Application will be made to list the Securities on the NYSE under the
symbol "       ".
 
NYSE SYMBOL OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK
 
     The Class A Common Stock of the Company is listed on the NYSE under the
symbol "HLR."
 
                    CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
     The following is a general discussion of certain United States federal
income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the Securities. This
summary represents the opinion of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, counsel to the Company, as to certain federal income tax
consequences with respect to the Securities under the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"). This summary provides only a general discussion
and does not represent a complete analysis of the tax consequences that may vary
with or be contingent upon individual circumstances, such as a shareholder being
subject to certain special provisions of the Code (for example, banks, dealers
in securities, life insurance companies, and tax-exempt organizations).
Moreover, this summary does not address any aspects of state, local or foreign
tax laws or of any federal tax laws other than those pertaining to the income
tax.
 
     This summary is based on the Code, Treasury Regulations promulgated
thereunder and their judicial and administrative interpretation as of the date
hereof. No assurance can be given that future legislation, regulations,
administrative pronouncements or court decisions will not significantly change
the law and materially affect the conclusions expressed herein. Any such change,
even though made after the sale of the
Securities, could be applied retroactively.
 
     The Company has not requested a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service
(the "Service") with respect to the matters discussed in this summary and does
not intend to do so. Although this summary, and the opinion of counsel,
represent counsel's best judgment as to the matters discussed in this summary,
it does not in any way bind the Service or the courts or in any way constitute
an assurance that the federal income tax consequences discussed herein will be
accepted by the Service or the courts.
 
                                       110
<PAGE>   112
 
     THIS SUMMARY DEALS ONLY WITH SECURITIES HELD AS CAPITAL ASSETS BY
PURCHASERS WHO WILL BE OR WHO ARE (1) CITIZENS OR RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED
STATES, (2) DOMESTIC CORPORATIONS, OR (3) OTHERWISE SUBJECT TO UNITED STATES
FEDERAL TAXATION ON A NET INCOME BASIS IN RESPECT OF INCOME AND GAIN FROM THE
SECURITIES. NON-RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES WHO HOLD THE SECURITIES SHOULD
CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
OF THE SECURITIES ON SUCH HOLDERS' OWN PARTICULAR TAX SITUATION.
 
INCOME FROM SECURITIES
 
     There is no direct authority for the treatment of the Securities for
federal income tax purposes. In the opinion of counsel, however, it is likely
that the holders will be treated as the owners of the Treasury Notes for federal
income tax purposes and this summary assumes that the holders are so treated. As
a result, a holder will include interest on the Treasury Notes in income when
received or accrued, in accordance with the holder's method of accounting. For
federal income tax purposes, a holder is deemed to receive interest payments on
the Treasury Notes when such payments are made to the Collateral Agent, even if
such interest payments are not distributed to the holders until a later date, as
will be the case for the interest paid on the Treasury Notes with respect to the
first interest payment date on the Treasury Notes following the issuance date of
the Securities.
 
     If a holder is not treated as the owner of the Treasury Notes for federal
income tax purposes, such holder will not be able to claim the exemption from
state and local income taxes with respect to the holder's share of interest on
the Treasury Notes. See "State and Other Tax Considerations" below. Non-U.S.
holders (persons who are not (1) citizens or residents of the United States, (2)
domestic corporations, or (3) otherwise subject to United States federal
taxation on a net income basis in respect of income and gain from the
Securities) should be aware that in this circumstance United States withholding
tax also may apply to the holder's share of interest on the Treasury Notes.
 
     The Company intends to file information returns with the holders and the
Service on the basis that the Yield Enhancement Payments and Initial Premium
Payments constitute taxable income to holders when made by the Company or
received or accrued by the holders, in accordance with the holder's method of
accounting. If the Company elects to defer a Yield Enhancement Payment in a
taxable year, the Company may report the amount of such Deferred Yield
Enhancement Payment as constructive taxable income to holders for such taxable
year, and such Deferred Yield Enhancement Payment may result in holders
recognizing taxable income or gain for such taxable year prior to the receipt of
cash or additional shares of Class A Common Stock. Accordingly, holders should
consult their respective tax advisors as to whether Deferred Yield Enhancement
Payments should be treated as constructive taxable income and, if taxable,
whether such income would be recognized prior to the receipt of cash or
additional shares of Class A Common Stock or upon the Final Settlement Date.
Holders may wish to consult their tax advisors concerning the possibility that
the Initial Premium Payments and the portion of the Yield Enhancement Payments
not attributable to the Exchange Agreement Fee may be treated as a reduction in
the holders' basis in the Securities, rather than included in income upon
receipt (or, in the case of Initial Premium Payments, when made).
 
     Non-U.S. holders should be aware that United States withholding tax may
apply to the Yield Enhancement Payments and Initial Premium Payments. Each
non-U.S. holder is urged to consult with his/her own tax advisor with respect to
income tax consequences of the Securities on such non-U.S. holder's own
particular tax situation.
 
     Except with respect to Exchange Agreement Fees, the Company does not intend
to deduct for federal income tax purposes the Initial Premium Payments, Yield
Enhancement Payments or any Deferred Yield Enhancement Payments.
 
     A holder will include in income when received or accrued, in accordance
with such holder's method of accounting, Exchange Agreement Fees made by the
Company. For federal income tax purposes, a holder is deemed to receive Exchange
Agreement Fees when such payments are made to the Collateral Agent, even if such
Exchange Agreement Fees are not distributed to holders until a later date. The
Company intends to deduct for federal income tax purposes the Exchange Agreement
Fees.
 
                                       111
<PAGE>   113
 
     Holders of Securities might be treated as receiving a constructive dividend
distribution from the Company if (i) the Settlement Rate is adjusted and as a
result of such adjustment, the proportionate interest of holders of Securities
in the assets or earnings and profits of the Company is increased, and (ii) the
adjustment is not made pursuant to a bona fide, reasonable antidilution formula.
An adjustment to the Settlement Rate would not be considered made pursuant to
such a formula if it were made to compensate for certain taxable distributions
with respect to Class A Common Stock. If holders were treated as receiving a
constructive dividend distribution, holders of Securities would be required to
include such constructive dividend in gross income but would not receive any
cash related thereto.
 
SALE OR DISPOSITION OF SECURITIES
 
     If a holder sells, exchanges or otherwise disposes of a Security before the
maturity of the Treasury Notes (a "Sale"), the holder will generally recognize
capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the holder's tax basis in
the Security (generally equal (a) to the amount paid for the Security, increased
by the (b) amount of any constructive dividend included in such holder's income
as a result of an adjustment of the Settlement Rate (see "--Adjustment of
Settlement Rate") previously included in such holder's taxable income plus (c)
the amount with respect to (i) any Deferred Yield Enhancement Payments not paid
in cash or (ii) any Initial Premium Payments reduced by (d) the sum of any Yield
Enhancement Payments and Initial Premium Payments received (or in the case of
Initial Premium Payment deemed received) by the holder and not previously
included in income) and the amount realized from the disposition of the
Security, except to the extent of any non-de minimis market discount, which, if
the holder does not have an election to amortize such discount currently in
effect, would be treated as ordinary interest income (see "--Gain or Loss on
Maturity of the Treasury Notes"). This capital gain will be long-term if the
holder has owned the sold Securities for more than one year on the date of the
Sale. If a holder sells a Security between interest payment dates, a portion of
the proceeds of the sale will be treated as a receipt of interest (and taxed as
ordinary income), accrued since the last interest payment date, rather than as
an amount realized from the sale of the Security.
 
GAIN OR LOSS ON MATURITY OF THE TREASURY NOTES: MARKET DISCOUNT AND BOND PREMIUM
 
     The tax basis of the Treasury Notes will equal the fair market value of the
Treasury Notes at the time of purchase of a Security. If such fair market value
equals the amount payable at maturity of the Treasury Notes, the holder will not
realize gain or loss upon payment of the Treasury Notes at maturity. If such
fair market value is less than the amount payable at maturity of the Treasury
Notes, the holder will generally realize gain equal to the difference upon
payment of the Treasury Notes at maturity. This gain will be treated as ordinary
interest income (i.e., market discount) unless it is "de minimis", in which case
it will be treated as capital gain. The gain will be "de minimis" if it is less
than 1/4 of one percent of the amount payable at maturity of the Treasury Notes
multiplied by the number of complete years remaining to maturity of the Treasury
Notes. A holder may instead elect to accrue market discount into income on a
current basis over the remaining life of the Treasury Notes. An election to
amortize market discount may apply to other debt instruments acquired with
market discount by the holder, and a holder should consult a tax advisor before
making such an election.
 
     If such fair market value is greater than the amount payable at maturity of
the Treasury Notes (as would be the case if the Company makes any Initial
Premium Payments), the excess will be "bond premium." A holder may either
recognize the bond premium as a capital loss upon payment of the Treasury Notes
at maturity or make an election to amortize it over the term of the Treasury
Notes. If the election is made, the bond premium will generally reduce the
interest income on the Treasury Notes on a constant yield basis over the
remaining term of the Treasury Notes and will reduce the basis of the Treasury
Notes by the amount of the amortization. An election to amortize bond premium
may apply to other debt instruments acquired at a premium by the holder, and a
holder should consult a tax advisor before making such an election.
 
TAX BASIS OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK ACQUIRED UNDER THE PURCHASE CONTRACT
 
     The tax basis of the Class A Common Stock acquired by a holder of
Securities under the Purchase Contract will equal the amount paid for the
Security (a) increased by the amount of any gain recognized on
 
                                       112
<PAGE>   114
 
receipt of principal of the Treasury Notes, or market discount included in
income, as set forth above, (b) increased by the amount of any constructive
dividend included in such holder's income as a result of an adjustment of the
Settlement Rate plus the amount previously included in such holder's taxable
income with respect to (i) any Deferred Yield Enhancement Payments not paid in
cash or (ii) any Initial Premium Payments (c) reduced by the amount of any loss
recognized on receipt of principal of the Treasury Notes, or bond premium
amortized over the term of the Treasury Notes, as set forth above, (d) reduced
by the amount of any Yield Enhancement Payments and any Initial Premium Payments
received (or, in the case of Initial Premium Payments, deemed received) by the
holder and not previously included in income, and (e) reduced by the amount of
any cash received in lieu of fractional shares of Class A Common Stock.
 
OWNERSHIP OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK ACQUIRED UNDER THE PURCHASE CONTRACT
 
     Except as described under the caption "Income from Securities," relating to
adjustment of Settlement Rate, a holder of Securities will not include in income
dividends paid on the Class A Common Stock prior to such holder's acquisition of
Class A Common Stock under the Purchase Contracts. To the extent that the
Company has current or accumulated earnings and profits at least equal to the
amount of the dividends, a holder of Class A Common Stock acquired under the
Purchase Contract will include a dividend on the Class A Common Stock in income
when paid. Corporate holders will be eligible to claim any applicable dividends
received deduction.
 
     Upon a Sale of Class A Common Stock, the holder will recognize gain or loss
equal to the difference between the holder's tax basis in the Class A Common
Stock and the amount realized on the Sale. The gain or loss will be capital gain
or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the holder has held the
stock for more than one year at the time of the Sale.
 
STATE AND OTHER TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
     Interest on Treasury obligations generally is exempt from state and local
income taxes. This exemption generally should apply to an individual Security
holder's share of interest on the Treasury Notes to the extent that an
individual's state of residence (or other applicable state or local taxing
jurisdiction) characterizes the Security for its income tax purposes
consistently with the Security's federal income tax characterization. There can
be no assurance, however, that an individual's state of residence (or other
applicable state or local taxing jurisdiction) would so characterize the
Security, and, in any event, the exemption would not extend to gain on a Sale of
a Security.
 
     THE FOREGOING SUMMARY IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY.
ACCORDINGLY, EACH HOLDER OF SECURITIES IS URGED TO CONSULT WITH HIS/HER OWN TAX
ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE SECURITIES ON SUCH
HOLDER'S OWN PARTICULAR TAX SITUATION, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF
FOREIGN, STATE AND LOCAL INCOME AND OTHER TAX LAWS.
 
                                       113
<PAGE>   115
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in a Purchase Agreement (the
"Purchase Agreement") between the Company and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated, Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
Securities Corporation, who are acting as representatives (the
"Representatives"), for the underwriters named below (the "Underwriters"), the
Company has agreed to sell to the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters
severally has agreed to purchase from the Company, the number of Securities set
forth opposite each Underwriter's name. In the Purchase Agreement, the several
Underwriters severally have agreed, subject to the terms and conditions set
forth therein, to purchase all of the Securities offered hereby if any of the
Securities are purchased. In the event of default by an Underwriter, the
Purchase Agreement provides that, in certain circumstances, the purchase
commitments of the nondefaulting Underwriters may be increased or the
Underwriting Agreement may be terminated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      NUMBER
                                 UNDERWRITERS                                      OF SECURITIES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------     -------------
<S>                                                                                <C>
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
             Incorporated.....................................................
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.......................................................
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation...........................
                                                                                   -------------
             Total............................................................        21,500,000
                                                                                       =========
</TABLE>
 
     The Representatives have advised the Company that they propose initially to
offer the Securities to the public at the public offering price set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus and to certain dealers at such price less a
concession not in excess of $        per Security. The Underwriters may allow,
and such dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of $        per Security
on sales to certain other dealers. After the initial public offering, the public
offering price, concession and discount may be changed.
 
     The Company has granted to the Underwriters an option, exercisable for 30
days following the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to 3,225,000
additional Securities at the price to the public set forth on the cover page of
this Prospectus, less the underwriting discount. The Underwriters may exercise
this option only to cover over-allotments, if any, made on the sale of the
Securities offered hereby. If Purchase Contracts underlying any such additional
Securities are entered into, the Underwriters, at the direction of the Company,
would purchase and pledge under the Pledge Agreement the Treasury Notes
underlying such Securities and the Company or the Underwriters, as appropriate,
would pay a net amount equal to the proceeds (deficit) to the Company in respect
of such Securities as set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus. If the
Underwriters exercise their over-allotment option, each of the Underwriters has
severally agreed, subject to certain conditions, to effect the foregoing
transactions with respect to approximately the same percentage of such
Securities that the respective number of Securities set forth opposite its name
in the foregoing table bears to the Securities offered hereby. The price of the
Treasury Notes underlying Securities with respect to which an over-allotment
option is exercised may be different from that set forth on the cover page of
this Prospectus. Any such difference will be for the account of the Underwriters
and will not affect the amount of the proceeds (deficit) to the Company in
respect of such Securities as shown on the cover page of this Prospectus. The
Underwriters may enter into certain hedge transactions for their own account to
reduce or eliminate their risk in this regard.
 
     The Company has agreed, for a period of 90 days after the date of this
Prospectus, to not, without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner and Smith Incorporated, directly or indirectly, sell, offer to sell,
grant any option for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of, or enter into any
agreement to sell, any Securities, Purchase Contracts or Class A Common Stock or
any securities of the Company similar to the Securities, Purchase Contracts or
Class A Common Stock or any security convertible into or exchangeable or
 
                                       114
<PAGE>   116
 
exercisable for Securities, Purchase Contracts or Class A Common Stock other
than to the Underwriters pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, other than the
Common Stock Offering, shares of Class A Common Stock or options for shares of
Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to or sold in connection with any employee
benefit, dividend reinvestment and stock option and stock purchase plans of the
Company and its subsidiaries and other than shares of Class A Common Stock
issuable upon early settlement of the Securities or exercise of stock options.
 
     Prior to this Offering, there has been no public market for the Securities.
The public offering price for the Securities was determined in negotiations
between the Company and the Representatives. In determining the terms of the
Securities, including the public offering price, the Company and the
Representatives considered the market price of the Company's Class A Common
Stock and also considered the Company's recent results of operations, the future
prospects of the Company and the industry in general, market prices and terms
of, and yields on, securities of other companies considered to be comparable to
the Company and prevailing conditions in the securities markets. There can be no
assurance that an active trading market will develop for the Securities or that
the Securities will trade in the public market subsequent to the Offering at or
above the initial public offering price.
 
     The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against, or to
contribute to payments that the Underwriters may be required to make in respect
of, certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended.
 
     Merrill Lynch performs investment banking services for the Company,
Hollinger Inc. and their affiliates, for which it receives customary
compensation.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the Purchase Contracts and the Class A Common Stock
issuable upon settlement thereof will be passed upon for the Company by
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Certain legal matters will
be passed upon for the Underwriters by Cravath Swaine & Moore, New York, New
York.
 
                                       115
<PAGE>   117
 
                                 EXCHANGE RATES
 
     The following table sets forth certain exchange rates based on the noon
buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers in United States dollars
as certified for custom purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Such
rates are set forth as Canadian dollars per U.S. $1.00 and the inverse rates
quoted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for U.S. dollars per Cdn.$1.00.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            THREE MONTHS
                                                                                               ENDED
                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                 MARCH 31
                                             -----------------------------------------     --------------
                                             1991     1992     1993     1994     1995      1995     1996
                                             -----    -----    -----    -----    -----     -----    -----
                                             (CDN.$ PER U.S.$1.00)
<S>                                          <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>
Highest exchange rate during period.......   1.165    1.289    1.344    1.408    1.424     1.424    1.382
Lowest exchange rate during period........   1.120    1.142    1.243    1.310    1.328     1.394    1.353
Exchange rate at end of period............   1.156    1.271    1.326    1.403    1.366     1.399    1.364
Average exchange rate during period(1)....   1.146    1.214    1.294    1.370    1.373     1.401    1.369
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
(1) The average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the
    applicable period.
 
     The following tables set forth certain information concerning the noon
rates of exchange as reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for United
States dollars per L1.00 and A$1.00, respectively.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            THREE MONTHS
                                                                                               ENDED
                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                 MARCH 31
                                             -----------------------------------------     --------------
                                             1991     1992     1993     1994     1995      1995     1996
                                             -----    -----    -----    -----    -----     -----    -----
                                             (U.S.$ PER L1.00)
<S>                                          <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>
Exchange rate at end of period............   1.866    1.513    1.478    1.567    1.554     1.619    1.526
Average exchange rate during period(1)....   1.763    1.756    1.497    1.539    1.579     1.588    1.530
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
(1) The average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the
    applicable period.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            THREE MONTHS
                                                                                               ENDED
                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                 MARCH 31
                                             -----------------------------------------     --------------
                                             1991     1992     1993     1994     1995      1995     1996
                                             -----    -----    -----    -----    -----     -----    -----
                                             (U.S.$ PER A$1.00)
<S>                                          <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>
Exchange rate at end of period............   0.759    0.689    0.678    0.775    0.7432    0.733    0.782
Average exchange rate during period(1)....   0.773    0.731    0.679    0.735    0.7407    0.751    0.746
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
(1) The average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the
    applicable period.
 
     The financial information in this Prospectus has been translated into
United States dollars from Canadian dollars, British pounds sterling, or
Australian dollars, as the case may be, using exchange rates at the end of the
period for which the relevant statements are prepared for assets, liabilities
and minority interest and for items in the statement of operations translated at
the weighted average exchange rates for the relevant period.
 
                                       116
<PAGE>   118
 
     The following table sets forth rates of exchange used to translate DTH's,
FDTH's and The Telegraph's United Kingdom, Fairfax's Australian and Southam's
Canadian results of operations.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          THREE MONTHS
                                                                                             ENDED
                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,              MARCH 31
                                                 ------------------------------------     ------------
                                                 1991    1992    1993    1994    1995     1995    1996
                                                 ----    ----    ----    ----    ----     ----    ----
<S>                                              <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>
UNITED KINGDOM
(US$ PER L1.00)
Balance sheet.................................   1.87    1.51    1.48    1.57    1.55     1.58    1.53
Statement of earnings.........................   1.77    1.76    1.50    1.53    1.59     1.52    1.53
AUSTRALIA
(US$ PER A$1.00)
Balance sheet.................................   0.76    0.69    0.69    0.78    0.74     0.74    0.78
Statement of earnings.........................    N/A    0.73    0.67    0.72    0.74     0.74    0.76
CANADA
(US$ PER CDN.$1.00)
Balance sheet.................................   0.86    0.79    0.76    0.71    0.73     0.74    0.73
Statement of earnings.........................   0.88    0.83    0.78    0.73    0.73     0.73    0.73
</TABLE>
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements of Hollinger International Inc. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1995, included in this Prospectus and
incorporated herein by reference from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1995 have been so included or incorporated by
reference in reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent
certified public accountants, and upon the authority of said 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 periodic reports, proxy solicitation
materials and other information with the Commission. Such reports, proxy
solicitation materials and other information can be inspected and copied at the
public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's Regional
Offices located at Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York
10048 and 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies
of such materials can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.
The Commission maintains a Web site that contains reports, proxy, information
statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically
with the Commission. Such reports, proxies, information statements and other
information may be found on the Commission's site address, http://www.sec.gov.
The Class A Common Stock is listed on the NYSE. Such reports, proxy solicitation
materials and other information can also be inspected and copied at the NYSE at
20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
 
     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 with respect to the offering
made hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth
in the Registration Statement, certain portions of which are omitted in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. Such additional
information may be obtained from the Commission's principal office in
Washington, D.C. as set forth above. For further information, reference is
hereby made to the Registration Statement, including the exhibits filed as a
part thereof or otherwise incorporated herein. Statements made in this
Prospectus as to the contents of any documents referred to are not necessarily
complete, and in each
 
                                       117
<PAGE>   119
 
instance reference is made to such exhibit for a more complete description and
each such statement is modified in its entirety by such reference.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission (File No.
0-24004) pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by reference:
 
     1. the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1995;
 
     2. the Company's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
held May 28, 1996;
 
     3. the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31, 1996;
 
     4. the Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated February 7, 1996 and
April 24, 1996; and
 
     5. the description of the Class A Common Stock contained in the Company's
Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as the same may be amended.
 
     All reports and other documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this
Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering made by this Prospectus
shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein. Any statement contained
herein or in a document 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 incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as modified or
superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of
this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a
copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated herein by reference,
other than exhibits to such information (unless such exhibits are specifically
incorporated by reference into such documents). Requests should be directed to
Hollinger International Inc., 401 North Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611,
Attention: Secretary, telephone number (312) 321-3000.
 
                                       118
<PAGE>   120
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PAGE
                                                                                        -----
<S>                                                                                     <C>
HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  Independent Auditors' Report.....................................................       F-2
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1994 and 1995.....................       F-3
  Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three years ended December 31,
     1995..........................................................................       F-4
  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the three years ended
     December 31, 1995.............................................................       F-5
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years ended December 31,
     1995..........................................................................       F-6
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.......................................       F-7
INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1996........................      F-30
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March
     31, 1995 and 1996.............................................................      F-31
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March
     31, 1995 and 1996.............................................................      F-32
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.............................      F-33
PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
  Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1996..............      F-36
  Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months
     ended March 31, 1996..........................................................      F-37
  Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended
     December 31, 1995.............................................................      F-38
  Notes to Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements...................      F-39
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-1
<PAGE>   121
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
Hollinger International Inc:
 
     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Hollinger
International Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash
flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1995.
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Hollinger
International Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
     As discussed in note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the
Company adopted the provisions of FASB Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, in 1993.
 
                                          /s/KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
 
                                          KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
February 27, 1996
 
                                       F-2
<PAGE>   122
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        ------------------------
                                                                           1994          1995
                                                                        ----------    ----------
                                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                     <C>           <C>
                               ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents..........................................   $  117,425    $   23,810
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of
     $13,170,000 in 1994 and $12,558,000 in 1995.....................      118,625       134,511
  Inventories........................................................       10,429        25,684
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets..........................        7,089        13,562
                                                                        ----------    ----------
Total current assets.................................................      253,568       197,567
Marketable securities, at market value...............................       17,036            --
Investments in affiliates, at equity (note 3)........................      461,492       463,527
Other investments, at cost (note 4)..................................       78,875       178,337
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation (note
  5).................................................................      191,990       193,407
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $129,562,000 in
  1994 and $155,195,000 in 1995......................................      455,203       529,694
Deferred financing costs and other assets............................        5,591         7,573
                                                                        ----------    ----------
                                                                        $1,463,755    $1,570,105
                                                                        ==========    ==========
                LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Current installments of long-term debt (note 7)....................   $    5,436    $   27,552
  Bank loans (note 6)................................................       16,448       147,866
  Accounts payable...................................................       32,333        38,646
  Accrued expenses...................................................       62,432        50,874
  Income taxes payable...............................................       28,819        12,390
  Deferred revenue...................................................       18,597        22,902
  Due to Hollinger Inc. (note 19)....................................      100,124        21,512
                                                                        ----------    ----------
Total current liabilities............................................      264,189       321,742
Long-term debt, less current installments (note 7)...................      468,085       446,234
Deferred income taxes (note 9).......................................       85,112        72,290
Accrued pension (note 11)............................................       13,071        10,519
Other................................................................       16,210        20,326
                                                                        ----------    ----------
Total liabilities....................................................      846,667       871,111
                                                                        ----------    ----------
Minority interest....................................................      109,518        97,298
                                                                        ----------    ----------
Redeemable preferred stock (note 12).................................      204,101       306,452
                                                                        ----------    ----------
Stockholders' Equity: (note 13)
  Class A common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 250,000,000
     shares; issued and outstanding 41,965,754 shares in 1994 and
     1995............................................................          420           420
  Class B common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 50,000,000
     shares;
     issued and outstanding 14,990,000 shares in 1994 and 1995.......          150           150
  Additional paid-in capital.........................................      162,898       162,610
  Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment.................       (1,212)       (3,987)
  Unrealized gain on marketable securities...........................        7,825            --
  Retained earnings..................................................      133,388       136,051
                                                                        ----------    ----------
Total stockholders' equity...........................................      303,469       295,244
                                                                        ----------    ----------
                                                                        $1,463,755    $1,570,105
                                                                        ==========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   123
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ----------------------------------
                                                                1993         1994         1995
                                                              --------     --------     --------
                                                               (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE
                                                                            DATA)
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>          <C>
Operating revenues:
  Advertising.............................................    $316,640     $522,381     $635,560
  Circulation.............................................     217,608      245,218      262,670
  Job printing............................................      25,044       27,675       49,198
  Other...................................................      10,309       13,563       17,539
                                                              --------     --------     --------
Total operating revenues..................................     569,601      808,837      964,967
                                                              --------     --------     --------
Operating costs and expenses
  Operating costs.........................................     382,291      605,263      753,312
  General and administrative..............................      60,902       82,934       90,174
  Reorganization expenses.................................          --           --        8,000
  Depreciation and amortization...........................      34,545       45,200       52,388
  Allocable expenses from Hollinger Inc. .................       4,069        4,911        5,605
                                                              --------     --------     --------
Total operating costs and expenses........................     481,807      738,308      909,479
                                                              --------     --------     --------
Operating income..........................................      87,794       70,529       55,488
                                                              --------     --------     --------
Other income (expense):
  Interest expense........................................     (26,264)     (32,593)     (43,189)
  Equity in earnings of affiliates (note 3)...............      13,476       35,659       16,449
  Interest and dividend income............................       6,414        6,290        4,590
  Foreign currency gains (losses) net.....................       1,462        4,776       (1,089)
  Other income, net (note 14).............................      29,113       80,820       14,698
                                                              --------     --------     --------
Total other income (expense)..............................      24,201       94,952       (8,541)
                                                              --------     --------     --------
Earnings before income taxes, minority interest and
  cumulative effect of change in accounting for income
  taxes...................................................     111,995      165,481       46,947
Income taxes (note 9).....................................      36,475       41,300       18,108
                                                              --------     --------     --------
Earnings before minority interest and cumulative effect of
  change in accounting for income taxes...................      75,520      124,181       28,839
Minority interest (note 15)...............................      25,475       21,409       22,637
                                                              --------     --------     --------
Earnings before cumulative effect of change in accounting
  for income taxes........................................      50,045      102,772        6,202
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for income
  taxes...................................................     (24,256)          --           --
                                                              --------     --------     --------
Net earnings..............................................    $ 25,789     $102,772     $  6,202
                                                              ========     ========     ========
Earnings per common share:
  Earnings before cumulative effect of change in
     accounting for income taxes..........................    $   1.03     $   1.90     $   0.11
                                                              ========     ========     ========
  Cumulative effect of change in accounting for income
     taxes................................................    $   0.50     $     --     $     --
                                                              ========     ========     ========
  Net earnings............................................    $   0.53     $   1.90     $   0.11
                                                              ========     ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                       F-4
<PAGE>   124
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        COMMON   COMMON                              UNREALIZED
                                        STOCK    STOCK    ADDITIONAL   CUMULATIVE     GAIN ON     RETAINED
                                        CLASS    CLASS     PAID-IN     TRANSLATION   MARKETABLE   EARNINGS
                                          A        B       CAPITAL     ADJUSTMENT    SECURITIES   (DEFICIT)     TOTAL
                                        ------   ------   ----------   -----------   ----------   ---------   ---------
                                                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                     <C>      <C>      <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>
Balance at December 31, 1992..........   $336     $        $ (10,331)   $ (16,627)    $           $  99,529   $  72,907
  Capital contribution................     --       --         1,458           --           --           --       1,458
  Acquisition of Southam interest from
    Hollinger Inc. (note 19)..........     --       --        26,938           --           --           --      26,938
  Translation adjustments.............     --       --            --        1,347           --           --       1,347
  Deemed dividend to Hollinger Inc....     --       --            --           --           --      (16,775)    (16,775)
  Net earnings........................     --       --            --           --           --       25,789      25,789
                                         ----     ----     ---------    ---------     --------     --------   ---------
Balance at December 31, 1993..........    336       --        18,065      (15,280)          --      108,543     111,664
                                         ----     ----     ---------    ---------     --------     --------   ---------  
  Issuance of 8,355,000 Class A
    Common shares.....................     84       --        98,538           --           --           --      98,622
  Issuance of 14,990,000 Class B
    Common shares.....................     --      150        46,295           --           --           --      46,445
  Translation adjustments.............     --       --            --       14,068           --           --      14,068
  Unrealized holding gain.............     --       --            --           --        7,825           --       7,825
  Cash dividends -- Class A and
    Class B, $0.05 per share..........     --       --            --           --           --       (1,167)     (1,167)
  Deemed dividend to Hollinger Inc....     --       --            --           --           --      (76,760)    (76,760)
  Net earnings........................     --       --            --           --           --      102,772     102,772
                                         ----     ----     ---------    ---------     --------     --------   ---------
Balance at December 31, 1994..........    420      150       162,898       (1,212)       7,825      133,388     303,469
  Jerusalem Post adjustment...........     --       --          (288)          --           --           --        (288)
  Translation adjustments.............     --       --            --       (2,775)          --           --      (2,775)
  Unrealized holding gain.............     --       --            --           --       (7,825)          --      (7,825)
  Cash dividends--Class A and
    Class B, $0.10 per share..........     --       --            --           --           --       (3,175)     (3,175)
  Dividends on redeemable
    preferred stock...................     --       --            --           --           --         (271)       (271)
  Deemed dividend to Hollinger Inc....     --       --            --           --           --          (93)        (93)
  Net earnings........................     --       --            --           --           --        6,202       6,202
                                         ----     ----     ---------    ---------     --------    ---------   ---------
Balance at December 31, 1995..........   $420     $150     $ 162,610    $  (3,987)    $     --    $ 136,051   $ 295,244
                                         ====     ====     =========    =========     ========    =========   =========
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   125
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          1993         1994         1995
                                                                        ---------    ---------    ---------
                                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                     <C>          <C>          <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net earnings........................................................  $  25,789    $ 102,772    $   6,202
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by
    operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization.....................................     34,545       45,200       52,388
    Deferred income taxes.............................................      9,048       13,816       (4,348)
    Cumulative effect of change in accounting for income taxes........     24,256           --           --
    Minority interest.................................................     25,475       21,409       22,637
    Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of dividends received.......     (7,779)     (29,833)       1,418
    Gain on sale of investments.......................................    (24,929)     (80,592)     (11,968)
    Gain on dilution of Fairfax interest..............................     (3,609)          --           --
    Gain (loss) on sale of assets.....................................       (615)          --          290
    Amortization of deferred gain.....................................     (1,616)      (1,616)      (1,616)
    Unrealized foreign exchange gain on redeemable preferred stock....     (1,921)      (2,745)        (257)
    Other.............................................................     (2,489)          --           --
  Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
    Accounts receivable...............................................     (5,051)     (10,206)      (5,584)
    Inventories.......................................................      2,679       22,721      (12,537)
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets.........................        510          633      (10,041)
    Accounts payable..................................................       (837)     (13,880)       7,779
    Accrued expenses..................................................      7,471       (7,620)      (8,013)
    Accrued pension...................................................         --        1,314       (1,351)
    Income taxes payable..............................................     11,710       17,241      (14,586)
    Deferred revenue and other........................................        774          837       (5,154)
                                                                        ---------    ---------    ---------
Cash provided by operating activities.................................     93,411       79,451       15,259
                                                                        ---------    ---------    ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Purchase of property, plant and equipment...........................     (9,162)     (27,795)     (21,699)
  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment.................      3,067        3,163        1,625
  Proceeds on disposal of marketable securities.......................     37,050           --       17,700
  Purchase of subsidiaries' stock and other investments...............   (213,711)     (12,889)     (57,283)
  Acquisitions, net of cash acquired..................................    (20,368)    (227,321)     (97,232)
  Repayment of long-term receivables..................................      9,566       10,295       10,393
  Proceeds on disposal of subsidiaries' stock and other investments...     12,703      110,583           --
  Other...............................................................     (1,128)      (7,682)       1,832
                                                                        ---------    ---------    ---------
Cash used in investing activities.....................................   (181,983)    (151,646)    (144,664)
                                                                        ---------    ---------    ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Repayment of debt...................................................    (13,925)    (121,407)     (15,907)
  Proceeds from issuance of bank debt.................................     97,091      221,710       20,000
  Proceeds from bank loans............................................         --           --      131,589
  Change in borrowings from Hollinger Inc. ...........................      2,152       55,203      (78,961)
  Net proceeds from issuance of Class A Common Stock..................         --       98,622           --
  Issuance of common shares by a subsidiary...........................      1,419        2,193        4,131
  Dividends paid......................................................         --       (1,167)      (3,175)
  Deemed dividend to Hollinger Inc....................................    (16,775)     (76,760)         (93)
  Dividends paid by subsidiaries to minority stockholders,
    net of related swap income........................................    (13,152)     (16,711)     (20,890)
  Other...............................................................     (2,618)      (5,210)         257
                                                                        ---------    ---------    ---------
Cash provided by financing activities.................................     54,192      156,473       36,951
                                                                        ---------    ---------    ---------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash...............................      4,189        8,096       (1,161)
                                                                        ---------    ---------    ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents..................    (30,191)      92,374      (93,615)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year........................     55,242       25,051      117,425
                                                                        ---------    ---------    ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year..............................  $  25,051    $ 117,425    $  23,810
                                                                        =========    =========    =========
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                       F-6
<PAGE>   126
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  (a) Principles of Presentation and Consolidation
 
     Hollinger International Inc. (the "Company"), formerly named American
Publishing Company, is an 85% owned subsidiary of Hollinger Inc., a Canadian
corporation.
 
     On October 13, 1995, the Company and Hollinger Inc. consummated a
reorganization of their international newspaper operations (the
"Reorganization"). The Reorganization consisted principally of the Company's
acquisition of the outstanding shares of DT Holdings Limited ("DTH"), a
subsidiary of Hollinger Inc., through which Hollinger Inc. owned an indirect
58.2% interest in The Telegraph plc ("The Telegraph") and a 19.5% interest in
Southam Inc. ("Southam"). In exchange for all of the ordinary shares of DTH, the
Company issued to Hollinger Inc. 33,610,754 shares of Class A Common Stock, and
739,500 shares of Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (Series A
Preferred Stock), and was obligated to pay Hollinger Inc. $13,832,000 in cash as
a working capital adjustment under the terms of the Reorganization. As part of
the Reorganization the name of the Company was changed to "Hollinger
International Inc."
 
     Under the terms of the Reorganization, on July 27, 1995, a subsidiary of
DTH, First DT Holdings Limited ("FDTH") acquired from Hollinger Inc. its direct
and indirect interest in Southam in exchange for cash consideration of
L46,000,000 ($73,437,000) and preference shares of FDTH (which Hollinger Inc.
subsequently transferred to DTH in exchange for one ordinary share of DTH which
was subsequently transferred to the Company).
 
     The Reorganization represents a combination of entities under common
control and has been accounted for on an "as-if" pooling-of-interests basis,
with the accompanying financial statements restated for all periods presented.
 
     The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and its majority-owned subsidiaries. The Company's interest in The Telegraph was
66.4%, 58.6% and 64.0% at December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
Investments in less than majority-owned affiliated companies, including printing
joint ventures, are accounted for using the equity method. All significant
intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.
 
  (b) Description of Business
 
     The Company is engaged in the publishing, printing and distribution of
newspapers and magazines in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia,
Canada and Israel through subsidiaries and affiliates. The Company's raw
materials, mainly newsprint and ink, are available and not dependent on a single
or limited number of suppliers. Customers range from individual subscribers to
local and national advertisers.
 
  (c) Use of Estimates
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
  (d) Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
     Cash equivalents consist of certain highly liquid investments with original
maturities of three months or less.
 
                                       F-7
<PAGE>   127
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
  (e) Inventories
 
     Inventories consist principally of newsprint which is valued at the lower
of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in,
first-out (FIFO) method, except for newsprint inventories of certain
subsidiaries which are accounted for using the last-in, first-out method (LIFO).
At December 31, 1995, approximately 26% of the Company's newsprint inventories
were valued using LIFO. If the FIFO method had been used, such newsprint
inventories would have been $1,953,000 higher.
 
  (f) Impairment of Long-lived Assets
 
     The Company assesses the recoverability of its long-lived assets, such as
property, plant and equipment and intangible assets whenever events or changes
in business circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the assets, or related
group of assets, may not be fully recoverable. The assessment of recoverability
is based on management's estimate of undiscounted future operating cash flows of
its long-lived assets. If the assessment indicates that the undiscounted
operating cash flows do not exceed the net book value of the long-lived assets,
then a permanent impairment has occurred. The Company would record the
difference between the net book value of the long-lived asset and the fair value
of such asset as a charge against income in the statement of operations if such
a difference arose. The Company determined that no permanent impairments had
occurred at December 31, 1995.
 
  (g) Derivatives
 
     The Company is a limited user of derivative financial instruments to manage
risks generally associated with interest rate and foreign exchange rate market
volatility. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments
for trading purposes. Amounts receivable under the interest rate cap agreement
are accrued as a reduction of interest expense and amounts payable are accrued
as interest expense. The interest rate differential on the swap arrangements
related to the preferred stock of the subsidiaries is treated as an adjustment
to the underlying dividends which are disclosed as minority interest. Interest
rate differentials on all other swap arrangements are accrued as interest rates
change over the contract period.
 
  (h) Property, Plant and Equipment
 
     Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Routine maintenance and
repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is calculated under the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, principally
25 to 40 years for buildings and improvements and 5 to 10 years for machinery
and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line
method over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset and the lease
term.
 
  (i) Intangible Assets
 
     Intangible assets consist principally of circulation related assets,
noncompetition agreements with former owners of acquired newspapers, and the
excess of acquisition costs over estimated fair value of net assets acquired
(goodwill). The fair market value of intangible assets purchased is determined
primarily through the use of independent appraisals. Amortization is calculated
using the straight-line method over the respective estimated useful lives
ranging from 3 to 40 years.
 
  (j) Deferred Financing Costs
 
     Deferred financing costs consist of certain costs incurred in connection
with debt financings. Such costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the
remaining term of the related debt, up to seven years.
 
                                       F-8
<PAGE>   128
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
  (k) Deferred Revenue
 
     Deferred revenue represents subscription payments which have not been
earned and are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the related
subscription. Costs incurred in connection with the procurement of subscriptions
are expensed in the period incurred.
 
  (l) Income Taxes
 
     Effective January 1, 1993, the Company adopted on a prospective basis
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income
Taxes" (FAS 109). Under the asset and liability method of FAS 109, deferred tax
assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences
attributable to the difference between financial statement carrying amounts of
existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax
assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to
taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to
be recovered or settled. Under FAS 109, the effect on deferred tax assets and
liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that
includes the enactment date.
 
     The cumulative effect of the change in the method of accounting for income
taxes is reported as a non-cash charge of $24,256,000 in the consolidated
statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 1993.
 
     The cumulative effect principally represents the recording of deferred tax
liabilities related to certain intangible assets which have no tax bases. These
deferred tax liabilities would be paid only in the event the related newspapers
were sold in taxable transactions.
 
  (m) Foreign Currency Translation
 
     Foreign operations of the Company have been translated into U.S. dollars in
accordance with the principles prescribed in Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 52, "Foreign Currency Translation" (FAS 52). All assets,
liabilities and minority interest are translated at year-end exchange rates,
stockholders' equity is translated at historical rates, and revenues and
expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing throughout
the year. These exchange gains or losses are not included in earnings unless
they are actually realized through a reduction of the Company's net investment
in the foreign subsidiary. Foreign currency gains and losses arising from
transactions are reflected in net earnings.
 
  (n) Earnings Per Share
 
     Net earnings per common share was determined by dividing net earnings,
adjusted by the aggregate amount of dividends on the Company's preferred stock,
by the applicable weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding,
which for the year ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 was 48,600,754,
53,980,001 and 56,955,754, respectively. When dilutive, unexercised stock
options of the Company are included as common stock equivalents using the
treasury stock method.
 
  (o) Reclassifications
 
     Certain 1994 and 1993 amounts in the consolidated financial statements have
been reclassified to conform to the 1995 presentation.
 
2. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS
 
     All acquisitions are accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.
Based on estimated fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities,
acquisition costs have been allocated to working capital, property, plant and
equipment, and intangible assets. The former owners of the acquired businesses
have, within
 
                                       F-9
<PAGE>   129
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
specified limits, generally indemnified the Company with respect to any
litigation or loss contingencies that may arise in relation to the operations of
the businesses prior to acquisition by the Company.
 
     (a) On March 31, 1994 the Company acquired all of the capital stock of The
Sun-Times Company which, with its subsidiaries (Chicago Sun-Times), publishes
the Chicago Sun-Times and 61 suburban weekly and bi-weekly newspapers in the
Chicago area. The purchase price of approximately $180,000,000 was paid in cash,
of which $168,000,000 was applied to retire all existing long-term bank
indebtedness of Chicago Sun-Times and the remaining $12,000,000 was paid to
former equity holders of Chicago Sun-Times. Using the purchase method of
accounting, the purchase price was allocated to assets acquired based on their
estimated fair values. This treatment resulted in the excess of the purchase
price over the estimated fair value of the tangible assets acquired being
recorded as identifiable intangibles and goodwill of $153,000,000. The results
of Chicago Sun-Times have been included in the consolidated results of
operations since the date of acquisition.
 
     On December 23, 1994 the Company acquired for approximately $32,000,000 in
cash all of the capital stock of Pulitzer Community Newspapers, Inc. (the "Daily
Southtown") which publishes The Daily Southtown, a daily newspaper, and News
Marketer, a weekly free circulation publication, in south and south suburban
Chicago. Using the purchase method of accounting, the purchase price was
allocated to assets acquired based on their estimated fair values. This
treatment resulted in the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair
value of the tangible assets acquired being recorded as identifiable intangibles
and goodwill of $11,000,000. The results of the Daily Southtown have been
included in the consolidated results of operations for the year ended December
31, 1995.
 
     On September 20, 1995, October 3, 1995 and October 16, 1995, the Company
consummated three separate agreements resulting in the acquisition of a total of
16 United States daily newspapers and related publications for approximately
$95,000,000. These acquisitions were financed through the Company's then
existing credit facility and new interim bank arrangements entered into on
September 28, 1995. Using the purchase method of accounting, the purchase price
was allocated to assets acquired based on their estimated fair values. This
treatment resulted in the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair
value of tangible assets acquired being recorded as identifiable intangibles and
goodwill of $74,758,000. The results of the newspapers acquired have been
included in the consolidated results of operations since the date of the
acquisitions.
 
     The following summarized, unaudited pro forma consolidated results of
operations for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 assume the above five
acquisitions occurred as the beginning of the respective periods:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1994                1995
                                                            --------           ----------
                                                        (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
        <S>                                                 <C>                <C>
        Net revenue......................................    974,724           $1,003,113
        Net earnings.....................................    109,328               11,404
        Net earnings per common share....................       2.03                 0.20
</TABLE>
 
     The unaudited pro forma information is not necessarily indicative either of
results of operations that would have occurred had the purchases occurred at the
beginning of each year presented, or future results of operations of the
consolidated companies.
 
     (b) During 1993 the Company also acquired certain other U.S. newspaper
businesses for approximately $20,368,000 in cash and the assumption of vendor
and non-compete obligations.
 
     (c) In 1993 the Company sold 2,000,000 shares of The Telegraph for cash of
$12,703,000 resulting in a gain of $7,328,000. In 1994 the Company sold
12,500,000 shares of The Telegraph for cash of $110,583,000 resulting in a gain,
net of related costs, of $80,592,000 (note 14). In addition, in 1994 the Company
acquired 2,270,000 shares of The Telegraph for cash consideration of
$12,102,000.
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>   130
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     On October 13, 1995, the Company exercised its option to purchase from the
Trustee of The Telegraph Newspaper Trust, 7,000,000 ordinary shares of The
Telegraph at a price of L4.50 per share for an aggregate purchase price of
L31,500,000 ($49,663,000). The purchase was made on October 20, 1995 and
financed through interim bank indebtedness of the Company. In addition, in
December 1995, the Company acquired an additional 995,000 ordinary shares of The
Telegraph at a price per share of L4.50, aggregating approximately $6,956,000.
 
3. INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1994         1995
                                                                   --------     --------
                                                                      (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                                        <C>          <C>
          John Fairfax Holdings Limited (Fairfax)...............   $250,946     $264,554
          Southam Inc. (Southam)................................    202,499      191,099
          Printing joint ventures...............................      8,047        7,874
                                                                   --------     --------
                                                                   $461,492     $463,527
                                                                   ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
(a) JOHN FAIRFAX HOLDINGS LIMITED
 
     During 1993 The Telegraph increased its interest in Fairfax by purchasing
both common shares and options to acquire common shares and exercising all
options held for a total cash cost of $112,211,000. The original acquisition
cost by Fairfax was revised in 1993 by $21,732,000 as a result of the payment of
certain contingent purchase consideration. In addition, Fairfax issued shares to
a third party which diluted The Telegraph's ownership interest and resulted in a
gain to The Telegraph in 1993 of $3,609,000 (note 14). The net effect of these
transactions was to increase The Telegraph's interest in Fairfax to 24.7% from
15.0% in 1992. The fair value of The Telegraph's ownership interest in Fairfax
based on the market value of stock at December 31, 1995 was $408,312,000.
 
     While Fairfax has a June 30 year end for its financial reporting purposes,
the Company's equity in the earnings of Fairfax is for the 12 months ended
December 31. Selected financial information in Australian dollars and in
accordance with Australian generally accepted accounting principles reported by
Fairfax in its annual report for the years ended June 30, 1993, 1994 and 1995 is
as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1993              1994              1995
                                                  --------------    --------------    --------------
                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                       <C> <C>           <C> <C>           <C> <C>
        Statement of Operations Data:
          Operating revenues...................     A $  771,354      A $  846,592      A $  948,433
          Operating income*....................          114,070           168,573           216,491
          Net earnings.........................           67,243           185,672           147,078
        Balance Sheet Data:
          Current assets.......................                            162,469           162,460
          Total assets.........................                          1,864,056         2,072,841
          Current liabilities..................                            138,899           210,176
          Total liabilities....................                            856,598           999,155
          Stockholders' equity.................                          1,007,458         1,073,686
</TABLE>
 
- ---------
 
         *Before abnormal items, income tax and minority interest.
 
(b) SOUTHAM INC.
 
     On January 8, 1993 the Company acquired 14,290,000 common shares of Southam
for $202,997,000. One-half of the Company's aggregate investment in Southam is
owned by The Telegraph.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>   131
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     On March 26, 1993, the Company entered into a 15-year agreement with an
unrelated investment holding company, Power Corporation of Canada ("Power"),
which owns approximately 14,300,000 Common Shares of Southam. The agreement
provides, among other things, for voting parity between the Company and Power in
most circumstances and reciprocal rights of first refusal should either party
decide to sell any of its Southam common shares.
 
     In 1994 the Company and The Telegraph each acquired an additional 250,00
common shares of Southam for an aggregate price of $5,350,000. Shares
representing 9.4% of the Company's indirect interest in Southam are pledged as
collateral securing certain Hollinger Inc. debentures in the principal amount of
Cdn$125,000,000 due November 1, 1998 (Southam-Linked Debentures). In the event
that Hollinger Inc. does not deliver clear legal title to such shares on or
prior to April 1, 1999, or upon demand, approximately one-half of the Company's
indirect equity interest in Southam would be subject to the rights of the
Holders of the Southam-Linked Debentures.
 
     The Company indirectly held an 18.7%, 19.4% and 19.5% interest in Southam
at December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively. The fair value of the
Company's indirect interest in Southam based on the market value of stock at
December 31, 1995 was $157,174,000.
 
     Equity accounting for the Southam investment commenced April 1, 1994, being
the date on which the Company was able to exercise significant influence over
Southam.
 
     Selected financial information in Canadian dollars and in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles in Canada as reported by Southam in its
annual report for 1993, 1994 and 1995 is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1993              1994              1995
                                                  --------------    --------------    --------------
                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                       <C> <C>           <C> <C>           <C> <C>
        Statement of Operations Data:
          Operating revenues...................     C $1,176,158      C $1,202,359      C $1,022,345
          Operating income (loss)..............           99,701           131,948           (60,589)
          Net earnings (loss)..................           21,568            44,008           (53,422)
        Balance Sheet Data:
          Current assets.......................                            293,953           229,066
          Total assets.........................                            898,933           823,115
          Current liabilities..................                            288,889           217,635
          Total liabilities....................                            444,130           463,851
          Stockholders' equity.................                            454,803           359,264
</TABLE>
 
(c) PRINTING JOINT VENTURES
 
     The Telegraph has a 50% interest in two printing joint ventures, West Ferry
Printers and Trafford Park Printers, both of which commenced production in 1986.
These joint ventures operate printing plants in which The Telegraph and the
other joint venturers' newspapers are printed at cost.
 
(d) EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES
 
     Equity in earnings of affiliates is comprised of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1993        1994         1995
                                                          -------     -------     --------
                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                               <C>         <C>         <C>
        Fairfax........................................   $13,476     $31,847     $ 24,662
        Southam........................................        --       3,522      (10,968)
        Printing joint ventures........................        --         290        2,755
                                                          -------     -------     --------
                                                          $13,476     $35,659     $ 16,449
                                                          =======     =======     ========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>   132
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     Equity in earnings of Fairfax are computed as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1993        1994         1995
                                                          -------     -------     --------
                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                               <C>         <C>         <C>
        Share of net earnings as reported by
          Fairfax.....................................    $14,320     $33,821     $ 22,779
        Consolidation and U.S. GAAP adjustments.......       (844)     (1,974)       1,883
                                                          -------     -------     --------
                                                          $13,476     $31,847     $ 24,662
                                                          =======     =======     ========
</TABLE>
 
     Equity in earnings of Southam for the year ended December 31, 1995 and for
the nine months ended December 31, 1994 are computed as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1994         1995
                                                                    -------     --------
                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                                         <C>         <C>
        Share of operating results as reported by Southam:
          Income before special charge...........................   $ 9,179     $  8,426
          Special charge.........................................        --      (17,324)
          Tax (expense) benefit..................................    (3,363)       3,189
          Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax..........        --       (2,084)
        Consolidation and U.S. GAAP adjustments..................    (2,294)      (3,175)
                                                                    -------     --------
                                                                    $ 3,522     $(10,968)
                                                                    =======     ========
</TABLE>
 
4. OTHER INVESTMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1994         1995
                                                                    -------     --------
                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                                         <C>         <C>
        Investment in Argsub Limited.............................   $    --     $102,606
        Note receivable from West Ferry..........................    47,751       36,968
        Advances under printing contracts with joint ventures....    28,729       31,242
        Other....................................................     2,395     $  7,521
                                                                    -------     --------
                                                                    $78,875     $178,337
                                                                    =======     ========
</TABLE>
 
     (i) On December 29, 1995, DTH transferred all outstanding FDTH preference
shares which it then held (with an aggregate redemption amount of Cdn.$140
million ($102.6 million)), to Argsub Limited (Argsub), in exchange for newly
issued preference shares (with an aggregate redemption of Cdn.$140 million
($102.6 million)), of Argsub. Other than these preference shares, Argsub is a
wholly owned English subsidiary of Argus Corporation Limited, a Canadian
corporation, all the voting stock of which is indirectly owned or controlled by
the principal shareholder by Hollinger Inc.
 
     (ii) The note receivable from West Ferry represents amounts due to The
Telegraph following the granting of rights to West Ferry equivalent to ownership
of certain of The Telegraph's fixed assets. These fixed assets have been treated
as if they had been sold outright with the long-term element of the note
receivable included in investments. The current portion of the note receivable
was $10,241,000 and $10,388,000 for 1994 and 1995, respectively, and is included
in accounts receivable. The income related to this note is computed based on the
effective interest rate method.
 
     (iii) Advances under printing contract represent loans to the joint venture
by way of amounts prepaid under The Telegraph's printing contracts.
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>   133
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
5. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1994         1995
                                                                          --------     --------
                                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                       <C>          <C>
  Land.................................................................   $ 23,671     $ 26,774
  Building and leasehold interests.....................................     78,047       86,468
  Machinery and equipment..............................................    169,254      182,471
                                                                          --------     --------
                                                                           270,972      295,713
       Less -- Accumulated depreciation and amortization...............     78,982      102,306
                                                                          --------     --------
                                                                          $191,990     $193,407
                                                                          ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
     Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment totalled
$18,314,000, $20,522,000 and $25,174,500 in 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
6. BANK LOANS
 
     On September 28, 1995, the Company entered into an agreement with two banks
that provided for up to $130,000,000 in borrowings under a revolving credit
facility terminating September 6, 1996. At December 31, 1995, borrowings under
this facility were $130,000,000. Interest on the bank loan is based on the
bank's prime rate or a rate based on those offered in the Eurodollar interbank
borrowing market in London, England, plus, in each case, an applicable margin.
The interest rate at December 31, 1995 was 7.625%. The bank loan is secured by a
pledge of the common stock and assets of certain of the Company's subsidiaries
and guarantees of certain new subsidiaries of the Company. This loan was repaid
in February, 1996.
 
     The Telegraph has a revolving short-term bank agreement which terminates in
November 1996. Borrowings under this agreement were L10,500,000 ($16,448,000)
and L11,500,000 (17,866,000) at December 31, 1994 and December 31, 1995,
respectively. Interest is based on LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The interest
rate at December 31, 1995 was 6.9%.
 
7. LONG-TERM DEBT
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1994         1995
                                                                          --------     --------
                                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                       <C>          <C>
Hollinger International Inc.
  Senior secured notes due 1996-2000...................................   $150,000     $150,000
  Bank loans due 1996-2001.............................................    150,000      160,000
  Amounts due under non-interest bearing non-competition agreements
     due 1996-2004.....................................................     12,914       10,584
  Other due 1996-2001 (at varying interest rates up to 10%)............        741          788
The Telegraph
  Bank loans...........................................................    139,432      135,714
Obligations under capital leases (note 8)..............................     20,434       16,700
                                                                          --------     --------
                                                                           473,521      473,786
Less current portion included in current liabilities...................      5,436       27,552
                                                                          --------     --------
                                                                          $468,685     $446,234
                                                                          ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
     (a)(i) Senior Secured Notes (Notes) are secured by (1) a pledge of the
capital stock and certain promissory notes of the subsidiaries of American
Publishing (1991) Inc., (2) the general intangibles of such subsidiaries, and
(3) a guarantee by Hollinger Inc. The Notes are repayable in annual installments
from September 1, 1996 through September 1, 2000 and bear interest at rates
ranging from 10.24% to 10.53%.
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>   134
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     (ii) A subsidiary of the Company entered into an agreement with six banks
providing for maximum borrowings of $100,000,000. At December 31, 1995 and 1994
borrowings under this facility were $94,000,000 and $80,000,000, respectively.
Principal repayments are quarterly commencing June 30, 1997 until December 31,
2000, with a final principal repayment of 25% on December 31, 2001. Interest on
the bank loans is based on the bank's prime rate, a rate based on those offered
in the Eurodollar interbank market in London, England or the federal funds rate,
plus, in each case, an applicable margin. The interest rate at December 31, 1995
was 7.0%. The bank loan is secured by a pledge of the common stock and assets of
certain of the Company's subsidiaries and a guarantee by the Company. This loan
was repaid in February 1996.
 
     Pursuant to a requirement in the financing arrangement, the Company has
entered into an interest rate swap contract of $25,000,000 of bank debt through
June 29, 2000. The effect of this contract is to fix the effective interest rate
on $25,000,000 of this debt at 7.79%. This swap agreement is still in effect.
 
(iii) Chicago Sun-Times entered into an agreement with two banks that provided
for up to $80,000,000 in borrowings under a two year revolving credit facility.
At December 31, 1995 and 1994, borrowings under the revolving credit agreement
were $66,000,000 and $70,000,000, respectively. The revolving credit agreement
automatically converts into a five-year secured term loan on March 31, 1996 with
quarterly principal repayments commencing June 30, 1996 through March 31, 2001.
Under the revolving credit agreement, commencing April 15, 1997, the Chicago
Sun-Times is required to make mandatory principal repayments in an amount equal
to 50% of its operating cash flow (as defined) for the immediately preceding
fiscal year. Interest on the bank loan is based on the bank's prime rate or a
rate based on those offered in the Eurodollar interbank borrowing market in
London, England plus, in each case, an applicable margin. The interest rate at
December 31, 1995 was 7.18%. The revolving credit agreement is secured by a
pledge of the capital stock and assets of Chicago Sun-Times and a guarantee by
the Company. This loan was repaid in February 1996.
 
     Pursuant to a requirement in the financing arrangement, the Company has
entered into an interest rate swap contract on $25,000,000 of bank debt through
June 19, 2000. The effect of this contract is to fix the effective interest rate
on $25,000,000 of this debt at 7.77%. The Company has also entered into a
financing arrangement which caps the effective interest rate on $40,000,000 of
this debt at 11.45% through June 21, 1996. These agreements are still in effect.
 
     (b) The Telegraph had the following separate unsecured bank loans:
 
          (i) A loan of A$45,100,000 (1994 A$45,100,000), repayable in 1997. The
     interest rate is based on LIBOR plus 0.5%. The interest rate at December
     31, 1995 was 7.913%.
 
          (ii) A loan of L40,000,000 (1994 L40,000,000), repayable in 1998. The
     interest rate is based on LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The interest
     rate at December 31, 1995 was 7.167%.
 
          (iii) A loan of A$53,750,000 (1994 A$53,750,000) repayable in 1998.
     The interest rate is based on LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The interest
     rate at December 31, 1995 was 7.875%.
 
     (c) The Company's agreements with banks contain various restrictive
provisions relating to maintenance of certain financial ratios, restrictions on
additional indebtedness, occurrence of certain corporate transactions, and
limitations on the amount of capital expenditures and restricted payments (which
generally include dividends and management fees). At December 31, 1995, the
Company was in compliance with the aforementioned restrictive provisions.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>   135
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     (d) Principal amounts payable on long-term debt, excluding obligations
under capital leases, for each of the five years subsequent to December 31, 1995
are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    HOLLINGER
                                                  TOTAL        INTERNATIONAL INC.       TELEGRAPH
                                                 --------      -------------------      ---------
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                      <C>           <C>                      <C>
        1996..................................   $ 25,320             25,320                   --
        1997..................................     87,489             53,922               33,567
        1998..................................    166,153             64,006              102,147
        1999..................................     54,251             54,251                   --
        2000..................................     94,731             94,731                   --
                                                 --------            -------             --------
</TABLE>
 
     (e) Interest paid for 1993, 1994 and 1995 was $26,065,000, $33,194,000 and
$39,234,000 respectively.
 
8. LEASES
 
     The following summarizes assets held under capital leases which are
included in property, plant and equipment:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      1994        1995
                                                                     ------      ------
                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                                          <C>         <C>
        Machinery and equipment....................................  $9,911      $6,270
          Less -- accumulated depreciation.........................   6,653       6,270
                                                                     ------      ------
                                                                     $3,258      $   --
                                                                     ======      ======
</TABLE>
 
     The Company also leases various facilities and equipment under
noncancelable operating lease arrangements. Rental expense under all operating
leases was approximately $9,057,000, $11,072,000 and $11,387,000 in 1993, 1994
and 1995, respectively.
 
     Minimum lease commitments together with the present value of obligations at
December 31, 1995 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  CAPITAL      OPERATING
                                                                  LEASES        LEASES
                                                                  -------      ---------
                                                                      (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                                       <C>          <C>
        1996....................................................  $ 3,917      $   9,950
        1997....................................................    3,917          9,082
        1998....................................................    3,917          8,165
        1999....................................................    3,917          7,622
        2000....................................................    3,917          7,048
        Later years.............................................    2,937        101,288
                                                                  -------      ---------
                                                                   22,522      $ 143,155
                                                                               =========
        Less imputed interest and executory costs...............    5,822
                                                                  -------
        Present value of net minimum payments...................   16,700
        Less current portion included in current liabilities....    2,232
                                                                  -------
        Long-term obligations...................................  $14,468
                                                                  =======
</TABLE>
 
     Minimum lease payments have been reduced for rental income from
noncancelable subleases by approximately $88,500 in 1996 and lesser amounts
thereafter (total reductions $440,000).
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>   136
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
9. INCOME TAXES
 
     U.S. and foreign components of earnings (loss) before income taxes,
minority interest, and cumulative effect of change in accounting for income
taxes are presented below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          1993         1994         1995
                                                        --------     --------     --------
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                             <C>          <C>          <C>
        U.S..........................................   $ (1,037)    $ 16,457     $  3,462
        Foreign......................................    113,032      149,024       43,485
                                                        --------     --------     --------
                                                        $111,995     $165,481     $ 46,947
                                                        ========     ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
     Income tax expense for the periods shown below consists of:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           CURRENT     DEFERRED      TOTAL
                                                           -------     --------     -------
                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                                <C>         <C>          <C>
        Year ended December 31, 1993:
          U.S. Federal..................................   $    --      $    --     $    --
          Foreign.......................................    27,296        9,048      36,344
          State and local...............................       131           --         131
                                                           -------      -------     -------
                                                           $27,427      $ 9,048     $36,475
                                                           =======      =======     =======
        Year ended December 31, 1994:
          U.S. Federal..................................   $ 3,667      $    --     $ 3,667
          Foreign.......................................    23,065       13,816      36,881
          State and local...............................       752           --         752
                                                           -------      -------     -------
                                                           $27,484      $13,816     $41,300
                                                           =======      =======     =======
        Year ended December 31, 1995:
          U.S. Federal..................................   $ 2,844      $  (749)    $ 2,095
          Foreign.......................................    18,817       (3,492)     15,325
          State and local...............................       795         (107)        688
                                                           -------     --------     -------
                                                           $22,456     $(4,348)     $18,108
                                                           =======     ========     =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>   137
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     Income tax expense differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S.
Federal income tax rate of 34% for 1993 and 35% for 1994 and 1995 as a result of
the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1993       1994       1995
                                                              -------    -------    -------
                                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                                   <C>        <C>        <C>
        Computed "expected" tax expense....................   $38,078    $57,918    $16,431
        Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting
          from:
          Nondeductible expenses for income tax purposes...     2,647      2,403      3,170
          Resolution of foreign tax issues.................        --         --     (3,492)
          Results of foreign subsidiaries for which income
             tax benefit (expense) has not been
             recognized....................................       106     (1,856)     3,327
          Alternative minimum tax..........................        --        771         --
          Additional U.S. taxes on foreign earnings........        --         --      1,050
          U.S. state and local income taxes, net of federal
             benefit.......................................       131        496        447
          Impact of taxation at different foreign rates,
             repatriation and other........................    (3,217)   (14,764)      (945)
          Utilization of net operating loss carryforwards
             and investment tax credits for which no
             previous benefit has been recognized..........      (276)    (2,631)    (1,520)
          Other............................................      (994)    (1,037)      (360)
                                                              -------    -------    -------
                                                              $36,475    $41,300    $18,108
                                                              =======    =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>   138
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are presented
below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1994          1995
                                                                          ---------     ---------
                                                                              (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                       <C>           <C>
Deferred tax assets:
  Accounts receivable, principally due to allowance for doubtful
     accounts..........................................................    $ 1,016       $ 1,181
  Accrued compensation including vacation, bonus, severance and
     deferred compensation.............................................      5,671         3,717
  Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards.........................      1,010            --
  Net operating loss carryforwards.....................................      8,845         2,109
  Accrued medical and workers' compensation claims.....................        963         3,075
  Basis in subsidiaries, tax in excess of book.........................         --         5,257
  Advance Corporation Tax receivable...................................     13,600        10,382
                                                                           -------       -------
Gross deferred tax assets..............................................     31,105        25,721
Less valuation allowance...............................................     15,524         4,566
                                                                           -------       -------
Net deferred tax assets................................................     15,581        21,155
                                                                           -------       -------
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Property, plant and equipment, principally due to differences in
     depreciation......................................................     22,411        15,663
  Intangible assets, principally due to differences in basis and
     amortization......................................................     39,579        30,300
  Foreign exchange basis differences...................................      9,110         8,567
  Long term advances under printing contract...........................      7,543         3,466
  Prepaid expenses.....................................................         --        10,310
  Unremitted earnings of a foreign equity investment...................     14,500        19,776
  Unrealized gain on marketable securities.............................      3,900            --
  Other................................................................      3,650         5,363
                                                                           -------       -------
Gross deferred tax liabilities.........................................    100,693        93,445
                                                                           -------       -------
Net deferred taxes.....................................................    $85,112       $72,290
                                                                           =======       =======
</TABLE>
 
     A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some
portion or all of the deferred assets will not be realized. In 1994, the Company
established a valuation allowance primarily for net operating loss carryforwards
and other deferred tax assets. From 1994 to 1995 the valuation allowance
decreased by a net $10,958,000. The change was primarily the result of the
utilization of net operating losses and the resolution of certain issues.
 
     Jerusalem Post has net operating loss and other credit carryforwards of
approximately $5,700,000 for Israeli tax purposes which do not have expiration
dates and may be used to reduce future Israeli income taxes.
 
     Total income taxes paid in 1993, 1994 and 1995 amounted to $9,089,000,
$17,776,000, and $34,180,000 respectively.
 
10. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
     The Company has entered into various types of financial instruments in the
normal course of business. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in
time, based on assumptions concerning the amount and timing of estimated future
cash flows and assumed discount rates reflecting varying degrees of perceived
risk and the country of origin. These estimates are subjective in nature and
involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, may
not represent actual values of the financial instruments that could be realized
in the future.
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>   139
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     At December 31, 1994 and 1995, the comparison of the carrying value and the
estimated fair value of the Company's financial instruments was as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         1994                    1995
                                                 --------------------    --------------------
                                                 CARRYING      FAIR      CARRYING      FAIR
                                                  VALUE       VALUE       VALUE       VALUE
                                                 --------    --------    --------    --------
                                                                (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                      <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
        Marketable securities.................   $ 17,036    $ 17,036          --          --
        Long-term debt........................    469,535     467,983     457,086     461,434
        Redeemable preferred stock............    204,101     193,655     306,452     297,128
        Interest rate and currency swaps......         --       9,296          --       8,907
</TABLE>
 
     The fair value of the interest rate and currency swaps is the estimated
amount that the Company would receive or pay to terminate the agreements (note 7
and 12). The carrying value of all other financial instruments at December 31,
1994 and 1995 approximate their estimated fair values, except for investments in
affiliates (note 3).
 
11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
  Defined Contribution Plans
 
     The Company sponsors six domestic defined contribution plans, one of which
has provisions for Company matching contributions. Under the Company's matching
program for the one plan, $185,000 and 225,000 was contributed for the nine
months ended December 31, 1994 and the year ended December 31, 1995.
 
     The Telegraph sponsors a defined contribution plan, The Telegraph Staff
Pension Plan, for the majority of its employees, as well as a defined
contribution plan to provide pension benefits for senior executives.
Contributions to each of the plans were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1993       1994       1995
                                                              ------     ------     ------
                                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                                   <C>        <C>        <C>
        The Telegraph Staff Pension Plan...................   $4,436     $4,719     $6,970
        The Telegraph Executive Pension Scheme.............    1,025      1,267        805
</TABLE>
 
     The Telegraph plans' assets consist principally of United Kingdom and
overseas equities, unit trusts and bonds.
 
  Defined Benefit Plans
 
     The Company has six domestic single-employer defined benefit plans and
contributes to various union-sponsored, collectively bargained domestic
multi-employer pension plans which together cover certain employees of the
Chicago Sun-Times and the Daily Southtown.The Company's contribution to these
plans for the nine months ended December 31, 1994 and for the year ended
December 31, 1995 were:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           NINE MONTHS ENDED      YEAR ENDED
                                                             DECEMBER 31,        DECEMBER 31,
                                                                 1994                1995
                                                           -----------------     ------------
                                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                                <C>                   <C>
        Single-employer plans...........................        $ 1,367             $2,467
        Multi-employer plans............................          1,343              1,900
</TABLE>
 
     The Telegraph has a defined benefit plan, which was closed on July 1, 1991
and provides only benefits accrued up to that date. The liabilities of the
scheme have been actuarially valued as at December 31, 1995. At that date the
market value of the scheme's assets was $60,748,000, representing 101% of the
estimated cost of purchasing the plan's benefits from an insurance company. The
actuary assumed a discount rate of 7.68%.
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>   140
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Increases to pension payments are discretionary and are awarded by the trustees,
with The Telegraph's consent, from surpluses arising in the fund from time to
time. The Telegraph agreed to make ex gratia payment to pensioners equivalent to
a 2.2% increase for the year commencing April 1, 1995. Contributions to the
trust were $2,405,000, $751,000 and $2,480,000 for 1993, 1994 and 1995,
respectively.
 
     Pursuant to the West Ferry joint venture agreement, The Telegraph has a
commitment to fund 50% of the obligation under West Ferry's defined benefit
plan.
 
  Single-Employer Pension Plans
 
     The benefits under the Company's single-employer pension plans are based
primarily on years of service and compensation levels. The Company funds the
annual provision deductible for income tax purposes. The plans' assets consist
principally of marketable equity securities and corporate and government debt
securities.
 
     Pension expense for the plans includes the following components:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1993        1994        1995
                                                           -------     -------     -------
                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                                <C>         <C>         <C>
        Service cost -- benefits earned during the
          period........................................   $    --     $   947     $ 1,084
        Interest on projected benefit obligation........     4,358       7,084       8,819
        Expected return on assets.......................    (4,290)     (6,685)     (7,987)
        Net amortization and deferral...................      (449)       (283)       (139)
                                                           --------    -------     -------
        Net periodic pension expense....................   $  (381)    $ 1,063     $ 1,777
                                                           ========    =======     =======
</TABLE>
 
     The funded status of the plans and the amounts recognized in the Company's
consolidated financial statements are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1994           1995
                                                                ---------      ---------
                                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                                     <C>            <C>
        Actuarial present value of benefit obligations --
          vested benefit obligation..........................   $ (98,759)     $(108,772)
                                                                =========      =========
        Accumulated benefit obligation.......................   $(100,896)     $(111,376)
                                                                =========      =========
        Projected benefit obligation.........................   $ 103,640      $ 115,931
        Plan assets at fair value............................      92,866        103,518
                                                                ---------      ---------
        Projected benefit obligation in excess of plan
          assets.............................................     (10,774)       (12,413)
        Unrecognized net (gain)/loss.........................      (2,297)         1,894
                                                                ---------      ---------
        Accrued pension liability............................   $ (13,071)     $ (10,519)
                                                                =========      =========
</TABLE>
 
     The projected benefit obligation related to the Company's domestic plans
was determined using the following assumptions:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          1995      1994
                                                                          -----     -----
        <S>                                                               <C>       <C>
        Discount rate........................................              7.5%      9.0%
        Long-term rate of return on plan assets..............              9.0%      9.0%
        Compensation increase................................              3.0%      3.0%
</TABLE>
 
     The assumptions used for The Telegraph's plan were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1995      1994      1993
                                                                -----     -----     -----
        <S>                                                     <C>       <C>       <C>
        Discount rate........................................   7.68%     8.25%     6.75%
        Long-term rate of return on plan assets..............   7.68%     8.25%     6.75%
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>   141
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
  Multi-employer Pension Plans
 
     Certain U.S. employees are covered by union-sponsored multi-employer
pension plans, all of which are defined benefit plans. Contributions are
determined in accordance with the provisions of negotiated labor contracts and
are generally based on the number of man hours worked. Pension expense for these
plans was $1,343,000 for the nine months ended December 31, 1994 and $1,900,000
for the year ended December 31, 1995. The passage of the Multi-employer Pension
Plan Amendments Acts of 1980 (the Act) may, under certain circumstances, cause
the Company to become subject to liabilities in excess of the amounts provided
for in the collective bargaining agreements. Generally, liabilities are
contingent upon withdrawal or partial withdrawal from the plans. The Company has
not undertaken to withdraw or partially withdraw from any of the plans as of
December 31, 1995. Under the Act, withdrawal liabilities would be based upon the
Company's proportional share of each plan's unfunded vested benefits. As of the
date of the latest actuarial valuations, the Company's share of the unfunded
vested liabilities of the plans was approximately $1,620,000.
 
12. REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1994         1995
                                                                   --------     --------
                                                                      (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                                        <C>          <C>
        Preferred Stock of subsidiaries.........................   $123,135     $226,982
        Series A Preferred Stock of the Company.................     80,966       79,470
                                                                   --------     --------
                                                                   $204,101     $306,452
                                                                   ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
     (a) During 1992 two wholly-owned United Kingdom subsidiaries of the Company
issued preference shares as follows:
 
          (i) On May 19, 1992 FDTH issued 60 floating rate cumulative redeemable
     retractable preference shares, Series A, with a nominal value of
     Cdn.$500,000 per share and 60 floating rate cumulative redeemable
     retractable preference shares, Series B, with a nominal value of
     Cdn.$500,000 per share to certain Canadian financial institutions. Total
     gross proceeds of the issue were $50,276,000 (Cdn.$60,000,000). In December
     1995 FDTH Series A and Series B preference shares with an aggregate
     redemption value of Cdn.$140,000,000 ($102,600,000) held by DTH were
     transferred to Argsub (note 4). Cumulative preferential cash dividends are
     payable quarterly in arrears at a rate per annum approximately equal to 2%
     plus 60% of the Canadian bankers' acceptance rate, compounded monthly. The
     Series A and Series B preference shares are redeemable and retractable on
     each five-year anniversary of their date of issue and on the occurrence of
     certain events. Hollinger Inc. has indemnified the holders of the
     preference shares and agreed to purchase these preference shares if FDTH
     fails to pay the full amount of the dividends, retraction price or
     redemption price on such shares on the date fixed for repayment thereof.
     Hollinger Inc. and FDTH have also agreed to indemnify the holders of the
     preference shares on an after-tax basis for any reduction in income tax
     credits or any additional income tax liabilities related to the dividend on
     these preference shares. During 1993 a reduction in income tax credits in
     the United Kingdom resulted in FDTH increasing the dividend under the
     indemnity. The actual dividend paid in 1995 on the Series A and Series B
     preference shares, including the dividend under the indemnity, was at a
     combined rate of 6.6% per annum.
 
          DTH issued 2,540,000 cumulative redeemable preference shares, Series 1
     at a price of Cdn.$25 per share and 1,100,000 cumulative redeemable
     preference shares, Series 2, at a price of $25 per share. The total gross
     proceeds were $53,209,000 (Cdn.$63,500,000) for Series 1 and $27,500,000
     for Series 2. Dividends are payable quarterly. The dividend rates for
     Series 1 and Series 2 preference shares are 7.748% and 6.829% respectively
     until June 9, 1997 when the dividend rates will be determined for
     successive five-year periods by formula. The shares are redeemable at any
     time by the holders of the shares at an amount determined by reference to a
     formula and on June 27, 1997 and each successive five-
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>   142
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     year anniversary date at a price per share of Cdn.$24.92 for the Series 1
     preference shares and $24.88 for the Series 2 preference shares. Hollinger
     Inc. and DTH have agreed to indemnify the holders of the preference shares
     on an after-tax basis for any reductions in income tax credits or
     additional income tax liabilities related to the dividends on these
     preference shares. Hollinger Inc. has also agreed to purchase the issued
     preference shares of DTH if certain restrictive covenants are not met, one
     of which is the Company's requirement to own at least 51% of the
     outstanding voting shares of the Telegraph. During 1993 a reduction in
     income tax credits in the United Kingdom resulted in DTH increasing the
     dividend under the indemnity. The actual dividend paid in 1995, including
     the dividend under the indemnity, was at a rate of 8.6% per annum in
     respect of the Series 1 preference shares and 7.6% per annum in respect of
     the Series 2 preference shares.
 
          In connection with the Reorganization, Hollinger Inc. and the Company
     entered into an agreement which provides that if Hollinger Inc. is required
     to indemnify the holders of the preference shares or purchase the
     preference shares in the event that either DTH or FDTH fails to pay the
     full amount of the dividends or redemption price on such shares and in
     certain other events, then the Company agrees to purchase any preference
     shares so purchased by Hollinger Inc. at the same price Hollinger Inc. paid
     (subject to certain exceptions) and to indemnify Hollinger Inc. for any tax
     indemnification payments it was required to make.
 
          (ii) In 1992, Hollinger Inc. entered into interest rate swap and
     currency swap arrangements until June 30, 1997 to effectively convert
     substantially all of the DTH Series 1 and Series 2 preference dividends to
     U.S. dollar variable rate dividends and to convert Cdn.$60,000,000 of the
     capital amount of the DTH Series 1 preference shares to $50,300,000. In
     connection with the Reorganization, the Company entered into interest rate
     and currency exchange arrangements with Hollinger Inc. that are intended to
     permit the Company to receive benefits that correspond to those obtained by
     Hollinger Inc. under these swap arrangements. As a result of these swap
     arrangements and the indemnities referred to above, the effective dividend
     cost using December 31, 1995 rates was 6.6% and 5.8% in 1994 and 1995,
     respectively, for the Series 1 shares and was 7.0% and 6.3% for 1994 and
     1995, respectively, for the Series 2 shares. The quarterly differential to
     be paid or received under the interest rate swaps is treated as an
     adjustment to the underlying dividends which are disclosed as minority
     interest.
 
          The carrying value of the redeemable preference shares of DTH and FDTH
     reflect exchange rates in effect at the year end date.
 
     (b) The Company is authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock
in one or more series and to designate the rights, preferences, limitations and
restrictions of and upon shares of each series, including voting, redemption and
conversion rights.
 
     Pursuant to the Reorganization, on October 13, 1995, the Company issued
739,500 shares of Series A Preferred Stock to Hollinger Inc. as partial
consideration for all of the ordinary shares of DTH. As described in note 1, the
consolidated financial statements have been restated for all periods presented
to include the accounts of DTH on an "as-if" pooling-of-interests basis and to
reflect the issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock as partial consideration.
The value ascribed to the Series A Preferred Stock at December 31, 1994 and
December 31, 1995 is the redemption value of the shares expressed in U.S.
dollars based on actual rates of exchange on October 13, 1995 and December 29,
1995.
 
     The Series A Preferred Stock is non-voting and is entitled to receive
cumulative cash dividends, payable quarterly. The amount of each dividend per
share will be equal to the aggregate amount of ordinary course cash dividends
paid during the preceding calendar quarter on one-half of the Southam shares
held indirectly by the Company, divided by 739,500.
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>   143
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     The Series A Preferred Stock is redeemable in whole or in part, at any time
by the Company or a holder of such shares, subject to restrictions in the
Company's credit facilities. In addition, the Company is not obligated to redeem
the Series A Preferred Stock held by Hollinger Inc. in the event that clear
legal title to the shares of HTH previously transferred by Hollinger Inc. to
FDTH is not delivered to FDTH on or prior to April 1, 1999. The redemption price
per share will be Cdn.$146.63 ($107.47 based on December 29, 1995 exchange
rates) plus accrued dividends.
 
     A holder of shares of this Series may convert such shares at any time into
shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company. The conversion price will
initially be $14.00 per share of Class A Common Stock, subject to adjustment
upon the occurrence of certain events.
 
13. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
     On October 13, 1995, pursuant to the Reorganization, the Company's
authorized capital stock was increased from 50,000,000 shares of Class A Common
Stock to 250,000,000 and the Company issued to Hollinger Inc. 33,610,754 shares
of Class A Common Stock with a par value of $0.01 per share, 739,500 shares of
Series A Preferred Stock with an aggregate redemption value of Cdn.$108,429,000
($79,470,000 as at December 29, 1995), and was obligated to pay Hollinger Inc.
$13,832,000 in cash as consideration for all of the ordinary shares of DTH. An
adjustment of $95,134,000 was made to paid-in capital which represents the
excess of the values assigned to the Class A Common Stock and Series A Preferred
Stock issued net of the $13,832,000 due Hollinger Inc. over Hollinger Inc.'s
historical carrying value of its investment in DTH, being nil. As described in
note 1, the consolidated financial statements have been restated for all periods
presented to include the accounts of DTH on an "as-if" pooling-of-interests
basis and to reflect the issuance of the Class A Common Stock as partial
consideration. Accordingly, stockholders' equity reflects 41,965,754 shares
outstanding at December 31, 1994 and 1995.
 
     During May 1994, the Company issued 8,355,000 shares of Class A Common
Stock through a public offering, resulting in proceeds, after deducting
applicable expenses, of $98,622,000 (the Offering). The proceeds were used to
repay outstanding short-term bank indebtedness of $50,000,000 and to repay
$48,622,000 of intercompany indebtedness owed to Hollinger Inc. incurred in
connection with the acquisition of the Chicago Sun-Times.
 
     Concurrent with the Offering, the Company effected a recapitalization and
issued 14,990,000 of the 50,000,000 authorized shares of Class B Common Stock to
Hollinger Inc. in consideration for (i) the conversion of $44,500,000 in
intercompany indebtedness owed by the Company to Hollinger Inc., (ii) the
conversion of the Company's common stock already held by Hollinger Inc. and
(iii) the transfer of Hollinger Inc.'s 99.3% interest in Jerusalem Post to the
Company.
 
     Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock have identical rights with
respect to cash dividends and in any sale or liquidation, but different voting
rights. The Class A Common Stock is entitled to one vote per share, while the
Class B Common Stock is entitled to ten votes per share, on all matters,
including the election of directors, where the two classes vote together as a
single class.
 
     Class B Common Stock is convertible at any time at the option of Hollinger
Inc. into Class A Common Stock on a share-for-share basis and is transferable by
Hollinger Inc. under certain conditions.
 
     A significant portion of the Company's operating income and net earnings is
derived from foreign subsidiaries and affiliated companies. As an international
holding company, the Company's ability to meet its financial obligations is
dependent upon the availability of cash flows from foreign subsidiaries and
affiliated companies (subject to applicable withholding taxes) through
dividends, intercompany advances, management fees and other payments. The
Company's subsidiaries and affiliated companies are under no obligation to pay
dividends. The deemed dividend to Hollinger Inc. represents net distributions to
Hollinger Inc. by DTH and its subsidiaries.
 
                                      F-24
<PAGE>   144
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
14. OTHER INCOME
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1993       1994       1995
                                                            -------    -------    -------
                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>
        Gain on sale of The Telegraph shares (note 2)....   $ 7,328    $80,592    $    --
        Gain on dilution of Fairfax interest (note 3)....     3,609         --         --
        Gain on sale of marketable securities............    17,601         --     11,968
        Other............................................       575        228      2,730
                                                            -------    -------    -------
                                                            $29,113    $80,820    $14,698
                                                            =======    =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
15. MINORITY INTEREST
 
     Minority interest in the consolidated statements of operations is comprised
of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1993       1994       1995
                                                            -------    -------    -------
                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>
        Minority interest in The Telegraph earnings......   $20,047    $15,354    $13,359
        Dividends on FDTH and DTH redeemable preferred
          stock, net of related interest rate swap
          adjustments....................................     5,428      6,055      9,278
                                                            -------    -------    -------
                                                            $25,475    $21,409    $22,637
                                                            =======    =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
16. STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
     During May 1994, the Company adopted the Hollinger International Inc. 1994
Stock Option Plan (the Plan). The Plan provides for the issuance of up to
1,337,400 shares of Class A Common Stock in connection with stock options
granted under such plan. The Plan authorizes the grant of incentive stock
options and nonqualified stock options.
 
     The exercise price for incentive stock options must be at least equal to
100% of the fair market value of the Class A Common Stock on the date of grant
of such option (110% in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a plan
participant who owns 10% or more of the voting power of all classes of stock of
the Company or its parent or subsidiary corporations). The exercise price for
nonqualified stock options must be at least equal to the average fair market
value of Class A Common Stock during the ten trading days ending on the third
trading day prior to the date of grant.
 
                                      F-25
<PAGE>   145
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     The Plan is administered by a committee of the Board of Directors. The
Committee has the authority to determine the employees to whom awards will be
made, the amount and type of awards, and the other terms and conditions of the
awards.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             NUMBER OF
                                                                               SHARES
                                                                             ----------
        <S>                                                                  <C>
        Balance at December 31, 1993......................................           --
        Options granted...................................................      505,500
                                                                             ----------
        Options outstanding at December 31, 1994..........................      505,500
        Options granted...................................................      355,000
        Options canceled..................................................      (29,000)
                                                                             ----------
        Options outstanding at December 31, 1995..........................      831,500
                                                                              =========
        Shares available for grant at December 31,
          1994............................................................      831,900
          1995............................................................      505,900
                                                                              =========
          Options exercisable at December 31, 1995........................      119,125
                                                                              =========
</TABLE>
 
     The shares have been granted at exercise prices between $12.40 and $13.00.
 
     The Telegraph has several option plans under which options have been
granted to executives and certain employees. At December 31, 1995 options for
5,465,000 ordinary shares had been granted with 1,088,749 options exercisable at
December 31, 1995. Total ordinary shares outstanding at December 31, 1995 were
136,250,000.
 
17. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
     (a) The Telegraph has guaranteed the joint venture partners' share of
leasing obligations to third parties of the printing joint ventures which
amounted to $44,236,000 (L28,484,000) at December 31, 1995. These obligations
are also guaranteed jointly and severally by each joint venture partner.
 
     (b) In connection with the Company's insurance program, letters of credit
are required to support certain projected workers' compensation obligations. At
December 31, 1995, letters of credit in the amount of $2,488,000 were
outstanding.
 
     (c) See note 12 for the Company's indemnity to the holders of preference
shares of FDTH and DTH.
 
                                      F-26
<PAGE>   146
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
18. SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
     The Company operates principally in the business of publishing, printing
and distribution of newspapers and magazines and holds investments principally
in companies which operate in the same business as the Company. The following is
a summary of the geographic segments of the Company:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993
                                               -----------------------------------------------------
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                UNITED        UNITED         OTHER
                                                 TOTAL          STATES       KINGDOM       COUNTRIES
                                               ----------      --------      --------      ---------
<S>                                            <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>
Operating revenues to unaffiliated
  customers...............................     $  569,601      $166,480      $384,558       $18,563
                                               ==========      ========      ========      ========
Operating costs...........................     $  477,738      $147,898      $313,247       $16,593
General corporate expenses................          4,069         2,093         1,586           390
                                               ----------      --------      --------      --------
Total operating costs and expenses........     $  481,807      $149,991      $314,833       $16,983
                                               ==========      ========      ========      ========
Operating income..........................     $   87,794      $ 16,489      $ 69,725       $ 1,580
                                               ==========      ========      ========      ========
Equity in earnings of affiliates..........     $   13,476            --            --       $13,476
                                               ==========      ========      ========      ========
Identifiable assets.......................     $  626,273      $311,435      $276,722       $38,116
Investments in affiliates.................        407,882            --       407,882            --
                                               ----------      --------      --------      --------
Total assets..............................     $1,034,155      $311,435      $684,604       $38,116
                                               ==========      ========      ========      ========
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
                                               -----------------------------------------------------
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                UNITED        UNITED         OTHER
                                                 TOTAL          STATES       KINGDOM       COUNTRIES
                                               ----------      --------      --------      ---------
<S>                                            <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>
Operating revenues to unaffiliated
  customers...............................     $  808,837      $403,357      $386,243       $19,237
                                               ==========      ========      ========      ========
Operating costs...........................     $  733,397      $362,390      $353,924       $17,083
General corporate expenses................          4,911         3,155         1,356           400
                                               ----------      --------      --------      --------
Total operating costs and expenses........     $  738,308      $365,545      $355,280       $17,483
                                               ==========      ========      ========      ========
Operating income..........................     $   70,529      $ 37,812      $ 30,963       $ 1,754
                                               ==========      ========      ========      ========
Equity in earnings of affiliates..........     $   35,659            --            --       $35,659
                                               ==========      ========      ========      ========
Identifiable assets.......................     $1,002,263      $596,270      $366,143       $39,850
Investments in affiliates.................        461,492            --       461,492            --
                                               ----------      --------      --------      --------
Total assets..............................     $1,463,755      $596,270      $827,635       $39,850
                                               ==========      ========      ========      ========
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                              -----------------------------------------------------
                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                               UNITED        UNITED         OTHER
                                                TOTAL          STATES       KINGDOM       COUNTRIES
                                              ----------      --------      --------      ---------
<S>                                           <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>
Operating revenues to unaffiliated
  customers..............................     $  964,967      $538,018      $405,037       $21,912
                                              ==========      ========      ========      ========
Operating costs..........................     $  903,874      $503,530      $380,214       $20,130
General corporate expenses...............          5,605         3,714         1,491           400
                                              ----------      --------      --------      --------
Total operating costs and expenses.......     $  909,479      $507,244      $381,705       $20,530
                                              ==========      ========      ========      ========
Operating income.........................     $   55,488      $ 30,774      $ 23,332       $ 1,382
                                              ==========      ========      ========      ========
Equity in earnings of affiliates.........     $   16,449            --            --       $16,449
                                              ==========      ========      ========      ========
Identifiable assets......................     $1,106,578      $722,978      $361,527       $22,073
Investments in affiliates................        463,527            --       463,527            --
                                              ----------      --------      --------      --------
Total assets.............................     $1,570,105      $722,978      $825,054       $22,073
                                              ==========      ========      ========      ========
</TABLE>
 
     The "Other Countries" geographic segment includes operations in Australia,
Canada and Israel.
 
                                      F-27
<PAGE>   147
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
19. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
     On July 27, 1995, under the terms of the Reorganization, FDTH paid to
Hollinger Inc. cash of L46,000,000 ($73,437,000) as partial consideration for
its direct and indirect interest in Southam. As described in note 1, the
consolidated financial statements for all periods are presented to include this
acquisition by FDTH on an "as-if" pooling-of-interests basis. Accordingly, the
cash consideration paid of $73,437,000 on July 27, 1995 is reflected as an
amount due to Hollinger Inc. as of December 31, 1994. The excess of Hollinger
Inc.'s historical equity carrying value of its investment in Southam (net of
accumulated earnings in respect of the investment) over the cash consideration
paid is reflected as an increase in paid-in capital.
 
     In addition, the Company is obligated to pay Hollinger Inc. $13,832,000 as
a combined DTH/FDTH working capital adjustment under the terms of the
Reorganization. As described in note 1, the consolidated financial statements
for all periods are presented to include the acquisition of DTH on an "as-if"
pooling-of-interests basis. Accordingly, this additional purchase consideration
has been reflected as an amount due to Hollinger Inc. as of December 31, 1994.
Approximately $6,000,000 of this amount was paid to Hollinger Inc. in December
1995. The remaining amount payable is reflected as an amount due to Hollinger
Inc. as of December 31, 1995.
 
     As of December 31, 1995, the Company is obligated to pay $3,500,000 to
Hollinger Inc. for expenses incurred by Hollinger Inc. in connection with the
Reorganization.
 
     Other than the amounts due to Hollinger Inc. with respect to the
Reorganization, all other amounts due to Hollinger Inc. represent cash advances
and management and administrative expenses billed by Hollinger Inc. and a
corporate affiliate of Hollinger Inc. Hollinger Inc. and its affiliate billed
the Company for allocable expenses amounting to $4,069,000, $4,911,000 and
$5,605,000 for 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
20. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
     On February 7, 1996, the Company completed the public sale of 14,000,000
shares of Class A Common Stock, at $9.25 per share, and $250,000,000 principal
amount of 9.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due February 1, 2006, at par. Net
proceeds of $365,770,000 were used to repay short-term bank loans of
$130,000,000 due September 6, 1996 (see note 6) and long-term bank loans, due
1996-2001, of $160,000,000 (see note 7). The Company also repaid short-term debt
due to Hollinger Inc. of $20,843,000. The Company expensed the related
unamortized deferred financing fees of approximately $3,600,000 upon repayment
of the short-term and long-term debt.
 
     The remaining proceeds of approximately $49,000,000 (after paying accrued
interest and costs associated with the offering) and a new bank loan facility of
$100,000,000 are available to meet Company's future operating requirements.
 
     On February 19, 1996, the underwriters exercised in full, their option, to
purchase 2,100,000 additional Class A Common Shares at the initial per share
price to the public. The proceeds of $18,858,000, net of underwriting discount,
are available to meet the Company's future operating requirements.
 
                                      F-28
<PAGE>   148
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
21. SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     Summarized balance sheet and income statement data for Hollinger
International Publishing Inc. is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1993         1994          1995
                                                             --------     ---------     ---------
                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                          <C>          <C>           <C>
Balance Sheet Data:
Current assets............................................   $125,785       253,568       197,567
Total assets..............................................   1,034,155    1,463,755     1,569,292
Current liabilities.......................................     97,309       250,357       263,929
Total liabilities.........................................    549,086       832,835       813,299
Minority interest.........................................     79,290       109,518        97,297
Redeemable preferred stock................................    125,880       123,135       226,982
Stockholders' equity......................................    279,899       398,267       431,714

Income Statement Data:
Operating revenues........................................    569,901       808,837       964,967
Operating income..........................................     87,794        70,529        55,488
Net earnings..............................................     25,789       102,772        10,014
                                                             --------     ---------     ---------
</TABLE>
 
22. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
     Quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995 are
as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1994
                                                  ------------------------------------------------
                                                   FIRST        SECOND       THIRD        FOURTH
                                                  QUARTER      QUARTER      QUARTER       QUARTER
                                                  --------     --------     --------     ---------
                                                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                               <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Operating revenues.............................   $151,501     $289,908     $137,556     $229,872
Operating income...............................     30,873       17,945        3,698       18,013
Gain on sale of The Telegraph shares...........         --       80,592           --           --
Net earnings...................................     12,371       73,033        2,846       14,522
Net earnings per common share..................       0.25         1.37         0.05         0.25
Weighted average common shares outstanding.....     48,601       53,283       56,956       56,956
                                                  --------     --------     --------     ---------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1995
                                                  ------------------------------------------------
                                                   FIRST        SECOND       THIRD        FOURTH
                                                  QUARTER      QUARTER      QUARTER       QUARTER
                                                  --------     --------     --------     ---------
                                                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                               <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Operating revenues.............................   $214,438     $205,666     $229,623     $315,240
Operating income...............................     15,454       15,488        7,462       17,084
Gain on sale of The Telegraph shares...........     11,968           --           --           --
Net earnings (loss)............................      7,741        4,301        1,493       (7,333)
Net earnings (loss) per common share...........       0.14         0.07         0.03        (0.13)
Weighted average common shares outstanding.....     56,956       56,956       56,956       56,956
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-29
<PAGE>   149
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
 
                              AS OF MARCH 31, 1996
                             (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   MARCH 31,
                                                                                      1996
                                                                                   ----------
<S>                                                                                <C>
                                     ASSETS
Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents..................................................   $   92,684
     Accounts receivable, net...................................................      140,633
     Inventories................................................................       23,164
     Other current assets.......................................................       13,618
                                                                                   ----------
          Total current assets..................................................      270,099
Property, plant, and equipment, net.............................................      189,461
Intangible assets, net..........................................................      526,972
Investments in affiliates.......................................................      478,566
Other assets....................................................................      187,504
                                                                                   ----------
                                                                                   $1,652,602
                                                                                   ==========
                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
     Bank loans.................................................................   $    9,157
     Current installments of long-term debt.....................................       55,154
     Accounts payable...........................................................       36,576
     Accrued expenses...........................................................       64,758
     Deferred revenue...........................................................       24,489
     Income taxes payable.......................................................        7,128
     Due to Hollinger Inc.......................................................        4,074
                                                                                   ----------
          Total current liabilities.............................................      201,336
Long-term debt, less current installments.......................................      509,857
Deferred income taxes...........................................................       73,430
Other liabilities...............................................................       29,153
                                                                                   ----------
          Total liabilities.....................................................      813,776
Minority interest...............................................................       97,738
Redeemable preferred stock......................................................      306,608
Stockholders' Equity............................................................      434,480
                                                                                   ----------
                                                                                   $1,652,602
                                                                                   ==========
</TABLE>
 
     The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.
 
                                      F-30
<PAGE>   150
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
          FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 AND MARCH 31, 1996
                 (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                              MARCH 31,
                                                                        ----------------------
                                                                          1995          1996
                                                                        --------      --------
<S>                                                                     <C>           <C>
Operating revenues:
     Advertising.....................................................   $151,621      $160,357
     Circulation.....................................................     59,466        76,049
     Job printing....................................................     11,563        12,621
     Other...........................................................      4,106         4,866
                                                                        --------      --------
          Total operating revenues...................................    226,756       253,893
                                                                        --------      --------
Operating costs and expenses:
     Operating costs.................................................    176,092       202,803
     General and administrative......................................     20,991        24,436
     Depreciation and amortization...................................     12,603        12,841
     Allocable expenses from Hollinger Inc...........................      1,537         1,940
                                                                        --------      --------
          Total operating costs and expenses.........................    211,223       242,020
                                                                        --------      --------
Operating income.....................................................     15,533        11,873
                                                                        --------      --------
Other income (expense):
     Interest expense, net...........................................    (10,761)      (12,564)
     Equity in earnings of affiliates................................      5,728         3,407
     Non-operating income............................................     12,499         2,501
                                                                        --------      --------
          Total other income (expense)...............................      7,466        (6,656)
                                                                        --------      --------
Earnings before income taxes, minority interest,
  and extraordinary item.............................................     22,999         5,217
Income taxes.........................................................      7,314         1,700
                                                                        --------      --------
Earnings before minority interest and extraordinary item.............     15,685         3,517
Minority interest....................................................      7,944         5,421
                                                                        --------      --------
Earnings (loss) before extraordinary item............................      7,741        (1,904)
Extraordinary loss on debt extinguishments...........................         --        (2,150)
                                                                        --------      --------
Net earnings (loss)..................................................   $  7,741      $ (4,054)
                                                                        ========      ========
Earnings (loss) per common share:
     Earnings (loss) before extraordinary item.......................   $   0.14      $  (0.03)
     Extraordinary loss on debt extinguishments......................         --         (0.03)
                                                                        --------      --------
Net earnings (loss) per common share.................................   $   0.14      $  (0.06)
                                                                        ========      ========
Weighted average common shares outstanding...........................     56,956        66,056
                                                                        ========      ========
</TABLE>
 
     The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.
 
                                      F-31
<PAGE>   151
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
          FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 AND MARCH 31, 1996
                             (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                               MARCH 31
                                                                        ----------------------
                                                                          1995          1996
                                                                        --------      --------
<S>                                                                     <C>           <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
     Net earnings (loss).............................................   $  7,741      $ (4,054)
     Items not involving cash:
          Depreciation and amortization..............................     12,682        12,841
          Equity in earnings of affiliates...........................     (5,427)       (2,896)
          Minority interest..........................................      7,944         5,421
          Gain on sale of investment.................................    (11,968)           --
          Other non-cash items.......................................      4,495         2,316
     Changes in working capital, net.................................    (28,906)        2,086
                                                                        --------      --------
          Cash provided by (used in) operating activities............    (13,439)       15,714
                                                                        --------      --------
Cash flows from investing activities:
     Capital expenditures............................................     (5,764)       (4,051)
     Proceeds from sales of assets...................................        163         2,484
     Acquisitions, net...............................................         --        (5,071)
     Collections on long-term receivable.............................      2,566         2,568
     Other...........................................................      1,400         1,196
                                                                        --------      --------
          Cash used in investing activities..........................     (1,635)       (2,874)
                                                                        --------      --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
     Changes in debt.................................................    (10,325)      (70,806)
     Changes in borrowings from Hollinger Inc........................    (72,811)        4,395
     Net proceeds from issuance of Class A common stock..............         --       141,511
     Dividends to minority interests.................................     (2,116)       (3,207)
     Cash dividends paid.............................................       (584)       (7,852)
     Other...........................................................        406        (7,942)
                                                                        --------      --------
          Cash provided by (used in) financing activities............    (85,430)       56,099
                                                                        --------      --------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash..............................      2,948           (65)
                                                                        --------      --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash......................................    (97,556)       68,874
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period.....................    117,425        23,810
                                                                        --------      --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period...........................   $ 19,869      $ 92,684
                                                                        ========      ========
</TABLE>
 
     The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.
 
                                      F-32
<PAGE>   152
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
     These unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Hollinger
International Inc. (the "Company") have been prepared pursuant to the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules and regulations and should be read in
conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto for the
three years ended December 31, 1995, included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The
accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect, in the opinion
of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the interim
financial statements. In the opinion of management, all such adjustments are of
a normal and recurring nature. The results of operations for interim periods are
not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal
year.
 
2. PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION AND PRESENTATION
 
     The Company is a subsidiary of Hollinger Inc., a Canadian Corporation,
which owns approximately 66.5% of the combined equity ownership interest and
approximately 88.2% of the combined voting power of the outstanding Common Stock
of the Company.
 
     These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements present the
accounts of Hollinger International Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company").
The Company's principal operating subsidiaries are the Chicago Sun-Times, Inc.
and subsidiaries ("CST"); American Publishing Company and subsidiaries ("APC");
and The Telegraph plc and subsidiaries ("Telegraph"). The Company's principal
operating affiliates (accounted for on the equity method) are John Fairfax
Holdings Limited and subsidiaries ("Fairfax") and Southam Inc. and subsidiaries
("Southam"). The Company's other significant subsidiaries are Hollinger
International Publishing Inc. ("Publishing"); the Sun-Times Company ("STC"); DT
Holdings Limited ("DTH"); and First DT Holdings Limited ("FDTH"). "Jerusalem
Post" refers to the subsidiaries of the Company which publish THE JERUSALEM
POST.
 
     All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been
eliminated. Prior period amounts include all reclassifications necessary to
conform to current presentations.
 
3. SALE OF SUBORDINATED NOTES AND COMMON STOCK
 
     During the first quarter of 1996, the Company sold $250.0 million principal
amount of 9.25% Senior Subordinated Notes, through Publishing, and 16.1 million
shares of Class A Common Stock at $9.25 per share. The combined net proceeds of
these sales were $384.6 million. This was used to repay $130.0 million of
short-term bank debt, $160.0 million of long-term bank debt, and $20.8 million
of short-term debt due to Hollinger Inc., plus accrued interest in each case.
The remaining proceeds were added to the Company's cash and cash equivalents for
use in general corporate purposes.
 
4. EXTRAORDINARY ITEM
 
     The extinguishment of three credit facilities prior to their expiration
dates required the recognition of a loss on extinguishment of debt of $3.5
million before tax benefits of $1.3 million. The loss represents the write-off
of unamortized deferred financing fees.
 
5. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
     On April 24, 1996, the Company announced a proposal to acquire all of the
outstanding ordinary shares of Telegraph not presently controlled by the Company
for 560p ($8.46) per share, plus a special cash dividend of 10p ($0.15) per
share and a contingent cash payment if Telegraph's 24.7% interest in Fairfax is
sold in the next two years at a price (net of any tax incurred in the disposal
or distribution of disposal proceeds) in excess of $3.00(Australian) per share.
The per share amount of any such additional cash payment will be paid pro rata
to minority shareholders of the Telegraph. The acquisition would take place via
a "scheme of
 
                                      F-33
<PAGE>   153
 
arrangement" under Section 425 of the English Companies Act of 1985 ("Plan") and
will require the approval of a majority in number, representing three-fourths in
value, of the relevant minority holders of Telegraph shares present and voting
at meetings of Telegraph's shareholders, as well as approval of an English
court.
 
The total consideration payable by the Company (including the special dividend
to be paid to the holders of Telegraph minority shares and the net amount
payable in respect of outstanding Telegraph options but not the contingent
payment related to Fairfax) is estimated at approximately $453 million, based on
recent exchange rates.
 
     The Company has received commitments for bank credit facilities and bridge
financing from certain financial institutions for short-term bank credit
facilities and bridge financing in the aggregate amount of approximately $600
million to provide the necessary financing for the transaction. In addition, the
Company is considering raising up to $150 million in equity financing, subject
to market conditions, which may be used to reduce or repay indebtedness to be
incurred in connection with the Plan. Consummation of the Plan is not
conditioned upon any such equity financing.
 
     On April 30, 1996, the Company concluded a strategic trade of several
newspapers with Garden State Newspapers, Inc. The Company acquired the
Tribune-Democrat in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, with a daily circulation of 46,000,
in exchange for six smaller daily newspapers, several weekly newspapers and
approximately $31.0 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments.
 
                                      F-34
<PAGE>   154
 
             PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     The following pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements give
effect to (i) the acquisition by FDTH of the Telegraph Minority Shares and
related borrowings, (ii) the acquisition of the Power Shares and related bank
borrowings by the Company, and (iii) adjustments to reflect (a) the Common Stock
Offering and the concurrent Trust Financing and the application of total net
proceeds therefrom (estimated to be $385.6 million, assuming that the
underwriters for the Common Stock Offering do not exercise their over-allotment
options) as described under "Use of Proceeds" and (b) the repayment of $147.5
million of Telegraph bank indebtedness. The pro forma condensed consolidated
balance sheet at March 31, 1996 assumes such transactions occurred on March 31,
1996. The pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations for the
three months ended March 31, 1996 and the year ended December 31, 1995 assume
such transactions occurred on January 1, 1995. The pro forma condensed
consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results
that actually would have occurred if the transactions had been completed on the
assumed dates nor are the statements indicative of future financial position or
results of operations. These pro forma condensed consolidated financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial
Statements of the Company and the information under "Selected Consolidated
Historical Financial Information and Other Data," "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Description of
Capital Stock," "Description of Certain Indebtedness and Other Obligations" and
"Description of Securities" included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                      F-35
<PAGE>   155
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                 PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
 
                                 MARCH 31, 1996
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             PRO FORMA
                                                        HOLLINGER           ADJUSTMENTS
                                                      INTERNATIONAL    ---------------------
                                                          INC.          DEBIT        CREDIT        PRO FORMA
                                                      -------------    --------     --------       ----------
<S>                                                   <C>              <C>           <C>          <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents........................     $    92,684                                $   92,684
  Accounts receivable, net.........................         140,633                                   140,633
  Inventories......................................          23,164                                    23,164
  Other current assets.............................          13,618                                    13,618
                                                         ----------                                ----------
    Total current assets...........................         270,099                                   270,099
  Investments in affiliates, at equity.............         478,566     214,747(a)                    755,003
                                                                         61,690(b)
  Property, plant and equipment, net...............         189,461                                   189,461
  Intangible assets, net...........................         526,972     293,979(b)                    820,951
  Other assets.....................................         187,504       3,300(o)                    197,304
                                                                          6,500(p)
                                                        -----------                                ----------
                                                        $ 1,652,602                                $2,232,818
                                                        ===========                                ==========
Current liabilities:
  Bank indebtedness................................     $     9,157       9,157(f)   214,747(a)    $  439,829
                                                                        249,938(e)     3,300(o)
                                                                        143,447(c)     6,500(p)
                                                                                     453,407(b)
                                                                                       7,748(d)
                                                                                     147,512(f)
  Current installments of long-term debt...........          55,154      35,271(f)                     19,883
  Accounts payable.................................          36,576                                    36,576
  Accrued expenses.................................          64,758                                    64,758
  Income taxes payable.............................           7,128                                     7,128
  Deferred revenue.................................          24,489                                    24,489
  Due to Hollinger Inc.............................           4,074                                     4,074
                                                        -----------                                ----------
    Total current liabilities......................         201,336                                   596,737
Long-term debt, less current installments..........         509,857     103,084(f)                    406,773
Deferred income taxes..............................          73,430                                    73,430
Other liabilities..................................          29,153                                    29,153
                                                        -----------                                ----------
Total liabilities..................................         813,776                                 1,106,093
                                                        -----------                                ----------
Minority interest..................................          97,738      97,738(b)                         --
                                                        -----------                                ----------
Redeemable preference shares of DTH and FDTH.......         227,083                                   227,083
                                                        -----------                                ----------
Redeemable preferred securities of subsidiary......              --                  249,938(e)       249,938
                                                        -----------                                ----------
Series A Redeemable Stock..........................          79,525                                    79,525
                                                        -----------                                ----------
Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock.....................................             730                      130(c)           860
  Additional paid-in capital.......................         303,960       7,748(d)   143,317(c)       439,529
  Other equity.....................................           5,373                                     5,373
  Retained earnings................................         124,417                                   124,417
                                                        -----------                                ----------
    Total stockholders' equity.....................         434,480                                   570,179
                                                        -----------                                ----------
                                                        $ 1,652,602                                $2,232,818
                                                        ===========                                ==========
</TABLE>
 
              The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
             pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-36
<PAGE>   156
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
                       THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PRO FORMA
                                                       HOLLINGER         ADJUSTMENTS
                                                     INTERNATIONAL    ------------------
                                                         INC.         DEBIT       CREDIT      PRO FORMA
                                                     -------------    ------      ------      ---------
<S>                                                  <C>              <C>         <C>         <C>
Operating revenues................................      $253,893                               $253,893
Operating costs and expenses......................       229,179                                229,179
Depreciation and amortization.....................        12,841       1,837(j)                  14,678
                                                        --------                               --------
Operating income..................................        11,873                                 10,036
Other income (expense):
  Interest expense, net...........................       (12,564)      9,703(i)    3,070(l)     (18,581)
                                                                       3,758(h)    4,374(m)
  Equity in earnings of affiliates................         3,407         386(j)                   2,517(q)
                                                                         504(g)
  Other income, net...............................         2,501                                  2,501
                                                        --------                               --------
Earnings (loss) before income taxes, minority
  interest and extraordinary item.................         5,217                                 (3,527)
Income taxes (benefit)............................         1,700                   2,144(r)        (444)
                                                        --------                               --------
Earnings (loss) before minority interest and
  extraordinary item..............................         3,517                                 (3,083)
Minority interest.................................         5,421       4,500(n)    2,214(k)       7,707
                                                        --------                               --------
Loss before extraordinary item....................        (1,904)                               (10,790)
Extraordinary loss on debt extinguishments........        (2,150)                                (2,150)
                                                        --------                               --------
Net loss..........................................      $ (4,054)                              $(12,940)
                                                        ========                               ========
Loss per common share:
  Loss before extraordinary item..................      $  (0.03)                              $  (0.13)
  Extraordinary loss on debt extinguishments......      $  (0.03)                              $  (0.03)
                                                        --------                               --------
Net loss per common share.........................      $  (0.06)                              $  (0.16)
                                                        ========                               ========
Weighted average common shares outstanding........        66,056                                 79,056
                                                        ========                               ========
</TABLE>
 
              The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
             pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-37
<PAGE>   157
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

            PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PRO FORMA
                                                       HOLLINGER         ADJUSTMENTS
                                                     INTERNATIONAL    ------------------
                                                         INC.         DEBIT       CREDIT      PRO FORMA
                                                     -------------    ------      ------      ---------
<S>                                                  <C>              <C>         <C>         <C>
Operating revenues................................      $964,967                               $964,967
Operating costs and expenses......................       857,091                                857,091
Depreciation and amortization.....................        52,388       7,349(j)                  59,737
                                                        --------                               --------
Operating income..................................        55,488                                 48,139
Other income (expense):
  Interest expense................................       (43,189)     38,812(i)   12,279(l)     (67,258)
                                                                      15,032(h)   17,496(m)
  Equity in earnings of affiliates................        16,449       1,542(j)                   2,901(q)
                                                                      12,006(g)
  Interest and dividend income....................         4,590                                  4,590
  Foreign currency losses, net....................        (1,089)                                (1,089)
  Other income, net...............................        14,698                                 14,698
                                                        --------                               --------
Earnings before income taxes and minority
  interest........................................        46,947                                  1,981
Income taxes......................................        18,108                   8,600(r)       9,508
                                                        --------                               --------
Earnings before minority interest.................        28,839                                 (7,527)
Minority interest.................................        22,637      18,000(n)   13,256(k)      27,381
                                                        --------                               --------
Net earnings (loss)...............................      $  6,202                               ($34,908)
                                                        ========                               ========
Net earnings (loss) per common share..............      $   0.11                               ($  0.50)
                                                        ========                               ========
Weighted average common shares outstanding........        56,956                                 69,956
                                                        ========                               ========
</TABLE>
 
              The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
             pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-38
<PAGE>   158
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

         NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
The pro forma adjustments reflect the following:
 
     (a) On May 24, 1996, Hollinger Inc. acquired, through a wholly-owned
subsidiary, 16,349,743 common shares of Southam previously held by Power,
representing a 21.5% interest in Southam, at a price of $18.00 Cdn ($13.13 as at
May 31, 1996) per share. The total purchase price of $214.747 million was
financed through a bank credit facility. The Company has the right to acquire a
substantial equity interest of the company holding these Southam shares. These
pro forma financial statements have been prepared on the basis that the Company
has acquired the 21.5% interest in Southam and made the related bank borrowings.
 
     The preliminary allocation of the acquisition cost indicates an amount in
excess of the Company's share of Southam's net tangible assets of $196.9
million, which has been allocated to intangible assets of Southam and amortized
on a straight line basis over 40 years.
 
     The preliminary allocation of the acquisition cost has been made based upon
the estimated fair values of the net tangible assets of Southam and is subject
to further adjustments. However, the Company does not expect the estimated
values to change materially upon finalization of the allocation of the
acquisition cost.
 
     The pro forma consolidated statements of operations have been prepared
assuming the acquisition of the additional 21.5% interest in Southam was
consummated as of January 1, 1995. The pro forma consolidated balance sheet has
been prepared assuming the acquisition of the additional Southam shares was
consummated March 31, 1996.
 
     (b) On April 24, 1996, the Company announced a proposal to acquire all of
the outstanding ordinary shares of The Telegraph not presently controlled by the
Company, representing approximately a 36% interest in The Telegraph. The
purchase price under the proposal is L5.60 ($8.68 as at May 31, 1996) per share,
plus a special cash dividend of 10p ($0.15) per share and a contingent payment
described below. The total consideration payable by the Company, including the
special dividend, is L292.615 million ($453.407 million), to be financed by bank
credit facilities.
 
     This acquisition will be accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting and will result in the elimination of all of the minority interest in
The Telegraph. The preliminary allocation of the excess purchase price results
in $61.690 million ascribed to the investment in Fairfax and $293.979 million
ascribed to intangible assets of The Telegraph, both of which are amortized on a
straight line basis over 40 years.
 
     These preliminary allocations of the purchase price are subject to further
adjustment, however, the Company does not expect the estimated values to change
materially upon finalization of the allocation of the purchase price.
 
     Under the proposal the Company has agreed to pay a contingent cash payment
in the event that The Telegraph's interest in Fairfax is sold prior to the
second anniversary of the effective date of the Scheme at a price in excess of
A$3.00 per share. The pro forma financial statements do not reflect any
adjustment in respect of this contingent cash payment.
 
     In addition, the pro forma financial statements have been prepared on the
basis that all shareholders elect to receive an immediate cash payment for the
special dividend and do not reflect any contingently issuable preference shares
of The Telegraph under purchase options granted to Telegraph minority
shareholders.
 
     The pro forma consolidated statements of operations have been prepared
assuming the purchase of the Telegraph minority shares was consummated as of
January 1, 1995. The pro forma balance sheet has been prepared assuming the
purchase of the Telegraph minority shares was consummated as of March 31, 1996.
 
                                      F-39
<PAGE>   159
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

         NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
     (c) Represents the net proceeds from the issuance of 13,000,000 shares of
Class A Common Stock and the use of the proceeds to partially repay the bank
borrowings used to finance the acquisition of the Telegraph minority shares and
the additional shares in Southam.
 
     (d) The proceeds of $249.9 million from the issuance of           ,      %
PRIDES will be used to purchase U.S. Treasury Notes, the beneficial ownership of
which will be transferred to the holders of the PRIDES. The related issue costs
will be financed by bank borrowings and charged against paid-in capital. The pro
forma condensed consolidated financial statements do not reflect the yield
enhancement payments on the PRIDES, the amount of which is not presently known.
The present value of such amount will be reflected as a liability and a charge
against paid-in capital. These pro forma condensed consolidated financial
statements also do not reflect the issuance of Class A Common Stock which will
occur on the Final Settlement Date.
 
     (e) Represents the net proceeds from the issuance of redeemable preferred
securities by a trust, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the
"Trust Financing") and the use of proceeds to repay bank borrowings.
 
     (f) Represents the repayment of Telegraph bank loans, including $9.157
million of short-term loans, financed by bank credit facilities.
 
     (g) Represents the additional equity earnings (loss) of Southam, net of the
amortization of the underlying intangible assets, as a result of the acquisition
of an additional 21.5% interest in Southam.
 
     (h) Represents interest expense at approximately 7.0% on the funds borrowed
to fund the acquisition of the additional Southam interest.
 
     (i) Represents interest expense at approximately 8.6% on the funds borrowed
to fund the acquisition of Telegraph minority interest.
 
     (j) Represents the amortization of the intangible assets arising on the
acquisition of all of the minority interest shares of The Telegraph.
 
     (k) Represents the elimination of the minority stockholders' interest in
The Telegraph's net earnings resulting from the acquisition of the Telegraph
minority shares.
 
     (l) Represents the reduction in interest expense on the bank borrowings, at
approximately 8.6%, assumed to be repaid by the net proceeds of the issuance of
shares of Class A Common Stock.
 
     (m) Represents the reduction in interest expense, on bank borrowings at
approximately 7%, assumed to be repaid by the net proceeds of the Trust
Financing.
 
     (n) Represents the dividends paid on the redeemable preferred securities
issued in respect of the Trust Financing.
 
     (o) Represents payment of approximately $3.3 million of financing fees in
respect of the bank credit facility used to finance the additional Southam
shares.
 
     (p) Represents payment of approximately $6.5 million of financing fees in
respect of the bank credit facilities used to finance the acquisition of the
Telegraph minority shares and to repay the Telegraph bank loans, and the
associated borrowing of an equal amount.
 
                                      F-40
<PAGE>   160
 
                 HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

         NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
     (q) Equity earnings in affiliates is comprised of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   THREE MONTHS ENDED         YEAR ENDED
                                                     MARCH 31, 1996       DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                   ------------------     ------------------
                                                            (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
          <S>                                      <C>                    <C>
          Fairfax...............................         $1,896                $ 23,120
          Southam...............................           (938)                (22,974)
          Printing joint ventures...............          1,559                   2,755
                                                         ------                --------
                                                         $2,517                $  2,901
                                                         ======                ========
</TABLE>
 
     Equity earnings in Southam for the year ended December 31, 1995 reflects
the Company's approximate 41% interest in a special charge, net of a related tax
benefit, in the amount of $24,026,000.
 
     (r) Represents the tax effect of the pro forma adjustments.
 
The pro forma adjustments do not reflect the following:
 
     (aa) Costs and expenses of approximately $     associated with the
acquisition of the Telegraph minority shares and the additional interest in
Southam.
 
     (bb) The April 30, 1996 exchange of newspapers with Garden State
Newspapers, Inc. and the related cash consideration paid by the Company of
approximately $31.0 million.
 
                                      F-41
<PAGE>   161
 
             ------------------------------------------------------
             ------------------------------------------------------
 
  NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OF OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING COVERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS. IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE COMPANY OR THE UNDERWRITERS. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER
TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK IN ANY
JURISDICTION WHERE, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER
OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE
HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS
NOT BEEN ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN THE AFFAIRS
OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Prospectus Summary.....................    4
Risk Factors...........................   21
The Company............................   33
Use of Proceeds........................   38
Market Prices and Dividend Policy......   39
Capitalization.........................   40
Selected Consolidated Historical
  Financial Information and Other
  Data.................................   43
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
  Financial Condition and Results of
  Operations...........................   46
Business...............................   59
Management.............................   79
Certain Relationships..................   82
Description of Capital Stock...........   86
Description of Certain Indebtedness and
  Other Obligations....................   90
Description of Subordinated Notes......   99
Description of the Securities..........  100
Description of the Purchase
  Contracts............................  101
Certain Provisions of the Purchase
  Contract Agreement and the Pledge
  Agreement............................  108
Certain Federal Income Tax
  Consequences.........................  110
Underwriting...........................  114
Legal Matters..........................  115
Exchange Rates.........................  116
Experts................................  117
Available Information..................  117
Incorporation of Certain Documents
  by Reference.........................  118
Index to Financial Statements..........  F-1
</TABLE>
 
             ------------------------------------------------------
             ------------------------------------------------------
             ------------------------------------------------------
             ------------------------------------------------------
 
                             21,500,000 SECURITIES
 
                                      LOGO
 
                                      % PRIDESSM
 
                          ---------------------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
                          ---------------------------
                              MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
 
                            BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
                          DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
                             SECURITIES CORPORATION
 
                                           , 1996
             ------------------------------------------------------
             ------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   162
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
     The estimated expenses to be paid by the Company in connection with the
distribution of the securities being registered are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                               <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission filing fee..................   $ 96,449
NYSE listing fee...............................................       *  
Rating agency fee..............................................       *  
Accounting fees and expenses...................................       *  
Legal fees and expenses........................................       *  
Printing and engraving expenses................................       *  
Transfer agent's fees..........................................       *  
Trustee's fees.................................................       *  
Bluesky fees and expenses (including counsel fees).............       *  
Miscellaneous expenses.........................................       *  
                                                                  --------
  Total........................................................   $   *  
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
* To be supplied by amendment.
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that no
director of the Company will be personally liable to the Company or any of its
stockholders for monetary damages arising from the director's breach of the duty
of care as a director, with certain limited exceptions.
 
     Pursuant to the provisions of Section 145 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law, every Delaware corporation has the power to indemnify any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (other than an
action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is
or was a director, officer, employee or agent of any corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any and all expenses,
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding. The power to indemnify applies
only if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed
to be in the best interest, or not opposed to the best interest, of the
corporation and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
 
     The power to indemnify applies to actions brought by or in the right of the
corporation as well, but only to the extent of defense and settlement expenses
and to any satisfaction of a judgment or settlement of the claim itself, and
with the further limitation that in such actions no indemnification shall be
made in the event of any adjudication or liability unless the court, in its
discretion, believes that in light of all the circumstances indemnification
should apply.
 
     To the extent any of the persons referred to in the two immediately
preceding paragraphs is successful in the defense of the actions referred to
therein, such person is entitled, pursuant to Section 145, to indemnification as
described above.
 
     The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and
Restated Bylaws provide for indemnification to officers and directors of the
Company to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.
 
     The Company maintains a policy of liability insurance which insures its
officers and directors against losses resulting from certain wrongful acts
committed by them in their capacity as officers and directors of the Company.
 
     The form of U.S. Purchase Agreement included as Exhibit 1.01 and the form
of International Purchase Agreement included as Exhibit 1.02 provide for
indemnifying the Company and certain controlling persons
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   163
 
under certain circumstances, including indemnification for liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Company
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Company has been informed that in the
opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore
unenforceable.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
     (a) EXHIBITS. The following exhibits are filed as part of this registration
statement:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT                                                                     PRIOR FILING OR
NUMBER                             DESCRIPTION                          SEQUENTIAL PAGE NUMBER
- -------      -------------------------------------------------------   -------------------------
<C>          <S>                                                       <C>
   1.01      Form of U.S. Underwriting Agreement with respect to the
             PRIDES.*
   1.02      Form of International Underwriting Agreement with
             respect to the PRIDES.*
   4.01      Form of Purchase Contract Agreement, between Hollinger
             International Inc. and                , as Purchase
             Contract Agent (including as Exhibit A the form of the
             Security Certificate).*
   4.02      Form of Pledge Agreement, among Hollinger International
             Inc.,                 , as Collateral Agent and
                         as Purchase Contract Agent.*
   4.03      Certificate of Trust of                    .*
   4.04      Declaration of Trust of                    .*
   4.05      Form of Trust Indenture relating to Subordinated Notes
             of Hollinger International Inc.*
   4.06      Form of Subordinated Note
   5.01      Opinion of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP*
   8.01      Tax Opinion of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP.*
  23.01      Consent of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP (included in
             Exhibits 5.01 and 8.01)*
  23.02      Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
  24.01      Powers of Attorney (included on signature page)
  25.01      Statement of Eligibility of Trustee*
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
* To be filed by amendment.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for the purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   164
 
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
     (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h)
under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration
statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
     (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall
be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   165
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, on June 21, 1996.
 
                                          HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC.
 
                                          By: /S/ CONRAD M.
                                          BLACK
 
                                              CONRAD M. BLACK,
                                              CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
                                                AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
 
     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Kenneth L. Serota and J. David Dodd, and
each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Registration
Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other
documentation in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done in or about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             SIGNATURE                                  TITLE                          DATE
- -----------------------------------   -----------------------------------------   --------------
<C>                                   <S>                                         <C>
        /S/ CONRAD M. BLACK           Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive      June 21, 1996
- -----------------------------------   Officer and Director (Principal Executive
          Conrad M. Black             Officer)
        /S/ F. DAVID RADLER           President, Chief Operating Officer and      June 21, 1996
- -----------------------------------   Director
          F. David Radler
         /S/ J. A. BOULTBEE           Vice President, Finance and Treasury        June 21, 1996
- -----------------------------------   (Principal Financial Officer)
          J. A. Boultbee
      /S/ FREDERICK A. CREASEY        Group Corporate Controller                  June 21, 1996
- -----------------------------------   (Principal Accounting Officer)
       Frederick A. Creasey
      /S/ BARBARA AMIEL BLACK         Vice President, Editorial and Director      June 21, 1996
- -----------------------------------
        Barbara Amiel Black
       /S/ DWAYNE O. ANDREAS          Director                                    June 21, 1996
- -----------------------------------
         Dwayne O. Andreas
                                      Director                                    June   , 1996
- -----------------------------------
           Richard Burt
                                      Director                                    June   , 1996
- -----------------------------------
        Raymond G. Chambers
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   166
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             SIGNATURE                                  TITLE                          DATE
- -----------------------------------   -----------------------------------------   --------------
<C>                                   <S>                                         <C>
        /S/ DANIEL W. COLSON          Director                                    June 21, 1996
- -----------------------------------
         Daniel W. Colson
       /S/ HENRY A. KISSINGER         Director                                    June 21, 1996
- -----------------------------------
        Henry A. Kissinger
       /S/ MARIE-JOSEE KRAVIS         Director                                    June 21, 1996
- -----------------------------------
        Marie-Josee Kravis
                                      Director                                    June   , 1966
- -----------------------------------
           Shmuel Meitar
        /S/ RICHARD N. PERLE          Director                                    June 21, 1966
- -----------------------------------
         Richard N. Perle
       /S/ ROBERT S. STRAUSS          Director                                    June 21, 1996
- -----------------------------------
         Robert S. Strauss
         /S/ ALFRED TAUBMAN           Director                                    June 21, 1966
- -----------------------------------
          Alfred Taubman
       /S/ JAMES R. THOMPSON          Director                                    June 21, 1966
- -----------------------------------
         James R. Thompson
        /S/ LORD WEIDENFELD           Director                                    June 21, 1966
- -----------------------------------
          Lord Weidenfeld
        /S/ LESLIE H. WEXNER          Director                                    June 21, 1996
- -----------------------------------
         Leslie H. Wexner
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   167
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT                                                                     PRIOR FILING OR
  NO.                              DESCRIPTION                          SEQUENTIAL PAGE NUMBER
- -------      -------------------------------------------------------   -------------------------
<C>          <S>                                                       <C>
   1.01      Form of U.S. Underwriting Agreement with respect to the
             PRIDES.*
   1.02      Form of International Underwriting Agreement with
             respect to the PRIDES.*
   4.01      Form of Purchase Contract Agreement, between Hollinger
             International Inc. and                     , as
             Purchase Contract Agent (including as Exhibit A the
             form of the Security Certificate).*
   4.02      Form of Pledge Agreement, among Hollinger International
             Inc.,                     , as Collateral Agent and
                                 , as Purchase Contract Agent.*
   4.03      Certificate of Trust of                     .*
   4.04      Declaration of Trust of                     .*
   4.05      Form of Trust Indenture relating to Subordinated Notes
             of Hollinger International Inc.*
   4.06      Form of Subordinated Note
   5.01      Opinion of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP*
   8.01      Tax Opinion of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP*
  23.01      Consent of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP (included in
             Exhibits 5.01 and 8.01)*
  23.02      Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
  24.01      Powers of Attorney (included on signature page)
  25.01      Statement of Eligibility of Trustee*
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
* To be filed by amendment.

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.02
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
The Board of Directors
Hollinger International Inc.
 
We consent to the user of our report dated February 27, 1996, relating to the
consolidated balance sheets of Hollinger International Inc. and subsidiaries as
of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1995, included in this Prospectus and
incorporated herein by reference from the Company's Annual Report on 1995 Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, and to the reference to our firm
under the heading "Selected Consolidated Historical Financial Information and
Other Data" and "Experts" in the prospectus.
 
                                          /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
June 21, 1996


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