Exhibit 5.1
December 15, 2000
PRIMEDIA Inc.
745 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10151
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am Vice Chairman, General Counsel and Secretary of PRIMEDIA Inc. (the
"Company") and I have acted as counsel for the Company in connection with the
preparation of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration
Statement") to be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange
Commission for the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of
5,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share (the
"Shares"), which are to be issued from time to time to certain employees of the
Company and its affiliates in connection with the PRIMEDIA Employee Stock
Purchase Plan (the "Plan").
I have examined the originals, certified copies or copies otherwise
identified to my satisfaction as being true copies of the Plan and such other
documents as I have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this
opinion.
Based on the foregoing, I am of the opinion that the Shares have been
duly and validly authorized and reserved for issuance, and that the Shares, when
issued under the terms of the Plan, will be legally and validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable.
I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Beverly C. Chell
