ARGYLE TELEVISION INC
424B3, 1997-09-12
TELEVISION BROADCASTING STATIONS
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<PAGE>
 
                                               Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
                                                         SEC File No. 333-35051
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                        HEARST-ARGYLE TELEVISION, INC.
 
                   4,599,260 SHARES OF SERIES A COMMON STOCK
 
  This Prospectus relates to 4,599,260 shares (the "Shares") of Series A
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Series A Common Stock"), of
Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"). The
Company is the successor to the combined operations of Argyle Television, Inc,
a Delaware corporation ("Argyle"), and the television broadcast group of The
Hearst Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Hearst"), pursuant to a merger
transaction that was consummated on August 29, 1997 (the "Hearst
Transaction"). In the Hearst Transaction, Hearst contributed its television
broadcast group to Argyle and merged a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hearst with
and into Argyle, with Argyle as the surviving corporation renamed "Hearst-
Argyle Television, Inc." See "The Company."
 
  This Prospectus relates to Shares that may be offered from time to time for
the account of certain selling stockholders (the "Selling Stockholders") who
acquired shares of Series A Common Stock in the Hearst Transaction. See
"Selling Stockholders." The Company has agreed to register the Shares offered
hereunder and to pay the expenses of such registration. Such expenses,
including legal and accounting fees, are estimated to be $120,000. All selling
and other expenses incurred by the Selling Stockholders will be borne by the
Selling Stockholders. The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale
of the Shares offered hereby. See "Use of Proceeds."
 
  The Selling Stockholders may sell the Shares offered hereunder from time to
time in one or more transactions (including block transactions) on the Nasdaq
Stock Market, in negotiated transactions, in combinations of such
transactions, or otherwise. The Selling Stockholders may effect such
transactions by selling shares of Series A Common Stock directly, or to or
through underwriters, dealers, brokers or agents, or any combination thereof.
Any sales may be made at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at
prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. If
and to the extent required, specific information regarding any sale
transaction will be set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement. See
"Plan of Distribution."
 
  The Company's Series A Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol "HATV." On August 29, 1997, the closing sales price of the
Series A Common Stock, as reported on the Nasdaq National Market, was $28.00
per share.
 
                               ----------------
 
  PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE SERIES A COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY SHOULD
CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE MATTERS SET FORTH UNDER "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON
PAGE 3 HEREIN.
 
                               ----------------
 
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.
 
                               ----------------
 
              The date of this Prospectus is September 10, 1997.
<PAGE>
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
  The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company may be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's
Regional Offices located at Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison
Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511 and Seven World Trade Center,
New York, New York 10048. Copies of such materials can be obtained upon
written request from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. In addition,
such materials may also be inspected and copied at the offices of the Nasdaq
Stock Market, Inc. Listing Section, 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20006, where copies may be obtained at prescribed rates. Copies of reports,
proxy statements and other information electronically filed with the
Commission by the Company may be inspected by accessing the Commission's World
Wide Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
 
  The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form
S-3 (herein, together with all amendments and exhibits, referred to as the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"). This Prospectus does not contain all the information set
forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further
information, reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement. Such
additional information may be obtained from the Commission's principal office
in Washington, D.C. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents
of any contract or other document referred to herein or therein are not
necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of
such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement or such other document. A copy of the Registration Statement and the
exhibits and schedules thereto may be examined without charge at the
Commission's principal offices at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies of such materials can be obtained from the
Public Reference Section of the Commission at prescribed rates.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
  The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission (File No.
0-27000) pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by reference:
(i) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996; (ii)
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997; (iii)
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997; (iv)
Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 31, 1997, filed on February 14, 1997,
as amended by Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated January 31, 1997, filed on
April 15, 1997; (v) Proxy Statement/Prospectus filed on July 31, 1997; (vi)
Form 8-A/A filed on September 5, 1997; and (vii) all 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 of the Securities.
 
  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 any such
person, a copy of any or all of the documents which are incorporated herein by
reference, other than exhibits to such documents (unless such exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference into such documents). Requests should
be directed to Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc., 888 Seventh Avenue, New York,
New York 10106, Attention: Corporate Secretary (tel. (212) 649-2000).
 
  Any statement contained in a document all or a portion of which is
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed
to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent
that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document
which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified shall not be deemed to
constitute a part of this Prospectus except as so modified, and any statement
so superseded shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Prospectus.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  The following risk factors should be considered carefully by prospective
purchasers of the Shares. These factors should be considered in conjunction
with the other information included and incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus.
 
RELIANCE ON ABC TELEVISION NETWORK
 
  Nine of the 12 television stations owned by the Company as of the date of
this Prospectus are ABC affiliates. On a pro forma basis, these nine stations
would have accounted for approximately 73% of the combined revenues and
approximately 76% of the combined broadcast cash flow of Argyle and the
television broadcast group of Hearst (the "Hearst Broadcast Group"), which was
contributed to Argyle in connection with the Hearst Transaction, for the year
ended December 31, 1996. The television viewership levels for each of these
stations are materially dependent upon network programming. There can be no
assurance that such programming will achieve or maintain satisfactory
viewership levels in the future. Each of these stations is a party to a
network affiliation agreement giving such station the right to rebroadcast
programs transmitted by the network. Five of the six television stations
contributed to the Company by Hearst are affiliated with the ABC network. The
term of each of the Hearst Broadcast Group's affiliation agreements with ABC
is two years, renewable for successive two-year periods, and each affiliation
agreement is subject to cancellation by either party upon six months notice to
the other party, except with respect to WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In WTAE's case, the affiliation agreement is not subject to cancellation on
six months notice, and the term of the affiliation agreement will be
successively renewed unless either party gives the other notice of non-renewal
six months prior to the end of the then current term. Regarding WBAL-TV, the
NBC affiliate in Baltimore, Maryland, the term of the affiliation agreement is
a period of seven years and is subject to successive three-year renewals
unless either party gives the other notice of non-renewal 12 months prior to
the end of the then current term. Each network, including ABC, has the right
to terminate its affiliation agreement in the event of a material breach of
such agreement by a station and in certain other circumstances. In 1994,
negotiations commenced to revise Hearst's ABC affiliation agreements to
provide, among other things, for 10-year terms and increased compensation.
Such agreements are still in the process of negotiation and documentation and
have not been finalized, although the Company is receiving its increased
compensation. Although the Company expects to continue to be able to renew its
network affiliation agreements, no assurance can be given that such renewals
will be obtained on as favorable terms or at all. As a result, a material
decline in ABC's ratings or the termination or non-renewal of the network
affiliation agreements with ABC could have a material adverse effect on the
Company.
 
DEPENDENCE ON ADVERTISING REVENUES; EFFECT OF ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
 
  Since the Company is significantly dependent upon sales of advertising for
its revenues (on a pro forma basis, giving effect to the Hearst Transaction,
approximately 92% of the Company's revenues for the year ended December 31,
1996), operating results of the Company, are and will be affected by the
relative popularity of its programming, the activities of competitors, the
availability of alternative advertising media and cyclical changes in the
national economy, as well as by regional economic conditions in each of the
markets in which its stations operate, particularly as such conditions may
affect advertising expenditures. In addition, the advertising revenues of the
stations generally are highest in the second and fourth quarter of each year,
due in part to increases in consumer advertising in the spring and retail
advertising in the period leading up to and including the holiday season.
Additionally, advertising revenues in even-numbered years benefit from
advertising placed by candidates for political offices and demand for
advertising time in Olympic broadcasts. Proposals have been advanced in
Congress to require television broadcast stations to provide advertising time
to political candidates at no charge, which would eliminate in whole or in
part advertising revenues from political candidates. Such political
advertising revenues comprised 5.1% of the Company's 1996 pro forma total
revenues.
 
CONTROL BY MAJORITY STOCKHOLDER; COMPETITIVE AND OPERATIONS IMPACT; CONFLICTS
OF INTEREST
 
  Hearst currently owns in excess of 80% of the outstanding shares of all
series of common stock of the Company and, by virtue of its ownership of 100%
of the Series B Common Stock, is entitled to elect as a class
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
all but two members of the Board of Directors of the Company. As a result,
Hearst is able to control substantially all actions to be taken by the
Company's stockholders, and also is able to maintain control over the
operations and business of the Company. This control, as well as certain
provisions of the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
and Delaware law, may make the Company a less attractive target for a takeover
than it otherwise might be, or render more difficult or discourage a merger
proposal, tender offer or other transaction involving an actual or potential
change of control of the Company. See "Description of Capital Stock."
 
  In addition, the interests of Hearst, which owns or has significant
investments in other businesses, including cable television networks,
newspapers, magazines and electronic media, may from time to time be
competitive with, or otherwise diverge from, the interests of the Company,
particularly with respect to new business opportunities and future
acquisitions. Under the Amended and Restated Merger Agreement dated as of
March 26, 1997, among Hearst, Argyle and certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of
Hearst (the "Merger Agreement"), Hearst and the Company have agreed that,
without the prior written consent of the other, neither the Company, on the
one hand, nor Hearst, on the other hand, will make any acquisition or purchase
any assets if such an acquisition or purchase by one party would require the
other party to divest or otherwise dispose of any of its assets because of
regulatory or other legal prohibitions. As a result, under current law and
given newspaper properties Hearst currently owns, the Company would be
precluded, without Hearst's consent (and even with Hearst's consent, only if
Hearst were to agree to sell newspapers in the corresponding markets), from
acquiring television broadcast stations in Albany, New York; Flint--Saginaw--
Bay City, Michigan; Beaumont, Texas; Houston, Texas; Laredo, Texas; Lubbock,
Texas; Odessa-Midland, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; San Francisco, California;
Seattle, Washington; and St. Louis, Missouri. A proposal to eliminate the rule
banning newspaper-television cross-ownership in the same market has been
introduced in Congress. The Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC")
separately has been asked to consider altering the cross-ownership rule.
Whether these proposals will be enacted into law is unknown at this time.
Additionally, Hearst is not precluded from purchasing newspapers or other
assets in other markets, the ownership of which assets by Hearst could
preclude, under FCC rules, the Company from owning television stations in such
markets in the future.
 
  Hearst and the Company also have ongoing relationships that may create
situations where the interests of the two parties could conflict. As
conditions under the Merger Agreement, Hearst and the Company entered into a
series of agreements with each other, including a Management Agreement
(whereby the Company provides certain management services, such as sales,
news, programming and financial and accounting management services, with
respect to certain Hearst owned or operated television and radio stations), an
Option Agreement (whereby Hearst has granted Hearst-Argyle an option to
acquire certain Hearst owned or operated television stations, as well as a
right of first refusal with respect to another television station if Hearst
proposes to sell such station within 36 months of its acquisition), a Studio
Lease Agreement (whereby Hearst leases from the Company certain premises for
Hearst's radio broadcast stations), a Tax Sharing Agreement (whereby Hearst
and the Company have established the sharing of federal, state and local taxes
after the Company became part of the consolidated tax return of Hearst) and a
Name License Agreement (whereby Hearst permits the Company to use the Hearst
name in connection with the Hearst-Argyle name and operation of its business).
In addition, Hearst and the Company entered into a Services Agreement (whereby
Hearst provides the Company certain administrative services such as
accounting, financial, legal, tax, insurance, data processing and employee
benefits). The Company believes that the terms of all these agreements are
reasonable to both sides; there can be no assurance, however, that more
favorable terms would not be available from third parties where applicable.
 
TELEVISION INDUSTRY COMPETITION AND TECHNOLOGY
 
  The television broadcast industry is highly competitive. Some of the
stations that compete with the Company's stations are owned and operated by
large national or regional companies that have greater resources, including
financial resources, than the Company. Technological innovation, and the
resulting proliferation of programming alternatives such as cable, direct
satellite-to-home services and home video rentals have fractionalized
television viewing audiences and subjected television broadcast stations to
new types of competition. Over the past decade, cable television has captured
an increasing market share, while the aggregate
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
viewership of the major networks has declined. In addition, the expansion of
cable television and other industry changes have increased, and may continue
to increase, competitive demand for programming. Such increased demand,
together with rising production costs, may in the future increase the
Company's programming costs or impair its ability to acquire programming. In
addition, new television networks such as United Paramount Network ("UPN") and
the WB Network have created additional competition. The FCC has adopted rules
for implementing digital (including high-definition) television ("DTV")
service in the United States. Implementation of DTV is expected to improve the
technical quality of television. Under certain circumstances, however,
conversion to DTV operations may reduce a station's geographical coverage area
or provide a competitive advantage to one or more competing stations in the
market. Implementation of DTV is expected to impose additional costs that are
higher than normal on television stations providing the new service, due to
increased equipment costs and possible spectrum-related fees. While the
Company cannot predict the implementation costs of DTV, these costs are
expected to be significant. The Company cannot predict the effect the
authorization of DTV service will have on the business of the Company.
 
  In addition to competing with other media outlets for audience share, the
Company's stations also compete for advertising revenues, their primary source
of revenues. The stations compete for such advertising revenues with other
television stations in their respective markets, as well as with other
advertising media, such as newspapers, radio stations, magazines, outdoor
advertising, transit advertising, yellow page directories, direct mail, the
Internet and local cable systems. The stations are located in highly
competitive markets. Accordingly, the Company's results of operations will be
dependent upon the ability of each of its stations to compete successfully for
advertising revenues in its market, and there can be no assurance that any one
of these stations will be able to maintain or increase its current audience
share or revenue share. To the extent that certain of the Company's
competitors have, or may in the future obtain, greater resources than the
Company, the Company's ability to compete successfully in its broadcasting
markets may be impeded.
 
REGULATORY MATTERS
 
  FCC Licenses. The television operations of the Company are subject to
significant regulation by the FCC under the Communications Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Communications Act"), most recently amended further by the
Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the "Telecommunications Act"). Approval of the
FCC is required for the issuance, renewal and transfer or assignment of
television station operating licenses. In particular, the Company is dependent
upon its continuing ability to maintain broadcasting licenses from the FCC.
License renewals filed after 1996 customarily will be granted for terms of
eight years. While broadcast licenses are typically renewed by the FCC, there
can be no assurance that the licenses for the Company's stations will be
renewed at their expiration dates or, if renewed, that the renewal terms will
be for eight-year periods. The non-renewal or revocation of one or more of the
FCC licenses held by the Company could have a material adverse effect on the
operations of the Company. Further, the Communications Act and FCC rules
restrict alien ownership and voting of the capital stock of, and participation
in the affairs of, the Company.
 
  Common Ownership. The rules of the FCC include restrictions on the common
ownership or control of interests in television stations and certain other
media interests in the same market, including television and radio broadcast
stations, as well as cable television systems and English language daily
newspapers. In addition, no party is permitted to hold an attributable
interest in television stations collectively reaching more than 35% of all
U.S. television households, subject to a 50% discount for UHF television
stations. If an acquisition results in an acquiror having holdings that
conflict with the common ownership rules, divestiture of one of the common
interests is generally required. The FCC may, in certain cases, grant
permanent waivers of such common ownership. The FCC, however, generally only
grants temporary waivers of common ownership in order to afford the acquiror a
reasonable period of time following the consummation of the acquisition to
comply with the applicable law and regulations through disposition of one of
the common interests. The Hearst Transaction resulted in the following
combinations prohibited by the FCC's "television duopoly rule" (which
generally proscribes the common ownership of two or more stations with
overlapping signal contours): (i) Argyle's WNAC-TV (Providence, Rhode Island)
and Hearst's WCVB-TV (Boston, Massachusetts) and (ii) Argyle's
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
WLWT-TV (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Hearst's WDTN-TV (Dayton, Ohio). On July 15,
1997, the FCC approved the Hearst Transaction and granted a six-month
temporary waiver of its television duopoly rule, permitting the Company during
the waiver period to own television stations with overlapping signals. Under
this waiver, the Company is required to file applications with the FCC for
consent to divest WNAC and WDTN within six months of the consummation of the
Hearst Transaction. A letter of intent has been signed to divest WNAC, and the
Company currently is negotiating with a third party to divest WDTN. There can
be no assurance that the WNAC divestiture will be completed, or that the
current WDTN negotiations will result in an agreement to divest WDTN. If such
divestitures do not occur within the near future, subsequently obtaining a
buyer for each of the stations to be divested within the six-month waiver
period granted by the FCC could result in the receipt of a price that is less
than could be obtained for such stations if the Company were not forced to
sell the stations within that time frame.
 
  Restrictions on Broadcast Advertising. Advertising of cigarettes and certain
other tobacco products on broadcast stations has been banned for many years.
Various states restrict the advertising of alcoholic beverages. Congress and
the FCC are currently examining proposals that, if adopted, would eliminate or
severely restrict the advertising of hard liquor, as well as beer and wine.
The adoption of such proposals could have an adverse impact on the revenues of
the Company. No prediction can be made as to whether any or all of the present
proposals will be enacted into law.
 
  Proposed Regulations. Among the proposed regulations under consideration by
the FCC in determining whether impermissible cross-ownership exists under its
television duopoly rule (described above), is a proposal to deem as
attributable certain television local marketing agreements (the "LMAs") and,
if deemed attributable, the extent to which currently effective agreements of
this type should be exempted from any new FCC rules. Such attribution under
the television duopoly rule, as such rule may be modified, could have a
material adverse effect on the Joint Marketing and Programming Agreement
between the Company and Clear Channel relating to WNAC (Providence, Rhode
Island) and the Programming Services and Time Brokerage Agreement between
Hearst and the licensee of KCWB-TV (Kansas City, Missouri). If the FCC's
ultimate decision were to disfavor the continued validity of such joint
operating agreements or LMA's, then these agreements, in the worst case
scenario, might be required to be terminated.
 
  The U.S. Congress and the FCC currently have under consideration, and may in
the future adopt, new laws, regulations and policies regarding a wide variety
of matters that could, directly or indirectly, materially adversely affect the
operation and ownership of the Company. The FCC has not yet fully implemented
the Telecommunications Act. The Company is unable to predict the outcome of
future federal legislation or the impact of any such laws or regulations on
the Company's operations.
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH EXPANSION, INTEGRATION OF THE COMBINED OPERATIONS;
SIGNIFICANT UNCERTAINTIES
 
  As a result of the Hearst Transaction, the Company has experienced
significant expansion, including expansion into new markets in which neither
Argyle nor the Hearst Broadcast Group previously operated prior to the Hearst
Transaction. As a result, the Company's management will be required to manage
a substantially larger number of television stations than historically has
been the case. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
implement effectively the organizational and operational systems necessary for
optimal management and integration of its newly expanded group of television
stations or any television stations to be acquired in the future, or that the
Company will be able to manage its growth successfully. In addition, the
management of the Company is evaluating, and will continue to evaluate, the
nature and scope of its operations and various short-term and long-term
strategic considerations, and will assess to what extent integration,
consolidation or other modification of the two separate businesses is
appropriate following the Hearst Transaction. Many operational and strategic
decisions with respect to the combined company have not yet been made.
Significant uncertainties and risks relating to the Hearst Transaction and the
integration of the combined operations may exist and, therefore, it is
difficult to predict or quantify the impact of such decisions on the results
of operations and financial condition of the Company.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  The Company owns or manages 15 television stations reaching approximately
11.6% of U.S. television households. The Company is the largest "pure play"
publicly owned television broadcast company in the U.S. and is the third-
largest, non-network owned television group in terms of audience delivered.
Formed as a Delaware corporation in 1994 under the name "Argyle Television,
Inc.," the Company is the successor to the combined operations of Argyle and
the television broadcast group of Hearst pursuant to a merger transaction that
was consummated on August 29, 1997. In that transaction, Hearst contributed
its television broadcast group to Argyle and merged a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Hearst with and into Argyle, with Argyle as the surviving corporation
(renamed "Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc.").
 
  The Company owns 12 television stations and manages three additional
television stations and two radio stations that are owned or operated by
Hearst. The Company has an option to acquire one of the managed television
stations and Hearst's interests in another of the managed television stations,
and has a right of first refusal with respect to the third managed television
station. Under FCC regulations, the Company must divest two of its television
stations (WNAC in Providence, Rhode Island; and WDTN in Dayton, Ohio). A
letter of intent has been signed for the divestiture of WNAC, and the Company
is negotiating with a third party for the divestiture of WDTN.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PERCENTAGE
                                              YEAR                          OF U.S.
                          MARKET            ACQUIRED   NETWORK            TELEVISION
         MARKET           RANK(1)  STATION  /MANAGED AFFILIATION CHANNEL HOUSEHOLDS(2)
         ------           ------- --------- -------- ----------- ------- -------------
<S>                       <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>         <C>     <C>
Boston, MA..............      6     WCVB      1986       ABC          5       2.22%
Tampa, FL(3)............     15     WWWB      1996       WB          32       1.46%
Pittsburgh, PA..........     19     WTAE      1958       ABC          4       1.19%
Baltimore, MD...........     23     WBAL      1948       NBC         11       1.02%
Cincinnati, OH..........     30     WLWT      1997       NBC          5       0.83%
Milwaukee, WI...........     31     WISN      1954       ABC         12       0.81%
Kansas City, MO.........     32     KMBC      1982       ABC          9       0.81%
Kansas City, MO(3)(4)...     32     KCWB      1996       WB          29        ***
Oklahoma City, OK.......     43     KOCO      1997       ABC          5       0.61%
West Palm Beach, FL(3)..     44     WPBF      1997       ABC         25       0.61%
Providence, RI(5)(6)....     47     WNAC      1995       FOX         64       0.58%
Dayton, OH(5)...........     53     WDTN      1981       ABC          2       0.52%
Honolulu, HI............     69     KITV      1995       ABC          4       0.40%
Jackson, MS.............     90     WAPT      1995       ABC         16       0.31%
Fort Smith/Fayetteville,
 AR.....................    118   KHBS/KHOG   1996     ABC/ABC    40/29       0.22%
                                                                             -----
 Total..................                                                     11.59%
                                                                             =====
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Market rank is based on the relative size of the Designated Market Area
    (defined by A.C. Nielsen Co. ("Nielsen") as geographic markets for the
    sale of national "spot" and local advertising time) ("DMA") among the 211
    generally recognized DMAs in the U.S., based on Nielsen estimates for the
    1996-97 season.
(2) Based on Nielsen estimates for the 1996-97 season.
(3) WWWB-TV and WPBF-TV are managed by the Company under a management
    agreement with Hearst and will continue to be owned by Hearst. In
    addition, the Company provides certain management services to Hearst in
    order to allow Hearst to fulfill its obligations under the Missouri LMA
    (as defined below) with KCWB.
(4) Hearst has a Program Services and Time Brokerage Agreement (or the
    "Missouri LMA") with KCWB-TV, Inc., the permittee of KCWB. KCWB holds a
    construction permit authorizing it to operate on Channel 32. Due to a lack
    of available tower sites within the useable area for Channel 32, however,
    KCWB is presently operating on Channel 29 pursuant to a Special Temporary
    Authorization ("STA") granted by the FCC. KCWB is awaiting an FCC decision
    on its proposal to permanently change the operating channel of the station
    from Channel 32 to Channel 29. KCWB has pending an application to
    authorize its permanent operation on Channel 29. KCWB's STA expires on
    September 29, 1997 and may be renewed at the FCC's
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
   discretion for periods of six months. The STA has already been renewed
   once. The Company anticipates that the FCC will ultimately license KCWB to
   operate on Channel 29. However, there can be no assurance that this will
   occur.
(5) WNAC-TV's (Providence, RI) broadcast signal overlaps with WCVB-TV's
    (Boston, MA) broadcast signal, and WDTN-TV's (Dayton, OH) broadcast signal
    overlaps with WLWT-TV's (Cincinnati, OH) broadcast signal. Under FCC
    rules, a single entity cannot own stations with overlapping signals. The
    Company will divest WNAC and WDTN.
(6) Subject to a Joint Marketing and Programming Agreement with Clear Channel
    Communications, Inc., licensee of WPRI-TV, the CBS affiliate in
    Providence, RI. The Company has entered into a letter of intent to divest
    WNAC.
 
  As a result of the Hearst Transaction, Hearst currently owns in excess of
80% of the common stock of the Company in the form of shares of Series B
Common Stock, which gives Hearst the right to elect nine of the 11 members of
the Company's Board of Directors. The remaining common stock of the Company is
in the form of Series A Common Stock, which is quoted on the Nasdaq National
Market under the symbol "HATV."
 
  The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 888 Seventh
Avenue, New York, New York 10106; its telephone number is 212-649-2000.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
                             SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
  The Selling Stockholders are former partners of Argyle Television Investors,
L.P. ("ATI"), Argyle Television Partners, L.P. ("ATP") or certain other
affiliated entities (ATI, ATP and such other entities are herein called the
"Deemed Affiliates") who acquired the Shares covered by this Prospectus in
exchange for shares of Argyle common stock. At the time the Hearst Transaction
was submitted to a vote of the Argyle stockholders, the Deemed Affiliates held
shares of Argyle common stock which, pursuant to previously adopted plans of
liquidation, were distributed to the Selling Stockholders prior to
consummation of the Hearst Transaction and thereafter exchanged for the Shares
covered by this Prospectus. Under applicable federal securities laws, the
Shares acquired by the Selling Stockholders may be resold only pursuant to an
effective registration statement, in transactions permitted by the resale
provisions of Rule 145 under the Securities Act, or as otherwise permitted
under the Securities Act. To facilitate the resale of the Shares by the
Selling Stockholders, the Company is registering the Shares pursuant to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. In addition, all of
the Shares registered hereby are subject to certain registration rights with
respect to firm commitment underwritings.
 
  The following table sets forth certain information as of August 29, 1997
with respect to the Series A Common Stock beneficially owned by the Selling
Stockholders.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            NUMBER OF             BEFORE OFFERING AFTER OFFERING
                              SHARES     NUMBER    PERCENTAGE OF   PERCENTAGE OF
     NAME AND ADDRESS      BENEFICIALLY OF SHARES    SERIES A        SERIES A
 OF SELLING STOCKHOLDERS     OWNED(1)    OFFERED  COMMON STOCK(2) COMMON STOCK(2)(3)
 -----------------------   ------------ --------- --------------- ------------------
 <S>                       <C>          <C>       <C>             <C>
 Bob Marbut(4)(5)
 200 Concord Plaza
 San Antonio, Texas 78216    995,361     941,500       11.5%               *

 Blake Byrne(6)
 1515 Skylark Lane
 Los Angeles, California
 90069                       602,442     598,822        7.3%               *

 Ibra Morales(5)(7)
 2000 Broadway, PH1A
 New York, New York 10023    198,390     183,448        2.4%               *

 Harry T. Hawks(5)
 11 Greenbriar Lane
 Greenwich, Connecticut
 06831                       108,897     104,649        1.3%               *

 Robert J. Owen
 208 Morningside Drive
 San Antonio, Texas 78209     29,949      29,949          *              -0-

 Caroline Williams(4)
 417 Park Avenue
 New York, New York 10022     37,644       8,266          *                *

 Abdul Wahab S. AlBabtain
 Alawad Limited
 c/o Ian M. Barber
 P. O. Box 4488
 Homosassa Springs,
 Florida 34447               210,731     210,731        2.5%             -0-

 Richard J. Bodorff(8)
 Wiley, Rein & Fielding
 1776 K Street, N.W.
 Washington, D.C. 20006        1,756       1,756          *              -0-
</TABLE>
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            NUMBER OF             BEFORE OFFERING AFTER OFFERING
                              SHARES     NUMBER    PERCENTAGE OF   PERCENTAGE OF
     NAME AND ADDRESS      BENEFICIALLY OF SHARES    SERIES A        SERIES A
 OF SELLING STOCKHOLDERS     OWNED(1)    OFFERED  COMMON STOCK(2) COMMON STOCK(2)(3)
 -----------------------   ------------ --------- --------------- ------------------
 <S>                       <C>          <C>       <C>             <C>
 Gregory J. Chachas
 Family
 Spendthrift Revocable
 Trust
 174 Dorchester Drive
 Salt Lake City, Utah
 84103                         3,512       3,512          *              -0-

 DBS Properties, Ltd.
 c/o Barshop Ventures,
  Inc.
 112 East Pecan Street
 Suite 1440
 San Antonio, Texas 78205     14,049      14,049          *              -0-

 Richard Gallant
 110 River Street
 P. O. Box 720
 Wolfeboro Falls, New
 Hampshire
 03896-0720                    3,512       3,512          *              -0-

 Crescent Mach I
 Partners, L.P.
 c/o Mark Gold
 Trust Co. of the West
 200 Park Avenue, Suite
 2200
 New York, New York 10166    140,487     140,487        1.7%             -0-

 James E. Beloyianis
 45 Gramercy Park, #10B
 New York, New York 10010     15,169       7,024          *                *

 BMO Financial, Inv.(9)
 c/o Tom Calder
 430 Park Avenue, 15th
 Floor
 New York, New York 10022    203,837     203,837        2.5%             -0-

 John G. & Diane
 Chachas(10)
 211 Central Park West
 Apt. 7J
 New York, New York 10024      3,513       3,513          *              -0-

 Patricia A. Deans(11)
 Chase Securities, Inc.
 270 Park Avenue, 5th
 Floor
 New York, New York 10017      1,756       1,756          *              -0-

 Joel H. Glasky(11)
 215 East 79th Street
 New York, New York 10021      2,066       2,066          *              -0-

 GALP-Forest Associates
 c/o Robert B. Goldfarb
 5 Two Mile Road
 P. O. Box 945
 Farmington, Connecticut
 06034                        52,682      52,682          *              -0-
</TABLE>
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            NUMBER OF             BEFORE OFFERING AFTER OFFERING
                              SHARES     NUMBER    PERCENTAGE OF   PERCENTAGE OF
     NAME AND ADDRESS      BENEFICIALLY OF SHARES    SERIES A        SERIES A
 OF SELLING STOCKHOLDERS     OWNED(1)    OFFERED  COMMON STOCK(2) COMMON STOCK(2)(3)
 -----------------------   ------------ --------- --------------- ------------------
 <S>                       <C>          <C>       <C>             <C>
 Stewart M. Johnson
 550 Eldon Road
 San Antonio, Texas 78209       7,024       7,024         *              -0-

 Credit Suisse First
 Boston(12)
 Fund Investment 1994,
 L.P.
 c/o John Carroll
 11 Madison Avenue
 New York, New York
 10010-3629                    42,146      42,146         *              -0-

 Andrew J. Einhorn(11)
 4256 Laurel Ridge Drive
 Allison Park,
 Pennsylvania 15101             1,756       1,756         *              -0-

 David R. Goddard
 320 Strawberry Hill
 Avenue
 Unit 43
 Stamford, Connecticut
 06902                          2,066       2,066         *              -0-

 Chase Manhattan
 Investment
 Holdings, L.P.(13)
 c/o Mike Hannon
 380 Madison Avenue, 12th
 Floor
 New York, New York 10017   1,157,302   1,157,302      14.0%             -0-

 The S. G. Kale Family
 Trust(14)
 124 West 60th Street,
 Apt. 24M
 New York, New York 10023       2,066       2,066         *              -0-

 Victor Markowicz
 Irrevocable
 Trust 1990
 c/o Martin Jaffe
 7 Holly Lane
 Rye Brook, New York
 10573                         17,561      17,561         *              -0-

 Chad A. Leat
 43 Fifth Avenue, #7S
 New York, New York 10003       1,756       1,756         *              -0-

 Edson Mitchell
 255 Fox Chase Road
 Chester, New Jersey
 07930                         35,122      35,122         *              -0-

 Gordon Paris
 Toronto Dominion
 31 West 52nd Street,
 22nd Floor
 New York, New York 10019       7,024       7,024         *              -0-

 Cornerstone Capital,
 Inc.(15)
 16 Cobblefield Drive
 Mendham, New Jersey
 07945                         81,656      49,171         *                *
</TABLE>
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            NUMBER OF             BEFORE OFFERING AFTER OFFERING
                              SHARES     NUMBER    PERCENTAGE OF   PERCENTAGE OF
     NAME AND ADDRESS      BENEFICIALLY OF SHARES    SERIES A        SERIES A
 OF SELLING STOCKHOLDERS     OWNED(1)    OFFERED  COMMON STOCK(2) COMMON STOCK(2)(3)
 -----------------------   ------------ --------- --------------- ------------------
 <S>                       <C>          <C>       <C>             <C>
 Richard E. Wiley(8)
 Wiley, Rein & Fielding
 1776 K Street, N.W.
 Washington, D.C. 20006        7,024       7,024          *              -0-

 John Youngblood(11)
 189 St. Johns Place
 Brooklyn, New York 11217      2,066       2,066          *              -0-

 James G. Kreissman
 2000 Broadway, #17-C
 New York, New York 10023     19,867       4,215          *              -0-

 Barry J. C. Parker
 6519 Riverview Lane
 Dallas, Texas 75248          10,333      10,333          *              -0-

 John C. Quale
 Skadden, Arps, Slate, et
 al
 1440 New York Avenue, NW
 Washington, D.C. 20005-
 2111                          1,756       1,756          *              -0-

 Louis G. Zachary,
 Jr.(10)
 970 Park Avenue, #10-W
 New York, New York 10028      3,512       3,512          *              -0-

 BancOne Capital Partners
 II, L.P.
 150 E. Gay Street
 Columbus, Ohio 43215        140,487     140,487        1.7%             -0-

 Foundation Partners
  Fund, G.P.
 Tampsco Enterprises,
 Inc.
 1034 S. Brentwood Blvd.
 #1492
 St. Louis, Missouri
 63117                        70,243      70,243          *              -0-

 Tampsco Partnership VI
 Tampsco Enterprises,
 Inc.
 1034 S. Brentwood Blvd.
 #1492
 St. Louis, Missouri
 63117                        77,268      77,268          *              -0-

 Frederick M. R. Smith
 784 Park Avenue, Apt.
 18B
 New York, New York 10021      7,024       7,024          *              -0-

 David Yarian
 5 Lafayette Road West
 Princeton, New Jersey
 08540                        35,122      35,122          *              -0-

 Credit Suisse First
  Boston(12)
 Fund Investment 1995,
  L.P.
 c/o John Carroll
 11 Madison Avenue
 New York, New York
 10010-3629                  309,072     309,072        3.7%             -0-
</TABLE>
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            NUMBER OF             BEFORE OFFERING AFTER OFFERING
                              SHARES     NUMBER    PERCENTAGE OF   PERCENTAGE OF
     NAME AND ADDRESS      BENEFICIALLY OF SHARES    SERIES A        SERIES A
 OF SELLING STOCKHOLDERS     OWNED(1)    OFFERED  COMMON STOCK(2) COMMON STOCK(2)(3)
 -----------------------   ------------ --------- --------------- ------------------
 <S>                       <C>          <C>       <C>             <C>
 S. Barshop Investment
  Ltd.
 c/o Barshop Ventures,
 Inc.
 112 E. Pecan, Suite 1440
 San Antonio, Texas 78205      35,122      35,122         *              -0-

 Simon, Sarver &
  Rosenberg, P.A.
 Profit Sharing Plan
 F/B/O Martin Sarver
 c/o Andrew Lester
 Donaldson, Lufkin &
 Jenrette
 277 Park Avenue, 14th
 Floor
 New York, New York 10172       5,268       5,268         *              -0-

 Paul Schupf
 27 Payne Street
 P. O. Box 179
 Hamilton, New York 13346      56,195      56,195         *              -0-
                            ---------   ---------      ----              ---
   TOTAL:                   4,721,591   4,599,260      57.0%             1.4%
                            =========   =========      ====              ===
</TABLE>
- --------
* Less than 1%.
 
(1) Includes shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days.
(2) Hearst beneficially owns 38,611,002 shares of Series B Common Stock, par
    value $.01 per share, of the Company. Such shares of Series B Common Stock
    are convertible, at any time, into shares of Series A Common Stock on a
    share-for-share basis. Assuming that all of such shares of Series B Common
    Stock are so converted, the percentage of Series A Common Stock
    beneficially owned by the Selling Stockholders listed before the offering
    is as follows: (i) Mr. Marbut, 2%; (ii) Mr. Byrne, 1%; (iii) Chase
    Manhattan Investment Holdings, L.P., 2.5%; and, (iv) each other Selling
    Stockholder would beneficially own less than 1% of the Series A Common
    Stock. Assuming that all of such shares of Series B Common Stock are so
    converted, the percentage of Series A Common Stock beneficially owned by
    each of the Selling Stockholders listed after the offering would be less
    than 1%.
(3) Assumes the sale by Selling Stockholders of all shares offered hereby.
(4) Indicates that such person is a director of the Company.
(5) Indicates that such person is an executive officer of the Company.
(6) Mr. Byrne is a former director and executive officer of Argyle.
(7) Mr. Morales is a former director of Argyle.
(8) Member of a law firm which has provided services for the Company or its
    affiliates during the past three years.
(9) BMO Financial, Inv. is an affiliate of Bank of Montreal, a co-agent under
    the Company's prior and existing credit facility.
(10) Indicates that such person is employed by Credit Suisse First Boston or
     its affiliates.
(11) Indicates that such person is employed by The Chase Manhattan Bank
     ("Chase") or its affiliates.
(12) During the past three years, affiliates of Credit Suisse First Boston
     have rendered investment banking and underwriting services for the
     Company and its affiliates from time to time.
(13) Chase is the lead bank under the Company's existing credit facility and
     was the lead bank under the Company's prior credit facility. Frank A.
     Bennack, Jr., a director of the Company, is a director of Chase.
(14) Mr. Kale is employed by Credit Suisse First Boston or its affiliates.
(15) Cornerstone Capital, Inc. is a corporation wholly-owned by David Pulver,
     a director of the Company.
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
  The Selling Stockholders may sell any of the Shares offered hereunder from
time to time in one or more transactions (including block transactions) on the
Nasdaq National Market, in negotiated transactions, in combinations of such
transactions, or otherwise. The Selling Stockholders may effect such
transactions by selling Shares directly, or to or through underwriters,
dealers, brokers or agents, or any combination thereof. Any such underwriters,
dealers, brokers or agents may sell such Shares to purchasers in one or more
transactions (including block transactions) on the Nasdaq National Market or
otherwise. Any sales may be made at market prices prevailing at the time of
sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated
prices. Without limiting the foregoing, brokers may act as dealers by
purchasing any and all of the Shares covered by this Prospectus either as
agents for others or as principals for their own accounts and reselling such
Shares pursuant to this Prospectus. In effecting sales, brokers or dealers
engaged by the Selling Stockholders may arrange for other brokers or dealers to
participate. A member firm of a securities exchange may be engaged to act as
the Selling Stockholders' agent in the sale of Shares by the Selling
Stockholders. Any underwriters, brokers, dealers and agents will receive
commissions, discounts or fees from the Selling Stockholders in amounts to be
negotiated prior to the sale. If and to the extent required, specific
information regarding any sale transaction will be set forth in a Prospectus
Supplement.
 
  The Selling Stockholders and any underwriters, brokers, dealers, agents or
others that participate with the Selling Stockholders in the distribution of
the Shares may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning thereof under
the Securities Act, and any commissions, discounts or fees received by such
persons and any profit on the resale of the Shares purchased by such persons
may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities
Act. Agents may be entitled under agreements entered into with the Selling
Stockholders to indemnification against certain civil liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares
offered hereby by any of the Selling Stockholders. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  Certain legal matters relating to the Shares will be passed upon for the
Company by Locke Purnell Rain Harrell (A Professional Corporation), Dallas,
Texas.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The consolidated financial statements of the Company appearing in the
Company's Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1996 have
been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their
report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such
consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in
reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
 
  The combined financial statements of the Selected Gannett Television Stations
and the financial statements of Multimedia Entertainment, Inc., d.b.a. WLWT-TV
(a subsidiary of Multimedia, Inc.) appearing in the Company's Proxy
Statement/Prospectus filed on July 31, 1997 have been prepared by Price
Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, as set forth in their report thereon
included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such combined financial
statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report
given upon the authority of such firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
 
  The combined financial statements as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 and for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996 of the Hearst
Broadcast Group of The Hearst Corporation appearing in the Company's Proxy
Statement/Prospectus filed on July 31, 1997 and the related financial statement
schedule included elsewhere therein have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,
independent auditors, as set forth in their reports thereon included therein
and incorporated herein by reference. Such combined financial statements and
financial statement schedule are incorporated herein by reference in reliance
upon such reports given upon the authority of such firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFOR-
MATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PRO-
SPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE
RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY SELLING STOCKHOLD-
ER. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF
AN OFFER TO BUY TO ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SO-
LICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL. NEITHER
THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY OFFER OR SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL,
UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE
IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS COR-
RECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                               ----------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
Available Information......................................................   2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference............................   2
Risk Factors...............................................................   3
The Company................................................................   7
Selling Stockholders.......................................................   9
Plan of Distribution.......................................................  13
Use of Proceeds............................................................  14
Legal Matters..............................................................  14
Experts....................................................................  14
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                        HEARST-ARGYLE TELEVISION, INC.
 
                               4,599,260 SHARES
                             SERIES A COMMON STOCK
 
                               ----------------
 
                                  PROSPECTUS
 
                               ----------------
 
 
                              SEPTEMBER 10, 1997
 
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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