ABC AFFILIATES APPROVE NETWORK-AFFILIATE PLAN FOR NEXT FOUR YEARS

The ABC Television Affiliate Association has overwhelmingly approved a new agreement that will frame the Network-Affiliate relationship for the next four years, it was announced jointly today by Anne Sweeney, Co-chairman, Media Networks for The Walt Disney Company and President of Disney-ABC Television Group, and ABC Television Affiliates Association Chairman Deb McDermott.

The new plan, endorsed by the ABC Television Affiliates Association Board of Governors in October, was reviewed and approved by a majority of the ABC Affiliate body.

This third Network-Affiliate Plan is designed to enhance and strengthen the Network-Affiliate distribution system. It addresses ABC's request for financial support from its Affiliates for "Monday Night Football" and the concern of Affiliates for program exclusivity. The plan covers a four-year period, retroactive from August 2004 to July 2008.

For its part, ABC will continue to receive a financial contribution from Affiliates for "Monday Night Football" and assurances on clearances. ABC also retains various repurposing rights. For Affiliates, the agreement provides additional primetime inventory, guidelines covering repurposed Network programs and inventory guarantees.

"This new agreement provides a contractual framework to further strengthen our core businesses and build a generation of mutually beneficial opportunities," said Ms. Sweeney. "We are grateful to Deb McDermott, the Board of Governors and our Affiliates for their continued support and collaborative efforts."

"We believe this new agreement is a win-win for both the Affiliates and the Network," said Ms. McDermott, Chairman of the ABC Television Affiliates Association and President of Young Broadcasting, Inc. "We look forward to continuing to work with the Network to build a strong foundation for future success."

The ABC Television Affiliates Association Board of Governors includes representatives of both major station groups and smaller stations throughout the U.S. Members of the Board include Chairman Deb McDermott, President of Young Broadcasting, Inc.; Paul LaCamera, President & General Manager of WCVB-TV; William Peterson, Vice President, Station Operations, The E. W. Scripps Co.; Kathy Clements, President & General Manager, WFAA-TV; Darrell Brown, Vice President & General Manager, KMGH-TV; Ray Cole, President & COO, WOI-TV; Jim Conschafter, Vice President of Broadcast Stations, Media General, Inc.; George DeVault, Jr., President, Holston Valley Broadcasting; Alan Frank, President, Post-Newsweek Stations; John Kueneke, President, News Press & Gazette Broadcasting; Leon Long, Vice President & General Manager, WLOX; K. James Yager, Chief Executive Officer, Barrington Broadcasting Co., LLC; and Immediate Past Chair/Past President Bruce Baker, Executive Vice President, Television, Cox Broadcasting.