FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2001

Media General Reports August Revenues

RICHMOND, Va. — Media General (NYSE: MEG) today reported revenues of $60.9 million for August 2001, down 5.8 percent from $64.7 million in August 2000. This was the first month of 2001 when revenue comparisons were not significantly affected by mergers and acquisitions.

Publishing revenues decreased 5.3 percent from the prior-year month. Broadcast revenues decreased 6.7 percent, while Interactive Media revenues increased 9.9 percent.

In the Publishing Division, classified revenue declined 11.7 percent from August 2000 due to weak employment advertising. Help-wanted linage was down 62 percent at the Winston-Salem Journal, 40 percent at the Richmond Times-Dispatch and 37 percent at The Tampa Tribune.

Retail revenue for the month decreased 1.5 percent, primarily due to small reductions in a variety of categories in Richmond and Tampa. National revenue dropped 12.8 percent because of a slowdown in telecommunications spending, while preprint revenue remained about the same.

After adjusting for the switch to independent carriers at The Tampa Tribune, circulation revenue increased 2.6 percent across the division as rate increases more than offset decreases in circulation.

In the Broadcast Division, gross television time sales declined 6.4 percent from the same month last year, with local advertising up 2.1 percent and national advertising down 11.4 percent. National automotive advertising ticked up for the first time in many months, but this increase was more than offset by declines in advertising for fast food, food products, medical and telecommunications.

In the Interactive Media Division, up-sell agreements with Media General's daily newspapers continued to boost classified advertising for TBO.com and several other online enterprises. The division also generated higher banner advertising and sponsorship sales.

"Even before last week's tragic events, we had expected lower advertising trends to continue in September," said J. Stewart Bryan III, Media General's chairman and chief executive. "Our folks responded magnificently to the challenges, but our ad-free newspaper and television coverage will further depress results in September. As a result of all these factors, our third-quarter earnings will almost certainly be below current analyst expectations of 10 cents per share."

About Media General
Media General is an independent, publicly owned communications company situated primarily in the Southeast with interests in newspapers, television stations, interactive media and diversified information services. The company's publishing assets include The Tampa Tribune, the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Winston-Salem Journal and 22 other daily newspapers in Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama and South Carolina, as well as nearly 100 other periodicals and a 20 percent interest in The Denver Post. Media General's 26 network-affiliated television stations reach more than 30 percent of the television households in the Southeast, and nearly 8 percent of those in the United States. The company's extensive interactive media offerings include more than 50 online enterprises. Media General also has a 33 percent interest in SP Newsprint Co., which operates newsprint mills in Dublin, Ga., and Newberg, Ore.

Statistical charts follow:
Revenue Report
Ad Linage Report

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