FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, December 16, 2003

Media General Reports November Revenues

RICHMOND, Va. – Media General, Inc. (NYSE: MEG) today reported November 2003 total revenues of $72.4 million, an increase of 1.4 percent from total revenues of $71.4 million in November 2002. By operating segment, Publishing revenues increased 5.1 percent, Broadcast revenues declined 5.8 percent, and Interactive Media revenues were up 41.1 percent.

“We are pleased that advertising momentum continues to build in our Publishing business,” said J. Stewart Bryan III, chairman and chief executive officer. “Total revenue and advertising revenue experienced the strongest monthly growth this year and were 5.1 percent and 6.2 percent above last year, respectively. This marks the sixth consecutive month of strong year-over-year growth. Broadcast gross time sales declined 5 percent, mostly due to the relative absence of political revenues this year. We believe December time sales will be up over last year,” Bryan said.

In Publishing, classified revenue was above last year by $780,000, or 6.3 percent, the largest monthly increase in 2003. Although partially offset by automotive linage that was below last year by 2 percent, employment advertising continued to show improvement last month, up 19.9 percent from last year at the metro papers, as The Tampa Tribune reported a 13.9 percent increase in linage, the Richmond Times-Dispatch a nearly 37 percent increase, and the Winston-Salem Journal decreased 1.8 percent.

Retail revenue increased 0.2 percent, driven primarily by increases in Tampa and several community newspaper markets. Preprint revenue was up $835,000, or 10.4 percent, continuing a double-digit growth trend. Significant increases were seen in almost all markets.

National revenue exceeded last year by $560,000, or nearly 20 percent, with significant gains from The Tampa Tribune and the Richmond Times-Dispatch, reflecting strong financial and telecommunications advertising. Circulation revenue increased $205,000, or 3 percent.

The Broadcast Division reported a 2.8 percent increase in national times sales, with strength in the financial, services and telecommunications categories. Local time sales decreased 1.7 percent, reflecting declines in department stores, fast food, grocery stores and entertainment. Political revenues were $625,000 compared with $1.9 million last year, mostly for campaign spending in the Louisiana gubernatorial run-off, mayoral races in Savannah and Charleston, and issue spending in Florida.

In the Interactive Media Division, double-digit revenue growth was generated by continued strong national sales, steady classified advertising and special promotions.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties and should be understood in the context of the company’s publicly available reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Media General’s future performance could differ materially from its current expectations.

About Media General
Media General is an independent communications company situated primarily in the Southeast with interests in newspapers, television stations and interactive media. 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.

Charts follow:
Revenue Report
Ad Linage Summaries

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