FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002

Media General Reports November Revenues

RICHMOND, Va. – Media General, Inc. (NYSE: MEG) today reported November 2002 revenues of $71.7 million, 5 percent higher than last November's revenues of $68.3 million. Publishing revenues increased 0.9 percent from November 2001, Broadcast revenues increased 12.6 percent and Interactive Media revenues grew 45.6 percent.

In the Publishing Division, all advertising categories with the exception of retail were above or even with prior-year levels. Retail revenue declined $1.4 million, or 10.4 percent, with shortfalls in all three metropolitan markets. The largest decline was at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the result of reductions in department and discount store and other categories. The Tampa Tribune was within 2 percent of last year's retail revenue, with declines in several categories offset by increased financial advertising from a large regional bank's branding campaign. The Winston-Salem Journal's advertising revenues were down as well. A $450,000 increase in preprint revenue partially offset the decline in retail.

Classified revenue was above last year for the third month in a row, increasing $560,000, or 4.7 percent. Results were mixed across markets with strong automotive and real estate advertising offsetting losses in help wanted. Employment linage at the metropolitan newspapers was 14.9 percent below last year, an improvement from October's decline of 22.1 percent. Automotive linage was 19.1 percent ahead of last year. The lateness of the Thanksgiving holiday this year helped employment advertising comparisons. Help-wanted linage was down 23.8 percent in Richmond and 9.9 percent in Tampa but up slightly in Winston-Salem.

A 7.2 percent increase in circulation revenue reflected unusually low circulation revenue in November 2001 and new circulation growth in many markets, including Tampa Bay.

Gross time sales in the Broadcast Division increased $3.4 million, or 15.1 percent, from last November. Local advertising increased 8.7 percent from November 2001, reflecting strength in automotive, retail and medical advertising sales. National time sales rose 5.3 percent, reflecting strength in automotive, entertainment and drug store categories. The U.S. Senate run-off election in Louisiana contributed heavily to political time sales of $1.9 million.

Interactive Media revenues continued to show strong growth through classified advertising up-selling arrangements in conjunction with Media General newspapers and the introduction of new online products.

About Media General
Media General is an independent 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.

Charts follow:
Revenue Report
Ad Linage Summaries

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