"Rebecca's Garden" to Air on Home & Garden Television.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 6, 1998--Rebecca's Garden, the popular syndicated gardening and lifestyle television program produced by Hearst-Argyle Television Productions, will soon expand its reach to the Home & Garden Television (HGTV) cable network.

HGTV has agreed to license 44 episodes of "Rebecca's Garden," covering two TV seasons, with options, by Hearst-Argyle Television Productions, to provide additional episodes, bringing the total in this agreement to a potential 88 programs. On a season by season basis, HGTV will receive the programs following their exposure on more than 150 television stations across the country.

"Rebecca's Garden has evolved into a very strong franchise for us," noted David J. Barrett, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Hearst-Argyle Television. "Not only has it been a hit for the many broadcast stations carrying it nationwide, but it has proven to be a powerhouse in terms of its potential for brand extension. We are thrilled that we were able to make this particular arrangement with HGTV for three reasons: the network is an excellent fit for 'Rebecca' for both strategic and branding objectives; it carefully preserves the broadcast 'window' for our valued station customers around the country; and, through the increased exposure HGTV will give Rebecca, and the even greater opportunities for product extension, it further strengthens this very fast-growing brand nationally. We think this will be beneficial -- not only for HGTV -- but for the broadcast stations carrying Rebecca as well."

Rebecca's Garden is hosted by master gardener Rebecca Kolls. The program, which appears on most Hearst-Argyle stations, is syndicated to broadcast stations by Kelly News & Entertainment. Following its fall 1996 premiere, the half-hour program's national ratings grew more than 30 percent, ranking it as the top new, first-run lifestyle program of the 1996-1997 season. Rebecca's Garden is currently available on more than 150 stations, including 49 of the top 50 markets, covering 90 percent of the United States. For the first quarter of 1998, national ratings for the show have increased by 25 percent; the number of stations carrying the program has grown by 34, and household coverage has grown by 15 percent.

Additionally, The Hearst Book Group's Avon Books unit is publishing a hard cover book, "Rebecca's Garden: Four Seasons to Grow On," while Hearst Magazines Enterprises is publishing a "Rebecca's Garden" magazine, both available this month. Ms. Kolls is scheduled to appear on the Regis and Kathie Lee show on April 8, the date her book is due in stores. A home video is also currently offered through advertisements during the broadcast show, and on the Rebecca's Garden Website (http://rebeccasgarden.com), which was developed by Hearst New Media & Technology.

Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Detroit, HGTV is distributed to more than 39 million U.S. households. HGTV owns 33 percent of HGTV Canada and provides 50 percent of the Canadian network's daily programming. HGTV's branded programming also can be seen on networks in Japan, Europe and Australia. HGTV is wholly owned by the E.W. Scripps Co., which also operates the Food Network.

Hearst-Argyle Television Productions, a unit of Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc., is engaged in the production of programming for cable networks and broadcast stations. The Hearst-Argyle television stations currently reach approximately 11.5 percent of U.S. television households and comprise the fourth largest non-network owned television station group in the United States.

Hearst-Argyle Television Inc. owns and operates network affiliated television stations WCVB-TV, the ABC affiliate in Boston, Mass.; WTAE-TV, the ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh, Pa.; WBAL-TV, the NBC affiliate in Baltimore, Md.; WLWT-TV, the NBC affiliate in Cincinnati, Ohio; WISN-TV, the ABC affiliate in Milwaukee, Wis.; KMBC-TV, the ABC affiliate in Kansas City, Mo.; KOCO-TV, the ABC affiliate in Oklahoma City, Okla.; WNAC-TV, the Fox affiliate in Providence, R.I.; WDTN-TV, the ABC affiliate in Dayton, Ohio; KITV-TV, the ABC affiliate in Honolulu, Hawaii; WAPT-TV, the ABC affiliate in Jackson, Miss.; and KHBS-TV, the ABC affiliate in Fort Smith, Ark., and its satellite KHOG-TV, the ABC affiliate in Fayetteville, Ark. In addition, Hearst-Argyle Television provides management services for WWWB-TV, the WB affiliate in Tampa, Fla.; WPBF-TV, the ABC affiliate in West Palm Beach, Fla.; and two radio stations, WBAL-AM and WIYY-FM, Baltimore, Md.; and programming services to KCWB-TV, the UPN affiliate in Kansas City, Mo. These managed stations, other than KCWB, which is operated through a local marketing agreement, are owned by The Hearst Corporation, which is privately held.

The company recently announced plans to exchange WNAC-TV and WDTN-TV with STC Broadcasting Inc., for KSBW-TV, Monterey-Salinas, Calif., and WPTZ-TV/WNNE-TV, Plattsburgh, N.Y./Burlington, Vt. The transaction, pending regulatory approval, is expected to be completed by early in the third quarter.

Hearst-Argyle Television's Series A Common Stock trades on the NASDAQ National Market under the trading symbol "HATV." -0- Note to Editors: High-resolution, print-ready JPEG images from "Rebecca's Garden" are available for downloading from The Hearst Corporation's Web site (www.hearstcorp.com). Images are available of Rebecca Kolls; the cover of the premiere issue of the magazine; the cover of the Avon book; and the home page of the "Rebecca's Garden" Web site. The images are protected by copyright but are free for editorial use; resale or private use is strictly prohibited.

CONTACT: Hearst-Argyle Television Inc.

Thomas W. Campo, 212/887-6827

at NAB Convention, 702/733-3111