`The Ponderosa' Rides High On PAX TV Scoring 2.8 HH Rating for Network's New Season Launch.

Business & Entertainment Editors

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 10, 2001

Paxson Communications Corp. (AMEX:PAX) announced today that PAX TV launched the premiere of its new Fall Season on Sunday, September 9 with a 2.2 HH primetime metered market average. This marks the best Sunday night performance ever and a 57% ratings increase over last year. Rating gains were fueled by the world premiere of "The Ponderosa" (9-11 p.m. ET/PT) and the second season premiere of "Doc" (8-9 p.m. ET/PT). "The Ponderosa," PAX TV's new original series and the "prequel" to television's classic western series "Bonanza," averaged a 2.8 HH Rating/4 Share in the 40 PAX metered markets. Significantly, PAX TV's "The Ponderosa" delivered the highest Sunday movie ratings for the network to date.

In 27 of the 40 PAX metered markets, PAX primetime ratings outperformed UPN stations (7-10 p.m. ET/PT). Additionally, PAX beat out the WB network in 19 of the 40 metered markets.

PAX TV's "The Ponderosa" delivered stand-out performances among the 40 PAX metered markets including: New York (2.0), Chicago (3.4), Philadelphia (2.0), Boston (2.6), Dallas (3.1), Washington, D.C. (2.8), Atlanta (3.3), Houston (2.2), Seattle (2.4), Minneapolis (2.8), Tampa (3.3), Miami (2.0), Phoenix (4.3), Cleveland (3.3), Denver (3.2), Sacramento (4.2), Orlando (2.6), Portland (3.8), Hartford/New Haven (2.3), Raleigh/Durham (3.0), Kansas City (4.7), Milwaukee (4.4), Salt Lake City (3.9), San Antonio (5.6), Birmingham (3.6), West Palm Beach (2.8), Memphis (5.1), Norfolk (2.4), New Orleans (5.8), Greensboro (5.0), Oklahoma City (4.5), Buffalo (3.9) and Albuquerque (2.7).

This season's "Doc" premiere (8-9 p.m. ET/PT) posted a 1.9 HH Rating/3 Share, scoring the 2nd highest rating for the series since its 2-hour world premiere (2.5). The 1.9 also represents a 46% increase over the time period delivery for last season's debut (1.3), and is 90% higher than the show's 3rd Quarter average thus far (1.0). Additionally, in the following top markets, "Doc's" second season premiere delivered its best-ever ratings: Boston (2.3), Atlanta (2.7) and Seattle (2.3).

About Paxson Communications Corporation

Paxson Communications Corporation owns and operates the nation's largest broadcast television station group and PAX TV, the newest broadcast television network that launched in August of 1998. PAX TV reaches 84% of U.S. television households via nationwide broadcast television, cable and satellite distribution systems. Paxson owns and operates 65 stations (including three stations operated under time brokerage agreements). In September of 1999, Paxson entered into a strategic alliance with NBC and through this relationship, PAX and NBC have shared special runs of original drama series, NBC movies and sports programs and the hit primetime quiz show, "Weakest Link." In addition, PAX airs its own original programming including "It's A Miracle," "Mysterious Ways," "Encounters with the Unexplained," "Candid Camera" and "Doc," starring recording artist Billy Ray Cyrus. New fall primetime series set to begin airing in September include "The Ponderosa," a prequel to the classic television show, "Bonanza," "Forbidden Secrets" hosted by Lee Majors and a new edition of "Candid Camera," hosted by Peter Funt and Dina Eastwood. Additional Paxson properties include the PAX Family Club, a branded affinity club that provides travel and product discounts for families, parenting advice and valuable online information. For more information, visit PAX TV's website at http://www.pax.tv.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of federal securities laws, that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements herein, other than those consisting solely of historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including such things as business strategy, measures to implement strategy, competitive strengths, goals, success and other events may be on forward-looking statements. Statements herein are based on certain assumptions and analysis made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and potential future developments, as well as other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results, events and developments will conform with the Company's expectations is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and important factors that could cause actual results, events and developments to differ materially from those referenced in, contemplated by or underlying any forward-looking statements herein, including, among others, the continued development and viability of the Company's television operations, the Company's ability to manage its growth, the Company's high level of indebtedness, restrictions imposed on the Company by the terms of its indebtedness and preferred stock, the impact of government regulations, industry and economic conditions, competition, changes in operating expenses, industry and economic conditions and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Consequently, all forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results, events or developments referenced herein will occur or be realized.