Exhibit 99.1
                                     TRIBUNE

Press Release

                     TRIBUNE TO SPLIT COMMON STOCK 2 FOR 1;
             SHARES DISTRIBUTED JAN. 15 TO HOLDERS OF RECORD DEC. 27

CHICAGO, Wed., Dec. 11, 1996 - Tribune Company's (NYSE: TRB) board of directors
approved a two-for-one split of common stock during a regular meeting here
today. Shares will be distributed Jan. 15, 1997 as a 100 percent stock dividend
to holders of record at the end of business on Dec. 27, 1996.

"Tribune has great momentum and excellent prospects for the future, which have
been reflected in the steady increase in our stock value. This split will put
the share price of TRB more in line with our peers and with most public
companies," John W. Madigan, chairman, president and CEO said. "Tribune's cash
flow should top $600 million this year. The pending acquisition of Renaissance
stations by our television group and the recent addition of exciting new
education businesses give us balance in content, distribution and revenue. We
are a company with a rich tradition that is changing dramatically to meet future
needs for information and entertainment in a digital age, creating shareholder
value as we grow."

Tribune's most recent split, also two for one, occurred in May 1987. Tribune
became a public company in 1983. There were about 61 million common shares
outstanding at the end of the third quarter 1996.

Tribune is a leading information and entertainment company. Tribune owns and
operates 10 television and five radio stations, publishes four daily newspapers,
produces and syndicates programming and information and provides educational
products and services for the school and consumer markets. In July, Tribune
agreed to acquire Renaissance Communications Corp. (RRR), a publicly traded
company owning six television stations.

Financial data and general information may be found on Tribune's World Wide Web
site: http://www.tribune.com. Earnings and other news releases also can be
accessed by calling 1-800-757-1694.

MEDIA CONTACT:                                          INVESTOR CONTACT:
Robert D. Carr                                          Ruthellyn Musil
312/222-3763  (Office)                                  312/222-3787  (Office)
630/545-0746  (Home)                                    847/559-0852  (Home)
312/222-1573  (Fax)                                     312/222-1573  (Fax)
Bcarr@tribune.com                                       Rmusil@tribune.com




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