SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the quarterly period ended Commission file number: December 31, 1996 333-02302 ALLBRITTON COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY [Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter] Delaware 78-180-3105 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employer incorporation or organization) identification no.) 808 Seventeenth Street, N.W. Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006-3903 (Address of principal executive offices) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 202-789-2130 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [ X ] No [ ] Number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of February 14, 1997: 20,000 shares. ALLBRITTON COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements: PAGE Consolidated Statements of Operations and Retained Earnings for the Three Months Ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1996. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 . . . . . . . . . 3 Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . 4 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 PART II OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders . . . 11 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Signatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Exhibit Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements ALLBRITTON COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY (an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Perpetual Corporation) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND RETAINED EARNINGS (Dollars in thousands) (unaudited) Three Months Ended December 31, ------------------ 1995 1996 Operating revenues, net $38,382 $47,792 ------- ------- Television operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization 21,193 26,404 Depreciation and amortization 1,274 4,294 Corporate expenses 829 974 ------- ------- 23,296 31,672 ------- ------- Operating income 15,086 16,120 Nonoperating income (expense) Interest income Related party 553 553 Other 32 58 Interest expense (5,667) (10,659) Other, net (90) (391) ------- ------- Income before income taxes 9,914 5,681 Provision for income taxes 3,814 2,487 ------- ------- Net income 6,100 3,194 Retained earnings, beginning of period 62,940 45,102 ------- ------- Retained earnings, end of period $69,040 $48,296 ======= ======= See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements. 1 ALLBRITTON COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY (an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Perpetual Corporation) CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Dollars in thousands) September 30, December 31, 1995 1996 (unaudited) ------------- ------------- Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 12,108 $ 5,335 Accounts receivable, net 29,219 38,038 Program rights 16,298 12,089 Deferred income taxes 1,473 1,675 Receivable from related party 1,578 - Interest receivable from related party 492 1,045 Other 1,795 2,618 ---------- ---------- Total current assets 62,963 60,800 Property, plant and equipment, net 52,333 51,751 Intangible assets, net 150,187 154,159 Deferred financing costs and other 11,856 11,564 Cash surrender value of life insurance 3,787 3,936 Program rights 652 533 ---------- --------- $ 281,778 $ 282,743 ========== ========== Liabilities and Stockholder's Investment Current liabilities Current portion of long-term debt $ 806 $ 1,204 Accounts payable 6,091 10,176 Accrued interest payable 10,724 7,854 Program rights payable 20,199 16,586 Accrued employee benefit expenses 3,043 2,300 Other accrued expenses 4,822 5,778 --------- -------- Total current liabilities 45,685 43,898 Long-term debt 402,187 407,855 Program rights payable 1,391 1,849 Deferred rent and other 3,201 2,654 Accrued employee benefit expenses 1,706 1,736 Deferred income taxes - 749 -------- ------- 454,170 458,741 -------- ------- Commitments and contingent liabilities Stockholder's investment Preferred stock, $1 par value, 800 shares authorized, none issued - - Common stock, $.05 par value, 20,000 shares authorized issued and outstanding 1 1 Capital in excess of par value 6,955 6,955 Retained earnings 45,102 48,296 Distributions to owners, net (224,450) (231,250) --------- --------- Total stockholder's investment (172,392) (175,998) --------- --------- $ 281,778 $ 282,743 ========= ========= See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements 2 ALLBRITTON COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY (an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Perpetual Corporation) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Dollars in thousands) (unaudited) Three Months Ended December 31, ------------------ 1995 1996 ---------------------- Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $6,100 $3,194 ------ ------ Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 1,274 4,294 Other noncash charges 104 297 Provision for doubtful accounts 111 121 Loss on disposal of assets 1 58 Changes in assets and liabilities: (Increase) decrease in assets: Accounts receivable (7,040) (8,940) Program rights 3,636 4,327 Interest receivable from related party (553) 553 Other current assets 495 ( 553) Other noncurrent assets (1,966) ( 131) Increase (decrease) in liabilities: Accounts payable 1,381 (1,263) Accrued interest payable 1,781 (2,870) Program rights payable (2,805) (3,155) Accrued employee benefit expenses 68 ( 713) Other accrued expenses 429 954 Deferred rent and other liabilities 166 278 ------- ------ Total adjustments (2,918) (6,743) ------- ------ Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 3,182 (3,549) ------- ----- Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures (875) (1,874) Purchase of option (10,000) - Proceeds from disposal of assets 24 12 ------ ----- Net cash used in investing activities (10,851) (1,862) ------ ----- Cash flows from financing activities: Draws under lines of credit, net 13,000 5,500 Principal payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations (1,463) ( 62) Distributions to owners, net of certain charges (7,366) (17,420) Repayments of distributions to owners 2,300 10,620 ----- ------ Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 6,471 (1,362) ----- ----- Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (1,198) (6,773) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 3,816 12,108 ----- ------ Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $2,618 $5,335 ====== ====== See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements 3 ALLBRITTON COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY (an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Perpetual Corporation) NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (dollars in thousands) (unaudited) NOTE 1 - The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Allbritton Communications Company (an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Perpetual Corporation) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company"), included herein have been prepared pursuant to instructions for Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles have been omitted or condensed where permitted by regulation. In management's opinion, the accompanying financial statements reflect all adjustments, which were of a normal recurring nature, and disclosures necessary for a fair statement of the consolidated financial statements for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 1996 are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for the entire fiscal year ending September 30, 1997. The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended September 30, 1996 which are contained in the Company's Form 10-K. NOTE 2 - On December 29, 1995, the Company, through an 80% owned subsidiary, entered into a ten-year local marketing agreement ("LMA") with RKZ, Inc., which owns WJSU, an ABC affiliated television station serving Anniston, Alabama. In connection with the LMA, the Company also entered into an option ("Option") to acquire WJSU. The cost of the Option totalled $15,348 of which $10,000 was paid in December 1995 and $5,348 became payable within 40 days of December 16, 1996 and was paid in January 1997. The Option is exercisable over a ten-year period for additional consideration of $3,337. The results of operations of WJSU are included in the consolidated financial statements since December 29, 1995. In March of 1996, the Company acquired an 80% interest in the assets and certain liabilities of WHTM, an ABC affiliated television station serving Harrisburg-York-Lancaster-Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and WCFT, an ABC affiliated television station serving Tuscaloosa, Alabama, for approximately $135,657 (collectively, the "Acquisitions"). The Acquisitions were accounted for as purchases and accordingly, the cost of the entities was assigned to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets and liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the respective dates of the purchases. The results of operations of WHTM and WCFT are included for the period subsequent to the acquisitions. 4 The acquisitions of WHTM and WCFT and the purchase of the Option were financed using a portion of the proceeds of an offering of $275,000 9.75% Senior Subordinated Debentures due 2007 (the "Debentures") which were issued in February 1996 at a discount of $1,375. The Company also used a portion of the proceeds of the offering to repay approximately $74,704 of debt, and pay a related prepayment penalty of $12,934, which resulted in an extraordinary loss, net of income tax benefit, of $7,750 on the early repayment of debt. The following pro forma summary presents the unaudited consolidated results of operations of the Company for the three months ended December 31, 1995 as if the offering of the Debentures and the application of the net proceeds thereof, (including the Acquisitions and LMA and excluding the prepayment penalty), had occurred at the beginning of the three month period. The results presented in the pro forma summary do not necessarily reflect the results that would have been obtained if the offering, Acquisitions and LMA had occurred at the beginning of the three month period. Three Months Ended December 31, 1995 ------------------ Operating revenues, net $44,851 Net income 3,434 NOTE 3 - For the three months ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, distributions to owners were as follows: Three Months Ended December 31, ------------------------------- 1995 1996 ---- ---- Distributions to owners, beginning of period $203,775 $224,450 Cash advances 10,618 18,969 Repayment of cash advances (2,300) (10,620) Charge for income taxes (3,252) (1,549) -------- -------- Distributions to owners, end of period $208,841 $231,250 ======== ======== Weighted average amount of non-interest bearing advances outstanding during the period $187,563 $211,465 ======== ======== Included in distributions to owners is the principal amount of a $20,000 loan made by the Company in 1991 to ALLNEWSCO, Inc. (Allnewsco), an affiliate of the Company which is owned by Mr. Joe L. Allbritton. This amount has been included in the consolidated financial statements on a consistent basis with other cash advances to related parties. The $20,000 note receivable from Allnewsco is payable in annual principal installments of $2,225 commencing January 11, 1997 through January 11, 2004 with a final payment of $2,200 on January 11, 2005. The note has a stated interest rate of 11.06% and interest is payable semi-annually. Allnewsco is current on its interest payments. During the second quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company deferred the January 11, 1997 payment and anticipates that it will amend the note to defer all principal payments to January 11, 2005. 5 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations OVERVIEW Allbritton Communications Company and its subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis, the "Company") own and operate seven network-affiliated television stations: WJLA in Washington, D.C.; WHTM in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; KATV in Little Rock, Arkansas; KTUL in Tulsa, Oklahoma; WSET in Lynchburg, Virginia; WCIV in Charleston, South Carolina; and WCFT in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The consolidated financial information included herein includes the amounts for the television stations listed above, with the amounts for WHTM and WCFT included only since March 1, 1996 and March 15, 1996, respectively, the dates on which the acquisitions of those entities were completed. The consolidated financial information also includes operating revenues and certain operating expenses of WJSU since December 29, 1995, pursuant to the terms of the local marketing agreement ("LMA"). WHTM, WCFT and WJSU, collectively, are referred to throughout as the "New Stations." RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Set forth below are selected consolidated financial data for the three months ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 in actual dollars and the percentage change between the periods: Three Months Ended December 31, -------------------------------- 1995 1996 % Change ---- ---- -------- (Dollars in thousands) Operating revenues, net $38,382 $47,792 24.5 Total operating expenses 23,296 31,672 86.0 Operating income 15,086 16,120 6.9 Nonoperating expenses, net 5,172 10,439 101.8 Income taxes 3,814 2,487 (34.8) Net income 6,100 3,194 (47.6) NET OPERATING REVENUES The following table depicts the principal types of operating revenues, net of agency commissions, earned by the Company for each of the three months ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the percentage contribution of each to the total broadcast revenues earned by the Company, before fees: Three Months Ended December 31, 1995 % 1996 % ----------------- --------------- (Dollars in thousands) Local/regional (1) $19,044 48.1 $22,525 45.7 National (2) 16,403 41.5 18,639 37.8 Network compensation (3) 593 1.5 1,420 2.9 Political (4) 404 1.0 3,376 6.9 Trade & barter (5) 1,619 4.1 1.915 3.9 Other revenue (6) 1,502 3.8 1,376 2.8 ------ ----- ------ ----- Broadcast revenues 39,565 100.0 49,251 100.0 ===== ===== Fees (7) (1,317) (1,580) ------- ------- Broadcast revenue, net of fees 38,248 47,671 Non-Broadcast revenue (8) 134 121 ------ ------ Total net operating revenue $38,382 $47,792 ======= ======= 6 (1) Represents sale of advertising time to local and regional advertisers or agencies representing such advertisers. (2) Represents sale of advertising time to agencies representing national advertisers. (3) Represents payment by networks for broadcasting or promoting network programming. (4) Represents sale of advertising time to political advertisers. (5) Represents value of commercial time exchanged for goods and services (trade) or syndicated programs (barter). (6) Represents miscellaneous revenue, principally receipts from tower rental, production of commercials and revenue from the sales of University of Arkansas sports programming to advertisers and radio stations. (7) Represents fees paid to national sales representatives and fees paid for music licenses. (8) Represents revenues from program syndication sales and other miscellaneous non-broadcast revenues. Net operating revenues for the three months ended December 31, 1996 totaled $47,792,000, an increase of $9,410,000, or 24.5% when compared to net operating revenues of $38,382,000 for the three months ended December 31, 1995. This includes a $3,481,000 increase in local/regional advertising, a $2,236,000 increase in national advertising, a $827,000 increase in network compensation, and a $2,972,000 increase in political advertising. Of the $9,410,000 increase, approximately $7,309,000 is attributable to the New Stations. Local/regional and national advertising constitute the Company's largest categories of operating revenues, collectively representing over 80% of the Company's total broadcast revenues in the periods presented. Although the total percentage contribution of local/regional and national advertising has been relatively constant, the growth rate of local/regional and national advertising revenues varies based upon the demand and rates for local/regional advertising time versus national advertising time in each of the Company's markets. The increase in local/regional advertising revenues for the three months ended December 31, 1996 of $3,481,000, or 18.3%, over the three months ended December 31, 1995 is largely attributable to $3,708,000 of local/regional advertising revenue generated by the New Stations. Local/regional advertising revenue in the Company's remaining markets decreased 1.2% from the amounts in the same period of the prior year principally due to a shift in advertising to political advertisers. National advertising revenue increased $2,236,000, or 13.6%, for the three months ended December 31, 1996 over the comparable period in the prior year. The increase for the three months ended December 31, 1996 is a result of $2,465,000 in national advertising revenues generated by the New Stations, offset by a shift in advertising to political advertisers and by a decrease in the Washington, D.C. and Little Rock, Arkansas markets for national advertisers. Political revenue, which comprised 1.0% of the Company's total operating revenues during the three months ended December 31, 1995, increased by $2,972,000 during the three months ended December 31, 1996 due primarily to the national presidential election and various high-profile political races in the Washington, DC metropolitan area as well as in Little Rock and Tulsa in November 1996 with no comparable political elections occurring in November 1995. 7 The increase in network compensation for the three months ended December 31, 1996 is primarily attributable to network compensation contributed by the New Stations and new ABC affiliation agreements at higher compensation levels for certain of the remaining stations which were completed subsequent to December 31, 1995. No individual advertiser accounted for more than 5% of the Company's broadcast revenues during the three months ended December 31, 1996 or 1995. TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES Total operating expenses for the three months ended December 31, 1996 totaled $31,672,000 an increase of $9,376,000, or 42.1%, compared to total operating expenses of $23,296,000 for the three month period ended December 31, 1995. Television operating expenses (before depreciation, amortization, and corporate expenses) totaled $26,404,000 for the three months ended December 31, 1996, an increase of $5,211,000, or 24.6 %, compared to $21,193,000 for the three months ended December 31, 1995. The increase in television operating expenses is directly attributable to the New Stations. Television operating expenses at the remaining stations were flat compared to the same period in the prior year. Depreciation and amortization expense of $4,294,000 for the three months ended December 31, 1996 increased $3,020,000, or 237.1%, due principally to the increased amount of depreciable assets and intangible assets arising from the acquisitions of WHTM and WCFT as well as from the option to acquire the assets of WJSU. Corporate expenses of $974,000 for the three months ended December 31, 1996 increased $145,000 or 17.4%, compared to $829,000 for the three months ended December 31, 1995. The increase was primarily due to an increase in compensation expense. OPERATING INCOME For the three months ended December 31, 1996, operating income of $16,120,000 increased $1,034,000 or 6.9%, when compared to operating income of $15,086,000 for the three months ended December 31, 1995. The increase was due primarily to increased revenue offset by increased operating, depreciation and amortization expense, and corporate expenses as discussed above. For the three months ended December 31, 1996, the operating margin decreased to 33% from 39% for the comparable period in 1995. The decrease in the operating margin is principally attributable to increased depreciation and amortization arising from the acquisition of the New Stations. NONOPERATING EXPENSES, NET Interest expense of $10,659,000 for three months ended December 31, 1996 increased $4,992,000, or 88.1%, as compared to $5,667,000 for the three month period ended December 31, 1995. This increase is primarily due to the incremental interest expense associated with the issuance of the Company's $275,000,000 9.75% Senior Subordinated Debentures due 2007 (the "9.75% Debentures") on February 6, 1996. 8 The weighted average balances of debt were $202,325,000 and $408,001,000 for the three months ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively, and the weighted average interest rate on debt was 11.1% and 10.4% for the three months ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively. INCOME TAXES The provision for income taxes for the three months ended December 31, 1996 totaled $2,487,000, a decrease of $ 1,327,000, or 34.8%, when compared to the provision for income taxes of $3,814,000 for the three months ended December 31, 1995. The decrease is directly attributable to the $4,323,000, or 42.7%, decrease in income before income taxes which declined for reasons previously discussed. The Company's effective tax rate was 38.5% and 43.8% for the three months ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively. The increase in the effective rate is principally due to certain state tax net operating loss carryforwards generated in the current period for which no tax benefit has been recognized due to the uncertainty surrounding their realizability. NET INCOME Net income for the three months ended December 31, 1996 was $3,194,000, compared to net income of $6,100,000 for the three months ended December 31, 1995, a decrease of $2,906,000, or 47.6%. The decrease results primarily from an increase in interest expense of $4,992,000, offset by increases in income from operations of $1,034,000 and a decrease in income taxes of $1,327,000. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES As of December 31, 1996, the Company's cash and cash equivalents aggregated $5,335,000, and the Company had an excess of current assets over current liabilities of $16,902,000. Cash Provided by Operations. The Company's principal sources of working capital are internally generated cash flow from operations and borrowings under its revolving credit facility. As reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company used 3,549,000 of net cash in operating activities during the three months ended December 31, 1996 and generated $3,182,000 of net cash in operating activities during the three months ended December 31,1995. The decrease is attributable primarily to the timing of interest and other payments. Transactions with Owners. For the three months ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, the Company made cash advances to owners net of repayments and certain charges totaling $6,800,000 and $5,066,000, respectively. The Company periodically makes advances in the form of distributions to its parent. At present, the primary source of repayment of the net advances is through the ability of the Company to pay dividends or make other distributions to its parent, and there is no immediate intent for the amounts to be repaid. Accordingly, these advances have been treated as a reduction of Stockholder's investment and described as "distributions" in the Company's consolidated financial statements. 9 Stockholder's deficit amounted to $175,998,000 at December 31, 1996, an increase of $3,606,000, or 2.1%, from the September 30, 1996 deficit of $172,392,000. The increase is primarily due to a net increase in distributions to owners of $6,800,000 offset by net income for the period of $3,194,000. Indebtedness. The Company's total debt, including the current portion of long-term debt, increased from $402,993,000 at September 30, 1996 to $409,059,000 at December 31, 1996. This debt, net of applicable discounts, consists of $273,731,000 of 9.75% Debentures, $122,734,000 of 11.50% debentures, $4,994,000 of capital lease obligations and $7,600,000 under a revolving credit agreement. The increase of $6,066,000 in total debt from September 30 to December 31, 1996 is primarily due to a $530,000 net increase in capital lease obligations to fund capital expenditures for WCFT/WJSU and a $5,500,000 increase in the revolving credit facility to fund working capital. ACC's $40,000,000 revolving credit facility is secured by the pledge of stock of ACC and its subsidiaries and matures April 16, 2001. Under the existing borrowing agreements, the Company agrees to abide by restrictive covenants that place limitations upon payments of cash dividends, issuance of capital stock, investment transactions, incurrence of additional obligations and transactions with affiliates. In addition, the Company must maintain specified levels of operating cash flow and/or working capital and comply with other financial covenants. Other Uses of Cash. Management estimates that capital expenditures for fiscal year 1997 will approximate $9,500,000 of which approximately 60% will be funded by cash generated from operations and the remaining amount financed under existing credit facilities. Capital expenditures during the three months ended December 31, 1996, totaled $2,465,000, which included cash expenditures of $1,874,000. Fiscal year 1997 planned capital expenditures include facility construction and equipment additions to complete the consolidation of the operations of WCFT and WJSU and technical equipment improvements and capital additions at the other stations. The Company anticipates that its existing cash position, together with cash flows generated by operating activities and amounts available under its revolving credit facility will be sufficient to finance the operating cash flow requirements of its stations, debt service requirements and anticipated capital expenditures. 10 Part II - OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings The Company currently and from time to time is involved in litigation incidental to the conduct of its business, including suits based on defamation. The Company is not currently a party to any lawsuit or proceeding which, in the opinion of management, if decided adverse to the Company, would be likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In October 1995, a former employee of WJLA filed a lawsuit against WJLA in The Superior Court for the District of Columbia alleging discrimination under the District of Columbia Human Rights Statute and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing under District of Columbia law. The lawsuit sought $10,000,000 in actual damages and $2,000,000 in punitive damages from WJLA. Summary judgment was rendered in favor of WJLA on December 11, 1996. The decision has been appealed. Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders At the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company held on December 9, 1996, each of the directors of the Company was re- elected to serve until the next annual meeting and until his or her successor is elected and qualified. Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K a. Exhibits 27. Financial Data Schedule (Electronic Filing Only) b. Reports on Form 8-K No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter. 11 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. ALLBRITTON COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY (Registrant) February 14, 1997 /s/ Lawrence I. Hebert Date Name: Lawrence I. Hebert Title: President /s/ James R. Vergin February 14, 1997 Name: James R. Vergin Date Title: Chief Accounting Officer EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit Page No. 3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of ACC. * (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, No. 333-02302, dated March 12, 1996.) 3.2 Bylaws of ACC. (Incorporated by reference to * Exhibit 3.2 of Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-4, No. 333-02302, dated March 12, 1996.) 4.1 Indenture dated as of February 6, 1996 between * ACC and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee, relating to the Debentures. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, No. 333-02302, dated March 12, 1996.) 4.2 Indenture dated as of August 26, 1992 between * ACC and the First National Bank of Boston, as Trustee, relating to 11.5% Senior Subordinated Debentures due 2004. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, No. 333-02302, dated March 12, 1996.) 4.3 Form of 9.75% Series B Senior Subordinated * Debentures due 2007. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, No. 333-02302, dated March 12, 1996.) 4.4 Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of April * 16, 1996 by and among Allbritton Communications Company certain Banks, and The First National Bank of Boston, as agent. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, No. 333- 02302, dated August 14, 1996.) 10.1 Registration Rights Agreement by and among * ACC, Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Salomon Brothers, Inc., dated February 6, 1996. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, No. 333-02302, dated March 12, 1996.) 10.2 Network Affiliation Agreement (Harrisburg * Television, Inc.). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Company's Pre-effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4, dated April 22, 1996.) 10.3 Network Affiliation Agreement (First * Charleston, Corp.). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Company's Pre-effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4, dated April 22, 1996.) 10.4 Network Affiliation Agreement (WSET, * Incorporated). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Company's Pre-effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4, dated April 22, 1996.) 10.5 Network Affiliation Agreement (WJLA-TV). * (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of Company's Pre-effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4, dated April 22, 1996.) 10.6 Network Affiliation Agreement (KATV * Television, Inc.). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of Company's Pre-effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4, dated April 22, 1996.) 10.7 Network Affiliation Agreement (KTUL * Television, Inc.). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of Company's Pre-effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4, dated April 22, 1996.) 10.8 Network Affiliation Agreement (TV Alabama, * Inc.). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of Company's Pre-effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4, dated April 22, 1996.) 10.9 Tax Sharing Agreement effective as of * September 30, 1991 by and among Perpetual Corporation, Inc., ACC and Allnewsco, Inc., as amended. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, No. 333-02302, dated March 12, 1996.) 10.10 Time Brokerage Agreement dated as of December * 21, 1995 by and between RKZ Television, Inc. and ACC. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, No. 333-02302, dated March 12, 1996.) 10.11 Option Agreement dated December 21, 1995 by * and between ACC and RKZ Television, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, No. 333-02302, dated March 12, 1996.) 10.12 Amendment dated May 2, 1996 by and among TV * Alabama, Inc., RKZ Television, Inc. and Osborn Communications Corporation to Option Agreement dated December 21, 1995 by and between ACC and RKZ Television, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.13 of Company's Form 10-K, No. 333-02302, dated December 30, 1996.) 10.13 Master Lease Finance Agreement dated as of * August 10, 1994 between BancBoston Leasing, Inc. and ACC, as amended. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, No. 333-02302, dated March 12, 1996.) 10.14 Representation Agreement dated as of July 1, * 1995 by and between 78 inc. and WJLA-TV. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, No. 333-02302, dated March 12, 1996.) 10.15 Amendment to Network Affiliation Agreement (TV Alabama, Inc.) dated January 23, 1997. 27. Financial Data Schedule (Electronic Filing Only) *Previously filed