EXHIBIT 12.1
Media General, Inc.
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
Quarter
(in thousands) Year Ended Ended
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December 29, December 28, December 27, December 26, December 31, April 1,
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
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Pretax income (loss) from continuing
operations less income/loss from
equity investments $58,692 $ 42,970 $ 52,629 $121,182 $ 97,795 $(4,220)
Fixed charges 13,744 61,971 63,239 48,121 50,403 16,610
Amortization of capitalized interest - 38 38 38 38 10
Distributed income of equity investees 15,600 2,700 7,700 28,575 3,400 -
less: Capitalized interest - (1,531) - - (6) (34)
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Earnings $88,036 $106,148 $123,606 $197,916 $151,630 $12,366
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Interest expensed and capitalized
(including amortization of
premiums/discounts) $12,680 $ 60,662 $ 61,027 $ 45,014 $ 42,564 $14,021
Interest portion of rental expense 1,064 1,309 2,212 3,107 7,839 2,589
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Fixed Charges $13,744 $ 61,971 $ 63,239 $ 48,121 $ 50,403 $16,610
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Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 6.41 1.71 1.95 4.11 3.01 NA/1/
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/1/ For the quarter ended April 1, 2001, there was a deficiency in earnings of
$4,244 to cover fixed charges.