EXHIBIT 12 ALLBRITTON COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Fiscal Year Ended September 30, ------------------------------------------------------------------- 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Pretax income from continuing operations $ 14,848 $ 29,932 $ 33,844 $ 14,805 $1,534 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Fixed charges: Interest 22,295 22,262 22,667 35,060 42,719 Amortization of deferred financing costs 376 435 386 835 1,031 Amortization of debt discount 41 41 41 162 151 Rental expense 920 873 888 900 967 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Total fixed charges 23,632 23,611 23,982 36,957 44,868 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ $ 38,480 $ 53,543 $ 57,826 $ 51,762 $ 46,402 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 1.63 2.27 2.41 1.40 1.03 ============ =========== ============ ============ ============ As Adjusted As Adjusted Three Fiscal Year Three Months Months Ended Ended Ended September 30, December 31, December 31, -------------------------- 1997 1996 1997 1997 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Pretax income from continuing operations $3,675 $5,681 $7,140 $7,749 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Fixed charges: Interest 40,560 10,622 11,020 10,407 Amortization of deferred financing costs 1,083 260 260 273 Amortization of debt discount 117 37 38 29 Rental expense 967 242 266 266 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Total fixed charges 42,727 11,161 11,584 10,975 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ $ 46,402 $ 16,842 $ 18,724 $ 18,724 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 1.09 1.51 1.62 1.71 ============ ============ ============ ============