1 Exhibit 12 CBS CORPORATION COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Three Months ended March 31, Year Ended December 31, 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 ($ in millions) Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest $ 66 $ (59) $(292) $ 128 $ (6) $ 26 Less: Equity in income (loss) or 50 percent or less owned affiliates -- 9 10 15 (3) (2) Add: Fixed charges 82 410 421 188 30 59 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- Earnings as adjusted $ 148 $ 342 $ 119 $ 301 $ 27 $ 87 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- Fixed charges: Interest expense $ 75 $ 386 $ 401 $ 184 $ 26 $ 55 Rental expense 7 24 20 4 4 4 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- Total fixed charges $ 82 $ 410 $ 421 $ 188 $ 30 $ 59 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 1.8x (a) (a) 1.6x (a) 1.5x ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- (a) Additional income before income taxes and minority interest necessary to attain a ratio of 1.00x for 1997, 1996 and 1994 would be $68 million, $302 million, and $3 million, respectively.