Exhibit 12.1 Young Broadcasting Inc. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1997 1998 1999 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Fixed Charges: Interest 64,102,237 62,617,274 62,980,836 Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs and Bond Premium 4,248,834 4,516,612 4,612,634 Interest Portion of Rent Expense 643,200 532,800 1,123,200 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Fixed Charges 68,994,271 67,666,686 68,716,670 ===================================================================== Earnings (Loss) (Loss) Income from operations (22,282,666) (19,299,178) (43,112,944) Fixed Charges 68,994,271 67,666,686 68,716,670 --------------------------------------------------------------------- 46,711,605 48,367,508 25,603,726 ===================================================================== Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (1) -- -- -- ===================================================================== Quarter Ended March 31, ------------------------------------- --------------------------------- 2000 2001 2001 2002 ------------------------------------- --------------------------------- Fixed Charges: Interest 95,842,753 112,753,609 31,214,566 26,809,896 Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs and Bond Premium 4,604,438 4,830,807 1,207,702 889,397 Interest Portion of Rent Expense 1,356,600 1,201,660 300,415 275,850 ------------------------------------- --------------------------------- Fixed Charges 101,803,791 118,786,076 32,722,683 27,975,143 ===================================== ================================= Earnings (Loss) (Loss) Income from operations (54,729) (52,759,166) (17,985,467) (31,261,404) Fixed Charges 101,803,791 118,786,076 32,722,683 27,975,143 ------------------------------------- --------------------------------- 101,749,062 66,026,910 14,737,216 (3,286,261) ===================================== ================================= Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (1) 1.00:1 -- -- -- ===================================== ================================= (1) For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001, our earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by approximately $22,282,666, $19,299,178, $43,112,944 and $52,759,166, and for the quarters ended March 31, 2001 and 2002, by approximately $17,985,467 and $31,261,404, respectively.