EXHIBIT 12.1 PETERSEN PUBLISHING COMPANY, L.L.C. COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS) TEN MONTHS ENDED YEARS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, -------------------------------------- ------------------- 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1995 1996 ------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ----------- ------- (UNAUDITED) Earnings: Income before taxes..... $4,417 $13,781 $ 9,473 $19,994 $14,907 $15,105 $17,657 Fixed Charges: Interest in Rent Expense............... 1,720 1,676 1,647 1,690 1,817 1,479 1,802 Interest Expense....... -- -- -- -- -- -- 185 ------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Earnings................ $6,137 $15,457 $11,120 $21,684 $16,724 $16,584 $19,644 ====== ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Fixed Charges: Interest in Rent Expense............... $1,720 $ 1,676 $ 1,647 $ 1,690 $ 1,817 $ 1,479 $ 1,802 Interest Expense....... -- -- -- -- -- -- 185 ------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Fixed Charges........... $1,720 $ 1,676 $ 1,647 $ 1,690 $ 1,817 $ 1,479 $ 1,987 ====== ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.......... 3.6 9.2 6.8 12.8 9.2 11.2 9.9 ====== ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======