Belo Corp. (BLC) Television Stations Provided 151 Candidates Free Airtime During 2010 Political Season

Belo Corp. (BLC) Television Stations Provided 151 Candidates Free Airtime During 2010 Political Season

DALLAS, Jan. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Belo Corp. (NYSE: BLC), one of the nation's largest pure-play, publicly-traded television companies, announced today that its stations provided free airtime to 151 congressional and gubernatorial candidates across the U.S. during the 2010 election season through the Company's "It's Your Time" program. In addition, Belo maximized the impact of its voter education efforts by broadcasting more than 162 hours of political coverage on its 15 news-producing television stations in the seven weeks leading up to Election Day.

From September 19 to November 1, Belo television stations aired an average of 72 local and national election-related stories each week. The coverage included 14 debates that gave viewers a focused look at the candidates and their platforms. Belo re-broadcast an average of 144 stories weekly on the Company's six regional and local cable news channels. The Company also streamed and archived election-related stories and the debates on its 20 station Web sites through Election Day.

Other highlights of the Company's election coverage included:

-- a one-hour gubernatorial debate aired on KGW-TV, Belo's NBC station in
Portland, between incumbent Oregon Democrat Governor John Kitzhaber and
Republican Chris Dudley;
-- a one-hour Arizona U.S. Senate debate aired by KTVK, Belo's independent
station in Phoenix, between incumbent Republican John McCain and
challengers Democrat Rodney Glassman, Libertarian David Nolan, and Green
Party candidate Jerry Joslyn;
-- a one-hour gubernatorial debate hosted by KTVB, Belo's NBC station in
Boise, between incumbent Idaho Republican Governor C. L. "Butch" Otter
and challengers Democrat Keith Allred and Independent Jana Kemp; and,
-- a one-hour Kentucky U.S. Senate debate aired on WHAS-TV, Belo's ABC
station in Louisville, between Republican Rand Paul and Democrat Jack
Conway.

Many Belo stations extended their political coverage this election season to multi-media platforms through Webcasts, mobile media and interactive polls. KGW NewsChannel 8 broke new ground with live coverage on multiple-media platforms. The station deployed 14 crews across Oregon and Washington, airing unique election coverage on its primary channel, its digital subchannels, its Web site and mobile applications.

"The political coverage our stations provide our local communities creates a more informed electorate and enhances dialogue with the voting public," said Dunia A. Shive, Belo's president and Chief Executive Officer. "Belo is pleased to give candidates a platform to air their positions on important issues through the 'It's Your Time' program."

About Belo's "It's Your Time" Program

Belo pioneered the "It's Your Time" program in 1996 to educate viewers on issues facing their local communities. Each eligible candidate participating in "It's Your Time" receives five minutes of free airtime. Since the program's inception, Belo has provided free airtime to almost 1,000 candidates in eight consecutive election cycles, including 2010.

About Belo Corp.

Belo Corp. (NYSE: BLC), one of the nation's largest pure-play, publicly-traded television companies, owns and operates 20 television stations (nine in the top 25 markets) and their associated Web sites. Belo stations, which include affiliations with ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and the CW, reach more than 14 percent of U.S. television households in 15 highly attractive markets. Belo stations rank first or second in nearly all of their local markets. Additional information is available at www.belo.com or by contacting Paul Fry, vice president/Investor Relations & Treasury Operations, at 214-977-6835.

SOURCE Belo Corp.

Belo Corp.

CONTACT: Paul Fry, vice president of Investor Relations & Treasury Operations of Belo Corp., +1-214-977-6835

Web Site: http://www.belo.com

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