**Exhibit 10.9****HEARST-ARGYLE TELEVISION, INC.****888 Seventh Avenue****New York, NY 10106**     As of January 21, 2004Mr. Steven A. Hobbs[ADDRESS ON FILE]Dear Steve:     This letter constitutes all of the terms of the EmploymentAgreement between you and Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc.(“Hearst-Argyle”). It is subject to the approval ofthe Board of Directors of Hearst-Argyle. The terms are asfollows:     1. **Legal Name of Employee:** Steven A. Hobbs     2. **Mailing Address ofEmployee:**    [ADDRESS ON FILE]     3. **Title of Position;Duties**          SVP,Chief Legal & Development Officer     You agree to carry out the duties assigned to you by thePresident and CEO of Hearst-Argyle. Hearst-Argyle has the rightto assign you to other duties consistent with those of otherexecutives of your level.     4. **Length of Employment.** The term of this Agreementwill start on January  21, 2004 and continue throughDecember 31, 2005 (the “Term”).     5. **Salary.** You will receive a base salary for allservices to Hearst-Argyle as follows:          a) $485,000 for the period from January 21, 2004    through December 31, 2004 (pro-rated for the partial    year); and           b) $510,000 for the period from January 1, 2005    through December 31, 2005.     The salary will be paid according to Hearst-Argyle’spayroll practices, but not less frequently than twice a month.You acknowledge that you are not entitled to overtime pay.     In addition it is understood that you are eligible to receive abonus up to a maximum of 75% of your base salary. The criteriafor the bonus will be set by the Compensation Committee of theBoard of Directors of Hearst-Argyle, at its sole discretion. Thebonus is payable only for as long as you work for Hearst-Argyle,and will be payable only at the end of a complete bonus cycleand is not proratable, except in the event of your death, whenit will be proratable. In determining the amount of your bonus,the books and records of Hearst-Argyle are absolute and finaland not open to dispute by you. Hearst-Argyle will pay any bonusdue you by March 31 of the year following the year forwhich the bonus is applicable.     In addition, and subject to the approval of the Board ofDirectors of Hearst-Argyle, in March, 2004, you will be providedwith an option to acquire 40,000 shares of Series ACommon Stock, $0.01 par value, of Hearst-Argyle. The optionwill be provided in accordance with Hearst-Argyle’s Amendedand Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan and the individual optionagreement associated with the grant of the option.     6. **Exclusive Services.** You agree that you will workonly for Hearst-Argyle, and will not render services or givebusiness advice, paid or otherwise, to anyone else, withoutgetting Hearst-Argyle’s written approval. However, you mayparticipate as a member of the board of directors of otherorganizations and in charitable and community organizations, butonly if such activities do not conflict or interfere with yourwork for Hearst-Argyle, and if such work is approved in advanceby Hearst-Argyle, which approval will not be unreasonablywithheld. You acknowledge that your services will be unique,special and original and will be financially and competitivelyvaluable to Hearst-Argyle, and that your violation of thisparagraph will cause Hearst-Argyle irreparable harm for whichmoney damages alone would not adequately compensateHearst-Argyle.
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Accordingly, you acknowledge that if you violate this paragraph,Hearst-Argyle has the right to apply for and obtain injunctiverelief to stop such violation (without the posting of any bond,and you hereby waive any bond-posting requirements in connectionwith injunctive relief), in addition to any other appropriaterights and remedies it might lawfully have.     7. **No Conflicts.** You agree that there is no reasonwhy you cannot make this Agreement with Hearst-Argyle,including, but not limited to, having a contract, written orotherwise, with another employer.     8. **Termination of Employment.** Hearst-Argyle has theright to end this Agreement:          a) Upon your death; or           b) For any of the following: (i) indictment for a    felony, (ii) failure to carry out, or neglect or misconduct    in the performance of, your duties hereunder or a breach of this    Agreement; (iii) willful failure to comply with applicable    laws with respect to the conduct of Hearst-Argyle’s    business, (iv) theft, fraud or embezzlement resulting in    gain or personal enrichment, directly or indirectly, to you at    Hearst-Argyle’s expense, (v) addiction to an illegal    drug, (vi) conduct or involvement in a situation that    brings, or may bring, you into public disrespect, tends to    offend the community or any group thereof, or embarrasses or    reflects unfavorably on Hearst-Argyle’s reputation (or the    reputation of the station at which you are employed), or    (vii) willful failure to comply with the reasonable    directions of senior management.     9. **Payment for Plugs.** You acknowledge that you arefamiliar with Sections 317 and 508 of the CommunicationsAct of 1934 and are aware that it is illegal without fulldisclosure to promote products or services in which you have afinancial interest. You agree not to participate in any suchpromotion under any circumstances and understand that to do sois a violation of law as well as a cause for termination. Also,you agree that you will not become involved in any financialsituation which might compromise or cause a conflict with yourobligations under this paragraph or this Agreement without firsttalking with Hearst-Argyle about your intentions and obtainingHearst-Argyle’s written consent.     10. **Confidentiality.** You agree that while employedby Hearst-Argyle and after this Agreement is terminated orexpires, you will not use or divulge or in any way distribute toany person or entity, including a future employer, anyconfidential information of any nature relating toHearst-Argyle’s business, except for such disclosures asmay be required by applicable law or judicial process. You willsurrender to Hearst-Argyle at the end of your employment all itsproperty in your possession. If you breach this paragraph,Hearst-Argyle has the right to apply for and obtain injunctiverelief to stop such a violation, in addition to its other legalremedies, as outlined in Paragraph 6.     You agree to keep the terms of this Agreement confidential fromeverybody except your professional advisors and family, exceptfor such disclosures as may be required by applicable law orjudicial process.     11. **Non-Solicitation; Non-Hire.** You agree that fortwo (2) years after the expiration or termination of thisAgreement, you will not hire, solicit, aid or suggest to any(i) employee of Hearst-Argyle, its subsidiaries oraffiliates, (ii) independent contractor or other serviceprovider or (iii) any customer, agency or advertiser ofHearst-Argyle, its subsidiaries or affiliates to terminate suchrelationship or to stop doing business with Hearst-Argyle, itssubsidiaries or affiliates.     If you violate this provision, Hearst-Argyle will have the sameright to injunctive relief as outlined in Paragraph 6, aswell as any other remedies it may have. If any court ofcompetent jurisdiction finds any part of this paragraphunenforceable as to its duration, scope, geographic area orotherwise, it shall be deemed amended so as to permit it to beenforced.     12. **Officer; Director.** Upon request, you agree thatyou will serve as an officer or director, in addition to yourpresent position, of Hearst-Argyle or any affiliated entity,without additional pay.     13. **Continuation of Agreement.** This Agreement andyour employment shall terminate upon the expiration of the Term(unless terminated earlier pursuant to Paragraph 8 hereof),provided that if Hearst-Argyle gives you written notice ofextension then this Agreement shall continue on a month-to-monthbasis
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until the earlier of (i) the commencement of a renewal orextension agreement between you and Hearst-Argyle, or(ii) termination of this Agreement by either party onfifteen days written notice to the other.     14. **Assignment of Agreement.** Hearst-Argyle has theright to transfer this Agreement to a successor, to a purchaserof substantially all of its assets or its business or to anyparent, subsidiary, or affiliated corporation or entity and youwill be obligated to carry out the terms of this Agreement forthat new owner or transferee. You have no right to assign thisAgreement, and any attempt to do so is null and void.     15. **State Law.** This Agreement will be interpretedunder the laws of the State of New York, without regard toconflicts or choice of law rules.     16. **No Other Agreements.** This Agreement is the onlyagreement between you and Hearst-Argyle. It supersedes any otheragreements, amendments or understandings you and Hearst-Argylemay have had. This Agreement may be amended only in a writtendocument signed by both parties.     17. **Approvals.** In any situation requiring theapproval of Hearst-Argyle, such approval must be given by thePresident and Chief Executive Officer of Hearst-ArgyleTelevision, Inc.     18. **Dispute Resolution.** Hearst-Argyle and Employeeagree that any claim (other than claims arising out ofParagraphs 6 or 12 of this Agreement) which either partymay have against the other under local, state or federal lawincluding, but not limited to, matters of discrimination,matters arising out of the termination or alleged breach of thisAgreement or the terms, conditions or termination of employment,will be submitted to mediation and, if mediation isunsuccessful, to final and binding arbitration in accordancewith Hearst-Argyle’s Dispute Settlement Procedure(“Procedure”), of which Employee has received a copy.During the pendency of any claim under this Procedure,Hearst-Argyle and Employee agree to make no statement orally orin writing regarding the existence of the claim or the factsforming the basis of such claim, or any statement orally or inwriting which could impair or disparage the personal or businessreputation of Hearst-Argyle or Employee. The Procedure is herebyincorporated by reference into this Agreement.     19. **Correspondence.** All correspondence between youand Hearst-Argyle will be written and sent by certified mail,return receipt requested, or by personal delivery or courier, tothe following addresses:         If to Hearst-Argyle:     Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc.      888 Seventh Avenue      27th    Floor      New York, New York 10106      Attn:     David J. Barrett        President and CEO         with a copy to:     General Counsel      Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc.      888 Seventh Avenue      27th    Floor      New York, New York 10106     If to Employee:     Mr. Steven A. Hobbs      [ADDRESS ON FILE]     Either party may change its address in writing sent to the aboveaddresses.     20. **Severability.** If a court decides that any partof this Agreement is unenforceable, the rest of the Agreementwill survive.
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     21. **Originals of Agreement.** This Agreement may besigned in any number of counterparts, each of which shall beconsidered an original. HEARST-ARGYLE TELEVISION,    INC.     By:     /s/ David J. Barrett   Title:    President and Chief Executive Officer By:     /s/ Steven A. Hobbs       Steven A. Hobbs
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