PLEDGE AGREEMENT
                    (Borrower and Loan Agreement Guarantors)

     This Pledge Agreement ("Agreement") dated October 25, 1999 is by and among
BMC Holdings, LLC ("Borrower"), Brill Media Company, LLC, BMC Holdings, Inc. and
Brill Media Management, Inc., each a Virginia corporation or limited liability
company (each individually, a "Pledgor" and collectively, the "Pledgors") in
favor of Foothill Capital Corporation, a California corporation ("Foothill").
Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings
assigned to them in the Loan Agreement (described below).

                               W I T N E S S E T H

     WHEREAS, Foothill has entered or is about to enter into a Loan and Security
Agreement (the "Loan Agreement") with Borrower and the other Pledgors pursuant
to which Foothill may make loans and provide other financial accommodations to
Borrower; and

     WHEREAS, Pledgors are affiliates of Borrower and as such will derive direct
and indirect economic benefits from the making of the loans and other financial
accommodations which may be provided to Borrower;

     WHEREAS, Foothill has required as a condition precedent to the extension of
credit to the Borrower, that the Pledgors enter into this Agreement to secure
their respective obligations under the Loan Agreement; and

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual conditions and agreements
set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as
follows:

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

     All terms used herein which are defined in Article 1 or Article 9 of the
Uniform Commercial Code shall have the meanings given therein unless otherwise
defined in this Agreement. All references to the plural herein shall also mean
the singular and to the singular shall also mean the plural unless the context
otherwise requires. All references to Pledgor, Borrower and Foothill pursuant to
the definitions set forth in the recitals hereto, or to any other person herein,
shall include their respective successors and assigns. The words "hereof,"
"herein," "hereunder," "this Agreement" and words of similar import when used in
this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not any particular
provision of this Agreement and as this Agreement now exists or may hereafter be
amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, restated or replaced. The
word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean "including, without
limitation." An Event of Default shall exist or continue or be continuing until
such Event of Default is waived or is cured in a manner satisfactory to
Foothill, if such Event of Default is capable of being cured as determined by
Foothill. "US Dollars" and the sign "$" mean lawful money of the United States
of America. Any accounting term used herein unless otherwise defined in this
Agreement shall have the

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meanings customarily given to such term in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of
this Agreement, the following terms shall have the respective meanings given to
them below:

     1.1 "Governmental Authority" means any nation or government, any state,
province, or other political subdivision thereof, any central bank (or similar
monetary or regulatory authority) thereof, any entity exercising executive,
legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining
to government, and any corporation or other entity owned or controlled, through
stock or capital ownership or otherwise, by any of the foregoing.

     1.2 "Issuers" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 of this
Agreement.

     1.3 "Legal Requirements" means all applicable international, foreign,
federal, state, provincial and local laws, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes,
ordinances, rules, regulations, or Permits.

     1.4 "Lien" means any interest in property securing an obligation owed to,
or a claim by, any Person other than the owner of the property, whether such
interest shall be based on the common law, statute, or contract, whether such
interest shall be recorded or perfected, and whether such interest shall be
contingent upon the occurrence of some future event or events or the existence
of some future circumstance or circumstances, including the lien or security
interest arising from a mortgage, deed of trust, encumbrance, pledge,
hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, security agreement, adverse
claim or charge, conditional sale or trust receipt, or from a lease,
consignment, or bailment for security purposes and also including reservations,
exceptions, encroachments, easements, rights-of-way, covenants, conditions,
restrictions, leases, and other title exceptions and encumbrances affecting Real
Property.

     1.5 "LLCs and Partnerships" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1
of this Agreement.

     1.6 "Obligations" shall mean, with respect to each Pledgor its Obligations
as defined in the Loan Agreement.

     1.7 "Obligor" shall mean any other guarantor, endorser, acceptor, surety or
other person liable on or with respect to any Obligations or who is the owner of
any property which is security for the Obligations, other than a Pledgor.

     1.8 "Permits" of a Person shall mean all rights, franchises, permits,
authorities, licenses, certificates of approval or authorizations, including
licenses and other authorizations issuable by a Governmental Authority, which
pursuant to applicable Legal Requirements are necessary to permit such Person
lawfully to conduct and operate its business as currently conducted and to own
and use its assets.

     1.9 "Person" means and includes natural persons, corporations, limited
liability companies, limited partnerships, general partnerships, limited
liability partnerships, joint ventures, trusts, land trusts, business trusts, or
other organizations, irrespective of whether they are legal entities, and
governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof.


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     1.10 "Pledged Collateral" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1
of this Agreement.

     1.11 "Pledged Indebtedness" means the Indebtedness evidenced by promissory
notes and instruments listed on Schedule C hereto.

     1.12 "Pledged Interests" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 of
this Agreement.

     1.13 "Pledged Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 of
this Agreement.

     1.14 "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933 as amended from time
to time.

     1.15 "UCC" and "Uniform Commercial Code" shall mean Uniform Commercial Code
in effect in Illinois.

SECTION 2. PLEDGE OF STOCK, MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS AND INTERCOMPANY NOTES

     2.1 Pledge. In order to secure prompt repayment of any and all of its
Obligations and in order to secure prompt performance by each Pledgor of each of
its covenants and duties under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, each
Pledgor hereby pledges to Foothill, and grants to Foothill, a security interest
in the following collateral (the "Pledged Collateral"):

          (a) the shares of stock (the "Pledged Shares") described in Schedule A
     hereto next to such Pledgor's name and issued by the corporations listed on
     Schedule A (the "Issuers") and the certificates representing the Pledged
     Shares, and all dividends, cash, instruments, chattel paper and other
     rights, property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or
     otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for such Pledged Shares;

          (b) all additional shares of stock of the Issuers or any of their
     respective Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, at any time acquired by such Pledgor
     in any manner, and the certificates representing such additional shares
     (any such additional shares shall constitute part of the Pledged Shares),
     and all dividends, cash, instruments, chattel paper, and any other rights,
     property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise
     distributed in respect of or in exchange for such shares;

          (c) all membership interests and all partnership interests (the
     "Pledged Interests") described in Schedule B hereto next to such Pledgor's
     name with respect to the entities listed on Schedule B (the "LLCs and
     Partnerships"), and all cash, securities, distributions, rights and other
     property at any time and from time to time received, receivable or
     otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such
     Pledged Interests;

          (d) all additional membership interests and all additional partnership
     interests in any limited liability companies or partnerships that are
     Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries at any time and from time to time acquired by
     such Pledgor in any manner, and all cash, securities,


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     distributions, rights and other property at any time and from time to time
     received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange
     for any or all of such membership and partnership interests;

          (e) all voting rights of such Pledgor with respect to the Pledged
     Interests as set forth in the applicable operating agreement;

          (f) all other claims of any kind or nature, and any instruments,
     certificates, chattel paper or other writings evidencing such claims,
     whether in contract or tort and whether arising by operation of law,
     consensual agreement or otherwise, at any time acquired by such Pledgor
     against the Issuers or any of their respective Subsidiaries or the LLCs and
     Partnerships;

          (g) the Pledged Indebtedness and the promissory notes or instruments
     evidencing the Pledged Indebtedness, and all interest, cash, instruments
     and other property and assets from time to time received, receivable or
     otherwise distributed in respect of the Pledged Indebtedness; and

          (h) all additional Indebtedness arising after the date hereof and
     owing to Pledgor and evidenced by promissory notes or other instruments,
     together with such promissory notes and instruments, and all interest,
     cash, instruments and other property and assets from time to time received,
     receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of that Pledged
     Indebtedness;

          (i) all Negotiable Collateral and any hereafter acquired Negotiable
     Collateral; and

          (j) all Accommodation Collateral as described on Schedule A-1 hereto.

     2.2 Delivery of Pledged Collateral. Except as otherwise provided in Section
4.2 of the Loan Agreement, all certificates or instruments representing or
evidencing the Pledged Collateral shall be delivered to and held by or on behalf
of Foothill pursuant hereto and shall be in suitable form for transfer by
delivery, or shall be accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or
assignment in blank, all in form and substance satisfactory to Foothill.
Foothill shall have the right at any time to exchange certificates or
instruments representing or evidencing Pledged Collateral for certificates or
instruments of smaller or larger denominations.

SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PLEDGORS

     Each Pledgor represents and warrants as follows:

     3.1 As of the Closing Date, Schedule A hereto truly and accurately sets
forth the number of the issued and outstanding shares owned by each Pledgor of
the capital stock of each of the Issuers and Schedule B hereto truly and
accurately sets forth the percentage of the membership interests or partnership
interests held by each Pledgor in each of the LLCs and Partnerships. The Pledged
Shares constitute 100 percent of the issued and outstanding shares of stock of
the Issuers and there are no outstanding warrants, options, subscriptions or
other contractual arrangements for the purchase of any other shares of stock or
any securities convertible into shares of stock of any Issuer. The Pledged
Interests together with the Pledged


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Interests (as defined in the Manager Subsidiaries General Security and Pledge
Agreement and OPCO Subsidiaries General Security and Pledge Agreement)
constitute 100% of the membership interests and partnership interests of the
LLCs and Partnerships.

     3.2 The delivery of the Pledged Shares to Foothill pursuant to this
Agreement and the filing of the financing statement(s), which have been
delivered to Foothill prior to the date hereof, in the offices shown thereon,
create a valid and perfected first priority security interest in the Pledged
Collateral (other than cash not in the possession of Foothill), securing the
payment of such Pledgor's Obligations, subject only to the pledge of the stock
of NB II, Inc. to QB Broadcasting and the pledge of the stock of St. Johns
Newspapers, Inc. to Rebecca Wood.

     3.3 Except for consents, approvals and authorizations received on or before
the date hereof and as required under Section 4.3 hereof, no consent of any
other party (including, without limitation, any stockholder or creditor of any
Pledgor) and no approval by a Governmental Authority is required either (i) for
the pledge by each Pledgor of the Pledged Collateral pursuant to this Agreement
or for the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by each Pledgor
or (ii) for the exercise by Foothill of the voting or other rights provided for
in this Agreement or the remedies in respect of the Pledged Collateral pursuant
to this Agreement (except as may be required in connection with such disposition
by laws affecting the offering and sale of securities generally).

     3.4 None of the Pledged Shares constitutes margin stock, as defined in
Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

     3.5 No Pledgor owns any share of capital stock of any Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary or any directly-owned Unrestricted Subsidiary other than the Issuers
and the Unrestricted Subsidiaries described on Schedule A-1 or has a membership
interest or partnership interest in any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or any
directly-owned Unrestricted Subsidiary other than the LLCs and Partnerships and
the Unrestricted Subsidiaries described on Schedule A-1.

     3.6 Each Pledgor is and will be the sole beneficial owner of its Pledged
Collateral, free and clear of any adverse claim and any Lien other than
Permitted Liens and the Liens in favor of Foothill under this Agreement and
other Loan Documents.

     3.7 Each Pledgor has full power and authority and legal right to grant the
security interest in its Pledged Shares and Pledged Interests as provided in
this Agreement.

     3.8 Pledged Shares of each Issuer forming part of the Pledged Collateral
are and will continue to be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

SECTION 4. VOTING RIGHTS; DIVIDENDS

     4.1 So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred:

          (a) Each Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and
     other consensual rights pertaining to the Pledged Collateral or any part
     thereof for any purpose not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement
     or the Loan Agreement; provided, however, that


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     each Pledgor shall not exercise or refrain from exercising any such right
     if such action or inaction would result in an Event of Default under the
     Loan Agreement.

          (b) Foothill shall execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and
     delivered) to each Pledgor all such proxies and other instruments as such
     Pledgor may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling such Pledgor to
     exercise the voting and other rights which it is entitled to exercise
     pursuant to paragraph (a) above.

     4.2 Subject to Sections 4.3 and 5.3 hereof, upon the occurrence and during
the continuation of an Event of Default:

          (a) All rights of each Pledgor to exercise the voting and other
     consensual rights which it would otherwise be entitled to exercise pursuant
     to Section 8.1(a) shall cease upon notice to such Pledgor by Foothill of
     such Event of Default, and all such rights shall, upon notice by Foothill
     to the Pledgor, become vested in Foothill who shall thereupon have the sole
     right to exercise such voting and other consensual rights.

          (b) All cash dividends and other cash distributions paid or payable
     with respect to any of the Pledged Collateral and any and all instruments
     and other property (other than cash or checks) received, receivable or
     otherwise distributed in respect of, or in exchange for, any Pledged
     Collateral, shall be, and shall be forthwith delivered to Foothill to hold
     as Pledged Collateral and shall, if received by a Pledgor, be received in
     trust for the benefit of Foothill, be segregated from the other property or
     funds of such Pledgor, and be forthwith delivered to Foothill as Pledged
     Collateral in the same form as so received (with any necessary
     endorsement).

     4.3 Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the extent that the
prior consent of the FCC shall be required under then-applicable law, Foothill
agrees not to exercise the rights granted hereunder to foreclose or otherwise
dispose of the Pledged Shares or Pledged Interests unless and until the FCC
shall have granted its prior consent with respect thereto. So long as no Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the certificates representing
such Pledged Shares or Pledged Interests shall remain in the name of the
pledgors thereof and such pledgors shall have and exercise all rights of
ownership, including the right to vote such Pledged Shares or Pledged Interests.
Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and
following notice being given pursuant to Section 4.2(a) hereof, in addition to
the other remedies provided for in this Agreement, Foothill or its nominee shall
be entitled, subject to the prior approval of the FCC to the extent required, to
transfer to or register the Pledged Shares or Pledged Interests in the name of
Foothill or its nominee, and to vote and exercise all of the power of an owner
with respect to such Pledged Shares or Pledged Interests.

SECTION 5. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

     5.1 Events of Default. The failure of any Pledgor promptly to perform any
of its duties or agreements hereunder or under its guarantee or the occurrence
or existence and continuation of any Event of Default under the Loan Agreement
shall be referred to herein individually as an "Event of Default," and
collectively as "Events of Default."


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     5.2 Remedies and Subordination of Subrogation and other Rights. Subject to
Section 10.3 hereof,

          (a) At any time an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is
     continuing, Foothill shall have all rights and remedies provided in this
     Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Uniform Commercial Code and other
     applicable law, all of which rights and remedies may be exercised without
     notice to or consent by any Pledgor or any Obligor, except as such notice
     or consent is expressly provided for hereunder or required by applicable
     law. All rights, remedies and powers granted to Foothill hereunder, under
     any of the other Loan Documents, the Uniform Commercial Code or other
     applicable law, are cumulative, not exclusive and enforceable, in
     Foothill's discretion, alternatively, successively, or concurrently on any
     one or more occasions, and shall include, without limitation, the right to
     apply to a court of equity for an injunction to restrain a breach or
     threatened breach by a Pledgor of this Agreement or any of the other Loan
     Documents. Foothill may, at any time or times, proceed directly against any
     Pledgor or any Obligor to collect the Obligations without prior recourse to
     the Collateral.

          (b) Without limiting the foregoing, at any time an Event of Default
     exists or has occurred and is continuing, Foothill may, in its discretion
     and without limitation, (i) accelerate the payment of all Obligations and
     demand immediate payment thereof to Foothill (provided, that, upon the
     occurrence of any Event of Default described in Sections 8.5 and 8.6 of the
     Loan Agreement, all Obligations shall automatically become immediately due
     and payable), (ii) with or without judicial process or the aid or
     assistance of others, enter upon any premises on or in which any of the
     Collateral may be located and take possession of such Collateral or
     complete processing, manufacturing and repair of all or any portion of such
     Collateral, (iii) require each Pledgor, at such Pledgor's expense, to
     assemble and make available to Foothill any part or all of such Collateral
     at any place and time designated by Foothill, (iv) collect, foreclose,
     receive, appropriate, setoff and realize upon any and all Collateral, (v)
     remove any or all of such Collateral from any premises on or in which the
     same may be located for the purpose of effecting the sale, foreclosure or
     other disposition thereof or for any other purpose, (vi) sell, lease,
     transfer, assign, deliver or otherwise dispose of any and all Collateral
     (including entering into contracts with respect thereto, public or private
     sales at any exchange, broker's board, at any office of Foothill or
     elsewhere) at such prices or terms as Foothill may deem reasonable, for
     cash, upon credit or for future delivery, with Foothill having the right to
     purchase the whole or any part of the Collateral at any such public sale,
     all of the foregoing being free from any right or equity of redemption of
     any Pledgor, which right or equity of redemption is hereby expressly waived
     and released by each Pledgor. Each Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that any
     such private sale may result in prices and other terms less favorable to
     the seller than if such sale were a public sale. If any of the Collateral
     is sold or leased by Foothill upon credit terms or for future delivery, the
     Obligations shall not be reduced as a result thereof until payment therefor
     is finally collected by Foothill. If notice of disposition of Collateral is
     required by law, ten (10) days prior notice by Foothill to the appropriate
     Pledgor designating the time and place of any public sale or the time after
     which any private sale or other intended disposition of Collateral is to be
     made, shall be deemed to be reasonable notice thereof and each Pledgor
     waives any other notice. Foothill shall not be obligated to make any sale
     of Collateral regardless of notice of sale having been given. Foothill may
     adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the
     time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice,
     be made at the time and place


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to which it was so adjourned. In the event Foothill institutes an action to
recover any Collateral or seeks recovery of any Collateral by way of prejudgment
remedy, each Pledgor waives the posting of any bond which might otherwise be
required.

          (c) At any time an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is
     continuing, Foothill may apply any cash held by Foothill as Pledged
     Collateral and the cash proceeds of Collateral actually received by
     Foothill from any sale, lease, foreclosure or other disposition of or
     realization upon the Collateral to payment of the Obligations, in whole or
     in part and in such order as Foothill may elect, whether or not then due,
     and in the event that any Pledgor shall at any time have any right of
     contribution against any Borrower or any other right to receive a payment
     that is owed to such Pledgor by such Borrower or any other Obligor, such
     rights are hereby subordinated in right of payment to the indefeasible
     payment in full to Foothill of all obligations or indebtedness owing to
     Foothill under the Loan Agreement and all such amounts and any security and
     guarantees therefor are hereby assigned to Foothill as additional security
     for the Obligations. Each Pledgor shall remain liable to Foothill for the
     payment of any deficiency with interest at the highest rate provided for in
     the Loan Agreement and all costs and expenses of collection or enforcement,
     including attorneys' fees and legal expenses. Any surplus of such cash or
     cash proceeds held by Foothill and remaining after payment in full of all
     the Obligations shall be paid over to the appropriate Pledgor or to
     whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive such surplus or as a court
     of competent jurisdiction may direct.

     5.3 Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary contained in
this Agreement, Foothill agrees not to exercise any rights or remedies with
respect to the Accommodation Collateral until the date which is six (6) months
after the date on which an Event of Default has occurred (provided that on such
six (6) month date such Event of Default is continuing and has not otherwise
been waived or cured to the satisfaction of Foothill).

SECTION 6. REGISTRATION RIGHTS AND OTHER SALE PROCEDURES

     6.1 If Foothill shall determine to exercise its right to sell all or any of
the Pledged Collateral pursuant to Section 5, each Pledgor agrees that, upon
request of Foothill, such Pledgor will, at its own expense:

          (a) execute and deliver, and cause each issuer of the Pledged
     Collateral contemplated to be sold and the directors and officers thereof
     to execute and deliver, all such instruments and documents, and do or cause
     to be done all such other acts and things, as may be necessary or, in the
     opinion of Foothill, advisable to register such Pledged Collateral under
     the provisions of the Securities Act, and to cause the registration
     statement relating thereto to become effective and to remain effective for
     such period as prospectuses are required by law to be furnished, and to
     make all amendments and supplements thereto and to the related prospectus
     which, in the opinion of Foothill, are necessary or advisable, all in
     conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and
     regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission applicable thereto;


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          (b) use its best efforts to qualify the Pledged Collateral under the
     state securities or "Blue Sky" laws and to obtain all necessary
     Governmental Approvals for the sale of the Pledged Collateral, as requested
     by Foothill;

          (c) cause the issuers of the Pledged Collateral to make available to
     their respective security holders, as soon as practicable, an earnings
     statement which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the
     Securities Act and applicable regulations thereunder; and

          (d) do or cause to be done all such other acts and things as may be
     necessary to make such sale of the Pledged Collateral or any part thereof
     valid and binding and in compliance with applicable law.

     6.2 Each Pledgor further acknowledges the impossibility of ascertaining the
amount of damages which would be suffered by Foothill by reason of the failure
by such Pledgor to perform any of the covenants contained in this Section and,
consequently, agrees that, if such Pledgor shall fail to perform any of such
covenants, it shall pay, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, an amount
equal to the value of the Pledged Collateral (assuming it were sold pursuant to
the request hereunder) on the date Foothill shall demand compliance with this
Section.

     6.3 Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Pledgor recognizes that Foothill
may be unable to effect a public sale of all or part of the Pledged Collateral
and may be compelled to resort to one or more private sales to a restricted
group of purchasers who will be obligated to agree, among other things, to
acquire such Pledged Collateral for their own account, for investment and not
with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. Each Pledgor acknowledges
that any such private sales may be at places and on terms less favorable to the
seller than if sold at public sales and agrees that such private sales shall be
deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner, and that Foothill
has no obligation to delay sale of any such Pledged Collateral for the period of
time necessary to permit the issuers of such Pledged Collateral to register such
Pledged Collateral for public sale under the Securities Act. Each Pledgor
further acknowledges that Foothill shall be under no obligation to delay a sale
of any of the Pledged Shares for the period of time necessary to permit the
issuing corporation of such securities to register such securities for public
sale under the Securities Act, or under applicable state or provincial
securities laws, even if the issuing corporation would agree to do so.

     6.4 If Foothill shall determine to exercise its right to sell all or any of
the Pledged Collateral through a private sale, each Pledgor agrees that, upon
request of Foothill, such Pledgor will, and shall cause the Issuer of its
Pledged Shares to, at such Pledgor's and Issuer's own expense:

          (a) hire an investment banker, selected by Foothill in Foothill's sole
     discretion, and any other Persons as Foothill or such investment banker
     shall designate;

          (b) cooperate fully with Foothill and such investment banker to
     prepare all books, records, financial statements and all other documents
     and information as shall be required by Foothill and such investment banker
     (collectively, the "Due Diligence Materials");


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          (c) maintain the Due Diligence Materials at any reasonable location
     designated by Foothill and such investment banker for disclosure to third
     parties;

          (d) provide any prospective acquiror (and persons designated by such
     acquiror) with complete and unrestricted access to all Due Diligence
     Materials;

          (e) provide Foothill, such investment banker, any potential acquiror,
     and their respective designees with reasonable access to any of such
     Issuer's officers, directors, employees or other Persons associated with
     such Issuer in connection with any matters deemed relevant by Foothill,
     such investment banker, such potential acquiror or their respective
     designees; and

          (f) cooperate fully with all reasonable requests by Foothill and such
     investment banker to assist in Foothill's exercise of its right to sell the
     Pledged Shares.

Each Pledgor acknowledges and understands that any such lack of cooperation may
affect Foothill's ability to obtain the best price for such Pledgor's Pledged
Shares. Each Pledgor further acknowledges and understands that Foothill has no
duty to obtain the best price for such Pledged Shares.

SECTION 7. WAIVERS AND CONSENTS

     7.1 Waiver of Notices. Each Pledgor hereby expressly waives demand,
presentment, protest and notice of protest and notice of dishonor with respect
to any and all instruments and commercial paper, included in or evidencing any
of the Obligations or the Pledged Collateral, and any and all other demands and
notices of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the Obligations or the
Pledged Collateral and this Agreement, except such as are expressly provided for
herein. No notice to or demand on any Pledgor which Foothill may elect to give
shall entitle such Pledgor to any other or further notice or demand in the same,
similar or other circumstances.

     7.2 Amendments and Waivers. Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof
shall be amended, modified, waived or discharged orally or by course of conduct,
but only by a written agreement signed by an authorized officer of Foothill, and
as to amendments, as also signed by an authorized officer of each Pledgor.
Foothill shall not, by any act, delay, omission or otherwise be deemed to have
expressly or impliedly waived any of its rights, powers and/or remedies unless
such waiver shall be in writing and signed by an authorized officer of Foothill.
Any such waiver shall be enforceable only to the extent specifically set forth
therein. A waiver by Foothill of any right, power and/or remedy on any one
occasion shall not be construed as a bar to or waiver of any such right, power
and/or remedy which Foothill would otherwise have on any future occasion,
whether similar in kind or otherwise.

     7.3 Waiver of Counterclaims. Each Pledgor waives all rights to interpose
any claims, deductions, setoffs or counterclaims of any nature (other then
compulsory counterclaims) in any action or proceeding with respect to this
Agreement, the Obligations, the Pledged Collateral or any matter arising
therefrom or relating hereto or thereto.

     7.4 Indemnification. Each Pledgor shall indemnify and hold Foothill, and
its directors, Foothills, employees and counsel, harmless from and against any
and all losses, claims,


                                       10

<PAGE>


damages, liabilities, costs or expenses imposed on, incurred by or asserted
against any of them in connection with any litigation, investigation, claim or
proceeding commenced or threatened related to the negotiation, preparation,
execution, delivery, enforcement, performance or administration of this
Agreement, any other Loan Documents, or any undertaking or proceeding related to
any of the transactions contemplated hereby or any act, omission, event or
transaction related or attendant thereto, including amounts paid in settlement,
court costs, and the fees and expenses of counsel. To the extent that the
undertaking to indemnify, pay and hold harmless set forth in this Section may be
unenforceable because it violates any law or public policy, each Pledgor shall
pay the maximum portion which it is permitted to pay under applicable law to
Foothill in satisfaction of indemnified matters under this Section. The
foregoing indemnity shall survive the payment of the Obligations, the
termination of this Agreement and the termination or non-renewal of the Loan
Agreement.

SECTION 8. MISCELLANEOUS

     8.1 Notices. All notices, requests and demands hereunder shall be in
writing and (a) made to Foothill at 11111 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 1500,
Los Angeles, California 90025-3333, Attention: Business Finance Division
Manager, and to each Pledgor at the address of Borrower set forth in the Loan
Agreement, or to such other address as such party may designate by written
notice to the other in accordance with this provision, and (b) deemed to have
been given or made: if delivered in person, immediately upon delivery; if by
telex, telegram or facsimile transmission, immediately upon sending and upon
confirmation of receipt; if by nationally recognized overnight courier service
with instructions to deliver the next business day, one (1) business day after
sending; and if by certified mail, return receipt requested, five (5) days after
mailing.

     8.2 Partial Invalidity. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be
invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not
invalidate this Agreement as a whole, but this Agreement shall be construed as
though it did not contain the particular provision held to be invalid or
unenforceable and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be construed
and enforced only to such extent as shall be permitted by applicable law.

     8.3 Successors. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any other
document referred to herein or therein shall be binding upon each Pledgor and
its successors and assigns and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by
Foothill and its successors and assigns, except that such Pledgor may not assign
its rights under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any other document
referred to herein or therein without the prior written consent of Foothill.

     8.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents, any
supplements hereto or thereto, and any instruments or documents delivered or to
be delivered in connection herewith or therewith represents the entire agreement
and understanding concerning the subject matter hereof and thereof between the
parties hereto, and supersede all other prior agreements, understandings,
negotiations and discussions, representations, warranties, commitments,
proposals, offers and contracts concerning the subject matter hereof, whether
oral or written. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this
Agreement and any schedule or exhibit hereto, the terms of this Agreement shall
govern.


                                       11

<PAGE>


                            [Signature Page Follows]


                                       12

<PAGE>


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Pledgor has caused these presents to be duly
executed as of the day and year first above written.

                                    BMC HOLDINGS, LLC

                                    By: Brill Media Company, LLC, its manager
                                    by: Brill Media Management, Inc. its manager


                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer


                                    BRILL MEDIA COMPANY, LLC

                                    By: Brill Media Management, Inc. its manager


                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer


                                    BMC HOLDINGS, INC.


                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer


                                    BRILL MEDIA MANAGEMENT, INC.


                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer


                                      S-1

<PAGE>


                           ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND CONSENT

     The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the General
Security and Pledge Agreement dated as of October 25, 1999 (the "Agreement"),
made by the "Pledgors" named therein for the benefit of Foothill Capital
Corporation, as Foothill for lenders ("Foothill"). The undersigned agrees for
the benefit of Foothill as follows:

     1. The undersigned will be bound by the terms of the Agreement and will
comply with such terms insofar as such terms are applicable to the undersigned.

     2. The terms of Sections 4, 5.2 and 6 of the Agreement shall apply to it,
mutatis mutandis, with respect to all actions that may be required of the
undersigned pursuant to Sections 4, 5.2 and 6 of the Agreement.

                                    BRILL RADIO, INC.


                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer


                                    TRI-STATE BROADCASTING, INC.


                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer


                                    BMC HOLDINGS, LLC

                                    By: Brill Media Company, LLC, its manager
                                    by: Brill Media Management, Inc. its manager


                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer


                                    BMC HOLDINGS, INC.


                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer


                       [Consent Page to pledge Agreement]

<PAGE>


                                    NORTHERN COLORADO HOLDINGS, LLC

                                    By: Northern Colorado Holdings Management,
                                        Inc., its manager


                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer


                                    NCR II, INC.


                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer


                                    NCH II, LLC

                                    By: NCR II, Inc., its manager
                                       ----------------------------------------


                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer


                                    NORTHERN COLORADO RADIO, INC.


                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer


                                    NORTHLAND HOLDINGS MANAGEMENT, INC.


                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer

                       [Consent Page to pledge Agreement]

<PAGE>


                                    NORTHLAND HOLDINGS, LLC

                                    By: Northland Holdings Management, Inc.,
                                        its manager
                                       ----------------------------------------


                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer


                                    NB II, Inc.


                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer


                                    UPPER MICHIGAN HOLDINGS MANAGEMENT, INC.


                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer


                                    UPPER MICHIGAN HOLDINGS, LLC

                                    By: Upper Michigan Holdings Management,
                                        Inc., its manager
                                       ----------------------------------------


                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer


                                    BRILL NEWSPAPERS, INC.


                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer


                       [Consent Page to pledge Agreement]

<PAGE>


                                    HURON HOLDINGS, LLC

                                    By: Huron Holdings Management, Inc.,
                                        its manager
                                       ----------------------------------------


                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer


                                    NMG HOLDINGS MANAGEMENT, INC.


                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer


                                    NMG HOLDINGS, LLC


                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer


                                    ST. JOHNS NEWSPAPERS, INC.


                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer


                                    HURON HOLDINGS  MANAGEMENT, INC.


                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                              a duly authorized officer


                       [Consent Page to pledge Agreement]

<PAGE>


                                  SCHEDULE A-1

                          [Attach from Loan Agreement]

<PAGE>


                                   SCHEDULE C

                              PLEDGED INDEBTEDNESS


                              [Borrower to provide]