Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.19
                                                                   -------------

                               As of June 1, 2001

David J. Barrett
c/o Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc.
    888 Seventh Avenue
    New York, NY 10106

Dear David:

         This letter constitutes all of the terms of the Employment Agreement
between you and Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. ("Hearst-Argyle"). It is subject
to the approval of the Board of Directors of Hearst-Argyle. The terms are as
follows:

         1. Legal Name of Employee: David J. Barrett

         2. Mailing Address of Employee:

         3. Title of Position; Duties: President and Chief Executive Officer.

         You agree to carry out the duties performed by the President and Chief
Executive Officer of Hearst-Argyle consistent with past practices and such other
duties as may be assigned to you by the Board of Directors of Hearst-Argyle.

         4. Length of Employment. The term of this Agreement will start on June
1, 2001 and continue through May 31, 2003 (the "Term").

         5. Salary. You will receive a base salary for all services to
Hearst-Argyle as follows:

         a)       $750,000 for the period from June 1, 2001 through May 31,
                  2002; and

         b)       $785,000 for the period from June 1, 2002 through May 31,
                  2003.

         The salary will be paid according to Hearst-Argyle's payroll practices,
but not

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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 a bonus
that will have a target of 50% of your base salary and a maximum of 90% of your
base salary. The criteria for the bonus will be set by the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors of Hearst-Argyle, at its sole discretion.

         The bonus is payable only for as long as you work for Hearst-Argyle,
and will be payable only at the end of a complete bonus cycle and is not
proratable, except in the event of your death, when it will be proratable.

         In determining the amount of your bonus, the books and records of
Hearst-Argyle are absolute and final and not open to dispute by you.
Hearst-Argyle will pay any bonus due you by March 31 of the year following the
year for which the bonus is applicable.

         In addition to the foregoing compensation, effective June 1, 2001 and
for the remainder of the Term, Hearst-Argyle will also provide you with certain
other benefits which shall include the following items: an automobile allowance
or reimbursement, executive life insurance, club membership allowance or
reimbursement, Supplemental Retirement Plan (SERP) benefits, executive medical
benefits and such other benefits offered or provided to other members of the
Executive Group of The Hearst Corporation. Such benefits shall not be less than
the benefits provided to you with respect to such items as of the effective date
of this Agreement.

         6. Exclusive Services. You agree that you will work only for
Hearst-Argyle, and will not render services or give business advice, paid or
otherwise, to anyone else, without getting Hearst-Argyle's written approval.
However, you may participate as a member of the board of directors of other
organizations and in charitable and community organizations, but

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only if such activities do not conflict or interfere with your work for
Hearst-Argyle, and if such work is approved in advance by Hearst-Argyle, which
approval will not be unreasonably withheld. You acknowledge that your services
will be unique, special and original and will be financially and competitively
valuable to Hearst-Argyle, and that your violation of this paragraph will cause
Hearst-Argyle irreparable harm for which money damages alone would not
adequately compensate Hearst-Argyle. Accordingly, you acknowledge that if you
violate this paragraph, Hearst-Argyle has the right to apply for and obtain
injunctive relief to stop such violation (without the posting of any bond, and
you hereby waive any bond-posting requirements in connection with injunctive
relief), in addition to any other appropriate rights and remedies it might
lawfully have.

         7. No Conflicts. You agree that there is no reason why you cannot make
this Agreement with Hearst-Argyle, including, but not limited to, having a
contract, written or otherwise, with another employer.

         8. Termination of Employment.

         (a)      Hearst-Argyle has the right to end this Agreement:

                  i)       Upon your death; or

                 ii)       For cause, which shall mean (A) indictment for a
                           felony, (B) failure to carry out, or neglect or
                           misconduct in the performance of, your duties
                           hereunder or a breach of this Agreement; (C) willful
                           failure to comply with applicable laws with respect
                           to the conduct of Hearst-Argyle's business, (D)
                           theft, fraud or embezzlement resulting in gain or
                           personal enrichment, directly or indirectly, to you
                           at Hearst-Argyle's expense, (E) addiction to an
                           illegal drug, (F) conduct or involvement in a
                           situation that

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                           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 (G) willful failure to
                           comply with the reasonable directions of the Board of
                           Directors of Hearst-Argyle; or

                iii)       Without cause pursuant to Paragraph 8(b) below.

      (b)         This Agreement may be terminated (i) by Hearst-Argyle or its
successor without cause or (ii) by you within 60 days of a Change in Control (as
defined below) (or, notwithstanding Paragraph 8(a)(i), by you or your legal
representative within such 60-day period, if you die while still employed),
provided that, in the case of either clauses (i) or (ii) of this Paragraph 8(b),
you or your legal representative execute and deliver a general release in favor
of Hearst-Argyle in the form reasonably required by Hearst-Argyle, and such
release has become irrevocable, and if such termination occurs, then you (or
your estate, in the case of your death) will receive the payments and benefits
under this Agreement for the remainder of the Term as if no termination had
occurred; it being expressly acknowledged and agreed that, with respect to
bonuses, and in lieu of the bonuses contemplated by the third paragraph of
Paragraph 5, you (or your estate, in the case of your death) shall be entitled
to receive (at the times that would have applied absent termination) (x) any
accrued but unpaid bonus, and (y) for any future unpaid bonuses that otherwise
would have been payable during the Term, bonuses payable at the target level of
50% of base salary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you breach Paragraphs 10
or 11, Hearst-Argyle's obligations under this Paragraph 8(b) shall immediately
cease, and you (and your estate, in the case of your death) shall have no
further rights under this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a Change in
Control shall be deemed to occur if, and only if, Hearst-Argyle ceases to be
controlled by or under common

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control with The Hearst Corporation or its affiliates.

         9. Payment for Plugs. You acknowledge that you are familiar with
Sections 317 and 508 of the Communications Act of 1934 and are aware that it is
illegal without full disclosure to promote products or services in which you
have a financial interest. You agree not to participate in any such promotion
under any circumstances and understand that to do so is a violation of law as
well as a cause for termination. Also, you agree that you will not become
involved in any financial situation which might compromise or cause a conflict
with your obligations under this paragraph or this Agreement without first
talking with Hearst-Argyle about your intentions and obtaining Hearst-Argyle's
written consent.

         10. Confidentiality. You agree that while employed by Hearst-Argyle and
after this Agreement is terminated or expires, you will not use or divulge or in
any way distribute to any person or entity, including a future employer, any
confidential information of any nature relating to Hearst-Argyle's business. You
will surrender to Hearst-Argyle at the end of your employment all its property
in your possession. If you breach this paragraph, Hearst-Argyle has the right to
apply for and obtain injunctive relief to stop such a violation, in addition to
its other legal remedies, as outlined in Paragraph 6.

         You agree to keep the terms of this Agreement confidential from
everybody except your professional advisors and family.

         11. Non-Solicitation; Non-Hire. You agree that for two (2) years after
the expiration or termination of this Agreement, you will not hire, solicit, aid
or suggest to any (i) employee of Hearst-Argyle, its subsidiaries or affiliates,
(ii) independent contractor or other service provider or (iii) any customer,
agency or advertiser of Hearst-Argyle, its subsidiaries or affiliates to
terminate such relationship or to stop doing business with Hearst-Argyle, its

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subsidiaries or affiliates.

         If you violate this provision, Hearst-Argyle will have the same right
to injunctive relief as outlined in Paragraph 6, as well as any other remedies
it may have. If any court of competent jurisdiction finds any part of this
paragraph unenforceable as to its duration, scope or geographic area, it shall
be deemed amended to conform to the scope that would permit it to be enforced.

         12.  Officer; Director.  Upon request, you agree that you will serve
as an officer or director, in addition to your present position, of
Hearst-Argyle or any affiliated entity, without additional pay.

         13. Continuation of Agreement. This Agreement and your 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 of
extension then this Agreement shall continue on a month-to-month basis until the
earlier of (i) the commencement of a renewal or extension agreement between you
and Hearst-Argyle, or (ii) termination of this Agreement by either party on
fifteen days written notice to the other.

         14. Assignment of Agreement. Subject to Paragraph 8(b) hereof,
Hearst-Argyle has the right to transfer this Agreement to a successor, to a
purchaser of substantially all of its assets or its business or to any parent,
subsidiary, or affiliated corporation or entity and you will be obligated to
carry out the terms of this Agreement for that new owner or transferee. You have
no right to assign this Agreement, and any attempt to do so is null and void.

         15. State Law. This Agreement will be interpreted under the laws of
the State of New York, without regard to conflicts or choice of law rules.

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         16.  No Other  Agreements.  This Agreement is the only agreement
between you and  Hearst-Argyle. It supersedes any other agreements, amendments
or understandings you and  Hearst-Argyle may have had (including the Employment
Agreement dated as of January 1, 1999 between you and Hearst-Argyle). This
Agreement may be amended only in a written document signed by both parties.

         17.  Approvals.  In any situation requiring the approval of
Hearst-Argyle, such approval must be given by the Board of Directors of
Hearst-Argyle.

         18.  Dispute Resolution. Hearst-Argyle and Employee agree that any
claim which either party may have against the other under local, state or
federal law including, but not limited to, matters of discrimination, matters
arising out of the termination or alleged breach of this Agreement or the terms,
conditions or termination of employment, will be submitted to mediation and, if
mediation is unsuccessful, to final and binding arbitration in accordance with
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 or in writing
regarding the existence of the claim or the facts forming the basis of such
claim, or any statement orally or in writing which could impair or disparage the
personal or business reputation of Hearst-Argyle or Employee. The Procedure is
hereby incorporated by reference into this Agreement.

         19.  Correspondence.  All correspondence  between you and
Hearst-Argyle will be written and sent by certified mail, return receipt
requested, or by personal delivery or courier, to the following addresses:

         If to Hearst-Argyle:     General Counsel
                                  Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc.

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                                            888 Seventh Avenue
                                            27th Floor
                                            New York, New York 10106

         If to Employee:                    David J. Barrett
                                            c/o Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc.
                                                888 Seventh Avenue
                                                New York, NY 10106

         Either party may change its address in writing sent to the above
addresses.

         20.  Severability.  If a court decides that any part of this Agreement
is  unenforceable,  the rest of the Agreement will survive.

         21.  Originals of Agreement.   This Agreement may be signed in any
number of counterparts, each of which shall be considered an original.

                                               HEARST-ARGYLE TELEVISION, INC.

                                               By: /s/ Jonathan C. Mintzer
                                                   ------------------------

                                               Title: Vice President, General
                                                      Counsel and Secretary

                                               By: /s/ David J. Barrett
                                                   ------------------------
                                                       David J. Barrett

                                       8<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.25

                         HEARST-ARGYLE TELEVISION, INC.

                   AMENDED AND RESTATED 1997 STOCK OPTION PLAN

         WHEREAS, on August 28, 1997 the stockholders of Hearst-Argyle
Television, Inc. adopted the Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc 1997 Stock Option
Plan; and

         WHEREAS, Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. desires to amend and restate
the Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc 1997 Stock Option Plan as set forth herein and
to adopt such amendment and restatement as the resulting "Amended and Restated
1997 Stock Option Plan", subject to approval by the stockholders of
Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. (the "Approval").

         1. Plan Name and Purpose. Following the Approval, the 1997 Stock Option
Plan, as amended and restated herein, shall be known as the "Hearst-Argyle
Television, Inc. Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan", hereinafter
referred to as the "Plan." The purposes of the Plan are (i) to provide
incentives for key employees and Non-Employee Directors (as hereinafter defined)
of Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. (the "Company"), and its subsidiary
corporations (within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended, (the "Code") and referred to herein as "Subsidiaries") by
encouraging their ownership of Series A common stock, $0.01 par value, of the
Company (the "Stock") and (ii) to aid the Company in retaining such key
employees and Non-Employee Directors, upon whose efforts the Company's success
and future growth depends, and attracting other such employees and Non-Employee
Directors.

         2. Administration. This Plan shall be administered by the Company's
Board of Directors. Subject to the terms of this Plan, the Board shall have
plenary authority to determine the persons to whom options are to be granted,
the number of shares to be subject to each such option, to determine the terms
and provisions of any option agreements made pursuant to the Plan, to modify
such agreements, and to make all other determinations that may be necessary or
advisable for the administration of the Plan. For purposes of administration,
the Board, subject to the terms of this Plan, shall have plenary authority to
establish such rules and regulations, make such determinations and
interpretations, and take such other administrative actions as it deems
necessary or advisable. All determinations and interpretations made by the Board
shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the holders of
options granted under this Plan ("Optionees") and their legal representatives
and beneficiaries.

         The Board, in its discretion, may delegate any or all of its authority,
powers and discretion under this Plan to the Compensation Committee (the
"Committee"), and the Board in its discretion may revest any or all such
authority, powers and discretion in itself at any time. The Committee shall be
appointed from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors
shall designate one of the members of the Committee as its Chairman. The
Committee shall hold its meetings at such times and places as it may determine.
A majority of its members shall constitute a quorum. All determinations of the
Committee shall be made by a majority of its members. Any decision or
determination reduced to writing and signed by all members of the Committee
shall be as effective as if it had been made by a majority vote at a Committee
meeting duly called and held. The Committee may appoint a secretary (who need
not be a member of the Committee). No member of the Committee shall be liable
for any act or omission with respect to his or her service on the Committee, if
he or she acts in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be
in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company.

         With respect to persons subject to Section 16 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor statute (the "1934 Act"),
transactions under the Plan are intended to comply with all applicable
conditions of Rule 16b-3 or its successors under the 1934 Act ("Rule 16b-3"). To
the extent any provision of the Plan or action by the Board of Directors of the
Committee fails to so comply, it shall be deemed null and void, to the extent
permitted by law.

         3. Shares of Stock Available for Options. The aggregate number of
shares of Stock that may be issued under this Plan shall equal 8,745,362,
subject to any adjustments that may be made pursuant to Section 5(g) hereof.
Shares of Stock used for purposes of this Plan may be either authorized or
unissued shares, or previously issued shares, held in the treasury of the
Company, or both. Immediately upon the termination or forfeiture of any

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option granted under this Plan (other than by reason of exercise or other
cancellation for consideration), any shares of Stock covered by such option
shall be available for grant as further options hereunder.

         Unless specifically defined otherwise, "Fully Diluted Shares" means, as
of any date, the sum of (i) the number of shares of Stock then outstanding (not
including any shares held in treasury) and (ii) without duplication, the number
of shares of Stock issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of all
outstanding securities, other obligations, options or warrants, convertible
into, exchangeable for or otherwise providing the right to acquire such shares.

4. Eligibility. Options under this Plan may be granted to key employees and
Non-Employee Directors of the Company or any Subsidiary. In selecting persons to
be granted options, the Board may take into consideration any factors it may
deem relevant, including its estimate of the person's present and potential
contributions to the success of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The maximum
number of shares of Stock with respect to which stock options may be granted in
any one year to any employee shall not exceed 500,000.

         5. Terms and Conditions of Options. The Board shall, in its discretion,
prescribe the terms and conditions of the options to be granted hereunder, which
terms and conditions need not be the same in each case, subject to the
following:

            (a) Option Agreement. Each option granted under this Plan shall be
         evidenced by a written option agreement, which shall be executed by the
         Optionee and an authorized officer of the Company and which shall
         contain such terms and conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate,
         consistent with the terms of this Plan.

            (b) Option Price. The price at which each share of Stock covered by
         an option granted under this Plan may be purchased shall be determined
         by the Board and shall not be less than the fair market value per share
         of Stock at the time of grant, subject to the incentive stock option
         provisions set forth in Section 6. The date of the grant of an option
         shall be the date specified by the Board in its grant of the option.

            (c) Option Period. The period for exercise of an option shall not
         exceed ten (10) years plus one day from the date of grant, subject to
         the provisions of Sections 5(e), 5(h), 6, and the provisions of any
         option agreement.

            (d) Exercise of Options. In order to exercise all or any portion of
         an option granted under this Plan, the Optionee, or his or her
         representative, devisees or heirs, as applicable, shall deliver to the
         Company written notice specifying the number of shares of Stock to be
         purchased, together with cash or a certified or bank cashier's check
         payable to the order of the Company or shares of Company Stock having a
         fair market value equal to the purchase price therefor. An Optionee
         shall have none of the rights of a stockholder until the shares of
         Stock are issued to him or her. An option may not be exercised for less
         than one hundred (100) shares of Stock, or the number of shares of
         Stock remaining subject to such option, whichever is less.

            (e) Effect of Termination of Employment or Service as a Non-Employee
         Director. Except as may be set forth in any option agreement, the
         following provisions of this Section 5(e) shall govern the treatment of
         options upon the termination of an Optionee's employment or service as
         a non-employee director by the Company and each of the Subsidiaries
         (hereinafter, the "Optionee's Employment or Service"):

                (i) An option will automatically be forfeited and unexercisable
            upon the termination of an Optionee's Employment or Service if such
            termination was for Cause (as defined below) or was voluntary by the
            Optionee (other than voluntary termination in connection with the
            Optionee's retirement upon or after such Optionee reaches age 65
            ("Retirement Age"). Unless otherwise specifically defined in an
            Option Agreement, a termination shall be for "Cause" if the Company
            (or a Subsidiary) terminates the Optionee's Employment or Service
            because (A)

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            the Optionee is convicted of a crime that is a felony (other than a
            traffic or moving violation); (B) the Optionee has willfully and
            materially breached, habitually neglected or failed to perform
            satisfactorily his or her duties as an employee, consultant or
            non-employee director; or, (C) the Optionee commits any material act
            or fraud or dishonesty during the course of the Optionee's
            Employment or Service.

                (ii) If an Optionee's Employment or Service is terminated
            because of (A) the death of the Optionee or (B) the Disability (as
            defined in subsection (v) below) of the Optionee, the Optionee, or
            his or her representative, devisees or heirs, as applicable, may
            exercise any options granted under this Plan that are exercisable on
            the date the Optionee's Employment or Service so terminates at any
            time prior to thirty-six months from the date of such termination.

                (iii) If an Optionee's Employment or Service is terminated
            because of the retirement of the Optionee at or after the Optionee
            reaches Retirement Age, then the Optionee may exercise any options
            granted under this Plan that are exercisable on the date the
            Optionee's Employment or Service so terminates at any time prior to
            thirty-six months from the date of such termination, subject to the
            incentive stock option provisions set forth in Section 6.

                (iv) If the Company terminates the Optionee's Employment or
            Service for any reason other than for Cause, then the Optionee, or
            his or her representative, devisees or heirs, as applicable, may
            exercise any options granted under this Plan that are exercisable on
            the date the Optionee's Employment or Service so terminates at any
            time prior to one year from the date of such termination, subject to
            the incentive stock option provisions set forth in Section 6.
            Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Optionee's Employment or
            Service is terminated because the Optionee has become an employee of
            another company that is affiliated with the Company, through common
            ownership, common management or otherwise, then the options granted
            to such Optionee under this Plan shall not be deemed to be
            terminated, but rather shall continue in full force and effect as if
            the Optionee's Employment or Service had not been terminated.

                (v) Unless otherwise specifically defined in an Option
            Agreement, "Disability," as such term is used herein, shall refer to
            the Optionee becoming physically or mentally disabled (as determined
            in good faith by the Board) so that Optionee is unable to perform
            Optionee's duties which Optionee is required to perform for a period
            of more than one hundred twenty (120) consecutive days or more than
            one hundred eighty (180) days in the aggregate during any calendar
            year.

                (vi) If an Optionee's Employment or Service is terminated with
            the approval of the Board, the Board may, at its discretion,
            accelerate or otherwise modify the vesting conditions applicable to
            any options which are not exercisable on the date the Optionee's
            Employment or Service terminates, extend the period following
            termination of employment during which any outstanding options may
            be exercised (but in no event beyond the original exercise term of
            the grant), or modify the vesting terms and extend the exercise term
            of the grant.

                (vii) Nothing in this Plan or in any option granted pursuant to
            this Plan (in the absence of an express provision to the contrary)
            shall confer on any individual any right to continue in the employ
            of the Company or any Subsidiary, to continue to serve as a member
            of the Board, or to interfere in any way with the right of the
            Company to terminate his or her Employment or Service at any time.

            (f) Transferability of Options. During the lifetime of an Optionee,
         options held by such Optionee shall be exercisable only by the Optionee
         or his or her personal representative in the event of the Optionee's
         Disability. In the event of Optionee's death, options that remain
         exercisable under the terms of this Plan and the applicable Option
         Agreements may be exercised by the Optionee's representative, devisees
         or heirs, as applicable. Options shall be transferable by will or the
         laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
         Board may permit an Optionee to transfer exercise rights to any
         outstanding non-qualified stock options, provided such transfers are
         made to Permitted Transferees, as

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         defined herein, and are made without consideration, for bona fide
         estate planning purposes. The Board shall establish whatever
         administrative criteria it deems appropriate in reviewing and approving
         such transfer requests. For purposes of this Section 5(f), "Permitted
         Transferees" shall mean a member of an Optionee's immediate family,
         trusts for the benefit of such immediate family members, and
         partnerships in which the Optionee and/or such immediate family members
         are the only partners. Immediate family members shall include an
         Optionee's spouse, descendants (children, grandchildren and more remote
         descendants), and shall include step-children and relationships arising
         from legal adoption.

            (g) Adjustments for Change in Stock Subject to Plan and Other
         Events. Subject to any more particular rights that the Board may grant
         to an Optionee under an Option Agreement, in the event of a
         reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, stock
         dividend, combination of shares, merger, consolidation, rights
         offering, or any other change in or event affecting the corporate
         structure or Stock of the Company, the Board may make such adjustments,
         if any, in the number of shares subject to this Plan and in the number
         of shares covered by outstanding options and/or in the option price per
         share as it deems appropriate and necessary to preserve the value of
         the benefits provided hereunder.

            (h) Acceleration of Exercisability of Options Upon Occurrence of
         Certain Events. The Board may provide, in an Option Agreement relating
         to any option granted hereunder, that in connection with any Change of
         Control (as hereinafter defined) of the Company, effective as of such
         date as the Board shall determine, the exercisability of such option
         shall be accelerated and the option may be immediately exercised to
         purchase all or any portion of the shares of Stock subject to such
         option, or all or a portion of such option may be terminated, as
         determined by the Board.

            "Change of Control" shall mean (i) a merger or consolidation in
         which the Company is a constituent corporation following which
         securities of the surviving or resulting corporation possessing less
         than 50% of the combined voting power of such corporation's outstanding
         voting securities (computed on either an actual or fully diluted basis)
         with respect to matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders
         generally shall then be owned in the aggregate by persons who prior
         thereto were stockholders of the Company; (ii) a sale or transfer by
         the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of all or substantially all of
         the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an
         entity that is not a Subsidiary of the Company; (iii) any "person" (as
         such term is used in Sections 3(a)(9) or 13(d)(3) of the 1934 Act),
         other than Excluded Persons, is or becomes the beneficial owner,
         directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more
         than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding
         voting securities with respect to matters submitted to a vote of the
         stockholders generally; (iv) any "person" other than Excluded Persons
         is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of
         securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the then
         outstanding Stock; (v) at such time as any shares of Series B common
         stock, $0.01 par value, of the Company are no longer outstanding,
         within any two-year period, a majority of the Company's Board of
         Directors is no longer composed of persons who were directors at the
         beginning of such two-year period, unless the continuing directors,
         together with the new directors who were approved by a majority of the
         prior directors, constitute a majority of the Board; (vi) the Company
         adopts a plan of dissolution or liquidation or liquidates or dissolves;
         or (vii) any transaction or series of transactions which has a
         reasonable likelihood or a purpose of producing, directly or
         indirectly, any of the effects described in paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of
         Rule 13e-3 of the 1934 Act. The term "Excluded Persons" means each of
         (i) The Hearst Corporation or any other "Permitted Transferee" (as
         defined in Article Four of the Company's Amended and Restated
         Certificate of Incorporation) and (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary
         holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company.

            Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any option be
         exercisable after the date of termination of the exercise period of
         such option specified in Section 5(c).

            (i) Stock Legends. Certificates evidencing shares of Stock issued
         under the Plan shall have conspicuously noted thereon such restrictions
         on transferability as the Company may require in order to ensure
         compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and
         regulations.

            (j) Options for Non-Employee Directors. Notwithstanding any
         provision herein to the contrary, each Non-Employee Director of the
         Company shall be awarded options to purchase 4,000 shares

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         of Stock each year that such person continues to serve as a director of
         the Company, and an additional 1,000 shares of Stock each year that
         such person serves as a chairperson of a committee of the Board. The
         initial grant to each Non-Employee Director shall have been made as of
         the adoption of the 1997 Stock Option Plan (or as soon thereafter as is
         reasonably practicable) and each subsequent annual grant shall be made
         on each anniversary of the date of the initial grant for as long as
         such Non-Employee Director continues to serve as a director of the
         Company or any of its Subsidiaries. All such options granted to the
         Non-Employee Directors shall have an exercise price equal to the fair
         market value of the Stock as of the date of grant (as determined by the
         Board of Directors), shall become fully exercisable two (2) years from
         the date of grant and shall expire ten (10) years from the date of
         grant.

            "Non-Employee Director", as defined by Rule 16b-3 shall mean a
         director of the Company who (i) is not currently an officer of the
         Company or a parent or subsidiary of the Company, or otherwise
         currently employed by the Company or a parent or subsidiary of the
         Company; (ii) does not receive compensation, either directly or
         indirectly, from the Company or a parent or subsidiary of the Company,
         for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other than as
         a director, except for an amount that does not exceed the dollar amount
         for which disclosure would be required pursuant to Item 404(a) of
         Regulation S-K; (iii) does not possess an interest in any other
         transaction for which disclosure would be required pursuant to Item
         404(a) of Regulation S-K; and (iv) is not engaged in a business
         relationship for which disclosure would be required pursuant to Item
         404(b) of Regulation S-K.

            (k) Other Terms and Conditions. The Board may impose such other
         terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms hereof, on the
         grant or exercise of options, as it deems advisable.

         6. Provisions Applicable to Incentive Stock Options. The Committee may,
in its discretion, grant options under this Plan to eligible employees which
constitute "incentive stock options" (within the meaning of Section 422(b) of
the Code), provided, however, that the following provisions shall be applicable
to such options ("Incentive Stock Options"):

            (a) No Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable more than ten
         (10) years from the date of grant thereof.

            (b) To the extent that the aggregate fair market value (determined
         at the time the respective Incentive Stock Option is granted) of Stock
         with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the
         first time by an individual during any calendar year under all
         incentive stock option plans for the Company and its Subsidiaries
         exceeds $100,000, such excess Incentive Stock Options shall be treated
         as options which do not constitute Incentive Stock Options.

            (c) No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to an individual if,
         at the time the option is granted, such individual owns stock
         possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all
         classes of stock of the Company or of its Subsidiaries, unless (i) at
         the time such option is granted the option price is at least 110% of
         the fair market value of the Stock subject to the option, and (ii) such
         option by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five (5)
         years from the date of grant.

            (d) The purchase price of a share of Stock under an Incentive Stock
         Option shall be no less than 100% of the fair market value of a share
         of Stock as of the date such option is granted.

            (e) An Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable only while the
         Optionee is an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary, or within three
         (3) months after the date that the Optionee's employment with the
         Company is terminated for reasons other than death or Disability, for
         Cause, or voluntary termination by the Optionee.

         7. Amendment and Termination. Unless this Plan previously shall have
been terminated as hereinafter provided, this Plan shall terminate on, and no
option shall be granted hereunder, ten (10) years from (i) the date the 1997
Stock Option Plan was adopted by the Board or (ii) the date the 1997 Stock
Option Plan was approved by the Company's stockholders, whichever is earlier;
provided, however, that the Board may at any time

                                       5

<PAGE>

prior to that date terminate this Plan. The Board may at any time amend this
Plan; provided, however, that an amendment shall be subject to stockholder
approval if such approval is required for favorable treatment under Rule 16b-3
or the Code or is required by the rules of any securities exchange or market
system on which securities of the Company are listed, reported or admitted to
trading at the time such amendment is adopted. No termination or amendment of
this Plan may, without the consent of an Optionee, adversely affect the rights
of such Optionee under any option held by such Optionee. Notwithstanding
anything in this Section 7 to the contrary, this Plan may from time to time be
amended to satisfy or otherwise conform to the conditions and requirements and
provisions set forth in Rule 16b-3 or in any successor role.

         8. Withholding. It shall be a condition to the obligation of the
Company to issue shares of Stock upon exercise of an option, that the Optionee
(or any beneficiary or other person entitled to act under the terms hereof) pay
to the Company, upon its demand, such amount as may be requested by the Company
for the purpose of satisfying any liability to withhold federal, state or local
income or other taxes. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
Optionees may be given the opportunity to elect to have shares of Stock acquired
through exercise of the option withheld to satisfy withholding tax obligations.

                                       6

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