Chairman and CEO Proposes to Acquire Emmis Communications Corporation's Outstanding Public Shares

INDIANAPOLIS, May 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Emmis Communications Corporation ("Emmis") today announced that ECC Acquisition, Inc., an Indiana corporation wholly-owned by Jeffrey H. Smulyan, the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and controlling shareholder of Emmis ("Purchaser"), has made a non-binding proposal to acquire the outstanding publicly held shares of Emmis for $15.25 per share in cash.

According to the proposal, the offer price represents a 13.6% premium over the closing price of Emmis' Class A common stock on Friday, May 5, 2006, the last trading day prior to the proposal. The proposal values the total common equity of Emmis (including both Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock) at approximately $567 million and implies an enterprise value of approximately $1.4 billion (based on Emmis' outstanding debt and preferred stock).

The proposal states that the transaction would be implemented through a merger of Emmis with the Purchaser. In conjunction with the merger, Purchaser proposes to refinance certain of Emmis' outstanding debt and preferred stock. The proposal further states that Purchaser intends to invite certain other members of Emmis' management to join the Purchaser in the proposed transaction.

In response to the proposal, the Board of Directors of Emmis announced that it has formed a special committee of independent directors to consider the proposal. The Special Committee will select its own independent financial and legal advisors. Mr. Smulyan and the other directors of Emmis that are members of management will not participate in the evaluation of the proposal, which requires the recommendation of the special committee and the approval of the Board of Directors.

Emmis expects this process to have no impact on day-to-day operations.

The transaction will be subject to the negotiation and execution of definitive agreements related to the transaction and will be subject to receipt of required financing. The proposal states that the transaction is not subject to any regulatory conditions other than Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") approvals and, if applicable, compliance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. The proposal also states that the transaction will be subject to approval by Emmis' shareholders. Under the terms of Emmis' charter, the transaction will be a "going private" transaction (as such term is defined in the charter) involving Emmis and a purchaser affiliated with Mr. Smulyan; therefore, holders of Class B Common Stock will be entitled to vote on the transaction on an "as converted" to Class A Common Stock basis so that all shares are entitled to one vote per share and vote together as a single class. Mr. Smulyan owns shares of Emmis representing approximately 16.9% of the equity and 16.9% of the votes entitled to vote on the proposal (calculated in each case to include shares issuable under all options exercisable currently or within 60 days).

In its proposal, Purchaser advised Emmis' Board that Mr. Smulyan will not agree to any other transaction involving Emmis or his shares of Emmis. Under the terms of Emmis' charter, on any such other transaction (other than the "going private" transaction described above) that requires the approval of Emmis' shareholders, the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock will vote together as a single class, with each share of Class A Common Stock entitled to one vote per share and each share of Class B Common Stock entitled to ten votes per share. Mr. Smulyan would in such circumstances have approximately 66.7% of the combined voting power entitled to vote on any such other transaction (calculated to include shares issuable under all options exercisable currently or within 60 days), thereby giving him the ability to prevent Emmis from engaging in any such other transaction.

The proposal stated that The Blackstone Group L.P., Banc of America Securities LLC and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. are each serving as Purchaser's financial advisors and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is providing legal advice to Purchaser.

Emmis does not anticipate making any further announcement concerning the proposal unless and until a definitive agreement is reached. If and when the parties reach a definitive agreement with respect to the proposal, Emmis and Purchaser will file appropriate materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission and mail such materials to Emmis shareholders. Shareholders and other interested parties should read Emmis' relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available because they will contain important information. Emmis' shareholders will be able to obtain such documents free of charge at the SEC's web site (http://www.sec.gov/) or from Emmis at One Emmis Plaza, 40 Monument Circle, Suite 700, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204, Attn: Scott Enright.

Agreements to Sell WKCF-TV and KKFR-FM; Closing on WRDA-FM

Emmis today also announced that it has signed agreements to sell two of its broadcast properties: WKCF-TV, its WB/CW affiliate in Orlando, and KKFR-FM in Phoenix.

Under terms of its agreement, Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. has agreed to pay $217.5 million in cash for the assets of WKCF-TV, subject to FCC and other regulatory approvals.

Emmis continues to own 50 percent of "The Daily Buzz," a syndicated weekday news program produced in the WKCF studios, with partner ACME Communications, and will retain the WKCF building.

Emmis purchased WKCF in October 1999 from Press Communications, LLC. In May 2005, Emmis announced its intention to explore strategic alternatives for its 16-station television division. Since that time and including today's announcement, 14 Emmis television stations have found buyers. The television stations remaining in the Emmis portfolio are New Orleans' WVUE-TV (Fox 8) and Honolulu's KGMB-TV (CBS 9).

In Phoenix, Bonneville International Corporation and Bonneville Holding Company have agreed to purchase the assets of KKFR-FM (Power 92.3) for $77.5 million, subject to FCC and other regulatory approvals.

Emmis purchased KKFR-FM from Clear Channel in August 2000. In January 2005, Emmis swapped three Phoenix stations -- KTAR-AM, KMVP-AM and KKLT-FM -- with Bonneville in exchange for WLUP-FM (97.9) in Chicago and $70 million in cash. After the close of the transaction, Emmis will own 23 domestic radio stations in seven markets.

The closing of each of these transactions is subject to customary conditions, including approval from the FCC, and is expected to occur in the next three to six months.

Emmis also announced that on May 5, 2006, it completed the sale of the assets of WRDA-FM (104.1 FM, now known as WHHL-FM) to Radio One for $20 million. Emmis announced it had signed a definitive agreement for the sale of the station in September 2005. In St. Louis, Emmis continues to own KFTK-FM (97.1), KIHT-FM (96.3), KPNT-FM (105.7) and legendary KSHE-FM (94.7). Emmis-St. Louis continues to air Red's programming via the web at http://www.redontheweb.com/ .

Other Matters:

Through February 28, 2006, Emmis had deferred approximately $1.1 million of third-party acquisition-related costs associated with the acquisition of the Washington Nationals Major League Baseball franchise. On April 18, 2006, Emmis reported results for its fourth quarter and full year ended February 28, 2006, and continued to believe that deferral of these costs was appropriate. However, on May 3, 2006, Major League Baseball announced that it had awarded the right to purchase the Washington Nationals to a group other than the one led by Emmis. As a result of this subsequent event, Emmis has expensed these costs in its year ended February 28, 2006, as a component of corporate expenses. Consequently, Emmis' operating income in its Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2006, will be $1.1 million lower than the operating income reported in its press release on April 18, 2006. Please see the financial table attached to this press release as Annex A.

Emmis Communications - Great Media, Great People, Great Service(R)

Emmis Communications is an Indianapolis-based diversified media firm with radio broadcasting, television broadcasting and magazine publishing operations. Pro forma for the transactions above, Emmis' 21 FM and 2 AM domestic radio stations serve the nation's largest markets of New York, Los Angeles and Chicago as well as St. Louis, Austin, Indianapolis and Terre Haute, Ind. In addition, Emmis owns a radio network, international radio interests, two television stations, award-winning regional and specialty magazines, and ancillary businesses in broadcast sales and publishing.

Note: Statements in this release represent the parties' current intentions, plans, expectations and beliefs and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events to differ materially from the events described in this release, including risks or uncertainties related to the success of the negotiations with the special committee and whether the merger will be completed, as well as changes in general economic conditions, stock market trading conditions, tax law requirements or government regulation, and changes in the broadband communications industry or the business or prospects of Emmis. The reader is cautioned that these factors, as well as other factors described or to be described in SEC filings with respect to the transaction, are among the factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the current expectations described herein. No agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the acquisition of the stock of Emmis described above shall be created (or deemed created for any purpose) until such time as definitive documentation providing for any such agreement, arrangement, or understanding has been approved by the special committee and the Board of Directors of Emmis and thereafter executed and delivered by Emmis and all other relevant persons. Certain statements included in this release which are not statements of historical fact, including but not limited to those identified with the words "expect," "will" or "look" are intended to be, and are, by this Note, identified as "forward- looking statements," as defined in the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Emmis to be materially different from any future result, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement. Such factors include, among others:

-- general economic and business conditions; -- fluctuations in the demand for advertising and demand for different types of advertising media; -- our ability to service our outstanding debt; -- increased competition in our markets and the broadcasting industry; -- our ability to attract and secure programming, on-air talent, writers and photographers; -- inability to obtain (or to obtain timely) necessary approvals for purchase or sale transactions or to complete the transactions for other reasons generally beyond our control; -- Purchaser's offer to purchase being terminated or modified materially; -- increases in the costs of programming, including on-air talent; -- inability to grow through suitable acquisitions; -- new or changing regulations of the Federal Communications Commission or other governmental agencies; -- competition from new or different technologies; -- war, terrorist acts or political instability; and other factors mentioned in documents filed by Emmis with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Annex A EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited, dollars in thousands, except per share data) Three months ended Twelve months ended February 28, February 28, 2006 2005 2006 2005 OPERATING DATA: Net revenues: Radio $63,045 $60,855 $300,545 $274,145 Publishing 21,440 20,021 86,836 77,675 Total net revenues 84,485 80,876 387,381 351,820 Operating expenses, excluding noncash compensation: Radio 43,978 38,768 174,321 152,603 Publishing 20,976 17,683 78,837 67,870 Total station operating expenses, excluding noncash compensation 64,954 56,451 253,158 220,473 Corporate expenses, excluding noncash compensation 13,295 7,438 32,686 30,792 Noncash compensation (a) 690 2,318 8,906 11,300 Depreciation and amortization 4,867 3,835 17,335 15,870 Impairment loss 37,372 - 37,372 - Loss on disposal of assets 9 718 94 795 Operating income (loss) (36,702) 10,116 37,830 72,590 Interest expense (21,513) (9,568) (70,586) (39,690) Interest income 3,040 564 3,532 1,037 Gain from unconsolidated affiliates 55 3 8 97 Loss on debt extinguishment (b) (6,952) - (6,952) (97,248) Other income (expense), net (170) 680 (500) 1,062 Income (loss) before income taxes, minority interest, discontinued operations and accounting change (62,242) 1,795 (36,668) (62,152) Provision (benefit) for income taxes (25,748) 1,544 (15,455) 821 Minority interest (income) expense, net of tax (485) 539 3,026 2,486 Income (loss) from continuing operations (36,009) (288) (24,239) (65,459) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 174,951 37,389 382,010 64,091 Income (loss) before accounting change 138,942 37,101 357,771 (1,368) Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax - (303,000) - (303,000) Net income (loss) 138,942 (265,899) 357,771 (304,368) Preferred stock dividends 2,246 2,246 8,984 8,984 Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $136,696 $(268,145) $348,787 $(313,352) Basic net income (loss) per common share: Continuing operations $(1.03) $(0.04) $(0.78) $(1.33) Discontinued operations, net of tax 4.72 0.66 8.91 1.15 Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax - (5.37) - (5.40) Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $3.69 $(4.75) $8.13 $(5.58) Diluted net income (loss) per common share: Continuing operations $(1.03) $(0.04) $(0.78) $(1.33) Discontinued operations, net of tax 4.72 0.66 8.91 1.15 Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax - (5.37) - (5.40) Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $3.69 $(4.75) $8.13 $(5.58) Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 37,056 56,397 42,876 56,129 Diluted 37,056 56,397 42,876 56,129 (a) Noncash compensation by segment: Radio $650 $934 $3,481 $4,749 Publishing 385 328 1,240 2,007 Corporate (345) 1,056 4,185 4,544 Total $690 $2,318 $8,906 $11,300 (b) Reflects costs associated with our debt recapitalization, which closed on May 10, 2004 and a subsequent subordinated debt extinguishment on June 10, 2004. OTHER DATA: Station operating income (See below) 19,531 24,425 134,223 131,347 Cash paid for taxes 5,006 15 5,045 286 Capital expenditures 4,154 4,225 12,833 10,519 COMPUTATION OF STATION OPERATING INCOME: Operating income $(36,702) $10,116 $37,830 $72,590 Plus: Depreciation and amortization 4,867 3,835 17,335 15,870 Plus: Corporate expenses, excluding noncash compensation 13,295 7,438 32,686 30,792 Plus: Noncash compensation 690 2,318 8,906 11,300 Plus: Impairment loss 37,372 - 37,372 - Station operating income $19,531 $24,425 $134,223 $131,347 SELECTED BALANCE SHEET February February INFORMATION: 28, 2006 28, 2005 Total Cash and Cash Equivalents $140,822 $16,054 Senior Debt $296,174 $804,313 Senior Subordinated Debt 375,000 375,000 Senior Discount Notes 1,406 1,245 Senior Floating Rate Notes 120,000 - Total Senior, Senior Subordinated and Holding Company Debt $792,580 $1,180,558