Television Company Belo Corp. (BLC) Wins 2012 NABEF Service to America Award

DALLAS, April 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Belo Corp. (NYSE: BLC), one of the nation's largest pure-play, publicly-traded television companies, is being honored with a National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation Service to America Community Award for its support of Rachel's Challenge, a non-profit organization promoting kindness and compassion that was established following the Columbine High School tragedy. 

Rachel Joy Scott was a student attending Columbine High School in April 1999 and was the first person killed in the tragedy.  Her father, Darrell Scott, began speaking around the country after her death and used writings and drawings from Rachel's diaries to illustrate the need for a kinder, more compassionate nation. 

Belo's involvement with Rachel's Challenge began several years ago when KTVB, Belo's station in Boise, partnered with Rachel's Challenge by promoting and covering assemblies held in area high schools and junior highs. KTVB's president and general manager, Doug Armstrong, also served on the Rachel's Challenge National Advisory Board. 

The partnership evolved in 2010 when Belo's flagship station, WFAA-TV in Dallas/Fort Worth, began to heavily support and promote Rachel's Challenge. Michael Valentine, WFAA's then vice president/News, also joined the Rachel's Challenge National Advisory Board. 

In January 2011, Belo enlisted the support of its entire station group to help support the efforts of the organization on a broader scale.  Belo stations on average devoted at least 3 minutes of content to Rachel's Challenge weekly during the initiative, covered rallies and school assemblies supporting the organization, ran more than 2,300 PSA's on Rachel's Challenge, and in some markets produced and aired 30-minute specials recapping the organization's efforts. 

"It has long been a part of the Belo culture to serve our markets by bringing quality news to our viewers and acting as a conduit to positively impact the local communities we serve," said Dunia A. Shive, Belo's president and Chief Executive Officer. "The Rachel's Challenge organization has had a long-lasting impact on families and communities and we are honored to have contributed to their efforts."

About Belo Corp.

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

About Rachel's Challenge

More information about Rachel's Challenge can be found at www.rachelschallenge.org.

Dallas/Fort Worth: WFAA-TV, TXCN. Houston: KHOU-TV. Phoenix: KTVK, KASW-TV.
Seattle/Tacoma: KING-TV, KONG-TV, NWCN. St. Louis: KMOV-TV. Portland: KGW-TV. Charlotte: WCNC-TV.
San Antonio: KENS-TV. Hampton/Norfolk: WVEC-TV. Louisville: WHAS-TV. Austin: KVUE-TV.
New Orleans: WWL-TV, WUPL-TV. Tucson: KMSB-TV, KTTU-TV. Spokane: KREM-TV, KSKN-TV. Boise: KTVB.

SOURCE Belo Corp.