Media General's WVTM-TV Organizes United Way Telethon to Support Victims of Tornados

Media General's WVTM-TV Organizes United Way Telethon to Support Victims of Tornados

RICHMOND, Va., May 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Media General, Inc. (NYSE: MEG) announced today that WVTM-TV in Birmingham, Ala., is organizing a 24 hour United Way Tornado Relief Telethon beginning at 5 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, May 4, to support relief efforts for the victims of last week's deadly tornados. During the telethon, The United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) will staff an auditorium full of volunteers to answer calls from those who wish to make a donation. Donations can also be made online and via mobile.

Media General's broadcast television stations and many newspapers and associated websites are helping to support the relief efforts through various on-air, in-print and online promotion efforts, including streaming a live shot of the United Way Donation Center on their websites with details on how to donate.

The following are key details on how to donate to United Way.

TIME: From 5 a.m. EDT, Wednesday, May 4 to 3 a.m. EDT, Thursday, May 5.

WHAT: Volunteers from The United Way of Central Alabama will answer calls

HOW TO DONATE: Phone: Call 1-855-205-HELP/1-855-205-4357. (Note: The phone line will only be active during the Telethon, 5 a.m. EDT, Wednesday, May 4 to 3 a.m. EDT, Thursday, May 5)Online:http://www.uwca.org/Mobile: Text TORNADO to 50555 to donate $10. Mail: United Way Tornado Disaster Fund, P.O. Box 320189, Birmingham, AL 35232.

All donations will be handled and distributed by the UWCA Tornado Relief Fund. Donations will go toward the immediate needs of those most affected and to the long-term recovery and rebuilding effort. Callers may designate donations go to the United Way in any state affected by the deadly April 27, 2011 tornados. They simply make their request known when they call in to the donation center.

In addition, WVTM will air a prime-time special from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, May 4. During this special, viewers will be updated on the situation in many Alabama communities, donations will be highlighted and the various donation methods will be provided. This special will be simulcast on other Media General stations. CNN has donated satellite time during this prime-time special.

Gene Kirkconnell, general manager of WVTM, said, "The devastation across the state and region in our local communities is horrific and the needs are so great for so many. Our entire Media General family has joined in the Tornado Relief efforts and we hope many other media entities can join in the promotion of the Telethon and various methods to donate."

If your newspaper, television station, website, radio station, or social media outlet would like to participate in helping Tornado victims, please go to this link http://www2.alabamas13.com/forms/tornado-relief-telethon/ to learn more and sign up.

About Media General

Media General is a leading provider of news, information and entertainment across multiple media platforms, serving consumers and advertisers in strong local markets, primarily in the Southeastern United States. Media General's operations are organized in five geographic market segments and a sixth segment that includes the company's interactive advertising services and certain other operations. The company's operations include 18 network-affiliated television stations and their associated websites, three metropolitan and 20 community newspapers and their associated websites, and more than 200 specialty publications that include weekly newspapers and niche publications targeted to various demographic, geographic and topical communities of interest. Many of the company's specialty publications have associated websites. Media General additionally operates three interactive advertising services companies: Blockdot, which specializes in interactive entertainment and advergaming technologies; DealTaker.com, a coupon and shopping website; and NetInformer, a leading provider of wireless media and mobile marketing services.

SOURCE Media General, Inc.

Media General, Inc.

CONTACT: Investor Contact, Lou Anne Nabhan, +1-804-649-6103, or Media Contact, Ray Kozakewicz, +1-804-649-6748

Web Site: http://www.uwca.org

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