Moosic, PA, March 29 - - The New York Times Company today announced that America’s highest rated newscast is Newswatch 16 on WNEP-TV. René LaSpina, President and General Manager of WNEP-TV made the announcement. “I’m proud to announce that among the top 100 markets in the nation, Newswatch 16 is number one in America,” Ms. LaSpina said. “Our ranking as the highest rated local newscast in America is a testament to the hard work, dedication and excellence of everyone here at WNEP-TV.

According to Nielsen Media Research, Newswatch 16 at 6:00 p.m. averaged a 25 rating and a 44 share among television households in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton market Monday - Friday during February 2000. That means one out of every four households in the market was watching Newswatch 16 at 6:00 during February. And more than four of every ten households with televisions turned on were tuned to Newswatch 16.

This is the second time Newswatch 16 has ranked as the highest rated newscast in America. The last time was 16 years ago, in February of 1984 as ranked by the Arbitron ratings system. “That was long before the proliferation of cable, satellite television and other media gave viewers hundreds of channels from which to choose,” said Ms. LaSpina. “The viewers of Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania have overwhelmingly placed their trust in us. With that trust comes a tremendous responsibility to serve our family, friends and neighbors.”

The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT) is a diversified media company including newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations, and electronic information and publishing. The Company’s core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news, information and entertainment. The Company, which had 1999 revenues of $3.1 billion, publishes The New York Times, The Boston Globe and 22 other newspapers; publishes three magazines, including Golf Digest; and owns eight network-affiliated television stations and two New York City radio stations. It also operates news, photo and graphics services as well as news and feature syndicates. A division of the Company, New York Times Digital, operates Internet properties such as winetoday.com. The Company holds interests in one newsprint mill, one supercalendered paper mill and the International Herald Tribune.

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