NEW YORK, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. (NYSE: HTV) announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed Frank A. Bennack, Jr. chairman of the board, effective immediately.

Bennack, who is vice chairman and chief executive officer of Hearst Corporation, Hearst-Argyle's majority owner, has served on the Hearst-Argyle board since 1997. His most recent role as the board's presiding director will be assumed by David Pulver, one of the Company's independent directors.

Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. owns 26 television stations, and manages an additional three television and two radio stations owned by Hearst Corporation, in geographically diverse U.S. markets. The Company's television stations reach approximately 18% of U.S. TV households, making it one of America's largest television station groups. Hearst-Argyle owns 12 ABC-affiliated stations, and manages an additional ABC station owned by Hearst Corporation, and is the largest ABC affiliate group. The Company also owns 10 NBC affiliates, and is the second-largest NBC affiliate owner, and owns two CBS affiliates. Also, Hearst-Argyle owns more than 30 Websites and multicasts 18 digital weather channels. Hearst Corporation owns approximately 82% of Hearst-Argyle's total outstanding common stock. Hearst-Argyle Series A Common Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "HTV." Hearst-Argyle's corporate Web address is www.hearstargyle.com.

SOURCE Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc.