FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va., Nov 8, 2001 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Cox Communications of Northern Virginia and Allbritton Communications Company (ACC), which owns WJLA/ABC-7 and NewsChannel 8, today reached long-term Retransmission Consent and Affiliation License agreements that ensure the continued carriage of both channels on Cox's Fairfax County cable system for the next 10 years.

"We are very pleased that we have reached a long-term agreement and have avoided any disruption in programming for our customers," said Gary McCollum, vice president and general manager for Cox Northern Virginia. "We greatly appreciate the efforts of Allbritton Communications to work with Cox to ensure that our customers continue to receive local and regional news from WJLA and NewsChannel 8, as well as the ABC network programming our customers value and enjoy. This is a win-win deal for all concerned - most importantly, for Cox customers."

"We look forward to working in partnership with Cox to bring Fairfax viewers the best in television programming and community service, and we are pleased to announce the completion of long-term renewals for ABC-7 and NewsChannel 8," said Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., president and chief operating officer of ACC.

WJLA/ABC-7 President and General Manager Chris Pike added, "All of us at ABC-7 are excited about the opportunity to build on our relationships in the Fairfax community working with Cox in this renewed association."

The two companies signed a confidentiality agreement that prohibits the release of additional details of the contracts signed earlier today.

Cox Northern Virginia is in the process of a $500 million fiber-optic upgrade of the Fairfax County cable system that will provide County residents and 240,000 Cox customers with the premier communications network in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The fiber-optic upgrade provides enhanced service reliability and picture quality, as well as the platform for new products and advanced services, including Cox Digital Cable, Cox High Speed Internet service and Cox Digital Telephone service.

CONTACT:          Cox Communications
                  Scott Broyles, 703/378-3961
                  Pager: 877/726-4833

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