<PAGE>   1

    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JULY 31, 1995.

                                                     Registration No. 33-_____
================================================================================


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                      ____________________________________
                                    FORM S-8
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                      ____________________________________
                             A.H. BELO CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

             DELAWARE                                      75-0135890
   (State or other jurisdiction of                      (I.R.S. Employer
   incorporation or organization)                     Identification Number)

                             COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
                            400 SOUTH RECORD STREET
                              DALLAS, TEXAS  75202
              (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
                               __________________
                             A.H. BELO CORPORATION
                        1995 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
                            (Full title of the plan)
                                ________________
                              MICHAEL J. MCCARTHY
              SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
                             A.H. BELO CORPORATION
                             COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
                            400 SOUTH RECORD STREET
                              DALLAS, TEXAS  75202
                                 (214) 977-6606
  (Name and address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area
                          code, of agent for service)
              ___________________________________________________
                                    Copy to:
                                    GUY KERR
                           LOCKE PURNELL RAIN HARRELL
                          (A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION)
                                2200 ROSS AVENUE
                                   SUITE 2200
                              DALLAS, TEXAS  75201
                                 (214) 740-8000

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
========================================================================================================================
    Title of Securities        Amount to be         Proposed Maximum          Proposed Maximum            Amount of
     to be Registered          Registered *        Offering Price per        Aggregate Offering      Registration Fee **
                                                        Share **                  Price**
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>                      <C>                   <C>                       <C>                      <C>
  Series A Common
  Stock, $1.67 par
  value *                  An aggregate of
------------------------   8,000,000 shares      $30.0625                  $120,250,008             $41,465.52
  Series B Common
  Stock, $1.67 par
  value *
========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

*  Shares of Series A Common Stock and Series B Common Stock are identical
except that Series B shares are entitled to ten votes per share on all matters
submitted to shareholders while Series A shares are entitled to one vote per
share.  Transferability of the Series B shares is limited to family members and
affiliated entities of the holder.  Series B shares are convertible at any time
on a one-for-one basis into Series A shares, and upon a transfer other than as
described above Series B shares automatically convert into Series A shares.
Amount registered includes up to 4,000,000 shares of Series A Common Stock
reserved for issuance solely upon conversion of the Series B shares registered
hereby.

**  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.  This
fee was calculated pursuant to Rule 457(h) and (i) under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, on the basis of the average of the high and low prices for
the Series A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on July 25, 1995.
<PAGE>   2
                                     PART I
              INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS

ITEM 1.  PLAN INFORMATION.

         The information specified by Item 1 of Part I of Form S-8 is omitted
from this filing in accordance with the provisions of Rule 428 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the introductory note to Part I of Form
S-8.

ITEM 2.  REGISTRANT INFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE PLAN ANNUAL INFORMATION.

         The information specified by Item 2 of Part I of Form S-8 is omitted
from this filing in accordance with the provisions of Rule 428 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the introductory note to Part I of Form
S-8.





                                      I-1
<PAGE>   3
                                    PART II
               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

         The documents set forth below are hereby incorporated by reference in
this Registration Statement.  All documents subsequently filed by A.H. Belo
Corporation (the "Company") pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), prior to
the filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that the securities
offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters the securities offered
hereby then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference
in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof commencing on the
respective dates on which such documents are filed.

                 (1)  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
         year ended December 31, 1994.

                 (2)  All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or
         15(d) of the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by
         the Annual Report referred to in (1) above.

                 (3)  The description of the Company's Series A Common Stock
         and Series B Common Stock contained in the Company's Form 8-B
         Registration Statement dated August 10, 1987 and filed with the
         Commission, as amended by the Company's Form 8-K Current Report dated
         May 4, 1988 and filed with the Commission, including any amendments or
         reports filed for the purposes of updating such description.

ITEM 4.  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

         Not Applicable.

ITEM 5.  INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

         Members of the law firm of Locke Purnell Rain Harrell (A Professional
         Corporation), other than attorneys involved in the preparation of this
         Registration Statement, own or have an indirect interest in Common
         Stock of the Company the fair market value of which exceeds $50,000.

ITEM 6.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

                 As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, the
         Company's Certificate of Incorporation contains a provision
         eliminating the monetary liability of a director for breach of
         fiduciary duty, subject to certain exceptions.  The provision does not
         eliminate a director's liability for (i) breaches of the director's
         duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders, (ii) acts or
         omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or a
         knowing violation of law, (iii) the payment of unlawful dividends or
         unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions, or (iv) any transaction
         from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
         Furthermore, the provision does not limit equitable remedies, such as
         an injunction or rescission for breach of a director's fiduciary duty
         of care.

                 The Delaware General Corporation Law permits, and in some
         cases requires, corporations to indemnify directors and officers who
         are or have been a party or are threatened to be made a party to
         litigation against certain expenses, judgments, fines, settlements,
         and other amounts under certain circumstances.





                                      II-1
<PAGE>   4
                 Article XI of the Company's Bylaws provides for
         indemnification of and advancement of expenses to directors, officers,
         employees, and agents to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by
         the Delaware General Corporation Law.  The Bylaws also provide
         specific authorization for the Company to purchase officers' and
         directors' liability insurance.

                 The Company has in force an officers' and directors' liability
         insurance policy insuring, up to specified amounts and with specified
         exceptions, directors and officers and former directors and officers
         of the Company and its subsidiaries against damages, judgments,
         settlements and costs for which they are not indemnified by the
         Company that any such persons may become legally obligated to pay on
         account of claims made against them for any error, misstatement or
         misleading statement, act or omission, or neglect or breach of duty
         committed, attempted or allegedly committed or attempted by such
         persons in the discharge of their duties to the Company in their
         capacities as directors or officers, or any matter claimed against
         them solely by reason of their serving in such capacities.  The
         officers' and directors' liability insurance policy also insures the
         Company, up to specified amounts and with specified exceptions,
         against any indemnification payments made by the Company to directors
         and officers and former directors and officers.

ITEM 7.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

         Not Applicable.

ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    EXHIBIT NUMBER                         DESCRIPTION
    --------------                         -----------
         <S>              <C>
         4.1              Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the
                          Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 19, 1992 (the "1991 Form 10-K")).

         4.2              Certificate of Correction to Certificate of Incorporation dated May 13, 1987 (incorporated by
                          reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 18, 1993 (the
                          "1992 Form 10-K")).

         4.3              Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company
                          dated April 16, 1987 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the 1991 Form 10-K).

         4.4              Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated May 4, 1988
                          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the 1992 Form 10-K).

         4.5              Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated May 10, 1995.

         4.6              Amended Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the
                          Company dated May 4, 1988 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the 1992 Form 10-K).

         4.7              Certificate of Designation of Series B Common Stock of the Company dated May 4, 1988
                          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the 1992 Form 10-K).

</TABLE>




                                      II-2
<PAGE>   5
<TABLE>
         <S>              <C>
         4.8              Bylaws of the Company, effective February 22, 1995 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to
                          the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 8, 1995 (the "1994 Form 10-K")).

         4.9              Specimen Form of Certificate representing shares of the Company's Series A Common Stock
                          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the 1992 Form 10-K).

         4.10             Specimen Form of Certificate representing shares of the Company's Series B Common Stock
                          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated
                          March 20, 1989).

         4.11             Form of Rights Agreement dated March 10, 1986 between the Company and RepublicBank Dallas,
                          National Association as Rights Agent, which includes as Exhibit B thereto the Form of Right
                          Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the 1991 Form 10-K).

         4.12             Supplement No. 1 to Rights Agreement dated April 9, 1987 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                          4.9 to the 1991 Form 10-K).

         4.13             Supplement No. 2 to Rights Agreement dated May 6, 1987 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                          4.9 to the 1992 Form 10-K).

         4.14             Supplement No. 3 to Rights Agreement dated May 19, 1988 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                          4.10 to the 1992 Form 10-K).

         4.15             Supplement No. 4 to Rights Agreement dated December 12, 1988 substituting Manufacturers Hanover
                          Trust Company as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Company's Annual
                          Report on Form 10-K dated March 18, 1994).

         4.16             Supplement No. 5 to Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's
                          Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1993).

         4.17             Supplement No. 6 to Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the 1994
                          Form 10-K).

         4.18             A.H. Belo Corporation 1995 Executive Compensation Plan.

         5.1              Opinion of Locke Purnell Rain Harrell (A Professional Corporation).

         23.1             Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

         23.2             Consent of Locke Purnell Rain Harrell (A Professional Corporation) (included in opinion filed
                          as Exhibit 5.1).

         24               Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement).

</TABLE>




                                      II-3
<PAGE>   6
ITEM 9.  UNDERTAKINGS.

         (a)     The Company hereby undertakes:

                 (1)      To file, during any period in which offers or sales
                          are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
                          Registration Statement:

                          (i)     To include any prospectus required by Section
                                  10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the
                                  "Act");

                          (ii)    To reflect in the prospectus any facts or
                                  events arising after the effective date of
                                  the Registration Statement (or the most
                                  recent post-effective amendment thereof)
                                  which, individually or in the aggregate,
                                  represent a fundamental change in the
                                  information set forth in the Registration
                                  Statement;

                          (iii)   To include any material information with
                                  respect to the plan of distribution not
                                  previously disclosed in the Registration
                                  Statement or any material change to such
                                  information in the Registration Statement;

                          provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and
                          (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required
                          to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
                          paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed
                          with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange
                          Commission by the Company pursuant to Section 13 or
                          Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                          (the "Exchange Act") that are incorporated by
                          reference in the Registration Statement.

                 (2)      That, for the purpose of determining any liability
                          under the Act, each such post-effective amendment
                          shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
                          relating to the securities offered therein, and the
                          offering of such securities at that time shall be
                          deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

                 (3)      To remove from registration by means of a
                          post-effective amendment any of the securities being
                          registered which remain unsold at the termination of
                          the offering.

                 (4)      That, for purposes of determining any liability under
                          the Act, each filing of the Company's annual report
                          pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
                          Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the
                          Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new
                          registration statement relating to the securities
                          offered therein, and the offering of such securities
                          at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
                          fide offering thereof.

                 (5)      Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising
                          under the Act may be permitted to directors, officers
                          and controlling persons of the Company pursuant to
                          the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company
                          has been advised that in the opinion of the
                          Securities and Exchange Commission such
                          indemnification is against public policy as expressed
                          in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the
                          event that a claim for indemnification against such
                          liabilities (other than the payment by the Company of
                          expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
                          controlling person of the Company in the successful
                          defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
                          asserted by such director, officer or controlling
                          person in connection with the securities being
                          registered, the Company will, unless in the opinion
                          of its counsel the matter has been settled by
                          controlling precedent, submit to a court of
                          appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
                          indemnification by it is against public policy as
                          expressed in the Act and will be governed by the
                          final adjudication of such issue.





                                      II-4
<PAGE>   7
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Robert W. Decherd, Ward L. Huey, Jr. and
Michael J. McCarthy, each of them or any one of them, as his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, to execute in the name and on behalf of such person, in any and
all capacities, any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to
this Registration Statement now or hereafter filed by or on behalf of A.H. Belo
Corporation (the "Company") covering securities issued or issuable under or in
connection with the Company's 1995 Executive Compensation Plan (as now or
hereafter amended) and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other
documents required in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and any state or other securities authority, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them or any of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them or any
one of them, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.




                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Company certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Form S-8
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on the 26th day of
July, 1995.

                                         A.H. BELO CORPORATION


                                         By:  /s/ Michael J. McCarthy        
                                              ---------------------------------
                                              Michael J. McCarthy
                                              Senior Vice President,
                                              General Counsel and Secretary





                                      II-5
<PAGE>   8
         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Form
S-8 Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature                                  Title                                              Date
---------                                  -----                                              ----
<S>                                        <C>                                                <C>
 /s/ Robert W. Decherd                     Chairman of the Board, President                   July 26, 1995
----------------------------------         and Chief Executive Officer                            
Robert W. Decherd                          (Principal Executive Officer)
                                                                        
                                           
 /s/ Ward L. Huey, Jr.                     Vice Chairman of the Board                         July 26, 1995
----------------------------------         and President of the Company's                                  
Ward L. Huey, Jr.                          Broadcast Division              
                                                                           
                                           
 /s/ Burl Osborne                          Director, Publisher and Editor,                    July 26, 1995
----------------------------------         The Dallas Morning News                                         
Burl Osborne                                                      
                                           
 /s/ John W. Bassett, Jr.                  Director                                           July 26, 1995
----------------------------------
John W. Bassett, Jr.

                                           Director                                           July __, 1995
----------------------------------                                                                         
Judith L. Craven, M.D., M.P.H.

 /s/ Dealey D. Herndon                     Director                                           July 26, 1995
----------------------------------                                                                         
Dealey D. Herndon

 /s/ Lester A. Levy                        Director                                           July 26, 1995
----------------------------------                                                                         
Lester A. Levy

 /s/ James M. Moroney, Jr.                 Director and Former                                July 26, 1995
----------------------------------         Chairman of the Board                                           
James M. Moroney, Jr.                                           
                                           
 /s/ Hugh G. Robinson                      Director                                           July 26, 1995
----------------------------------                                                                         
Hugh G. Robinson

 /s/ William T. Solomon                    Director                                           July 26, 1995
----------------------------------                                                                         
William T. Solomon

 /s/ Thomas B. Walker, Jr.                 Director                                           July 26, 1995
----------------------------------                                                                         
Thomas B. Walker, Jr.

 /s/ J. McDonald Williams                  Director                                           July 26, 1995
----------------------------------                                                                         
J. McDonald Williams

 /s/ Arturo Madrid, Ph.D.                  Director                                           July 26, 1995
----------------------------------                                                                         
Arturo Madrid, Ph.D.

 /s/ Michael D. Perry                      Senior Vice President                              July 26, 1995
----------------------------------         and Chief Financial Officer                                     
Michael D. Perry                           (Principal Financial       
                                           Officer and Principal      
                                           Accounting Officer)        
                                                                      
                                           
 /s/ Dunia A. Shive                        Vice President and Controller                      July 26, 1995
----------------------------------                                                                         
Dunia A. Shive

</TABLE>




                                      II-6
<PAGE>   9
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                             SEQUENTIALLY
                                                                                                               NUMBERED
     EXHIBIT NUMBER                                DESCRIPTION                                                   PAGE    
     --------------                                -----------                                               ------------
         <S>              <C>                                                                                     <C>
         4.1              Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated                               N/A
                          by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Annual Report on
                          Form 10-K dated March 19, 1992 (the "1991 Form 10-K"))

         4.2              Certificate of Correction to Certificate of Incorporation                               N/A
                          dated May 13, 1987 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2
                          to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 18,
                          1993 (the "1992 Form 10-K"))

         4.3              Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating                             N/A
                          Preferred Stock of the Company dated April 16, 1987 (incorporated
                          by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the 1991 Form 10-K)

         4.4              Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of                             N/A
                          the Company dated May 4, 1988 (incorporated by reference to
                          Exhibit 3.4 to the 1992 Form 10-K)

         4.5              Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the
                          Company dated May 10, 1995

         4.6              Amended Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating                     N/A
                          Preferred Stock of the Company dated May 4, 1988 (incorporated by
                          reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the 1992 Form 10-K)

         4.7              Certificate of Designation of Series B Common Stock of the                              N/A
                          Company dated May 4, 1988 (incorporated by reference to
                          Exhibit 3.6 to the 1992 Form 10-K)

         4.8              Bylaws of the Company, effective February 22, 1995 (incorporated                        N/A
                          by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to the Company's Annual Report on
                          Form 10-K dated March 8, 1995 (the "1994 Form 10-K")).

         4.9              Specimen Form of Certificate representing shares of the Company's                       N/A
                          Series A Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to
                          the 1992 Form 10-K)

         4.10             Specimen Form of Certificate representing shares of the Company's                       N/A
                          Series B Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to
                          the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 20, 1989)

         4.11             Form of Rights Agreement dated March 10, 1986 between the Company                       N/A
                          and RepublicBank Dallas, National Association as Rights Agent,
                          which includes as Exhibit B thereto the Form of Right Certificate
                          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the 1991 Form 10-K)

         4.12             Supplement No. 1 to Rights Agreement dated April 9, 1987                                N/A
                          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the 1991
                          Form 10-K)
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   10
<TABLE>
         <S>              <C>                                                                                     <C>
         4.13             Supplement No. 2 to Rights Agreement dated May 6, 1987 (incorporated                    N/A
                          by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the 1992 Form 10-K)

         4.14             Supplement No. 3 to Rights Agreement dated May 19, 1988 (incorporated                   N/A
                          by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the 1992 Form 10-K)

         4.15             Supplement No. 4 to Rights Agreement dated December 12, 1988                            N/A
                          substituting Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company as Rights Agent
                          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Company's Annual
                          Report on Form 10-K dated March 18, 1994)

         4.16             Supplement No. 5 to Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference                         N/A
                          to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
                          for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1993)

         4.17             Supplement No. 6 to Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference                         N/A
                          to Exhibit 4.10 to the 1994 Form 10-K)

         4.18             A.H. Belo Corporation 1995 Executive Compensation Plan

         5.1              Opinion of Locke Purnell Rain Harrell (A Professional Corporation)

         23.1             Consent of Ernst & Young LLP

         23.2             Consent of Locke Purnell Rain Harrell (A Professional Corporation)                      N/A
                          (included in opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1)

         24               Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration                  N/A
                          Statement)
</TABLE>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "description": "FORM S-8 (1995 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN)", "secsgml_size_bytes": 33455}]
1

    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JULY 31, 1995.

                                                     Registration No. 33-_____
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                      ____________________________________
                                    FORM S-8
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                      ____________________________________
                             A.H. BELO CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

             DELAWARE                                      75-0135890
   (State or other jurisdiction of                      (I.R.S. Employer
   incorporation or organization)                     Identification Number)

                             COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
                            400 SOUTH RECORD STREET
                              DALLAS, TEXAS  75202
              (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
                               __________________
                             A.H. BELO CORPORATION
                        1995 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
                            (Full title of the plan)
                                ________________
                              MICHAEL J. MCCARTHY
              SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
                             A.H. BELO CORPORATION
                             COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
                            400 SOUTH RECORD STREET
                              DALLAS, TEXAS  75202
                                 (214) 977-6606
  (Name and address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area
                          code, of agent for service)
              ___________________________________________________
                                    Copy to:
                                    GUY KERR
                           LOCKE PURNELL RAIN HARRELL
                          (A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION)
                                2200 ROSS AVENUE
                                   SUITE 2200
                              DALLAS, TEXAS  75201
                                 (214) 740-8000
========================================================================================================================
    Title of Securities        Amount to be         Proposed Maximum          Proposed Maximum            Amount of
     to be Registered          Registered *        Offering Price per        Aggregate Offering      Registration Fee **
                                                        Share **                  Price**
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Series A Common
  Stock, $1.67 par
  value *                  An aggregate of
------------------------   8,000,000 shares      $30.0625                  $120,250,008             $41,465.52
  Series B Common
  Stock, $1.67 par
  value *
========================================================================================================================
*  Shares of Series A Common Stock and Series B Common Stock are identical
except that Series B shares are entitled to ten votes per share on all matters
submitted to shareholders while Series A shares are entitled to one vote per
share.  Transferability of the Series B shares is limited to family members and
affiliated entities of the holder.  Series B shares are convertible at any time
on a one-for-one basis into Series A shares, and upon a transfer other than as
described above Series B shares automatically convert into Series A shares.
Amount registered includes up to 4,000,000 shares of Series A Common Stock
reserved for issuance solely upon conversion of the Series B shares registered
hereby.

**  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.  This
fee was calculated pursuant to Rule 457(h) and (i) under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, on the basis of the average of the high and low prices for
the Series A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on July 25, 1995.
2
                                     PART I
              INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS

ITEM 1.  PLAN INFORMATION.

         The information specified by Item 1 of Part I of Form S-8 is omitted
from this filing in accordance with the provisions of Rule 428 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the introductory note to Part I of Form
S-8.

ITEM 2.  REGISTRANT INFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE PLAN ANNUAL INFORMATION.

         The information specified by Item 2 of Part I of Form S-8 is omitted
from this filing in accordance with the provisions of Rule 428 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the introductory note to Part I of Form
S-8.

                                      I-1
3
                                    PART II
               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

         The documents set forth below are hereby incorporated by reference in
this Registration Statement.  All documents subsequently filed by A.H. Belo
Corporation (the "Company") pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), prior to
the filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that the securities
offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters the securities offered
hereby then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference
in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof commencing on the
respective dates on which such documents are filed.

                 (1)  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
         year ended December 31, 1994.

                 (2)  All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or
         15(d) of the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by
         the Annual Report referred to in (1) above.

                 (3)  The description of the Company's Series A Common Stock
         and Series B Common Stock contained in the Company's Form 8-B
         Registration Statement dated August 10, 1987 and filed with the
         Commission, as amended by the Company's Form 8-K Current Report dated
         May 4, 1988 and filed with the Commission, including any amendments or
         reports filed for the purposes of updating such description.

ITEM 4.  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

         Not Applicable.

ITEM 5.  INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

         Members of the law firm of Locke Purnell Rain Harrell (A Professional
         Corporation), other than attorneys involved in the preparation of this
         Registration Statement, own or have an indirect interest in Common
         Stock of the Company the fair market value of which exceeds $50,000.

ITEM 6.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

                 As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, the
         Company's Certificate of Incorporation contains a provision
         eliminating the monetary liability of a director for breach of
         fiduciary duty, subject to certain exceptions.  The provision does not
         eliminate a director's liability for (i) breaches of the director's
         duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders, (ii) acts or
         omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or a
         knowing violation of law, (iii) the payment of unlawful dividends or
         unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions, or (iv) any transaction
         from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
         Furthermore, the provision does not limit equitable remedies, such as
         an injunction or rescission for breach of a director's fiduciary duty
         of care.

                 The Delaware General Corporation Law permits, and in some
         cases requires, corporations to indemnify directors and officers who
         are or have been a party or are threatened to be made a party to
         litigation against certain expenses, judgments, fines, settlements,
         and other amounts under certain circumstances.

                                      II-1
4
                 Article XI of the Company's Bylaws provides for
         indemnification of and advancement of expenses to directors, officers,
         employees, and agents to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by
         the Delaware General Corporation Law.  The Bylaws also provide
         specific authorization for the Company to purchase officers' and
         directors' liability insurance.

                 The Company has in force an officers' and directors' liability
         insurance policy insuring, up to specified amounts and with specified
         exceptions, directors and officers and former directors and officers
         of the Company and its subsidiaries against damages, judgments,
         settlements and costs for which they are not indemnified by the
         Company that any such persons may become legally obligated to pay on
         account of claims made against them for any error, misstatement or
         misleading statement, act or omission, or neglect or breach of duty
         committed, attempted or allegedly committed or attempted by such
         persons in the discharge of their duties to the Company in their
         capacities as directors or officers, or any matter claimed against
         them solely by reason of their serving in such capacities.  The
         officers' and directors' liability insurance policy also insures the
         Company, up to specified amounts and with specified exceptions,
         against any indemnification payments made by the Company to directors
         and officers and former directors and officers.

ITEM 7.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

         Not Applicable.

ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS.
EXHIBIT NUMBER                         DESCRIPTION
    --------------                         -----------
4.1              Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the
                          Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 19, 1992 (the "1991 Form 10-K")).

         4.2              Certificate of Correction to Certificate of Incorporation dated May 13, 1987 (incorporated by
                          reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 18, 1993 (the
                          "1992 Form 10-K")).

         4.3              Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company
                          dated April 16, 1987 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the 1991 Form 10-K).

         4.4              Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated May 4, 1988
                          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the 1992 Form 10-K).

         4.5              Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated May 10, 1995.

         4.6              Amended Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the
                          Company dated May 4, 1988 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the 1992 Form 10-K).

         4.7              Certificate of Designation of Series B Common Stock of the Company dated May 4, 1988
                          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the 1992 Form 10-K).
II-2
5
4.8              Bylaws of the Company, effective February 22, 1995 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to
                          the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 8, 1995 (the "1994 Form 10-K")).

         4.9              Specimen Form of Certificate representing shares of the Company's Series A Common Stock
                          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the 1992 Form 10-K).

         4.10             Specimen Form of Certificate representing shares of the Company's Series B Common Stock
                          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated
                          March 20, 1989).

         4.11             Form of Rights Agreement dated March 10, 1986 between the Company and RepublicBank Dallas,
                          National Association as Rights Agent, which includes as Exhibit B thereto the Form of Right
                          Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the 1991 Form 10-K).

         4.12             Supplement No. 1 to Rights Agreement dated April 9, 1987 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                          4.9 to the 1991 Form 10-K).

         4.13             Supplement No. 2 to Rights Agreement dated May 6, 1987 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                          4.9 to the 1992 Form 10-K).

         4.14             Supplement No. 3 to Rights Agreement dated May 19, 1988 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                          4.10 to the 1992 Form 10-K).

         4.15             Supplement No. 4 to Rights Agreement dated December 12, 1988 substituting Manufacturers Hanover
                          Trust Company as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Company's Annual
                          Report on Form 10-K dated March 18, 1994).

         4.16             Supplement No. 5 to Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's
                          Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1993).

         4.17             Supplement No. 6 to Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the 1994
                          Form 10-K).

         4.18             A.H. Belo Corporation 1995 Executive Compensation Plan.

         5.1              Opinion of Locke Purnell Rain Harrell (A Professional Corporation).

         23.1             Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

         23.2             Consent of Locke Purnell Rain Harrell (A Professional Corporation) (included in opinion filed
                          as Exhibit 5.1).

         24               Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement).
II-3
6
ITEM 9.  UNDERTAKINGS.

         (a)     The Company hereby undertakes:

                 (1)      To file, during any period in which offers or sales
                          are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
                          Registration Statement:

                          (i)     To include any prospectus required by Section
                                  10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the
                                  "Act");

                          (ii)    To reflect in the prospectus any facts or
                                  events arising after the effective date of
                                  the Registration Statement (or the most
                                  recent post-effective amendment thereof)
                                  which, individually or in the aggregate,
                                  represent a fundamental change in the
                                  information set forth in the Registration
                                  Statement;

                          (iii)   To include any material information with
                                  respect to the plan of distribution not
                                  previously disclosed in the Registration
                                  Statement or any material change to such
                                  information in the Registration Statement;

                          provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and
                          (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required
                          to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
                          paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed
                          with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange
                          Commission by the Company pursuant to Section 13 or
                          Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                          (the "Exchange Act") that are incorporated by
                          reference in the Registration Statement.

                 (2)      That, for the purpose of determining any liability
                          under the Act, each such post-effective amendment
                          shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
                          relating to the securities offered therein, and the
                          offering of such securities at that time shall be
                          deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

                 (3)      To remove from registration by means of a
                          post-effective amendment any of the securities being
                          registered which remain unsold at the termination of
                          the offering.

                 (4)      That, for purposes of determining any liability under
                          the Act, each filing of the Company's annual report
                          pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
                          Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the
                          Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new
                          registration statement relating to the securities
                          offered therein, and the offering of such securities
                          at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
                          fide offering thereof.

                 (5)      Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising
                          under the Act may be permitted to directors, officers
                          and controlling persons of the Company pursuant to
                          the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company
                          has been advised that in the opinion of the
                          Securities and Exchange Commission such
                          indemnification is against public policy as expressed
                          in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the
                          event that a claim for indemnification against such
                          liabilities (other than the payment by the Company of
                          expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
                          controlling person of the Company in the successful
                          defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
                          asserted by such director, officer or controlling
                          person in connection with the securities being
                          registered, the Company will, unless in the opinion
                          of its counsel the matter has been settled by
                          controlling precedent, submit to a court of
                          appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
                          indemnification by it is against public policy as
                          expressed in the Act and will be governed by the
                          final adjudication of such issue.

                                      II-4
7
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Robert W. Decherd, Ward L. Huey, Jr. and
Michael J. McCarthy, each of them or any one of them, as his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, to execute in the name and on behalf of such person, in any and
all capacities, any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to
this Registration Statement now or hereafter filed by or on behalf of A.H. Belo
Corporation (the "Company") covering securities issued or issuable under or in
connection with the Company's 1995 Executive Compensation Plan (as now or
hereafter amended) and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other
documents required in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and any state or other securities authority, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them or any of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them or any
one of them, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Company certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Form S-8
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on the 26th day of
July, 1995.

                                         A.H. BELO CORPORATION

                                         By:  /s/ Michael J. McCarthy        
                                              ---------------------------------
                                              Michael J. McCarthy
                                              Senior Vice President,
                                              General Counsel and Secretary

                                      II-5
8
         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Form
S-8 Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature                                  Title                                              Date
---------                                  -----                                              ----
/s/ Robert W. Decherd                     Chairman of the Board, President                   July 26, 1995
----------------------------------         and Chief Executive Officer                            
Robert W. Decherd                          (Principal Executive Officer)
                                                                        
                                           
 /s/ Ward L. Huey, Jr.                     Vice Chairman of the Board                         July 26, 1995
----------------------------------         and President of the Company's                                  
Ward L. Huey, Jr.                          Broadcast Division              
                                                                           
                                           
 /s/ Burl Osborne                          Director, Publisher and Editor,                    July 26, 1995
----------------------------------         The Dallas Morning News                                         
Burl Osborne                                                      
                                           
 /s/ John W. Bassett, Jr.                  Director                                           July 26, 1995
----------------------------------
John W. Bassett, Jr.

                                           Director                                           July __, 1995
----------------------------------                                                                         
Judith L. Craven, M.D., M.P.H.

 /s/ Dealey D. Herndon                     Director                                           July 26, 1995
----------------------------------                                                                         
Dealey D. Herndon

 /s/ Lester A. Levy                        Director                                           July 26, 1995
----------------------------------                                                                         
Lester A. Levy

 /s/ James M. Moroney, Jr.                 Director and Former                                July 26, 1995
----------------------------------         Chairman of the Board                                           
James M. Moroney, Jr.                                           
                                           
 /s/ Hugh G. Robinson                      Director                                           July 26, 1995
----------------------------------                                                                         
Hugh G. Robinson

 /s/ William T. Solomon                    Director                                           July 26, 1995
----------------------------------                                                                         
William T. Solomon

 /s/ Thomas B. Walker, Jr.                 Director                                           July 26, 1995
----------------------------------                                                                         
Thomas B. Walker, Jr.

 /s/ J. McDonald Williams                  Director                                           July 26, 1995
----------------------------------                                                                         
J. McDonald Williams

 /s/ Arturo Madrid, Ph.D.                  Director                                           July 26, 1995
----------------------------------                                                                         
Arturo Madrid, Ph.D.

 /s/ Michael D. Perry                      Senior Vice President                              July 26, 1995
----------------------------------         and Chief Financial Officer                                     
Michael D. Perry                           (Principal Financial       
                                           Officer and Principal      
                                           Accounting Officer)        
                                                                      
                                           
 /s/ Dunia A. Shive                        Vice President and Controller                      July 26, 1995
----------------------------------                                                                         
Dunia A. Shive
II-6
9
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
SEQUENTIALLY
                                                                                                               NUMBERED
     EXHIBIT NUMBER                                DESCRIPTION                                                   PAGE    
     --------------                                -----------                                               ------------
4.1              Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated                               N/A
                          by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Annual Report on
                          Form 10-K dated March 19, 1992 (the "1991 Form 10-K"))

         4.2              Certificate of Correction to Certificate of Incorporation                               N/A
                          dated May 13, 1987 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2
                          to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 18,
                          1993 (the "1992 Form 10-K"))

         4.3              Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating                             N/A
                          Preferred Stock of the Company dated April 16, 1987 (incorporated
                          by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the 1991 Form 10-K)

         4.4              Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of                             N/A
                          the Company dated May 4, 1988 (incorporated by reference to
                          Exhibit 3.4 to the 1992 Form 10-K)

         4.5              Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the
                          Company dated May 10, 1995

         4.6              Amended Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating                     N/A
                          Preferred Stock of the Company dated May 4, 1988 (incorporated by
                          reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the 1992 Form 10-K)

         4.7              Certificate of Designation of Series B Common Stock of the                              N/A
                          Company dated May 4, 1988 (incorporated by reference to
                          Exhibit 3.6 to the 1992 Form 10-K)

         4.8              Bylaws of the Company, effective February 22, 1995 (incorporated                        N/A
                          by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to the Company's Annual Report on
                          Form 10-K dated March 8, 1995 (the "1994 Form 10-K")).

         4.9              Specimen Form of Certificate representing shares of the Company's                       N/A
                          Series A Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to
                          the 1992 Form 10-K)

         4.10             Specimen Form of Certificate representing shares of the Company's                       N/A
                          Series B Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to
                          the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 20, 1989)

         4.11             Form of Rights Agreement dated March 10, 1986 between the Company                       N/A
                          and RepublicBank Dallas, National Association as Rights Agent,
                          which includes as Exhibit B thereto the Form of Right Certificate
                          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the 1991 Form 10-K)

         4.12             Supplement No. 1 to Rights Agreement dated April 9, 1987                                N/A
                          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the 1991
                          Form 10-K)
10
4.13             Supplement No. 2 to Rights Agreement dated May 6, 1987 (incorporated                    N/A
                          by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the 1992 Form 10-K)

         4.14             Supplement No. 3 to Rights Agreement dated May 19, 1988 (incorporated                   N/A
                          by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the 1992 Form 10-K)

         4.15             Supplement No. 4 to Rights Agreement dated December 12, 1988                            N/A
                          substituting Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company as Rights Agent
                          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Company's Annual
                          Report on Form 10-K dated March 18, 1994)

         4.16             Supplement No. 5 to Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference                         N/A
                          to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
                          for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1993)

         4.17             Supplement No. 6 to Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference                         N/A
                          to Exhibit 4.10 to the 1994 Form 10-K)

         4.18             A.H. Belo Corporation 1995 Executive Compensation Plan

         5.1              Opinion of Locke Purnell Rain Harrell (A Professional Corporation)

         23.1             Consent of Ernst & Young LLP

         23.2             Consent of Locke Purnell Rain Harrell (A Professional Corporation)                      N/A
                          (included in opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1)

         24               Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration                  N/A
                          Statement)