Cable Fear D.C. Changes

Television Digest with Consumer Electronics, April 24, 2000

Tribune Co. said it purchased 23,444,800 (40%) common shares of Times Mirror Co. (TV) for cash in tender offer that closed at midnight April 17, as first step in its $8 billion takeover of TM. TM holders also have option of receiving 2-1/2 Tribune shares for each Tribune common share. Waiting period under provisions of Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Act ends April 26, and Tribune said it expects to close on deal in late 2nd or 3rd quarter this year.

Eight Utah stations collaborating on DTV transmission said they were backing study on extending digital signals to rural areas using on-channel repeaters. DTV Utah Consortium, 7 manufacturers and Advanced TV Technology Center said they were building 5-7 facilities for tests between July and Sept. Rural areas, defined as homes blocked by terrain or beyond horizon of existing DTV signals, are reached by analog network through 622 licensed translators in Utah. Stations said there aren't enough frequencies to duplicate network in digital, but on-channel repeaters potentially can be built next to analog translators to mirror distribution system.