SYNDICATION RULES EASED FOR TV NETWORKS

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 2, 1993                   TAG: 9304020255
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A-9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short
SYNDICATION RULES EASED FOR TV NETWORKS
The Federal Communications Commission voted Thursday to phase out rules that drastically limit the financial interest that television networks can have in the programs they air.
By a 3-0 vote, the FCC approved new rules that would allow networks to hold a financial interest in programs but temporarily prohibit them from participating in setting up syndication deals.
The decision could produce billions of dollars of revenue for the networks.
Under the rules, networks would be required to sell the syndication rights to a syndicating company, which would license reruns. The networks, however, would maintain a continuing financial interest in the shows and draw revenue from whatever syndication agreements are made, officials said.
The FCC also included a provision that could lift the rule as early as two years from now. Once the rule is lifted, the networks would have a free hand to own and syndicate their programs. - Associated Press

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB