Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 10, 1995 TAG: 9508100014
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: MARION LENGTH: Medium
An announcement from the publisher cited economic reasons for the change. Subscribers to the weekly Saltville paper will get two issues of the new paper each week for the balance of their subscriptions, then will be able to renew at the twice-a-week rate.
The publications are owned by Family Community Newspapers, which also publishes the twice-weekly Southwest Virginia Enterprise in Wytheville and weekly Bland Messenger in Bland.
- Staff report
Time Warner tries to shed gangsta
NEW YORK - Time Warner Inc. is trying to ditch its 50 percent stake in the music label whose gangsta rap performers have made the company a target for criticism of objectionable lyrics, The New York Times reports.
Michael J. Fuchs, the chairman of the Warner Music Group, has held negotiations with Interscope Records for about three weeks about buying back the stake, The Times reports today.
The two companies came close to a deal late last week, but the talks have since bogged down, the Times reported, citing unidentified Interscope executives.
If Time Warner severs its ties with Interscope, it would be a major concession to critics who have argued that the company should not distribute gangsta rap music because of its sometimes violent and sexually degrading lyrics.
The Times said a spokesman for Time Warner declined to comment on the negotiations. But an executive at Warner Music cautioned that the talks would not necessarily result in Time Warner severing its ties.
The executive, who asked not to be identified, noted that Interscope has been a profitable investment for Time Warner. It is one of the fastest-growing labels in the music industry.
Time Warner endured weeks of criticism for its association with Interscope from Republican politicians like Sen. Bob Dole and William Bennett, a former education secretary in the Reagan administration.
Interscope is best known for hard-edged gangsta rappers like Snoop Doggy Dogg and Tupac Shakur.
Time Warner bought its stake in Interscope for $100 million earlier this year in two installments, one of $20 million, the other of $80 million.
- Associated Press
Host Marriott spinning food
BALTIMORE - Host Marriott Corp. said Wednesday it plans to spin off its business that operates food and retail outlets at highway rest stops, airports and sports arenas.
The company said its hotel real-estate business will keep the name Host Marriott Corp. and about $400 million in debt issued by the travel plaza business last year.
- Associated Press
by CNB