ACTV through its subsidiary, the Los Angeles Interactive
Network, tested its interactive programming service in
conjunction with Prime Ticket-West during Monday's Lakers-Sonics
game.  The service, which allows viewers to choose camera angles,
call up statistics, and select instant replay was also avaliable
during last night's Kings-Jets game and will be available during
tonight's Kings-Blackhawks game.  ACTV President William Samuels:
"We are on target to expand the test to include 1,000 homes by
September" (ACTV).

     After investigating the holdings of News Corp. Chair Rupert
Murdoch since late '93, FCC regulators "have decided against
forcing" him to resturcture his company to comply with foreign-
ownership rules.  An FCC staff recommendation had urged that News
Corp. reduce it ownership stake in the eight TV stations that
form the nucleus of Fox TV.  One FCC official:  "The staff
recommendation is dead."  The ruling is a "crucial victory" to
Murdoch in what has been "a serious legal threat to his empire."
The FCC is expected to ask for public comment on whether News
Corp. should receive a waiver (Edmund Andrews, N.Y. TIMES, 5/3).

     The Magic Television Network, the in-house production arm
that broadcasts nearly all of the team's away games, is "boosting
the team's bottom line," according to Gene Yasuda in this
morning's ORLANDO SENTINEL.  Magic TV revenue "has soared 172%
from three years ago and "now accounts for 10% of the Orlando
Magic Ltd.'s overall revenue."  With the NBA's growing
popularity, NBA teams are "cashing in" on TV revenues by bringing
TV operations in-house.  In fact, more than half of the NBA teams
"independently produce and help broadcast at least some of their
games."  Magic Dir of Broadcasting John Cook:  "Not only does it
allow us to control our commercial rates, we can also promote the
FanAttic store if we want to."  The team develops programming and
the Magic Network debuted two programs this year, a 30-minute
pre-game show, and a weekly Magic Magazine.  These shows give the
team "additional opportunity to sell commercial slots," and rates
for spots commercials have increased by 60% as ratings for the
Magic road games have "nearly tripled" over the past three years.
But in-house broadcasting is not for every team, as franchises
"that aren't doing well" have left the work to the broadcasters.
Bullets Dir of PR Matt Williams:  "With a rights fee, you get a
lump check and have nothing to worry about.  When you bring it
in-house, you're on the line to sell the product" (ORLANDO
SENTINEL, 5/2).

     Viacom announced a profit for the 1st quarter in large part
due to the acquisitions of Paramount Communications and
Blockbuster Entertainment.  Viacom reported revenue of $2.7B and
net earnings of $71M for the first three months of '95 (Mult.,
5/3).....N.Y. POST's Phil Mushnick on the Nike logo on the
Foxbots: "If Nike, proud sponsor of the NHL, held a genuine
regard for the game, it would insist that its logo not be used to
create an obstructed view of the game" (N.Y. POST,
5/3)....Through 13 games, Turner Sports' NBA playoff ratings are
up 18% from last year with an average of 2.6.  The biggest draw
was Knicks/Cleveland on Monday night  which ot a 4.5....ESPN's
NASCAR race Sunday gained a 5.2 rating (Michael Heistand, USA
TODAY, 5/3).