FTC TO MEET JULY 19 TO DECIDE TIME-WARNER/TBS FATE

     The FTC will meet July 19 to decide whether to oppose Time
Warner's deal to buy Turner Broadcasting Systems or accept a
negotiated settlement that is in the works (David Lieberman, USA
TODAY, 7/11).  FTC staff formally recommended that its
commissioners approve the merger only if TCI Chair John Malone
takes a smaller role in the merged company.  Under their
recommendation, Malone would have to make his 9% stake "nonvoting
and give up a 20-year discount on Turner Broadcasting
programming."  The ATLANTA CONSTITUTION's Charles Haddad notes
word out of TCI headquarters in Denver is that Malone "will not
accept any changes that put him at a competitive disadvantage"
and his "patience is also said to be wearing thin" (ATLANTA
CONSTITUTION, 7/11).