WILL COMSAT'S PLUNGE SEND NUGGETS, AVS OVER THE EDGE?

     Comsat Corp., owner of the Nuggets and Avalanche through its
Ascent Entertainment division, has named Betty Alewine as its new
CEO, replacing Bruce Crockett, "who lost the confidence of
Comsat's directors" following a plunge in second quarter
earnings.  David Leibowitz, an analyst with Burnham Securities,
said he expected Comsat to "dispose" of most of its sports and
entertainment interests in order to fully concentrate on
satellite-related businesses.  Lazard Freres analyst Salvatore
Muoio:  "They've already had the restructuring plan underway, but
under Betty it will likely accelerate" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/20).
Ascent Communications, which is 81% owned by Comsat and which
runs the Nuggets and Avalanche, said it lost $6.4M in the second
quarter, citing operating losses from the two teams (Baltimore
SUN, 7/20).