MORE SPECULATION HAS NBC LOOKING TO EXPAND CABLE PRESENCE

          After yesterday's L.A. TIMES report that said GE was in
     talks with Barry Diller about merging his USA Networks with
     NBC, Kyle Pope writes in today's WALL STREET JOURNAL that
     NBC's "search for a cable network has intensified," as the
     net "is stepping up its efforts to expand its cable holdings
     as the economics of the broadcast-television business
     continue to sour" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 7/17).  
          VIACOM A TARGET? In N.Y., Jon Elsen notes the failed
     talks between NBC and USA Networks, and floats Viacom as a
     potential partner with NBC, writing, "many media industry
     observers like the idea of such a combination" (N.Y. POST,
     7/17).  In DAILY VARIETY, Jenny Hontz reports that "several
     senior industry execs believe that a new round of mergers
     among broadcast networks is coming up, involving either NBC
     or CBS, if not both. ... Viacom is the ideal partner ...
     given its ownership of Paramount and the absence of
     regulatory constraints" (DAILY VARIETY, 7/17).