REPORTS OF NETSTAR ACQUISITION BY CANWEST DIFFER IN TOTALS

          CanWest Global Communications is "on the verge" of
     securing its purchase of NetStar Communications, owner of
     The Sports Network (TSN) and Discovery Channel, according to
     MacDonald & Dalglish of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL.  The deal,
     originally estimated to range from C$800M-900M, is being
     signed for "considerably less," with "sources" putting it at
     C$700M.  ESPN would remain a 33% owner of NetStar, while the
     company's other shareholders would sell their stakes. 
     MacDonald & Willis report that TSN, despite new competition
     from CTV SportsNet, has "held onto the lion's share of
     marquee sports properties."  But it has also seen a 40%
     increase in rights fees over the past year (GLOBE & MAIL,
     1/20).  Also in Toronto, Vinay Menon puts the deal at over
     C$900M.  The acquisition, which "could" be announced today,
     has been "stalled by management questions" involving ESPN
     and CanWest.  One source referring to ESPN management and
     CanWest Chair Izzy Asper: "You have two really strong sides
     at the table" (TORONTO STAR, 1/20).