FCC regulators are "divided over whether to penalize" Rupert
Murdoch's News Corp. as the 17-month investigation of Fox's
ownership nears an end, according to Paul Farhi of the WASHINGTON
POST. The probe centers on whether Fox TV is a foreign-owned
corporation and must be restuructured if the network is to own
local stations. Sources familiar with the debate told the POST
that commission members are "sufficiently apart" and that it is
"unlikely" the FCC will vote to adopt a staff recommendation that
News Corp.'s stake in ownership of Fox stations be reduced to
less than the 25% limit for a foreign company (WASHINGTON POST,
4/26). Two "powerful" House Republicans have "attacked" an FCC
plan to force the restructuring, according to yesterday's
VARIETY. Reps. Jack Fields (R-TX) and Mike Oxley (R-OH) are said
to oppose any sanctions (VARIETY/N.Y. POST, 4/26).
SEE YOU IN SYDNEY? After meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland,
with IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch, Murdoch reiterated his
intention to bid on the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. IOC
Marketing Dir Michael Payne said negotiations with U.S. networks
will be held this summer. Payne: "Our concern has always been
only to negotiate and discuss with those broadcasters and
networks that can guarantee complete penetration of the marketand
free access to the public. Fox is now on equal footing with the
three networks. They can deliver the Olympics and other sports
events to all homes in America" (AP/Mult., 4/26).
