Re: UPN's Fate (was Re: Bruins TV changes???)

[Richard Chonak <rac@gabriel.cambridge.ma.us>]

[Kevin:]
> > (snip)... Even with the now rumored demise of the UPN network,...(snip)

[Tony:]
> I was under
> the impression that the permission for the CBS/Viacom merger was 
> contingent, for anti-trust reasons, upon the continued viability/
> maintenance of the United Paramount Network... specifically, that 
> CBS/Viacom was not allowed to close down UPN and in the event of a 
> divestiture, the network had to be sold as a viable operation (such 
> as it is).


The sale of Chris-Craft to News Corp. needn't actually reduce the size
of UPN much.   If the Fox network already has affiliates in the markets
where Chris-Craft's UPN stations are located, then Fox can put its network
on its new O&Os, and the former Fox affiliates may choose to take UPN.  

The shuffle may leave UPN big enough for CBS/Viacom to operate until it 
sells it.   (But to whom: Barry Diller?)

-_RC