Continental Cablevision Inc

Ameritech Corp. and its programming venture, Americast, filed a regulatory complaint Thursday accusing Continental Cablevision Inc. and Time Warner Inc. of refusing to let them distribute two popular channels in the Detroit area because of an exclusive contract. The complaint, filed with the Federal Communications Commission, alleges that Continental and Time Warner are violating a 1992 cable law that requires programmers to sell to all TV service providers to guarantee consumers access.

Ameritech Corp. and its programming venture, Americast, filed a regulatory complaint Thursday accusing Continental Cablevision Inc. and Time Warner Inc. of refusing to let them distribute two popular channels in the Detroit area because of an exclusive contract. The complaint, filed with the Federal Communications Commission, alleges that Continental and Time Warner are violating a 1992 cable law that requires programmers to sell to all TV service providers to guarantee consumers access.

As directors of Turner Broadcasting System Inc. prepared to meet today to discuss a proposed $8-billion merger with Time Warner Inc., new demands being made by two cable companies that are on the Turner board threatened to delay a vote, according to sources close to the talks. One source said Comcast Corp. and Continental Cablevision Inc. were pushing Time Warner for the same terms granted to John Malone, chief executive of the nation's largest cable operator, Tele-Communications Inc.

In a landmark deal that combines for the first time a major telephone carrier with a leading cable operator, US West Inc. has agreed to buy Continental Cablevision Inc. in a transaction valued at a startling $10.8 billion. The merger is a harbinger of the consolidation that promises to reshape the telecommunications industry.

After meeting for more than eight hours in a marathon session Thursday night, the board of Turner Broadcasting System Inc. adjourned without voting on a proposed merger with Time Warner Inc. to create the world's largest entertainment company. The boards of the two companies are expected to convene separately again this morning in hopes of approving an agreement and announcing the $8-billion merger this afternoon.

In a landmark deal that combines for the first time a major telephone carrier with a leading cable operator, US West Inc. has agreed to buy Continental Cablevision Inc. in a transaction valued at a startling $10.8 billion. The merger is a harbinger of the consolidation that promises to reshape the telecommunications industry.

Cable Operator, Cap Cities and Hearst Reach Accord: Continental Cablevision Inc., the country's third-largest cable TV operator, has reached a six-year agreement with Capital Cities/ABC Inc. and Hearst Corp. to carry all TV stations owned by each company.

2 Firms Join Cable Programming Venture: Comcast Corp. and Continental Cablevision Inc. are investing in a cable programming venture with Cox Communications Inc., reducing Times Mirror Co.'s stake, Cox said. A Cox spokeswoman said Philadelphia-based Comcast and Boston-based CCI will each put $45 million into the venture.

Outdoor Recreation Cable Channel to Be Expanded: Cox Communications Inc., Comcast Corp., Times Mirror Co. and Continental Cablevision Inc. said they plan to increase the audience for their joint 24-hour cable channel about outdoor recreation and conservation. Outdoor Life Network will be launched nationwide early next year. It's been available since July in certain regions. The program is currently broadcast to 1.

Continental, Comcast Subpoenaed in Probe: Two cable television companies that loudly criticized Time Warner Inc.'s purchase of Turner Broadcasting System Inc. have received subpoenas in the government's antitrust review of the proposed media mega-merger. Continental Cablevision Inc.

After meeting for more than eight hours in a marathon session Thursday night, the board of Turner Broadcasting System Inc. adjourned without voting on a proposed merger with Time Warner Inc. to create the world's largest entertainment company. The boards of the two companies are expected to convene separately again this morning in hopes of approving an agreement and announcing the $8-billion merger this afternoon.

As directors of Turner Broadcasting System Inc. prepared to meet today to discuss a proposed $8-billion merger with Time Warner Inc., new demands being made by two cable companies that are on the Turner board threatened to delay a vote, according to sources close to the talks. One source said Comcast Corp. and Continental Cablevision Inc. were pushing Time Warner for the same terms granted to John Malone, chief executive of the nation's largest cable operator, Tele-Communications Inc.

Dow Jones & Co.: The New York-based media company said first-quarter profit nearly doubled to $200 million from a year ago because of a big one-time gain from the sale of a cable television investment. But weakness in financial advertising drove its operating income down by 12.5%. Revenue rose 3.6% to $406.8 million. The latest results included an after-tax gain of $164.1 million from the sale in January of the company's 17% stake in Continental Cablevision Inc., a cable system operator.