FCC to Weigh In on DBS Merger

Michael Powell told Fox News Friday afternoon that he expects the Federal Communications Commission to issue its decision on the EchoStar-DirecTV merger within days. His remarks followed news reports that FCC staffers are set to vote against the merger. Citing sources familiar with the situation, Reuters reported that the FCC concluded that the merger, which would create a satellite giant and virtually eliminate DBS competition, would not be in the public interest. An FCC spokeswoman declined to comment. In late September the Department of Justice's antitrust division recommended the government block the merger. THE NEXT QUESTION: How long can Charlie Ergen keep DirecTV tied up if he takes his case to court?

Nachman Steps Back for ?Iraq?

MSNBC is moving editor in chief Jerry Nachman's talk show to an earlier time slot to make room for a new daily show focusing on the situation in Iraq. Lester Holt will anchor Countdown Iraq starting today at 7 p.m., while Nachman will appear at 5 p.m. Network executives are also looking at Ashleigh Banfield's 10 p.m. time slot, where ratings have fallen, but no decision to move or cancel that show have been made. (More on MSNBC on page 13.) THE NEXT QUESTION: Will a show on Iraq give Phil Donahue's talk show a lead-in of more serious news viewers?

S&P Cuts Disney's Credit Rating

Amid a broad market downturn, the Walt Disney Co. tumbled 7%, or $1.12, to $14.88 Friday afternoon after Standard & Poor's cut Disney's credit rating for the second time in a year. Saying a rebound in Disney's profitability was another 12 months out, S&P cut Disney's long-term credit rating to BBB-plus from A-minus. S&P affirmed the media company's short-term credit rating.

Addenda

Joe Lawson, SVP-marketing for Wisdom Television, is leaving the network for family reasons. Lawson is expected to maintain a consulting relationship with Wisdom, according to a network spokesperson?. Andrew Givens, one of the co-chairs of the recently held NAMIC conference, left his position as special projects for Starz Encore Media?. NBC said in an SEC filing Friday it might enter transactions related to its 21.3% stake in Cablevision, which could result in the exchange of some or all of its shares or payment for certain undisclosed Cablevision assets?. Eastern Broadband Telecom has selected General Bandwidth as the primary vendor for its VoIP deployment over a DOCSICS 1.1 Packet Cable Network?. Fox Sports Net Ohio inked a deal to broadcast at least 17 Xavier University men's basketball games?. HBO signed deals with Antonio Banderas to star in the movie And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself and with Steve Martin for a half-hour comedy series?. AT&T announced a two-year $225,000 grant to establish community centers in the Bronx, N.Y., and Bridgeport, Conn., to help provide broadband training and access to Hispanic youths.

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