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The article reports on several developments in the US media industry with emphasis on the status of Fox Broadcasting Co. alongside the three media giants including NBC, CBS, and ABC. Fox Broadcasting Co. employs offbeat programming to win viewership. With its penchant for airing new and unconventional shows the station has kept the audience hooked and has gained its share in the ratings.

Focuses on the performance of television networks in the U.S. Acceleration in the decline of network viewership reported by A. C. Nielsen Co.; Rise in rates of television networks despite shrinking market share; Statistics related to the advertising sales of the networks; Terms of negotiation between the networks and the advertisement buyers. INSET: Why the networks can't change channels on Nielsen, by S. Duffy..

Discusses whether Jeff Sagansky, network executive at CBS Broadcasting Inc., can help boost up the declining television network. Strategy to grab ratings and promote new shows; Information on various new television shows being broadcast at CBS; Emphasis on high-technology special effects that costs $1.6 million an episode to make. INSET: CBS struggles to come back..

Explores the reasons for the fall of Time Warner Inc.'s stock to $70. Remark of Michael F. Price, president of Mutual Series Fund Inc., about Time Warner Inc.'s sinking stock price; Estimation of analyst Lisbeth Barron of the company S. G. Warburg of the cumulative free cash flow by the deadline; Information on financial marketplace of the 1980's; Stand of Ross & Co. regarding sell off any core assets; INSET: How Time Warner's world has changed..

The article discusses the corporate development and gains of the cable channel Financial News Network (FNN). When FNN was launched in 1981, there were speculations of low viewership considering the limited audience for financial news. It has since reach 35 million upscale households and has moved into night-time television and prime time.

Discusses how Time Warner Inc.'s Steve Ross has agreed to help Italian financier and moviemaker Giancarlo Parretti. Takeover of MGM/UA Communications Co. by Parretti's Pathe Communications Corp. Denial by Parretti of any connections with Time Warner; Interview of Parretti published on March 9, 1990 in the newspaper "L'Unita."

The article presents some reactions to the film "Roger & Me," a satire about director Michael Moore's quest to get General Motors Corp. chairman Roger B. Smith to visit Flint, Michigan to see the devastation caused by plant closure. The film was very consciousness raising. The film is a metaphor for what is happening in the United States. Moore has succeeded in making people angry about the economic situation in the country.

Analyzes the debate over whether or not the Big Three television networks, consisting American Broadcasting Co., CBS Broadcasting Inc. and National Broadcasting Co. Inc., should be allowed to own and syndicate prime-time television shows. View of the public that if the networks are let in on the action from which they've been barred since 1970, they'll squeeze producers even more than they do now; Possibility that the U.S. Federal Communications Commission would slash much of the red tape that has hampered them; Rejection of the argument that the Big Three intend to air only the shows they own. INSET: Chasing the profits in TV programming..

The article focuses on issues concerning entertainment firm Paramount Communications Inc. CEO Martin S. Davis who has been keeping an asset about $1.6 billion in cash. The author notes the money has put Davis in an enviable position because values could get even better. She adds the money would certainly help Davis to get hold of a distribution network if the U.S. Federal Communications Commission may scrap the rules that keep television networks from owning financial stakes in programming.

Studies the latest deal of the 43 years old superstar agent, Michael Ovitz. Significance of Ovitz in Hollywood's wave of corporate deal making; Details of the Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd.'s buyout of MCA Inc.; Information about his talent agency firm Creative Artists Agency Inc.'s strategic activities.

Presents information about a lawsuit filed by Time Warner Inc. against Pathe Communications Corp. on June 29, 1990 in a state court in Los Angeles, California. Report that Time Warner accused Pathe of double-dealing ever since Warner agreed on April 9, 1990 to help Pathe raise half the $1.3 billion it needs to complete a takeover of MGM/UA Communications Co.; Promise by Pathe that it would give Time Warner distribution rights to as many as 40 films; Damages sought by Time Warner for breach of contract.

Discusses issues related to easy-credit for the cable industries. Information that after a decade of fast-forward borrowing that allowed cable operators to buy and sell systems at ever-escalating prices, an estimated $1 billion-plus in assets is hardly budging off the auction block; Description of rates at which bankers are lending money now; Information on a stock deal between Falcon Holding Group Cos. and First Carolina Communications Inc.

Discusses how film director Mel Brooks, plans to offer shares of his production company, Brooksfilms Inc., to the public in mid-January. Business plans of Brooks; Forthcoming films of Brooks; Information on the ways by which Brooks has planned to promote his upcoming film "Life Stinks."