As a result of the deal, announced yesterday, that resulted in the chairman of Paxson Communications stepping down, NBC Universal has what appears to be an unusual opportunity to unlock the
potential of Paxson's 60-station TV operation. Some regard the Pax stations, many in major markets, as the last such broad-based operation in broadcast TV. While NBC Universal cannot own Paxson
outright--it is already at the FFC's station ownership limit--it now has 18 months to find a partner with which to operate the Paxson chain. NBC, which long has had a significant financial stake in
West Palm Beach-based Paxson, has been frustrated by management there. It's no secret that the network thinks the current programming on Paxson sations--much of it low-rent reruns--is
contemptible. Expect NBC to make major changes at Pax once its new partner is onboard.
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