To: hotlinktuna who wrote (88503 ) 8/9/1999 3:43:00 PM From: Teri Garner Respond to of 119973
PAX (Paxson Communications): co. explores 'strategic alliances.' Paxson Communications to Explore Strategic Alliances MONDAY, AUGUST 09, 1999 11:25 AM - BusinessWire WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Aug 9, 1999 (BUSINESS WIRE via COMTEX) -- Recent Changes to FCC Ownership Regulations Present New Opportunities Paxson Communications Corporation (AMEX:PAX), the largest owner and operator of broadcast television stations in the US, announced today that it has formally retained and has been working with the investment banking firm of Salomon Smith Barney to explore potential strategic alliances for the Company, including a merger or sale of an equity stake in the company among other possibilities. The Company said that its Board of Directors had decided earlier to pursue this course of action in anticipation of the recent changes to FCC ownership regulations, which have significantly loosened restrictions on ownership of broadcast television stations and created new opportunities within the industry for acquisitions and consolidation. It has been the Company's plan to investigate all possibilities to maximize long-term shareholder value with a number of media companies including television, radio and cable operators. The Company said no decision has been made to pursue any particular alternative, and that there could be no assurance any transaction would result from its exploration process. Upon completion of pending acquisitions, construction projects, other transactions and divestitures, the Company will own, operate, or have an economic interest in 72 stations and have 51 additional PAX TV network affiliates carrying the Company's PAX TV network programming with a 76% reach of all US TV households. A complete listing of stations and markets served can be found by visiting the company's web-site at paxtv.com.