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To: SSP who wrote (74408)	12/13/2000 2:28:11 PM
From: john	Respond to of 150070

NEW YORK (CNNfn) - America Online Inc. is set to meet with DirecTV owner Hughes Electronics Corp. about a possible sale of the satellite television system, a published report said Wednesday. According to the Los Angeles Times, analysts said the news could mean AOL is looking at DirecTV as a backup should the Federal Trade Commission block the proposed takeover of Time Warner (TWX: Research, Estimates), but the interest may also relate to the possible dissolution of a one-year alliance between AOL (AOL: Research, Estimates) and DirecTV. A spokesman for Hughes said the company is looking at a variety of options for DirecTV, but declined to comment on specifics. Officials at AOL did not immediately return calls requesting comment. Neither AOL Chairman Steve Case nor AOL Chief Operating Officer Robert Pittman is expected to attend the meeting, the newspaper said. The newspaper said executives close to the situation downplayed the significance of the possible meeting, pointing out that companies routinely look at a competitor's finances when there is a sales opportunity. After a meeting last month between the companies, AOL signed a confidentiality agreement preventing AOL from disclosing any of Hughes' detailed financial information. Hughes, which is owned by General Motors (GM: Research, Estimates), has also signed confidentiality agreements with News Corp. (NWS: Research, Estimates), Viacom Inc. (VIA: Research, Estimates) and Comcast Corp. (CMCSA: Research, Estimates). News Corp. is considered the leading suitor, with Rupert Murdoch intent on gaining a satellite presence in the United States. Shares of AOL rose 16 cents to $48.65 on Tuesday. stories