- - - AT&T May Shed Subs To Get FCC OK - - -

AT&T may have to shed cable subscribers to win federal approval for its $51.6 billion purchase of MediaOne, according to Bloomberg.

AT&T was hoping the Federal Communications Commission would relax rules barring a single cable operator from serving more than 30 percent of U.S. cable households. The flexibility was needed to win approval for the MediaOne purchase.

Earlier this week, FCC staff circulated a proposal that would offer only limited relief to AT&T, analysts and industry officials said. The new rules, if adopted without any significant changes, could threaten AT&T's plans to provide local phone and high-speed Internet services to millions of customers.

FCC Chairman William Kennard told reporters that he's still conferring with commissioners about the issue.

- - - Firm Launch Date For DirecTV Bird? Try Again - - -

A firm date hasn't been set for the launch of DirecTV's next satellite, though international wire reports circulated Tuesday suggested that lift-off would take place Sept. 28.

"I wouldn't put a lot of credence in that date," said Terrance Scott of Sea Launch, the Boeing-backed company that will launch the DBS powerhouse's newest bird from the South Pacific. "We don't have a firm date for the launch. We don't have a target date for the launch."

Fueling of the satellite began Tuesday, Scott said. Testing and other mission efforts also continue at Sea Launch facilities. A target date for the flight, the first commercial launch for Sea Launch, will be announced once the company's vessels are ready to sail, he said.

Eduard Kuznetsov, deputy head of Ukraine's National Space Agency, told reporters that the first commercial launch for the international Sea Launch program was set for Sept. 28. Ukraine's Zenit rocket will be used in the flight.

Kuznetsov said the Zenit-3SL booster would fly from the ocean-based platform. It would carry a satellite "owned by U.S.-based Hughes Electronics," wire reports said. DirecTV is a unit of Hughes.

In addition to Boeing, Sea Launch partners include RSC Energia of Russia and KB Yuzhnoye/PO Yuzhmash of the Ukraine.

- - - MDU Organizations Fight FCC Order - - -

Organizations representing apartment and multi-dwelling interests submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission documenting what they called "dangerous and unworkable" mandates allowing apartment residents to install their own satellite dishes.

Comments from the National Multi Housing Council, American Seniors Housing Association and National Apartment Association included claims that renters and professional installers are placing dishes outside the parameters of the FCC order, which went into effect in January. Those poor installations are putting "residents and others in serious danger, damaging apartment properties and creating tremendous liability for apartment owners," the organizations said.

Under the FCC order, apartment owners can't unreasonably restrict residents from having a satellite dish. The rule also contains safeguards and limits on installation.

In their claim, the organizations submitted a photo exhibit documenting that many apartment residents are ignoring the restrictions.

"Even though many of the current installations violate the FCC order, apartment owners are nonetheless potentially liable if a dish should fall and cause injury to a passerby," they said in a joint release. "Additionally, the drilling of holes in exterior and interior walls can cause major property damage and create additional safety and liability concerns."

The organizations also urged the FCC to reject a petition filed by an apartment resident in Minnesota over the self-installation of dishes. The resident requested - among other things - that the commission forbid landlords from requiring a deposit or prior approval for an installation.

- - - DISH Adds Russian Channels - - -

EchoStar's DISH Network is adding two Russian television channels, NTV and NTV Plus, to its slate of international offerings.

The channels, targeted for U.S. Russian-speaking audiences, offer news, sports, movies, music, talk shows and other entertainment. Customers can order the NTV and NTV Plus package for $24.99 a month.

The Russian-language channels will be available from EchoStar III at 61.5 degrees and from the 148-degree location beginning in 2000.

- - - COMPETITIVE WATCH: EchoStar Gets Target - - -

EchoStar formally announced its deal with Target, a division of Dayton Hudson, to distribute and market the company's DISH Network DBS service.

As previously reported, Target will carry DISH Network's multi-room ready models branded by Philips Consumer Electronics. Installation of the dish antennas will be performed by EchoStar's national installation network.

"EchoStar is pleased to partner with Target, a fast-growing national retailer that is innovative in delivering hot new products to many of the same young affluent shoppers that would purchase a small dish satellite TV system," said Jim DeFranco, EchoStar's executive vice president. "This agreement gives DISH Network a cost-effective way to expand the distribution of its pay television services while at the same time increasing Target's product line in high-end electronics.