The Networks: Our Ball, Our Rules, Our Deal

In an annual ritual filled with hoopla and hype, the television networks last week rolled out their fall lineups. The winners seemed happy, but behind the scenes, television suppliers were reeling from the pressure being exerted on them by the nets for ownership stakes in their programs. Until three years ago, the networks were limited in the kind of programming they could own, but with the limits lifted, the pressure is on. CBS, which co-owns an unprecedented six of its seven new shows, gave King of Queens a slot on the schedule after COLUMBIA TRISTAR surrendered a share. NewsRadio, a so-so...