AT&T is seeking FCC permission to discuss sale of MSO’s minority ...

AT&T is seeking FCC permission to discuss sale of MSO’s minority stakes in several cable networks, including E! Entertainment, Digital Cable Radio, Sunshine Network, New England Cable News, In Demand, Fox Sports New England, National Cable Communications, Food Network. Spokeswoman for AT&T said move was part of company’s drive to cut its debt load and improve its prospects on Wall St. In Jan. 10 ex parte filing with Commission, AT&T, which inherited those programming interests from MediaOne, said it sought govt. approval to shed stakes because it “could be required to advise, or obtain permission from, its current partners in these services.” In addition, company said, “a potential purchaser could be AT&T’s current partners in these services.” AT&T promised it “would not be involved in discussions directly relating to the video programming activities of these entities,” as FCC stipulated in approving MSO’s purchase of MediaOne last year. AT&T previously gained Commission approval to sell its inherited stakes in Speedvision and Outdoor Life networks.