Is Bellsouth Getting Cold Feet Over Qvc?

In Business This Week

IS BELLSOUTH GETTING COLD FEET OVER QVC?

It looked so good in the heat of the Paramount battle. But now, BellSouth may back off its option to buy 12% of QVC for $500 million. No surprise, really: QVC shares are trading at $45; BellSouth's option valued them at $60. But the companies still may be talking. With the right acquisition, QVC could provide the cable-television programming that BellSouth would distribute. What's more, QVC Chairman Barry Diller and BellSouth Chairman John Clendenin have a rapport that is expected to fuel future ventures.EDITED BY KEITH H. HAMMONDS