The Miami News from Miami, Florida • 22

i 8A Wednesday, December 10, 1986 Expensive progirainminraDirogj caused problems at VHaamo's dhaimirae! 33 TOM JICHA Miami Niwl TVRull. fdltw In dealing with the In order to remain on the air and have programs to broadcast, Miami's WBFS-Channel 33 has filed for reorganization and protection from Its creditors under Chapter 1 1 of the federal bankruptcy laws, according to Jerry Carr, director of operations for WBFS' parent company, Grant Broadcasting System Inc. (GBS). "In dealing with the distributors," carr said, "we reached a point where we realized some of them were no longer going to let us continue to run their programming Chapter 11 stops them from doing distributors, we reached a point where we realized some of them were no longer going to let us continue to run their programming Chapter 1 1 stops them from doing that Jerry Carr that." While some syndicators were willing to talk about price reductions, Carr said the company was fearful others would follow the lead of Embassy TV Milt Grant, the principal owner and founder of 2-year-old WBFS and stations in Chicago and Philadelphia, expressed his programming philosophy during a 1984 interview. When he launched Channel 33, Grant explained that programs with strong marquee value were worth more to him than to established stations, especially network affiliates.

Grant said If a network affiliate lost In a bidding contest for, say, "Cheers" reruns, it would merely program something else in the time period, comforted by the knowledge that network fare would bring viewers to the station. For him, however, a show like "Cheers" could bring attention to a new station, be used as a promotional vehicle for other programs and increase the value of the shows that preceded and followed it. Grant's philosophy worked to the extent that Channel 33 tied Channel 6, which has been in the market 20 years longer, in the latest TV ratings. Carr said he, Grant and Drew Pfeiffer, GBS' director of programming, have been meeting with Channel 33's program suppliers in an effort to renegotiate downward the price of some of the deals GBS has made. Like all stations, WBFS has been hurt by slumps in auto, computer and toy advertising, Carr said, and it has the additional burden of having to serve its massive programming commitments.

If inflation had continued apace and advertising revenues had Increased at the rates they had through the 1970s, Grant would have been able to turn a profit, despite programming prices, Carr said. which syndicates such programs as "Good Times, "Maude" and "Archie Bunker's Place" and pull programs. Viacom, another major distributor, was negotiating with GBS on whether its programs would remain on GBS stations, when the Chapter 1 1 petition for protection was filed Monday, Carr said. Chapter 11 protection will allow UBb to continue airing most of its programming schedule, Carr said. It Eastern, CF Airfreight will let agreement lapse Eastern Airlines' agreement with CF Airfreight to provide freight forwarding and night passenger service through Houston will not be renewed when it expires March 1, 1987, according to Donald G.

Berger, president of CF Airfreight. CF, a subsidiary of Consolidated Freightways of Palo Alto, will move its air cargo operations to Indianapolis International Airport March 1. Eastern spokesman Glenn Parsons said that Eastern has several options concerning the Moonlight Special service, Including continuing it with another cargo company out of Houston, moving to another hub or canceling the service entirely. "We've been looking at the operation for a couple of months for possible changes," Parsons said. "It has been a good operation and profitable for Eastern.

We are close to a decision. There is some concern for customers who have grown accustomed to the service, and we have an obligation to our employees to make a decision and make it known soon." CF and Eastern entered into the overnight service In April 1985. Another firm leaving South Africa Dun Bradstreet Corp. yesterday announced it will stop doing business in South Africa, becoming the latest foreign firm to withdraw from the racially-torn country. The business Information company said it would attempt to sell its three South African subsidiaries to local parties, rather than liquidate the operations, so that workers would have continued employment.

The three subsidiaries employ about 900 people, and account for less than 1 percent of the company's total assets, revenue and profit. "The divestiture action has been taken In response to the direct and indirect effects of South African government apartheid policies, which have affected the corporation's ability to serve its customers worldwide," Dun Bradstreet said. Posner seeks change of venue Millionaire industrialist Victor Posner, whose tax evasion conviction was set aside because of jury misconduct, filed a motion yesterday in federal court to move his retrial out of South Florida. Defense attorney Edward Bennett Williams filed two thick volumes of newspaper clippings and television and radio scripts to support the argument that Posner, 67, would be hurt by pretrial publicity if the case is tried again here. "Pervasive and prejudicial publicity about this case will prevent him from obtaining a fair and also will give GBS the breathing room to analyze which programs it should retain, he said.

According to local television executives, competitive bidding has driven up the cost of programming. about $40,000 to $50,000 an episode. Cohen and Alan Perris, general manager of WTVJ-Channel 4, said movie packages also cost more. Perris said movie titles used to sell for about apiece, but recently have been bid up to $90,000 per picture for the rights to one attractive package of films. Harvey Cohen, general manager at 39, said rerun rights for half-hour situation for several years sold for between $10,000 and $14,000 an episode.

He said they recently peaKea at Southern Bell's headquarters returning to downtown Miami MERWIN SIGALE Minl Nwt ButlMU (diMr 4, A i 1N impartial retrial in Miami or elsewhere in the Southern District of Florida, the motion argued. "Posner's wealth, his prominence as a Miami- based financier and his extensive local real estate 1 holdings have made him a well-known figure in 4.S -rfl-V st- South Florida, according to documents. Purchasing managers optimistic downtown from a two-story building at 8200 Bird Road, which the company plans to sublet. The other employees in that building will occupy the space being vacated at the present headquarters building. About 10 marketing people will relocate to Miami from Fort Lauderdale.

"We're going to do this at almost no cost," Henry said. He said the company will save $500,000 a year by subletting the Bird Road building and a building in Pompano Beach, whose employees will shift to Fort Lauderdale. He said the downtown Miami lease will cost $750,000 a year. "If this works out well the question would be: Would we eventually locate a larger part of our operation downtown?" Henry said. "It's something we'd look at." Southern Bell is one of Dade's largest employers, with about 6,000 people on its payroll in the county and 20,000 statewide.

Headquartered in Atlanta, it is a subsidiary of BellSouth, one of seven holding companies formed to operate the Bell System telephone companies that American Telephone Telegraph Co. divested three years ago. Henry said the statewide payroll has been reduced through attrition from a peak of 27,000 three years ago. He said the com-. pany loses about 1,000 employees a year who retire or take other jobs, but now those who leave are being replaced.

He said he anticipates an increase in the work force beginning several years from now. Southern Bell moved its state headquarters from Jacksonville to Miami in 1972, locating it at 330 Biscayne Blvd. In leased offices that already housed an area headquarters. In 1973, the company moved from downtown to West Dade "because of the economics." Henry said. William O.

Cullom, president of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, said, "I think having the building downtown and having their name on the building and having a significant posture downtown is going to help them." The U.S. economy will post continued but modest growth next year with mild Inflation, Southern Bell is planning to move its Florida headquarters back to downtown Miami In the next few months after an absence of more than 13 years. H.C. "Buddy" Henry Southern Bell's vice president for Florida, said yesterday about 100 people, mostly at the executive level, will relocate from the company's West Dade County headquarters and Fort Lauderdale to 40,000 square feet of space on two or three floors of a downtown building. He would not identify the building because a lease has not been signed yet, but he said it is In the downtown core near the Me-tromover line.

He said the company hopes to complete the move by March 31. Henry said "it makes sense from a convenience standpoint" to put the headquarters near major customers and near the civic activities that have made him a frequent commuter on the Dolphin Expressway since he took over the company's Florida operation last April. "No. 2, 1 want Southern Bell to be more highly visible," Henry said. We will have our logo on the building we move Into, which Is going to make a statement that Southern Bell is a major presence in the community." The move also will be a boon to Miami, he said.

"I think Miami needs a shot in the arm. I think someone has to stand up and say that's where the action is. But that's not the only reason we're doing it. We're doing it for a good corporate reason as well." About 80 of the transferees will come from the legal, regulatory and financial units at the utility's West Dade complex at 666 N.W. 79th which houses 1,600 employees in a six-story headquarters building and Southern Bell's Florida computer center.

About 10 employees in corporate communications and external affairs will move 5 i according to a survey of purchasing managers from 250 industrial companies published yester day. The National Association of Purchasing Management was cautiously optimistic in its semiannual economic forecast, with its members predicting by a margin of more than three-to-one that next year would be better for the economy than 1986. The purchasing managers also forecast increased growth In the fourth quarter of this year compared with the third, followed by continued improvement into the first half of 1987 before the economy cooled. However, 59 percent of the purchasing managers said they were Aitocl.tad Prtu Closing arguments concerned about the 1987 economy. Boeing pursue contract American Telephone Telegraph Co.

and John Z. De Lorean is greeted outside a federal court in Detroit where closing arguments were made yesterday in De Lorean's fraud and racketeering trial. The jury begins deliberations today. Boeing Computer Services yesterday said they would team up to bid on a $4.5 billion, 10-year contract to provide the federal government with telecommunications services. In September, Martin Marietta Corp.

of Bethesda, said It had agreed with MCI Communications Corp. of Washington to submit a joint bid on the contract, which is scheduled to be signed late next year. 8.75 Real estate boom MORTGAGES HI Trv4 C. tMLIneoMM. Mi, tdk, Ft ((KtNNETH ft LP) 7 I FIXED RATE 1.45 APR tM.Mlf.Srt The federal network is the largest private likely to pause S32-2233 or Ul-Oioe telecommunications system ever proposed.

Al though no other bidders have announced firm during holidays plans, hundreds showed up in 1985 to hear the General Services Administration explain what it was looking for. has targeted this as a critically Important opportunity and we intend to win it," said Louis Golm of Federal MO CREDIT CHCCK NO INCOME CHECK tOW MONTHLY PAYMENT U.S. MORTGAGE CO. 1 iDADtl 290 165th SI (BBOHDI JIM STEINBERG Miami Nwi tHMW 1945-2333 463-5505 I TOU FRCt 1-MO-lM CM nocr.it th inuoct intprpct rtps in almost a de Systems. New York.

Florida notes cade, traditional holiday-season gift buying is expec ted to suDaue a Dooming reai esiaie mai n. rvnioinino tha rwmhpr iinmn. Michael J. Stiber. The new Lauderhill Chamber of Commerce 1 OBTUSE a branch manager for Better Homes and Gardens Re CORP.

will be officially inaugurated Dec. 16 Home shnnnina Network Clearwater, announced alty, said "People have other wings 10 ao, ana agenui i Second CHURCHILL O. 854-3321 D. 4C2-85S3 tend to slow down a uuie. Apormlt to hw.

I. Ityihort Or, net income of $9.5 million, or 22 cents a share, for the quarter ended Nov. 30 compared with $2.7 million, or 7 cents a share, reported in the narahia Quarter a vear aao Woroner A marketing director lor one large uaae county real estate firm described the home-buying market more bluntly. "December is a disaster." i ct wmIc AmoriFirst Mnrteaee Co. loined several Miami Beach Convention Center Friday December 26 through Sunday January 11 32 Spectacular Shows! CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH! Technology St.

Petersburg, and Ventures other area financial institutions that recently lowered I BUY National inc. nave agreed 10 eruer inio merger anreonwni Harris Melbourne, an EXISTING MORTGAGES mortgage rates on 30-year nxea mong agr wiuw 9 percent. The subsidiary of AmenFirst Federal Savings and Loan Association offers 30-year fixed mortgages at 8.75 percent, provided the applicants nounced it has been awarded a $12 million NO FEES OR CHARGES rnntraet bv NASA for a radio system on a new 538-4314 pay tnree points lor me loan. Amrii.irsi'i rate Is iti lowest since May 1978, said Joseph Repport, AmeriFirst Mortgage president. environmental-study satellite New York Air will offer one-way service from Miami to Washington for $29 Dec.

15-17 Hughes Capital Boca Raton, has signed a letter of 0 NCNB Mortgage Lorp. oners jyro imi ft 5 oM-cpnt with 4.5 ooints. while The Trust Bank of 1 fers an 8.99 percent rate with three points. "TWinL rtftin down the dOOri." II ffSUlt intent to acquire conserayne uorp. Dollar higher; gold lower of recent mortgage rate increases, said Steven Agran, president ol IKA uomain Keaiiy inc.

in wu wluu. Th media attention that fnrused OB earlier mort The S. dollar staged a modest advance yesterday against most major currencies in iff giiauriuiiuiur WRESTLlliG MIAMI BEACH COIIYEKTIOII CTtl. WEDtCECEHSERISTH FlESTESm.33r.t2. gage ra'e reductions has been absent this time around, Agraa noted.

SWAYS TO GET YOUR TICKETS PERSON CONVENTION CENTER BOX Of CE BASS Outlets trvtudmg ALL SPEC RECORDS ft TAPES. SELECT A SEAT Outlets Including AH JOHDAN MARSH BY PHONE Oade (305) 633 BASS Broward (305) 741 3000 Moo -Sad 10 AM to 9 PM MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCE PTED tS2 50 Service Charge per Prmoe O'rte'l BY stamped envelop wfh cherd or money (Vrtff payable 10 MINGLING BROS CIRCUS. Miami Beatn Convelioo Cnt 1901 Contention Certer Miami Beach, 33139 1 00 Serve Cna'je per Slow-paceo Toreign excnange irauing. in uunuun, ih British oound rose to $1.4207. comcared with -Tn makiritv of Beonle that wrre considerini re 1 a if.

Mnnrfaw In New York, stetlina fetched financing have already done it," he added. $1 42675 vs. $1.4223. Gold prices felt In Hong c.i.r.t Mti hrnkeri said thrv elan special Konq. gold ciosea ai a iroy ounce, oown 1 1 76 In Zurich, it slid to $387.50.

a droD of 1. In Incentive programs to counter the Christmas season doldrums. ALL SEATS RESERVED S6.SO-S7.S0-S3.SO-S9.5a GROUP RATES: (305) G73-CG5G London, the metal rose to $386.75, up 5 cents. Republic National Bank in New York quoted gold bullion at $386.75. down $3.25.

On New York" imni rnMwell Ranker Real Estate Inc. la Miami is offering $100 gift certificates to other bro U.S.&World kers who sell their hstings. Commodity Exchange, gold ml S3.30. to I3S7. Etcetera msnv krrtlrr Trw-f th riar flf tale Gold Coins this month to be noticeably slower thia the rest of the year, some preatci it wa rar ouunine iasi jear December showing.

American Coin Jewelry KimI nm tad trnk't rwrf nrma nre. Coldwf II Bank 0. f. Precious Metal. ClI lur Que VISIT Eljc itrmmi Ifcrnft BOOTH AND RECEIVE A FREE CIRCUS SOUVENIR.

Firestone Tire I Rubber Co. posted a net loss of $36 million for its fiscal fourth quarter because of a $65 million charge related to its restructuring efforts The Goodyear Tire A Rubber Co. has received commitments for a $4 itne of er Presidr nt Bob Stanley ts predicting a 7 percent increase from December 1985. Rnan of Realtors reported this week cred from 17 major U.S. and international bankt Merria Lynch ft Co.

sad sold it commercial that the $54 million worth of property sold fcy IU members through the of November ts 49 greater thaa ss for the corrparabie period Ust real estate brokerage unit to Hooker Corp. Australia's largest real estate concern. year. I.