21.   But now is no time for foot-dragging by media executives, said Lisa Allen, an analyst with the technology consultant Forrester Research.

22.   But one media executive pointed out that discussions go on continuously.

23.   But several media executives said they had little doubt that the companies would come up with the money.

24.   But now, several media executives said, Viacom seems ready to unload its half of USA Network.

25.   But winning approval to broadcast, collecting subscription fees and selling advertising are proving so difficult that media executives measure progress in tiny increments.

26.   Complicating the prognostication abilities of media executives is the tendency of upfront numbers to change, because most deals have escape clauses for the advertisers.

27.   Critics also say that Wall Street is not likely to stop the trend since it, along with top media executives, profits handsomely from the corporate deals.

28.   Earlier this week, several media executives speculated that Malone might yet find a way to exert influence.

29.   For now, Minor and a newly hired team of experienced media executives will try to give Wall Street the profits it is demanding.

30.   For the most part, though, media executives spent Monday marveling at how Eisner has managed, in two strokes, to rearrange the media landscape.