1.   What the networks are offering, Black said, is a substantial portion of their news programming.

2.   Both Hotmail, recently acquired by Microsoft, and Excite issued statements yesterday saying they offer protections for e-mail customers.

3.   But when Ellington offered her a long-term contract, her daughter said, she turned it down.

4.   The board could cancel the plan by buying the rights back if an acquirer offers acceptable terms, Irvin said.