21.   NBC wants to start the channel before similar ventures by ABC, which is being acquired by Walt Disney Co., and News Corp.

22.   Other banks and brokerages will almost certainly announce similar ventures in the weeks ahead.

23.   Other companies have tried similar ventures with limited success.

24.   Other schools are planning similar ventures.

25.   Pac Bell has a similar venture with its Tele-TV alliance.

26.   Recently, the movement has been expanding rapidly in franchising, with owners of Burger King stores, or similar ventures, banding together to purchase supplies and services.

27.   Proceeds from that sale are financing the new venture and a planned similar venture in Hawaii.

28.   Similar ventures have already been established in the U.K., Canada, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand.

29.   SFX Theatrical chairman and chief executive Miles Wilkin said his company, along with Jujamcyn Theaters, is considering a similar venture.

30.   Smartly absent from her singing is the operatic tone that mars so many similar ventures.