NEWS
	Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554	News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 202/418-2555
	This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 1, 2000   NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Michelle Russo (202) 418-2358
	STATEMENT OF DEBORAH A. LATHEN, CABLE SERVICES BUREAU CHIEF, FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION REGARDING THE DISPUTE BETWEEN DISNEY/ABC AND TIME WARNER
	At 12:01 a.m. today, Time Warner ceased carrying ABC television programming in certain cities, after the parties failed to reach a contractual agreement. Today Disney/ABC filed a petition with the FCC requesting emergency relief that would require Time Warner to continue to carry ABC programming. In its petition, Disney/ABC asserts that Time Warner has violated the FCC rule that prohibits deleting programming during the "sweeps" period. FCC staff has met with the parties and has requested that Time Warner file its response to the Disney/ABC petition with the FCC within 24 hours, no later than the close of business on May 2. The facts will be reviewed and a decision will be rendered as soon as possible. We continue to encourage the parties to resolve this issue privately and expeditiously. -FCC-