FIRST OFF . . .

ABC, which last year axed the low-rated but critically acclaimed “Our World” after one season, may try again next fall with another prime-time news series, according to Roone Arledge, the network’s news president. Arledge said he’ll be bringing it up with the network brass next month. Were Arledge to get the green light, he again would have two weekly news programs on the prime-time schedule--”20/20” celebrates its 10th anniversary in June and is expected to get a renewal for fall. One candidate to join that program in the lineup: A spinoff from an as-yet untitled special on the arts that is tentatively scheduled to air May 16. CBS currently has three prime-time news broadcasts on the air: “60 Minutes,” “West 57th” and “48 Hours.” NBC has none.