TV & VIDEO - Oct. 24, 1988

ABC expects to lose $20 million on “War and Remembrance” due in part to author Herman Wouk’s restrictions on advertising, says Cap Cities-ABC Chairman John S. Murphy. The restrictions on products that can be advertised and the number of commercial minutes per hour were written into Wouk’s contract for the 1983 miniseries based on his novel “Winds of War,” before Cap Cities bought ABC three years ago. “War and Remembrance,” the 32-hour sequel, cost $110 million to produce. ABC is limited to six minutes of national advertising per hour and is prohibited from promoting its own shows. ABC Television Network President John Sias said Wouk won’t allow advertising of food or personal care products and of retail stores.