Times Mirror Cable in Talks to Buy Orange County Firm

IRVINE — Times Mirror Cable Television Inc. said Wednesday that it is negotiating to buy Community Cablevision, a 42,000-subscriber system owned by Irvine Co.

The system, which covers all of Irvine and parts of Newport Beach, Tustin, Orange and unincorporated Orange County, would give Times Mirror Cable an even greater stake in an area prized for its growing population of younger families and professionals. Already, the Irvine-based operator covers almost all of South County, where it has nearly 135,000 subscribers.

If the sale goes through, Times Mirror Cable would acquire a 20% stake in the cable operation, then buy the remaining 80% after it obtained approvals from local governments. The deal, whose cost has not been disclosed, is expected to be completed within a few weeks.