ENTERTAINMENT

Three Powerhouses Link Up for Interactive TV: Computer titans Intel Corp. and Microsoft Corp. and cable TV equipment vendor General Instrument Corp. announced, as expected, that they are working together to build converter boxes for new interactive television services. New General Instrument cable boxes will accommodate plug-in modules--developed with Intel and Microsoft--that will in effect turn the television into a powerful special-purpose computer, giving viewers access to advanced home-shopping services, massive on-line video libraries, electronic games and many other new services. Other companies, including Apple Computer and start-up 3DO Inc., also have plans to provide computerized TV boxes for interactive services, which cable TV and telephone companies are expected to roll out next year.