COMPANY TOWN ANNEX

QVC Network Answers Paramount: Lawyers and bankers working for Barry Diller’s home shopping QVC Network Inc. responded to questions from Paramount Communications Inc. as part of the “informational” discussions approved by the Paramount board 10 days ago. QVC hopes to persuade the board to enter serious negotiations about its unsolicited bid, which would break up a merger agreement with Viacom Inc. There was no indication how quickly Paramount might respond, but sources noted that Viacom could clear the 30-day antitrust review by federal agencies as early as today unless more information is sought under the Hart-Scott-Rodina Antitrust Improvements Act.