COMPANY TOWN ANNEX

Blockbuster Buys Share in Virgin Entertainment Software: Blockbuster Entertainment Corp., awaiting a merger with Viacom Inc., issued $30 million worth of new stock to buy a 20% stake in Virgin Interactive Entertainment, which develops and publishes video games for the Nintendo and Sega game systems. Virgin Interactive is part of the Virgin airline and entertainment empire run by British entrepreneur Richard Branson. The Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based video rental company will be able to profit by licensing new products through its Spelling and Republic studio holdings.