COMPANY TOWN ANNEX

FCC May Abandon ‘Prime-Time’ Rule: The Federal Communications Commission is expected to abandon the rule that limits the hours during which network affiliates can air network prime-time shows, opening the door to unlimited network programming at night. The commission’s 24-year-old “prime-time access rule” currently forces network affiliates to air non-network shows in one of the four prime-time hours between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. The rule was designed to promote local and alternative programming. At its open meeting Friday, the FCC is also expected to waive foreign-ownership rules for News Corp., an Australian company that owns Fox Television Stations Inc. That would allow media magnate Rupert Murdoch to continue controlling the stations.