MEDIA

2 Firms Join Cable Programming Venture: Comcast Corp. and Continental Cablevision Inc. are investing in a cable programming venture with Cox Communications Inc., reducing Times Mirror Co.’s stake, Cox said. A Cox spokeswoman said Philadelphia-based Comcast and Boston-based CCI will each put $45 million into the venture. Los Angeles-based Times Mirror, which formed the programming company when it agreed to merge its cable operations with Cox in June, 1994, said it is cutting its stake to 10% from 50% to focus on its newspaper, information and magazine businesses. Times Mirror owns the Los Angeles Times and other communications businesses.