COMPANY TOWN ANNEX

MCI, News Corp. to Build Satellite Broadcast Center: Two joint ventures of the nation’s No. 2 long-distance telephone company and Australia’s News Corp. said they plan to build a $130-million advanced satellite and data uplink facility and broadcast operations center in the Phoenix area. American Sky Broadcasting and SkyMCI, both joint ventures of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. and Washington, D.C.-based MCI, were formed in April to provide multimedia direct satellite services. American Sky will offer digital direct-to-home satellite broadcasting beginning in the fall of 1997. SkyMCI will offer multimedia information, training and data services for businesses. The proposed 100,000-square-foot broadcast center is tentatively scheduled to be built in Gilbert, Ariz.