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ENTERTAINMENT

Sinatra Sales Soar: Frank Sinatra album sales have jumped almost tenfold since the legendary singer’s death on May 14, according to SoundScan, which monitors U.S. record sales. Sinatra’s 10 biggest albums generated sales of about 13,500 the week before his death, then sold more more than 75,000 copies in the three remaining days of the week he died. Last week, sales escalated to nearly 125,000 copies. The week’s two hottest Sinatra collections: “Very Good Years” (30,000) and “Greatest Hits, Vol. 1” (23,000). The figures were enough to place the albums at Nos. 46 and 57, respectively, on the album chart. In fact, if counted as a single entry, Sinatra’s sales last week would have finished at No. 6. (See album chart, Page 23.)

Grammy News: Grammys will be awarded next year in new categories of best traditional R&B; vocal performance, best classical crossover album and best Tejano music performance--bringing the total number of Grammy categories to 95. Meanwhile, trustees of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, which presents the Grammys, reelected Phil Ramone as chairman and gave a vote of confidence to NARAS President and CEO Michael Greene. The nod for Greene comes after a series of Los Angeles Times articles questioning his administration of the academy’s philanthropic arm.

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Cutbacks Disputed: ABC News said Thursday that reports that the weeknight and Saturday “World News Tonight” and the Sunday edition of “Good Morning America” may be canceled are “way premature.” The network has been reviewing the shows’ costs, but a spokeswoman said that no decision has been made about the two series.

QUICK TAKES

After opting not to renew “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” CBS is finalizing plans to air at least one two-hour “Dr. Quinn” movie next season. The program’s cancellation last week prompted outrage from many fans as well as series star Jane Seymour. . . . Louise Fletcher, a best actress Oscar winner for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” has been charged in Virginia with reckless driving after allegedly hitting a police officer. Police allege Fletcher, 63, struck the officer Sunday night after he stopped his cruiser to remove a deer carcass. The officer, Matthew Bennett, was hospitalized with injuries to both legs after being pinned between the two cars. . . . Sources close to Michael Ovitz have denied reports that the entertainment honcho is considering buying PolyGram’s 30% share of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group. Taking on a minority interest in the theater company doesn’t fit his strategy of buying assets that he can control, the sources said.