Television: Capital Cities/ABC Inc., the parent of...

Television: Capital Cities/ABC Inc., the parent of the ABC TV Network, is rumored to be in negotiations to buy Universal City-based animator/producer DIC Enterprises. DIC--pronounced “deek”--produces such shows as “Gobots” and has been one of the leading suppliers of Saturday morning cartoons. However, it is said to be carrying a heavy debt load stemming from a 1987 leveraged buyout. Capital Cities/ABC Inc. has been stepping up its in-house production of TV shows since federal regulations were eased, allowing the networks to own more of the shows they air. Capital Cities/ABC declined to comment and DIC could not be reached.