The N-C-C is reviewing the sole application for cable TV channel 52, a
channel that has been unclaimed closed for two months.

The National Communications Commission says so far only Home Plus Digital has
applied for C-T-S to take over the channel.

NCC officials say the review process is being carried out in accordance with
the law.

The NCC made the controversial move of forcing C-T-i News out of channel 52
on December 11th by refusing to issue it a new license, a decision that
critics say was politically motivated.

Although Home Plus, the multi-system operator, immediately applied for Global
News TV to take over the channel, that proposal was rejected by the NCC.

NCC officials also rejected the applications of U.S.-based CNN and France 24,
a French state-owned international news television network, favoring C-T-S
instead.

Critics say the reason why the NCC prefers CTS is that it's a subsidiary of
the Public Broadcasting System, and thus is largely controlled by the
government.

(JL)