COMPANY TOWN ANNEX
<i> Times Staff and Wire Reports</i>
TCI, Comcast Shrug Off Antitrust Concerns in QVC Takeover: Comcast Corp. and Tele-Communications Inc. said they have informed the Federal Trade Commission they will close their $1.42-billion takeover of QVC Inc. on Feb. 6 despite the government’s lingering antitrust concerns. The companies’ tender offer for QVC expires on that date and is subject to their obtaining sufficient financing. In a statement, Peter Barton, president of TCI’s Liberty Media unit, said he expects the FTC to approve the deal as it realizes the competitive nature of the home shopping business. Barton also noted the nature of TCI’s non-management, minority interest in QVC after the merger.