The dispute between the broadcast network and the cable distributor arose as the two sought to negotiate a new fee structure to be paid by Time Warner to ABC for rights to transmit the network's programs -- and those of Disney-ABC's other television properties -- over its various cable systems.

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In the UK, it already owns UK Power Networks, the electricity transmission network in London and the South East, gas distributor Northern Gas Networks and a 50% stake in Seabank Power.

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Penske was what the auto industry calls an independent distributor, a middleman between the factory and the dealer network.

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