But the altered rule would provide a more open invitation to skirt the ban if the merging companies can make the case. If adopted, the new rule could allow the merging Tribune Co. and Times Mirror Co. to keep newspaper and TV properties in New York, Los Angeles, and Hartford, Conn., without the waivers. The cross-ownership proposal was one of three merger-related rule changes put up for public comment by the FCC with the intent of formally adopting them within several months. The others: * Allowing owners of the four major TV networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox) to also own an emerging network (e.g., WB or UPN) and presumably allowing Viacom Inc. to keep both CBS and UPN. * Determining whether radio station markets should be redefined based on size, the number of stations located within them, and the ownership concentration, i.e., the number of stations owned by a single entity. The changes could stimulate more acquisitions in some markets but require divestitures in others.