Mr. Pines said the city was reviewing a decision on whether to appeal.

"He's bought himself a lot of room for maneuver," Mr. Pines said.

Mr. Pines said, however, that while many would call the channel's politics conservative, he prefers the term "populist."

Mr. Pines said he was "deep in conversation" with other cable systems.

Mr. Pine said the brothers each had personal assets up to $50,000 but debts that could exceed $100 million.

"We think it is an appropriate decision that keeps intact the integrity of the system," Mr. Pine said.

Mr. Pine said he had not raised any money for his campaign.

But Mr. Pine said the company was willing to pay the price of legal penalties.

Being owned by a big corporation was "a good learning experience," Mr. Pines said.

Mr. Pine said the company expected to reach annual sales of $500 million by 1995.