COMPANY TOWN ANNEX

Whittle Puts Network on Ice: Chris Whittle, chairman of Whittle Communications, said the company has suspended for at least two years operations of its money-losing Special Report Network, which provided television programming in doctors’ waiting rooms. The service, launched in 1988, is seen in some 30,000 doctor’s offices across the country. Whittle said the costs of the network significantly exceeded its revenue. Special Report Network accounts for about 20% of the company’s overall revenue this fiscal year. As a result of the shutdown, Whittle expects to lay off about 150 of its 1,100 employees.