"Gerry knows the value of cable distribution," Mr. Gerbrandt said.
While it does have digital cable distribution, it is also a regular cable channel with satellite distribution.
AOL Time Warner, faced with fears that Comcast would become too dominant in cable distribution, may actually make a bid.
Mr. Falco, a consummate broadcaster, has been in his current role since December, with operational responsibility for the television group including affiliate relations, cable distribution and worldwide television distribution.
By releasing the film in 2008, MGM may still be able to take advantage of a rich cable distribution deal with the Showtime pay cable network.
Though Pacific Century has focused on cable distribution, Mr. Arena said the company would gladly deliver its service over phone lines or by wireless transmission.
It would give the company enormous leverage in cable distribution, a business that AOL Time Warner's chief executive, Gerald M. Levin, has long championed.
But subscriptions to digital cable distribution are expected to be on par with those of satellite TV by the end of this year.
Mr. Stossel's hiring is an important one for the two-year-old Fox Business, which is seeking more viewers and wider cable distribution.
Not that most Americans would notice: although Al Jazeera English is available to everyone on YouTube, so far it has been unable to secure cable distribution in the United States.
Putting your video where people will actually see it on the Web is the equivalent of basic cable distribution or a wide opening at the theater.
