COMPANY TOWN ANNEX

Blockbuster Merger Clears Review: Viacom Inc. announced that its proposed merger with Blockbuster Entertainment Corp. has cleared a review by federal antitrust regulators, mandated by the Hart-Scott-Rodino law. The waiting period expired Sunday, the company said. With Blockbuster, Viacom will be acquiring the video retailer’s interests in other entertainment companies, which include stakes in Virgin Interactive Entertainment, Discovery Zone Inc. and Republic Pictures Corp. Viacom noted that its pending acquisition of Paramount Communications Inc. cleared the antitrust regulators’ review in October.