Fox pushes news, blasts Nielsen. (Fox Television Stations Inc. affiliates meeting; news service; Nielsen ratings)

Network tells affiliates it expects a news commitment from them; threatens legal action if ratings don't improve

Fox heaped praise, money and some not-so-subtle advice on its affiliates during the network's winter affiliates meeting Sunday (Jan. 21) in Las Vegas.

The money came by way of Margaret Loesch, president, Fox Children's Network, who passed out some $15 million as part of the network's cooperative with stations for its -kids programing.

Mixed with the upbeat and congratulatory tone of the meeting--for Fox's ratings performance and sports acquisitions-was the message that Fox officials expect stations to step up just as they say the network has …