On this day, 40 years ago, on March 17, 1985 (January 26, 1985 in the lunar calendar), Capital Communications Corporation spent US$3.5 billion to buy ABC. Capital Communications paid $3.5 billion to buy the BBC on March 17. ABC said today it has agreed to sell it to Capital City Communications for $3.5 billion. The deal, which surprised industry experts, showed for the first time that one of the country's three major broadcast networks has changed ownership. ABC has 214 stations across the country, and Capital Communications is a smaller company that owns television and closed-circuit television systems, newspapers and magazines. The deal has sparked speculation that other broadcasters could also be targets for its takeover.