TURNER BROADCASTING SYSTEM INC
S-4/A, 1998-02-11
TELEVISION BROADCASTING STATIONS
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       AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 11, 1998
                                                  REGISTRATION NOS. 333-45703
                                                                    333-45703-02
                                                                    333-45703-01
    
________________________________________________________________________________
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
    
                            ------------------------
 
                          TIME WARNER COMPANIES, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
                            ------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                        <C>                                        <C>
                DELAWARE                             75 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA                            13-1388520
      (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION                    NEW YORK, NY 10019                (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
   OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                    (212) 484-8000
    (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
</TABLE>
 
                                TIME WARNER INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
                            ------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                        <C>                                        <C>
                DELAWARE                             75 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA                            13-3527249
      (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION                    NEW YORK, NY 10019                (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
   OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                    (212) 484-8000
    (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
</TABLE>
 
                        TURNER BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
                            ------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                        <C>                                        <C>
                GEORGIA                                 ONE CNN CENTER                               58-0950695
      (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION                  ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303              (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
   OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                    (404) 827-1700
    (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
                              PETER R. HAJE, ESQ.
                      EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY
                              AND GENERAL COUNSEL
                                TIME WARNER INC.
                              75 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA
                               NEW YORK, NY 10019
                                 (212) 484-8000
 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                            ------------------------
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                    <C>
                    WILLIAM P. ROGERS, JR., ESQ.                                           LOUISE S. SAMS, ESQ.
                       CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE                                      VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL
                          825 EIGHTH AVENUE                                          TURNER BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INC.
                      NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019                                                ONE CNN CENTER
                           (212) 474-1000                                                 ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE OF THE SECURITIES TO THE
PUBLIC: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration
Statement.
 
     If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. [ ]
 
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [ ] . . . . . . .
 
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ] . . . . . . .
   
    
                            ------------------------
 
     THE REGISTRANTS HEREBY AMEND THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANTS
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
________________________________________________________________________________


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<PAGE>
   
PROSPECTUS
    
 
                       EXCHANGE OFFER FOR ALL OUTSTANDING
                           6.95% DEBENTURES DUE 2028
                                       OF
                          TIME WARNER COMPANIES, INC.
                    FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED BY
                                TIME WARNER INC.
                                      AND
                        TURNER BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INC.
   
                            ------------------------
 
       THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME ON
                        MARCH 30, 1998, UNLESS EXTENDED.
    
                            ------------------------
 
     Time Warner Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation ('TWC'), hereby offers
(the 'Exchange Offer'), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
in this Prospectus and the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (the 'Letter of
Transmittal'), to exchange up to $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its
6.95% Debentures Due 2028 (the 'Exchange Debentures') that have been registered
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'Securities Act'), pursuant to
a Registration Statement (as defined herein) of which this Prospectus
constitutes a part, for a like principal amount of its outstanding 6.95%
Debentures Due 2028 (the 'Outstanding Debentures' and, together with the
Exchange Debentures, the 'Debentures') with the holders thereof. The terms of
the Exchange Debentures are identical in all material respects to the
Outstanding Debentures except for certain transfer restrictions and registration
rights relating to the Outstanding Debentures and except that, if TWC has not
filed a Registration Statement covering the Exchange Debentures, caused such
registration statement to become effective and consummated the Exchange Offer or
caused a Shelf Registration Statement (as defined herein) with respect to
resales of the Outstanding Debentures to be declared effective within certain
time periods, then Additional Interest (as defined herein) on the Outstanding
Debentures will be payable until the consummation of the Exchange Offer or the
effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement. The Outstanding Debentures
were issued on January 12, 1998, pursuant to an offering (the 'Original
Offering') exempt from registration under the Securities Act. The initial price
of the Outstanding Debentures was 98.918% of the principal amount.
 
     Interest on the Exchange Debentures is payable semi-annually on January 15
and July 15 of each year, commencing July 15, 1998, at a rate of 6.95% per
annum. The Exchange Debentures are not redeemable prior to maturity and do not
have the benefit of a sinking fund.
 
     The Exchange Debentures will be unconditionally guaranteed (the
'Guarantees') by Time Warner Inc. and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
(collectively, the 'Guarantors'). The Exchange Debentures and the Guarantees
will be general, unsecured senior obligations of TWC and the Guarantors,
respectively, ranking pari passu in right of payment with all existing and
future unsecured unsubordinated obligations, and senior in right of payment to
all existing and future subordinated indebtedness of TWC and the Guarantors,
respectively.
 
   
     TWC will accept for exchange any and all Outstanding Debentures that are
validly tendered and not withdrawn on or prior to midnight, New York City time,
on the date the Exchange Offer expires (the 'Expiration Date'), which will be
March 30, 1998 (45 days after the commencement of the Exchange Offer), unless
the Exchange Offer is extended. Tenders of Outstanding Debentures may be
withdrawn at any time prior to midnight, New York City time, on the Expiration
Date. The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount
of Outstanding Debentures being tendered for exchange. Outstanding Debentures
may be tendered only in integral multiples of $1,000. See 'The Exchange Offer.'
    
 
                                                  (cover continued on next page)
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------
   
     SEE 'CERTAIN FACTORS' BEGINNING ON PAGE 13 OF THIS PROSPECTUS FOR A
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY HOLDERS WHO TENDER
THEIR OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
    
                            ------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
        SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
          COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
              PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
   
                            ------------------------
               THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS FEBRUARY 13, 1998.
    
 

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<PAGE>
(cover continued from previous page)
 
     For each Outstanding Debenture accepted for exchange, the holder of such
Outstanding Debenture will receive an Exchange Debenture having a principal
amount equal to that of the surrendered Outstanding Debenture. Holders whose
Outstanding Debentures are accepted for exchange will not receive accrued
interest thereon on the date of exchange. Instead, interest on the Exchange
Debentures will accrue from the last interest payment date on which interest was
paid on the Outstanding Debentures surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no
interest has been paid on the Outstanding Debentures, from January 12, 1998. See
'The Exchange Offer -- Interest on the Exchange Debentures.'
 
     The Exchange Debentures are being offered hereunder in order to satisfy
certain obligations of TWC contained in the Registration Rights Agreement (as
defined herein). See 'The Exchange Offer -- Consequences of Exchanging
Outstanding Debentures' for a discussion of TWC's belief, based on
interpretations by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
'Commission') as set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties, as to
the transferability of the Exchange Debentures upon satisfaction of certain
conditions. Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Debentures for its own
account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Debentures. The Letter
of Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a
broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an 'underwriter' within the
meaning of the Securities Act. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection
with resales of Exchange Debentures received in exchange for Outstanding
Debentures where such Outstanding Debentures were acquired by such broker-dealer
as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. TWC has
agreed that for a period of 90 days after the Expiration Date, it will make this
Prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any resale
of Exchange Debentures. See 'Plan of Distribution.'
 
     Holders whose Outstanding Debentures are not tendered and accepted in the
Exchange Offer will continue to hold such Outstanding Debentures and will be
entitled to all the rights and preferences and will be subject to the
limitations applicable thereto under the indenture governing the Outstanding
Debentures and the Exchange Debentures. FOLLOWING CONSUMMATION OF THE EXCHANGE
OFFER, THE HOLDERS OF OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES WILL CONTINUE TO BE SUBJECT TO THE
EXISTING RESTRICTIONS UPON TRANSFER THEREOF AND, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, TWC
WILL HAVE NO FURTHER OBLIGATION TO SUCH HOLDERS TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGISTRATION
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF THE OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES HELD BY THEM.
 
     There is no established trading market for the Exchange Debentures. TWC
does not currently intend to list the Exchange Debentures on any securities
exchange or to seek approval for quotation through any automated quotation
system. Accordingly, there can be no assurance as to the development or
liquidity of any market for the Exchange Debentures, or the ability of holders
of the Exchange Debentures to sell their Exchange Debentures or the price at
which such holders may be able to sell their Exchange Debentures. Morgan Stanley
& Co. Incorporated, Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., Chase Securities Inc., Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
(collectively, the 'Placement Agents') have advised TWC that they currently
intend to make a market in the Exchange Debentures. The Placement Agents are not
obligated to do so, however, and any market-making with respect to the Exchange
Debentures may be discontinued at any time without notice.
 
     TWC will pay all of the expenses incident to the Exchange Offer. In the
event TWC terminates the Exchange Offer and does not accept for exchange any
Outstanding Debentures, TWC will promptly return the Outstanding Debentures to
the holders thereof. See 'The Exchange Offer.'
 
                            ------------------------
     CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE DEBENTURES,
INCLUDING OVER-ALLOTMENT, STABILIZING AND SHORT-COVERING TRANSACTIONS IN SUCH
DEBENTURES, AND THE IMPOSITION OF A PENALTY BID, IN CONNECTION WITH THE
OFFERING. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE 'PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION'.
 
                                       2


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<PAGE>

   
    
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     TWC and TBS are not required to file periodic reports and other information
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the 'Exchange Act'). Instead,
information with respect to TWC and TBS is provided, to the extent required by
the Commission, in the required filings made by TWI. TWI is subject to the
informational requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance therewith,
files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission.
Reports, proxy statements and other information filed by TWI with the Commission
pursuant to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act may be inspected
and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the
Commission's regional offices located at Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor,
New York, New York 10048; and Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street (Suite
1400), Chicago, Illinois 60661; and copies of such material may be obtained from
the Public Reference Section of the Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549, at
prescribed rates, or through the World Wide Web (http://www.sec.gov). Such
reports, proxy statements and other information may also be inspected at the
offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New
York, on which one or more of TWI's securities are listed.
 
     This Prospectus constitutes a part of a Registration Statement filed by
TWC, TWI and TBS with the Commission under the Securities Act. This Prospectus
omits certain of the information contained in the Registration Statement in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. Reference is hereby
made to the Registration Statement and related exhibits for further information
with respect to TWC, TWI and TBS and the Exchange Debentures. Statements
contained herein concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily
complete and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document
filed as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the
Commission. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.
 
                                       3
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                     INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents filed with the Commission by TWI (File No.
001-12259) are incorporated by reference in this Prospectus:
 
          (a) TWI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
     1996, as amended by Forms 10K/A dated March 27, 1997 and June 26, 1997 (as
     amended, 'TWI's 1996 Form 10-K');
 
          (b) TWI's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March
     31, 1997, June 30, 1997 and September 30, 1997 (collectively, the 'TWI
     10-Qs'); and
 
          (c) TWI's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated March 21, 1997, October
     15, 1997, October 27, 1997 and November 13, 1997 (collectively, the 'TWI
     8-Ks').
 
     All documents and reports subsequently filed by TWI pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus
and prior to the termination of the Exchange Offer shall be deemed to be
incorporated herein by reference and to be a part hereof from the date of filing
of such documents.
 
     Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein
or in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     TWC will furnish without charge to each person, including any beneficial
owner, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of
such person, a copy of any or all the documents incorporated herein by
reference, other than exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference in such documents, and any other
documents specifically identified herein as incorporated by reference into this
Prospectus or into such other documents. Requests should be addressed to:
Shareholder Relations Department, Time Warner Inc., 75 Rockefeller Plaza, New
York, New York 10019; telephone: (212) 484-6971.

   
                            ------------------------

     Each of TWC and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. ('TBS') is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. ('TWI'). The principal executive offices of TWC
and TWI are located at 75 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10019, and the
telephone number of each is (212) 484-8000. TBS's principal executive offices
are located at One CNN Center, Atlanta, GA 30303 and its telephone number is
(404) 827-1700. TWI's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange
under the symbol 'TWX.'
    
                                       4


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<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read
in conjunction with, the more detailed information included elsewhere in this
Prospectus.
                                THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
     The Exchange Offer relates to the exchange of up to $500 million aggregate
principal amount of Outstanding Debentures for an equal aggregate principal
amount of Exchange Debentures. The Exchange Debentures are obligations of TWC
entitled to the benefits of the Indenture relating to the Outstanding
Debentures. The form and terms of the Exchange Debentures are the same as the
form of the Outstanding Debentures except that the Exchange Debentures have been
registered under the Securities Act, and following the completion of the
Exchange Offer, the Exchange Debentures generally will not be entitled to a
contingent increase in the interest rate otherwise provided under certain
circumstances.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Securities Offered........................  Up to $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.95% Debentures Due
                                              2028, which have been registered under the Securities Act. The
                                              terms of the Exchange Debentures are identical in all material
                                              respects to the Outstanding Debentures except for certain transfer
                                              restrictions and registration rights relating to the Outstanding
                                              Debentures and except that, if TWC has not filed a Registration
                                              Statement covering the Exchange Debentures, caused such
                                              registration statement to become effective and consummated the
                                              Exchange Offer or caused a Shelf Registration Statement with
                                              respect to resales of the Outstanding Debentures to be declared
                                              effective within certain time periods, then Additional Interest on
                                              the Outstanding Debentures will be payable until the consummation
                                              of the Exchange Offer or the effectiveness of the Shelf
                                              Registration Statement.
The Exchange Offer........................  $1,000 principal amount of Exchange Debentures will be issued in
                                              exchange for each $1,000 principal amount of Outstanding Debentures
                                              validly tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer. As of the date
                                              hereof, $500 million in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding
                                              Debentures is outstanding. TWC will issue the Exchange Debentures
                                              to tendering holders of Outstanding Debentures on or promptly after
                                              the Expiration Date.
Expiration of Exchange Offer..............  Midnight, New York City time, on the Expiration Date, unless the
                                              Exchange Offer is extended, in which case the term 'Expiration
                                              Date' means the latest date and time to which the Exchange Offer is
                                              extended. See 'The Exchange Offer -- Terms of the Exchange Offer;
                                              Period for Tendering Outstanding Debentures.'
Conditions to the Exchange Offer..........  The Exchange Offer will not be subject to any conditions, other than
                                              that (i) the Exchange Offer does not violate applicable law or any
                                              applicable interpretation of the staff of the Commission and (ii)
                                              there is no injunction, order or decree issued by any court or any
                                              governmental agency that would prohibit, prevent or otherwise
                                              materially impair the ability of TWC to proceed with the Exchange
                                              Offer. There
</TABLE>
 
                                       5
 

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<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
                                              can be no assurance that any such conditions will not occur.
                                              Holders of Outstanding Debentures will have certain rights against
                                              TWC, TWI and TBS under the Registration Rights Agreement should
                                              TWC, TWI and TBS fail to consummate the Exchange Offer. See 'The
                                              Exchange Offer -- Certain Conditions to the Exchange Offer.'
Procedures for Tendering
  Outstanding Debentures..................  Each holder of Outstanding Debentures wishing to accept the Exchange
                                              Offer must complete, sign and date the Letter of Transmittal (or a
                                              facsimile thereof or an Agent's Message (as defined below) in lieu
                                              thereof), in accordance with the instructions contained herein and
                                              therein, and mail or otherwise deliver such Letter of Transmittal
                                              (or such facsimile or such Agent's Message), together with any
                                              other required documentation, to The Chase Manhattan Bank in its
                                              capacity as the Exchange Agent at the address set forth herein and
                                              therein. See 'The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering.'
                                            By executing the Letter of Transmittal or by causing an Agent's
                                              message to be delivered, each holder will represent to TWC, TWI and
                                              TBS that, among other things, (i) the Exchange Debentures acquired
                                              pursuant to the Exchange Offer are being obtained in the ordinary
                                              course of business of the person receiving such Exchange
                                              Debentures, whether or not such person is the holder, (ii) neither
                                              the holder nor any such other person has an arrangement or
                                              understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of
                                              such Exchange Debentures and (iii) neither the holder nor any such
                                              other person is an 'affiliate,' as defined in Rule 405 under the
                                              Securities Act, of TWC, TWI or TBS, or, if an 'affiliate,' such
                                              holder will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
                                              requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable.
                                            The term 'Agent's Message' means a message, transmitted by DTC to and
                                              received by the Exchange Agent and forming a part of a confirmation
                                              of the book-entry tender of their Outstanding Debentures into the
                                              Exchange Agent's Account at DTC, which states that DTC has received
                                              an express acknowledgment from the tendering participant, which
                                              acknowledgment states that such participant has received and agrees
                                              to be bound by, and makes the representations and warranties
                                              contained in, the Letter of Transmittal and that TWC may enforce
                                              the Letter of Transmittal against such participant.
Special Procedures for Beneficial
  Holders.................................  Any beneficial holder whose Outstanding Debentures are registered in
                                              the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or
                                              other nominee and who wishes to tender in the Exchange Offer should
                                              contact such registered holder promptly and instruct such
                                              registered holder to tender on its behalf. If such beneficial
                                              holder wishes to tender on its own behalf, such beneficial holder
                                              must, prior to completing and
</TABLE>
 
                                       6
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
                                              executing the Letter of Transmittal and delivering its Outstanding
                                              Debentures, either make appropriate arrangements to register
                                              ownership of the Outstanding Debentures in such holder's name or
                                              obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered holder.
                                              See 'The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering.'
Guaranteed Delivery Procedures............  Holders of Outstanding Debentures who wish to tender their
                                              Outstanding Debentures and whose Outstanding Debentures are not
                                              immediately available or who cannot deliver their Outstanding
                                              Debentures (or who cannot complete the procedure for book-entry
                                              transfer on a timely basis) and a properly completed Letter of
                                              Transmittal or any other documents required by the Letter of
                                              Transmittal to the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date may
                                              tender their Outstanding Debentures according to the guaranteed
                                              delivery procedures set forth in 'The Exchange Offer -- Guaranteed
                                              Delivery Procedures.'
Withdrawal Rights.........................  Tenders of Outstanding Debentures may be withdrawn at any time prior
                                              to midnight, New York City time, on the Expiration Date. See 'The
                                              Exchange Offer -- Withdrawal of Tenders.'
Acceptance of Outstanding Debentures and
  Delivery of Exchange Debentures.........  Subject to certain conditions (as summarized above in 'Conditions to
                                              the Exchange Offer' and described more fully under 'The Exchange
                                              Offer -- Certain Conditions to the Exchange Offer'), TWC will
                                              accept for exchange any and all Outstanding Debentures which are
                                              properly tendered in the Exchange Offer and not validly withdrawn
                                              prior to midnight, New York City time, on the Expiration Date. The
                                              Exchange Debentures issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be
                                              delivered promptly following the Expiration Date. See 'The Exchange
                                              Offer -- Terms of the Exchange Offer; Period for Tendering
                                              Outstanding Debentures.'
Certain Tax Considerations................  The exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer should not be a taxable
                                              event for federal income tax purposes. See 'Certain United States
                                              Federal Income Tax Considerations.'
Exchange Agent............................  The Chase Manhattan Bank, the Trustee under the Indenture (as defined
                                              herein), is serving as exchange agent (the 'Exchange Agent') in
                                              connection with the Exchange Offer. The address of the Exchange
                                              Agent is: 55 Water Street, Room 234, North Building, New York, NY
                                              10041, Attention: Carlos Esteves. For information with respect to
                                              the Exchange Offer, the telephone number for the Exchange Agent is
                                              (212) 638-0828 and the facsimile number for the Exchange Agent is
                                              (212) 638-7375 or (212) 344-9367.
Use of Proceeds...........................  There will be no cash proceeds payable to TWC, TWI or TBS from the
                                              issuance of the Exchange Debentures pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
</TABLE>
 
                                       7
 

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<PAGE>
               CONSEQUENCES OF EXCHANGING OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES
 
     Holders of Outstanding Debentures who do not exchange their Outstanding
Debentures for Exchange Debentures pursuant to the Exchange Offer will continue
to be subject to the provisions in the Indenture regarding transfer and exchange
of the Outstanding Debentures and the restrictions on transfer of such
Outstanding Debentures as set forth in the legend thereon as a consequence of
the issuance of the Outstanding Debentures pursuant to exemptions from, or in
transactions not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act
and applicable state securities laws. In general, the Outstanding Debentures may
not be offered or sold, unless registered under the Securities Act, except
pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the
Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. TWC does not currently
anticipate that it will register Outstanding Debentures under the Securities Act
subsequent to the Exchange Offer. Based on interpretations by the staff of the
Commission, as set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties, TWC
believes that Exchange Debentures issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in
exchange for Outstanding Debentures may be offered for resale, resold or
otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than any such holder which is an
'affiliate' of TWC, TWI or TBS within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
Securities Act) without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery
provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such Exchange Debentures are
acquired in the ordinary course of such holders' business and such holders have
no arrangement with any person to participate in the distribution of such
Exchange Debentures. However, TWC does not intend to request the Commission to
consider, and the Commission has not considered, the Exchange Offer in the
context of a no-action letter and there can be no assurance that the staff of
the Commission would make a similar determination with respect to the Exchange
Offer as in such other circumstances. Each holder, other than a broker-dealer,
must acknowledge that (i) the Exchange Debentures received by such holder will
be acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) at the time of the
consummation of the Exchange Offer such holder will have not engaged in, and
does not intend to engage in, a distribution of Exchange Debentures and has no
arrangement or understanding to participate in a distribution of Exchange
Debentures and (iii) such holder is not an affiliate of TWC, TWI or TBS within
the meaning of Rule 405 of the Securities Act or if it is such an affiliate,
that it will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements
of the Securities Act, to the extent applicable. If any holder is an affiliate
of TWC, TWI or TBS or is engaged in or intends to engage in or has any
arrangement or understanding with respect to the distribution of the Exchange
Debentures to be acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer, such holder (i) could
not rely on the applicable interpretations of the staff of the Commission and
(ii) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirement of
the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction. Each broker-dealer
that receives Exchange Debentures for its own account pursuant to the Exchange
Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any
resale of such Exchange Debentures. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so
acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed
to admit that it is an 'underwriter' within the meaning of the Securities Act.
This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be
used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Debentures
received in exchange for Outstanding Debentures, where such Outstanding
Debentures were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities. TWC, TWI and TBS have agreed that, for a
period of 90 days after the Expiration Date, they will make this Prospectus
available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See
'Plan of Distribution.' However, to comply with state securities laws, the
Exchange Debentures may not be offered or sold in any state unless they have
been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from
registration or qualification is available and is complied with. The offer and
sale of the Exchange Debentures to 'qualified institutional buyers' (as such
term is defined under Rule 144A of the Securities Act) is generally exempt from
registration or qualification under state securities laws. TWC, TWI and TBS
currently do not intend to register or qualify the sale of the Exchange
Debentures in any state where an exemption from registration or qualification is
required and not available. See 'The Exchange Offer -- Consequences of Failure
to Exchange and Requirements for Transfer for Exchange Debentures.'
 
                                       8
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                 SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE EXCHANGE DEBENTURES
 
     The terms of the Exchange Debentures are identical in all material respects
to the terms of the Outstanding Debentures, except for certain transfer
restrictions and registration rights relating to the Outstanding Debentures and
except that, with respect to the Outstanding Debentures, if TWC has not filed a
Registration Statement covering the Exchange Debentures, caused such
registration statement to become effective and consummated the Exchange Offer or
caused a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to resales of the Outstanding
Debentures to be declared effective within certain time periods, then Additional
Interest on the Outstanding Debentures will be payable until the consummation of
the Exchange Offer or the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement. See
'Registration Rights Agreement for Outstanding Debentures.' Holders whose
Outstanding Debentures are accepted for exchange will not receive accrued
interest thereon on the date of exchange. Instead, interest on the Exchange
Debentures will accrue from the last interest payment date on which interest was
paid on the Outstanding Debentures surrendered in exchange therefor, or if no
interest has been paid on the Outstanding Debentures, from January 12, 1998. See
'The Exchange Offer -- Interest on the Exchange Debentures.'
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Securities Offered........................  $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.95% Debentures Due 2028,
                                              which have been registered under the Securities Act, issued by TWC.
Interest..................................  Interest on the Debentures is payable semiannually in cash on January
                                              15 and July 15, commencing on July 15, 1998.
Redemption................................  The Debentures are not redeemable prior to maturity and do not have
                                              the benefit of a sinking fund.
Guarantees................................  All payments with respect to the Debentures (including principal and
                                              interest) are unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured
                                              unsubordinated basis by each of the Guarantors.
Ranking...................................  The Debentures are senior indebtedness of TWC, ranking on a parity
                                              with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of TWC,
                                              and each Guarantee is a senior obligation of the relevant
                                              Guarantor, ranking on a parity with all other unsecured and
                                              unsubordinated obligations of such Guarantor. See 'Description of
                                              the Debentures and the Guarantees -- Ranking.'
                                            Each of TWC and the Guarantors is a holding company and the
                                              Debentures and the Guarantees are effectively subordinated to all
                                              existing and future liabilities, including indebtedness, of the
                                              consolidated and unconsolidated subsidiaries of TWC and the
                                              Guarantors, respectively. As of September 30, 1997, such
                                              subsidiaries had an aggregate of approximately $20 billion of
                                              outstanding liabilities, including indebtedness. See 'Holding
                                              Company Structure.'
Certain Covenants.........................  The Indenture contains certain covenants with respect to TWC for the
                                              benefit of the holders of the Debentures, including, among other
                                              things, covenants limiting the incurrence of liens, senior
                                              indebtedness and merger, consolidation and certain sales of assets.
                                              See 'Description of the Debentures and the
                                              Guarantees -- Covenants.'
Book-Entry; Delivery and Form.............  The Exchange Debentures will be represented by one permanent global
                                              Exchange Debenture in definitive, fully registered form deposited
                                              with a custodian for, and
</TABLE>
 
                                       9
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
                                              registered in the name of a nominee of, The Depository Trust
                                              Company ('DTC'). See 'Description of the Debentures and the
                                              Guarantees -- Book-Entry; Delivery and Form.'
Absence of Public Market for the Exchange
  Debentures..............................  The Exchange Debentures will be new securities for which there
                                              currently is no market. Although the Placement Agents have informed
                                              TWC that they currently intend to make a market in the Exchange
                                              Debentures, they are not obligated to do so, and any such market
                                              making may be discontinued at any time without notice. Accordingly,
                                              there can be no assurance as to the development or liquidity of any
                                              market for the Exchange Debentures. TWC does not intend to apply
                                              for listing of the Exchange Debentures on any securities exchange
                                              or for quotation through the National Association of Securities
                                              Dealers Automated Quotation System.
Exchange Offer; Registration
  Rights..................................  Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, TWC, TWI and TBS have
                                              agreed to file, at their cost, a registration statement with
                                              respect to the Exchange Offer. The Registration Statement of which
                                              this Prospectus is a part constitutes the registration statement
                                              for the Exchange Offer. See 'Registration Rights Agreement for
                                              Outstanding Debentures.'
</TABLE>
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     There will be no cash proceeds to TWC, TWI or TBS from the Exchange Offer.
For a description of the use of proceeds from the Original Offering, see 'Use of
Proceeds'.
 
                                CERTAIN FACTORS
 
     For a description of certain factors that should be considered by holders
who tender their Outstanding Debentures in the Exchange Offer, see 'Certain
Factors'.
 
                                       10


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                             TWC AND THE GUARANTORS
 
     TWI, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including TWC and TBS,
and unconsolidated subsidiaries, is the world's leading media and entertainment
company and has interests in four fundamental areas of business: Entertainment,
consisting principally of interests in filmed entertainment, television
production, television broadcasting, recorded music and music publishing; Cable
Networks, consisting principally of interests in cable television programming;
Publishing, consisting principally of interests in magazine publishing, book
publishing and direct marketing; and Cable, consisting principally of interests
in cable television systems. Each of TWC, TBS and TWI is a holding company that
derives its operating income and cash flow from its subsidiaries and
investments. The assets of TWI consist primarily of its investments in TWC and
TBS. The assets of TWC consist primarily of its investments in its consolidated
and unconsolidated subsidiaries, including Time Warner Entertainment Company,
L.P. ('TWE'). The assets of TBS consist primarily of investments in its
consolidated and unconsolidated subsidiaries. The ability of TWC to service its
indebtedness and other liabilities, including the Debentures, and the ability of
TWI and TBS to service their respective indebtedness and other liabilities,
including the Guarantees, are dependent primarily upon the earnings and cash
flow of their respective consolidated and unconsolidated subsidiaries and the
distribution or other payment to them of such earnings and cash flow. See
'Holding Company Structure.'
 
     TWI became the parent of TWC and TBS on October 10, 1996 upon the merger of
TWC and TBS with separate subsidiaries of TWI (the 'TBS Transaction'), as more
fully described below. In connection therewith, TWI changed its name to Time
Warner Inc. from TW Inc. and TWC changed its name from Time Warner Inc. to Time
Warner Companies, Inc.
 
     TWE was formed as a Delaware limited partnership in 1992 to own and operate
substantially all of the business of Warner Bros., Home Box Office and the cable
television businesses owned and operated by TWC prior to such date. TWC and
certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries own general and limited partnership
interests aggregating 74.49% of the pro rata priority capital ('Series A
Capital') and residual equity capital ('Residual Capital') of TWE and 100% of
the senior priority capital and junior priority capital of TWE. The remaining
25.51% limited partnership interests in the Series A Capital and Residual
Capital of TWE are held by a subsidiary of U S West, Inc. TWC does not
consolidate TWE and certain related companies (the 'Entertainment Group') for
financial reporting purposes.
 
TBS TRANSACTION
 
     On October 10, 1996, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan
of Merger dated as of September 22, 1995, as amended, among TWC, TWI, TBS and
certain of their wholly owned subsidiaries, among other things: (a) each of TWC
and TBS became a wholly owned subsidiary of TWI through a merger with a
subsidiary of TWI, (b) each outstanding share of common stock of TWC, other than
shares held directly or indirectly by TWC, was converted into one share of
common stock of TWI, (c) each outstanding share of preferred stock of TWC was
converted into one share of a substantially identical series of preferred stock
of TWI, (d) each outstanding share of common stock of TBS, other than shares
held directly or indirectly by TWC or TWI or in the treasury of TBS, was
converted into the right to receive 0.75 shares of common stock of TWI and (e)
each outstanding share of preferred stock of TBS, other than shares held
directly or indirectly by TWC or TWI, was converted into the right to receive
4.8 shares of common stock of TWI. Additional information on the TBS Transaction
is set forth in Note 2 to TWI's consolidated financial statements included in
TWI's 1996 Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference herein.
 
RECIPROCAL GUARANTEES OF EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS
 
     In order to integrate TBS into TWI's operating structure and simplify the
credit structure of TWI, TWC and TBS such that the financial risks associated
with investing in the indebtedness of any one of the three companies are
substantially equivalent to investing in the indebtedness of any of the other
companies, TWI, TWC and TBS have entered into the following guarantees of
outstanding publicly traded indebtedness ('Outstanding Securities') of TWC and
TBS:
 
                                       11
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     TWI, as primary obligor and not merely as surety, has irrevocably and
unconditionally guaranteed (the 'Downstream Guarantees') (a) the full and
punctual payment of principal of and interest on the Outstanding Securities of
each of TWC and TBS when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by
redemption or otherwise, and all other monetary obligations of TWC and TBS under
the Outstanding Securities of TWC and TBS and the indentures relating to the
Outstanding Securities (including the obligations to the respective trustees)
and (b) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all
other obligations of TWC and TBS under the Outstanding Securities and the
respective indentures.
 
     Each of TWC and TBS, as primary obligor and not merely as surety, has
irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed (the 'Cross Guarantees') (a) the full
and punctual payment of principal of and interest on the Outstanding Securities
of the other party when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption
or otherwise, and all other monetary obligations of the other party under the
Outstanding Securities of such other party and the indentures relating to such
Outstanding Securities (including the obligations to the respective trustees)
and (b) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all
other obligations of the other party under the Outstanding Securities and the
respective indentures. The maximum aggregate amount of the Cross Guarantee by
TBS shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by TBS without
rendering such guarantee voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent
conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of
creditors generally. In addition, it is expected that each of TWC and TBS will
fully and unconditionally guarantee any publicly traded debt securities issued
by TWI in the future (as of the date of this Registration Statement, TWI does
not have any publicly traded indebtedness other than the Downstream Guarantees).
 
                                       12
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                CERTAIN FACTORS
 
     Prospective holders of the Exchange Debentures should consider carefully
the following factors as well as the other information and data included in this
Prospectus before tendering their Outstanding Debentures in the Exchange Offer.
 
LACK OF PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE EXCHANGE DEBENTURES
 
     The Outstanding Debentures are currently owned by a small number of
beneficial owners. The Outstanding Debentures have not been registered under the
Securities Act and are subject to significant restrictions on resale. To the
extent that Outstanding Debentures are tendered and accepted in the Exchange
Offer, the trading market for the remaining untendered Outstanding Debentures
could be adversely affected. The Exchange Debentures will be a new issue of
securities for which there is currently no trading market, and there can be no
assurance regarding the future development of a market for the Exchange
Debentures, or the ability of holders of the Exchange Debentures to sell their
Exchange Debentures or the price at which such holders may be able to sell their
Exchange Debentures. Although the Placement Agents have informed TWC that they
currently intend to make a market in the Exchange Debentures, they are not
obligated to do so, and any such market making may be discontinued at any time
without notice. Accordingly, there can be no assurance as to the development or
liquidity of any market for the Exchange Debentures. TWC does not intend to
apply for listing of the Exchange Debentures on any securities exchange or for
quotation through the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated
Quotation System. If the Exchange Debentures are traded after their initial
issuance, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price,
depending upon prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities and
other factors, including general economic conditions and the financial condition
and performance of, and prospects for, TWC, TWI and TBS.
 
EXCHANGE OFFER PROCEDURES
 
     Issuance of the Exchange Debentures in exchange for Outstanding Debentures
pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only after a timely receipt by TWC
of Outstanding Debentures, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal and all other required documents or an Agent's Message in lieu
thereof. Therefore, holders of the Outstanding Debentures desiring to tender
their Outstanding Debentures in exchange for Exchange Debentures should allow
sufficient time to ensure timely delivery. TWC is under no duty to give
notification of defects or irregularities with respect to the tenders of
Outstanding Debentures for exchange. Outstanding Debentures that are not
tendered or are tendered but not accepted will, following the consummation of
the Exchange Offer, continue to be subject to the existing restrictions on
transfer thereof. In addition, any holder of Outstanding Debentures who tenders
in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of participating in a distribution of the
Exchange Debentures may be deemed to have received restricted securities and, if
so, will be required to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction.
Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Debentures for its own account in
exchange for Outstanding Debentures, where the Outstanding Debentures were
acquired by the broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of those Exchange Debentures. See 'Plan of
Distribution.'
 
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE AND REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSFER OF EXCHANGE
DEBENTURES
 
     Holders of Outstanding Debentures who do not exchange their Outstanding
Debentures for Exchange Debentures pursuant to the Exchange Offer will continue
to be subject to the provisions in the Indenture regarding transfer and exchange
of the Outstanding Debentures and the restrictions on transfer of such
Outstanding Debentures as set forth in the legend thereon as a consequence of
the issuance of the Outstanding Debentures pursuant to exemptions from, or in
transactions not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act
and applicable state securities laws. In general, the Outstanding Debentures may
not be offered or sold, unless registered under the Securities Act, except
pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the
Securities Act and applicable
 
                                       13
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
state securities laws. TWC does not currently anticipate that it will register
Outstanding Debentures under the Securities Act subsequent to the Exchange
Offer. Based on interpretations by the staff of the Commission, as set forth in
no-action letters issued to third parties, TWC believes that Exchange Debentures
issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange for Outstanding Debentures may
be offered for resale, resold or otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other
than any such holder which is an 'affiliate' of TWC, TWI or TBS within the
meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) without compliance with the
registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided
that such Exchange Debentures are acquired in the ordinary course of such
holders' business and such holders have no arrangement with any person to
participate in the distribution of such Exchange Debentures. However, TWC does
not intend to request the Commission to consider, and the Commission has not
considered, the Exchange Offer in the context of a no-action letter and there
can be no assurance that the staff of the Commission would make a similar
determination with respect to the Exchange Offer as in such other circumstances.
Each holder, other than a broker-dealer, must acknowledge that (i) the Exchange
Debentures received by such holder will be acquired in the ordinary course of
its business, (ii) at the time of the consummation of the Exchange Offer, such
holder will have not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a
distribution of Exchange Debentures and has no arrangement or understanding to
participate in a distribution of Exchange Debentures and (iii) such holder is
not an affiliate of TWC, TWI or TBS within the meaning of Rule 405 of the
Securities Act or if it is such an affiliate, that it will comply with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, to the
extent applicable. If any holder is an affiliate of TWC, TWI or TBS or is
engaged in or intends to engage in or has any arrangement or understanding with
respect to the distribution of the Exchange Debentures to be acquired pursuant
to the Exchange Offer, such holder (i) could not rely on the applicable
interpretations of the staff of the Commission and (ii) must comply with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirement of the Securities Act in
connection with any resale transaction. Each broker-dealer that receives
Exchange Debentures for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must
acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
such Exchange Debentures. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so
acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed
to admit that it is an 'underwriter' within the meaning of the Securities Act.
This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be
used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Debentures
received in exchange for Outstanding Debentures, where such Outstanding
Debentures were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities. TWC has agreed that, for a period of 90
days after the Expiration Date, it will make this Prospectus available to any
broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See 'Plan of
Distribution.' However, to comply with state securities laws, the Exchange
Debentures may not be offered or sold in any state unless they have been
registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration
or qualification is available and is complied with. The offer and sale of the
Exchange Debentures to 'qualified institutional buyers' (as such term is defined
under Rule 144A of the Securities Act) is generally exempt from registration or
qualification under state securities laws. TWC currently does not intend to
register or qualify the sale of the Exchange Debentures in any state where an
exemption from registration or qualification is required and not available. See
'The Exchange Offer -- Consequences of Failure to Exchange and Requirements for
Transfer for Exchange Debentures.'
 
                                       14
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                            SELECTED HISTORICAL AND
                        PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     TWI SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     The selected historical and pro forma financial information of TWI set
forth below has been derived from and should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements and other financial information of TWI
contained in (i) TWI's 1996 Form 10-K, (ii) the TWI 10-Qs and (iii) the TWI
8-Ks, each of which is incorporated by reference herein. Capitalized terms are
as defined and described in such consolidated financial statements and in TWI's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 13, 1997.
 
     The selected historical financial information for 1996 reflects (a) the
acquisition of the remaining 80% interest in TBS that was not already owned by
TWI (the 'TBS Transaction'), including the assumption of approximately $2.8
billion of indebtedness, (b) the use of approximately $1.55 billion of net
proceeds from the issuance of 1.6 million shares of Series M exchangeable
preferred stock, having an aggregate liquidation preference of $1.6 billion, to
reduce outstanding indebtedness and (c) the acquisition of Cablevision
Industries Corporation and related companies, including the assumption or
incurrence of approximately $2 billion of indebtedness. The selected historical
financial information for 1995 reflects (a) the acquisitions of KBLCOM
Incorporated and Summit Communications Group, Inc., including the assumption or
incurrence of approximately $1.3 billion of indebtedness and (b) the exchange by
Toshiba Corporation and ITOCHU Corporation of their direct and indirect
interests in TWE. The selected historical financial information for 1993
reflects the issuance of $6.1 billion of long-term debt and the use of $500
million of cash and equivalents for the exchange or redemption of preferred
stock having an aggregate liquidation preference of $6.4 billion. The selected
historical financial information for 1992 reflects the capitalization of TWE on
June 30, 1992, using the purchase method of accounting for business
combinations.
 
     Per common share amounts and average common shares have been restated to
give effect to the four-for-one common stock split that occurred on September
10, 1992.
 
                                       15
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                TIME WARNER INC.
                            SELECTED HISTORICAL AND
                        PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                      SEPTEMBER 30,                         YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                --------------------------   ------------------------------------------------------
                                                  PRO                          PRO
                                                FORMA(a)     HISTORICAL      FORMA(a)                    HISTORICAL
                                                --------   ---------------   --------   -------------------------------------------
                                                  1997      1997     1996      1996      1996      1995     1994     1993    1992
                                                --------   ------   ------   --------   -------   ------   ------   ------  ------
                                                                      (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                             <C>        <C>      <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>
OPERATING STATEMENT INFORMATION
Revenues......................................   $9,412    $9,458   $6,364   $12,761    $10,064   $8,067   $7,396   $6,581  $13,070
Depreciation and amortization.................      890       935      677     1,187        988      559      437      424    1,172
Business segment operating income(b)..........      761       802      464       901        966      697      713      591    1,343
Equity in pretax income of
  Entertainment Group(c)......................      517       522      270       268        290      256      176      281     --
Interest and other, net.......................      845       904      854     1,186      1,174      877      724      718      882
Income (loss) before extraordinary item.......       62        54     (215)     (269)      (156)    (124)     (91)    (164)      86
Net income (loss)(d)..........................       38        30     (250)     (304)      (191)    (166)     (91)    (221)      86
Net loss applicable to common shares (after
  preferred dividends)........................     (200)     (208)    (430)     (612)      (448)    (218)    (104)    (339)    (542)
Per share of common stock:
    Net loss(d)...............................   $(0.35)   $(0.37)  $(1.11)  $ (1.08)   $ (1.04)  $(0.57)  $(0.27)  $(0.90) $ (1.46)
    Dividends.................................   $ 0.27    $ 0.27   $ 0.27   $  0.36    $  0.36   $ 0.36   $ 0.35   $ 0.31  $ 0.265
Average common shares.........................    564.4     564.4    388.7     567.3      431.2    383.8    378.9    374.7    371.0
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               SEPTEMBER 30,                        DECEMBER 31,
                                                           ---------------------   -----------------------------------------------
                                                             PRO
                                                           FORMA(a)   HISTORICAL                     HISTORICAL
                                                           --------   ----------   -----------------------------------------------
                                                             1997        1997       1996      1995      1994      1993      1992
                                                           --------   ----------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
                                                                                        (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                        <C>        <C>          <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
Total assets.............................................  $33,537     $ 34,538    $35,064   $22,132   $16,716   $16,892   $27,366
Debt due within one year.................................        8            8         11        34       355       120       171
Long-term debt...........................................   11,472       12,493     12,713     9,907     8,839     9,291    10,068
Borrowings against future stock option proceeds..........      303          303        488     --        --        --        --
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred
  securities of subsidiaries holding solely subordinated
  notes and debentures of subsidiaries of TWI(e).........      949          949        949       949     --        --        --
Series M exchangeable preferred stock....................    1,809        1,809      1,672     --        --        --        --
Shareholders' equity:
    Preferred stock liquidation preference...............    3,559        3,559      3,559     2,994       140       140     6,532
    Equity applicable to common stock....................    5,971        5,971      5,943       673     1,008     1,230     1,635
        Total shareholders' equity.......................    9,530        9,530      9,502     3,667     1,148     1,370     8,167
Total capitalization.....................................   24,071       25,092     25,335    14,557    10,342    10,781    18,406
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
 (a) The selected pro forma financial information as of and for the nine months
     ended September 30, 1997 and for the year ended December 31, 1996 gives
     effect to (i) the agreed-upon transfer by a wholly owned subsidiary of TWI
     of cable television systems serving an aggregate of approximately 667,000
     subscribers to the Time Warner Entertainment-Advance/Newhouse Partnership
     ('TWE-A/N'), a partnership currently owned 66.7% by TWE and 33.3% by the
     Advance/Newhouse Partnership, subject to approximately $1 billion of debt,
     in exchange for common and preferred partnership interests therein, as well
     as certain related transactions (the 'TWE-A/N Transfers'), pursuant to an
     agreement entered into by such subsidiary on October 27, 1997 with TWE-A/N
     and each of its partners and (ii) with respect to 1996 only, (a) the TBS
     Transaction and (b) certain debt refinancings, as if such transactions had
     occurred at such date, with respect to balance sheet information, or at the
     beginning of such periods with respect to operating statement information.
 
 (b) Business segment operating income for the year ended December 31, 1995
     includes $85 million in losses relating to certain businesses and joint
     ventures owned by the Music division which were restructured or closed.
 
                                              (footnotes continued on next page)
 
                                       16
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
(footnotes continued from previous page)
 
 (c) TWI's equity in the pre-tax income of the Entertainment Group for the nine
     months ended September 30, 1997 includes a $250 million pre-tax gain
     relating to the sale of TWE's interest in E! Entertainment Television, Inc.
 
 (d) The net income for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996
     includes extraordinary losses on the retirement of debt of $24 million
     ($.04 per common share) and $35 million ($.09 per common share). The net
     loss for the year ended December 31, 1996 includes an extraordinary loss on
     the retirement of debt of $35 million ($.09 per common share). The net loss
     for the year ended December 31, 1995 includes an extraordinary loss on the
     retirement of debt of $42 million ($.11 per common share). The net loss for
     the year ended December 31, 1993 includes an extraordinary loss on the
     retirement of debt of $57 million ($.15 per common share) and an unusual
     charge of $70 million ($.19 per common share) from the effect of the new
     income tax law on TWI's deferred income tax liability.
 
 (e) Includes $374 million of preferred securities that were redeemed in
     December 1997 for all of TWI's interest in Hasbro, Inc.
 
ENTERTAINMENT GROUP SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
 
     The selected historical and pro forma financial information of the
Entertainment Group set forth below has been derived from and should be read in
conjunction with (i) the consolidated financial statements and other financial
information of TWI and TWE contained in the TWI's 1996 Form 10-K and the TWI
10-Qs and (ii) the consolidated financial statements and other financial
information of TWI and the Entertainment Group contained in the TWI 8-Ks, which
are incorporated herein by reference. Capitalized terms are as defined and
described in such consolidated financial statements and in TWI's Current Report
on Form 8-K dated November 13, 1997. The selected historical financial
information for 1995 reflects the consolidation by TWE of TWE-A/N resulting from
the formation of such partnership, effective as of April 1, 1995, and the
consolidation of Paragon Communications effective as of July 6, 1995. The
selected historical financial information gives effect to the consolidation of
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation ('SFEC') effective as of January 1, 1993 as
a result of an increase in TWE's ownership of SFEC from 50% to 100% in September
1993 and the subsequent deconsolidation of SFEC resulting from the disposition
by TWE of a 51% interest in SFEC effective as of June 23, 1995.
 
                                       17
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                              ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
            SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                           SEPTEMBER 30,                             YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                    ----------------------------    -----------------------------------------------------------
                                      PRO                             PRO
                                    FORMA(a)       HISTORICAL       FORMA(a)                      HISTORICAL
                                    --------    ----------------    --------    -----------------------------------------------
                                      1997       1997      1996       1996       1996       1995      1994      1993      1992
                                    --------    ------    ------    --------    -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
                                                                           (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                 <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
OPERATING STATEMENT INFORMATION
    Revenues.....................    $8,236     $8,190    $7,817    $10,899     $10,861    $9,629    $8,509    $7,963    $6,761
    Depreciation and
      amortization...............     1,072      1,027       908      1,302       1,244     1,060       959       909       788
    Business segment operating
      income.....................     1,031        990       845      1,128       1,090       992       852       905       814
    Interest and other, net(b)...       211        157       369        603         524       539       616       564       531
    Income before extraordinary
      item.......................       482        487       221        198         220       170       136       217       173
    Net income(c)................       482        487       221        198         220       146       136       207       173
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     SEPTEMBER 30,                            DECEMBER 31, 
                                                 ----------------------    ---------------------------------------------------
                                                   PRO
                                                 FORMA(a)    HISTORICAL                        HISTORICAL
                                                 --------    ----------    ---------------------------------------------------
                                                   1997         1997        1996       1995       1994       1993       1992
                                                 --------    ----------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
                                                                                 (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                              <C>         <C>           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
    Total assets..............................   $21,640      $ 20,388      20,027    $18,960    $18,992    $18,202    $15,886
    Debt due within one year..................         8             8           7         47         32         24          7
    Long-term debt............................     7,278         6,257       5,676      6,137      7,160      7,125      7,171
    Preferred stock of a subsidiary holding
      solely a mortgage note of its parent....       237           237       --         --         --         --         --
    Time Warner General Partners' Senior
      Capital.................................     1,096         1,096       1,543      1,426      1,663      1,536      --
    Partners' capital.........................     6,471         6,471       6,681      6,576      6,491      6,228      6,483
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
 (a) The selected pro forma financial information as of and for the nine months
     ended September 30, 1997 and for the year ended December 31, 1996 gives
     effect to the TWE-A/N Transfers as if such transactions occurred at such
     date, with respect to balance sheet information, and at the beginning of
     such periods, with respect to operating statement information.
 
 (b) Interest and other, net, for the nine months ended September 30, 1997
     includes a $250 million gain relating to the sale of TWE's interest in E!
     Entertainment Television, Inc.
 
 (c) The net income for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1993 include
     extraordinary loss on the retirement of debt of $24 million and $10
     million, respectively.
 
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
     The historical ratios of earnings to fixed charges for each of TWI, TWC and
TBS and the pro forma ratios of earnings to fixed charges for each of TWI and
TWC are set forth below for the periods indicated. For periods in which earnings
before fixed charges were insufficient to cover fixed charges, the dollar amount
of coverage deficiency (in millions), instead of the ratio, is disclosed. The
ratios of earnings to fixed charges of TWI and TWC for all periods after 1992
reflect the deconsolidation of the Entertainment Group, principally TWE,
effective January 1, 1993.
 
     The ratios of earnings to fixed charges of TBS for all post-merger periods
have been adjusted to reflect TWI's basis of accounting. The ratios of earnings
to fixed charges (or coverage deficiencies) of TBS for all pre-merger periods
are reflected at TBS's historical cost basis of accounting. Certain
reclassifications have been made to TBS's ratios of earnings to fixed charges
for pre-merger periods to conform to the post-merger presentation.
 
     The historical ratio of earnings to fixed charges of each of TWI and TWC
for 1996 reflects (a) the use of approximately $1.55 billion of net proceeds
from the issuance of 1.6 million shares of Series M exchangeable preferred
stock, having an aggregate liquidation preference of $1.6 billion to reduce
 
                                       18
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
outstanding indebtedness (the 'Preferred Stock Refinancing'), (b) the
acquisition of Cablevision Industries Corporation and related companies,
including the assumption or incurrence of approximately $2 billion of
indebtedness and, with respect to TWI only, (c) the TBS Transaction, including
the assumption of approximately $2.8 billion of indebtedness.
 
     The historical ratio of earnings to fixed charges of each of TWI and TWC
for 1995 reflects (a) the acquisition of KBLCOM Incorporated and Summit
Communications Group, Inc., including the assumption or incurrence of
approximately $1.3 billion of indebtedness and (b) the exchange by Toshiba
Corporation and ITOCHU Corporation of their direct and indirect interests in
TWE.
 
     The historical ratio of earnings to fixed charges of each of TWI and TWC
for 1993 reflects the issuance of $6.1 billion of long-term debt and the use of
$500 million of cash and equivalents for the exchange or redemption of preferred
stock having an aggregate liquidation preference of $6.4 billion. The historical
ratio of earnings to fixed charges for 1992 reflects the capitalization of TWE
on June 30, 1992 and associated refinancings, and the acquisition of the 18.7%
minority interest in American Television and Communications Corporation as of
June 30, 1992, using the purchase method of accounting for business
combinations.
 
     The pro forma ratios of earnings to fixed charges for each of TWI and TWC
for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and the year ended December 31,
1996 give effect to (i) the TWE-A/N Transfers and (ii) with respect to 1996
only, (a) the Preferred Stock Refinancing and certain other debt refinancings
and (b) with respect to TWI only, the TBS Transaction, as if such transactions
had occurred at the beginning of such periods. The pro forma information
presented below should be read in conjunction with the pro forma consolidated
condensed financial statements contained in TWI's Current Report on Form 8-K
dated November 13, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference. Such pro forma
amounts are presented for informational purposes only and are not necessarily
indicative of the actual ratios that would have occurred if such transactions
had been consummated as of the dates indicated, nor are they necessarily
indicative of future results.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                 SEPTEMBER 30,                      YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                           -------------------------    -------------------------------------------------
                                           PRO FORMA                    PRO FORMA
                                             1997       1997    1996      1996       1996    1995    1994    1993    1992
                                           ---------    ----    ----    ---------    ----    ----    ----    ----    ----
<S>                                        <C>          <C>     <C>     <C>          <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
TWI.....................................      1.4x      1.4x    1.0x       1.1x      1.1x    1.1x    1.1x    1.1x    1.4x
TWC.....................................      1.4x      1.4x    1.0x       1.2x      1.1x    1.1x    1.1x    1.1x    1.4x
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               NINE MONTHS          THREE MONTHS          NINE MONTHS          YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                  ENDED                 ENDED                ENDED           ----------------------------
                            SEPTEMBER 30, 1997    DECEMBER 31, 1996    SEPTEMBER 30, 1996    1995    1994    1993    1992
                            ------------------    -----------------    ------------------    ----    ----    ----    ----
<S>                         <C>                   <C>                  <C>                   <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
TBS......................           1.8x                 1.6x                 $(44)          1.7x    1.3x    1.6x    1.4x
</TABLE>
 
     For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings
were calculated by adding (i) pretax income, (ii) interest expense, including
previously capitalized interest amortized to expense and the portion of rents
representative of an interest factor for TWI, TWC and TBS and their respective
majority-owned subsidiaries, (iii) TWI's, TWC's and TBS's respective
proportionate share of the items included in (ii) above for their 50%-owned
companies, (iv) preferred stock dividend requirements of majority-owned
subsidiaries, (v) minority interest in the income of majority-owned subsidiaries
that have fixed charges and (vi) the amount of undistributed losses of each of
TWI's, TWC's and TBS's less than 50%-owned companies. Fixed charges consist of
(i) interest expense, including interest capitalized and the portion of rents
representative of an interest factor for TWI, TWC and TBS and their respective
majority-owned subsidiaries, (ii) TWI's, TWC's and TBS's respective
proportionate share of such items for their 50%-owned companies and (iii)
preferred stock dividend requirements of majority-owned subsidiaries. Earnings
as defined include significant noncash charges for depreciation and
amortization. Historical fixed charges of TWI and TWC for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997 and 1996 and the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
include noncash interest expense of $73 million, $68 million, $91 million, $176
million and $219 million, respectively, principally relating to TWC's Liquid
Yield Option Notes due 2012 and 2013 and, in 1995 and 1994 only, TWC's
Redeemable Reset Notes due 2002. Historical fixed charges of TWI for the nine
months ended September 30, 1997
 
                                       19
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
and the year ended December 31, 1996 include an additional $2 million and $5
million, respectively, in noncash interest expense relating to TBS's zero coupon
convertible notes due 2007. Pro forma fixed charges of TWI for the year ended
December 31, 1996 similarly include an additional $14 million in noncash
interest expense relating to TBS's zero coupon convertible notes due 2007 for
the period prior to the consummation of the TBS Transaction. Historical fixed
charges of TBS include noncash interest expense of $2 million, $5 million, $14
million, $18 million, $17 million, $29 million and $34 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 1997, the three months ended December 31, 1996 and
the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and the years ended December 31, 1995,
1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively.
 
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER; PERIOD FOR TENDERING OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES
 
   
     Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus
and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal, TWC will accept for exchange
Outstanding Debentures which are properly tendered on or prior to the Expiration
Date and not withdrawn as permitted below. As used herein, the term 'Expiration
Date' means midnight, New York City time, on March 30, 1998; provided, however,
that if TWC, in its sole discretion, has extended the period of time for which
the Exchange Offer is open, the term 'Expiration Date' means the latest time and
date to which the Exchange Offer is extended.
    
 
   
     As of the date of this Prospectus, $500 million aggregate principal amount
of the Outstanding Debentures is outstanding. This Prospectus, together with the
Letter of Transmittal, is first being sent on or about February 13, 1998, to all
holders of Outstanding Debentures known to TWC. TWC's obligation to accept
Outstanding Debentures for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer is subject to
certain conditions as set forth below under 'Certain Conditions to the Exchange
Offer.'
    
 
     TWC expressly reserves the right, at any time or from time to time, to
extend the period of time during which the Exchange Offer remains open, and
thereby delay acceptance for exchange of any Outstanding Debentures, by giving
oral or written notice of such extension in the manner described below. During
any such extension, all Outstanding Debentures previously tendered will remain
subject to the Exchange Offer and may be accepted for exchange by TWC. Any
Outstanding Debentures not accepted for exchange for any reason will be returned
without expense to the tendering holder thereof as promptly as practicable after
the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.
 
     Outstanding Debentures tendered in the Exchange Offer must be in
denominations of principal amounts of $1,000 and any integral multiples thereof.
 
     TWC expressly reserves the right to amend or terminate the Exchange Offer,
and not to accept for exchange any Outstanding Debentures not theretofore
accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the events specified below
under ' -- Certain Conditions to the Exchange Offer.' TWC will give oral or
written notice of any extension, amendment, non-acceptance or termination to the
holders of the Outstanding Debentures as promptly as practicable, such notice in
the case of any extension to be issued by means of press release or other public
announcement no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business
day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date.
 
INTEREST ON THE EXCHANGE DEBENTURES
 
     Interest on the Exchange Debentures will be payable semiannually on January
15 and July 15 of each year, commencing on July 15, 1998, at the rate of 6.95%
per annum. Interest on the Exchange Debentures will accrue from the last
interest payment date on which interest was paid on the Outstanding Debentures
surrendered in exchange therefor, or if no interest has been paid on the
Outstanding Debentures, from January 12, 1998.
 
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING
 
     To tender in the Exchange Offer, a holder must complete, sign and date the
Letter of Transmittal, or a facsimile thereof, have the signatures thereon
guaranteed if required by the Letter of Transmittal, and mail or otherwise
deliver such Letter of Transmittal or such facsimile, together with the
 
                                       20
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
Outstanding Debentures and any other required documents, to the Exchange Agent
prior to midnight, New York City time, on the Expiration Date (unless such
tender is being effected pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer
described below).
 
     Any financial institution that is a participant in DTC's Book-Entry
Transfer Facility system may make book-entry delivery of the Outstanding
Debentures by causing DTC to transfer such Outstanding Debentures into the
Exchange Agent's account and to deliver an Agents Message on or prior to the
Expiration Date in accordance with DTC's procedures for such transfer and
delivery. If delivery of Outstanding Debentures is effected through book-entry
transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC and an Agent's Message is not
delivered, the Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), with any required
signature guarantees and any other required documents must be transmitted to and
received or confirmed by the Exchange Agent at its addresses set forth herein
under ' -- Exchange Agent' prior to midnight, New York City time, on the
Expiration Date. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS PROCEDURES
DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
 
     The term 'Agents Message' means a message, transmitted by DTC to and
received by the Exchange Agent and forming a part of a confirmation of the
book-entry tender of their Outstanding Debentures into the Exchange Agent's
Account at DTC, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment
from the tendering participant, which acknowledgment states that such
participant has received and agrees to be bound by, and makes the
representations and warranties contained in, the Letter of Transmittal and that
TWC may enforce the Letter of Transmittal against such participant.
 
     The tender (as set forth above) by a holder of Outstanding Debentures will
constitute an agreement between such holder and TWC in accordance with the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Letter of Transmittal.
 
     Delivery of all documents must be made to the Exchange Agent at its address
set forth herein. Holders may also request that their respective brokers,
dealers, commercial banks, trust companies or nominees effect such tender for
the holders.
 
     The method of delivery of Outstanding Debentures, the Letter of Transmittal
and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent is at the election and
risk of the holders. Instead of delivery by mail, it is recommended that holders
use an overnight or hand delivery service. In all cases, sufficient time should
be allowed to assure timely delivery. NO LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR OUTSTANDING
DEBENTURES SHOULD BE SENT TO TWC.
 
     Only a holder of Outstanding Debentures may tender such Outstanding
Debentures in the Exchange Offer. The term 'holder' with respect to the Exchange
Offer means any person in whose name Outstanding Debentures are registered on
the books of TWC or any other person who has obtained a properly completed bond
power from the registered holder, or any person whose Outstanding Debentures are
held of record by DTC who desires to deliver such Outstanding Debentures by
book-entry transfer at DTC.
 
     Any beneficial holder whose Outstanding Debentures are registered in the
name of his broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and
who wishes to tender should contact such registered holder promptly and instruct
such registered holder to tender on his behalf. If such beneficial holder wishes
to tender on his own behalf, such beneficial holder must, prior to completing
and executing the Letter of Transmittal and delivering his Outstanding
Debentures, either make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the
Outstanding Debentures in such holder's name or obtain a properly completed bond
power from the registered holder. The transfer of record ownership may take
considerable time.
 
     Signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the
case may be, must be guaranteed by a member firm of a registered national
securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.,
a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the
United States or an 'eligible guarantor institution' within the meaning of Rule
17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act (an 'Eligible Institution') unless the
Outstanding Debentures tendered pursuant thereto are tendered (i) by a
registered holder who has not completed the box entitled 'Special Issuance
 
                                       21
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
Instructions' or 'Special Delivery Instructions' on the Letter of Transmittal or
(ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution.
 
     If the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered holder of any Outstanding Debentures listed therein, such Outstanding
Debentures must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers which
authorize such person to tender the Outstanding Debentures on behalf of the
registered holder, in either case signed as the name of the registered holder or
holders appears on the Outstanding Debentures.
 
     If the Letter of Transmittal or any Outstanding Debentures or bond powers
are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and unless waived by
TWC, evidence satisfactory to TWC of their authority to so act must be submitted
with the Letter of Transmittal.
 
     All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt), acceptance and withdrawal of the tendered Outstanding Debentures will
be determined by TWC in its sole discretion, which determination will be final
and binding. TWC reserves the absolute right to reject any and all Outstanding
Debentures not properly tendered or any Outstanding Debentures TWC's acceptance
of which would, in the opinion of counsel for TWC, be unlawful. TWC also
reserves the absolute right to waive any irregularities or conditions of tender
as to particular Outstanding Debentures. TWC's interpretation of the terms and
conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the instructions in the Letter of
Transmittal) will be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any
defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of Outstanding Debentures
must be cured within such time as TWC shall determine. Neither TWC, the Exchange
Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to give notification of
defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Outstanding Debentures nor
shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification.
Tenders of Outstanding Debentures will not be deemed to have been made until
such irregularities have been cured or waived. Any Outstanding Debentures
received by the Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which
the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned
without cost by the Exchange Agent to the tendering holder of such Outstanding
Debentures unless otherwise provided in the Letter of Transmittal as soon as
practicable following the Expiration Date.
 
     In addition, TWC reserves the right in its sole discretion to (a) purchase
or make offers for any Outstanding Debentures that remain outstanding subsequent
to the Expiration Date, or, as set forth under ' -- Certain Conditions to the
Exchange Offer,' to terminate the Exchange Offer and (b) to the extent permitted
by applicable law, purchase Outstanding Debentures in the open market, in
privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The terms of any such purchases
or offers may differ from the terms of the Exchange Offer.
 
     By tendering, each holder of Outstanding Debentures will represent to TWC
that, among other things, the Exchange Debentures acquired pursuant to the
Exchange Offer are being obtained in the ordinary course of business of the
person receiving such Exchange Debentures, whether or not such person is the
holder, that neither the holder nor any other person has an arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the Exchange
Debentures and that neither the holder nor any such other person is an
'affiliate' of TWC, TWI or TBS within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
Securities Act or, if an affiliate, such holder or such other person will comply
with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act
to the extent applicable.
 
ACCEPTANCE OF OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES FOR EXCHANGE; DELIVERY OF EXCHANGE
DEBENTURES
 
     Upon satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions to the Exchange Offer,
TWC will accept, promptly after the Expiration Date, all Outstanding Debentures
properly tendered and will issue the Exchange Debentures promptly, after
acceptance of the Outstanding Debentures. See ' -- Certain Conditions to the
Exchange Offer.'
 
     For purposes of the Exchange Offer, TWC shall be deemed to have accepted
properly tendered Outstanding Debentures for exchange when, as and if TWC has
given oral or written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent, with written
confirmation of any oral notice to be given promptly thereafter.
 
                                       22
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     For each Outstanding Debenture accepted for exchange, the holder of such
Outstanding Debenture will receive an Exchange Debenture having a principal
amount equal to that of the surrendered Outstanding Debenture. Interest on the
Exchange Debentures will be payable semiannually on January 15 and July 15 of
each year, commencing on July 15, 1998, at the rate of 6.95% per annum. Interest
on the Exchange Debentures will accrue from the last interest payment date on
which interest was paid on the Outstanding Debentures surrendered in exchange
therefor, or if no interest has been paid on the Outstanding Debentures, from
January 12, 1998.
 
     In all cases, issuance of Exchange Debentures for Outstanding Debentures
that are accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only
after timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of certificates for such Outstanding
Debentures or a timely Book-Entry Confirmation of such Outstanding Debentures
into the Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, a
properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal and all other
required documents. If any tendered Outstanding Debentures are not accepted for
any reason set forth in the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer or if
Outstanding Debentures are submitted for a greater principal amount than the
holder desired to exchange, such unaccepted or non-exchanged Outstanding
Debentures will be returned without expense to the tendering holder thereof (or,
in the case of Outstanding Debentures tendered by book-entry transfer into the
Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility pursuant to the
book-entry procedures described below, such non-exchanged Outstanding Debentures
will be credited to an account maintained with such Book-Entry Transfer
Facility) as promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination of the
Exchange Offer.
 
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
 
     The Exchange Agent will make a request to establish an account with respect
to the Outstanding Debentures at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility for purposes
of the Exchange Offer within two business days after the date of this
Prospectus, and any financial institution that is a participant in the Book-
Entry Transfer Facility's systems may make book-entry delivery of Outstanding
Debentures by causing the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to transfer such
Outstanding Debentures into the Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry
Transfer Facility in accordance with such Book-Entry Transfer Facility's
procedures for transfer. However, although delivery of Outstanding Debentures
may be effected through book-entry transfer at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility,
the Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof or an Agent's Message in lieu
thereof), with any required signature guarantees and any other required
documents, must, in any case, be transmitted to and received by the Exchange
Agent at one of the addresses set forth below, under ' -- Exchange Agent' on or
prior to the Expiration Date or the guaranteed delivery procedures described
below must be complied with.
 
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
 
     Holders who wish to tender their Outstanding Debentures and who cannot
deliver their Outstanding Debentures, the Letter of Transmittal, or any other
required documents to the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date, or if
such holder cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer on a timely
basis, may effect a tender if:
 
          (a) The tender is made through an Eligible Institution;
 
          (b) Prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent receives from
     such Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of
     Guaranteed Delivery (by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery)
     setting forth the name and address of the holder of the Outstanding
     Debentures, the certificate number or numbers of such Outstanding
     Debentures and the principal amount of Outstanding Debentures tendered,
     stating that the tender is being made thereby, and guaranteeing that,
     within five business days after the Expiration Date, the Letter of
     Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), together with the certificate(s)
     representing the Outstanding Debentures to be tendered in proper form for
     transfer and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal,
     will be deposited by the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent; and
 
          (c) Such properly completed and executed Letter of Transmittal (or
     facsimile thereof), together with the certificate(s) representing all
     tendered Outstanding Debentures in proper form for transfer (or
     confirmation of a book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at
     DTC of
 
                                       23
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     Outstanding Debentures delivered electronically) and all other documents
     required by the Letter of Transmittal are received by the Exchange Agent
     within five business days after the Expiration Date.
 
WITHDRAWAL OF TENDERS
 
     Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Outstanding Debentures may
be withdrawn at any time prior to midnight, New York City time, on the
Expiration Date.
 
     To withdraw a tender of Outstanding Debentures in the Exchange Offer, a
facsimile transmission or letter notice of withdrawal must be received by the
Exchange Agent at its address set forth herein prior to midnight, New York City
time, on the Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must (i) specify the
name of the person having deposited the Outstanding Debentures to be withdrawn
(the 'Depositor'), (ii) include a statement that the Depositor is withdrawing
its election to have Outstanding Debentures exchanged, and identify the
Outstanding Debentures to be withdrawn (including the certificate number or
numbers and principal amount of such Outstanding Debentures), (iii) be signed by
the Depositor in the same manner as the original signature on the Letter of
Transmittal by which such Outstanding Debentures were tendered (including any
required signature guarantees) or be accompanied by documents of transfer
sufficient to permit the Trustee with respect to the Outstanding Debentures to
register the transfer of such Outstanding Debentures into the name of the
Depositor withdrawing the tender and (iv) specify the name in which any such
Outstanding Debentures are to be registered, if different from that of the
Depositor. All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including
time of receipt) for such withdrawal notices will be determined by TWC, whose
determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Any Outstanding
Debentures so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for
purposes of the Exchange Offer and no Exchange Debentures will be issued with
respect thereto unless the Outstanding Debentures so withdrawn are validly
retendered. Any Outstanding Debentures which have been tendered but which are
not accepted for exchange will be returned to the holder thereof without cost to
such holder as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or
termination of the Exchange Offer. Properly withdrawn Outstanding Debentures may
be re-tendered by following one of the procedures described above under
' -- Procedures for Tendering' at any time prior to the Expiration Date.
 
CERTAIN CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
     The Exchange Offer is not subject to any conditions, other than that (i)
the Exchange Offer does not violate applicable law or any applicable
interpretation of the staff of the Commission and (ii) there is no injunction,
order or decree issued by any court or any governmental agency that would
prohibit, prevent or otherwise materially impair the ability of TWC to proceed
with the Exchange Offer. There can be no assurance that any such condition will
not occur. Holders of Outstanding Debentures will have certain rights against
TWC under the Registration Rights Agreement should TWC fail to consummate the
Exchange Offer.
 
     If TWC determines that it may terminate the Exchange Offer, as set forth
above, TWC may (i) refuse to accept any Outstanding Debentures and return any
Outstanding Debentures that have been tendered to the holders thereof, (ii)
extend the Exchange Offer and retain all Outstanding Debentures tendered prior
to the Expiration Date, subject to the rights of such holders of tendered
Outstanding Debentures to withdraw their tendered Outstanding Debentures, or
(iii) waive such termination event with respect to the Exchange Offer and accept
all properly tendered Outstanding Debentures that have not been withdrawn. If
such waiver constitutes a material change in the Exchange Offer, TWC will
disclose such change by means of a supplement to this Prospectus that will be
distributed to each registered holder of Outstanding Debentures, and TWC will
extend the Exchange Offer for a period of five to ten business days, depending
upon the significance of the waiver and the manner of disclosure to the
registered holders of the Outstanding Debentures, if the Exchange Offer would
otherwise expire during such period.
 
                                       24
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
EXCHANGE AGENT
 
     The Chase Manhattan Bank, the Trustee under the Indenture, has been
appointed as Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer. Questions and requests for
assistance and inquiries for additional copies of this Prospectus or of the
Letter of Transmittal should be directed to the Exchange Agent addressed as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                        <C>
           By Mail, Hand or Overnight Courier                            Facsimile Transmission Number
                     55 Water Street                                            (212) 638-7375
                Room 234, North Building                                       or (212) 344-9367
                   New York, NY 10041                                            (For Eligible
                       Attention:                                             Institutions Only)
                     Carlos Esteves                                          Confirm by Telephone
               (If by Mail, Registered or                                       (212) 638-0828
               Certified Mail Recommended)
</TABLE>
 
     DELIVERY OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA FACSIMILE OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY OF SUCH LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
 
FEES AND EXPENSES
 
     TWC will not make any payments to brokers, dealers or other persons
soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer.
 
     The cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the Exchange Offer will
be paid by TWC and are estimated to be $150,000.
 
TRANSFER TAXES
 
     Holders who tender their Outstanding Debentures for exchange will not be
obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection therewith, except that holders
who instruct TWC to register Exchange Debentures in the name of, or request that
Outstanding Debentures not tendered or not accepted in the Exchange Offer be
returned to, a person other than the registered tendering holder will be
responsible for the payment of any applicable transfer tax thereon.
 
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE AND REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSFER OF EXCHANGE
DEBENTURES
 
     Holders of Outstanding Debentures who do not exchange their Outstanding
Debentures for Exchange Debentures pursuant to the Exchange Offer will continue
to be subject to the provisions in the Indenture regarding transfer and exchange
of the Outstanding Debentures and the restrictions on transfer of such
Outstanding Debentures as set forth in the legend thereon as a consequence of
the issuance of the Outstanding Debentures pursuant to exemptions from, or in
transactions not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act
and applicable state securities laws. In general, the Outstanding Debentures may
not be offered or sold, unless registered under the Securities Act, except
pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the
Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. TWC does not currently
anticipate that it will register Outstanding Debentures under the Securities Act
subsequent to the Exchange Offer. Based on interpretations by the staff of the
Commission, as set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties, TWC
believes that Exchange Debentures issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in
exchange for Outstanding Debentures may be offered for resale, resold or
otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than any such holder which is an
'affiliate' of TWC, TWI or TBS within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
Securities Act) without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery
provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such Exchange Debentures are
acquired in the ordinary course of such holders' business and such holders have
no arrangement with any person to participate in the distribution of such
Exchange Debentures. However, TWC does not intend to request the Commission to
consider, and the Commission has not considered, the Exchange Offer in the
context of a no-action letter and there can
 
                                       25
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
be no assurance that the staff of the Commission would make a similar
determination with respect to the Exchange Offer as in such other circumstances.
Each holder, other than a broker-dealer, must acknowledge that (i) the Exchange
Debentures received by such holder will be acquired in the ordinary course of
its business, (ii) at the time of the consummation of the Exchange Offer such
holder will have not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a
distribution of Exchange Debentures and has no arrangement or understanding to
participate in a distribution of Exchange Debentures and (iii) such holder is
not an affiliate of TWC, TWI or TBS within the meaning of Rule 405 of the
Securities Act or if it is such an affiliate, that it will comply with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, to the
extent applicable. If any holder is an affiliate of TWC, TWI or TBS or is
engaged in or intends to engage in or has any arrangement or understanding with
respect to the distribution of the Exchange Debentures to be acquired pursuant
to the Exchange Offer, such holder (i) could not rely on the applicable
interpretations of the staff of the Commission and (ii) must comply with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirement of the Securities Act in
connection with any resale transaction. Each broker-dealer that receives
Exchange Debentures for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must
acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
such Exchange Debentures. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so
acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed
to admit that it is an 'underwriter' within the meaning of the Securities Act.
This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be
used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Debentures
received in exchange for Outstanding Debentures, where such Outstanding
Debentures were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities. TWC has agreed that, for a period of 90
days after the Expiration Date, it will make this Prospectus available to any
broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See 'Plan of
Distribution.' However, to comply with state securities laws, the Exchange
Debentures may not be offered or sold in any state unless they have been
registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration
or qualification is available and is complied with. The offer and sale of the
Exchange Debentures to 'qualified institutional buyers' (as such term is defined
under Rule 144A of the Securities Act) is generally exempt from registration or
qualification under state securities laws. TWC currently does not intend to
register or qualify the sale of the Exchange Debentures in any state where an
exemption from registration or qualification is required and not available.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     There will be no cash proceeds to TWC, TWI or TBS from the Exchange Offer.
 
     The Exchange Offer is intended to satisfy certain of TWC's, TWI's and TBS's
obligations under the Placement Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.
In consideration for issuing the Exchange Debentures contemplated in this
Prospectus, TWC will receive Outstanding Debentures in like principal amount,
the form and terms of which are the same as the form and terms of the Exchange
Debentures (which they replace), except as otherwise described herein. The
Outstanding Debentures surrendered in exchange for Exchange Debentures will be
retired and canceled and cannot be reissued. Accordingly, issuance of the
Exchange Debentures will not result in any increase or decrease in the
indebtedness of TWC, TWI or TBS.
 
     The net proceeds of the Original Offering were approximately $490.2
million. The net proceeds from the Original Offering were used by TWC to redeem
its 7.45% Notes due 1998, and prior to such use, to reduce short-term borrowings
of TWC and its affiliates.
 
                                       26


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBENTURES AND THE GUARANTEES
 
     The Outstanding Debentures were, and the Exchange Debentures will be,
issued under an Indenture, dated as of January 15, 1993, as supplemented from
time to time (such Indenture, as so supplemented being called the 'Indenture')
among TWC, TWI, TBS and The Chase Manhattan Bank (formerly known as Chemical
Bank) (the 'Trustee'), as Trustee. The following summary of certain provisions
of the Indenture and the Debentures does not purport to be complete and is
subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions
of the Indenture, including the definitions of certain terms therein and those
terms made a part thereof by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the
'Trust Indenture Act'). Copies of the Indenture and the Debentures are available
upon request from TWC. Whenever particular defined terms of the Indenture not
otherwise defined herein are referred to, such defined terms are incorporated
herein by reference. For definitions of certain capitalized terms used in the
following summary, see ' -- Certain Definitions.' Section references are to the
Indenture unless otherwise indicated.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Debentures bear interest at an annual rate of 6.95%, payable
semiannually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing July 15, 1998
(each an 'Interest Payment Date'), to Holders of record at the close of business
on the December 15 or June 15 next preceding each such Interest Payment Date.
The Debentures are issuable only in registered form, without coupons, in
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. To the extent described
under ' -- Book Entry; Delivery and Form' below, the principal of and interest
on the Debentures will be payable and the transfer of the Debentures will be
registrable through DTC. (Sections 305 and 202, Form of Debenture and the Fifth
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 12, 1998 (the 'Fifth Supplemental
Indenture'), among TWC, TWI, TBS and the Trustee) TWC will not charge a service
charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of Debentures; however, TWC
may require payment by a Holder of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment
or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. (Section 305) The
Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Debentures in accordance with the
Indenture and the procedures for dating, due execution by TWC and book-entry
transfer set forth therein. (Section 303)
 
     For each Outstanding Debenture accepted for exchange, the Holder thereof
will receive an Exchange Debenture having a principal amount equal to that of
the surrendered Outstanding Debenture.
 
     The terms of the Exchange Debentures are identical in all material respects
to the terms of the Outstanding Debentures, except for certain transfer
restrictions and registration rights relating to the Outstanding Debentures and
except that, with respect to the Outstanding Debentures, if TWC has not filed a
Registration Statement covering the Exchange Debentures, caused such
registration statement to become effective and consummated a registered exchange
offer for the Outstanding Debentures or caused a Shelf Registration Statement
with respect to resales of the Outstanding Debentures to be declared effective
within certain time periods, then Additional Interest on the Outstanding
Debentures will be payable until the consummation of a registered exchange offer
or the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement. See 'Registration
Rights Agreement for Outstanding Debentures.'
 
     All Outstanding Debentures and Exchange Debentures will be treated as a
single class of securities for all purposes under the Indenture.
 
TERMS OF THE DEBENTURES
 
     The Debentures are limited to $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount. The
Debentures will mature on January 15, 2028, and are not redeemable prior to
maturity and do not have the benefit of a sinking fund.
 
GUARANTEES
 
     Each of the Guarantors, as primary obligor and not merely as surety, has
guaranteed to each Holder of the Debentures, and to the Trustee and its
successors and assigns, (i) the full and punctual
 
                                       27
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
payment of principal of and interest on the Debentures when due, whether at
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, and all other monetary obligations of
TWC under the Indenture (including obligations to the Trustee) and the
Debentures and (ii) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace
periods of all other obligations of TWC under the Indenture and the Debentures.
The Guarantees constitute a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance and
not merely of collection. The obligation of each to make any payments may be
satisfied by causing TWC to make such payments. Further, each Guarantor has
agreed to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys'
fees) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder of Debentures in enforcing any of
their respective rights under the Guarantees. (Section 2 of the Second
Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 10, 1996, among TWC, TWI and the
Trustee, and Section 2 of the Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of December
17, 1997 (the 'Fourth Supplemental Indenture'), among TWC, TWI, TBS and the
Trustee) The maximum aggregate amount of the Guarantee by TBS shall not exceed
the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by TBS without rendering such
Guarantee voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or
fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.
 
RANKING
 
     The Debentures are senior indebtedness of TWC, ranking on a parity with all
other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of TWC, and each Guarantee is a
senior obligation of the relevant Guarantor, ranking on a parity with all other
unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of such Guarantor. Each of TWC and the
Guarantors is a holding company and the Debentures and the Guarantees will be
effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities, including
indebtedness, of the subsidiaries of TWC and the Guarantors, respectively. See
'Holding Company Structure.'
 
COVENANTS
 
     Limitation on Liens. The Indenture provides that neither TWC nor any
Material Subsidiary of TWC shall incur, create, issue, assume, guarantee or
otherwise become liable for any indebtedness for money borrowed that is secured
by a lien on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it unless TWC makes or
causes to be made effective provision whereby the Debentures will be secured by
such lien equally and ratably with (or prior to) all other indebtedness thereby
secured so long as any such indebtedness shall be secured. The foregoing
restriction does not apply to the following:
 
          (i) liens existing as of the date of the Indenture;
 
          (ii) liens created by Subsidiaries of TWC to secure indebtedness of
     such Subsidiaries to TWC or to one or more other Subsidiaries of TWC;
 
          (iii) liens affecting property of a person existing at the time it
     becomes a Subsidiary of TWC or at the time it merges into or consolidates
     with TWC or a Subsidiary of TWC or at the time of a sale, lease or other
     disposition of all or substantially all of the properties of such person to
     TWC or its Subsidiaries;
 
          (iv) liens on property existing at the time of the acquisition thereof
     or incurred to secure payment of all or a part of the purchase price
     thereof or to secure indebtedness incurred prior to, at the time of, or
     within one year after the acquisition thereof for the purpose of financing
     all or part of the purchase price thereof;
 
          (v) liens on any property to secure all or part of the cost of
     improvements or construction thereon or indebtedness incurred to provide
     funds for such purpose in a principal amount not exceeding the cost of such
     improvements or construction;
 
          (vi) liens consisting of or relating to the sale, transfer or
     financing of motion pictures, video and television programs, sound
     recordings, books or rights with respect thereto or with so-called tax
     shelter groups or other third-party investors in connection with the
     financing of such motion pictures, video and television programming, sound
     recordings or books in the ordinary course of business and the granting to
     TWC or any of its Subsidiaries of rights to distribute such motion
     pictures, video and television programming, sound recordings or books;
     provided, however, that no
 
                                       28
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     such lien shall attach to any asset or right of TWC or its Subsidiaries
     (other than the motion pictures, video and television programming, sound
     recordings, books or rights which were sold, transferred to or financed by
     the tax shelter group or third-party investors in question or the proceeds
     arising therefrom);
 
          (vii) liens on shares of stock, indebtedness or other securities of a
     Person that is not a Subsidiary;
 
          (viii) other liens arising in connection with indebtedness of TWC and
     its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount for TWC and its
     Subsidiaries not exceeding at the time such lien is issued, created or
     assumed the greater of (A) 10% of the Consolidated Net Worth of TWC and (B)
     $500 million; and
 
          (ix) any extensions, renewal or replacement of any lien referred to in
     the foregoing clauses (i) through (viii) inclusive, or of any indebtedness
     secured thereby; provided that the principal amount of indebtedness secured
     thereby shall not exceed the principal amount of indebtedness so secured at
     the time of such extension, renewal or replacement, or at the time the lien
     was issued, created or assumed or otherwise permitted, and that such
     extension, renewal or replacement lien shall be limited to all or part of
     substantially the same property which secured the lien extended, renewed or
     replaced (plus improvements on such property). (Section 1006)
 
     Limitation on Senior Debt. The Indenture provides that TWC will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur, create, issue, assume,
guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable for (collectively,
'incur') any Senior Debt, if after giving effect to such incurrence of Senior
Debt, determined on a pro forma basis as if such incurrence had occurred on the
first day of the Test Period, the Consolidated Cash Flow Coverage Ratio for TWC
and its Subsidiaries for the Test Period would be less than 1.5 to 1; provided,
however, that the foregoing restrictions will not apply to TWE or any of its
Subsidiaries to the extent that the application of such restrictions would be
prohibited under, or cause a violation of, TWE's bank credit agreement as in
effect from time to time or any successor or replacement credit agreement.
(Section 1007)
 
     Other than the restrictions in the Indenture on liens and incurrence of
Senior Debt described above, the Indenture and the Debentures do not contain any
covenants or other provisions designed to afford Holders of Debentures
protection in the event of a recapitalization or highly leveraged transaction
involving TWC.
 
     Limitation on Merger, Consolidation and Certain Sales of Assets. The
Indenture provides that neither TWC nor the Guarantors will merge or consolidate
with or into, or convey or transfer its property substantially as an entirety
to, any Person unless (a) the successor is organized and existing under the laws
of the United States or any State or the District of Columbia, (b) (i) in the
case of TWC, the successor assumes TWC's obligations under the Indenture and the
Debentures on the same terms and conditions and (ii) in the case of each
Guarantor, the successor assumes such Guarantor's obligations under the
Indenture and its Guarantee on the same terms and conditions and (c) immediately
after giving effect to such transactions, there is no default under the
Indenture. (Sections 801 and 802, as amended by the Third Supplemental Indenture
dated as of December 31, 1996 (the 'Third Supplemental Indenture'), among TWC,
TWI and the Trustee and the Fourth Supplemental Indenture)
 
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
     The following are certain of the terms defined in the Indenture:
 
          'Consolidated Cash Flow' means, with respect to TWC, for any period,
     the net income of TWC and its Subsidiaries as determined on a consolidated
     basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, plus the sum of
     depreciation, amortization, other noncash charges which reduce net income,
     income tax expense and interest expense, in each case to the extent
     deducted in determining such net income, and excluding extraordinary gains
     or losses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining the
     Consolidated Cash Flow of TWC, there shall be included, in respect of each
     other Person that is accounted for by TWC on the equity method (as
     determined in accordance with GAAP), TWC's proportionate amount of such
     other Person's and its Subsidiaries' consolidated net income, depreciation,
     amortization, other noncash charges which
 
                                       29
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     reduce net income, income tax expense and interest expense, in each case to
     the extent deducted in determining such other Person's net income,
     excluding extraordinary gains and losses.
 
          'Consolidated Cash Flow Coverage Ratio' means, for any period, the
     ratio for such period of Consolidated Cash Flow to Consolidated Interest
     Expense. In determining the Consolidated Cash Flow Coverage Ratio, effect
     shall be given to the application of the proceeds of Senior Debt whose
     incurrence is being tested to the extent such proceeds are to be used to
     repay or refinance other Senior Debt.
 
          'Consolidated Interest Expense' means, with respect to TWC, for any
     period, cash interest expense of TWC and its Subsidiaries on Senior Debt
     for such period other than the amount amortized during such period in
     respect of all fees paid in connection with the incurrence of such Senior
     Debt, such expense to be determined on a consolidated basis in accordance
     with GAAP consistently applied. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes
     of determining the Consolidated Interest Expense of TWC, there shall be
     included, in respect of each other Person that is accounted for by TWC on
     the equity method (as determined in accordance with GAAP), TWC's
     proportionate amount of the cash interest expense of such other Person and
     its Subsidiaries on Senior Debt for the relevant period other than the
     amount amortized during such period in respect of all fees paid in
     connection with the incurrence of such Senior Debt, such expense to be
     determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently
     applied.
 
          'Consolidated Net Worth' means, with respect to TWC, at the date of
     any determination, the consolidated stockholders' equity of TWC and its
     Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP
     consistently applied.
 
          'GAAP' means generally accepted accounting principles as such
     principles are in effect as of the date of the Indenture.
 
          'Material Subsidiary' means, with respect to TWC, any Person that is a
     Subsidiary if at the end of the most recent fiscal quarter of TWC, the
     aggregate amount, determined in accordance with GAAP consistently applied,
     of securities of, loans and advances to, and other investments in, such
     Person held by TWC and its other Subsidiaries exceeded 10% of TWC's
     Consolidated Net Worth.
 
          'Person' means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint
     venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated
     organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
 
          'Senior Debt' means, with respect to any Person, all indebtedness of
     such Person in respect of money borrowed, determined in accordance with
     GAAP consistently applied, other than indebtedness as to which the
     instrument governing such indebtedness provides that such indebtedness is,
     or which is in effect, subordinated or junior in right of payment to any
     other indebtedness of such Person.
 
          'Subsidiary' means, with respect to any Person, any corporation more
     than 50% of the voting stock of which is owned directly or indirectly by
     such Person, and any partnership, association, joint venture or other
     entity in which such Person owns more than 50% of the equity interests or
     has the power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other
     governing body.
 
          'Test Period' means, with respect to any date, the period consisting
     of the most recent four full fiscal quarters for which financial
     information is generally available.
 
DEFEASANCE
 
     The Indenture provides that TWC (and to the extent applicable, the
Guarantors), at its option, (a) will be Discharged from any and all obligations
in respect of the Debentures (except in each case for certain obligations to
register the transfer or exchange of the Debentures, replace stolen, lost or
mutilated Debentures, maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in
trust) or (b) need not comply with the covenants described above under
'Covenants' and certain Events of Default (other than those arising out of the
failure to pay interest or principal on the Debentures and certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization) will no longer constitute Events of
Default with respect to
 
                                       30
 

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such Debentures, in each case if TWC deposits with the applicable Trustee, in
trust, money or the equivalent in securities of the government which issued the
currency in which the Debentures are denominated or government agencies backed
by the full faith and credit of such government, or a combination thereof, which
through the payment of interest thereon and principal thereof in accordance with
their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay all the principal
(including any mandatory sinking fund payments) of, and interest on, such series
on the dates such payments are due in accordance with the terms of such
Debentures. To exercise any such option, TWC is required, among other things, to
deliver to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that (i) the deposit
and related defeasance would not cause the Holders of such Debentures to
recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes and, in the case
of a Discharge pursuant to clause (a), accompanied by a ruling to such effect
received from or published by the United States Internal Revenue Service and
(ii) the creation of the defeasance trust will not violate the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended. In addition, TWC is required to deliver to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such deposit was not made by TWC
with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Debentures over other creditors
of TWC or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding
creditors of TWC or others. (Article 4, as amended by the Third Supplemental
Indenture and the Fourth Supplemental Indenture)
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND WAIVER
 
     The Indenture provides that, if an Event of Default specified therein with
respect to the Debentures shall have happened and be continuing, either the
Trustee or the Holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures
(or 25% in aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Debt Securities under
the Indenture, in the case of certain Events of Default affecting all series of
Debt Securities under the Indenture) may declare the principal of all the
Debentures to be due and payable. (Section 502)
 
     Events of Default in respect of the Debentures are defined in the Indenture
as being: (i) default for 30 days in payment of any interest installment with
respect to the Debentures; (ii) default in payment of principal of, or premium,
if any, on, or any sinking fund or analogous payment with respect to, the
Debentures when due at their stated maturity, by declaration or acceleration,
when called for redemption or otherwise; (iii) default for 90 days after notice
to TWC (or the Guarantors, if applicable) by the Trustee thereunder or by
Holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures in the
performance of any covenant pertaining to the Debentures; (iv) failure to pay
when due, upon final maturity or upon acceleration, the principal amount of any
indebtedness for money borrowed of TWC in excess of $50 million, if such
indebtedness is not discharged, or such acceleration annulled, within 60 days
after written notice; and (v) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and
reorganization with respect to either Guarantor, TWC or any Material Subsidiary
of TWC which is organized under the laws of the United States or any political
sub-division thereof. (Section 501, as amended by the Third Supplemental
Indenture and the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, and Form of Debenture)
 
     The Indenture provides that the Trustee thereunder will, within 90 days
after the occurrence of a default with respect to the Debentures, give to the
Holders of the Debentures notice of all uncured and unwaived defaults known to
it; provided that, except in the case of default in the payment of principal of,
premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any of the Debentures, the Trustee
thereunder will be protected in withholding such notice if it in good faith
determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the
Holders of the Debentures. The term 'default' for the purpose of this provision
means the happening of any of the Events of Default specified above, except that
any grace period or notice requirement is eliminated. (Section 602)
 
     The Indenture contains provisions entitling the Trustee, subject to the
duty of the Trustee during an Event of Default to act with the required standard
of care, to be indemnified by the Holders of the Debentures before proceeding to
exercise any right or power under the Indenture at the request of Holders of the
Debentures. (Section 603)
 
     The Indenture provides that the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Debentures may direct the time, method and
place of conducting proceedings for remedies available to the Trustee or
exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee in respect of such
series, subject to certain conditions. (Section 512)
 
                                       31
 

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     The Indenture includes a covenant that TWC will file annually with the
Trustee a certificate of no default or specifying any default that exists.
(Section 1004)
 
     In certain cases, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Debentures may on behalf of the Holders of all Debentures waive any
past default or Event of Default with respect to the Debentures or compliance
with certain provisions of the Indenture, except, among other things, a default
not theretofore cured in payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or
interest, if any, on any of the Debentures. (Sections 513 and 1008)
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
 
     TWC and the Trustee may, without the consent of the Holders of the
Debentures or any other series of Debt Securities, enter into indentures
supplemental to the Indenture for, among others, one or more of the following
purposes: (i) to evidence the succession of another Person to TWC or either
Guarantor, and the assumption by such successor of TWC or such Guarantor's
obligations under the Indenture and the Debt Securities of any series or the
Guarantees relating thereto; (ii) to add covenants of TWC and either Guarantor,
or surrender any rights of TWC or either Guarantor, for the benefit of the
Holders of Debt Securities of any or all series; (iii) to cure any ambiguity, or
correct any inconsistency in the Indenture; (iv) to evidence and provide for the
acceptance of any successor Trustee with respect to one or more series of Debt
Securities or to facilitate the administration of the trusts thereunder by one
or more trustees in accordance with the Indenture; (v) to establish the form or
terms of any series of Debt Securities; and (vi) to provide any additional
Events of Default. (Section 901, as amended by the Third Supplemental Indenture
and the Fourth Supplemental Indenture)
 
     The Indenture contains provisions permitting TWC and the Trustee
thereunder, with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of
the outstanding Debt Securities of each series to be affected, to execute
supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing or eliminating any
of the provisions of the Indenture or modifying the rights of the Holders of the
Debt Securities of such series to be affected, except that no such supplemental
indenture may, without the consent of the Holders of affected Debt Securities,
among other things, change the fixed maturity of any Debt Securities, or reduce
the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment
of interest thereon, or reduce the number of shares of any common stock or other
securities to be delivered by TWC in respect of a conversion of any convertible
Debt Securities or reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debt Securities of any
series the consent of the Holders of which is required for any such supplemental
indenture. (Section 902)
 
THE TRUSTEE
 
     The Chase Manhattan Bank, formerly known as Chemical Bank, is the Trustee
under the Indenture. The Trustee is a depository for funds and performs other
services for, and transacts other banking business with, the Company and the
Guarantors in the normal course of business. Chase Securities Inc., one of the
Placement Agents, is an affiliate of the Trustee.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The Indenture will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the
laws of the State of New York.
 
BOOK-ENTRY; DELIVERY AND FORM
 
     The Exchange Debentures will be represented by one or more permanent global
Exchange Debentures in definitive, fully registered form without interest
coupons (collectively, the 'Global Exchange Debenture') and will be deposited
with the Trustee as custodian for, and registered in the name of a nominee of,
DTC.
 
     Ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Exchange Debenture will be
limited to persons who have accounts with DTC ('participants') or persons who
hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in the
Global Exchange Debenture will be shown on, and the transfer of that
 
                                       32
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its
nominee (with respect to interests of participants) and the records of
participants (with respect to interests of persons other than participants).
 
     So long as DTC, or its nominee, is the registered owner or holder of the
Global Exchange Debenture, DTC or such nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner or holder of the Exchange Debentures represented by
the Global Exchange Debenture for all purposes under the Indenture and the
Exchange Debentures. No beneficial owner of an interest in the Global Exchange
Debenture will be able to transfer that interest except in accordance with DTC's
applicable procedures, in addition to those provided for under the Indenture.
 
     Payments of the principal of, and interest on, the Global Exchange
Debenture will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the
registered owner thereof. Neither TWC, the Trustee nor any Paying Agent will
have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to
or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the Global
Exchange Debenture or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records
relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
 
     TWC expects that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of
principal or interest in respect of the Global Exchange Debenture, will credit
participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their
respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such Global Exchange
Debenture as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. TWC also expects that
payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such Global
Exchange Debenture held through such participants will be governed by standing
instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held
for the accounts of customers registered in the names of nominees for such
customers. Such payments will be the responsibility of such participants.
 
     Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in the ordinary way
in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in same-day funds.
 
     TWC expects that DTC will take any action permitted to be taken by a Holder
of Exchange Debentures (including the presentation of Exchange Debentures for
exchange as described below) only at the direction of one or more participants
to whose account the DTC interests in the Global Exchange Debenture is credited
and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of
Exchange Debentures as to which such participant or participants has or have
given such direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the
Exchange Debentures, DTC will exchange the Global Exchange Debenture for
definitive Exchange Debentures in certificated form, which it will distribute to
its participants.
 
     TWC understands that: DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized
under the laws of the State of New York, a 'banking organization' within the
meaning of New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a
'clearing corporation' within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code and a
'Clearing Agency' registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the
Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and
facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between
participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its
participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates
and certain other organizations. Indirect access to the DTC system is available
to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through
or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or
indirectly ('indirect participants').
 
     Although DTC is expected to follow the foregoing procedures in order to
facilitate transfers of interests in the Global Exchange Debenture among
participants of DTC, it is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform
such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither
TWC nor the Trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or
its respective participants or indirect participants of its respective
obligations under the rules and procedures governing its operations.
 
     If DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary for
the Global Exchange Debenture and a successor depositary is not appointed by TWC
within 90 days, TWC will issue definitive Exchange Debentures in certificated
form in exchange for the Global Exchange Debenture.
 
                                       33
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
SAME-DAY SETTLEMENT AND PAYMENT
 
     So long as DTC continues to make its Settlement System available to TWC,
all payments of principal of and interest on the Debentures will be made by TWC
in immediately available funds.
 
            REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT FOR OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES
 
     Holders of Exchange Debentures are not entitled to any registration rights
with respect to the Exchange Debentures. TWC, TWI and TBS have agreed, pursuant
to the Registration Rights Agreement (the 'Registration Rights Agreement') with
the Placement Agents, for the benefit of the holders of the Outstanding
Debentures, that TWC, TWI and TBS will file with the Commission and use its
reasonable best efforts to cause to become effective a registration statement
(the 'Registration Statement') with respect to the Exchange Debentures identical
in all material respects to the Outstanding Debentures and, upon becoming
effective, to offer the Holders of the Outstanding Debentures the opportunity to
exchange their Outstanding Debentures for the Exchange Debentures. The
Registration Rights Agreement provides that in the event that TWC, TWI and TBS
are not permitted to effect such Exchange Offer, TWC, TWI and TBS will instead
file a registration statement covering resales by the Holders of Outstanding
Debentures (a 'Shelf Registration Statement') and will use their reasonable best
efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to become effective and to
keep such Shelf Registration Statement effective for two years from January 12,
1998 (the 'Closing Date'). TWC is required, in the event a Shelf Registration
Statement is filed, to provide to each Holder of the Outstanding Debentures
copies of the prospectus and notify each such Holder when the Shelf Registration
Statement has become effective. A Holder that sells Outstanding Debentures
pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement generally will be required to be
named as a selling security holder in the related prospectus and to deliver a
current prospectus to purchasers, and will be subject to certain of the civil
liability provisions under the Securities Act in connection with such sales.
 
     Under the Registration Rights Agreement, TWC, TWI and TBS have agreed to
use their reasonable best efforts to: (i) file the Registration Statement or a
Shelf Registration Statement with the Commission, (ii) have such Registration
Statement or Shelf Registration Statement declared effective by the Commission
within 180 days after the Closing Date and (iii) commence the Exchange Offer and
issue the Exchange Debentures in exchange for all Outstanding Debentures validly
tendered in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer prior to the close
of the Exchange Offer, or, in the alternative, cause such Shelf Registration
Statement to remain effective for two years from the Closing Date.
 
     If TWC, TWI and TBS fail to comply with the above provisions, additional
interest (the 'Additional Interest') on the Outstanding Debentures would be
assessed as follows:
 
          (i) If the Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement is
     not filed within 150 days following the Closing Date, then commencing on
     the 151st day after the Closing Date, Additional Interest shall be accrued
     on the Outstanding Debentures over and above the accrued interest at a rate
     of .50% per annum; or
 
          (ii) If a Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement is
     filed pursuant to (i) above and is not declared effective within 180 days
     following the Closing Date, then commencing on the 181st day after the
     Closing Date, Additional Interest shall be accrued on the Outstanding
     Debentures over and above the accrued interest at a rate of .50% per annum;
     or
 
          (iii) If either (A) TWC has not exchanged Exchange Debentures for all
     Outstanding Debentures validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the
     Exchange Offer on or prior to 45 days after the date on which the
     Registration Statement was declared effective, or (B) if applicable, the
     Shelf Registration Statement has been declared effective but such Shelf
     Registration Statement ceases to be effective at any time prior to two
     years from the Closing Date, then Additional Interest shall be accrued on
     the Outstanding Debentures over and above the accrued interest at a rate of
     .50% per annum immediately following the (x) 46th day after such effective
     date, in the case of (A) above, or (y) the day such Shelf Registration
     Statement ceases to be effective in the case of (B) above;
 
                                       34
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
provided, however, that the Additional Interest rate on the Outstanding
Debentures may not exceed .50% per annum; and, provided, further, that (1) upon
the filing of the Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement (in the
case of (i) above), (2) upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or
Shelf Registration Statement (in the case of (ii) above), or (3) upon the
exchange of Exchange Debentures for all Outstanding Debentures tendered or upon
the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement which had ceased to remain
effective prior to two years from the Closing Date (in the case of (iii) above),
Additional Interest on the Outstanding Debentures as a result of such clause
(i), (ii) or (iii) shall cease to accrue.
 
     Any amounts of Additional Interest due pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) or
(iii) above will be payable in cash, on the same original payment dates of the
Outstanding Debentures. The amount of Additional Interest will be determined by
multiplying the applicable Additional Interest rate by the principal amount of
the Outstanding Debentures, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is
the number of days such Additional Interest rate was applicable during such
period (determined on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day
months), and the denominator of which is 360.
 
     If TWC, TWI and TBS effect the Exchange Offer, TWC, TWI and TBS will be
entitled to close the Exchange Offer provided that TWC has accepted all
Outstanding Debentures theretofore validly tendered in accordance with the terms
of the Exchange Offer. The consummation of the Exchange Offer will satisfy the
obligations of TWC, TWI and TBS under the Registration Rights Agreement.
Outstanding Debentures not tendered in the Exchange Offer shall bear interest at
the same rates in effect at the time of issuance of the Outstanding Debentures.
 
     The summary herein of certain provisions of the Registration Rights
Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Registration Rights
Agreement, a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement
of which this Prospectus constitutes a part.
 
                           HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE
 
     Each of TWC, TWI and TBS is a holding company, the assets of which consist
primarily of investments in its respective consolidated and unconsolidated
subsidiaries. The assets of TWI consist primarily of its investment in TWC and
TBS. The assets of TWC consist primarily of its investments in its consolidated
and unconsolidated subsidiaries, including TWE. Although the assets of TBS
consist primarily of investments in its consolidated and unconsolidated
subsidiaries, TBS also directly owns certain assets that are used in the
operation of WTBS, a television station in Atlanta, Georgia and TBS, a
copyright-paid cable programming service and certain retail stores that together
represent less than 5% of the consolidated assets of TBS at December 31, 1996. A
substantial portion of the consolidated liabilities of TWC, TWI and TBS have
been incurred by subsidiaries. TWE, which is not consolidated with either the
TWC or TWI for financial reporting purposes, also has substantial indebtedness
and other liabilities. The rights of TWC and the Guarantors and the rights of
their creditors, including Holders of Debentures, to participate in the
distribution of assets of any person in which TWC or the Guarantors owns an
equity interest (including any subsidiary and TWE) upon such person's
liquidation or reorganization will be subject to prior claims of such person's
creditors, including trade creditors, except to the extent that TWC or the
Guarantors may be a creditor with recognized claims against such person (in
which case the claims of TWC and the Guarantors would still be subject to the
prior claims of any secured creditor of such person and of any holder of
indebtedness of such person that is senior to that held by TWC or the
Guarantors). Accordingly, the Holders of the Debentures may be deemed to be
effectively subordinated to such claims. As of September 30, 1997, the
consolidated and unconsolidated subsidiaries of TWC and Guarantors had an
aggregate of approximately $20 billion of outstanding liabilities, including
indebtedness.
 
     Each of TWC's and the Guarantors' ability to service its indebtedness and
other obligations, including the Debentures and the Guarantees, respectively,
and the ability of each of them to pay dividends on its common and/or preferred
stock is dependent primarily upon the earnings and cash flow of their respective
consolidated and unconsolidated subsidiaries and the distribution or other
payment to them of such earnings and cash flow. The TWE Agreement of Limited
Partnership and its bank credit facilities limit distributions and other
transfers of funds to TWC and TWI.
 
                                       35
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
            CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
     The following is a general discussion of the principal United States
Federal income tax consequences to holders of Outstanding Debentures who
exchange their Outstanding Debentures for Exchange Debentures pursuant to the
Exchange Offer. This discussion is based on currently existing provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the 'Code'), existing, temporary and
proposed Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, and administrative and
judicial interpretations thereof, all as in effect or proposed on the date
hereof and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect,
or different interpretations. This discussion is limited to holders of
Outstanding Debentures who hold the Debentures as capital assets, within the
meaning of section 1221 of the Code. Moreover, this discussion is for general
information only and does not address all of the tax consequences that may be
relevant to holders of Outstanding Debentures and Exchange Debentures in light
of their personal circumstances or to certain types of holders of Outstanding
Debentures and Exchange Debentures (such as certain financial institutions,
insurance companies, tax-exempt entities, dealers in securities or persons who
have hedged the risk of owning a Debenture).
 
     In addition, this discussion does not address any tax consequences arising
under the laws of any state, locality or foreign jurisdiction, or any estate or
gift tax considerations.
 
EXCHANGE OFFER
 
     The exchange of Outstanding Debentures for Exchange Debentures pursuant to
the Exchange Offer should not be treated as an exchange or other taxable event
for United States Federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, there should be no
United States Federal income tax consequences to holders who exchange
Outstanding Debentures for Exchange Debentures pursuant to the Exchange Offer
and any such holder should have the same adjusted tax basis and holding period
in the Exchange Debentures as it had in the Outstanding Debentures immediately
before the exchange.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Debentures for its own account
pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Debentures. This
Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used
by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Debentures received in
exchange for Outstanding Debentures where such Outstanding Debentures were
acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities.
TWC has agreed that for a period of 90 days after the Expiration Date, it will
make this Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer
for use in connection with any such resales.
 
     TWC will not receive any proceeds from any sale of Exchange Debentures by
broker-dealers or any other holder of Exchange Debentures. Exchange Debentures
received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer
may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the
over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of
options on the Exchange Debentures or a combination of such methods of resale,
at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such
prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made
directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive
compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such
broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such Exchange Debentures. Any
broker-dealer that resells Exchange Debentures that were received by it for its
own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that
participates in a distribution of such Exchange Debentures may be deemed to be
an 'underwriter' within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit on any
such resale of Exchange Debentures and any commissions or concessions received
by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the
Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that by acknowledging that it
will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed
to admit that it is an 'underwriter' within the meaning of the Securities Act.
 
     For a period of 90 days after the Expiration Date, TWC will promptly send
additional copies of this Prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this
Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests
 
                                       36
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
such documents in the Letter of Transmittal. TWC has agreed to pay all expenses
incident to the Exchange Offer other than commissions or concessions of any
brokers or dealers and will indemnify the holders of the Debentures (including
any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.
 
     By acceptance of this Exchange Offer, each broker-dealer that receives
Exchange Debentures for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer agrees
that, in the case that TWC is required to file a Shelf Registration Statement,
on receipt of notice from TWC (i) that TWC is suspending the availability of the
Shelf Registration Statement or (ii) of the happening of any event which makes
any statement in the Shelf Registration Statement or the related prospectus
untrue in any material respect or which requires the making of any changes in
the Shelf Registration Statement or the related prospectus in order to make the
statements therein not misleading (which notice TWC agrees to deliver promptly
to the broker-dealer), the broker-dealer will suspend use of such prospectus
until TWC has amended or supplemented the prospectus to correct the misstatement
or omission and has furnished copies of the amended or supplemental prospectus
to the broker-dealer. If TWC shall give any such notice to suspend the use of
the prospectus, it shall extend the 90-day period referred to above by the
number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of
the notice to and including when broker-dealers shall have received copies of
the supplemented or amended prospectus necessary to permit resales of the
Exchange Debentures.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     Certain legal matters with respect to the issuance of the Exchange
Debentures in connection with the Exchange Offer are being passed upon for TWC
and the Guarantors by Cravath, Swaine & Moore, New York, New York.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements and schedules of TWI and TWE
appearing in TWI's 1996 Form 10-K and the combined financial statements of the
Time Warner Service Partnerships incorporated by reference therein, have been
audited by Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors, as set forth in their
reports thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such
financial statements and schedules are incorporated herein by reference in
reliance upon such reports given upon the authority of such firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
 
     The consolidated financial statements of Cablevision Industries Corporation
at December 31, 1995, and for the year then ended, incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus from TWI's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 13, 1997,
have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors, as set forth in
their report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such
financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such
reports given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
 
     The consolidated financial statements of Cablevision Industries Corporation
as of December 31, 1994, and for each of the two years in the period ended
December 31, 1994, incorporated by reference in this Prospectus from TWI's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 13, 1997, have been audited by Arthur
Andersen LLP, Independent Public Accountants, as set forth in their report
thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated
financial statements have been incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon
such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
 
     The financial statements of Paragon Communications as of December 31, 1993
and 1994, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1994,
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus from TWI's 1996 Form 10-K, and the
consolidated financial statements of TBS, as of December 31, 1994 and 1995, and
for the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995, incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus from TWI's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
November 13, 1997, have been audited by Price Waterhouse LLP, Independent
Accountants, as set forth in their reports thereon included therein and
incorporated herein by reference. Such financial
 
                                       37
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports
given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
     No person is authorized to give any information or to make any
representations other than those contained in this Prospectus in connection with
the offer made by this Prospectus, and, if given or made, such other information
or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by TWC, TWI
or TBS or by any underwriter, dealer or agent. This Prospectus does not
constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities
other than those to which they relate. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus
nor any sale of or offer to sell the Debentures offered hereby shall, under any
circumstances, create an implication that there has been no change in the
affairs of TWC, TWI or TBS or that the information herein is correct as of any
time after the date hereof. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell
or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the Debentures offered hereby in any
State to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in
such State.
 
                                       38






<PAGE>

<PAGE>

   
_____________________________                      _____________________________
 
     NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER
CONTAINED HEREIN OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR
MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY TWC, TWI OR TBS. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO
SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY TO ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION IN
WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING
SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT
IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE AN
IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF TWC, TWI OR TBS
SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS
OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                              PAGE
                                                                                                              ----
<S>                                                                                                           <C>
Available Information......................................................................................     3
Information Incorporated by Reference......................................................................     4
Prospectus Summary.........................................................................................     5
TWC and the Guarantors.....................................................................................    11
Certain Factors............................................................................................    13
Selected Historical and Pro Forma Financial Information....................................................    15
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.........................................................................    18
The Exchange Offer.........................................................................................    20
Use of Proceeds............................................................................................    26
Description of the Debentures and the Guarantees...........................................................    27
Registration Rights Agreement for Outstanding Debentures...................................................    34
Holding Company Structure..................................................................................    35
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations....................................................    36
Plan of Distribution.......................................................................................    36
Legal Matters..............................................................................................    37
Experts....................................................................................................    37
</TABLE>
 
                                  $500,000,000
 
                             TIME WARNER COMPANIES, INC.
                       FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED BY
                                  TIME WARNER INC.
                                        AND 
                            TURNER BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INC.
                              6.95% DEBENTURES DUE 2028
 
                             ---------------------
                                   PROSPECTUS
                             ---------------------
 
                                FEBRUARY 13, 1998
_____________________________                      _____________________________
    


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     TWI and TWC
 
     Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation law (the 'DGCL') provides
that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers as well as other
employees and individuals against expenses (including attorneys' fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with specified
actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation -- a
'derivative action'), if they acted in good faith and in a manner they
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceedings, had no
reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. A similar standard is
applicable in the case of derivative actions, except that indemnification only
extends to expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred
in connection with the defense or settlement of such action, and the statute
requires court approval before there can be any indemnification where the person
seeking indemnification has been found liable to the corporation. The statute
provides that it is not exclusive of other indemnification that may be granted
by a corporation's charter, by-laws, disinterested director vote, stockholder
vote, agreement or otherwise.
 
     Each of TWI's and TWC's By-laws require indemnification to the fullest
extent permitted under Delaware law of any person who is or was a director or
officer of TWI who is or was involved or threatened to be made so involved in
any action, suit or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or
investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is or was serving as a
director, officer or employee of TWI or TWC or any predecessor of TWI or TWC or
was serving at the request of TWI or TWC as a director, officer or employee of
any other enterprise.
 
     Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a provision in the certificate of
incorporation of each corporation organized thereunder, such as TWI and TWC,
eliminating or limiting, with certain exceptions, the personal liability of a
director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach
of fiduciary duty as a director. Section 1, Article X of TWI's and Article VIII
of TWC's Restated Certificate of Incorporation eliminates the liability of
directors to the extent permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL.
 
     The foregoing statements are subject to the detailed provisions of Sections
145 and 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, TWI's and TWC's By-laws and Section 1, Article X
of TWI's and Article VIII of TWC's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as
applicable.
 
     The Directors' and Officers' Liability and Reimbursement Insurance Policy
of TWI is designed to reimburse each of the registrants for any payments made by
each pursuant to the foregoing indemnification. The policy has coverage of
$50,000,000.
 
     TBS
 
     TBS's By-laws provide for indemnification of directors and officers of TBS
against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, settlements and
other amounts actually incurred in connection with any proceeding arising by
reason of the fact that such person is or was an officer or director of TBS.
 
     TBS's By-laws provide for indemnification of directors and officers of TBS
in connection with or resulting from any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, in which he or she may become involved by reason of his or her
being or having been a director or officer, or by reason of any action taken or
not taken in his or her capacity as such director or officer or as a member of
any committee appointed by the Board of Directors of TBS to act for, in the
interest of, or on behalf of TBS provided such person acted in good faith and in
a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of TBS and, in addition, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, did not have reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was
unlawful.
 
                                      II-1
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     Indemnification is mandatory in the case of a director or officer who is
wholly successful on the merits or otherwise with respect to any claim, action,
suit or proceeding of the character described above. In other cases, the
determination whether to indemnify a director or officer is made by a majority
of disinterested directors, a majority of disinterested shareholders, or
independent legal counsel selected by any Judge of the United States District
Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, at the request of
either TBS or the person seeking indemnification.
 
     TBS's Articles of Incorporation provide that a director of TWI will not be
personally liable to TBS or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of
duty of care or other duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any
appropriation, in violation of the director's duties, of any business
opportunity of TWI, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct or knowing violation of law, (iii) for making a
distribution in violation of Section 14-2-831 of the Georgia Business
Corporation Code or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit.
 
     TBS has insurance to indemnify its directors and officers, subject to the
limits contained in those policies, from those liabilities in respect of which
such indemnification insurance is permitted under the laws of the State of
Georgia.
 
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
   
<TABLE>
<C>          <S>
 4.1     --  Indenture, dated as of January 15, 1993, between TWC (formerly known as Time Warner Inc.) and The Chase
             Manhattan Bank (formerly known as Chemical Bank), as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to TWI's Registration
             Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-57030) filed with the Commission on January 14, 1993)*
 4.2     --  Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 10, 1996, among TWI, TWC and The Chase Manhattan Bank,
             as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to TWI's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
             1996).*
 4.3     --  Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 31, 1996, among TWI, TWC and The Chase Manhattan Bank,
             as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.10 to TWI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
             1996).*
 4.4     --  Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 17, 1997, among TWI, TWC, TBS and The Chase Manhattan
             Bank, as Trustee.
 4.5     --  Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 12, 1998, among TWI, TWC, TBS and The Chase Manhattan
             Bank, as Trustee.
 4.6     --  Form of 6.95% Debenture due 2028 (included in Exhibit 4.5).
 4.7     --  Placement Agreement, dated January 6, 1998, among TWC, the Guarantors and Morgan Stanley & Co.
             Incorporated, Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., Chase Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
             Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
 4.8     --  Registration Rights Agreement, dated January 12, 1998, among TWC, the Guarantors and Morgan Stanley & Co.
             Incorporated, Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., Chase Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
             Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
 5       --  Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore.
12       --  Statement regarding the computation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges of TWI.
12.1     --  Statement regarding the computation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges of TWC.
12.2     --  Statement regarding the computation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges of TBS.
23.1     --  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.
23.2     --  Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5).
23.3     --  Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP, Independent Public Accountants.
23.4     --  Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP, Independent Accountants.
23.5     --  Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP, Independent Accountants.
24.1     --  Power of Attorney of TWI.
24.2     --  Power of Attorney of TWC.
24.3     --  Power of Attorney of TBS.
25       --  Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 of The Chase Manhattan Bank with respect to TWC, TWI
             and TBS.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-2
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<C>          <S>
99.1     --  Form of Letter of Transmittal.**
99.2     --  Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.**
99.3     --  Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees.**
99.4     --  Form of Letter to Clients.**
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
   
  'D' Unless otherwise indicated, the exhibits have been previously filed as
      part of this Registration Statement.
    
 
  * Incorporated by reference.
 
 ** Filed herewith.
 
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     (a) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of any of the
registrants' annual reports pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     (b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrants pursuant to the provisions described in Item 20 above, or otherwise,
the registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrants of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrants
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
officer, director or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrants will, unless in the opinion of their counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by them is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by
the final adjudication of such issue.
 
     (c) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the Prospectus pursuant to
Items 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of Form S-4, within one business day of receipt of such
request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other
equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed
subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement through the date
of responding to the request.
 
     (d) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the Registration Statement when it became effective.
 
                                      II-3


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-4 and has duly caused Amendment No. 1
to this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on
February 11, 1998.
    
 
                                          TIME WARNER INC.
    
                                          By:   /s/ PETER R. HAJE
                                               .................................
                                               NAME: PETER R. HAJE
                                               TITLE: EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
                                                  
    
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed below on February 11, 1998 by the
following persons in the capacities indicated.
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                SIGNATURES                                                  TITLE
- ------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                                         <S>
                    *                       (i) Director, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
 .........................................
            (GERALD M. LEVIN)
 
                    *                       (ii) Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 .........................................
          (RICHARD J. BRESSLER)
 
                    *                      (iii) Senior Vice President and Controller
 .........................................
            (JOHN A. LABARCA)
 
                    *                       (iv) Directors
 .........................................
              (MERV ADELSON)
 
                    *
 .........................................
            (J. CARTER BACOT)
 
                    *
 .........................................
         (STEPHEN F. BOLLENBACH)
 
                    *
 .........................................
        (BEVERLY SILLS GREENOUGH)
 
                    *
 .........................................
            (GERALD GREENWALD)
 
                    *
 .........................................
             (CARLA A. HILLS)
 
                    *
 .........................................
              (REUBEN MARK)
 
                    *
 .........................................
            (MICHAEL A. MILES)
</TABLE>
     
                                      II-4
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<C>                                         <S>
                    *
 .........................................
           (RICHARD D. PARSONS)
 
                    *
 .........................................
           (DONALD S. PERKINS)
 
                    *
 .........................................
           (RAYMOND S. TROUBH)
 
                    *
 .........................................
              (R. E. TURNER)
 
                    *
 .........................................
        (FRANCIS T. VINCENT, JR.)
 
 
      *By:      /s/ PETER R. HAJE
          ................................
            (ATTORNEY-IN-FACT)
</TABLE>
    
  
                                      II-5
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-4 and has duly caused Amendment No. 1
to this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on
February 11, 1998.
    
 
                                          TIME WARNER COMPANIES, INC.
   
                                           By:   /s/ PETER R. HAJE
                                               .................................
                                               NAME:  PETER R. HAJE
                                               TITLE: EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
                                                   
    
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed below on February 11, 1998 by the
following persons in the capacities indicated.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                SIGNATURES                                                  TITLE
- ------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                                         <S>
                    *                       (i) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 .........................................
            (GERALD M. LEVIN)
 
                    *                       (ii) Director, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 .........................................
          (RICHARD J. BRESSLER)
 
                    *                       (iii) Senior Vice President and Controller
 .........................................
            (JOHN A. LABARCA)
 
            /S/ PETER R. HAJE                 (iv) Directors
 .........................................
             (PETER R. HAJE)
                    *
 .........................................
           (RICHARD D. PARSONS)
 
      *By:   /S/ PETER R. HAJE
          .................................
            (ATTORNEY-IN-FACT)
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-6
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-4 and has duly caused Amendment No. 1
to this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on
February 11, 1998.
    
 
                                          TURNER BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INC.
 
                                          By:          /s/ PETER R. HAJE
                                               .................................
                                               NAME:  PETER R. HAJE
                                               TITLE: VICE PRESIDENT
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed below on February 11, 1998 by the
following persons in the capacities indicated.
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                SIGNATURES                                                  TITLE
- ------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                                         <S>
                    *                       (i) President and Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
 .........................................
           (TERENCE F. MCGUIRK)
 
                    *                       (ii) Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Administrative
 .........................................       Officer
             (WAYNE H. PACE)
 
                    *                       (iii) Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
 .........................................
            (LANDEL C. HOBBS)
 
                    *                       (iv) Directors
 .........................................
              (R. E. TURNER)
 
                    *
 .........................................
           (W. THOMAS JOHNSON)
 
                    *
 .........................................
           (RICHARD D. PARSONS)
 
                    *
 .........................................
              (ROBERT SHAYE)
 
                    *
 .........................................
           (JEFFREY L. BEWKES)
 
                    *
 .........................................
            (GERALD M. LEVIN)
 
      *By:        /s/ PETER R. HAJE
         .................................
           (ATTORNEY-IN-FACT)
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-7


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                              DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                                         PAGE
- ------         --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ----
<C>            <S>                                                                                                  <C>
  4.1      --  Indenture, dated as of January 15, 1993, between TWC (formerly known as Time Warner Inc.) and The
               Chase Manhattan Bank (formerly known as Chemical Bank), as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to TWI's
               Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-57030) filed with the Commission on January 14,
               1993)*
  4.2      --  Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 10, 1996, among TWI, TWC and The Chase
               Manhattan Bank, as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to TWI's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
               quarter ended September 30, 1996).*
  4.3      --  Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 31, 1996, among TWI, TWC and The Chase
               Manhattan Bank, as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.10 to TWI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
               ended December 31, 1996).*
  4.4      --  Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 17, 1997, among TWI, TWC, TBS and The Chase
               Manhattan Bank, as Trustee.
  4.5      --  Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 12, 1998, among TWI, TWC, TBS and The Chase
               Manhattan Bank, as Trustee.
  4.6      --  Form of 6.95% Debenture due 2028 (included in Exhibit 4.5).
  4.7      --  Placement Agreement, dated January 6, 1998, among TWC, the Guarantors and Morgan Stanley & Co.
               Incorporated, Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., Chase Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
               Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
  4.8      --  Registration Rights Agreement, dated January 12, 1998, among TWC, the Guarantors and Morgan
               Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., Chase Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch,
               Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
  5        --  Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore.
 12        --  Statement regarding the computation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges of TWI.
 12.1      --  Statement regarding the computation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges of TWC.
 12.2      --  Statement regarding the computation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges of TBS.
 23.1      --  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.
 23.2      --  Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5).
 23.3      --  Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP, Independent Public Accountants.
 23.4      --  Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP, Independent Accountants.
 23.5      --  Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP, Independent Accountants.
 24.1      --  Power of Attorney of TWI.
 24.2      --  Power of Attorney of TWC.
 24.3      --  Power of Attorney of TBS.
 25        --  Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 of The Chase Manhattan Bank with respect to
               TWC, TWI and TBS.
 99.1      --  Form of Letter of Transmittal.**
 99.2      --  Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.**
 99.3      --  Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees.**
 99.4      --  Form of Letter to Clients.**
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
   
  'D' Unless otherwise indicated, the exhibits have been previously filed as
      part of this Registration Statement.
    
 
  * Incorporated by reference.
 
 ** Filed herewith.



                      STATEMENT OF DIFFERENCES
                      ------------------------

The dagger symbol shall be expressed as ................................. 'D'



<PAGE>



<PAGE>
 
                             LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
 
   
                       EXCHANGE OFFER FOR ALL OUTSTANDING
                           6.95% DEBENTURES DUE 2028
                                       OF
                          TIME WARNER COMPANIES, INC.
                    FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED BY
                                TIME WARNER INC.
                                      AND
                        TURNER BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INC.
               PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED FEBRUARY 13, 1998
    
 
   
 THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON MARCH 30,
 1998, UNLESS EXTENDED (THE 'EXPIRATION DATE'). TENDERS MAY BE WITHDRAWN PRIOR
 TO MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.
    
 
             DELIVERY TO: THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, EXCHANGE AGENT
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                             <C>
              By Mail, Hand or Overnight Courier                                Facsimile Transmission Number
                       55 Water Street                                                (212) 638-7375 or
                   Room 234, North Building                                             (212) 344-9367
                      New York, NY 10041                                                (FOR ELIGIBLE
                  Attention: Carlos Esteves                                           INSTITUTIONS ONLY)
                  (IF BY MAIL, REGISTERED OR                                         Confirm by Telephone
                 CERTIFIED MAIL RECOMMENDED)                                            (212) 638-0828
</TABLE>
 
    DELIVERY OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE,
         OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTION VIA FACSIMILE OTHER THAN AS SET
               FORTH ABOVE, WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
 
   
     The undersigned acknowledges that he or she has received and reviewed the
Prospectus, dated February 13, 1998 (the 'Prospectus'), of Time Warner
Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation ('TWC'), and this Letter of Transmittal
(the 'Letter'), which together constitute TWC's offer (the 'Exchange Offer') to
exchange an aggregate principal amount of up to $500,000,000 of its 6.95%
Debentures Due 2028 (the 'Exchange Debentures'), for a like principal amount of
its issued and outstanding 6.95% Debentures Due 2028 (the 'Outstanding
Debentures') with the holders thereof. The Exchange Debentures will be
unconditionally guaranteed by Time Warner Inc. and Turner Broadcasting System,
Inc.
    
 
     For each Outstanding Debenture accepted for exchange, the holder of such
Outstanding Debenture will receive an Exchange Debenture having a principal
amount equal to that of the surrendered Outstanding Debenture. Interest on the
Exchange Debentures will accrue from the last interest payment date on which
interest was paid on the Outstanding Debentures surrendered in exchange
therefor, or if no interest has been paid on the Outstanding Debentures, from
January 12, 1998. Holders of Outstanding Debentures whose Outstanding Debentures
are accepted for exchange will not receive any payment in respect of interest on
such Outstanding Debentures otherwise payable on any interest payment date the
record date for which occurs on or after consummation of the Exchange Offer.
Consequently, holders who tender their Outstanding Debentures for Exchange
Debentures will receive the same interest payment on July 15, 1998 (the first
interest payment date with respect to the Outstanding Debentures and the
Exchange Debentures) that they would have received had they not accepted the
Exchange Offer.
 
     This Letter is to be completed by a holder of Outstanding Debentures either
if certificates are to be forwarded herewith or if a tender of certificates for
Outstanding Debentures, if available, is to be made by book-entry transfer to
the account maintained by the Exchange Agent at The Depository Trust Company
(the 'Book-Entry Transfer
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
Facility') pursuant to the procedures set forth in 'The Exchange
Offer -- Book-Entry Transfer' section of the Prospectus and an Agent's Message
is NOT delivered. Tenders by book-entry transfer may also be made by delivering
an Agent's Message in lieu of this Letter. The term 'Agent's Message' means a
message, transmitted by the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to and received by the
Exchange Agent and forming a part of a Book-Entry Confirmation (as defined
below), which states that the Book-Entry Transfer Facility has received an
express acknowledgment from the tendering participant, which acknowledgment
states that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by, and makes
the representations and warranties contained in, this Letter and that TWC may
enforce this Letter against such participant.
 
     Holders of Outstanding Debentures whose certificates are not immediately
available, or who are unable to deliver their certificates or confirmation of
the book-entry tender of their Outstanding Debentures into the Exchange Agent's
account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility (the 'Book-Entry Confirmation') and
all other documents required by this Letter to the Exchange Agent on or prior to
the Expiration Date, must tender their Outstanding Debentures according to the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in 'The Exchange Offer -- Guaranteed
Delivery Procedures' section of the Prospectus. See Instruction 1. Delivery of
documents to the Book-Entry Transfer Facility does not constitute delivery to
the Exchange Agent.
 
     The undersigned has completed the appropriate boxes below and signed this
Letter to indicate the action the undersigned desires to take with respect to
the Exchange Offer.
     List below the Outstanding Debentures to which this Letter relates. If the
space provided below is inadequate, the certificate numbers and principal amount
of Outstanding Debentures should be listed on a separate signed schedule affixed
hereto.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              DESCRIPTION OF OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         1               2               3
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     AGGREGATE
                                                                                                     PRINCIPAL
                                                                                                     AMOUNT OF       PRINCIPAL
                 NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S)                    CERTIFICATE     OUTSTANDING        AMOUNT
                           (PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK)                                NUMBER(S)*     DEBENTURE(S)      TENDERED
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                <C>             <C>             <C>

                                                                                   -------------------------------------------

                                                                                   -------------------------------------------

                                                                                   -------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Total
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Need not be completed if Outstanding Debentures are being tendered by book-entry transfer.
 ** Unless otherwise indicated in this column, a holder will be deemed to have tendered ALL of the Outstanding Debentures
    represented by the Outstanding Debentures indicated in column 2. See Instruction 2. Outstanding Debentures tendered hereby
    must be in denominations of principal amount of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. See Instruction 1.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY
    BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO AN ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH
    THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
 
    Name of Tendering Institution ______________________________________________
    Account Number ________________________ Transaction Code Name ______________
 
     By crediting the Outstanding Debentures to the Exchange Agent's account at
the Book-Entry Transfer Facility's Automated Tender Offer Program ('ATOP') and
by complying with applicable ATOP procedures with respect to the Exchange Offer,
including transmitting to the Exchange Agent a computer-generated message (an
'Agent's Message') in which the holder of the Outstanding Debentures
acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the terms of, and makes the
representations and warranties contained in, this Letter, the participant in the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility confirms on behalf of itself and the beneficial
owners of such Outstanding Debentures all provisions of this Letter (including
all representations and warranties) applicable to it and such beneficial owner
as fully as if it had completed the information required herein and executed and
transmitted this Letter to the Exchange Agent.
 
                                       2
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT
    TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND
    COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
 
    Name(s) of Registered Holder(s) ____________________________________________
    Window Ticket Number (if any) ______________________________________________
    Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery _________________________
    Name of Institution which guaranteed delivery ______________________________
    IF DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER, COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
 
    Account Number ___________________________ Transaction Code Name ___________
[ ] CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL
    COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS
    THERETO.
 
    Name: ______________________________________________________________________
    Address: ___________________________________________________________________
             ___________________________________________________________________
 
                                       3
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                         SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
                           (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 3 AND 4)
 
     To be completed ONLY if certificates for Outstanding Debentures not
   exchanged and/or Exchange Debentures are to be issued in the name of and
   sent to someone other than the person or persons whose signature(s)
   appear(s) on this Letter above, or if Outstanding Debentures delivered by
   book-entry transfer which are not accepted for exchange are to be returned
   by credit to an account maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility
   other than the account indicated above.
 
   Issue: Exchange Debentures and/or Outstanding Debentures to:
 
   Name(s) __________________________________________________________________
                             (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
 
   __________________________________________________________________________
                             (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
 
   Address __________________________________________________________________
   __________________________________________________________________________
                                   (ZIP CODE)
                         (COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9)
 
   [ ] Credit unexchanged Outstanding Debentures delivered by book-entry
       transfer to the Book-Entry Transfer Facility account set forth below.
 
   __________________________________________________________________________
                         (BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY
                         ACCOUNT NUMBER, IF APPLICABLE)


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 
                         SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
                           (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 3 AND 4)
 
     To be completed ONLY if certificates for Outstanding Debentures not
   exchanged and/or Exchange Debentures are to be sent to someone other than
   the person or persons whose signature(s) appear(s) on this letter above or
   to such person or persons at an address other than shown in the box
   entitled 'Description of Outstanding Debentures' on this Letter above.
 
   Mail: Exchange Debentures and/or Outstanding Debentures to:
 
   Name(s) __________________________________________________________________
                             (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)

   __________________________________________________________________________
                             (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
 
   Address __________________________________________________________________
   __________________________________________________________________________
                                   (ZIP CODE)
 
IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OR A FACSIMILE HEREOF (TOGETHER WITH THE CERTIFICATES FOR
OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES OR A BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED
DOCUMENTS OR THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY) MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE
AGENT PRIOR TO MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.
 
                 PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
                   CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING ANY BOX ABOVE.
 
                                       4


<PAGE>

<PAGE>

                                PLEASE SIGN HERE
                   (TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING HOLDERS)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Dated: ___________________ , 1998
 
X _______________________________           _____________________________ , 1998

X _______________________________           _____________________________ , 1998
      SIGNATURE(S) OF OWNER                             DATE
</TABLE>
 
Area Code and Telephone Number _________________________________

If a holder is tendering any Outstanding Debentures, this
Letter must be signed by the registered holder(s) as the name(s)
appear(s) on the certificate(s) for the Outstanding Debentures
or by any person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by
endorsements and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is
by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, officer or
other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity,
please set forth full title. See Instruction 3.
 
Name(s): _______________________________________________________
                 
         _______________________________________________________
                        (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
 
Capacity: ______________________________________________________
 
Address: _______________________________________________________
 
         _______________________________________________________
                         (INCLUDING ZIP CODE)
 
                        SIGNATURE OF GUARANTEE
                    (IF REQUIRED BY INSTRUCTION 3)
 
Signature(s) Guaranteed by
an Eligible Institution: _______________________________________
                                (AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE)
 
________________________________________________________________
                           (TITLE)
 
________________________________________________________________
                        (NAME AND FIRM)
 
Dated: ___________________________________________________, 1998
 
                                       5


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
              PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
     Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the
undersigned hereby tenders to TWC the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding
Debentures indicated above. Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance for
exchange of the Outstanding Debentures tendered hereby, the undersigned hereby
sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, TWC all rights, title and
interest in and to such Outstanding Debentures as are being tendered hereby.
 
     The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has
full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Outstanding
Debentures tendered hereby and that TWC will acquire good and unencumbered title
thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and
not subject to any adverse claim when the same are accepted by TWC. The
undersigned hereby further represents that any Exchange Debentures acquired in
exchange for Outstanding Debentures tendered hereby will have been acquired in
the ordinary course of business of the person receiving such Exchange
Debentures, whether or not such person is the undersigned, that neither the
holder of such Outstanding Debentures nor any such other person has an
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution
of such Exchange Debentures and that neither the holder of such Outstanding
Debentures nor any such other person is an 'affiliate,' as defined in Rule 405
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'Securities Act'), of TWC, TWI
or TBS.
 
     The undersigned also acknowledges that this Exchange Offer is being made in
reliance on an interpretation by the staff of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the 'Commission') that the Exchange Debentures issued in exchange
for the Outstanding Debentures pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for
resale, resold and otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than any such
holder that is an 'affiliate' of TWC within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
Securities Act), without compliance with the registration and prospectus
delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such Exchange
Debentures are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders' business and
such holders have no arrangements with any person to participate in the
distribution of such Exchange Debentures. If the undersigned is not a
broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it is not engaged in, and does
not intend to engage in, a distribution of Exchange Debentures. If the
undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Debentures for its own
account in exchange for Outstanding Debentures, it represents that the
Outstanding Debentures to be exchanged for the Exchange Debentures were acquired
by it as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and
acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
such Exchange Debentures; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a
prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an
'underwriter' within the meaning of the Securities Act.
 
     The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional
documents deemed by TWC to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale,
assignment and transfer of the Outstanding Debentures tendered hereby. All
authority conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter and every
obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the successors,
assigns, heirs, executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy and legal
representatives of the undersigned and shall not be affected by, and shall
survive, the death or incapacity of the undersigned. This tender may be
withdrawn only in accordance with the procedures set forth in 'The Exchange
Offer -- Withdrawal of Tenders' section of the Prospectus.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled 'Special Issuance
Instructions' above, please deliver the Exchange Debentures (and, if applicable,
substitute certificates representing Outstanding Debentures for any Outstanding
Debentures not exchanged) in the name of the undersigned or, in the case of a
book-entry delivery of Outstanding Debentures, please credit the account
indicated above maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility. Similarly,
unless otherwise indicated under the box entitled 'Special Delivery
Instructions' above, please send the Exchange Debentures (and, if applicable,
substitute certificates representing Outstanding Debentures for any Outstanding
Debentures not exchanged) to the undersigned at the address shown above in the
box entitled 'Description of Outstanding Debentures.'
 
     THE UNDERSIGNED, BY COMPLETING THE BOX ENTITLED 'DESCRIPTION OF OUTSTANDING
DEBENTURES' ABOVE AND SIGNING THIS LETTER, WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE TENDERED THE
OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES AS SET FORTH IN SUCH BOX ABOVE.
 
                                       6
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                  INSTRUCTIONS
         FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
                       FOR THE 6.95% DEBENTURES DUE 2028
  IN EXCHANGE FOR THE 6.95% DEBENTURES DUE 2028 OF TIME WARNER COMPANIES, INC.
 
1. DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER AND DEBENTURES; TENDER BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER IN LIEU
OF THIS LETTER; GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES.
 
     This letter is to be completed by debentureholders either if (1)
certificates are to be forwarded herewith or (2) tenders are to be made pursuant
to the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer set forth in 'The Exchange
Offer -- Book-Entry Transfer' section of the Prospectus and an Agent's Message
is NOT delivered. Tenders by book-entry transfer may also be made by delivering
an Agent's Message in lieu of this Letter of Transmittal. The term 'Agent's
Message' means a message, transmitted by the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to and
received by the Exchange Agent and forming a part of a Book-Entry Confirmation,
which states that the Book-Entry Transfer Facility has received an express
acknowledgment from the tendering participant, which acknowledgment states that
such participant has received and agrees to be bound by, and makes the
representations and warranties contained in, the Letter of Transmittal and that
TWC may enforce the Letter of Transmittal against such participant.
 
     Certificates for all physically tendered Outstanding Debentures, or
Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, as well as a properly completed and
duly executed Letter (or manually signed facsimile hereof or an Agent's Message
in lieu thereof) and any other documents required by this Letter, must be
received by the Exchange Agent at the address set forth herein or prior to the
Expiration Date, or the tendering holder must comply with the guaranteed
delivery procedures set forth below. Outstanding Debentures tendered hereby must
be in denominations of principal amount of $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof.
 
     Debentureholders whose certificates for Outstanding Debentures are not
immediately available or who cannot deliver their certificates and all other
required documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date, or
who cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer on a timely basis, may
tender their Outstanding Debentures pursuant to the guaranteed delivery
procedures set forth in 'The Exchange Offer -- Guaranteed Delivery Procedures'
section of the Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedures, (i) such tender must be
made through an Eligible Institution, (ii) prior to Midnight, New York City
time, on the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent must receive from such Eligible
Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery, substantially in the form provided by TWC (by facsimile transmission,
mail or hand delivery), setting forth the name and address of the holder of
Outstanding Debentures, the certificate number of numbers of such Outstanding
Debentures and the principal amount of Outstanding Debentures tendered, stating
that the tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that within three New
York Stock Exchange ('NYSE') trading days after the date of execution of the
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, the certificates for all physically tendered
Outstanding Debentures, in proper form for transfer, or a Book-Entry
Confirmation, as the case may be, together with a properly completed and duly
executed Letter (or a facsimile thereof or an Agent's Message in lieu thereof),
with any required signature guarantees and any other documents required by the
Letter will be deposited by the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent,
and (iii) the certificates for all physically tendered Outstanding Debentures,
in proper form for transfer, or Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be,
together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter (or a facsimile
thereof or an Agent's Message in lieu thereof) with any required signature
guarantees and all other documents required by this Letter, are received by the
Exchange Agent within three NYSE trading days after the date of execution of the
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
 
     The method of delivery of this Letter, the Outstanding Debentures and all
other required documents is at the election and risk of the tendering holders,
but the delivery will be deemed made only when actually received or confirmed by
the Exchange Agent. If Outstanding Debentures are sent by mail, it is suggested
that the mailing be made sufficiently in advance of the Expiration Date to
permit delivery to the Exchange Agent prior to midnight, New York City time, on
the Expiration Date.
 
     See 'The Exchange Offer' section of the Prospectus.
 
2. PARTIAL TENDERS (NOT APPLICABLE TO DEBENTUREHOLDERS WHO TENDER BY BOOK-ENTRY
TRANSFER).
 
     If less than all of the Outstanding Debentures evidenced by a submitted
certificate are to be tendered, the tendering holder(s) should fill in the
aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Debentures to be tendered in the box
above entitled 'Description of Outstanding Debentures -- Principal Amount
Tendered.' A reissued certificate
 
                                       7
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
representing the balance of nontendered Outstanding Debentures will be sent to
such tendering holder, unless otherwise provided in the appropriate box on this
Letter, promptly after the Expiration Date. ALL OF THE OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES
DELIVERED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN TENDERED UNLESS
OTHERWISE INDICATED.
 
3. SIGNATURES ON THIS LETTER; BOND POWERS AND ENDORSEMENTS; GUARANTEE OF
SIGNATURES.
 
     If this Letter is signed by the registered holder of the Outstanding
Debentures tendered hereby, the signature must correspond exactly with the name
as written on the face of the certificate without any change whatsoever.
 
     If any tendered Outstanding Debentures are owned of record by two or more
joint owners, all of such owners must sign this Letter.
 
     If any tendered Outstanding Debentures are registered in different names on
several certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many
separate copies of this Letter as there are different registrations of
certificates.
 
     When this Letter is signed by the registered holder or holders of the
Outstanding Debentures specified herein and tendered hereby, no endorsements of
certificates or separate bond powers are required. If, however, the Exchange
Debentures are to be issued, or any untendered Outstanding Debentures are to be
reissued, to a person other than the registered holder, then endorsements of any
certificates transmitted hereby or separate bond powers are required. Signatures
on such certificate(s) must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
 
     If this Letter is signed by a person other than the registered holder or
holders of any certificate(s) specified herein, such certificate(s) must be
endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, in either case signed
exactly as the name or names of the registered holder or holders appear(s) on
the certificate(s) and signatures on such certificate(s) must be guaranteed by
an Eligible Institution.
 
     If this Letter or any certificates or bond powers are signed by trustees,
executors, administration, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of
corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such
person should so indicate when signing, and, unless waived by TWC, proper
evidence satisfactory to TWC of their authority to so act must be submitted.
 
     ENDORSEMENTS ON CERTIFICATES FOR OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES OR SIGNATURES ON
BOND POWERS REQUIRED BY THIS INSTRUCTION 3 MUST BE GUARANTEED BY A FIRM WHICH IS
A MEMBER OF A REGISTERED NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE OR A MEMBER OF THE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECURITIES DEALERS, INC. OR BY A COMMERCIAL BANK OR
TRUST COMPANY HAVING AN OFFICER OR CORRESPONDENT IN THE UNITED STATES (AN
'ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION').
 
     SIGNATURES ON THIS LETTER NEED NOT BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE
INSTITUTION, PROVIDED THE OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES ARE TENDERED: (I) BY A
REGISTERED HOLDER OF OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES (WHICH TERM, FOR PURPOSES OF THE
EXCHANGE OFFER, INCLUDES ANY PARTICIPANT IN THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY
SYSTEM WHOSE NAME APPEARS ON A SECURITY POSITION LISTING AS THE HOLDER OF SUCH
OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES) WHO HAS NOT COMPLETED THE BOX ENTITLED 'SPECIAL ISSUANCE
INSTRUCTIONS' OR 'SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS' ON THIS LETTER, OR (II) FOR THE
ACCOUNT OF AN ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION.
 
4. SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS.
 
     Tendering holders of Outstanding Debentures should indicate in the
applicable box the name and address to which Exchange Debentures issued pursuant
to the Exchange Offer and/or substitute certificates evidencing Outstanding
Debentures not exchanged are to be issued or sent, if different from the name or
address of the person signing this Letter. In the case of issuance in a
different name, the employer identification or social security number of the
person named must also be indicated. Debentureholders tendering Outstanding
Debentures by book-entry transfer may request that Outstanding Debentures not
exchanged be credited to such account maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility as such noteholder may designate hereon. If no such instructions are
given, such Outstanding Debentures not exchanged will be returned to the name or
address of the person signing this Letter.
 
5. TRANSFER TAXES.
 
     TWC will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the transfer of
Outstanding Debentures to it or its order pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If
however, Exchange Debentures and/or substitute Outstanding Debentures not
exchanged are to be delivered to, or are to be registered or issued in the name
of, any person other than the
 
                                       8
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
registered holder of the Outstanding Debentures tendered hereby, or if tendered
Outstanding Debentures are registered in the name of any person other than the
person signing this Letter, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other
than the transfer of Outstanding Debentures to TWC or its order pursuant to the
Exchange Offer, the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the
registered holder or any other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder.
If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not
submitted herewith, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to
such tendering holder.
 
     EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS INSTRUCTION 5, IT WILL NOT BE NECESSARY FOR
TRANSFER TAX STAMPS TO BE AFFIXED TO THE OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES SPECIFIED IN
THIS LETTER.
 
6. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS.
 
     TWC reserves the absolute right to waive satisfaction of any or all
conditions enumerated in the Prospectus.
 
7. NO CONDITIONAL TENDERS.
 
     No alternative, conditional, irregular or contingent tenders will be
accepted. All tendering holders of Outstanding Debentures, by execution of this
Letter or an Agent's Message in lieu thereof, shall waive any right to receive
notice of the acceptance of their Outstanding Debentures for exchange.
 
8. MUTILATED, LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES.
 
     Any holder whose Outstanding Debentures have been mutilated, lost, stolen
or destroyed should contact the Exchange Agent at the address indicated above
for further instructions.
 
9. REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES.
 
     Questions relating to the procedure for tendering, as well as requests for
additional copies of the Prospectus and this Letter, may be directed to the
Exchange Agent, at the address and telephone number indicated above.
 
                                       9



<PAGE>



<PAGE>
 
                       NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY FOR
                          TIME WARNER COMPANIES, INC.
 
   
     This form or one substantially equivalent hereto must be used to accept the
Exchange Offer of Time Warner Companies, Inc. ('TWC') made pursuant to the
Prospectus, dated February 13, 1998 (the 'Prospectus'), if certificates for
Outstanding Debentures of TWC are not immediately available or if the procedure
for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis or time will not
permit all required documents to reach TWC prior to midnight, New York City
time, on the Expiration Date of the Exchange Offer. Such form may be delivered
or transmitted by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery to The Chase
Manhattan Bank (the 'Exchange Agent') as set forth below. Capitalized terms not
defined herein are defined in the Prospectus.
    
 
             DELIVERY TO: THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, EXCHANGE AGENT
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                        <C>
           By Mail, Hand or Overnight Courier                            Facsimile Transmission Number
                     55 Water Street                                           (212) 638-7375 or
                Room 234, North Building                                        (212) 344-9367
                   New York, NY 10041                                            (FOR ELIGIBLE
                Attention: Carlos Esteves                                     INSTITUTIONS ONLY)
               (IF BY MAIL, REGISTERED OR                                    Confirm by Telephone
               CERTIFIED MAIL RECOMMENDED)                                      (212) 638-0828
</TABLE>
 
    DELIVERY OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE,
         OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTION VIA FACSIMILE OTHER THAN AS SET
               FORTH ABOVE, WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
     Upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the
accompanying Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned hereby tenders to TWC the
principal amount of Outstanding Debentures set forth below, pursuant to the
guaranteed delivery procedure described in 'The Exchange Offer -- Guaranteed
Delivery Procedures' section of the Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                        <C>
Principal Amount of Outstanding Debentures Tendered:*      

$____________________________________________________      If Outstanding Debentures will be delivered by book-entry
Certificate Nos. (if available):                           transfer to The Depository Trust Company provide account
                                                           number.
_____________________________________________________
Total Principal Amount Represented by Outstanding          
Debentures Certificate(s):                                 Account Number__________________________________________
$____________________________________________________
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
* Must be in denominations of principal amount of $1,000 and any integral
multiple thereof.
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                PLEASE SIGN HERE
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                    <C>
x__________________________________________________________________________            ________________
Signature(s) of Owner(s) or Authorized Signatory                                              Date
 
Area Code and Telephone Number: _______________________________________________________________________
</TABLE>
 
     Must be signed by the holder(s) of Outstanding Debentures as their name(s)
appear(s) on certificates for Outstanding Debentures or on a security position
listing, or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by
endorsement and documents transmitted with this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian,
attorney-in-fact, officer or other person acting in a fiduciary or
representative capacity, such person must set forth his or her full title below.
 
                      PLEASE PRINT NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)
 
<TABLE>
<S>               <C>
Name(s):          ________________________________________________________________

                  ________________________________________________________________

                  ________________________________________________________________

                  ________________________________________________________________


Capacity:

Address(es):      _______________________________________________________________

                  ________________________________________________________________

                  ________________________________________________________________
</TABLE>
 
                                   GUARANTEE
                    (NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEE)
 
     The undersigned, a financial institution (including most banks, savings and
loan associations and brokerage houses) that is a participant in the Securities
Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion
Signature Program or the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program, hereby guarantees
that the certificates representing the principal amount of Outstanding
Debentures tendered hereby in proper form for transfer, or timely confirmation
of the book-entry transfer of such Outstanding Debentures into the Exchange
Agent's account at The Depository Trust Company pursuant to the procedures set
forth in 'The Exchange Offer -- Guaranteed Delivery Procedures' section of the
Prospectus, together with one or more properly completed and duly executed
Letters of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof or Agent's Message in lieu thereof)
and any required signature guarantee and any other documents required by the
Letter of Transmittal, will be received by the Exchange Agent at the address set
forth above, no later than three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the
Expiration Date.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                       <C>
________________________________________________________  ________________________________________________________
                      NAME OF FIRM                                          AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE
 
________________________________________________________  ________________________________________________________
                        ADDRESS                                                    TITLE
 
________________________________________________________  Name: __________________________________________________
                                                ZIP CODE                    (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
 
Area Code and Tel. No. _________________________________  Dated:__________________________________________________
</TABLE>
 
NOTE: DO NOT SEND CERTIFICATES FOR OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES WITH THIS FORM.
      CERTIFICATES FOR OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES SHOULD BE SENT ONLY WITH A COPY OF
      YOUR EXECUTED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
 
                                       2



<PAGE>



<PAGE>
 
   
                       EXCHANGE OFFER FOR ALL OUTSTANDING
                           6.95% DEBENTURES DUE 2028
                                       OF
                          TIME WARNER COMPANIES, INC.
                    FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED BY
                                TIME WARNER INC.
                                      AND
                        TURNER BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INC.
               PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED FEBRUARY 13, 1998
    
 
TO: BROKERS, DEALERS, COMMERCIAL BANKS,
    TRUST COMPANIES AND OTHER NOMINEES:
 
   
     Time Warner Companies, Inc. ('TWC') is offering, upon and subject to the
terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus, dated February 13, 1998 (the
'Prospectus'), and the enclosed Letter of Transmittal (the 'Letter of
Transmittal'), to exchange (the 'Exchange Offer') its 6.95% Debentures Due 2028,
for its outstanding 6.95% Debentures Due 2028 (the 'Outstanding Debentures').
The Exchange Offer is being made in order to satisfy certain obligations of TWC
contained in the Registration Rights Agreement dated January 12, 1998, by and
among TWC and the other signatories thereto.
    
 
     We are requesting that you contact your clients for whom you hold
Outstanding Debentures regarding the Exchange Offer. For your information and
for forwarding to your clients for whom you hold Outstanding Debentures
registered in your name or in the name of your nominee, or who hold Outstanding
Debentures registered in their own names, we are enclosing the following
documents:
 
   
          1. Prospectus dated February 13, 1998;
    
 
          2. The Letter of Transmittal for your use and for the information of
     your clients;
 
          3. A Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to be used to accept the Exchange
     Offer if certificates for Outstanding Debentures are not immediately
     available or time will not permit all required documents to reach the
     Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date (as defined below) or if the
     procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis;
 
   
          4. A form of letter which may be sent to your clients for whose
     accounts you hold Outstanding Debentures registered in your name or the
     name of your nominee, with space provided for obtaining such clients'
     instructions with regard to the Exchange Offer; and
    
 
   
          5. Return envelopes addressed to The Chase Manhattan Bank, the
     Exchange Agent for the Outstanding Debentures.
    
 
   
     YOUR PROMPT ACTION IS REQUESTED, THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT
MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON, MARCH 30, 1998 UNLESS EXTENDED BY TWC (THE
'EXPIRATION DATE'). OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES TENDERED PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE
OFFER MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE.
    
 
     To participate in the Exchange Offer, a duly executed and properly
completed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof or an Agent's Message in
lieu thereof), with any required signature guarantees and any other required
documents, should be sent to the Exchange Agent and certificates representing
the Outstanding Debentures should be delivered to the Exchange Agent, all in
accordance with the instructions set forth in the Letter of Transmittal and the
Prospectus.
 
     If holders of Outstanding Debentures wish to tender, but it is
impracticable for them to forward their certificates for Outstanding Debentures
prior to the expiration of the Exchange Offer or to comply with the book-entry
transfer procedures on a timely basis, a tender may be effected by following the
guaranteed delivery procedures described in the Prospectus under 'The Exchange
Offer -- Guaranteed Delivery Procedures'.
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
   
     TWC will, upon request, reimburse brokers, dealers, commercial banks and
trust companies for reasonable and necessary costs and expenses incurred by them
in forwarding the Prospectus and the related documents to the beneficial owners
of Outstanding Debentures held by them as nominee or in a fiduciary capacity.
TWC will pay or cause to be paid all stock transfer taxes applicable to the
exchange of Outstanding Debentures pursuant to the Exchange Offer, except as set
forth in Instruction 5 of the Letter of Transmittal.
    
 
     Any inquiries you may have with respect to the Exchange Offer, or requests
for additional copies of the enclosed materials, should be directed to The Chase
Manhattan Bank, the Exchange Agent for the Outstanding Debentures, at its
address and telephone number set forth on the front of the Letter of
Transmittal.
 
                                          Very truly yours,
 
                                          TIME WARNER COMPANIES, INC.
 
     NOTHING HEREIN OR IN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS SHALL CONSTITUTE YOU OR ANY
PERSON AS AN AGENT OF TWC OR THE EXCHANGE AGENT, OR AUTHORIZE YOU OR ANY OTHER
PERSON TO USE ANY DOCUMENT OR MAKE ANY STATEMENTS ON BEHALF OF EITHER OF THEM
WITH RESPECT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER, EXCEPT FOR STATEMENTS EXPRESSLY MADE IN THE
PROSPECTUS OR THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
 
Enclosures
 
                                       2


<PAGE>



<PAGE>
 
   
                       EXCHANGE OFFER FOR ALL OUTSTANDING
                           6.95% DEBENTURES DUE 2028
                                       OF
                          TIME WARNER COMPANIES, INC.
                    FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED BY
                                TIME WARNER INC.
                                      AND
                        TURNER BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INC.
               PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED FEBRUARY 13, 1998
    
 
TO OUR CLIENTS:
 
   
     Enclosed for your consideration is a Prospectus, dated February 13, 1998
(the 'Prospectus'), and the related Letter of Transmittal (the 'Letter of
Transmittal'), relating to the Offer (the 'Exchange Offer') of Time Warner
Companies, Inc. ('TWC') to exchange its 6.95% Debentures Due 2028 (the 'Exchange
Debentures') for its outstanding 6.95% Debentures Due 2028 (the 'Outstanding
Debentures'), upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in the
Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal. The Exchange Offer is being made in
order to satisfy certain obligations of TWC contained in the Registration Rights
Agreement dated January 12, 1998, by and among TWC and the other signatories
thereto.
    
 
     This material is being forwarded to you as the beneficial owner of the
Outstanding Debentures carried by us in your account but not registered in your
name. A TENDER OF SUCH OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES MAY ONLY BE MADE BY US AS THE
HOLDER OF RECORD AND PURSUANT TO YOUR INSTRUCTIONS.
 
     Accordingly, we request instructions as to whether you wish us to tender on
your behalf the Outstanding Debentures held by us for your account, pursuant to
the terms and conditions set forth in the enclosed Prospectus and Letter of
Transmittal.
 
   
     Your instructions should be forwarded to us as promptly as possible in
order to permit us to tender the Outstanding Debentures on your behalf in
accordance with the provisions of the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer will
expire at midnight, New York City time, on March 30, 1998, unless extended by
TWC. Any Outstanding Debentures tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be
withdrawn at any time before the Expiration Date.
    
 
     Your attention is directed to the following:
 
          1. The Exchange Offer is for any and all Outstanding Debentures.
 
          2. The Exchange Offer is subject to certain conditions set forth in
     the Prospectus in the section captioned 'The Exchange Offer -- Certain
     Conditions to the Exchange Offer'.
 
          3. Any transfer taxes incident to the transfer of Outstanding
     Debentures from the holder to TWC will be paid by TWC, except as otherwise
     provided in the Instructions in the Letter of Transmittal.
 
   
          4. The Exchange Offer expires at midnight, New York City time, on
     March 30, 1998, unless extended by TWC.
    
 
          If you wish to have us tender your Outstanding Debentures, please so
     instruct us by completing, executing and returning to us the instruction
     form on the back of this letter. THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS FURNISHED TO
     YOU FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE USED DIRECTLY BY YOU TO TENDER
     OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES.
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                          INSTRUCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
     The undersigned acknowledge(s) receipt of your letter and the enclosed
material referred to therein relating to the Exchange Offer made by Time Warner
Companies, Inc. with respect to its Outstanding Debentures.
 
     This will instruct you to tender the Outstanding Debentures held by you for
the account of the undersigned, upon and subject to the terms and conditions set
forth in the Prospectus and the related Letter of Transmittal.
 
     Please tender the Outstanding Debentures held by you for my account as
indicated below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES
                                                        ------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>
6.95% Debentures due 2028 __________________________    ______________________________________________________
 
[ ]  Please do not tender any Outstanding Debentures
     held by you for my account.
 
Dated: ______________________________________ , 1998    ______________________________________________________

                                                        ______________________________________________________
                                                                             SIGNATURE(S)
                                                        ______________________________________________________

                                                        ______________________________________________________

                                                        ______________________________________________________
                                                                      PLEASE PRINT NAME(S) HERE
                                                        ______________________________________________________

                                                        ______________________________________________________
                                                                             ADDRESS(ES)
                                                        ______________________________________________________
                                                                    AREA CODE AND TELEPHONE NUMBER
                                                        ______________________________________________________
                                                             TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NO(S).
</TABLE>
 
     None of the Outstanding Debentures held by us for your account will be
tendered unless we receive written instructions from you to do so. Unless a
specific contrary instruction is given in the space provided, your signature(s)
hereon shall constitute an instruction to us to tender all the Outstanding
Debentures held by us for your account.
 
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