ADELPHIA COMMUNICATIONS CORP
S-3, 1999-07-30
CABLE & OTHER PAY TELEVISION SERVICES
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<PAGE>

     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON July 30, 1999

                                                           REGISTRATION NO. 333-

================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                      ADELPHIA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>                             <C>
            DELAWARE                                     4841                            23-2417713

(State or other jurisdiction of               (Primary Standard Industrial    (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)                Classification Code Number)
</TABLE>
                              MAIN AT WATER STREET
                        COUDERSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA  16915
                                 (814) 274-9830
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   registrant's principal executive offices)

                             COLIN HIGGIN, ESQUIRE
                             DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL
                      ADELPHIA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
                              MAIN AT WATER STREET
                        COUDERSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA  16915
                                 (814) 274-9830
      (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
                        area code, of agent for service)

                PLEASE ADDRESS A COPY OF ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO:

                       CARL E. ROTHENBERGER, JR., ESQUIRE
                  BUCHANAN INGERSOLL PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
                          21ST FLOOR, 301 GRANT STREET
                        PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA  15219
                                 (412) 562-8826

APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time to
time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant
to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [ ]

If any of the securities being registered on this form are being offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant
to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please 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(c) 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 delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]

                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==================================================================================================================================
                                                                             Proposed           Proposed
                                                                              maximum           maximum
                Title of each class of                     Amount to      offering price       aggregate          Amount of
             securities to be registered                 be registered     per share (1)   offering price (1)  registration fee
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>               <C>              <C>                 <C>
Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share          1,852,302 shares         $59.625     $110,443,506.75            $30,704
===============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

(1)  Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee in
     accordance with Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
     The maximum price per share information is based on the average of the high
     and the low sale prices of Adelphia Communications Corporation Class A
     Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, reported on the Nasdaq National
     Market System on July 26, 1999.

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates
as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant 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 the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
<PAGE>

1,852,302 shares                                         Subject to Completion
ADELPHIA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION                        Dated July 30, 1999
Class A common stock

The stockholders of Adelphia Communications Corporation as described under the
caption "Selling Stockholders" on page 21 of this prospectus are offering and
selling up to 1,852,302 shares of Adelphia's Class A common stock under this
prospectus.

The Class A common stock is listed on The Nasdaq National Market.  The Class A
common stock's ticker symbol is "ADLAC."  On July 29, 1999, the closing sale
price on The Nasdaq National Market of a single share of the Class A common
stock was $60 1/2.

Our common stock also includes Class B common stock.  The rights of holders of
the Class A common stock and Class B common stock differ with respect to certain
aspects of dividends, liquidations and voting. The Class A common stock has
preferential rights with respect to cash dividends and distributions upon the
liquidation of Adelphia. Holders of Class B common stock are entitled to greater
voting rights than the holders of Class A common stock; however, the holders of
Class A common stock, voting as a separate class, are entitled to elect one of
Adelphia's directors.

You should carefully review "Risk Factors" beginning on page 3 for a discussion
of things you should consider when investing in our Class A common stock.

Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved
of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus.
Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

             The date of this prospectus is __________ ____, 1999.

   The information in the prospectus is not complete and may be changed.  The
selling stockholders may not sell these securities until the registration
statement filed with the SEC is effective.  This prospectus is not an offer to
sell securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any
state where the offer is prohibited.
<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------

ADELPHIA....................................................................1

RISK FACTORS................................................................3

DILUTION...................................................................21

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS.......................................................21

USE OF PROCEEDS............................................................22

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION.......................................................22

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION........................................24

EXPERTS....................................................................25
<PAGE>

                                    ADELPHIA

   Adelphia is a leader in the telecommunications industry with cable television
and local telephone operations.  Our operations consist of providing
telecommunications services primarily over our networks, which are commonly
referred to as broadband networks because they can transmit large quantities of
voice, video and data by way of digital or analog signals.  As of March 31,
1999, we owned or managed cable television systems with broadband networks that
passed in front of 3,357,400 homes and served 2,380,409 basic subscribers.  John
J. Rigas, the Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and founder of
Adelphia, has owned and operated cable television systems since 1952.

   We own cable systems in twelve states which are organized into seven regional
clusters:  Western New York, Virginia, Western Pennsylvania, New England,
Eastern Pennsylvania, Ohio and New Jersey.  These systems are located primarily
in suburban areas of large and medium-sized cities within the 50 largest
television markets.  As of March 31, 1999, the broadband networks for these
systems passed in front of 2,230,257 homes and served 1,595,536 basic
subscribers.

   We also provide management and consulting services to other partnerships and
corporations engaged in the ownership and operation of cable television systems.
John J. Rigas and members of his immediate family, including entities they own
or control, have substantial ownership interests in these partnerships and
corporations.  As of March  31, 1999, the broadband networks for cable systems
owned by these Rigas family partnerships and corporations passed in front of
178,021 homes and served 134,015 basic subscribers.

   We also own a 50% voting interest and nonvoting preferred limited partnership
interests in Olympus Communications, L.P.  Olympus is a joint venture limited
partnership that operates a large cable system in Florida.  As of March 31,
1999, the broadband networks for this system passed in front of 949,122 homes
and served 650,858 basic subscribers.

   Through our subsidiary, Hyperion Telecommunications, Inc., we own and operate
a large competitive local exchange carrier in the eastern United States.  This
means that Hyperion provides its customers with alternatives to the incumbent
local telephone company for local telephone and telecommunications services.
Hyperion's telephone operations are referred to as being facilities based, which
means it generally owns the local telecommunications networks and facilities it
uses to deliver these services, rather than leasing or renting the use of
another party's networks to do so.  As of March 31, 1999, Hyperion managed and
operated  telecommunications networks serving 39 metropolitan statistical areas.
Hyperion's Class A common stock is listed on The Nasdaq National Market under
the symbol "HYPT."

                                       1
<PAGE>

   Our executive offices are located at Main at Water Street, Coudersport,
Pennsylvania 16915, and our telephone number is (814) 274-9830.

Recent Developments

  On July 1, 1999, Adelphia and Hyperion announced their decision to further
combine the efforts of both companies and that Hyperion was changing the name
under which it will be doing business to Adelphia Business Solutions.  With this
decision, Hyperion will align the strengths of both organizations and develop a
single brand in the communications marketplace.  The announcement also stated
that Hyperion will continue to report its financial results as Hyperion
Telecommunications, Inc.

  On May 26, 1999, Adelphia announced that it has agreed to exchange certain
cable systems with Comcast Corporation and Jones Intercable, Inc. in a
geographic rationalization of the companies' respective markets.  As a result of
this transaction, Adelphia would add approximately 440,000 subscribers in Los
Angeles, California and West Palm/Fort Pierce, Florida.  In exchange, Comcast
and Jones would receive systems currently owned, managed or under contract to be
purchased by Adelphia serving approximately 464,000 subscribers in suburban
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ocean County, New Jersey, Ft. Myers, Florida,
Michigan, New Mexico and Indiana.  All systems involved in the transactions will
be valued by agreement between the parties or, following a failure to reach
agreement, by independent appraisals, and any difference in relative value will
be funded with cash or additional cable systems.  The system exchanges are
subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals and are
expected to close by mid-2000.

  For other recent developments regarding Adelphia, we refer you to our most
recent and future filings under the Exchange Act. See "Where You Can Find More
Information" on page 24.

                                       2
<PAGE>

                                  RISK FACTORS

  Before you invest in our Class A common stock, you should be aware that there
are various risks associated with investing in Adelphia, including those
described below. You should carefully consider these risk factors together with
all of the other information included or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus before you decide to purchase shares of Adelphia's Class A common
stock.

High Level Of Indebtedness

  As of March 31, 1999, we owed approximately $3.6 billion and as of that date
we would have owed approximately $5.6 billion after the acquisition of Century,
$6.8 billion after the acquisition of Century and FrontierVision and $7.9
billion after such transactions and the acquisitions of Harron and Telesat's
interests in Olympus. Our high level of indebtedness can have important adverse
consequences to us and to you.

Adelphia has a substantial amount of debt. We borrowed this money to purchase
and to expand our cable systems and other operations and, to a lesser extent,
for investments and loans to our affiliates. At March 31, 1999, our indebtedness
totaled approximately $3.6 billion. This included approximately:

 .  $2.1 billion of Adelphia Parent Company public debt. When we use the term
   "Adelphia Parent Company" in this prospectus, we are referring only to
   Adelphia Communications Corporation as a parent holding company entity, and
   not to its subsidiaries;

 .  $754 million of debt owed by our subsidiaries to banks, other financial
   institutions and other persons; and

 .  $779 million of public debt owed by Hyperion, Adelphia's subsidiary which is
   a competitive local exchange carrier subsidiary.

Olympus, a non-consolidated joint venture, also had approximately $550 million
of debt at March 31, 1999. Olympus will be consolidated with Adelphia upon
completion of Adelphia's proposed acquisition of Telesat's equity interests in
Olympus. That acquisition is expected to close during the third quarter of 1999.


  We may need to refinance significant Century indebtedness that we will be
assuming.

Century and its subsidiaries have substantial indebtedness. At February 28,
1999, Century and its subsidiaries had long-term debt of approximately $2.0
billion (exclusive of current maturities of $20.1 million), including
approximately $1.9 billion principal amount of public indebtedness under nine
indentures, $97 million of indebtedness under four credit agreements entered
into by subsidiaries of Century and various banks and $80 million of
indebtedness under a note agreement entered into by a subsidiary of Century.

                                       3
<PAGE>

Under the indentures for Century's public notes, the merger will require Century
to make an offer to purchase the public notes if the merger results in the
public notes being downgraded to a specified level by certain national rating
agencies. Upon announcement of the merger, certain rating agencies announced
that the Century notes were under review with a view to a downgrade to a level
which would not require the Adelphia subsidiary into which Century will merge to
make an offer to repurchase public notes. In the event that the public notes
were to be downgraded to a level beyond that announced by the rating agencies
upon disclosure of the merger, the Adelphia subsidiary into which Century will
merge would be required to make an offer to repurchase the public notes at 101%
of the principal amount of the notes. In the event that a significant amount of
notes were tendered to Century for repurchase, this could materially decrease
Adelphia's liquidity.

Without a consent from the lenders to Century's subsidiaries, the Century merger
will violate certain covenants contained in the Century credit agreements. As a
result, we will either secure a waiver from the lenders under these credit
agreements or will refinance such credit agreements with new or existing credit
facilities. Although we currently have sufficient liquidity under our existing
credit facilities to refinance the borrowings under Century's credit agreements,
Adelphia is seeking consents to keep some or all of such credit agreements in
place. In the event that these consents cannot be obtained upon reasonable
terms, we could seek to refinance some or all of them under one or more new
facilities in order to preserve our existing liquidity. There can be no
assurance, however, that we will be able to obtain these consents or refinance
these credit agreements under any terms or on terms acceptable to Adelphia. As a
result, the failure to obtain the required consents or to refinance these credit
agreements could materially decrease Adelphia's liquidity.

                                       4
<PAGE>

  We may need to refinance significant FrontierVision indebtedness that we will
be assuming.

On February 23, 1999, we announced our proposed acquisition of FrontierVision.
FrontierVision and its subsidiaries have substantial indebtedness. At March 31,
1999, FrontierVision and its subsidiaries had nonaffiliate long-term debt of
approximately $1.1 billion, including approximately $668 million owed to banks
under a credit agreement and approximately $456 million owed under three
indentures for public notes.  We are attempting to secure consents and waivers
from the lenders to permit the credit agreement to remain outstanding. As a
result of the acquisition by Adelphia, the indentures for the public debt will
require FrontierVision to make an offer to repurchase the public notes at 101%
of the amount of the public notes. In the event that the lenders do not consent
to permitting the credit agreement to remain outstanding or a significant amount
of the public notes are tendered to FrontierVision for repurchase, then this
could materially decrease our liquidity.


  We will need to raise significant financing for the Harron acquisition.

We will need to raise significant funds to pay for the $1.17 billion acquisition
of Harron.  This may result in a material amount of additional indebtedness.

The indebtedness resulting from the acquisitions of Century, FrontierVision,
Harron and Telesat's interests in Olympus is reflected in Adelphia's unaudited
condensed consolidated pro forma financial statements incorporated by reference
in this prospectus.


  Debt service consumes a substantial portion of the cash we generate. This
could affect our ability to invest in our business in the future as well as to
react to changes in our industry or economic downturns.

Our high level of indebtedness can have important adverse consequences to us and
to you. It requires that we spend a substantial portion of the cash we get from
our business to repay the principal and interest on these debts. Otherwise, we
could use these funds for general corporate purposes or for capital
improvements. Our ability to obtain new loans for working capital, capital
expenditures, acquisitions or capital improvements may be limited by our current
level of debt. In addition, having such a high level of debt could limit our
ability to react to changes in our industry and to economic conditions
generally. In addition to our debt, at March 31, 1999, the Adelphia Parent
Company had approximately $148 million and Hyperion had approximately $236
million of redeemable exchangeable preferred stock which contain payment
obligations that are similar to Adelphia's debt obligations.

                                       5
<PAGE>

  Approximately 35% of our debt outstanding at March 31, 1999 must be paid by
January 1, 2004 and all of it must be paid by 2009.

Our debt comes due at various times up to the year 2009, including an aggregate
of approximately $1.3 billion as of March 31, 1999, which we must pay by January
1, 2004.

As discussed above, Century, FrontierVision and Olympus also have a substantial
amount of debt. Under their current terms, these debts come due at various times
up to the year 2017, including an aggregate of approximately $1.5 billion as of
March 31, 1999 (December 31, 1998 as to FrontierVision and May 31, 1998 as to
Century), which must be paid over the next five years.


Our Business Requires Substantial Additional Financing And If We Do Not Obtain
That Financing We May Not Be Able To Upgrade Our Plant, Offer Services, Make
Payments When Due Or Refinance Existing Debt

Our business requires substantial additional financing on a continuing basis for
capital expenditures and other purposes including:

 .  constructing and upgrading our plant and networks--some of these upgrades we
   must make to comply with the requirements of local cable franchise
   authorities;

 .  offering new services;

 .  scheduled principal and interest payments;

 .  refinancing existing debt; and

 .  acquisitions and investments.

There can be no guarantee that we will be able to issue additional debt or sell
stock or other additional equity on satisfactory terms, or at all, to meet our
future financing needs.

                                       6
<PAGE>

We Have Had Large Losses And We Expect This To Continue

The total convertible preferred stock, common stock and other stockholders'
equity (deficiency) at March 31, 1999 was a deficit of approximately $728.4
million.  Our continuing net losses, which are mainly due to our high levels of
depreciation and amortization and interest expense, have created this
deficiency. Our recent net losses applicable to our common stockholders were
approximately as follows:

 .  fiscal year ended March 31, 1997--$130.6 million;

 .  fiscal year ended March 31, 1998--$192.7 million;

 .  nine months ended December 31, 1998--$135.8 million; and

 .  three months ended March 31, 1999--$50.3 million.

We expect to continue to incur large net losses for the next several years.

  Our earnings have been insufficient to pay for our fixed charges and preferred
stock dividends.

Our earnings could not pay for our combined fixed charges and preferred stock
dividends during these periods by the amounts set forth in the table below.
Combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends included substantial non-
cash charges for depreciation, amortization and non-cash interest expense on
some of our debts and the non-cash expense of Hyperion's preferred stock
dividends:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Earnings              Non-Cash
                                            --------              --------
                                           Deficiency             Charges
                                           ----------             -------
                                                     (in thousands)
<S>                                      <C>                    <C>
fiscal year ended March 31, 1997             $ 61,848             $165,426
fiscal year ended March 31, 1998             $113,941             $195,153
nine months ended December 31, 1998          $116,899             $186,022
three months ended March 31, 1999            $ 42,585             $ 72,386
</TABLE>

                                       7
<PAGE>

  If we cannot refinance our debt, including debt incurred in connection with
the pending acquisitions of FrontierVision, Century, Harron and Telesat's
interests in Olympus, or obtain new loans, we would likely have to consider
various options. We cannot guarantee that any options available to us would
enable us to repay our debt in full.

Historically, the cash we generate from our operating activities and borrowings
has been sufficient to meet our requirements for debt service, working capital,
capital expenditures and investments in and advances to our affiliates, and we
have depended on additional borrowings to meet our liquidity requirements.
Although in the past we have been able both to refinance our debt and to obtain
new debt, there can be no guarantee that we will be able to continue to do so in
the future or that the cost to us or the other terms which would affect us would
be as favorable to us as current loans and credit agreements. Under these
circumstances, we may need to consider various financing options, such as the
sale of additional equity or some of our assets to meet the principal and
interest payments we owe, negotiate with our lenders to restructure existing
loans or explore other options available under applicable laws including those
under reorganization or bankruptcy laws. We believe that our business will
continue to generate cash and that we will be able to obtain new loans to meet
our cash needs. However, the covenants in the indentures and credit agreements
for our current debt provide some limitations on our ability to borrow more
money.


Competition

The telecommunications services provided by Adelphia are subject to strong
competition and potential competition from various sources.

  Our cable television business is subject to strong competition from several
sources which could adversely affect revenue or revenue growth.

Our cable television systems compete with other means of distributing video to
home televisions such as Direct Broadcast Satellite systems, commonly known as
DBS systems, and Multichannel Multipoint Distribution systems, commonly known as
wireless cable. Some of the regional Bell telephone operating companies and
other local telephone companies are in the process of entering the video-to-home
business and several have expressed their intention to enter the video-to-home
business.


In addition, because Adelphia's systems are operated under non-exclusive
franchises, other applicants may obtain franchises in Adelphia franchise areas.
For example, some regional Bell operating companies and local telephone
companies have facilities which are capable of delivering cable television
service and could seek competitive franchises.

                                       8
<PAGE>

The equipment which telephone companies use in providing local exchange service
may give them competitive advantages over Adelphia in distributing video to home
televisions. The regional Bell operating companies and other potential
competitors have much greater resources than Adelphia and would constitute
formidable competition for our cable television business. We cannot predict
either the extent to which competition will continue to materialize or, if such
competition materializes, the extent of its effect on our cable television
business.

Our cable television systems also face competition from other communications and
entertainment media, including conventional off-air television broadcasting
services, newspapers, movie theaters, live sporting events and home video
products. We cannot predict the extent to which competition may affect us.

Adelphia's cable modem and dial up Internet access business is subject to strong
competition and potential competition from a number of sources.  With respect to
high speed cable modem service, telephone companies are beginning to implement
various digital subscriber line services (DSL) that allow high speed Internet
access services to be offered over telephone lines.  DBS companies offer high
speed Internet access over their satellite facilities, and other terrestrial
based wireless operators (e.g., MMDS) are beginning to introduce high speed
access as well. With respect to dial up Internet access services, there are
numerous competitive Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in virtually every
franchise area.  The local telephone exchange company typically offers ISP
services, as do a number of other nationally marketed ISPs such as America
Online, Compuserve and AT&T Worldnet.  Adelphia cannot predict the extent to
which competition will continue to materialize or, if such competition
materializes, the extent of its effect on Adelphia's Internet access business.

                                       9
<PAGE>

  Hyperion's operations are also subject to risk because Hyperion competes
principally with established local telephone carriers that have long-standing
utility relationships with their customers and pricing flexibility for local
telephone services.

In each of the markets served by Hyperion's networks, the competitive local
exchange carrier services offered by Hyperion compete principally with the
services offered by the incumbent local telephone exchange carrier company
serving that area. Local telephone companies have long-standing relationships
with their customers, have the potential to subsidize competitive services from
monopoly service revenues, and benefit from favorable state and federal
regulations. The merger of Bell Atlantic and NYNEX created a very large company
whose combined territory covers a substantial portion of Hyperion's markets.
Other combinations are occurring in the industry, which may have a material
adverse effect on Hyperion and us.

We believe that local telephone companies will gain increased pricing
flexibility from regulators as competition increases. Hyperion's operating
results and cash flow could be materially and adversely affected by actions by
regulators, including permitting the incumbent local telephone companies in
Hyperion's markets to do the following:

 .  lower their rates substantially;

 .  engage in aggressive volume and term discount pricing practices for their
   customers; or

 .  charge excessive fees to Hyperion for interconnection to the incumbent local
   telephone company's networks.


  If the regional Bell telephone companies could get regulatory approval to
offer long distance service in competition with Hyperion's significant
customers, some of Hyperion's major customers could lose market share.

The regional Bell operating companies can now obtain regulatory approval to
offer long distance services if they comply with the interconnection
requirements of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996. To date, the FCC has
denied the requests for approval filed by regional Bell operating companies in
Hyperion's operating areas. However, approval of such a request could result in
decreased market share for the major long distance carriers which are among
Hyperion's significant customers. This could have a material adverse effect on
Hyperion.

                                       10
<PAGE>

  The regional Bell telephone companies continue to seek legislation that could
significantly enhance their competitive position against Hyperion.

Legislation has been introduced in Congress proposing to relieve the regional
Bell operating companies from the resale and unbundling requirements of the
federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 with respect to high speed data services,
and to otherwise facilitate the deployment of such services.  The adoption of
such legislation by Congress could have a material adverse effect on Hyperion.


  Potential competitors to Hyperion's telecommunications services include the
regional Bell telephone companies, AT&T, MCIWorldCom and Sprint, electric
utilities and other companies that have advantages over Hyperion.

Potential competitors for Hyperion include other competitive local exchange
carriers, incumbent local telephone companies which are not subject to regional
Bell operating companies' restrictions on offering long distance service, AT&T,
MCIWorldCom, Sprint and other long distance carriers, cable television
companies, electric utilities, microwave carriers, wireless telecommunications
providers, including cellular and Personal Communication Services (PCS), and
private networks built by large end users. Both AT&T and MCIWorldCom have
announced that they have begun to offer local telephone services in some areas
of the country, and AT&T recently announced a new wireless technology for
providing local telephone service. In addition, the long distance carriers could
build their own facilities, purchase other carriers or their facilities, or
resell the services of other carriers rather than use Hyperion's services when
entering the market for local exchange services.

Many of Hyperion's current and potential competitors, particularly incumbent
local telephone companies, have financial, personnel and other resources
substantially greater than those of Hyperion, as well as other competitive
advantages over Hyperion.

                                       11
<PAGE>

We Are Subject To Extensive Regulation

  Our cable television and telecommunications businesses are heavily regulated
as to rates we can charge and other matters. This regulation could limit our
ability to increase rates, cause us to decrease then current rates or require us
to refund previously collected fees.

The cable television industry and the provision of local telephone exchange
services are subject to extensive regulation at the federal, state and local
levels, and many aspects of such regulation are currently the subject of
judicial proceedings and administrative or legislative proposals. In particular,
the FCC adopted regulations that limit our ability to set and increase rates for
our basic service package and for the provision of cable television-related
equipment. The law permits certified local franchising authorities to order
refunds of rates paid in the previous 12-month period determined to be in excess
of the permitted reasonable rates. It is possible that rate reductions or
refunds of previously collected fees may be required in the future.  In
addition, the FCC has commenced a proceeding to determine whether cable
operators will be required to carry the digital signals of broadcast television
stations.  Such a requirement could require the removal of popular programming
services with materially adverse results for cable operators.


Adelphia must comply with rules of the local franchising authorities to retain
and renew its cable franchises, among other matters.  There can be no assurances
that the franchising authorities will not impose new and more restrictive
requirements as a condition to franchise renewal.  Similarly, Hyperion is
subject to state and local regulations and in some cases must obtain appropriate
certifications and/or local franchises to construct facilities and offer
services.  There can be no assurance that Hyperion's state and local regulators
will not impose new and more restrictive requirements as a condition to renew
any required certifications and franchises.

                                       12
<PAGE>

Proposals are currently before Congress and the FCC to require cable operators
to provide equal access over their cable systems to other ISPs.  To date, the
FCC has declined to impose such requirements.  This same "open access" issue is
being considered by some local franchising authorities as well.  Recently, a
federal district court in Portland, Oregon, upheld the authority of the local
franchising authority to impose an open access requirement in connection with a
cable television franchise transfer and that decision has been appealed to the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.  If Adelphia is required to provide
such open access, it could adversely impact Adelphia's anticipated revenues from
high-speed cable modem services and could complicate marketing and technical
issues associated with the introduction of such services.

  The federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 may have a significant impact on
our cable television and telephone businesses.

The federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 substantially changed federal, state
and local laws and regulations governing our cable television and
telecommunications businesses. This law could materially affect the growth and
operation of the cable television industry and the cable services we provide.
Although this legislation may lessen regulatory burdens, the cable television
industry may be subject to new competition as a result. There are numerous
rulemakings that have been and continue to be undertaken by the FCC which will
interpret and implement the provisions of this law. Furthermore, portions of
this law have been, and likely other portions will be, challenged in the courts.
We cannot predict the outcome of such rulemakings or lawsuits or the short- and
long-term effect, financial or otherwise, of this law and FCC rulemakings on us.


Similarly, the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 removes entry barriers for
all companies and could increase substantially the number of competitors
offering comparable services in Hyperion's markets or potential markets.
Furthermore, we cannot guarantee that rules adopted by the FCC or state
regulators or other legislative or judicial initiatives relating to the
telecommunications industry will not have a material adverse effect on Hyperion.

                                       13
<PAGE>

Unequal Voting Rights Of Stockholders

Adelphia has two classes of common stock--Class A common stock which carries one
vote per share and Class B common stock which carries ten votes per share. Under
Adelphia's Certificate of Incorporation, the shares of Class A common stock
elect only one of our eight directors.

Control Of Voting Power By The Rigas Family

  The Rigas family can control stockholder decisions on very important matters.

As of June 1, 1999, the Rigas family beneficially owned shares representing
about 42% of the total number of outstanding shares of both classes of
Adelphia's common stock and about 77% of the total voting power of Adelphia's
shares. The public holds a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A common
stock, although the Rigas family also owns approximately 30% of those shares as
of June 1, 1999. The Rigas family owns approximately 99% of Adelphia's shares of
Class B common stock. The Rigas family also owns shares of Adelphia's 8 1/8%
Series C cumulative convertible preferred stock which, if converted, would
increase its voting power and beneficial ownership. The Rigas family also has
agreed to acquire 4,114,549 shares of Class B common stock, and has rights to
acquire up to an additional 2,057,275 shares of Class B common stock, which if
purchased would increase its beneficial ownership and voting power. As a result
of the Rigas family's stock ownership and an agreement among the Class B
stockholders, members of the Rigas family as of June 1, 1999 have the power to
elect seven of eight Adelphia directors, and if they converted their convertible
preferred stock might be able to elect all eight directors. In addition, the
Rigas family could control stockholder decisions on other matters such as
amendments to Adelphia's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, and mergers or
other fundamental corporate transactions.

                                       14
<PAGE>

There Are Potential Conflicts Of Interest Between Adelphia And The Rigas Family

John J. Rigas and the other executive officers of Adelphia, including other
members of the Rigas family, own other corporations and partnerships, which are
managed by us for a fee. Subject to the restrictions contained in a business
opportunity agreement regarding future acquisitions, Rigas family members and
the executive officers are free to continue to own these interests and acquire
additional interests in cable television systems. These activities could present
a conflict of interest with Adelphia, such as how much time our executive
officers devote to our business. In addition, there have been and will continue
to be transactions between us and the executive officers or the other entities
they own or have affiliations with. Our public debt indentures contain covenants
that place some restrictions on transactions between us and our affiliates.

Holding Company Structure And Potential Impact Of Restrictive Covenants In
Subsidiary Debt Agreements

The Adelphia Parent Company directly owns no significant assets other than
stock, partnership interests and equity and other interests in our subsidiaries
and in other companies. This creates risks regarding our ability to provide cash
to the Adelphia Parent Company to repay the interest and principal which it
owes, our ability to pay cash dividends to our common stockholders in the
future, and the ability of our subsidiaries and other companies to respond to
changing business and economic conditions and to get new loans.

  The Adelphia Parent Company depends on its subsidiaries and other companies in
which it has investments to fund its cash needs.

The public indentures and the credit agreements for bank and other financial
institution loans of our subsidiaries and other companies in which we have
invested, restrict their ability and the ability of the companies they own to
make payments to the Adelphia Parent Company. These agreements also place other
restrictions on the borrower's ability to borrow new funds and include
requirements for the borrowers to remain in compliance with the credit
agreements. The ability of a subsidiary or a company in which we have invested
to comply with debt restrictions may be affected by events that are beyond our
control. The breach of any of these covenants could result in a default which
could result in all loans and other amounts owed to its lenders becoming due and
payable. Our subsidiaries and companies in which we have invested might not be
able to repay in full the accelerated loans.

                                       15
<PAGE>

It Is Unlikely You Will Receive A Return On Your Shares Through The Payment Of
Cash Dividends

Adelphia has never declared or paid cash dividends on any of its common stock
and has no intention of doing so in the foreseeable future. As a result, it is
unlikely that you will receive a return on your shares through the payment of
cash dividends.

Future Sales Of Adelphia Common Stock Could Adversely Affect Its Market Price

Sales, or availability for sale, of a substantial number of shares of our common
stock, including sales by any pledgees of such shares, could adversely affect
the market price of Class A common stock and could impair our ability in the
future to raise capital through stock offerings.


Under various registration rights agreements or arrangements, as of June 1,
1999, the Rigas family has the right, subject to some limitations, to require
Adelphia to register substantially all of the shares which it owns of Class A
common stock, consisting of 15,029,119 shares, Class B common stock, consisting
of 10,736,544 shares and the equivalent number of shares of Class A common stock
into which they may be converted, and Series C cumulative convertible preferred
stock, consisting of 80,000 shares and the 9,433,962 shares of Class A common
stock into which they may be converted. Among others, Adelphia has registered or
agreed to register for public sale the following shares:


 .  for the Rigas family--up to 11,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, 80,000
   shares of Series C cumulative convertible preferred stock and the Class A
   common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series C cumulative convertible
   preferred stock;

 .  for the selling stockholders receiving shares in the Verto Communications,
   Inc. acquisition--2,561,024 shares of Class A common stock;

                                       16
<PAGE>

 .  for a Rigas family partnership--4,000,000 shares of Class A common stock
   purchased by it in connection with the January 14, 1999 equity offerings;

 .  for the owners of FrontierVision--7,000,000 shares of Class A common stock in
   connection with the pending FrontierVision acquisition and 1,000,000 shares
   of Class A common stock held in connection with an escrow arrangement for the
   benefit of FrontierVision in certain circumstances if the transaction does
   not close;

 .  for the owners of Century--approximately 48,700,000 shares of Class A common
   stock to be issued in connection with the pending Century acquisition;

 .  for Citizens Cable Company, under this prospectus--1,852,302 shares of Class
   A common stock to be issued in the Citizens acquisition; and

 .  for TCI Development Corporation (or its successors) -- 2,250,000 shares.

Approximately 14,904,000 shares of Class A common stock and up to 80,000 shares
of Series C cumulative convertible preferred stock, including the underlying
Class A common stock, have been pledged by members of the Rigas family in
connection with margin loans made to members of the Rigas family. These pledgees
could freely sell any shares acquired upon a foreclosure.

The Century Merger May Not Be Completed If The Required Approval Of Century's
Class A Stockholders Is Not Obtained

The Century merger requires approvals from Century's stockholders and our
stockholders. Although the Class B stockholders of Century and the controlling
stockholders of Adelphia have agreed to vote in favor of the merger, the
companies cannot be certain of the ultimate outcome of the required vote of the
Class A stockholders of Century. If that vote is not obtained, the companies
will not be able to complete the proposed transaction as currently structured or
in a timely manner, if at all.

                                       17
<PAGE>

  The failure to satisfy conditions to completion of the acquisitions could
jeopardize the acquisitions.

Even if Century's stockholders approve the Century merger, one or more of the
pending acquisitions may not close unless several other conditions are met.
These include:

 .  receipt of all required consents of governmental authorities have been
   received, except where the failure to obtain any such required consent would
   not have a material adverse effect;

 .  neither Adelphia nor the selling parties have breached any of their
   respective representations, warranties or covenants made in the applicable
   agreement; and

 .  there is no law or court order prohibiting the applicable acquisition.

Our Acquisitions And Expansion Could Involve Operational And Other Risks

Because we are experiencing a period of rapid expansion through acquisition, the
operating complexity of Adelphia, as well as the responsibilities of management
personnel, have increased. Our ability to manage such expansion effectively will
require us to continue to expand and improve our operational and financial
systems and to expand, train and manage our employee base.


The Century, FrontierVision and Harron transactions and some of our other recent
acquisitions involve the acquisition of companies that have previously operated
independently. We may not be able to integrate the operations of these companies
without some level of difficulty, such as the loss of key personnel. There is no
guarantee that we will be able to realize the benefits expected from the
integration of operations from these transactions.


Because the cable systems to be acquired in the Century, FrontierVision and
Harron acquisitions are in the same industry as those of Adelphia, the acquired
systems will generally be subject to the same risks as those of Adelphia, such
as those relating to competition, regulation, year 2000 issues and technological
developments.

Purchasers Of Our Common Stock Will Incur Immediate Dilution

Persons purchasing Class A common stock will incur immediate and substantial net
tangible book value dilution.

                                       18
<PAGE>

Year 2000 Issues Present Risks To Our Business Operations In Several Ways

The year 2000 issue refers to the potential inability of computerized systems
and technologies to properly recognize and process dates beyond December 31,
1999. This could present risks to the operation of our business in several ways.
Our computerized business applications that could be adversely affected by the
year 2000 issue include:

 .  information processing and financial reporting systems;

 .  customer billing systems;

 .  customer service systems;

 .  telecommunication transmission and reception systems; and

 .  facility systems.

System failure or miscalculation could result in an inability to process
transactions, send invoices, accept customer orders or provide customers with
products and services. Although we are evaluating the impact of the year 2000
issue on our business and are seeking to implement necessary solutions, this
process has not been completed.


There can be no assurance that the systems of other companies on which our
systems rely will be year 2000 ready.   The systems of other companies also
could become incompatible with Adelphia's systems as a result of implementation
of year 2000 solutions.  Our failure or a third-party's failure to become year
2000 ready, or our inability to become compatible with third parties with which
we have a material relationship, including parties acquired by us, may have a
material adverse effect on Adelphia, including significant service interruption
or outages; however, we cannot currently estimate the extent of any such adverse
effects.

                                       19
<PAGE>

Forward-Looking Statements In This Prospectus Are Subject To Risks And
Uncertainties

The statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus that
are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" and can be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes,"
"expects," "may," "will," "should," "intends" or "anticipates" or
the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or
by discussions of strategy that involve risks and uncertainties.


Certain information set forth or incorporated by reference in this prospectus,
including "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" in Adelphia's Transition Report on Form 10-K, as amended
by Form 10-K/A, for the nine months ended December 31, 1998 and in Adelphia's
Form 10-Q, is forward-looking, such as information related to the effects of
future regulation, future capital commitments and the effects of competition.
Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that
could significantly affect expected results in the future from those expressed
in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, us. These risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties relating to
economic conditions, the availability and cost of capital, acquisitions and
divestitures, government and regulatory policies, the pricing and availability
of equipment, materials, inventories and programming, technological
developments, year 2000 issues and changes in the competitive environment in
which we operate. Persons reading this prospectus are cautioned that such
statements are only predictions and that actual events or results may differ
materially. In evaluating such statements, readers should specifically consider
the various factors which could cause actual events or results to differ
materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements.

                                       20
<PAGE>

                                    DILUTION

   The net tangible book value of Adelphia's common stock as of March 31, 1999
was a deficit of approximately $1,884,830,000 or negative $36.13 a share. Net
tangible book value per share represents the amount of Adelphia's convertible
preferred stock, common stock and other stockholders' equity (deficiency), less
intangible assets, divided by shares of Adelphia's common stock outstanding.
Purchasers of Class A common stock will have an immediate dilution of net
tangible book value which, due to our having a net tangible book value deficit,
will exceed the purchase price per share.  For example, in the April 28, 1999
Class A common stock offering, the purchase price of a single share initially
sold to the public was $61.75 and the net tangible book value dilution per share
was $82.40 based on net tangible book value as of December 31, 1998.  Net
tangible book value dilution per share represents the difference between the
amount per share paid by purchasers of shares of Class A common stock in an
offering by Adelphia and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of the
common stock immediately after completion of such offering.

                              SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

   The 1,852,302 shares offered under this prospectus have been issued to
Citizens Cable Company.  In connection with our acquisition of Century, we
entered into a purchase agreement with Citizens where we agreed to purchase from
Citizens its 50% interest in the Citizens-Century Cable Television Joint
Venture.  At July 29, 1999, this joint venture served approximately 91,000 basic
subscribers. The purchase price for the Citizens 50% interest in the joint
venture was approximately $157.5 million, which consisted of approximately $27.7
million in cash, the 1,852,302 shares of Adelphia Class A common stock being
offered under this prospectus and the assumption of indebtedness. Under that
purchase agreement, we agreed prior to the closing of that transaction to
register the 1,852,302 shares of Class A common stock for sale under this
prospectus.

   Leonard Tow is the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Century and
beneficially owns approximately __% of the outstanding shares of Adelphia Class
A common stock. Dr. Tow is also the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Citizens Utilities Company which wholly owns Citizens Cable Company, and will
also be appointed to serve on our board of directors.

   Neither Citizens Cable Company, nor any of its officers or directors, has
held any position or office or had any material relationship with us, our
predecessors or affiliates during the past three years.  In addition, Citizens
Cable Company may donate, pledge or transfer as gifts some or all of its shares,
or it may pledge, distribute or transfer its shares for no value to other
beneficial owners.  This prospectus may also be used for resales by these
pledgees, donees or transferees of the selling stockholder listed below or its
distributees and we will identify any of those pledgees, donees or transferees
in a supplement to this prospectus.

   The shares listed below represent, as of the date of this prospectus, all of
the shares that Citizens Cable Company beneficially owns, the number of shares
that may be offered and the

                                       21
<PAGE>

number of shares that Citizens will own after the offering assuming it sells all
of the shares offered under this prospectus.

   The numbers presented under "Class A Common Shares Held After Offering" and
"Percent of Class A Common Shares Held After Offering" in the table below assume
that all of the shares held by Citizens and being offered under this prospectus
are sold, and that Citizens acquires no additional shares of common stock before
the completion of this offering.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Percent of
                            Class A Common     Percent of                      Class A         Class A
                             Shares Held     Class A Common   Class A          Common          Common
                                Before        Shares Held     Common Shares    Shares Held     Shares Held
Name                           Offering     Before Offering   Offered Hereby   After Offering  After Offering
- ----                        --------------  ---------------   --------------   --------------  --------------
<S>                         <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>            <C>
Citizens Cable Company           1,852,302             3.55%        1,852,302              --              --
                                 =========      ===========         =========
Total                            1,852,302             3.55%        1,852,302              --              --
                                                -----------
</TABLE>

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

   All net proceeds from the sale of the shares will go to the stockholders who
offer and sell them.  We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares
by the selling stockholders.

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   Adelphia is registering the shares on behalf of the selling stockholders.
References in this section to selling stockholders also includes any permitted
pledgees, donees, transferees or other successors-in-interest identified in a
supplement to this prospectus as described above.  The selling stockholders may
offer their shares at various times in one or more of the following
transactions:

 .  in transactions, which may involve crosses or block transactions, on any
   national securities exchange or quotation service on which the shares may be
   listed or quoted at the time of sale;

 .  in the over-the-counter market;

 .  in private transactions other than in the over-the-counter market or on an
   exchange;

 .  in connection with short sales of shares;

 .  by pledge to secure debts and other obligations;

 .  in connection with the writing of non-traded and exchange-traded call
   options, in hedge transactions and in settlement of other transactions in
   standardized or over-the-counter options; or

 .  in a combination of any of the above transactions.

                                       22
<PAGE>

   The selling stockholders may sell their shares at market prices at the time
of sale, at prices related to market prices, at negotiated prices or at fixed
prices.

   The selling stockholders may use underwriters or broker-dealers to sell their
shares.  In effecting such sales, underwriters, brokers or dealers engaged by
the selling stockholders may arrange for other underwriters, brokers or dealers
to participate.  Underwriters, brokers or dealers may purchase shares as
principals for their own accounts and resell such shares pursuant to this
prospectus.  If this happens, the underwriters or broker-dealers will either
receive discounts or commissions from the selling stockholders, or they will
receive commissions from purchasers of shares for whom they acted as agents.
The selling stockholders, any underwriters, brokers, dealers and any other
participating brokers or dealers may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the
meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with these sales, and any
profits realized or commissions received may be deemed underwriting
compensation.

   The selling stockholders may also enter into hedging transactions with
broker-dealers or other financial institutions.  In connection with these
transactions, broker-dealers or other financial institutions may engage in short
sales of Adelphia's Class A common stock in the course of hedging the positions
they assume with selling stockholders.  The selling stockholders may also enter
into options or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial
institutions which require the delivery, to that broker-dealer or other
financial institution, of the shares offered under this prospectus.  The shares
that broker-dealers or other financial institutions receive in those types of
transactions may be resold under this prospectus.

   Selling stockholders also may resell all or a portion of the shares in open
market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933,
provided they meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of that Rule.

   When a particular offering of shares is made, if required, we will distribute
a prospectus supplement.  This supplement will set forth the names of the
selling stockholders, the aggregate amount and type of shares being offered, the
number of such securities owned prior to and after the completion of any such
offering, and, to the extent required, the terms of the offering, including the
name or names of any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, any discounts,
commissions and other terms constituting compensation from the selling
stockholders and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed
or paid to broker-dealers.

   To comply with the securities law in some jurisdictions, the shares will be
offered or sold in particular jurisdictions only through registered or licensed
brokers or dealers.  In addition, in some jurisdictions the shares may not be
offered or sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in that
jurisdictions or an exemption from registration or qualification is available
and is complied with.

   To comply with rules and regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, persons engaged in a distribution of the shares may be limited in their
ability to engage in market activities with respect to such shares.  In addition
and without limiting the foregoing, each selling stockholder will be subject to
applicable provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and
regulations thereunder, which provisions may limit the timing of purchases and

                                       23
<PAGE>

sales of any of the shares by the selling stockholders.  All of these things may
affect the marketability of the shares.

                      WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

   We file annual, quarterly and special reports, as well as proxy statements
and other information  with the SEC.  You may read and copy any document we file
with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549 or at its Regional Offices in Chicago, Illinois or New
York, New York.  You may obtain further information about the operation of the
Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  Our SEC filings are
also available to the public over the Internet at the SEC's web site at
http://www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy statements and other
information regarding registrants like us that file electronically with the SEC.

   This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 filed by us
with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933.  As permitted by SEC rules, this
prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration
statement and the accompanying exhibits filed with the SEC.  You may refer to
the registration statement and its exhibits for more information.

   The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" into this prospectus the
information we file with the SEC.  This means that we can disclose important
information to you by referring you to those documents.  The information
incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus.  If we
subsequently file updating or superseding information in a document that is
incorporated by reference into this prospectus, the subsequent information will
also become part of this prospectus and will supersede the earlier information.

   We are incorporating by reference the following documents that we have filed
with the SEC:

 .  our Transition Report on Form 10-K, as amended by Form 10-K/A, for the nine
   months ended December 31, 1998, and Items 7 and 8 of the Form 10-K for the
   fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 of Olympus Communications, L.P. and
   Olympus Capital Corporation;

 .  our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1999;

 .  our Current Reports on Form 8-K for the events dated January 11, February 22,
   February 23, March 5, March 30, March 31, April 9, April 19, April 21, April
   23, April 27, April 28, May 26 and June 22, 1999;

 .  our definitive proxy statement dated September 11, 1998 with respect to the
   Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on October 6, 1998; and

 .  the description of our Class A common stock contained in:

   .  our registration statement filed with the SEC under Section 12 of the
      Exchange Act and subsequent amendments and reports filed to update such
      description; and

                                       24
<PAGE>

       .  our registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-78027).

   We are also incorporating by reference into this prospectus:

    .  all of our future filings with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
       15(d) of the Exchange Act until this offering has been completed; and

    .  all of our filings made by us under the Exchange Act after the date the
       registration statement to which this prospectus is a part was initially
       filed and prior to the effective date of that registration statement.

   You may obtain a copy of any of our filings which are incorporated by
reference, at no cost, by writing to or telephoning us at the following address:

                    Adelphia Communications Corporation
                    Main at Water Street
                    Coudersport, Pennsylvania  16915
                    Attention:  Investor Relations
                    Telephone:  (814) 274-9830

   You should rely only on the information provided in this prospectus or
incorporated by reference.  We have not authorized anyone to provide you with
different information.  You should not assume that the information in this
prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the first page of
the prospectus.  No offer of securities is being made in any state or country in
which the offer or sale is not permitted.

                                    EXPERTS

   The consolidated financial statements of Adelphia and its subsidiaries as of
March 31, 1998 and December 31, 1998, and for the years ended March 31, 1997 and
1998 and the nine months ended December 31, 1998, and the consolidated financial
statements of Olympus and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1998, and
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998, all
incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Adelphia's Transition Report
on Form 10-K for the nine months ended December 31, 1998, have been audited by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their reports, which
are incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance
upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.

   The consolidated financial statements of FrontierVision Partners, L.P. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and for each of the years in the
three year period ended December 31, 1998, have been incorporated by reference
herein and in the registration statement from Adelphia's Current Report on Form
8-K filed June 22, 1999, in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent
certified public accountants, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

   The consolidated financial statements of Harron Communications Corp. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 and for each of the three years in
the period ended

                                       25
<PAGE>

December 31, 1998 incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Adelphia's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 22, 1999 have been audited by Deloitte &
Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report, which is
incorporated herein by reference, and has been so incorporated in reliance upon
the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.

   The consolidated financial statements of Century Communications Corp. and
subsidiaries as of May 31, 1998 and 1997 and for each of the three years in the
period ended May 31, 1998 incorporated in this prospectus by reference from
Adelphia's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 22, 1999 have been audited
by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report, which
is incorporated herein by reference, and has been so incorporated in reliance
upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting
and auditing.

                                       26
<PAGE>

                      Adelphia Communications Corporation


                    1,852,302 Shares of Class A Common Stock




                                   PROSPECTUS



We have not authorized any dealer, salesperson or other person to give any
information or represent anything contained in this prospectus.  You must not
rely on any unauthorized information.  This prospectus does not offer to sell
nor does it solicit to buy any shares of Class A common stock in any
jurisdiction where it is unlawful. The information in this prospectus is current
as of _____________, 1999.

<PAGE>

                                    PART II

                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

   The following is an estimate of the expenses which will be incurred by
Adelphia in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities
being registered.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                AMOUNT
<S>                                                                             <C>
SEC filing fee................................................................  $30,704
Legal fees and expenses.......................................................   10,000
Accounting fees and expenses..................................................    5,000
Miscellaneous expenses........................................................    4,296
                                                                                -------
Total.........................................................................   50,000
                                                                                =======
</TABLE>

ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS


   Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides in general that
a corporation may indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents against
expenditures (including judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and
attorneys' fees) made by them in connection with certain lawsuits to which they
may be made parties by reason of their being directors, officers, employees or
agents and shall so indemnify such persons against expenses (including
attorneys' fees) if they have been successful on the merits or otherwise.  The
bylaws of Adelphia provide for indemnification of the officers and directors of
Adelphia to the full extent permissible under Delaware law.

   Adelphia's Certificate of Incorporation also provides, pursuant to Section
102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, that directors of Adelphia
shall not be personally liable to Adelphia or its stockholders for monetary
damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director for acts or omissions after
July 1, 1986, provided that directors shall nonetheless be liable for breaches
of the duty of loyalty, bad faith, intentional misconduct, knowing violations of
law, unlawful distributions to stockholders, or transactions from which a
director derived an improper personal benefit.

                                      II-1
<PAGE>

ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)  The following is a complete list of Exhibits filed as part of this
     Registration Statement, which are incorporated herein:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Exhibit No.                  Reference
- -----------                  ---------
<C>                <S>                                                     <C>
  4.01             Certificate of Incorporation of Adelphia                Incorporated herein by
                   Communications Corporation                              reference is Exhibit 3.01
                                                                           to Registrant's Current
                                                                           Report on Form 8-K dated
                                                                           July 24, 1997 (File No.
                                                                           0-16104).

  4.02             Certificate of Designations for 5 1/2% Series D         Incorporated herein by
                   Convertible Preferred Stock                             reference is Exhibit 3.01
                                                                           to Registrant's Current
                                                                           Report on Form 8-K for the
                                                                           event dated April 28, 1999
                                                                           (File No. 0-16104).

 23.01             Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP with respect to        Filed herewith.
                   financial statements of Adelphia and Olympus

 23.02             Consent of KPMG LLP with respect to financial           Filed herewith.
                   statements of FrontierVision

 23.03             Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP with respect to        Filed herewith.
                   financial statements of Century

 23.04             Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP with respect to        Filed herewith.
                   financial statements of Harron

 24.01             Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of    Filed herewith.
                   the registration statement)
</TABLE>

ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS

(a)  Rule 415 Offering.

     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
     a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

     (i)   To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;

     (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-
effective amendment thereof) which,

                                      II-2
<PAGE>

individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in the Registration Statement;

     (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any
material change to such information in the Registration Statement;

Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) above do not apply if the
Registration Statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the information required
to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement.

     (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment 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.

     (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.

(b)  Filings Incorporating Subsequent Exchange Act Documents by Reference.

   The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) 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.

(c)  Request for Acceleration of Effective Date.

   Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by
a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer
or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction
the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.

                                      II-3
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

   Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing this registration statement on Form S-3 and has duly
caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Coudersport, Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, on the 30th day of July, 1999.

                                   ADELPHIA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

                                   By  /s/ Timothy J. Rigas
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                      Timothy J. Rigas, Executive Vice President


                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

   KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature appears below
constitutes and appoints Michael J. Rigas, Timothy J. Rigas and James P. Rigas,
and each of them, such person's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents,
with full power of substitution and revocation, for such person and in such
person's name, place and stead, in any and all amendments (including post-
effective amendments to this registration statement) and to file the same with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents
and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their
or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

   Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            SIGNATURES                                   TITLE                                 DATE
<S>                                 <C>                                                   <C>
/s/ John J. Rigas                   Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer       July 30, 1999
- ----------------------------------
JOHN J. RIGAS

/s/ Michael J. Rigas                Executive Vice President and Director                 July 30, 1999
- ----------------------------------
MICHAEL J. RIGAS

/s/ Timothy J. Rigas                Executive Vice President, Chief Financial             July 30, 1999
- ----------------------------------  Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer
TIMOTHY J. RIGAS                    and Director

/s/ James P. Rigas                  Executive Vice President and Director                 July 30, 1999
- ----------------------------------
JAMES P. RIGAS

/s/ Daniel R. Milliard              Senior Vice President, Secretary and Director         July 30, 1999
- ----------------------------------
DANIEL R. MILLIARD

                                    Director                                              July  ___, 1999
- ----------------------------------
PERRY S. PATTERSON

                                    Director                                              July ___, 1999
- ----------------------------------
PETE J. METROS

                                    Director                                              July ___, 1999
- ----------------------------------
DENNIS P. COYLE
</TABLE>

                                      II-4
<PAGE>

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.                  Reference
- -----------                  ---------

<TABLE>
<C>                <S>                                                 <C>
  4.01             Certificate of Incorporation of Adelphia            Incorporated herein by
                   Communications Corporation                          reference is Exhibit 3.01 to
                                                                       Registrant's Current Report on
                                                                       Form 8-K dated July 24, 1997
                                                                       (File No. 0-16104).

  4.02             Certificate of Designations for 5 1/2% Series D     Incorporated herein by
                   Convertible Preferred Stock                         reference is Exhibit 3.01 to
                                                                       Registrant's Current Report on
                                                                       Form 8-K for the event dated
                                                                       April 28, 1999 (File No.
                                                                       0-16104).

 23.01             Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP with respect to    Filed herewith.
                   financial statements of Adelphia and Olympus

 23.02             Consent of KPMG LLP with respect to financial       Filed herewith.
                   statements of FrontierVision

 23.03             Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP with respect to    Filed herewith.
                   financial statements of Century

 23.04             Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP with respect to    Filed herewith.
                   financial statements of Harron

 24.01             Power of Attorney (included on the signature page   Filed herewith.
                   to the registration statement)
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 23.01

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of
Adelphia Communications Corporation on Form S-3 of our report dated May 17, 1999
and our report dated March 19, 1999 on the financial statements of Adelphia
Communications Corporation and subsidiaries and of Olympus Communications, L.P.
and subsidiaries, respectively, appearing in and incorporated by reference in
the Transition Report on Form 10-K of Adelphia Communications Corporation for
the nine months ended December 31, 1998 and to the reference to us under the
heading "Experts" in the prospectus, which is part of this Registration
Statement.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
July 30, 1999

<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 23.02

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
No. 333-       on Form S-3, of Adelphia Communications Corporation, of our
report, dated March 19, 1999, relating to the consolidated balance sheets of
FrontierVision Partners, L.P. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997,
and the related consolidated statements of operations, partners' deficit and
cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31,
1998, which report appears in the June 22, 1999 Current Report on Form 8-K of
Adelphia Communications Corporation which is incorporated by reference herein
and to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the registration
statement.


/s/ KPMG LLP

Denver, Colorado
July 30, 1999

<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 23.03

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of
Adelphia Communications Corporation on Form S-3 of our report dated August 4,
1998, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Century Communications
Corp. and subsidiaries as of May 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related consolidated
statements of operations and cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended May 31, 1998, included in the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
June 22, 1999 by Adelphia Communications Corporation, incorporated by reference
in this Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the heading
"Experts" in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.


/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Stamford, Connecticut
July 30, 1999

<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 23.04

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of
Adelphia Communications Corporation on Form S-3 of our report dated March 19,
1999 (April 12, 1999 as to Note 16), with respect to the consolidated balance
sheets of Harron Communications Corp. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998
and 1997, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders'
equity and comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 1998, which report appears in Adelphia
Communications Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 22, 1999.  We
also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the
prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.


/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
July 30, 1999


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